Aquinas theology student to make solemn profession

Dominican Brother Christopher Damien Johnson, 31, will make solemn profession on the Feast of St. Dominic, Aug. 8, in the Chapel of the Rosary at Dominican University in River Forest, Ill. Very Reverend James V. Marchionda, OP, Prior Provincial of the Chicago-based Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, will receive the vows. Born in Fargo, N.D., Brother Christopher attended Catholic grade school and high school in Minnesota, then earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 2008. He taught junior high and high school over the next five academic years and earned a master’s degree in education leadership from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 2013. After a one-year novitiate in Denver, he made simple vows in August 2014 then was assigned to St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis to begin theological studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology, with two years of studies remaining until he is ordained to the priesthood. For information about the Dominican Friars, visit www.opcentral.org.

Upcoming events

Trinity Catholic dinner/auction

Early bird pricing and registration are open for Trinity Catholic High School’s annual dinner and auction — “Under the Big Top” — Saturday, Oct. 20, at the high school. Individual early bird tickets cost $45, with couples tickets at $85. For early birds, full payment is due Thursday, Sept. 20. For information, visit www.trinitycatholichigh.org/auction.html or contact Trish Wuelling at [email protected].

#ThisIsMyFerguson

The opening receptions for the #ThisIsMyFerguson art exhibit will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at four venues in and around Ferguson participating in the show — Good Shepherd Arts Center, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Ferguson Municipal Public Library and Ferguson Community Empowerment Center. During the opening, the Ferguson Trolley will run continuously among the four venues to enable visitors to view the art at all four places. #ThisIsMyFerguson, which extends to Aug. 25, exhibits the work of professional artists, occasional artists, adults, children and groups, who reflect on what the community treasures from the past, values in the present, and desires for its future to counter the perceptions of Ferguson based on the violence of 2014. After the receptions, the exhibits will be open during the venues’ regular business hours — Good Shepherd: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 2-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday by appointment; library: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; St. Peter’s UCC: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; and empowerment center: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Pro-life film

The Daughters of St. Paul in collaboration with Missouri Right to Life will host a screening of the short documentary film “I Lived on Parker Avenue” on Thursday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. at Pauline Books & Media, 9804 Watson Road in Crestwood. The 2017 pro-life, pro-adoption film follows the dramatic cross-country reunion between then-Louisiana college student David Scotton and his Indiana-based birth parents. The film also explores the life stories of David’s birth parents and adopted parents, and his mother’s experience at an abortion facility when pregnant with David. Admission to the screening is free. To register or more information, call (314) 965-3512.

Silver and Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass

Couples celebrating their 25th, 50th or 50-plus wedding anniversary during 2018 are invited the annual Silver and Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will be the celebrant. Family members and friends are invited to join the couples at this special celebration. Couples registered by Aug. 24 will have their names and wedding date printed in the program and receive a certificate of congratulations. To register, visit archstl.org/jubileemass. For more information, contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life at (314) 792-7170.

Prayers for fallen away Catholics

A prayer service for family members who have fallen away from the Catholic Church to return again will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church, 4900 Ringer Road in Oakville.