Archdiocesan news

Archdiocesan news briefs

Tiny Houses update

Deacon Charles Allen, pictured at right, presided at a blessing and dedication of three Tiny Houses Oct. 24 near Sts. Teresa and Bridget Parish in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood of St. Louis. The project, which has provided housing for people transitioning from homelessness, was the effort of several groups, including North Grand Neighborhood Services, Rockwood School District and Social Justice 4 All. The project has received help from the Catholic community, including St. Clare of Assisi School in Ellisville, St. Alban Roe in Wildwood, St. Matthew Parish in St. Louis, and Ascension Health, along with many businesses. Donations are being sought by North Grand Neighborhood Services for the renovation of another house in the neighborhood. For more information, see www.ngns.org or call Donna Torrillo at (314) 614-1711.

SLU posthumously honors Jonathan Smith

Saint Louis University dedicated its amphitheater near SLU’s iconic clock tower in memory of the late university leader and faculty member, Jonathan Smith. SLU’s inaugural vice president for diversity and community engagement, Smith died suddenly on June 19 at the age of 61 following a stroke. The Oct. 25 dedication ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the amphitheater honoring Smith and his legacy. Featured speakers included university president Fred Pestello; Father David Suwalsky, SJ, vice president for mission and identity at SLU; Amber Johnson, interim vice president of diversity and community engagement; and Smith’s wife, Rochelle Smith.

Golf champs

Three of the four classes in the Missouri State High School Activities Association golf championships were won by Catholic Schools in the archdiocese: Villa Duchesne in Class 1, Visitation Academy in Class 2 and St. Joseph’s Academy in Class 4. Ursuline Academy finished second in Class 2. St. Joseph’s Academy won its sixth consecutive team state championship. St. Joseph’s was led by Isabella Arro, who finished second; Rylie Grace Andrews, eighth; and Mia Rallo, 10th. Villa Duchesne was led by Kathryn Fesler, second; Louisa Klebe, eighth; and Ryan A Harper, 10th. Visitation was led by Lucille Trover, fifth and Grace Fagan, 10th. Also in the top 10 in Class 2 was Annabelle Margaret Bush of St. Dominic, eighth.

Tennis champs

St. Joseph’s Academy won the Class 3 Missouri State High School Activities Association tennis championship Oct. 23, defeating Mary Institute Country Day School 5-0. St. Joseph’s had wins in singles from Alice Kennedy and Morgan McKinnis and in doubles from Elizabeth Choate and Isabella Hong; Abigail Gaines and McKinnis; and Ashley Behan and Kennedy. In the Class 3 doubles tournament, Choate and Hong finished second. In the Class 1 singles tournament, Mary Kathleen Beckemeier of Duchesne High School took second place.

Naming and Commendation

A prayer service including the rite of Naming and Commendation for an Infant Who Has Died Before Birth will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at St. Monica Church, 12140 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur. The special rite memorializes children who have died before birth, including miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or accident. To RSVP or for more information, contact Diann Bomkamp at dbomkamp@sbcglobal.net or (314) 432-7719. To learn more about offering the rite at your parish, email the Respect Life Apostolate at prolife@archstl.org or call (314) 792-7555.

Golf event benefits charities

The inaugural Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson raised $800,000 for North St. Louis County charities, including Marygrove, Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Marygrove’s CEO Joe Bestgen accepted a check for Marygrove worth $200,000.

Cardinals calendar drive

Schools, youth groups, church groups, sports teams and other groups are invited to take part in the Official St. Louis Cardinals Calendar drive. The fundraising partnership provides groups with income from sales of the calendar, which includes the upcoming season’s Cardinals schedule. Participating groups keep $7 of the calendar’s $15 retail price; you’ll be billed only for the calendars you sell, with no minimum required to participate. Additional incentives are awarded to groups that meet sales targets Orders will be due Nov. 16. Calendars will be shipped starting the week of Nov. 28. For information, call (314) 345-9303, e-mail publications@cardinals.com or visit bit.ly/3ps5erz.

Final Medicaid hearing

The Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection held its final meeting on improvements to Missouri’s Medicaid program, MO HealthNet. Witnesses discussed potential improvements to the program, including updates to the MO HealthNet Division’s data systems. The committee also heard testimony on expanding postpartum care in Medicaid to a full year. Last year a bill was signed into law that included language, supported by the Missouri Catholic Conference, expanding postpartum depression coverage for new mothers from six weeks to 12 months, subject to appropriation. Witnesses, including pro-life lobbyist Deacon Sam Lee, urged the committee to appropriate money for the coverage extension, stating that it could be done through federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The final committee report will be presented to the General Assembly at the start of the next session.

Christmas Wishes volunteers

St. Patrick Center is seeking volunteers to assist with its Christmas Wishes Family Sponsorship Program which provides the Catholic Charities of St. Louis agency’s more than 450 clients and families with Christmas gifts. Volunteers assist with gift drop-off on Friday, Dec. 10, or with gift distribution on Wednesday, Dec. 15, or Thursday, Dec. 16. Groups are welcome to help. To sign up, contact Katie Joseph at spcvolunteers@stpatrickcenter.org.

Made for More Speaker Series

Jesuit Father Matthew Baugh will speak on “Honing our Spiritual Senses with St. Ignatius of Loyola” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, 676 W. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves. The talk is part of a series helping people earn more about deepening their faith as individuals and as a community. Father Baugh is director of St. Louis University’s Catholic Studies Program, where he teaches and writes in the area of Catholic political thought. The talk follows an optional Mass at 6:30 p.m.