Gabriel Awards

The Catholic Health Association won two first-place Gabriel Awards from the Catholic Press Association at its annual awards ceremony on June 20. Cited were two CHA internet videos, “Medicaid Makes It Possible: Emily Nienaber,” which highlights the insurance program’s essential role in the U.S. health care system, and “Morrison County Opioid Program,” which detailed the efforts of CHI St. Gabriel Health to address the addiction problem that starts with overprescribing pain medication in its community. Initiated in 1965, the Gabriel Awards honors excellence in film, broadcast, and cross-platform media productions released in the United States and Canada.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s television series “Our Faith in Action: Today’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul” was honored with a second-place Gabriel Award. The series follows SVDP members on their spiritual growth journey through service to people and families in need. From the Society’s traditional home visits, food pantries and assistance with rent and utilities, to innovative health care, financial and mentoring programs, the Society’s members, known as Vincentians, see the face of Christ in the people they encounter. In this series, Vincentians volunteers are shown bringing personalized help to people in poverty and sharing their stories of Christ’s love along the way. The 10-episode series currently airs on Eternal Word Television Network as well as on CatholicTV, Catholic Faith Network and Catholic Television San Antonio. It is also available on SVDP’s YouTube site. A second season of the series is in production. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, membership in the United States totals nearly 100,000 in 4,400 communities.

An honorable mention award was given to “An American Tragedy,” a documentary film by MountainTop Films. “An American Tragedy” explores the murder of Kelli Hall, the subsequent execution of Jeffrey Ferguson and an unlikely act of forgiveness when Jim Hall forgave his daughter’s killer. Deacon Andy Daus of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish, a volunteer with the Criminal Justice Ministry, witnessed a transformation in Ferguson in his role assisting inmates and visitors at the Potosi Correctional Center.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Faith-science interplay

A program to explore the interplay between science and faith will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, in the St. Cletus Parish Hall at 2705 Zumbehl Road in St Charles. A panel of three scientist-parishioners, otolaryngologist Dr. Mike Conoyer, physical therapist Chuck McDonnell and microbiologist Jennifer Balsarotti, will discuss their fields and what their faith means to them in light of their science. They also will address common questions.

Family retreat/Vacation

The Annual Missouri Holy Family Fest will be Thursday evening Aug. 8 thru Sunday morning Aug. 11, at Eagle Hurst Ranch on the Huzzah Creek near Steelville. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. W. Drinkwater, CSsR, and there are opportunities for confession, eucharistic adoration and spiritual growth for the whole family.

Activities include swimming and tubing on the river, fishing, horseback riding, pony rides, volleyball, square and line dancing, a marshmallow roast and rosary and much more. Cabins are available, or families can bring tents or campers. Meals are served family style or do your own cooking. For more information and prices, see eaglehurstranch.com. The event is sponsored by the Apostolate For Family Consecration. For more information, see eaglehurstranch.com or email [email protected].