Opposing benefits cut

The Missouri Catholic Conference participated in a press conference Jan. 23 opposing pending legislation that they say could cause tens of thousands of Missouri parents and children to lose access to benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under SB 4, sponsored by Sen. David Sater (R-Cassville), new sanctions would be imposed upon recipients failing to comply with federal work requirements. Both children and adults would lose their SNAP benefits under the program if SB 4 were to pass. The groups spoke about the benefits of SNAP as an anti-hunger program and largest child nutrition program. Nearly one out of six Missourians in rural Missouri and one out of eight urban Missourians rely on SNAP for a portion of their daily food needs. Rita Linhardt of Missouri Catholic Conference said, “We oppose this bill because it penalizes the whole family if the head of the household is unable to find work. We feel this will be very detrimental to the health and well-being of children.”

In memoriam

A memorial Mass was planned Feb. 2 at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis for Tyrone Christian, who led the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Mr. Christian died Jan. 10 at age 64. A 1973 graduate of CBC, he was a member of the school’s hall of fame. Chief marketing strategist for the MLK Memorial Foundation Project, he was known as a trailblazer in marketing. He was elected president of the Orlando Advertising Federation in 1986, the first person of color in that role, and also served on the Florida Tourism Commission. His TRC Consulting Group, LLC, where he was president and managing partner, worked with some of the biggest corporations in the United States. He was an alum of the University of Missouri-Columbia where he played football.

Highest honor

Christian Brothers College High School president Michael Jordan was recognized Jan. 23 as an affiliated member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The CBC faculty and students attended a Mass to mark the occasion. Affiliation honors an individual as a spiritual son of De La Salle, and recognizes that he or she has been doing the work of the Institute alongside the brothers. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Christian Brothers upon their lay associates.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Catholic perspective on end-of-life

The Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri will present another installment of The Conversation: A Catholic Perspective on End-of-Life Issues on Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at St. Pius X High School in Festus. Father Peter Fonseca will discuss the principles of Catholic bioethics, a topic of interest for Catholics making health care plans for themselves or caring for ill or aging loved ones. The free seminar also will include presentations on Catholic funeral and cemetery planning, estate planning, advance directives and charitable gift planning. To register, visit rcfstl.org/the-conversation. A seminar is slated for Saturday, April 27 at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

Pediatric open house

St. Teresa Pediatrics will hold an open house Monday, Feb. 11, from 3-6 p.m. The practice is located at 7387 Watson Road in Shrewsbury. The practice, founded by Dr. Elizabeth Abraham, includes pediatric primary care, natural fertility care services, children’s kidney care, a bladder control specialty clinic and premenstrual syndrome specialty clinic. For more information, call (314) 500-KIDS (5437) or visit www.stteresapediatrics.com.

‘Welcoming the Stranger’

“Welcoming the Stranger to St. Louis: Religious Responses to Recent Immigrants and Refugees” is the topic of a panel discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge at Washington University in St. Louis. The speaker will be Anna Crosslin, president and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis. Panelists will include: Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council; F. Javier Orozco, executive director of human dignity and intercultural affairs of the Archdiocese of St. Louis; and Imam Eldin Susa of the St. Louis Islamic Center NUR. Panelists will answer questions and a reception will follow the program. Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to email [email protected] or call (314) 935-9345.

Coaching clinic

The “Coach It Right” baseball clinic will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2, in the Danis Field House at St. Louis University High School. The clinic is free for baseball and softball coaches and parents and is presented by St. Louis University High School’s baseball coach, Steve Nicollerat, and the St. Louis Sports Commission. To register, call (314) 345-5130 or visit www.sportsmanship.org/baseball.

Mother-daughter and father-son events

Mercy Fertility Care Services is hosting events this spring for parents and their preteen and teenage children with an atmosphere of love and learning to discuss fertility and to promote communication.

• Boys ages 11 and 12, along with their fathers, are invited to attend the program from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3. The program will focus on changes in the body as boys enter puberty, modesty, plans of action and the sacredness of human life.

• Girls ages 10 to 12 and their mothers are invited to attend the program from 1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 10. The program will focus on changes in the body as girls enter puberty, modesty and values.

• Girls ages 13 to 17 and their mothers are invited to attend from 1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 24. The program will focus on dating, marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, protection of fertility through chastity and the sacredness of human life.

The program will be held in the von Gontard Conference Center at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, 621 S. New Ballas Road in Creve Coeur. The cost, which includes light refreshments, is $50 per family, per program. For more information, call (314) 991-0327 or email [email protected]. To register, visit mercy.net/fertilitycare. Online reservations are required.

Challenges of Islam

The Notre Dame Club of St. Louis and Saint Louis Priory School present the 2018 Hesburgh Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, in the Kevin Kline Theatre at St. Louis Priory School, 500 S. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. Gabriel S. Reynolds of the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame will discuss “Islam, the Catholic Church, and the Future of the World.” Reynolds will examine how Islam challenges Christian beliefs, reflect on how the Catholic Church has responded to these challenges through the centuries and propose ways in which the Church might face the newest challenges of Muslim-Christian relations, including the rise of ISIS and global jihadism. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. A reception will follow in the lobby.

Pro-Life Lobby Day

Missouri Right to Life will host a “Show Me Life” pro-life action day Tuesday, March 12, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Guest speaker will be Sue Thayer, former Planned Parenthood manager turned pro-life advocate. Thayer is founder and former director of Cornerstone for Life Pregnancy Center in Storm Lake, Iowa, and works with 40 days for Life as director of outreach. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with a rally in the first-floor rotunda at noon. Participants also will meet with legislators and encourage them to pass pro-life legislation. Transportation is available. For more information, call (573) 635-5110 or visit www.missourilife.org.

Ursuline Summer Service

Ursuline Summer Service, a weeklong service opportunity for women ages 18-30, will take place in McAllen, Texas, June 23-29. Participants will work with immigrant families via Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and the Humanitarian Respite Center. They also will learn about the issues facing immigrants, prepare and serve food, organize clothing and showers and provide transportation to and from bus stations. Applications are due by March 15. For more information, contact Sister Elisa Ryan, OSU, at [email protected].

Women’s retreat on Beatitudes

St. Alban Roe will host a women’s retreat, “Beatitudes: The Attitudes for Holy Living,” March 23-24 at the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center. Jane Guenther, director of the Catholic Renewal Center, spiritual director and teacher, will lead the retreat. Cost is $135 for a one-night stay, $165 for a two-night stay and $110 for commuters. Deadline to register is March 15. For more information or to register, call Kathi Danna at (636) 458-3109 or visit www.mretreat.org and click on retreats and events.

Sportsmanship scholarship

The St. Louis Sports Commission is accepting applications for its annual Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship. Unique to the region, a total of $20,000 in scholarship money (including a top prize of $10,000) will be awarded to graduating high school students from the St. Louis metro area who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship in athletic competition. Greatest consideration will be given to nominees who demonstrate a track record of sportsmanship and respect directed at opponents, officials and the spirit of the game. Student-athletes and parents are strongly encouraged to self-nominate. The Sportsmanship Scholarship nomination packet can be obtained by calling (314) 345-5130 or online at www.sportsmanship.org. Applications must be received by April 16.

Family support group

The St. Louis Mental Illness Family Support Group, sponsored by Karla Smith Behavioral Health, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month at Clayton Behavioral, 9890 Clayton Road in Ladue. Families and loved ones of anyone with a mental illness are invited to attend. Contact Deacon Jim or Linda Murphey at (314) 481-0008.