Archdiocese of St. Louis

Facing parish closures across the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Catholics are preparing for change.

Parents of Rosati-Kain High School students are feeling hopeful for the school’s future following news that the girls catholic high school will remain open after all.

Facing closure by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, St. Mary’s High School in Dutchtown will reorganize as an independent school affiliated with the Marianist Province. School leaders have raised $3.3 million but need more to ensure the school’s longer-term future.

Groups are forming a 501(c)(3) for each school to fundraise. The St. Mary’s organization hopes to raise $10 million over the next five years.

St. Louis Archdiocese leadership said feedback from the community highlighted the need to postpone plans to close schools.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has made the decision to close Rosati-Kain and St. Mary’s high schools at the end of this school year.

With a shortage of priests and low Mass attendance, closures and consolidations are likely. Church leaders are hoping to get input from the faithful.

The measure set to be introduced Friday by 8th Ward Alderwoman Annie Rice and others sets up a Reproductive Equity Fund and uses $1.75 million in federal coronavirus relief funds as seed money.

Pastors within the Archdiocese of St. Louis can decide to offer a communal cup for congregants starting this Sunday. This comes after a two-year suspension to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

In the past year, St. Louis has resettled 538 Afghans who arrived in the U.S. as refugees of their war-torn country.