Archdiocesan news

Archdiocesan news briefs

In memoriam

The funeral Mass for Rudolph “Rudy” Torrini was celebrated Sept. 8 at St. Roch Church in St. Louis. Mr. Torrini, a well-known artist who taught for decades at Webster University and Fontbonne University, died Sept. 5 at the age of 95 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He created many sculptures that reside at Catholic institutions in St. Louis and elsewhere, including a statue of Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis; Italian immigrants at St. Ambrose Church on the Hill; several statues at Christian Brothers College High School that depict the story of the Christian Brothers in St. Louis; and a statue of St. Roch at St. Roch Church, where he attended for many years. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ann Walsh Torrini; and children Gloria Torrini-Roblin, Rudy Torrini Jr., Maria Torrini and John Torrini.

Room for help

Room at the Inn, a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is seeking donations of clothes and school materials for children. Also needed is toilet paper, paper towels and baby formula with a lengthy shelf life. Room at the Inn is located in Bridgeton. Call (314) 209-9181 to schedule a time with staff to drop off a donation or for the address for shipping.

Upcoming events

SLACO honorees

The St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and is recognizing four people whose Catholic values helped its mission. They are Father Gerry Kleba, SLACO’s founder, with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Sister Mary Dolan, SLACO’s first executive director, Father Richard Creason and Father Bob Gettinger with Hall of Fame recognition. Since its founding, SLACO has worked with the Catholic community, beginning with a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. It now includes more than 30 neighborhood associations and operates a range of community program. Included are efforts to reduce vacancy and to rehabilitate vacant properties; provide after-school programs for children; facilitate connections among neighbors; and bring police and neighborhood leaders together. The community is invited to a reception in celebration of the anniversary from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at The Saint Louis Women’s Club, 4600 Lindell Blvd. To attend, reply to SLACO at slaco40.eventbrite.com. For information, contact Kevin McKinney at kmckinnery@slaco-mo.org or (314) 361-9406.

Paulines annual benefit dinner

The Daughters of St. Paul will honor Don and Deby Schlapprizzi as St. Paul Man and Woman of the Year and Deacon John and Eleanor Heithaus as Mother Paula Memorial Recipients at their 42nd annual benefit dinner Sunday, Sept. 23, at Orlando’s Event Center in Maryland Heights. The event starts with a reception at 5 p.m., then dinner is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 a piece, or $800 per table. For more information or registration, visit www.daughtersofStPaul.com/StLouis (scroll down to event schedule).

Spirituality of homelessness

Ann Rotermund, retired senior director of mental health at St. Patrick Center, will present on the “Spirituality of Homelessness,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at St. Anselm Church, 530 S. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. Rotermund will discuss how the Ignatian Spirituality Project’s retreats for people who are homeless focus on spirituality as the essence of long-term stability. A freewill offering to benefit the Ignatian Spirituality project is welcomed.

Expressions of peace and justice

In collaboration with Arts & Faith, Good Shepherd Arts Center in Ferguson will host the fine arts exhibition “Children of Abraham for Peace and Justice” Sept. 27 through Oct. 20. The exhibit features artwork which furthers the message of peace and justice while reflecting diversity, tolerance and inclusion. Works in this ecumenical exhibition are informed by the faith and traditions of Abrahamic religions, including Jewish, Christian and Muslim. The exhibition will include fabric art, ceramics, painting, iconography and other media. The opening reception for the show will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27. Exhibiting artists include: Yusra Ali, Jody Gerth, Berta Goldgaber, Mary Martin, Zeya Obaidi, Luisa Otero Prada, Olga Rusinova and Alejandra Velasco. The guest curator is Kathy Duffin of Kathy Ann Creative LLC. For information, email info@goodshepherdarts.org or call (314) 522-1155. The gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2-8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

Featured artist

“A Lifetime in Art: Margaret Lazzari — Honored Alumna” will be exhibited Sept. 28 to Dec. 30 at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, 3663 Lindell Blvd. The museum, and the SLU Department of Fine and Performing Arts announce the opening in honor of Lazzari, a 1975 graduate who is professor of art at the University of Southern California, a painter, designer of public art projects, and author of art textbooks. Lazzari will offer reflections and insights at noon Friday, Sept. 28. The exhibit opens with a public reception Sept. 28, 4 to 7 p.m., in the Community Gallery. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first Friday of the month. Admission is free.

Tiny houses benefit

A benefit BBQ and Beer Fest for the Tiny House Project will take place from 5-11 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Crafty Chameleon, 1384 Clarkson Clayton Center in Ellisville. The Tiny House Project is a collaborate effort of Social Justice 4 All, North Grand Neighborhood Services, Rockwood School District and St. Clare of Assisi School in Ellisville to establish three tiny houses as transitional living space for people who are homeless. Proceeds will go toward the completion of the houses, which are located at 3633 N. Market St. in north St. Louis.