Archdiocesan news briefs
Collection for tornado relief
The Archdiocese of St. Louis will hold a special collection at Masses March 29-30 to benefit those affected by the recent tornadoes and storms in several areas of the archdiocese. The funds collected will be distributed through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which is working to provide assistance to individuals and families by addressing both urgent concerns and long-term recovery. “As we continue to pray for those affected, let us also be the hands and feet of Christ, offering them hope and tangible support in their time of need,” Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski wrote in a letter requesting the collection.
Marygrove grant
Marygrove, a ministry of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has received a grant from the Rotary Club of St. Louis Endowment Fund. The award will support the Therapeutic Residential Treatment Program, a vital component of Marygrove’s work that focuses on stabilization, skill-building and preparing youth for reintegration into family, foster care or less restrictive settings. Marygrove provides treatment and support to young people with emotional and behavioral issues resulting from abuse, neglect and other trauma.
Lwanga Center youth choir
The St. Charles Lwanga Center has announced the formation of a youth choir for children ages 9 through 18. All young voices are welcome to come and lift their hearts in song. Participants do not need to be Catholic to join. Rehearsals will take place at the Lwanga Center’s new location, 8240 Washington St. in Vinita Park from noon-2 p.m. on the first two Saturdays of the month beginning with April 5 and 12. For more information, contact the St. Charles Lwanga Center at (314) 449-3496 or Michelle Williams at (314) 422-9158.
Spirituality and ecological action
Jean Ponzi from the EarthWays Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden will speak on “Climate Action: Homegrown National Park,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at St. Cletus Church, 2705 Zumbehl Road in St. Charles. Ponzi will explore the importance of native plants in home gardening and the spiritual benefits of ecological action. She advocates for ecological relationships, fostering connections both within our human species and with the communities of our more-than-human kin. The talk is part of a series hosted by the archdiocesan Laudato Si Commission.
Holy Hour for vocations
There will be a Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations at 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive in Oakville. The monastery is located off the 6000 block of Telegraph Road. The monastery is one of nine Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage sites. Visitors may obtain a plenary indulgence by following the usual conditions for an indulgence.
Rosary for Life
The archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate will host its next monthly Rosary for Life at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5, in front of Planned Parenthood, 4251 Forest Park Ave. in St. Louis. The Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate will host prayer and hospitality at Our Lady of Guadalupe convent afterward. For information, email prolife@archstl.org
March on the Arch
Coalition Life will host its March on the Arch on Saturday, April 12, in Downtown St. Louis. The seventh annual event will begin with a rally at Aloe Plaza near Union Station at 11 a.m., followed by a one-mile march to the Gateway Arch at noon. Speakers will include Missouri’s Lt. Gov. David Wasinger, Reagan Barklage of Students for Life and Brian Westbrook of Coalition Life. To register and create a team, visit STLMarch.com.
Easter egg hunt
The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council #4429 will host its 38th annual Easter egg hunt for people with disabilities on Sunday, April 13, at the Knights’ hall, 1216 Teson Road in Hazelwood. Doors open at noon, and the Easter egg hunt begins at 1 p.m. Each participant will also receive a hot dog, chips, ice cream and stuffed animal. RSVP by calling (314) 731-9330 or email hazelwoodkofc@gmail.com.
Marriage enrichment program
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is offering a one-day marriage enrichment program, “God Chose You for Me.” The experience is designed to deepen the spiritual connection between married couples. Dates and locations in 2025 include Saturday, May 10, at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, Saturday, Aug. 16, at Sacred Heart in Valley Park, and Saturday, Sept. 20, at St. Nicholas in O’Fallon, Illinois. To register, visit stl-wwme.org/communitynews.php.
