St. Louis Review

The bishops of Missouri are encouraging the faithful to consider Amendment 5 based on Catholic social teaching principles in their recent statement.

Amendment 5, which will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot, would phase out the individual state income tax based on revenue growth and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes.

The U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter “Economic Justice for All” says tax systems should be evaluated by their impact on the poor, ensuring that those with greater resources bear a proportionately greater share of the public burden.

“For this reason, tax systems that rely heavily on regressive forms of taxation, such as sales taxes, should be approached with prudence because they can place a disproportionate burden on those with lower income,” the bishops said.

Ultimately, the bishops encouraged faithful to carefully discern their decision on this amendment, keeping the needs of the poor and vulnerable in mind.

More details: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/missouri-bishops-statement-amendment-5/

Young Catholic missionaries are bringing hope to Baltimore's homeless population through Source of All Hope, a local urban ministry.

Missionaries never give out money, and they're not social workers or medical professionals. And yet, they're making a real impact in the streets of Baltimore by building relationships and sharing God's love with individuals experiencing homelessness.

The work can be challenging, and many people they meet struggle with addiction or mental illness, said Daniel Otto, a missionary and seminarian.

But Christ’s presence can be felt in the smiles of those they encounter, according to Yasier Herrera, a 23-year-old missionary from Pennsylvania.

Keith Quigg, a man experiencing homelessness, is one of the many people Source of All Hope missionaries have formed a connection with. “A lot of people, you know, they might give me a dollar or this or that,” Keith said, “but they give me love. It means a lot.”

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/young-catholic-missionaries-bring-hope-to-baltimores-homeless-population/

📷️: Kevin J. Parks/Catholic Review

To take in the fullness of the wisdom offered to us in the Scripture readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we should consider the difference between our wants and needs.

Our needs are things that must be present in our lives for us to continue to exist. Beyond that, there are things we desire but are not necessary for our existence. Those are our wants.

The difficulty is that we are so used to having both our needs and our wants satisfied that we begin to believe we are entitled to both.

This week, take time to reflect on how God has been faithful to you and provided for all of your needs. How can you take the next step by meeting the needs of others?

Read Father Don Wester's full Sunday Scriptures reflection: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/sunday-scriptures-knowing-god-takes-care-of-our-needs/

Pope Leo XIV renewed his urgent appeals for peace in the Holy Land and across the Middle East during his Angelus address in Castel Gandolfo on July 26.

He expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and called for an immediate return to dialogue. Pope Leo also encouraged everyone to continue praying for all people throughout the world who are suffering because of war.

“I urge all parties involved to suspend their attacks and urgently reopen avenues of dialogue and diplomacy, so that the peace so greatly desired by the entire region may be achieved without delay,” Pope Leo said.

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/popes-message-pope-urges-dialogue-diplomacy-middle-east/

Parishioners at Assumption in south St. Louis County signed up for The Search seeking a better understanding of their Catholic beliefs. Now, they feel more connected to their faith and better equipped as evangelists.

In May and June, the parish participated in The Search, a seven-episode video series from the Augustine Institute that explores the meaning of human existence, science, faith, and what happens after we die.

Registration for the event greatly exceeded expectations, prompting Assumption to build on this success by hosting a follow-up evangelization workshop titled "The Search Continues."

Dave Baranowski, who was part of the evangelization team that organized the events, said the series has been an easy entry point for those who may be returning to the Church, searching for more, or unsure where to begin.

The goal is to form small faith-sharing groups and eventually create disciple makers who can share their own stories, walk with others, and go out to spread the Gospel.

“We’re trying to help people to get to heaven,” Dave said.

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/assumption-parishioners-search-for-god-come-away-evangelized/

📷️: Jacob Wiegand

The Knights of Columbus 'Cor' initiative helps men grow as leaders in faith, inviting them into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus and each other.

115 out of 266 councils in Missouri have started Cor groups, which focus on three elements: prayer, formation, and fraternity. The groups, capped at about eight men each, meet at different times and frequencies and select their own materials and focus.

“When we get in these groups, men tend to open up more," said Roland Schriever, a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Ellisville. "They express their experiences, ask questions, thoughts about the Holy Spirit.”

It all stems from the call to evangelize, said Jason Kehl, Missouri state evangelization and faith formation officer. Men who are actively growing in their own faith and rooted in a strong community are better equipped to be a witness to others. “We’ve got to be better men, fathers, leaders in the family,” he added.

Learn more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/knights-of-columbus-cor-initiative-helps-men-grow-in-faith/

📷️: Jacob Wiegand

The Scripture readings for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time are an excellent opportunity for each of us to look at whether Jesus is the center of our lives.

The correct answer is that none of us has Jesus as the perfect center of our lives. We are all sinners, and we fail at this over and over again. However, this makes it all the more important to continuously reflect on our weaknesses and shortcomings.

Practically speaking, what does it mean to have Jesus as the center of our lives? How well are we doing with that, and how do we measure that?

Let us strive to get out of bed every day and choose to do what He asks of us.

Read Father Don Wester's full Sunday Scriptures reflection: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/sunday-scriptures-for-july-26-focus-on-putting-jesus-at-the-center-of-our-lives/

Over the past two weekends, nearly 9,000 teens attended the Steubenville STL Mid-America youth conference.

The event, hosted on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, is an opportunity for teens to grow in their faith and form connections with other young people.

Teens reflected on the theme “Worthy” from 1 Samuel 17:47 (“For the battle belongs to the Lord”) through inspiring talks, praise and worship, and the sacraments.

For many teens, the weekend is a life-changing experience, shaping how they practice their faith.

“There’s just so many teens who all have the same love for God … and it’s always just so amazing to walk in Friday night and just look around and see everybody singing and clapping and praising the Lord,” said Naomi Briggs, a rising senior at Ursuline Academy.

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/teens-find-themselves-worthy-in-eyes-of-the-lord-steubenville/

📷️: Anna Hoffman and Emma Bruegenhemke

In this week's Dear Father column, Father Scott Jones addresses the topic of laity distributing holy Communion.

What does the Church teach about the use of extraordinary ministers to distribute holy Communion? Can Catholics refuse to receive Communion from lay eucharistic ministers?

Read his reflection here: stlouisreview.com/story/dear-father-church-sets-circumstances-for-laity-to-distribute-communion/

As the Archdiocese of St. Louis celebrates its bicentennial, we reflect on the ministries that have played a significant role in the archdiocesan history, including SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Opened in 1956, Cardinal Glennon was the nation’s first freestanding, not-for-profit Catholic children’s hospital. Today, it is one of only two Catholic pediatric hospitals in the U.S.

The needs of pediatric patients have evolved over the past 70 years, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital President Hossain Marandi said, but the mission of Cardinal Glennon remains the same.

“The goal then and now is to provide access for all families in need of care regardless of socioeconomic status, race, creed or religion,” Marandi said.

Construction is in progress for a new Cardinal Glennon hospital, which will have more space to accommodate families and store complex medical equipment.

Read more: https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/cardinal-glennon-childrens-hospital-continues-legacy-of-care/

All photos by Arteaga Photography