Archdiocesan news briefs

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Well-earned honor

Oliver W. Siebert, a longtime parishioner at Christ Prince of Peace Parish in Manchester, will receive the French Legion of Honor Medal for his contributions to the work of the Free French Armed Forces during the World War II liberation of Strasbourg. He will receive the award Saturday, Aug. 11, at VFW Post 6274 in Ballwin. Siebert, now 88 and a retired engineer, was a 20-year-old temporary 2nd Lt. in November 1944, in the 220th Field Artillery Battalion of the 44th Infantry Division, which had fought its way across northern France and ultimately in the Battle of the Bulge. His skills as a radio operator and artillery forward observer prompted his promotion, made necessary by numerous casualties. After the successful liberation of Strasbourg, the Allies advanced through the Ardenne Forest, and Siebert was among a small group of soldiers captured by German S.S. troops. He escaped a few days later, rejoined his unit and was in almost continual fighting through December, until he sustained serious injuries on Christmas Day, 1944. Some months later he received a medical discharge and a Purple Heart, as well as additional awards, with battle star, for his military efforts. In February of this year, Siebert was knighted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his service in France during World War II. Siebert and his wife, Virginia, have four daughters, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Curtain time

The Catholic Youth Apostolate and the Father Willliam Scheid Players will present "Some Enchanted Evening -- The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein," Friday-Sunday, Aug. 17-19, at the Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Drive in Florissant. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The cast includes more than 50 young people and adults, including a number of priests. Among them are Father Terry Borgerding of Sacred Heart Parish in Florissant; Msgr. Norbert Ernst of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish in Oakville; and Father Bill Wigand, who leads three Ste. Genevieve County parishes -- Our Lady Help of Christians, Sts. Philip and James and St. Catherine of Alexandria. Tickets are $14 each or $12 for seniors or groups of 25 or more, and proceeds support the Catholic Youth Apostolate. For tickets contact Bridget at (314) 792-7625 or email bridgeta llen@archstl.org.

Way to go

Lots of news from St. Patrick Center, the Catholic Charities agency that fights homelessness. For the second year in a row, the agency has received a $956,272 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its programs working with veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The grant is part of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, an initiative to prevent and end veteran homelessness. According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, veteran homelessness has dropped 12 percent since January 2010.

St. Patrick Center also has raised more than $500,000 in net revenue through their recent Irish Open dinner auction and golf tournament, Pot O' Gold collection and 50 Ends 50 fundraiser. In addition, thanks to Whole Foods Market's July 12 Community Support Day, $9,231 will be donated to support of St. Patrick Center's City Seeds Urban Farm program. This donation comes from both Whole Foods Market customers and the Brentwood and Town and Country stores themselves, which donated 5 percent of the entire day's net sales. City Seeds Urban Farm is an urban agriculture initiative providing job training and therapeutic horticulture to people who are homeless and underserved. A collaboration of several local organizations, City Seeds Urban Farm produces and distributes affordable, healthy, locally grown produce. Finally, the recent graduating class of St. Patrick Center's Fast Track GED program included 16 students, seven who will be attending schools in the fall and seven who are now employed full or part time. Since the Fast Track program began in 2009, 36 students have graduated.

Three Threshold Issues talk

A talk on the "Three Threshold Issues: Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty," will take place from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish, 4900 Ringer Road in Oakville. Guest speakers will be Dr. Rick Brennan and Ed Hogan, director of the Paul VI Institute. For information call Michelle at (314) 894-1672.

Sisters of Mercy new leadership

The Sisters of Mercy-South Central Community, recently elected a new leadership team at its annual assembly, held in Concord, N.C., in June. Sister Jane Hotstream, formerly president of the Sisters of Mercy-Regional Community of St. Louis, was elected president for the 2012-16 team. Additional members of the new leadership team include vice president Sister Paulette Williams and team members Sister Mary Rose Bumpus, Sister Patricia Coward, Sister Linda Falquette and Sister Deborah Lee Kern. During the assembly, the sisters also contacted their representatives in Congress to advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for young people who immigrated to the U.S. as children.

Discernment retreat

The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus will host a discernment retreat for young women ages 17-29 Aug. 2-5 at the sisters' convent, 10341 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit carmelitedcj.org or contact Sister Mary Michael at (314) 965-7616 or vocations@carmelitedcj.org.

Catholic Employment Network

The Catholic Employment Network will present a workshop 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at St. Joseph Parish, 555 St. Joseph Lane in Manchester. Frank Danzo of Career Networking Pro will discuss the preparation and delivery of a memorable interview. The workshop is free. For information, email careers@stjoemanchester.org or visit catholicem ploymentnetwork.org.

Ritter news

Jordan Mosley and Bre'Onna Robinson, incoming seniors at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, spent their summer vacation wisely. Jordan, ranked number one in his class, is interning this summer through Cardinal Ritter Prep's Intern Leadership Program with the investment banking firm Clayton Capital Partners. He also attended the Nativity Miguel Scholars Program and the University of Notre Dame's Leadership Seminars. Bre'Onna attended Alabama A&M University's Michael P. Anderson Summer Outreach Program, learning about different areas of engineering and science through experimentation in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. She's currently working for Centerville Township as a volunteer in the "Feeding the Hungry" program.

Three-on-three basketball

Incarnate Word Academy is hosting a three-on-three basketball tournament Aug. 4-5 for boys and girls in grades three through 12. Entry fee is $90 per team. Each player receives a T-shirt and teams are guaranteed three games. For more information, visit iwabasketball.com.

Ladies night out with Endow

Kate Sweeney of Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) will be the featured speaker at an Endow Ladies' Night Out at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company, 105 E. Jefferson in Kirkwood. There is no cost to attend. RSVP is required by Aug. 21. Call (314) 792-7460 or email judyshipp2@archstl.org.

Cathedral Concerts

This year celebrates the 20th season of St. Louis Cathedral Concerts, "Great Music in a Great Space." The first concert will be Tenebrae, a choir from London, England, performing "Passion and Precision" at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central West End. The season-opening party will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at Favazza's restaurant on the Hill. For more information on this year's season, call (314) 533-7662 or go online to cathedralconcerts.org.

Wedding Jubilee Mass

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate the annual Silver and Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central West End. Couples celebrating their 25th, 50th or 50-plus wedding anniversaries during 2012 who register before Sept. 20 will have their names and wedding date printed in the program and receive a certificate of congratulations. To register online, go to archstl.org/laityandfamilylife and choose Events from the menu on the left; then choose Silver & Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass Registration under Events. Or call the Office of Laity and Family Life at (314) 792-7170.

Choir auditions

The Archdiocesan Choir will be having auditions for all voice parts beginning Tuesday, Aug. 28. The choir includes singers from the entire St. Louis area and provides music for major archdiocesan liturgies and presents concerts at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Choir tours in the past have included Italy, England, Austria and Germany. Archdiocesan Choir singers must be able to read music, have previous choir experience and be available for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings. For more information, contact the Cathedral Music office at (314) 737-8227 or music@cathedralstl.org.

Auditions for the Archdiocesan Children's Choir are open throughout the year for boys (age 8 and up) and girls (age 9 and up). Children should be able to read English fluently and have a good ear and healthy voice. The Children's Choir sings for archdiocesan events, the annual Christmas Concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and for Masses at the cathedral and other parishes. Periodically, the choir has gone on tours within the United States and abroad. Auditions will be held Saturday, Sept. 8. Call (314) 533-7662 for more information or to schedule an audition appointment.

Adoption news

Dillon International Inc. will present a free informational meeting on international adoption from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Dillon International office, One First Missouri Center, Suite 115, in St. Louis. A Dillon representative will give an overview of adoption from China, Korea, Haiti, India, Hong Kong, Ghana and Columbia. Adoption programs in Russia, Ethiopia and Honduras, available through an affiliation with Buckner International, also will be discussed. For information or a reservation, call (314) 576-4100 or email DillonMO@dillonadopt.com.