Archdiocesan news briefs
Second Baby Box surrender
A second infant was safely surrendered in August to a Safe Haven Baby Box at Mehlville Fire Protection District House 2. The Mehlville fire station was the first location in Missouri to receive a baby box in 2023, and six months later, an infant girl was safely surrendered in the box and eventually was adopted.
“When we blessed this first Missouri location, none of us knew that within 2 years it would be used twice,” Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey said. “That is the impact of our baby boxes, we never know which location will be most needed, but we stress preparation. This community’s preparation has successfully protected two mothers in crisis and two infants. We are grateful this mother kept her baby safe and we know she loves this baby very much.”
Since 2017, 64 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box. The National Safe Haven Crisis Line has assisted with over 175 hand off surrenders. Each year, the numbers increase with more baby boxes available across the country. Surrendered infants are adopted by families who have registered as foster to adopt. The local family services’ department coordinates the adoption process.
De Smet Jesuit entrepreneurship center
De Smet Jesuit High School recently opened the Stephen P. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, which will serve as a hub for the school’s entrepreneurship courses, student club and Summer Mentorship Program, equipping students with the knowledge and experience to succeed as leaders and innovators. The center was made possible through benefactor and alum Stephen P. Holmes ‘81 and will create opportunities for students to develop real-world business skills while being guided by Jesuit values. The center will be directed by Evan Snively ‘07, who will teach entrepreneurship classes, guide student projects and engage alumni mentors in supporting student ventures.
New presidents at Bishop DuBourg and Rosati-Kain
Tim Sullivan has been named president of Bishop DuBourg High School, a coed archdiocesan high school in south St. Louis. Sullivan has previously served as chief operating officer of the Traffic Law Center and in key roles at Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Boys Hope Girls Hope St. Louis. He also previously was director of enrollment management and parent engagement at De Smet Jesuit High School and worked for the archdiocesan Office of the Annual Catholic Appeal.
Stephanie Boyd has been named president of Rosati-Kain Academy, an independent Catholic all-girls school in the Central West End. Boyd graduated from Rosati-Kain in 2006 and previously worked as director of advancement and financial affairs for the school. She most recently served as director of development for the Repertory Theater of St. Louis.
Canonization celebration for Carlo Acutis
The Real Presence Education Foundation will host a celebration in honor of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ canonization from 12-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at St. Peter Church, 243 W. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood. The event will include eucharistic adoration, veneration of a first-class relic and a life-size panel of his body as he is emtombed in Assisi, Italy. Eucharistic miracle panels created by Carlo Acutis will be on display to teach the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. There also will be a eucharistic miracle scavenger hunt for youths.
Adoration with the Poor Clares
There will be a Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at the Monastery of St. Clare. The monastery is located at 200 Marycrest Drive, off the 6000 block of Telegraph Road. There will also be all-day adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the monastery, which is a designated pilgrimage site for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. The day will conclude with Evening Prayer with the sisters and Benediction at 4:30 p.m.
Creation Care Summit
The archdiocesan Laudato Si Commission will host its annual Creation Care Summit from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Drive in Shrewsbury. Experts, advocates, students and clergy will lead discussions on Catholic social teaching about planting seeds of peace and hope for creation. Keynote speaker will be Daniel R. DiLeo, a moral theologian, associate professor and director of the Justice and Peace Studies Program at Creighton University. To register, visit stlreview.com/3UDdgwl.
Pro-life apologetics workshops
The archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate will host two pro-life apologetics workshops in September, “A Different Kind of Conversation,” featuring Kristina Massa with Justice for All. The first will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Our Lady Parish in Festus; doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a light dinner, followed by her talk. The second will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 20, at St. Gertrude Parish in Krakow. Please RSVP with number attending to prolife@archstl.org or call (314) 792-7555.
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 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Sacred Heart Parish, 100 Thompson Drive in Troy. The Rosary will be prayed before Mass. 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.
