Mercy welcomes return of volunteers
Mercy’s more than 3,000 volunteers log hundreds of thousands of hours in service to communities across the Mercy health care system. But for more than a year, almost all of those efforts came to a halt because of the pandemic. While some volunteers continued to knit baby caps for newborns from home and assist in some vaccination clinics, most were unable to do the jobs they love. Now as COVID-19 cases hit new lows, volunteers will be returning.
Mercy volunteers include teenagers who want experience in the medical field, middle-aged people looking to give back, seniors who want to stay active and people with disabilities learning job skills. Volunteers commit to as little as one hour a month and as much as 40 hours a week. To learn more about volunteering, visit mercy.net and search for volunteer opportunities at the nearest Mercy Hospital in your community.
Monthly prayer at Marianist Retreat
The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center will begin hosting a monthly prayer meeting on the first Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the welcome and opening prayer beginning at 6:30. The evening will include praise and worship, a Marianist Moment, talk and teaching and group discussion. The first prayer meeting will be held May 6 and will include Carrie Bajzath as worship leader, Marianist Moment by Paul Masek, and teaching by Larry Decker. The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center is located at 4000 Highway 109 in Eureka.
Project Rachel
Project Rachel, an abortion healing ministry program of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, is holding a day of spiritual reflection for women wounded by abortion. The day, which includes Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a light lunch, will be held in a confidential, prayerful setting in the St. Louis area on Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marisol Pfaff, Project Rachel coordinator and certified spiritual director, will help participants realize the hope, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ. For information or to participate, call (314) 277-5057 or email [email protected].
St. Joseph men’s retreat
The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka will host a St. Joseph Retreat for men on Saturday, May 8 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The theme of the retreat is: “Becoming a Man Like St. Joseph.” Presenters include Jared Bryson, Larry Decker and Paul Masek. The day will include time for reflective listening, group discussion, personal prayer, all-day coffee service, continental breakfast and lunch. Due to COVID regulations, spots are limited, but a minimum of 22 attendees are needed to make this retreat happen. Cost is $60 per person. For more information or to register, call (636) 938-5390.
History award
Lynne Madison Jackson, the great-great-granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott, was honored April 17 by the Webster Groves Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter with the DAR History Award Medal given by the national DAR organization. Jackson is the founder and president of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. Nomination for this award is sent to the national DAR historian general and evaluated independently. Jackson is one of only eight recipients from Missouri. An article in the St. Louis Review on plans for a new Dred Scott memorial in Calvary Cemetery was among the material submitted for the award.
National Merit scholarships
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released the names of the first group of winners in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, including three students from Catholic high schools in the archdiocese. The students were among approximately 1,000 high school seniors who have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards. The three students are Michael D. Krausz and Brendan T. McLaughlin of Saint Louis University High School and Piper G. Ancell of Cor Jesu High School.
Adoption, foster care bills sent to the governor
The Missouri House truly agreed and finally passed two bills that would provide tax relief for families who adopt or provide foster care services. HB 429, sponsored by Rep. Hannah Kelly (R-Mountain Grove), would allow Missourians who serve as foster parents for at least six months to receive a tax credit to cover the cost of the process, capped at $2,500 per taxpayer or $5,000 for married couples. HB 430, also sponsored by Rep. Kelly, would expand the current special needs adoption tax credit to apply to all adoptions in the state. The bills were carried in the Senate by Sens. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) and Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston). During Senate debate, HB 430 was amended to include the benevolent tax credit legislation that would expand the tax credits for donations to domestic violence shelters and maternity homes. These bills were a priority of House Speaker Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold), who was adopted out of the foster care system as a child. The Missouri Catholic Conference testified in support of the bills and the expansion of benevolent tax credits. These bills now go to Gov. Mike Parson for his signature.
Trinity final farewell
Trinity Catholic High School families and alumni, as well as Mercy, Rosary, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Thomas Aquinas-Mercy alumni and families are invited to a Final Farewell Party from 3-9 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the school, 1720 Redman Road in north St. Louis County. Festivities will include live music, food trucks and drinks, apparel items from Fischer’s Sporting Goods for order and purchase, and a chance to walk the hallways one final time. Non-perishable items will be collected for local food pantries.
Go deep, Cards
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation has begun its 10th season of Homers for Health, which raises funds for the children served by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of Cardinals fans from across the nation and around the world, this program contributes to exceptional, state-of-the-art health care and the creation of child-friendly, family-centered environments within the hospital. Homers for Health was founded by former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee. For information or to make a pledge, visit www.glennon.org.
Vaccine appointments
Mercy has now opened appointments online for those who want to get their COVID-19 vaccination. “With a steady supply of vaccine coming in, we’re ready for anyone 16 and up to choose their appointment times,” said Jon Lakamp, Mercy chief pharmacy officer. To make an appointment, go online to www.mercy.net/MOVaccine. When a location has appointments available, it will be listed on the page and open for scheduling. Mercy Vaccine Clinics are distributing the Pfizer vaccine with Mercy Pharmacy locations giving the Moderna vaccine. “If you don’t see your preferred location, keep checking back,” Lakamp said. “Appointments will be posted according to vaccine availability and are for first doses only. You’ll schedule your second dose during your first appointment.” Mercy has worked through its earlier vaccine registration lists. Anyone who thought they were registered but hasn’t been contacted can now schedule one of these online appointments. For those without internet access, call 833-364-6777.