Archdiocesan news

Archdiocesan news briefs

In memoriam

A memorial Mass for Mary Frances Horgan will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Annunziata Church, 9305 Clayton Road in Ladue. Horgan, who died Dec. 8 at the age of 93, was appointed by Cardinal John Carberry to help lead the archdiocesan Pro-life Committee (now the Respect Life Apostolate), in response to the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. The committee became a model for other archdiocesan committees across the nation. She also served as a lobbyist with Missouri Citizens for Life and worked to get pro-life candidates elected to state and federal legislatures. Memorial donations in her name may be made to Birthright, Our Lady’s Inn, St. Vincent de Paul and Cor Jesu Academy.

Book discussion on hope

The Daughters of St. Paul will host an ongoing book discussion on “Hope Always: Our Anchor in Life’s Storms,” by Kris Frank. The discussion will be held on Thursdays, Sept. 23-Nov. 11, from 7-8 p.m. in person (Pauline Books & Media, 9804 Watson Road in Crestwood; 12 person limit and masks required); or via Zoom. For information and to register, see bit.ly/3iSb0PJ.

Special needs Mass

The Pro-Life Committee at Sacred Heart Parish in Valley Park will be hosting its annual Special Needs Mass at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the church, 17 Ann Ave. The Mass will celebrate individuals and families with special needs and abilities. A luncheon sponsored by Pro-Life Committee will take place after Mass in the church hall. RSVP with the number of guests attending to Khams@att.net.

Chapel closing

The Chapel of Sts. Mary & Joseph, 6304 Minnesota Ave. in St. Louis, is closing and former parishioners and students of the former parish there are invited to an open house on Sunday, Oct. 10, 1-4 p.m. Visitors can visit the church and take photos. In the church basement — the Msgr. Keating Center — a sale of remaining miscellaneous items (mostly kitchenware, decor, small furniture) will be held for the cost of a good-will offering. Upon the merger of St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish with St. Boniface and Sts. Mary & Joseph in 2005, St. Stephen became administrator of what was renamed The Chapel of Sts. Mary & Joseph. There had been a Catholic church on this Carondelet property since 1818, the first church having been built from the logs of the original cathedral Downtown. The present church building is the fourth one, built in 1940. The parish school closed in the 1980s. The school building fell into disrepair and was demolished about five years ago. In an effort to help fund the maintenance of the property, volunteers from St. Stephen made improvements and facilitated weddings in the chapel for the last few years. Within the last several months, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski made the decision to sell the property; it has been on the market for a few months now. After the last scheduled wedding next month, the archdiocese will reclaim all religious items and we will no longer use the chapel.

Murphys Don’t Quit book

Colleen Murphy has written “Murphys Don’t Quit: 5 Keys to Unlocking Hope When Life Seems Hopeless,” a book about her family’s fight for resilience during the years-long efforts to restore the mind, body, and spirit of her daughter Lauren, who experienced a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car in 2013.

The story shares Lauren’s journey from a semi-vegetative state, to learning to walk and talk again and pushing through a severe language disorder, to becoming a motivational speaker. The Murphys are members of Assumption Parish in O’Fallon; Lauren also is a 2006 graduate of Incarnate Word Academy. The book will be released on Oct. 5. For more information on where to order, see murphysdontquit.com.

Gala to support community health

SSM Health Foundation–St. Louis, a nonprofit organization established to support the services of SSM Health hospitals, will host its annual gala on Saturday, Oct. 9, to raise funds for SSM Health Community Health. The event will be at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis. Those who are not able to partake in the evening’s festivities are encouraged to donate and/or bid on silent auction items to benefit SSM Health Community Health. The presenting sponsor for the evening will be Edward Jones. Funds from ticket sales, bids on auction items and other contributions will help to support efforts and programs that address the most pressing challenges facing people who are underserved, including food insecurity, homelessness, unemployment and poor access to care and transportation. SSM Health Foundation–St. Louis exists to meet the needs of the community by raising awareness and financial support for various medical outreach and advancement programs throughout the region. To purchase a ticket, donate or learn more, visit givetossmhealth.org/gala, contact EventSTL@ssmhealth.com or call (314) 523-8044.

Musial Award to Gretzkys

Wayne and Janet Gretzky will receive the highest award for sportsmanship, the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award. The Gretzkys will be honored at the 2021 Musial Awards taking place at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. The Musial Awards presented by Maryville University celebrate the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and those in sports who exemplify class and character. The national event and its awards are named for St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial, a beloved baseball superstar, civic ambassador and a Catholic who led by example as the ultimate good sport. Wayne Gretzky held 61 NHL records when he retired in 1999 and remains at the top of the league’s list for goals, assists and points. He is known also for his integrity, grace, humility and genuineness, which have been hallmarks of his life and career. He is a five-time winner of the Lady-Byng Memorial Trophy – awarded annually to the NHL player who exhibits the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. Janet Gretzky, who grew up in St. Louis and married Wayne in 1988, enjoyed a successful acting and dancing career. Behind the scenes, she has made an impact in raising awareness and funds for several charities. The Musial Awards will air as a one-hour special at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. Tickets for the 2021 Musial Awards, ranging from $10 to $38 , are on sale through Ticketmaster. More information and a link to purchase tickets is available at MusialAwards.com/tickets.