Support for migrants

The Catholic and Jewish communities in St. Louis have formed Helping Hands, a grassroots, interfaith collaborative formed to support La Frontera, a Catholic Charities shelter for migrants in Laredo, Texas. In April, three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet drove from St. Louis to the U.S./Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, with donations of medical supplies and clothing for migrants at the border. It wasn’t their first trip to volunteer at a border shelter, but it was the first time they had so many donations that they couldn’t fit them all in the van. That led to a second trip south to with the goods and, ultimately, to the formation of Helping Hands, collaboration of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Peace and Justice Commission of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, St. Francis Community Services and the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis. La Frontera provides lodging, food, clothing and other basic necessities for hundreds of migrants arriving mainly from Mexico and Central America. The St. Louis group has four teams of five volunteers each to cover four weeks at the center, beginning July 18. Airfare, transportation and accommodations for volunteers is covered, thanks to many donors. Volunteers will assist at the shelter by organizing supplies and donations, cleaning, preparing food, assisting with registration and helping with transportation. Donations are welcome through Aug. 14 at jcrcstl.org/news/upcoming-events.html.

Sock Angels

The Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of Peter Claver Central Committee is holding its Sock Angel’s campaign seeking donations of new socks for people in need in the local community. The committee is working hand in hand with local parishes to place a donation box in the vestibule area. People also may donate $5 online or with a check or cash to the campaign. The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary is the oldest and largest historically Black Catholic lay organization in the United States. They have spread faith, hope and love through friendship, unity and Christian charity in the community since 1909. For information, visit www.sockangel.org.

Update on school structure

Recent routine maintenance checks at Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis discovered structural damage on the exterior of the west wing of the building. Out of an abundance of caution — for the safety of all students, faculty, and staff — the west wing was closed immediately until further notice. Mark Bayens, school president, wrote to the school community to inform them that the school staff is working to relocate all classes, offices, and weight rooms located within the west wing to other portions of the school building. Additionally, the west wing is undergoing further evaluation and inspection by third-party engineers for a better understanding of the damage and recommended next steps for this portion of the building. During this time, exterior space in the parking lot and quad near the west wing will also be restricted.

RSCJs new provincial team

The Society of the Sacred Heart General Council has named Sister Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, the new provincial of the United States-Canada Province for a mandate of three years, beginning Aug. 1. After receiving input from Religious of the Sacred Heart representing all age groups, all regions and both countries in the province, Sister Cooke has selected her new provincial team. They include Sisters Imma De Stefanis, Marina Hernandez and Lynne Lieux. The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1800, in Paris, France, by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. In 1818, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne brought the Society to North America, establishing the foundation of the now United States-Canada Province. The Society’s mission is to discover and reveal God’s love in the heart of the world through the service of education. Today, more than 1,800 Religious of the Sacred Heart throughout the world continue to live out this mission in 41 countries.

COVID-19 benefit

The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus and St. Agnes Home are hosting an outdoor movie screening of “Toy Story 4” on Saturday, Aug. 21, on the grounds, 10341 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. There is no charge, but donations will be taken to benefit the nonprofit, intermediate care nursing facility and assisted living home, as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery efforts include increasing staffing and resident occupancy. The gate opens at 7 p.m., and the movie begins at 8. RSVPs are required by Aug. 10, and seating is limited. Sponsorships also are available. For more information, call (314) 965-7616.

Access celebration

The 12th Annual Access Academies Celebration Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 9, will celebrate the students in the program and their achievements. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza in Clayton. This year’s hybrid event will feature both an in-person and a live virtual program. A screening of an Access Academies documentary will be shown which depicts the dreams and aspirations of students, the hurdles they face, and how the support Access provides keeps them on the path to success. Access propels middle school students who have been historically underserved through high school and on to college and career success with enrichment, counseling, and scholarships. To order tickets and/or tables, visit accessacademies.org.

Facilitator training

The Behold Ministry will provide training for facilitators of its Surviving Divorce Program from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, in the Sister Antona Ebo Room at the Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop Drive in Shrewsbury. The facilitator training is for people who have gained some distance and healing from their own divorce and separation and would like to facilitate a small group for others to do the same. The cost of the training is free, but guides and workbooks are available for purchase. For more information, contact Jane Guenther at [email protected] or (314) 792-7734. Anyone planning to attend the training is asked to contact Mary Jo at [email protected] or (314) 314-792-7414.

Hospice volunteers

Heartland Hospice is seeking volunteers to provide one-on-one attention to people in the final phase of a terminal illness who are in need of companionship. Heartland volunteers offer support and practical, caring help, staying with a patient so family members can take a break, reading Scripture to patients or holding their hand. All assignments are in close proximity to a volunteer’s home, work or school. For information about the next training class, call Virginia at (314) 453-0990.

Volunteers sought for Haiti packathon

A Feed Haiti Packathon will be held at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 14. Over a two-hour shift, a group of up to 400 people will pack 200,000 meals for Hôpital Sacré Coeur, the largest private hospital in the north of Haiti. The food will be distributed to the most vulnerable and poor – especially children, the blind and the elderly. To learn more about the Packathon, donate or register as a volunteer, visit www.classy.org/team/360746.