De Smet Jesuit to offer middle school

De Smet Jesuit has received approval from the Archdiocese of St. Louis to launch an academic program serving boys in sixth, seventh and eighth grades beginning in August 2025. The announcement follows months of research as part of a contracted comprehensive feasibility study at the all-boys, Jesuit-sponsored school in Creve Coeur, and inclusive of conversations with parish elementary school pastors and other stakeholders in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

“We began exploring the need for a Jesuit, Catholic school serving grades 6, 7, and 8 last spring during our strategic visioning process,” said De Smet Jesuit president Father Ronny O’Dwyer, SJ. “We know that ages 11-14 are pivotal years for faith formation and character development, and we specialize in these areas because we know how boys learn.”

“I am pleased to approve De Smet Jesuit High School’s vision to augment its educational ministry to grades 6, 7 and 8,” Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski said. “I am grateful for De Smet’s leadership in our archdiocese to conduct the extensive research and dialogue necessary to strategically address the important mission of Catholic education. Administrators from De Smet Jesuit will work closely with the Office of Catholic Education and Formation to ensure strong collaborative planning.”

De Smet Jesuit will begin the search for an administrator immediately. Specifics about the program and admission process will be available by June.

Lenten revival

The North City Interracial Relations Committee will host a Lenten revival Monday, Feb. 19, through Wednesday, Feb. 21, at St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church, 1118 N. Grand Blvd. in north St. Louis. Father Royce Thomas, CSsR, will be the revivalist. Each evening will begin with praise and worship at 6:15 p.m., with the service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The revival is co-sponsored with the support of the archdiocesan Office of Racial Harmony and the Annual Catholic Appeal. For more information, contact Joyce Jones at [email protected].

Relic of St. Jean de Brébeuf coming to St. Louis

The skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf, Jesuit missionary and North American martyr, will be on display at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on Sunday, Feb. 25, as part of a monthlong relic tour. Veneration will begin at 2 p.m., with an hour of prayer at 4 p.m. There will be a pause in veneration at 5 p.m. for Mass. Afterward, a talk on the life of St. Jean de Brébeuf will take place at 6:30 p.m., with open veneration and confessions beginning at 7 p.m. Evening Vespers will be held at 8:30 p.m.

Born in France, Jean de Brébeuf was one of the first missionaries to labor in North America for the conversion of the native peoples to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Known for his large stature and gentle character, he arrived in what is now Ontario, Canada, in 1626, with a goal of spreading the Christian faith among the Huron people. He immersed himself in their culture, learning their language and customs, and was instrumental in the conversion and baptism of many Hurons. In 1649, he and another Jesuit companion were captured and killed by an opposing tribe. Brébeuf was 46 years old and had ministered in New France for 20 years at the time of his martyrdom.

The relic tour is sponsored by the vocation promoters of the Jesuits of Canada and the United States. For more information, visit brebeuftour24.org.

Lenten social justice series

Sacred Heart’s Peace & Justice Ministry will host a speakers’ series, “Living Love of Neighbor in the All Things New Era,” during Lent. Each talk will be held on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. in the church hall at Sacred Heart Parish, 17 Ann Ave. in Valley Park. Dates and speakers include: Feb. 28: “The Call,” featuring Father Michael Lydon, episcopal vicar of the Southern Vicariate.

March 6: “The Need,” featuring Cindy Miller, executive director of Circle of Concern Food Pantry, and Tim Dilg, superintendent of the Valley Park School District.

March 13: “Our Response,” featuring Deacon Tyler McClay, chief advocacy officer with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

For more information or to register, visit sacredheartvp.org/ lenten-speaker-series-2

Lenten talk with the Fathers (brothers) Nord

Fathers Alexander and Aaron Nord will present a Lenten Eucharistic Revival event on Sunday, Feb. 25, at St. Bridget of Kildare Church, 111 W Union St. in Pacific. The brother priests will give a presentation in church at 6:30 p.m., followed by refreshments in the cafeteria from 7:30-8 p.m. Father Alexander is parochial administrator of St. Bridget of Kildare, St. James in Catawissa and St. Mary of Perpetual Help in Moselle. His older brother, Father Aaron, is pastor of St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish in south St. Louis, adjutant judicial vicar with the archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal and part-time chaplain at Bishop DuBourg High School.

“The Chosen” guided Lenten retreat

Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in Frontenac will host a five-week guided Lenten retreat based on “The Chosen.” Each retreat day (9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 5, 12, 19 and 26) will be facilitated by Carolyn Held and Sister Danielle Witt, SSND. Participants will start with a viewing of an episode of “The Chosen,” with prayer, discussion, optional crafts activities or walking the grounds will follow. Lunch is included. Cost is $40 for an individual session or $175 for the entire series. Register at mercycenterstl.org.

Pipe for Parkinson’s

“Pipes for Parkinson’s,” an organ concert to benefit the American Parkinson Disease Association, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, at Little Flower Church, 1264 Arch Terrace in Richmond Heights. The concert is hosted by the St. Louis chapter of the American Guild of Organists and will feature organists David Erwin, Rick Burk, Spencer Smith, Brent Johnson, Marvin Smith, Bill Sullivan and Kathleen Bolduan. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, email [email protected].