Local News

All-stars from Catholic schools shine at Busch

josephkenny — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:07:38 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

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.

Charity partnership provides storm-affected residents with fresh food

jenniferbrinker — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:31:30 +0000

By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

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.

Enthusiasm reigns at Liturgy Camp

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:59:00 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24).

When Aaron Frei showed the high school students photos of some of the stained-glass art his family studio is known for around the country, he asked them about the symbolism behind the art.

Wash U. Catholic Student Center a refuge for helping students appreciate sexuality

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:58:18 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

Pharmacy student Tracey Nguyen recently recalled being taught in one of her classes that pregnancy begins when the human embryo has successfully implanted in a woman's uterus.

As a Catholic, Nguyen took issue with that. And it's certainly an issue that does not come without debate, both in the spheres of science and faith. Some in the medical field, along with the Catholic Church, hold that pregnancy begins at conception, while others state that pregnancy starts at implantation. The issue is one that sits at the heart of the abortion debate.

Implications of emergency contraception

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:58:27 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

The recent push to make emergency contraception more widely available in the United States raises questions about the mechanisms of the drug and the implications of making it available as an over-the-counter product.

'Wired' for serving others with Project Life

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:00:10 +0000

Thumbnail (for Multimedia Slideshows)

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.

SVDP opens fifth thrift store in St. Louis area

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:00:44 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

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.

'Little but mighty' boy overcomes obstacles

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:00:24 +0000

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.

Franciscan Sisters of Mary join effort for safe cleanup of landfill

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:58:40 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

Residents and others concerned for years about the cleanup of radioactive waste at the West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton have gained a new ally in the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.

Call to care for those in need answered in St. Charles

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:42:55 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

"Whatever you did for the least among us, you did for Me."

Father John Brockland's citation of Matthew 25: 31-46 and the call to care for those in need applies to the daily work of Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service's Tri-County Outreach Center in St. Charles. At the May 23 dedication of newly renovated client rooms at the center, the pastor of Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish prayed that all will "love our brothers and sisters and help them in their time of need."

Annual Mass supports those affected by breast cancer

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:51:15 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

The archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate is hosting its annual Mass to honor those who have been affected by breast cancer.

Father Jack Siefert will celebrate the Mass at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2618 Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood. The Respect Life Apostolate began offering the Mass in 2011 to those who expressed a desire to join in prayer with other families affected by breast cancer, but do not want to participate in the annual Komen Race for the Cure, which is held on the same date.

Sacred Heart Family Camp unites families in fun, faith

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:53:29 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

At first glance, it looked like any other campground. A group of teens was playing volleyball in the courtyard. Several adults sat under the covered awning of a cabin, sipping their morning coffee.

But not far in the distance, a priest sat in a metal chair among the woods as he heard someone's confession. Inside one of the cabins, a woman religious was giving a talk on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This was no ordinary camp.

Salute cites example of service of two St. Louisans

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:56:11 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Show Me Hero Salute, the event this month displaying the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall on the campus of Lindbergh High School, highlights several Vietnam veterans, including a St. Louis priest who is not listed on the wall and a St. Louis University High School and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who is on the wall.

CHRIST ADORED

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:54:42 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

Thumbnail (for Multimedia Slideshows)

Members of St. Joseph Parish in Imperial had just finished receiving Communion at Mass. Then their pastor, Msgr. Timothy Cronin, gently placed the Eucharist into a monstrance, and following him, a crowd of about 150 people processed out of church, ready to share their gift with the community.

Organ concerts to be held at cathedral basilica during summer

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:51:28 +0000

Barbara Watkins | bwatkins@archstl.org

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis will host a series of free organ concerts in July and August.

The International Organ Concert Series, sponsored by Kiepper Pipe Organs, will be presented at 8 p.m. Thursdays, July 11-Aug. 15.

Two St. Charles Catholic high schools win soccer titles; St. Dominic repeats

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:57:31 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

The St. Dominic High School girls' soccer team won its second straight Class 2 state title June 1 to cap an undefeated season, while another St. Charles County Catholic high school, Duchesne, won in Class 1.

St. Joseph's Academy finished third in Class 3, Rosati-Kain tied for third in Class 2 and St. Pius X High School in Festus finished second in Class 1. All games were played in Blue Springs, Mo.

Vietnam vet tells of friends' ultimate sacrifice

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:56:33 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Growing up in the 1960s in an Irish Catholic family from south Boston, Tom Irwin did what many young men his age there did.

"It was not a revolutionary idea for a young man from a good Catholic high school in Boston to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1967," Irwin told a gathering in Sunset Hills May 16 at the Show-Me Hero Salute luncheon promoting the American Veterans Traveling Tribute wall event, a replica of the Vietnam Wall being set up at Lindbergh High School in south St. Louis County.

Pro-life speakers shine the light on abortion industry

josephkenny — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:16:11 +0000

By Martha Schieber

Times have changed and not always for the best, according to leaders in the pro-life movement. But shining a light on the truth can bring changes, they noted.

Both Vitae Foundation President Carl Landwehr and former Planned Parenthood "Employee of the Year" Abby Johnson explained changes in attitudes at Vitae's annual St. Louis pro-life benefit on May 16 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, where almost 300 people heard emotional stories.