Local News

Michael Benz

Age: 48

Home Parish: Holy Trinity in St. Ann

Transitional diaconate service: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Oakville

Degrees: Bachelor's in English from University of Missouri-St. Louis, master's in English from Ohio State University, and bachelor's in philosophy, master's in theology and master's in divinity from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Ray Buehler

Age: 32

Home Parish: Curé of Ars in Shrewsbury

Transitional diaconate service: Ascension in Chesterfield

The concept of the new evangelization was introduced years before their entrance into the seminary. But six men to be ordained this week are living in the heart of the new evangelization -- which, put simply, calls on Catholics to reinvigorate those who have fallen away from their faith.

The Missouri legislature passed legislation last week that seeks to prevent the spread of telemedicine abortions in Missouri.

HB 400, sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, passed the House May 13 by a vote of 115-39. The Senate previously passed its version of the bill by a vote of 23-7.

A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Elisha Perez is attending St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, studying general education leading eventually to a degree in occupational therapy. Her hope is to someday volunteer to help other women veterans, perhaps those with spinal cord injuries.

Since leaving after four years of service in the Navy, things haven't been easy for Perez, who has children, ages 2 and 3. She and her children were homeless until she received help from St. Patrick Center to find a place to live.

A Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon has written a children's book that she hopes will help people understand the complex topic of microfinancing.

Sister Antoinette "Toni" Temporiti has published "One Potato Two," the story of Mumbi, a young African girl whose mother is able to feed the family thanks to a potato-selling business that was begun through a microfinancing loan.

In 2006, Sister Toni founded Microfinancing Partners in Africa, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance to strengthen and expand microfinancing programs in Africa.

"Gentle mother, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom; teach us love"

As the piano started playing and the children's choir started singing "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman," students in the entrance procession fixated on the center aisle of Sacred Heart Church where a statue of Mary was adorned with flowers.

The second-grade boys folded their hands reverently and walked forward next to the second-grade girls, who wore their First Communion dresses and held pink and white flowers. Arriving at the altar, each bowed before the statue.