Hurricane relief

Catholic Charities of St. Louis is seeking monetary donations to support individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Florence over parts of the Mid-Atlantic. All of the funds contributed will be forwarded to the Catholic Charities agencies serving the hurricane-affected communities. As of Sept. 18, about 500,000 homes and businesses were still without power, mostly in North Carolina but some in South Carolina. Wilmington, N.C,. was nearly cut off by floodwaters, according to news reports. To donate, visit bit.ly/2kzhUKl and under “fund” select “Hurricane Florence Relief Fund” from the drop-down menu.

Social justice recognition

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Florissant and its Social Justice Council were recently recognized with the North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice President’s Award. The parish was commended for its continuing support of NCCU and principles of racial harmony and justice. Representatives from the parish will receive the award at a dinner Oct. 7. Ross Caravelli is chair of the parish Social Justice Council.

Upcoming events

Hospice volunteers

Heartland Hospice is seeking volunteers to provide one-on-one attention to people in the final phase of a terminal illness who are in need of companionship. Heartland volunteers offer support and practical, caring help, staying with a patient so family members can take a break, reading Scripture to patients or holding their hand. All assignments are in close proximity to a volunteer’s home, work or school. For information about the next training class, call Virginia at (314) 453-0990.

40 Days for Life

The 40 Days for Life campaign to end abortion will take place Sept. 26 through Nov. 4. A kickoff rally was planned for Saturday, Sept. 22, after the 8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The campaign includes prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil outside of an abortion clinic and community outreach. To sign up, visit www.coalitionforlifestl.com/ 40-days-for-life.

Tootsie roll time

The Knights of Columbus Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, commonly called the Tootsie Roll Drive, is Friday-Sunday, Oct. 5-7. Knights will be on street intersections across Missouri and in front of Dierbergs, Walmart, Save-a-Lot and other stores wearing bright yellow vests, passing out Tootsie Rolls and collecting donations to help children with special needs. Proceeds will benefit the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The Knights Center provides comprehensive diagnosis, intervention family support and professional education services. For more information, visit www.glennon.org/knights-drive.

Annual assembly

The Missouri Catholic Conference Annual Assembly will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Helias High School in Jefferson City, Mo. The free event will focus on “Pope Francis at Five Years: the Church at the Peripheries.” Keynote speaker is Bishop Joseph Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Workshops will address pro-life legislation past and future, immigration law, the death penalty, the opioid epidemic, Catholic Charities efforts, and how Catholics can better accompany people in the LGBT community. The day will conclude with a Mass concelebrated by all the Catholic bishops of Missouri. Register at www.mocatholic.org or call 1-800-456-1679.

Special needs Mass

A Mass for people with special needs will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 17 Ann Ave. in Valley Park, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Special needs individuals who wish to participate in the Mass as a lector, usher, greeter, petition reader, or other function should contact Kathy Houston at (636) 861-3469 or [email protected]. Following Mass, a luncheon sponsored by the Sacred Heart Pro Life Committee will take place in the church hall. RSVP with the number of guests who will be attending to [email protected].

Our Lady of Guadalupe for Life benefit

Our Lady of Guadalupe for Life is hosting its annual benefit dinner on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Orlando Gardens in south St. Louis County. Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso will be the main speaker at the dinner. The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. with Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Hermann, followed by dinner and Bishop Rivituso’s talk. Zip Rzeppa will serve as master of ceremonies. Proceeds benefit the organization, which sponsors pro-life billboards along area roadways. For reservations, call (314) 487-2066 or (314) 920-1212.

Our Lady of Aparecida

A Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, the principal patroness of Brazil, will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at St. Joseph Church, 567 St. Joseph’s Lane in Manchester. The Mass in Portuguese, English and Spanish is open to people from all cultures and is touted as a good cultural exchange opportunity for children. Members of Grupo da Misericórdia prepare music and help plan for the Mass

White Mass

Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso will celebrate the annual White Mass for health care professionals at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central West End. Mass is associated with St. Luke, the patron of physicians and surgeons, whose feast day is October 18. All Catholic physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, emergency personnel, other health care professionals and their families are invited. A reception will follow Mass in Boland Hall. For more information, call (314) 792-7812.

Isolation no more

“From Isolation to Community: Mental Illness at Home and Church,” a three-part, faith-based education and awareness series sponsored by Karla Smith Behavioral Health, will be presented from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 at Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St. in Belleville, Ill. Members of the Karla Smith Behavioral Health faith-based committee will be the presenters of the program for anyone who lives with or is a friend of a person with mental illness or who has substance abuse issues. The discussions will be within a Christian ecumenical faith context on strategies for coping with a mental illness. The fee of $25 covers books and handouts. For registration or more information, contact Tom Smith at (618) 628-3129 or [email protected].

Hospice volunteers

Heartland Hospice is seeking volunteers to provide one-on-one attention to people in the final phase of a terminal illness who are in need of companionship. Heartland volunteers offer support and practical, caring help, staying with a patient so family members can take a break, reading Scripture to patients or holding their hand. All assignments are in close proximity to a volunteer’s home, work or school. For information about the next training class, call Virginia at (314) 453-0990.