Living the motto

Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, visited her alma mater, Bishop DuBourg High School in south St. Louis Nov. 2 and told students at an all-school assembly that the school’s motto, “Faith in Christ … Service to Others,” is ingrained in her. Leavitt said she learned to value service to others at the school, from where she graduated in 1985. She said she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life while she was in high school but liked math and science. Leavitt told the students that hard work presents a lot of opportunities. Back in her hometown for the grand reopening of the Soldier’s Memorial Military Museum, she said she had no desire for the attention she received as the first female fighter pilot, but had an overwhelming desire to fly the planes.

Upcoming events

“Courage In Conflict”

Dennis Turner, author of “What Did You Do In The War, Sister?”, and Sister Carol Marie Wildt, archivist for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, will lead a discussion of “Courage In Conflict” Nov. 14 at Fontbonne University’s Ryan Hall. The stories of “The Righteous Among Us” will focus on the seldom told stories of Catholic nuns during the holocaust and resistance to the Nazis in World War II. The archdiocesan office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs is among sponsors, the Office of Consecrated Life participated by reaching out to religious communities to share stories of Religious and Priests during wartime. The Archdiocesan Archives also contributed. The hour-long program starts at 7 p.m.; a reception precedes it at 6 p.m.

Catholic perspective for end-of-life issues

The Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri will present another installment of “The Conversation: A Catholic Perspective on End-of-Life Issues” on Saturday, Nov. 17 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — at Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury. Father Donald Henke will discuss the principles of Catholic bioethics, a topic of interest for many Catholics making healthcare plans for themselves or caring for ill or aging loved ones. The free seminar will also include presentations on Catholic funeral and cemetery planning, estate planning and advance directives and charitable gift planning. To register, visit rcfstl.org/the-conversation.

Adoption Mass

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate the 10th annual Adoption Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Mass, organized by Catholic Charities’ Good Shepherd Children and Family Services, the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate and archdiocesan Office of Natural Family Planning, is a celebration of all whose lives have been affected by adoption, whether directly or indirectly. A reception will take place afterward at Boland Hall. A special invitation is extended to parents who have made an adoption plan for their child and families who have adopted or who are in the process of adoption. For more information, call the Respect Life Apostolate at (314) 792-7555.

Our Lady and St. Juan Diego

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference — Sunday, Nov. 18, at Cardinal Rigali Center — will focus on the scientific, cultural and theological aspects of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the tilma of St. Juan Diego, to whom Our Lady appeared in 1531 at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. Speakers include Father Bruce Nieli, CSP, theologian David Keys, and panelist Sister Cathy Doherty, SSND, pastoral associate at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Ferguson. Matachines dancers and a mariachi band will entertain. The archdiocesan Office of Sacred Worship and Hispanic Ministry, and the Institute for Theological Encounter Science and Technology are sponsoring the conference, which starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Cardinal Rigali Center is at 20 Archbishop May Drive in Shrewsbury. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Vitae Foundation event

Father Jonathan Morris, Fox News analyst and author, will speak at the Vitae Foundation’s St. Charles Pro-Life Event on Thursday, Nov. 29, at the St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza in St. Charles. Dinner and program begin at 7 p.m. The event raises funds to promote a culture of life and to help educate women facing unplanned pregnancies about resources available which can assist them in making an informed decision. Father Morris was program director of SiriusXM’s “The Catholic Channel” until 2015. He also serves in campus ministry at Columbia University. Reservations will be accepted online at www.vitaefoundation.org/events or by calling (573) 634-4316. The registration fee is $50 per person and $25 is tax-deductible.

Celebrating Baby Jesus

The Daughters of St. Paul will host their annual Birthday Party for Baby Jesus on Saturday, Dec. 1 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — at Pauline Books & Media at 9804 Watson Road in Crestwood. The party has become a St. Louis tradition over the past 25 years as generations of families have come to enjoy the festivities and to spend time with the Pauline Sisters, who have the help of a dozen local volunteers in organizing the free event. Ultimately, the party enables kiddos to experience the true meaning of Christmas. Party will include the nativity story, a birthday cake, photo ops with Baby Jesus (costumes and backdrop provided/bring your own camera) and more. For more information, call (314) 965-3512.

Paint party at La Salle

La Salle Retreat Center will host a paint party at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Crafty Sheep, a local company, will provide supplies and instruction to help participants create and design a wooden sign. La Salle, which is at 2101 Rue De LaSalle Drive in Glencoe, will provide appetizers and beverages. For registration or information, visit www.lasalleretreat.org.