Saint Louis Review - All Articles

Faith and Culture | In the Beauty of Christ

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:58:09 +0000

Javier Orozco

One of the great characteristics of our contemporary cultural ethos is the way in which we can easily take charge of things. In our family affairs, for instance, we know how important it is to be responsive to issues that affect the well-being of those close to us. Indeed, our ability to react quickly and with certainty is part and parcel of being responsible with and for others.

Retired Canadian bishop laicized by Vatican

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:03:49 +0000

By Catholic News Service

OTTAWA, Ontario — Raymond Lahey, the retired bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, who was convicted of importing child pornography, has been laicized by the Vatican, said the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archdiocesan news briefs

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:33:18 +0000

Ecumenical award

Secular society needs Catholicism, pope tells U.S. bishops

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:18:31 +0000

Francis X. Rocca | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — In five speeches over a period of six months, Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops of the threats that an increasingly secularized society poses to the Catholic Church in America, especially in the areas of religious liberty, sexual morality and the definition of marriage.

Gannon's award highlights work of Annual Catholic Appeal

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:20:29 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Niall Gannon has received a prestigious national Community Leadership Award from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney for his volunteer efforts with the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Gannon was general chairman of the 2007 Appeal and has served the ACA in various other roles, including on the ACA Council. The appeal is held each spring in parishes throughout the archdiocese. It provides support for Catholic education, parish emergencies, youth programs, social service programs serving those in need and much more.

Dublin's city center 'Camino' takes pilgrims to seven historic churches

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:56:50 +0000

Cian Molloy | Catholic News Service

DUBLIN — A new city center "Camino," or pilgrim walk, has been launched in Dublin as part of the celebrations surrounding the International Eucharistic Congress set for June 10-17.

The walk, involving prayerful visits to seven of Dublin's most historic Catholic and Anglican churches, is partly inspired by the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain and partly inspired by the traditional Dublin devotion of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday.

Dear Father | Church provides several levels of support for infertile couples

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:47:49 +0000

Father John Mayo

Q: Why does the Church oppose in-vitro fertilization (IVF)? What alternatives does the Church offer to couples experiencing infertility?

This question is one near and dear to my heart, for my own family has had struggles in having children. I empathize greatly with couples who feel the burning desire to be parents and share the gift of life. The Church is not opposed to this desire; rather the Church opposes some methods to attain this good.

Moments of Grace | Just like the Epistles, letters bring grace through memories, revive souls of those we love

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:33:43 +0000

Lou Jobst

The Epistles are among the most beautiful letters ever written. St. Paul writes so eloquently in Philippians, "... I beg you: Make my joy complete by your unanimity, possessing the one love, united in spirit and ideals."

During a particularly challenging time in my life, I spoke with the late Father Jim Krings, a truly splendid priest. I went looking for words of wisdom from him and he simply stated, "Read Philippians. I can't give you any better advice and inspiration than that." He was right.

Archdiocese of St. Louis joins others in suing federal government to stop HHS mandate

jenniferbrinker — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:10:21 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

Noting that “time is running out,” Archbishop Robert J. Carlson announced May 21 that the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Catholic Charities of St. Louis has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the United States government, challenging the legality of its health care mandate to be enforced beginning this August.

Accompanied by Catholic Charities president Brian O’Malley, archdiocesan chancellor Nancy Werner, legal counsel Tom Buckley and others, the Archbishop made the announcement at an afternoon press conference held at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury.

St. Paul witnessed to the Lord's resurrection by his words and his example

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:58:35 +0000

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Last week, I wrote about St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. One of the great ironies of Christian history is the fact that Saul of Tarsus, who after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus was to become "the first Christian theologian" and one of the Church's greatest missionaries, was present at the stoning of Stephen as an opponent of those who were followers of Jesus (cf. Acts 7:58).

Aquinas Institute of Theology awards degrees, certificates on 42 students

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:57:50 +0000

Aquinas Institute of Theology conferred graduate degrees and graduate certificates on 42 men and women at a commencement at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in Midtown St. Louis on May 11.

Archdiocesan News Briefs | May 18, 2012

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:57:31 +0000

Play ball

Catholic Charities of St. Louis is once again sponsoring "Go to Bat for Kids" night at the ballpark, giving everyone an opportunity to help a child from a low-income family go to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Catholic Charities is seeking donations to buy ticket to see the Cards play the Kansas City Royals at 7:15 Friday, June 15, at Busch Stadium. To donate, go online to ccstl.org or call (314) 367-5500.

Merit Scholars

Promise kept, prayer answered

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:57:06 +0000

Twenty years ago Pope John Paul II gave us an apostolic exhortation whose very title alone continues to inspire hope and confidence within the People of God: "Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Shall Give you Shepherds)". Fully aware of God's timeless and never-ending promise to His people through His prophet Jeremiah, John Paul reminded us of Our Lord's faithful and loving care for His flock. He, in His wisdom, knows that ever we must be shepherded; we cannot lead ourselves. He, in His loving, guiding and guarding way, gives us ever His own shepherding care through the priests we so need here on earth.

Several Pentecost events scheduled in archdiocese

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:56:01 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

On Sunday, May 27, the Church will celebrate the feast of Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Blessed Mother and Jesus' disciples, as they awaited in fear in the days after His Resurrection and Ascension.

Pentecost is a birthday, of sorts, for the Church, when the Holy Spirit initiated the Church's mission, marked on the 50th day following Easter.

The archdiocesan Catholic Renewal Center is organizing several events to celebrate the feast.

Obituary | Deacon Howard J. VanBooven

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:29:17 +0000

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 8 at Assumption Church in O'Fallon for Deacon Howard J. VanBooven, who served at the O'Fallon parish and in hospice chaplaincy.

Deacon VanBooven, 71, died May 3. Born in Rhineland, Mo., he married the former Susan C. Black in 1964. He served his country in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge.

At audience, pope says work should help, not hinder, family life

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:27:31 +0000

Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY -- Work obligations should not harm a person's family relationships but should provide support, giving couples the resources to have and raise children and spend time together, Pope Benedict XVI said.

At the end of his weekly general audience May 16, Pope Benedict noted how the United Nations chose "family and work" as the focus of the 2012 International Day of Families, which was celebrated May 15.

Work should not be an obstacle to the family, he said, "but rather should support and unite it, help it to open itself to life" and interact with society and the Church.

Sarajevo's Catholic leaders, mayor spar over minority rights

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:06:27 +0000

Jonathan Luxmoore | Catholic News Service

OXFORD, England -- Sarajevo Catholic officials say the city's Muslim-dominated government is not protecting minority rights, but the mayor said his city is committed to providing a home for all religious faiths.

Sarajevo Mayor Alija Behmen said city authorities "treat all citizens equally and pay equal attention to all -- the structure of the city council and city administration is multinational and multireligious."

Vatican says reconciliation talks with Society of St. Pius X still ongoing

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:58:12 +0000

Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Reconciliation talks between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X have not reached their conclusion but will continue, the Vatican said May 16, after members of its doctrinal congregation examined the latest communication from the head of the breakaway traditionalist group.

"Some observations were formulated which will be kept in mind in further discussions," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, following a meeting of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Traditionalist leader says group could divide over unity with Rome

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:57:41 +0000

Francis X. Rocca | Catholic News Service

MENZINGEN, Switzerland -- The leader of a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics spoke in unusually hopeful terms about a possible reconciliation with Rome, but acknowledged significant internal resistance to such a move, which he said might lead to the group splitting apart.

Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X, spoke to Catholic News Service May 11 at the society's headquarters in Switzerland about the latest events in more than two years of efforts at reconciliation with the Vatican.

Catholic says nation in need of prayer, so creates 'Rosary for the USA

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:57:07 +0000

Joyce Coronel | Catholic News Service

PHOENIX -- As Manny Yrique prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, his heart was burdened with concerns about the United States and the level of animosity in American discourse.

"I knelt down to pray and I was overwhelmed by the feeling that Our Lord wanted me to pray a rosary," Yrique said. "I felt him telling me, 'Take it to my mother.'"

He pulled out his rosary beads and as he began to pray, he was struck by the realization that each of the 50 Hail Mary prayers of the rosary could be offered for one of the 50 United States.