Roe v. Wade memorial Mass

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will be the main celebrant at the annual Roe v. Wade memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Mass, organized by the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate, will include a pro-life generation memorial and a collection for the LifeLine Coalition, which benefits thousands of local women and families annually. The Rosary walk to and from Missouri’s last abortion facility will follow Mass, marking the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion on Jan. 22, 1973.

Postpartum Health Coverage

The Missouri Catholic Conference reports that a bipartisan group of legislators will be working next year on expanding health insurance coverage for new mothers. Last year, a bill was signed into law that included, among other provisions, an extension of postpartum coverage for mental health services for up to a year, subject to appropriation. This year, lawmakers are looking to fund that expansion and also add a broader range of postpartum health care benefits through the state’s Medicaid plan. The Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection included the postpartum coverage expansion as one of its recommendations in its recently released report. During the committee hearings held this summer, witnesses asked the committee to appropriate money for the coverage extension, stating that it could be done through federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Missouri Catholic Conference, public policy agency of the state’s bishops, has supported the bills expanding postpartum mental health coverage and will continue to follow legislation that would expand that coverage.

Thrown away

Where does stuff go when you throw it away? Franciscans for Earth speaker Jean Ponzi will share a behind-the-scenes tour of waste-handling processes covering recycling, community-scale composting and landfilling of the items that leave our homes, schools and businesses everyday. The program will be held virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11. Ponzi is green resources manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis. She is a 26-year veteran of the Garden’s EarthWays Center team. Register at bit.ly/31Q233t. Registrants will receive an email response that contains a Zoom link.

Naming and Commendation

Two parishes will offer the Naming and Commendation Rite of an Infant Who Died Before Birth in January. This prayer service, developed by the archdiocese, helps meet the needs of families whose child died before birth for any reason, including miscarriage, accident, abortion or stillbirth. There also is an opportunity to name the child, bring peaceful closure, and unite with God. Parishes hosting a prayer service include:

• Christ Prince of Peace, 415 Weidman Road in Manchester, Saturday, Jan. 8, at 8:45 a.m. (following the 8 a.m. Mass). To RSVP or for more information, contact Susan Nowak at [email protected].

• St. Francis Borgia Parish, 115 Cedar St. in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. To RSVP or for more information, contact Jane Maune at [email protected] or (636) 432-6781.

Men for Christ

Catholic Men for Christ’s 2020 conference, featuring Jeff Cavins, who is producer of the Bible in a Year Podcast, will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Si Commons at St. Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Ave. in St. Louis. Registration is now open, with $30 discounted tickets available through Jan. 10. The admission fee includes a box lunch. For information, visit catholicmenforchrist.org.

New president at St. Joseph’s Academy

St. Joseph’s Academy has named Marcia Niedringhaus its new president. She currently serves as the school’s interim president and is an attorney with years of business ownership and operational experience. She was a member of the school’s board of directors from 2013-20 and previously served as the interim president during the 2015-16 school year. A partner at the law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, Niedringhaus previously was executive vice president and general counsel for CWE Hospitality Services, LLC, where she oversaw the $150 million renovation of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel and developed The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza.

Volunteers

The Franciscan Connection in St. Louis is seeking volunteers to help with various tasks, including making follow-up calls to check in with guests who have previously utilized its services. The Franciscan Connection expresses the compassionate presence of God to people who are disadvantaged of south St. Louis through financial, spiritual and emotional assistance and being a bridge with service providers, benefactors, and the Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Sacred Heart. The agency recently recognized Sharon Stevenson, a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Oakville, for her years of volunteer service. A reminder of her 20 years of service was hung on the wall of the Connection. Her responsibilities as a volunteer varied, but most recently included the follow-up calls. People in need are asked to call (314) 773-8485 to request assistance. For more information, visit franciscanconnection.org. To volunteer, email [email protected] or call (314) 773-8485. To make a donation to the Franciscan Connection, send a check to PO Box 18637 St. Louis, MO 63111 or visit the website.

Country church tour

The New Year Country Church Tour will be held on New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at participating churches for visitors to view and enjoy Christmas décor and traditions. Someone from each church will be available to greet guests and provide information on the local church history and events. A link for a map showing a driving route between churches will be made available on the St. Ann Parish in Clover Bottom website (www.stannchurchcloverbottom.org). Three churches are new to the 2022 tour, with the full list including Bethlehem Lutheran in New Haven; Assumption in New Haven; St. Ann in Clover Bottom; St. Gertrude in Krakow; St. John the Baptist in Villa Ridge; St. Francis Borgia in Washington; Immaculate Conception in Augusta; Immaculate Conception in Union; Our Lady of Lourdes in Washington; St. Vincent De Paul in Dutzow; and St. Anthony in Sullivan. For information, contact Connie Rigg at (636) 667-1537, or [email protected].