Just in time for the holiday’s, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, has completed and dedicated five new two-story houses in the Carondolet neighborhood. Among them is a house built with the tireless labor of Deacon Delester Jefferson, chairman of the National Baptist Congress Missouri State Laymen. As this was a move of solidarity among the Laymen, Deacon Jefferson and the MO State Laymen were joined by Laymen from Southern Illinois and the states of Alabama, Kansas and Mississippi along with many local NBC Church Volunteers.
Months before the 107th National Baptist Congress (NBC) Congress convened in St. Louis this past summer, the NBC Churches and the Home Mission board began raising funds to support the financial portion of the sponsorship. While at the same time, the Laymen and church volunteers were busy working to build the house.
During the Congress, a blessing ceremony for the house was led by the local Host Committee Chair Rev. Dr. Sammie Jones and the Build-Partnership Chair Rev. Dr. Ronald Bobo.
Rev. Jones and Rev. Bobo were joined by the administrators of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Dr. Julius Scruggs, National Convention President; Dr. George Waddles, NBC Congress President; and Dr. Elliot Cuff, Congress Dean. The administrators congratulated the local leadership and expressed their proud appreciation for a lasting gift to the local community; and the legacy that the build-partnership will have as a testament to the NBC faith and mission.
After the conclusion of the big meeting, Deacon Jefferson, along with the Laymen and the many church volunteers, labored throughout the record-breaking summer heat to adhere to the build-schedule and complete the house. At the dedication, the home buyers were presented with the keys to their new home and a personal Bible. The dedication was celebrated as “glorious day” by all.
Independent Catholics relocated
After spending the past year meeting in rented worship spaces, St. Catherine of Siena American National Catholic Church is making the move its own worship space. In order to accommodate the substantial growth of the parish, St. Catherine of Siena American National Catholic Church will be moving to the historic Danforth Chapel of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ located at 826 Union Blvd. Masses began on Saturday, December 15.
“We needed a space which could accommodate our growing parish and increased social justice outreach ministries,” said Connie Butler, board president. “We needed a space to call our own which would allow for continued growth.”
“Given our common commitment to the inclusiveness Jesus himself embodies, I consider it a joy and a privilege to share our building and our mission with our sisters and brothers from St. Catherine of Siena,” the Rev. Dr. Allen Grothe, Senior Pastor of Pilgrim, said.
“We look forward to exploring and discovering all the ways in which God would use us to support each other and to minister together, making of our shared space a center for ongoing outreach to this world which God so deeply loves.”
The Church will now offer two masses each weekend, Saturday Evening Vigil and Sunday Morning. The liturgical schedule will also include monthly First Friday devotions, Lenten Stations of the Cross, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novenas, weekly Sacrament of Reconciliation, bible study, adult religious formation, youth programs and increased social justice outreach.
“We encourage any Catholic who is struggling with their faith, those who have given up on the Church, and those who have been excluded for one reason or another, to come and experience St. Catherine of Siena ANCC,” said Connie Butler.
For more information visit www.SaintCatherineSTL.org.
New Years’ Eve Service
Southern Mission Baptist Church, 8171 Wesley Ave. in Kinloch, will celebrate New Years’ Eve Service 8 p.m. Monday, December 31.
