To the border

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Maureen Freeman, Jo Ann Geary and Sandra Straub thanked the St. Louis community, including more than a dozen parishes, April 14 at the motherhouse in St. Louis. The sisters earlier sought donations of items and funds for Annunciation House, an organization that provides food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs to immigrants. The sisters filled a van with the items and headed on a 19-hour drive to the border region in El Paso, Texas. An excess of items will be brought to the region later. Among the donations was $1,500 raised by parishioners and students at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Ferguson. The Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis also pitched in with many bags of items and monetary donations. “We just wanted to support this mission,” said Alyssa Banford of the JCRC. Since 2014, the Sisters of St. Joseph have been volunteering to work at Annunciation’s shelters. Financial support from The Sisters of St. Joseph, along with sponsors and donors, make this ministry possible. To contribute, visit https://bit.ly/3gbsjue and type “border ministry” in the comment field.

No Taxpayer Abortion campaign

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have established a “No Taxpayer Abortion” campaign. The bishops recently said that there is a “new push in Congress to force Americans to pay for abortion. The Hyde Amendment and other similar laws have protected taxpayers from funding elective abortion. Now, Congress wants to take away these laws, which have had broad public support for nearly 50 years. Without the Hyde Amendment, billions of dollars in healthcare funding could go to abortion.” The bishops are asking parishes and dioceses across the country to take part in the campaign. For more information, including a petition to Congress, see www.notaxpayerabortion.com.

Essay star

Emma Behrman, Visitation Academy Class of 2022, was named the second-place winner of this year’s Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest for her essay, “The Asian Main Character.” The annual competition, sponsored by The Friends of the University of Missouri Libraries, is open to Missouri high school students in Grades 9-12, and only one entry is accepted from each school. Emma will be awarded a $750 scholarship from the Friends of the MU Libraries. Her English teacher, Susan Shortt, also will receive a $250 award. Contest submissions must address one or more aspects of books or reading. Visitation Academy is an independent, Catholic school offering a coeducational Montessori program in grades toddler through kindergarten and an all-girl environment in Grades 1 through 12.

Under construction

Saint Louis University and members of the Jesuit Central and Southern Province celebrated the groundbreaking earlier this month of a new Jesuit Center. University leadership, construction partners and faith leaders from the Jesuit Central and Southern Province and the Archdiocese of St. Louis attended the groundbreaking. SLU Jesuits and other members of the Society of Jesus have resided in Jesuit Hall since 1973. In 2020, former Jesuit Provincial Ronald Mercier confirmed a plan to create two new communities from Jesuit Hall: One designed for retired Jesuits and those who need medical support, and the second for Jesuits missioned as professors, pastors and staff members at the university. The new Jesuit Center will house the second community and create a space for enhanced interaction between SLU’s Jesuits and the wider community. Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso gave the invocation at the event. He said the new center “will be a visible sign of the many ways in which the Saint Louis University Jesuits accompany all faculty, students, staff and alumni in living out the university’s mission.” The center will be on the north side of Laclede Avenue, just west of Spring Avenue, with Fusz Hall to the north and Beracha and Spring Halls to the east.

Dynamic efforts

The Seeds of Justice Network and the Archdiocese of St. Louis Peace and Justice Commission are holding a virtual event to help Catholics reflect on the call to build a more just community despite division and to learn about local efforts for change. “Doing Justice in a Divided Nation and Church” will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 27. Leading the event is Jesuit Father Fred Kammer, director of the Jesuit Social Research Institute and former president of Catholic Charities USA. Information will be provided from Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Project Read & Feed (at Claver House), and JustFaith. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and to reflect in small groups. Register at https://bit.ly/DoingJustice2021. This event is provided at no charge.

Virtual Archbishop’s Gala

The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation invites the community to view the Virtual Archbishop’s Gala at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, to benefit the foundation’s scholarship programs. It is free to view thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors. Hosted by Debbie Monterrey of KMOX Radio, the virtual gala will include a keynote address from Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, posthumous presentation of the Sister Mary Ann Eckhoff Leadership award to Edith Cunnane, choral performances and testimonials from foundation scholars, parents, educators, and alumni representing St. Cecilia School & Academy, St. Dominic High School, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School and Elementary School, St. Gertrude Parish and School, Little Flower School and Parish, St. Louis Catholic Academy, St. Margaret of Scotland-St. Louis, St. Mary’s High School, St. Sabina Parish, South City Catholic Academy and more. All are invited to register and make a Fund a Need gift to support scholarships at ttef-stl.org/archbishops-gala.

Tiny House concert

A virtual benefit concert to raise funds for a new Tiny House in north St. Louis will take place from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, May 1. Social Justice 4 All is collaborating with several nonprofit organizations on the effort. The organization is seeking $13,000 to complete construction of a third house in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood. Two completed houses are currently occupied. The concert will be streamed for free on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jim51ford or on YouTube (Good Trouble, St. Louis Music). Donations are being accepted via GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/u9b39-tiny-houses-stl-for-those-in-need.

Go deep, Cards

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation has begun its 10th season of Homers for Health, which raises funds for the children served by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of Cardinals fans from across the nation and around the world, this program contributes to exceptional, state-of-the-art health care and the creation of child-friendly, family-centered environments within the hospital. Homers for Health was founded by former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee. For information or to make a pledge, visit www.glennon.org.

Monthly prayer at Marianist Retreat

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center will begin hosting a monthly prayer meeting on first Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the welcome and opening prayer beginning at 6:30. The evening will include praise and worship, a Marianist Moment, talk and teaching and group discussion. The first prayer meeting will be held May 6 and will include Carrie Bajzath as worship leader, Marianist Moment by Paul Masek, and teaching by Larry Decker. The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center is located at 4000 Highway 109 in Eureka.

Project Rachel

​Project Rachel, an abortion healing ministry program of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, is holding a day of spiritual reflection for women wounded by abortion. The day, which includes Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a light lunch, will be held in a confidential, prayerful setting in the St. Louis area on Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marisol Pfaff, Project Rachel coordinator and certified spiritual director, will help participants realize the hope, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ. For information or to participate, call (314) 277-5057 or email [email protected].

St. Joseph men’s retreat

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka will host a St. Joseph Retreat for men on Saturday, May 8 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The theme of the retreat is: “Becoming a Man Like St. Joseph.” Presenters include Jared Bryson, Larry Decker and Paul Masek. The day will include time for reflective listening, group discussion, personal prayer, all-day coffee service, continental breakfast and lunch. Due to COVID regulations, spots are limited, but a minimum of 22 attendees are needed to make this retreat happen. Cost is $60 per person. For more information or to register, call (636) 938-5390.