Kudos to Father Mason

At their recent 43rd Annual Benefit Dinner the Daughters of St. Paul honored Father James Mason, president-rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, with the Saint Paul Man of the Year award. This award is given each year by the sisters to a person or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The sisters noted that they are grateful that “with Father Mason’s wise and strong leadership, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary has grown and is flourishing in its ministry of formation of our future priests.” The sisters also honored DeDee Mathews with the Mother Paul Memorial of Gratitude award. This award is given to someone who has been a benefactor and friend to the Daughters of St. Paul. Mathews has supported the Daughters of St. Paul for 20 years.

Property damage

In June the Daughters of St. Paul had extensive damage to their property due to flooding. First, a water main from their sprinkler system burst, flooding a large portion of their basement and downstairs offices. Before this could be properly repaired, a flash flood took out the entire downstairs area including their large conference area where events are held for the public. To rectify the situation and to ensure that it does not happen again, the sisters replaced all the pipes at a cost of $88,000. Repairs to the driveway, with many large holes from the storms and pipe repair, will cost $123,000. To donate, call Sister Joan Paula Arruda, local superior, at (314) 965-3512 or send a check to Daughters of St. Paul, 9804 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63126.

Video campaign

The archdiocesan Office of Communications and Planning is sharing what “The Catholic Church (is/does)” in the St. Louis community through a video campaign launched Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, with a message from Archbishop Robert J. Carlson. The campaign recently highlighted the call to the priesthood through a series of videos featuring reflections from Father James Mason, president-rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, as well as Father George Staley and Father Samuel Inameti, who both were ordained in May of 2019. Videos so far have highlighted Catholic education, young adult Catholics, the Church as a community and CYC sports and sportsmanship. View the videos at www.archstl.org/catholic-church.

Christ the Teacher

A bronzed Christ the Teacher statue along with a renovation of the quad are the newest additions to the Chaminade College Preparatory School campus. They’re a gift from McBride alumnus Joe Nettemeyer ’69 and Jane (Gudermuth) Nettemeyer. The 12-foot work of art serves as a welcome to campus. Artist and sculptor Joseph Aspell said that “based on Isaiah’s important Scripture passage, the key feature of the sculpture of Christ the Teacher is His rushing to meet us — Bringing the Good News. The sleeves of His robe are rough, hinting of the fleece mantel of the Good Shepherd. The golden rays of light show that the Teacher is not only the historical Jesus but also the Christ. Every day, in Marianist schools, there are inspiring teachers and students whose approaching footsteps in the hallways continue to announce the Good News.” A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 20 with the Nettemeyer Family, McBride Alumni and Chaminade administration. The quad was named “The McBride Green.” The dedication plaque states: “May Christ’s teaching be the compass of your life’s journey.”

SLU’s commitment affirmed

Saint Louis University’s Jesuit and Catholic identity and mission priorities have been affirmed by the Society of Jesus. Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Society of Jesus, commended SLU’s commitment to its Jesuit and Catholic identity as the University’s Mission Priority Examen process closed earlier this month. The examen is an internal reflection and peer-review process. SLU’s mission priorities are: increased commitment to Ignatian identity; hiring for mission; university leadership formation for mission; and student formation for discernment. The affirmation and SLU’s commitment also was praised by Father Ronald A. Mercier, provincial of the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus.

In memoriam

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 2 at St. Simon the Apostle Church in south St. Louis County for Val Pelizzaro, an iconic soccer figure in St. Louis. A St. Mary’s High School graduate, he was an assistant coach at Visitation Academy, Saint Louis University and Washington University. Pelizzaro, 87, served as an assistant coach for SLU’s men’s teams from 1967-97 and was part of five NCAA championships. He played with Kutis S.C. in St. Louis, which captured a National Open Cup championship in 1957 and amateur titles from 1956-61. He competed in the 1957 World Cup Games, the 1959 Pan American Games (bronze medal) and 1960 Olympic qualifiers. Survivors include his wife, Laura Pelizzaro, six children, 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and his sister, Rose Spehr.

UPCOMING EVENTS

From toys to Gospel mission

IL Ritiro Franciscan Retreat Center in Dittmer will host a retreat, “Gospel Joys & Toys — Revisiting Former Childhood Toys to Rekindle our Gospel Mission,” Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The retreat is a Franciscan-based presentation on the building of community and how the recalling and reflective thinking of early childhood memories can continue to shape, and even rekindle our love for our Gospel mission. Brother Marc Sheckells, OFM, will be the presenter. Registration Fee is $30 and includes lunch. Call (636) 274-0554 or email [email protected]. Or visit online at ilritiro.org.

Special needs Mass

A Mass for people with special needs will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 17 Ann Ave. in Valley Park, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Special needs individuals who wish to participate in the Mass as a lector, usher, greeter, petition reader, or other function should contact Kathy Houston at (636) 861-3469 or [email protected]. Following Mass, a luncheon sponsored by the Sacred Heart Pro-Life Committee will take place in the church hall. RSVP with the number of guests who will be attending to [email protected].

Benefit for billboards

Our Lady of Guadalupe for Life will host its annual benefit dinner on Sunday, Oct. 13, at Orlando Gardens in south St. Louis County. Father Thomas Keller, pastor of Assumption Parish,will be the main speaker at the dinner. The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. with Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Hermann, followed by dinner and Father Keller’s talk. Additionally, Meg and Lucas Comeau will share their story of being married at the Old Cathedral, with a surprise visit from the Stanley Cup. Zip Rzeppa will be master of ceremonies. Proceeds benefit the organization, which sponsors pro-life billboards along area roadways. For reservations, call (314) 487-2066 or (314) 920-1212.

The Angels

The Daughters of St. Paul will host Father Fadi Auro, assistant professor of philosophy at Kenrick- Glennon Seminary, who will speak on “The Angels: Their Nature and Ministry,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Pauline Books & Media, 9804 Watson Rd. in Crestwood. His talk will be followed by refreshments. For information and to register, call (314) 965-3512.

Shrine’s 175 years

The Shrine of St. Joseph is celebrating its 175th anniversary at a Mass on Sunday, Oct. 27. The Mass to be celebrated by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson is at 11 a.m. the shrine, 1220 North 11th St. in St. Louis. The shrine holds weekly Sunday Mass as well as special Masses, devotions and events. Tours can be arranged by appointment. St. Joseph Parish was founded by the Jesuits in 1844 to serve a residential area of German immigrants and was run by the order for 123 years. The current Shrine of St. Joseph, which used the original church as the vestibule, was built in 1865. When the church was in decline and in danger of being razed in the 1970s, a lay group mobilized a grass-roots effort to restore the church. In October 1980, Archbishop John L. May entered a five-year renewable lease with the Friends of the Shrine of St. Joseph calling for the shrine to remain in use for Catholic services with liturgical control retained by the archdiocese. Ignatius Strecker’s cure of injury and illness, which occurred 156 years ago at the shrine, was accepted as a miracle for the canonization cause of St. Peter Claver. The main altar, called the Altar of Answered Prayers, was built in 1867 by grateful parishioners who credited the intercession of St. Joseph with sparing many lives during a cholera epidemic. For more information, visit www.shrineofstjoseph.org.

Pray to stop violence

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will lead an interfaith prayer service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, on the football field at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School to pray for an end to violence on our streets and healing in our community. For more information, call Marie Kenyon with the archdiocesan Peace and Justice Commission at (314) 792-7062.

Christopher West coming to St. Louis

Best-selling author and Catholic speaker Christopher West, and Catholic musician Mike Mangione will visit St. Louis for an event, “Made for More,” from 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church in Oakville. West, who is known for his work on St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body,” and Mangione will address the questions, “Where do we come from and where are we going” which are decisive for understanding what it means to be human and how to orient our lives and our actions toward authentic fulfillment. The two will creatively weave together dynamic presentations with live music, movie clips, YouTube videos, and sacred art for an evening of beauty and reflection on the meaning of life, love and human destiny. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased online at corproject.com/stlouis. For more information, contact Katie Brennan at [email protected] or (314) 540-0397.