Archdiocesan news briefs
Native St. Louisan named Jesuit provincial
Father Andrew R. Kirschman, SJ, will be the next provincial superior of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province. He was appointed Feb. 18 by Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, the superior general of the worldwide Society of Jesus. Father Kirschman will assume his new responsibilities on July 31.
Father Kirschman, 52, is a native of St. Louis and previously served the province as novice director since 2018. He also was the socius (executive assistant) to the previous novice director and was the coordinator of vocation promotion. He taught and coordinated community outreach at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver for five years and provided spiritual formation for the volunteers of the province’s Alum Service Corps. He taught for three years at the Universidad Centroamericana in San Salvador, El Salvador and served as a province consultor and local superior in both Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and Denver.
Father Kirschman succeeds Father Thomas P. Greene, SJ, who has served as provincial of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province since July 31, 2020.
Walking Stations of the Cross
A Walking Stations of the Cross is available this Lent at Mary Queen of Peace Shrine, 301 Coronation Drive (the corner of Civic Park Drive and Imperial Drive) in O’Fallon. Booklets are available at the shrine beside the first station and include several versions of the stations along with a guide map. The fully-paved route is under 1 mile, with no incline and stroller-friendly. For more information, contact Kim Bauer at (314) 575-2144 or via email at kim@toseniorliving.com.
St. Peter Parish in Kirkwood is also hosting a Walking Stations of the Cross during Lent, beginning any time after noon on Fridays. The route is approximately 1.2 miles and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Start by picking up a map at the St. Peter parish office at 243 W. Argonne. For more information and an online guide to the walking stations, visit stpeterkirkwood.org/walkingstations.
Prayer vigil for ICE detainees
A prayer vigil in solidarity with ICE detainees, sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis and several religious orders, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, outside the Ste. Genevieve ICE Detention Center, 5 Basler Drive in Ste. Genevieve. Transportation will be provided from St. Louis, and a free-will offering lunch will follow the vigil. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/March7Vigil.
Shroud of Turin
An exhibit featuring a replica of the Shroud of Turin and several relics will take place March 13-15 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville. Attendees will witness the the suffering face of Jesus in the “Veil of Veronica” (later commissioned by Pope Leo XIII in 1890); a replica of the Shroud of Turin and a relic believed to be part of the shroud; more than half a dozen saints’ relics; and several eucharistic miracles panels. For more information, including a schedule of events, visit www.centreformercy.org/ shroudexhibit.
Lenten reflection at St. Anthony of Padua
“Are These All the Sons/Daughters You Have?” a reflection on what it means to be chosen, is a Lenten recollection to be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at St. Anthony of Padua Church (parish hall), 3135 Meramec St. in St. Louis. All are welcome to attend an afternoon of recollection and examine the peaks and valleys of the Lenten journey. Participants will climb the mountain of discovery and transformation to remember who we are called to be and how to bring that gift home. A meal will follow the reflection.
Father Brian Strassburger talk
All are invited to join St. Francis Xavier “College” Church for “We are the Body of Christ: An Ignatian Approach to Restoring the Humanity of Migrants” from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the church ballroom. Father Brian Strassburger, SJ, director of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries based in Brownsville, Texas, will talk about the dynamic of migration on the U.S.-Mexico border and in cities throughout the country. He will also offer practical suggestions for stopping the dehumanization of migrants who are also members of the body of Christ. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/March22SFXIJC.
Day of reflection on racism
A day of prayer, reflection and worship on “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on racism, will take place Saturday, April 25, at the St. Charles Lwanga Center, 8240 Washington St. in Vinita Park. The day will begin at noon with presentations on the pastoral letter, followed by the Rosary and Mass at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Joyce Jones at (314) 792-7430.
