Archdiocesan news briefs

Father Kleba documentary wins award

“A Black History Tour of St. Louis” won best documentary at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, hosted in late July at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. The documentary film, directed by Tony West, follows retired archdiocesan priest Father Gerald Kleba as he gives a tour of important religious and secular locations in Black St. Louis history. It also features interviews with Jobyna Foster, a graduate of Homer G. Phillips Nursing School; Lynne Jackson, a descendent of Dred and Harriet Scott; Vivian Gibson, author of “The Last Children of Mill Creek;” and Father Vince Nyman, a longtime pastor of the former Our Lady of the Holy Cross Parish in Baden. The film will be shown again in St. Louis at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November. To read more about Father Kleba and the film, visit bit.ly/45opdLp. For information about future showings, visit ablackhistorytour.com.

Theology on Tap

Father Daniel Thiess, CM, and Ben Perrin of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis will speak on “Faith in Devastation and Action,” at Salt + Light’s Theology on Tap, Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 4 Hands at the District in Chesterfield. A happy hour will be held from 6-7 p.m., with the talk at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies for storm victims.

Wedding Jubilee Mass

Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will celebrate the annual Golden and Silver Wedding Jubilee Mass at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Mass celebrates couples with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and over 50 years of marriage. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information or to register, visit www.archstl.org/event/ 2025-wedding-jubilee-mass/.

Holy Smokers at Sacred Heart in Valley Park

The Knights of Columbus Council #8887 is hosting a festive “Holy Smokers” barbeque competition on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Sacred Heart Parish, 17 Ann Ave., in Valley Park. The 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will feature competitions for the best barbeque and Bloody Mary cocktails. Rules and registration to enter the competition and judge the entries can be found at www.sacredheartvp.org/ holy-smokers. The Knights will be selling barbeque meals and refreshments throughout the day. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Sacred Heart Valley Park eighth-grade student scholarship.

Hope into Action

The Southern Vicariate will host Hope into Action, a morning of reflection on Catholic social teaching and its practical applications, on two Saturdays this fall. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. Joseph Parish in Imperial, and again from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, at St. Joseph Parish in Farmington. Register online at stlreview.com/4leRtGc.

Healing after abortion

Men, women and couples wounded by abortion are invited to attend the “Holy Family Hope &Healing Ministry Retreat” on Sept. 13-14. Held in a confidential, prayerful setting in St. Louis, the retreat is offered through the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Abortion Healing Ministry. A trained, compassionate team, including a licensed counselor and priest, will lead participants through the critical steps of healing after abortion. To register, contact cynthiahaehnel@archstl.org or text/call (314) 778-0628. All information and inquiries are kept confidential, and the exact retreat location is shared at registration.

The Cornerstone Bible study

The Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study deepens the personal relationship between God and His people through prayer and studying His Word from a Catholic perspective. A new study on the Acts of the Apostles, “Holy Boldness in the Church,” will begin in September at six branches in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The program typically runs through April or early May. Participants are encouraged to commit to the entire study.

Locations and start dates include Mary Queen of Peace in Webster Groves on Thursdays from 7-8:45 p.m. starting Sept. 11; St. Clement of Rome in Des Peres on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:15 a.m. starting Sept. 10; St. Monica in Creve Coeur on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. starting Sept. 9; Annunziata in Ladue on Thursdays from 9:30-11:15 a.m. starting Sept. 4; Mary, Mother of the Church on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. starting Sept. 24; and St. Cletus in St. Charles on Mondays from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. starting Sept. 22. To find contact information for a branch, visit thecornerstonescripturestudy.org/connect-with-us/locations/.

Goretti Fine Art unveils historical painting

A new painting from Defiance-based Goretti Fine Art commemorating Jesuit missionary Father Pierre-Jean De Smet’s first public Mass in present-day Wyoming was unveiled earlier this month to mark the 185th anniversary of that Mass. The 31×50” oil painting “La Prairie de la Messe” by brother-sister team George Capps and Polly Capps Paule contains 12 portraits of individuals present at the 1840 Mass, features a detailed reconstruction of a period portable Mass kit and showcases the cultural diversity of the era’s Rocky Mountain fur trade. A full-scale replica of the painting (the original is in a private collection) was selected for display at the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, Wyoming, as part of an exhibit showcasing the intersection between fine art and faithful historical representation. To learn more, visit gorettifineart.com/la-prairie-de-la-messe.