ACA tornado relief grant
The Annual Catholic Appeal has awarded a $100,000 special grant to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to assist families devastated by recent storms. Catholic Charities has had more than 300 intakes to date from storms and tornadoes that swept through Missouri in March and April.
Assistance will focus on Washington, Jefferson, Perry, Franklin and northwest St. Louis counties and assist families with insurance deductibles, gaps between insurance payments and rebuilding costs and uninsured losses such as livestock, farm equipment, clothing, furniture and basic household goods.
Forty-six parishes have contributed more than $66,000 toward disaster recovery through a second collection held in late March.
“When the winds rise and tear apart what families have spent a lifetime building, Catholic Charities stands as the shelter in the storm — carrying the light of Christ into the deepest darkness,” president and CEO Jared Bryson said. “Disaster recovery is not just about rebuilding structures. It’s about restoring dignity, faith and the belief that we are never abandoned. Thank you for making the Gospel visible through your love in action.”
Next Chapter Program
The Next Chapter Program is a six-month program for people who are approaching retirement or who are recently retired. The program assists individuals who are discerning who God is calling them to be and what God is calling them to do in their next chapter of life. The program is grounded in Ignatian spirituality and is sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Spirituality of the Jesuits USA Central &Southern Province. The next cohort will begin in October. Information sessions will be held at 7 p.m. on May 12 and June 2 at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center, 2039 Geyer Road in Frontenac. To RSVP for the information session, To register for an information session, email thenextchapterinstitute@gmail.com. For more information, see www.nextchapterprogram.org.
St. Louis Catholic Archives Collective
The St. Louis Catholic Archives Collective will host an event about Catholic sisters as city builders from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Père Marquette Gallery at Saint Louis University. The day will include an introduction to the collective, a talk by Élodie Giraudier about her research on Catholic sisters as city builders, information on how to research at local Catholic archives and a meet-and-greet lunch reception. To register, visit stlouiscatholicarchivescollective.com/event/sisters-as-city-builders/.
Pro-Life Mass and Rosary
The monthly Pro-life Mass and Rosary hosted by the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate (formerly the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Mass and Rosary) will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Immaculate Conception Church, 1020 W. Main St. in Park Hills. The Rosary will be prayed before Mass beginning at 8:30. Prayers will be offered on behalf of women and men facing unplanned pregnancies and for a greater respect for all human life, especially the unborn child. The monthly Mass is celebrated at different churches around the archdiocese.
Laudato Si’ anniversary
All are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in prayer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’: On care for our common home.” The group will meet and pray at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Walker Lake in Kirkwood Park. Please register at www.fsolph.org/events/.
Run for Life and Learning
The 24th annual Run for Life and Learning, benefiting Birthright Counseling, will be held on Saturday, June 7, at Creve Coeur Lake, 13725 Marine Ave. The run includes a chip-timed 6K run/walk, 1-mile fun run/walk and 1/4-mile kids run with Fredbird. Proceeds will fund the education of Birthright clients in financial need, enabling them to make better lives for themselves and their children. Register at runsignup.com/run4lifeandlearning; register by May 15 to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
