Art contest winner
Lucas Vogt, a sixth grader at St. Agnes School in Bloomsdale, was named a finalist in the 2024-25 Christmas Artwork Contest of the Missionary Childhood Association. Lucas’ crayon artwork featuring the wise men traveling to see baby Jesus was one of just 24 submissions from around the U.S. selected as finalists or grand prize winners. Lucas’ art will be displayed at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., during the Advent and Christmas season. Lucas and his family will travel to Washington Dec. 5 for an awards presentation, Mass and luncheon for this year’s winners.
The Missionary Childhood Association, one of the Pontifical Mission Societies, invites children to help spread the Good News of Jesus while gathering prayers and financial support for children in mission countries.
Birthright Christmas cards for sale
Birthright Counseling St. Louis is selling Christmas cards to benefit the nonprofit organization. Birthright provides professional counseling and practical assistance to mothers facing an untimely pregnancy, offering positive alternatives to abortion. This year’s card is a watercolor design painted by Stanley Cooke and entitled, “The Adoration of the Magi.” It depicts Mary and Joseph at the manger as the Magi worship the Baby Jesus. A package of 10 cards is $10. To order, call (314) 962-5300 or visit supportbirthrightstl.org.
Festival of Trees
Holy Family Parish in Arnold will host its second annual Festival of Trees from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the parish center, 2300 Church Road. The event includes free breakfast from 8:30-11:30 a.m., photos with Santa, a kids zone, Santa shop, performances by the Holy Family School choir and other music groups, and 4 p.m. Mass in the Holy Family chapel. For the full schedule of the event, holyfamilyarnold.org/news/ 512-festival-of-trees-save-the-date.
Christmas novena
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in St. Charles will host a Christmas novena from Dec. 15-23 at the church, 2 Seton Court in St. Charles. The novena is a series of nine consecutive days of prayer in preparation for Christ’s coming, with each night focusing on one of the “O Antiphon” titles of the Messiah. The novena will begin at 7 p.m. each night and last about 40 minutes.
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, Dec. 20, at St. Gianna Church, 450 East Highway N in Wentzville. The Rosary will be prayed before Mass beginning at 7:30 a.m. 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.
