SSND double centenarians
School Sisters of Notre Dame Mary Frederick Keller, right,and Antonice Backes, left, celebrated their 100th birthdays with a special celebration Aug. 20 at the Sarah Community in Bridgeton. Both centenarians were longtime teachers and volunteers in the archdiocese. Sister Antonice taught elementary school and has volunteered with the St. Augustine-Wellston Center. Sister Mary Frederick taught math and chemistry and volunteers at the Sarah Community, including maintaining the Anna House Chronicles, which keeps track of residents there.
Backpack blessing
Students and parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brentwood celebrated the start of the new school year by attending a special Backpack Blessing at a Sunday Mass. Pastor Father Jack Siefert called students forward and gave them a special blessing for a great year. The students received a tag to attach to their backpacks for the year.
New office, director
Sandra Price, former director of the Office of Safe Environment, has been named executive director of the Archdiocese of St. Louis' newly formed Office of Child and Youth Protection, a combination of that office and the Office of Safe Environment. Price, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville, has a master's degree in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker. Deacon Phil Hengen is retiring from his position as director of the Office of Youth Protection. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson bestowed on him the Order of St. Louis, King Award in recognition of his outstanding service. He will continue to serve on the staff at the Catholic Student Center at Washington University.
Online courses
The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) offers online courses to public, private and home school students in grades kindergarten-12. The Missouri General Assembly passed the MoVIP law in 2006. The Missouri Catholic Conference worked with legislators to ensure that MoVIP would allow for the participation of private and home school students. All instructors are state certified teachers and all courses must meet academic standards. Parents must pay a fee for each online course. MoVIP vendors offer e-books free of charge. Learn more about MoVIP and register for courses at movip.org or call (573) 751-2453.
'Musial Moments'
The St. Louis Sports Commission offers a program fostering civility, respect and selflessness among young people in the St. Louis region. Inspired by Stan Musial, the organization is visiting schools in the metro area to introduce the concept of "Musial Moments" and to instill the qualities of sportsmanship on and off the field. Presentations are led by Solomon Alexander, the director of the sports commission's Sportsmanship Foundation. The 45-minute session is designed to be fun and interactive. Funding from sports commission supporters enables the program to be offered at no cost to participating groups. To bring Musial Moments to your school or organization, call (314) 345-5130 or email [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
Help sought
The St. Julie Teen Group from Tinley Park, Ill., is seeking supplies and help for their mission trip Labor Day weekend to clean up historic Greenwood Cemetery in Kirkwood. The cemetery was organized in 1874 for African Americans in post-Civil War St. Louis. Sought are gas-powered trimmers, brush and lawn mowers and weed whips (cycle) as well as water and sports drinks for the group and additional laborers. The tools will be returned after the weekend unless they are donated to the cemetery. Contact Tom O'Donnell at (708) 334-3190 or [email protected].
Film and discussion
A free film screening of "Lindy Lu, Juror Number 2" will beat 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd. in University City. The full-length documentary by Florent Vassault focuses on a juror who for 20 years lived with a feeling of guilt for helping sentence a man to death and seeks to learn the impact of the decision on her fellow jurors. The screening, which will be followed by a discussion, is hosted by Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon, the the St. Louis Social Justice Committee of the General Baptist State Convention and others.