St. Joseph’s Academy receives major gift

St. Joseph’s Academy has received a $3.5 million gift, the largest single gift in the school’s 178-year history, from the estate of Barbara Weidert, a 1947 graduate of the school. This unrestricted gift will help jumpstart plans to renovate and upgrade STEM-related and visual arts instructional areas, and to expand scholarship support for students. Campus plans call for renovating parts of the school into flexible classroom and laboratory spaces for life sciences, chemistry, physics, engineering and enhanced digital innovation educational areas with updated technology. Plans also call for expanding the visual arts program into a dedicated, state-of-the-art space. In addition, St. Joseph’s Academy plans to increase significantly the scholarship support it provides to qualified students of all backgrounds.

Soar Higher

Fontbonne University has unveiled Soar Higher, a new brand platform that encourages students to succeed with purpose. Fontbonne University President J. Michael Pressimone said research showed a need for “a new and exciting way to engage prospective students in this age of technology, choice and constant connection.” The new Soar Higher logo, which incorporates Fontbonne’s signature purple color with a hint of blue to symbolize the sky, features a wing-like shape that echoes the university’s new tagline and enduring mission. The cross within “Fontbonne University” remains, reflecting the school’s Catholic heritage and founding by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In conjunction with the relaunch of the university’s brand, Fontbonne University Athletics also introduced a reimagined athletic logo featuring the school’s mascot Griffin.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Everyday stewardship

The Stewardship Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis is sponsoring presentations from Tracy Earl Welliver on the topic of “Everyday Stewardship — in Everyday Language for Everyday People.” He will give programs at 7 p.m. March 19, at St. Francis Borgia Parish, 115 Cedar St. in Washington; 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Drive in Shrewsbury; 7:30 p.m. March 20 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 2, Seton Court in St Charles; and 9 a.m. Thursday, March 21 at St. Norbert Parish, 16475 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event is free and all attendees will receive a copy of Tracy’s book “Everyday Stewardship: Reflections for the Journey.” For reservations, contact Nancy Rankin at [email protected] or (314) 792-7215).

It’s grand

Nazareth Living Center, 3 Nazareth Lane in Oakville, will hold a grand opening and blessing of its new assisted-living community, Carondelet Manor, Sunday, April 7. It begins with the blessing in the chapel by Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso and continues until 4 p.m. with tours, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Anyone planning to attend is asked to call (314) 925-0467 or visit www.NazarethLivingCenter.com/Open-House by March 22. A courtesy shuttle is available from any parking spot on campus.

Bullying

“Bullying 101: Training Trusted Adults” is the topic of the next Parent Network of Catholic High Schools in St. Louis event at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Presented by CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, the program will be at Villa Duchesne, 801 South Spoede Road in Creve Coeur. It will address how parents can help their teenagers, the types of bullying — physical, mental, verbal, and cyber — and the impact on the bully and on the person being bullied. For information on the parent network, visit www.parentnetworkstl.org.

Support for Birthright

The 18th Annual Run for Life and Learning benefiting Birthright Counseling St. Louis will be held Saturday, March 30. Included is a timed 6K run/walk, 1-mile fun run/walk and quarter mile youth run with FredBird. Birthright provides free and confidential professional counseling as well as practical assistance to mothers facing an untimely pregnancy. Donations and sponsorships fund the education of Birthright clients in financial need. Funds raised in excess of scholarship and housing needs will be used to provide professional counseling and practical assistance to Birthright clients. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with run/walks beginning at 8:30 a.m. For information or to preregister, visit www.bit.ly/2HnkdgI.

One Classroom

One Classroom has added Becky Crump to its team as director of development and events. Crump has experience in advocacy for special needs inclusion in education. She is a mother to two children, including a son with Down syndrome, and is a member of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Creve Coeur. Her role will focus on helping the mission of creating inclusive Catholic educational opportunities for children with special needs in the archdiocese. A trivia night to support the foundation is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 4092 Blow St. in south St. Louis. To register or for more information, visit www.one-classroom.com or call (314) 406-4797.

Photo contest

La Salle Retreat Center in Glencoe is hosting its second photo contest, open to amateur photographers of any age. Photos must be taken on the grounds of La Salle May 1, 2018-May 10, 2019. Mounted print(s) and digital copies are to be submitted to La Salle by noon, Friday, May 10. Cash prizes totaling $400 will be awarded to the top five photos. All photos submitted will be used by La Salle for marketing purposes. For information, visit lasalleretreat.org or call (636) 938-5374.

Show Me MORE vocations

The Sisters of St. Joseph Vocation Team is inviting women interested in religious life to join a MORE Weekend June 14-16 in St. Louis. The weekend is to have an opportunity for sisters and interested women to share some time in community, prayer and volunteer ministry for a short period of time. Participants will visit two volunteer sites where the sisters are active: Marian Middle School and an organic garden. They also will explore the core value of the Sisters of St. Joseph: being one with God and neighbor. For more information, visit sites.google.com/csjlife.org/more.

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.

Volunteers sought

Doorways is seeking volunteers. The interfaith nonprofit organization supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Help is needed with fundraisers, spring cleaning, companionship for residents, crafting, activity assistance, administrative functions and more. Contact Patrick Young at [email protected].