Aquinas Great Preacher Awards
Emil Frei &Associates, a liturgical design studio specializing in the design, creation and restoration of stained glass and mosaics, and Father Paul Murray, OP, an Irish-born, Rome-based Dominican writer, professor and poet, are this year’s recipients of Aquinas Institute of Theology’s Great Preacher Award. The 31st annual celebration will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. To learn more about the awards, visit www.ai.edu/cta-button/ great-preacher-award.
Established in 1995, the Great Preacher Award is presented to those who embody the “Holy Preaching” which Dominicans understand as a comprehensive and dynamic response to God’s presence in our lives and in the world. The award honors preachers who proclaim, in word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the coming and presence of the reign of God.
Emil Frei’s stained glass and mosaics across the country are a testament to the visual messages of prayer and preaching produced by five generations of the Frei family. The studio, originally founded in 1898 by Bavarian-born Emil Frei Sr., has produced work for a variety of institutions, including St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, Emory University, the Boston-based Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Jefferson Barracks, the National Episcopal Cathedral and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Frei family’s work has also touched every corner of St. Louis in different houses of worship. Their work is seen in Second Baptist Church, Temple Israel Synagogue, the Episcopal Church of St. Michael and St. George and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Father Murray is known throughout the Catholic world as a great preacher, poet and author of spiritual writings. Mysticism frequently has been at the heart of his work, such as his 1977 book, “The Mysticism Debate,” and the more recent, “Aquinas at Prayer: The Bible, Mysticism and Poetry” (2013), “God’s Spies: Michelangelo, Shakespeare and Other Poets of Vision” (2019), “Saint Catherine of Siena: Mystic of Fire, Preacher of Freedom” (2020), and “Preachers at Prayer: Soundings in the Dominican Spiritual Tradition” (2024). He has also produced more than five collections of poetry and a children’s book.
Fish fry micro-grants
The Archdiocese of St. Louis Laudato Si Commission is offering five to 10 grants of $500-$1,000 to parishes that implement sustainable practices during their Lenten fish fries. This could include contracting a composting service or using compostable or reusable serveware. Grant applications are due Nov. 19, and grant winners will be announced in December. To view a video presentation from the recent Sustainable Fish Fry Workshop and apply for a micro-grant, visit stlreview.com/47k36GI.
Purgatory prayers
The St. Joseph Purgatorial Society will meet to pray for the souls in purgatory at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at St. Wenceslaus Church, 3014 Oregon Ave. in St. Louis. Prayers will include the Rosary and five short purgatory prayers. Confessions are available at 3 p.m., and Mass is at 4 p.m. All are welcome to join the society for these prayers on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, contact Maurice at (314) 577-6300 or mprater@msf-america.org.
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, Nov. 15, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church, 4900 Ringer Road in Oakville. 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.
Pipes for Parkinson’s
“Pipes for Parkinson’s,” an organ concert to benefit the American Parkinson Disease Association, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Ascension Church, 230 Santa Maria Drive in Chesterfield. The concert will feature Kathleen Bolduan, Jinah Knapp, Mark Laverty (piano), James Marck, Earl Naylor and Dawn Riske. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, email pipesforparkinsonsstl@gmail.com.
Missionaries of Hope
All are invited to an evening with Msgr. Roger Landry, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, on “Becoming Missionaries of Hope: Lessons from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne” on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, 619 N. 2nd St. in St. Charles. The World Mission Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk by Msgr. Landry at 7 p.m. and light refreshments after. The event is free, but registration is required by Nov. 18 at archstl.flocknote.com/signup/223286.
