Local News

The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) says Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill of Missouri are keys to whether the U.S. Senate passes a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a major overhaul of the nation's immigration laws by as soon as July 4, MCC reported. The bill, S.B. 744, is sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators.

The Missouri team lost the PNC Bank High School Baseball Showcase June 14 at Busch Stadium, but several players from local Catholic schools stood out on the field where Hall of Famers and hometown heroes make memories.

The all-stars from Missouri lost 9-7 to their counterparts from the Illinois side of the metro area. The loss didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the players, who treasured the opportunity to play a game under the lights in the Major League ballpark in Downtown St. Louis.

A partnership between Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is providing fresh food to residents of Berkeley who were affected by recent storms in the area.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society has opened its fifth thrift store in the St. Louis area amid a booming popularity in thrifting.

The new store opened earlier this month at 3924 Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County. The store features clothing, household items, toys and furniture in a 14,000 square-foot showroom. A grand opening is planned for late June. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. All of the society's thrift stores are closed on Sundays.

At a mere 21 weeks into her pregnancy, Tracey Sheahan went into labor. Because she was only at the halfway point of a typical full-term pregnancy and the baby was unlikely to survive if delivered, the doctors postponed Sheahan's labor and placed her on bed rest.

Tracey and the baby's father, Juan Castillo, were warned by doctors to brace themselves for the possibility their baby could suffer long-term developmental delays and disabilities due to prematurity.

They're called "Feet Washers," and they united last week to serve God and others through Project Life.

One hundred teens participated in the weeklong service retreat, which is organized annually by the archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministry. The office is part of the Catholic Youth Apostolate.