Hoops and Habits

St. Dominic High School students Natalie Zoellner and Ryann Jones recently organized a Hoops and Habits FUN Raiser to increase vocations awareness for women. Students joined with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George of Alton, Ill., for an evening of basketball and fellowship. Price of admission was the donation of a personal care item to be given to a charitable organization. Natalie and Ryann organized the event as part of a senior leadership project at the O’Fallon high school.

Mental health ambassador

Saint Louis Counseling has named Tamara Kenny, director of advocacy and community engagement for Catholic Charities of St. Louis, as the 2019 Saint Louis Counseling Mental Health Ambassador of the Year. She was nominated for embracing the Saint Louis Counseling mission, empowering others, advocating for mental-health causes and being open and willing to help other people. An attorney with a master’s degree in social work, Kenny is a member of the advocacy committee for NAMI-St. Louis, the steering committee for the Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Project, and the Protection and Advocacy for Adults with Mental Illness advisory council for Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services. She is also the mother of an adult son with a serious mental illness and speaks of that experience as a panelist for Starting the Conversation, a grassroots initiative devoted to helping parents to raise emotionally and mentally healthy kids. Tom Duff, Saint Louis Counseling executive director, said his agency, and the other agencies of Catholic Charities, depend on Kenny’s behind-the-scenes advocacy work.

With merit

Travis A. Seel of Chaminade College Preparatory High School and Samuel A. Guillemette and Benjamin S. Poag of Saint Louis University High School are among 46 students from Missouri chosen as 2019 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. They are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Walking with Purpose

Walking with Purpose, a women’s Catholic Bible study offering a Scripture-based program, invites women and parish leaders from throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis to attend a Learn About Walking with Purpose Event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at St. Gerard Majella Parish, 1969 Dougherty Ferry Road in Kirkwood. Walking with Purpose offers at-home study and weekly small group discussions that link women’s everyday challenges with the solutions found in the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. Programs are currently offered in the Archdiocese of St. Louis at two parishes. To register for the event, contact Peg Petralia at [email protected] or register online at www.goo.gl/uxYdHu. For more information, contact Emily Thengvall, at [email protected].

Vocations events

The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus will host their annual Carmelite Day Saturday, May 18, at the sisters’ convent in Kirkwood. The day is for sixth- through eighth-grade girls with a goal of sparking a desire for holiness within their hearts, introducing them to the sisters and encouraging them to pray for their vocation. The schedule includes Mass, adoration, talks given by the sisters on this year’s theme, the Eucharist, time for prayer, the chanting of the Divine Office with the sisters, and fun activities. For more information, visit www.carmelitedcj.org/vocation/retreats-events or e-mail: [email protected].

Vocations events

A retreat for single Catholic women ages 17-29 who are discerning religious life will take place May 23-26. The retreat will include talks given by the sisters focusing on discernment, religious life and Carmelite spirituality, as well as prayers and recreation with the sisters, time to talk with other young women discerning God’s will and an opportunity for silence and solitude, all within the framework of a monastic horarium.

For more information, visit www.carmelitedcj.org/vocation/retreats-events or e-mail: [email protected].

Poverty simulation

The Incarnate Word Peace and Justice Ministry and the St. Vincent de Paul Voice of the Poor Committee will host a Poverty Simulation from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the gymnasium at Incarnate Word Church, 13416 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield. Facilitated by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, the simulation will help participants understand what it is like to live in poverty. Adults and high school-age teens are welcome. To RSVP, contact Beth Cagle at (314) 651-6507 or [email protected] by May 28.

Borgia building turns 150

St. Francis Borgia Parish in Washington is celebrating 150 years of its current church building. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the church, 115 Cedar St. A celebration will take place after Mass, including food and drink provided by parishioners who have area restaurants and food businesses. The Loehnig German Band will provide music, and there will be activities for children. This year also marks the 185th anniversary of the founding of St. Francis Borgia Parish.

Rosary River Run

The second annual St. Charles Rosary River Run/Walk will take place Saturday, June 8, in Frontier Park along Main Street in St. Charles. The event publicly celebrates the Rosary while raising funds for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in conjunction with the archdiocesan Glennon Sunday appeal. Participants may walk or run the 5K route lined in the form of rosary beads, which includes signs from supporters who’ve donated at least $50 or more. There also will be a one-mile walk. Those who choose to do their morning devotion without participating in the 5K may bring a chair and sit for free in the Magnificat section. For cost and registration information, visit tinyurl.com/StCharlesRiverRun​ Or visit stcharlesrosaryrun on Facebook.

Racial justice events

The Quest for Racial Justice and Harmony is a two-part series that will take place in May at St. Cletus Parish, 2705 Zumbehl Road in St. Charles. The first is a showing of “Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness For Change,” from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the parish hall. The documentary shares story of a group of women religious, including the late Sister Antona Ebo, FSM, and their involvement with the civil rights movement and march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Small group discussions and prayer will follow.

The second event is a conversation with Father Art Cavitt, executive director of the St. Charles Lwanga Center, on Thursday, May 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Father Cavitt will address how the work to establish racial justice and healing, particularly in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. He also will discuss the nexus between the Black Lives Matter movement and the Catholic Church. Group discussions, Q&A dialogue and prayer will follow. Both events are sponsored by the St. Cletus Peace and Justice Ministry.