Health care partners
Mercy and St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis have entered into a definitive agreement providing for an affiliation between the two health care providers. Leaders, board members and physicians from both organizations are working through the process of finalizing the details, with the goal of completing the agreement this spring. Under the terms of the agreement, St. Anthony's will affiliate with Mercy's four acute care hospitals and 730 physicians across the greater St. Louis region. "A partnership between St. Anthony's and Mercy reflects our shared mission, values and cultures as Catholic health care providers serving the St. Louis region, and our common commitment to our patients and communities," said David Sindelar, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of St. Anthony's. "By joining with Mercy, St. Anthony's patients, co-workers and physicians will have access to Mercy's extensive network of resources and services, strengthening our ability to improve community health."According to Donn Sorensen, Mercy regional president, the partnership will "strengthen Catholic health care and benefit the region as a whole."
UPCOMING EVENTS
First Friday series focuses on Christians in Middle East
Professor Jeffrey Wickes will be the featured speaker at St. Louis University's First Friday Mass and Speaker Series at noon, Friday, March 3 in Boileau Hall. After Mass and a light lunch, Wickes presents Theology and Literature Among Christians in the Middle East. Register for the free event at www.stlouisreview.com/bvj
Carmelite retreat
The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Kirkwood are holding a Lenten Holiness Retreat for young women ages 17-29 Friday to Sunday, March 3-5. The theme is "The Father who is Well-Pleased." The retreat will guide women to a deeper relationship with the Lord and a greater love for His Church while spending time with sisters. To learn more, visit www.carmelitedcj.org
Pauline's Lenten film series
The Daughters of St. Paul will host a free weekly film series on Fridays in Lent at Pauline Books & Media, beginning March 3 at 6:30 pm. with the film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." The rest of the schedule: "Straight Story" (March 10); "The Hundred-Foot Journey" (March 17); "Red Dog" (March 24); "Chocolat" (March 31); and "The Way" (April 7). Brown bag suppers are welcome at the free series. The bookstore address is 9804 Watson Road in Crestwood. For information, call (314) 965-3512.
Student art exhibit opens
Corporal Works of Mercy, as seen through the eyes of Catholic school students, is the focus of an art exhibit at Good Shepherd Gallery, which will host the opening reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the Three School Connection Project features the art of second-, fourth- and seventh-graders from Incarnate Word School in Chesterfield, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ferguson and St. Cletus in St. Charles. The exhibit runs through March 31, with gallery hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. The gallery address is at 252 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson. For information, call (314) 522-1155.
The Gospel truth
"Lent-Conforming Your Life to Christ" is the topic of a Lenten morning of prayer program at Queen of Apostles Spiritual Life Center in Imperial focusing on three Gospel stories: the Woman at the Well, the Man Born Blind and Raising of Lazarus. The program on Tuesday, March 7, begins with a light breakfast at 8:45 a.m. and includes a presentation by Redemptorist Father John Schmidt, director and rector of St. Clement Redemptorist Health Care Center in Liguori. A $10 donation is requested. Register by Thursday, March 2, at www.queen-of-apostles.com or call (314) 602-5345. The center is a ministry of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pauline's spring WINE
The spring session of Daughters of St. Paul's "Read Between the Wines" book club will focus on "Walk in Her Sandals: Experiencing Christ's Passion through the Eyes of Women," edited by Kelly Wahlquist. The club will meet 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays, starting March 8 and ending April 26, at Pauline Books & Media at 9804 Watson Rd. in Crestwood. WINE stands for Women in the New Evangelization, encouraging, supporting and nurturing women in their faith and mobilizing them as intentional disciples of Jesus Christ. For information or to register, call (314) 965-3512.
Pallottine Lenten speaker series
The Pallottine Renewal Center will host a Lenten Speaker Series at the center, 15270 Old Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. Topics and speakers include March 9, "Discovering Your Song" with Father Robert Rosebrough; March 14, "We Know the Dying; Where is the Rising?" with Father Tom Wyrsch; and March 22, "Sinkhole Syndrome: A Christian Tragedy and How to Avoid It" with Father Rajpaul Sundararaj. Cost is $25 per session. For more information or to register, contact (314) 837-7100 or visit www.pallottinerenewal.org/programs.
It Ritiro events
Il Ritiro Franciscan Retreat Center in Dittmer will host a daylong retreat, "The Life of Serenity," on Saturday, March 11, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sister Alacoque Burger, OSF, will lead retreatants through song, prayer, storyteling, sharing life's experiences and time for private prayer. The center also will host a Lenten Day of Reflection on Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mary Wainscott, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and former educator who leads continuing adult formation, will lead the discussion on the meaning of Lent and its common practices, the significance of Mary and the feast of the Annunciation (March 25), and readings and prayers from the saints. The Stations of the Cross also will be prayed.
Cost for either event is is $24 ($40 for two) before March 1, and $34 ($60 for two) after that. Lunch is included and scholarships are available. Register at www.il-ritiro.org or call (636) 274-0554.