Daughters of Charity councillors

Sister Denise LaRock and Sister Ellen LaCapria were installed recently as councillors of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul’s Province of St. Louise in St. Louis. Sister Denise most recently served in San Antonio as part of the Interfaith Coalition

Commission, where she assisted asylum seekers from Central America in proceeding on to their final destination in the United States. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1990 and became a postulant of the Daughters of Charity the next year. Sister Denise had a 23-year ministry as an elementary teacher and then served as vocation director, among other positions. Sister Ellen entered the Daughters of Charity in 1975. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art with a minor in secondary education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1981; four years later, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing there, and in 1994, she completed a master’s degree in art therapy from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In addition to serving in education, health care and as vocation director, Sister Ellen was vice president for mission integration at St.

Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. In their new roles, they will assist young women in search of a vocation, the Vincentian Mission Corps volunteers and all who come to this country and to St. Louis for a place to call home. The Province of St. Louise includes 350 Daughters who serve in 18 states, the District of Columbia and in many foreign missions.

Honors for first responders

Saint Mary Magdalen School in Brentwood was one of the Catholic schools in the archdiocese that celebrated the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of first responders. The school invited first responders to join a socially distanced blessing. Father Jack Siefert, parish pastor, prayed a blessing over the police officers, asking St. Michael to protect and defend them as they carry out their calling of protecting and serving. Eighth-grade students presented the officers with letters of appreciation written by the school community and Family Faith Formation students. Officers also received a star from retired flags as a reminder that first responders are appreciated and remembered in prayer.

Volunteers sought

St. Patrick Center needs volunteers for its Veteran’s Day 5K benefit to distribute race shirts on both Thursday, Nov 5, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 6, from 2:30-6 p.m.; lunch service volunteers to assist with packaging hot casseroles and preparing sandwiches for clients each weekday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; and a Thanksgiving distribution program Friday, Nov. 20, and Monday, Nov. 23. For questions, or to get involved with St. Patrick Center as a volunteer, contact Sarah Webb at [email protected] stpatrickcenter.org or (314) 802-0681.

St. Patrick Center also is seeking food donations for clients who often have to choose between paying bills and putting meals on the table. See the food donations wish list at bit.ly/2EPrbMw. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the donation center at the back of St. Patrick Center, 800 N. Tucker Blvd. in Downtown St. Louis. Contact Katie Joseph at [email protected] or (314) 802-1976 for more information.