Redemptorists elect new leadership team

The Redemptorists of the Denver Province recently elected a new leadership team to serve during the 2023-26 term. Father Kevin Zubel has been elected Provincial Superior; Father Aaron Meszaros has been elected Provincial Vicar; and Father Anthony Nguyen has been elected Provincial (Second) Consultor. These members of the Ordinary Provincial Council will govern and manage the missionary activities of the Denver Province.

Four additional Redemptorists also were elected to the Extraordinary Provincial Council: Father Maurice Nutt, mission preacher and a consultant to the Diocese of Jackson on the cause of canonization of Sister Thea Bowman; Father Stephen Benden, pastor of St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church in St. Louis; Father Binh Ta, who has been appointed co-director of formation at the North American Theologate in San Antonio, Texas; and Father Chuong Cao, co-director of vocations in Houston, Texas.

Mercy top hospitals

For the second year, Mercy Hospital South and Mercy Hospital Jefferson have achieved the Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for quality and patient safety. Only 115 hospitals earned this award nationally among more than 2,200 under consideration. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization which sets high standards for health care safety and quality. Mercy Hospital South was named a Top Teaching Hospital while Mercy Hospital Jefferson was named a Top General Hospital.

Stations of the Nativity at St. Ambrose

A Stations of the Nativity will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at St. Ambrose Parish, 5130 Wilson Ave. on the Hill in St. Louis. The program, created by pastoral associate Jennifer Meehan and music director Darren Modde, is similar to the Stations of the Cross, in which participants will take a scriptural walk through the stories related to the birth of Jesus, beginning with the Annunciation and moving through the Magi. The choirs from St. Joan of Arc, St. Monica and St. Ambrose parishes will lead the program with hymns and will include reflections, time for quiet and communal responses.

Christkindl Abend

All Saints Parish, 7 McMenamy Road in St. Peters, will host a Christkindl Abend from 4-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15 and 16. The free event includes a light soup supper, live Nativity with animals, story telling, candle lighting, a photo booth and a reflection in church.

Wreaths Across America

Calvary and Resurrection cemeteries, part of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, will participate in the annual Wreaths Across America, which includes wreath-laying ceremonies in December at hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations across the country. St. Louis Print Group will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the main entrance of Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Road in Affton, followed by laying of wreaths on veterans’ graves. Volunteers are needed to place wreaths on the graves. To volunteer, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and search for your preferred cemetery. There will be extra wreaths to place on veterans’ graves at Calvary and Resurrection. Anyone who wishes to have a wreath placed on a veteran’s grave at either cemetery, text WREATH to (636) 875-4914.

Art fundraiser for Ukraine

St. Mary’s Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church will host an art fundraiser for Ukrainian humanitarian relief on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the church, 11363 Oak Branch Drive in south St. Louis County. Items for sale will include religious art (icons) and non-religious art.