Father Leo Lewis celebrates 65th anniversary of ordination
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: CBC High School, Northwestern University, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: April 2, 1960, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese:
Assistant pastor, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Richmond Heights, 1960-61
Full-time studies, Saint Louis University, 1961-62
Full-time teacher, Mercy High School, 1962-65
Assistant pastor, St. Barbara Parish, St. Louis, 1962-65
Associate pastor, Most Precious Blood Parish, St. Louis, 1986-88
Sabbatical to care for parents, 1988-95
Senior associate pastor, St. Justin Martyr Parish, Sunset Hills, 1995-2000
Retirement, 2000-present
Service outside of the archdiocese: Chaplain, United States Air Force, 1965-86
About Father Lewis: As an Air Force chaplain, he served in many posts, including Alaska, Taiwan, Greece and Germany. His last Air Force assignment was at Blytheville Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas. Father Lewis said, “To serve as chaplain to the men and women of the military (USAF) and their families was an exceptional gift to me, offering unique opportunities for ministry while enlightening and enriching my life in ways I had never envisioned. The need for priests as chaplains is immense, and I would recommend the ministry to all of my brother priests.” Father Lewis is currently retired in Colorado.
Lance Shockley executed
Lance Shockley was executed by lethal injection on Oct. 14 at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., according to the Associated Press. Shockley was convicted of the 2005 killing of Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Graham Jr. Gov. Mike Kehoe denied Shockley’s clemency request on Oct. 13.
This was the first execution in Missouri in 2025. As of Oct. 14, 37 people in 11 states have been put to death this year nationwide, with six more scheduled. Four men eligible for execution remain on Missouri’s death row.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,’ and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide” (CCC 2267).
Archbishop Rozanski named bishop-advisor of Saint Luke Institute
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski has been named bishop-advisor of the Saint Luke Institute, an independent, international Catholic mental health treatment and education center for priests, deacons, religious and other leaders in the Church. The institute serves the needs of dozens of arch/dioceses and religious communities in support of mental health and spiritual wellness of their members, offering clinical evaluations for mental health treatment, individual and group care, ongoing education and wellness programs and candidate assessments for those preparing for seminary, diaconate or religious life. Archbishop Rozanski’s role began Sept. 5.
“Christ, the Great Physician, commissioned His apostles to carry on His ministry, including the ministry of healing His people, body, mind and spirit,” Archbishop Rozanski said in a news release. “It is a great joy and privilege to play a small role in SLI’s mission of caring for those who have dedicated their own lives to caring for the faithful.”
#iGiveCatholic
Registration for this year’s #iGiveCatholic is open. The annual campaign on Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 2 this year), encourages people to donate to local Catholic ministries. Registration deadline for ministries to participate is Nov. 1. To learn more and register your ministry, visit igivecatholic.org/community/stl.
Christ the King music festival
The Oratory of St. Francis de Sales will host its annual Christ the King music festival from Oct. 23-26 at the oratory, 2653 Ohio Ave. in St. Louis. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of the feast of Christ the King by Pope Pius XI in 1925. This year’s theme is Gregorian Chant. Events include a candlelight concert by the Kingsbury Ensemble at 8 p.m. Oct. 24, performance by the Bach Society of St. Louis at 3 p.m. Oct. 25 and solemn High Mass featuring the festival choir at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26. For more information, visit oratoriostl.com.
Prayer with the Poor Clares
There will be a Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive, off the 6000 block of Telegraph Road in south St. Louis County. There will also be all-day adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, 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.
