Jean Whelehon has been a parishioner for 23+ years. She has been married to Chuck Whelehon for 26 years this May. Their two children attended St. Dominic Savio School.

Over the years, Jean has been very active in many different parish activities. She has served as Parish Council president, is a eucharistic minister and has been involved in many other areas.

When another parishioner contacted us about Jean’s recent adventure, we asked Jean to share her story. Here it is, in her words: “I learned about Zachary Solomon from his father Gary. I am the senior account executive for Dockers® forWomen, selling to Macy’s. Gary is a division merchandise manager with Macy’s Midwest (formerly Famous-Barr).

“As soon as I became aware of Zachary’s dire medical condition and need for a triple transplant, I immediately wanted to help in any way I could. I am one of nine children, with 29 nieces and nephews between Chuck’s family and my family, so I love kids! I feel that my family has been blessed in so many ways. Immediately, Zachary was added to my daily prayers, but I knew there was more that I could be/should be doing!

“In early March, I was asked if Levi’s could supply T-shirts to a group of friends and family of Zachary’s that had decided to walk the marathon in the St. Louis Marathon/Half-Marathon on Sunday, April 15. I was able to secure the T-shirts and was approached by Zachary’s mom to be one of the walkers.

“The goal was to get 20 walkers and runners that would raise $500 each for a team total of $10,000 toward Zachary’s transplant costs. I accepted the challenge and set a personal goal of $5,000.

“I have been running for about 20 years, but had never run more than 5 miles. Last September, I had made a list of ‘life goals’ and running a half-marathon was on the list. This seemed to be a no-brainer for me. I could fulfill a life goal, while raising money for this beautiful baby.

“I know my friends and family were concerned that I had set such a lofty goal, but I knew with the help of God on my side, I could meet or even exceed it. And so I trained for the next five weeks, running 5-7 miles, five days a week. Each day that I ran, no matter what the weather was like, I thought about Zachary and his fight for his life. I prayed that God would continue to shower his blessings and graces on this family, especially baby Zachary. And I know I included a prayer that God would be with me during the race and help me complete the full 13.2 miles.

“The next step was to raise the money. So, I approached as many Levi’s employees as I could since Levi’s has a matching gift Program. I sent out email blasts to my family and friends. I was overwhelmed with the generosity of my family, friends and co-workers! There were many parishioners from SDS that donated money to sponsor me as well.

“By the morning of the race, I had raised $6,525. I had prepared myself mentally to run 10 miles, and walk the last 3.2 miles. Well, God was with me that day with a wonderful pair of wings. I ran the whole 13.2 miles in 2:22:05!

“This past week, I received another generous check from a brother who lives in San Antonio that put me over the $7,000 mark. I can’t thank enough everyone who sponsored me.

“If you would like to find out more about Zachary, he has his own web site through COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association).

***

I have always admired the long hair of parishioner Barb Toth. Barb and her husband Greg have been members of St. Dominic Savio parish for about 16 years. They have been active in volunteering at the food pantry at St. Cronin’s parish.

You can imagine my surprise when I recently saw Barb at Mass. She was sporting a very short hairstyle. Well, you know I just had to ask!

Barb said she had given her hair to Locks of Love. Following, in her words, is that story: “The Locks of Love Web site says that ‘Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure.’

“Greg and I first learned of the organization when we saw a TV story about alopecia areata patients. We were both touched and thought what an easy way to help people. My hair was short at the time, but Greg’s was long. He had it cut and mailed it in.

“He has donated his hair three times, approximately 11 inches each time. The last time he was going to donate, I promised I would donate mine too. But I just couldn’t part with it. I finally did it in June 2006. My hair was 20 inches long. When I left the salon that day, only an inch or so was left on my head.

“Locks of Love will accept hair that is at least 6 inches long. Pieces 6-10 inches are sold to offset manufacturing costs. Hair ten inches or more is needed to be used in the hairpieces they make."

Barb added that the Locks of LoveWeb site – really does answer just about every question someone could have.

As coincidence would have it, Jean Whelehon had also recently donated her long hair to Locks of Love. As Deacon John said in a recent homily that sums up Jean’s and Barb’s stories, “Genuine love for Jesus Christ comes from the deeds that we do.”

Parishioner Betty Bloethner’s son Steve is serving in the Army in Iraq. An alumnus of SDS grade school and Vianney High School, Steve continued his education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he received a degree in business, majoring in finance.

Betty writes that Steve went to work at various companies but that he was never really excited about any of them. He did always talk about going into the Army. At age 36, he was too old to enlist in the active Army. The Army Reserves take enlistees up to age 39, so Steve signed up as a reservist. He left for basic training in February 2006.

Although almost twice the age of most recruits, he did well. Trained in physiological operations and armed with his St. Michael medal blessed by the chaplain at Jefferson Barracks, his rosary and a Bible that survived two tours to Vietnam from different family members, Steve left for the Middle East in February 2007. He is serving in northern Iraq.

Betty says he calls when he can and he sounds fine. During a recent call home he said, “If you could see how these people live, you would never complain about anything again, ever.”

He also told how when in Kuwait while out on the firing range, a herd of camels came and stood behind their targets. Steve said it was so strange to see somany camels wandering around. They finally sent some solders out in a truck to chase the camels away. Steve wondered what those camels found to eat out there in the desert. Good question. Hang in there Steve. Thanks to all who are praying for our military.

Sounds of children’s laughter coming from the crest of Father Jack’s Hill have become even more joyful in recent weeks thanks to the completion of the new playground and equipment set in place there.

Designed for children ages 2 through 12 , the playground has already become a popular place for young parish families to gather. All of this was made possible through the generosity of the Jim Siegel, a founding SDS parishioner, in memory of his son Ricky. A graduate of our parish school, Ricky died in 1983 at the age of 20.

For those who knew Ricky, seeing the playground become a reality and bringing happiness and good times to the children of the parish, it is both exciting and emotional as fond memories of times past come back to them.

For those who never new Ricky Siegel, maybe they will say a prayer of thanks for their own children’s being here to enjoy it all. A wonderful gift to the parish, the playground is certainly a fitting tribute to the memory of a son taken away at such a young age.

Last February, eight SDS parishioners joined 20 others each Monday evening for six weeks to attend the St. Louis County Citizens Police Academy to learn more about local law enforcement. Meetings were held at the conveniently located Carpenters Training school on Valcour.

Each week’s program familiarized the class with a different unit of the County Police department, everything from burglary, bomb and arson, crime scene investigation and the ever-popular canine unit. Questions were welcomed from the audience, which often resulted in surprising facts and sage advice on how to stay safe. A little awareness and common sense goes a long way. In other words, “Don’t make it easy for the bad guy.”

A trip to the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy located in Wellston was very informative. The training is tough and intense but the excellent training received there results in well-trained and professional officers on the street.

Graduation from the St. Louis County Citizens Police Academy was on April 2 following that night’s program. Captain Jon Belmar was on hand along with Neighborhood Police Officers Frankenreiter and Roediger to hand out certificates of completion to the graduates.

It was a very impressive and educational six weeks, which left attendees more understanding and appreciative of what our law enforcement people do in their daily lives. To learn more about attending a future session of the Citizens Police Academy, check out their website.

Nine SDS Cub Scouts recently received awards. Jack Hathaway, Bennett Montgomery, Adam Roper and Daniel Sitek earned the Light of Christ Award. Vince Acquisto, Tom Bakersmith, Patrick Cronley, Paul Daues and Nick Sottoriva earned the Parvuli Dei award.

The purpose of the Light of Christ programis to have the Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as a real person and his friend. To be eligible to work on the Light of Christ program, a Scout must be registered as a Tiger or Wolf Cub Scout. The Scout must be a member of the Catholic faith. To receive the Light of Christ emblem, all requirements are to be completed before the Scout starts the third grade.

Parvuli Dei is a parish and family oriented program. As in the Light of Christ, the Scout works with his parents. To be eligible to work on this program, a Scout must be a registered Cub Scout of the Catholic faith and have completed the second grade.

In addition to the nine boys who were honored, three adults who have contributed significantly to the Scouting program were honored. Margaret Noll and Bob Stagg received the St. George Emblem for outstanding service to the spiritual development of Catholic Scouts and Don Buttig received the Bronze Pelican Emblem for significant contribution to Catholic Scouting within a diocese.

The St. George Emblem is the highest emblem awarded through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Last October Sandie Rinderer answered the phone and a voice said, “This is the White House calling,” asking to speak to her husband, Paul. Thinking “White House,” as in “St. Louis White House,” she replied that her husband was not home. Then the voice explained that the president was inviting them to the White House for breakfast, and the reality kicked in!

It was the social secretary at the White House calling to invite the Rinderer family to the White House along with other surviving World War II members of the 555th Anti-Aircraft Battalion and their families to join President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush at the White House for a special Veteran’s Day reception last Nov. 11.

Calista and her late husband Glenn Rinderer were one of the founding families of St. Dominic Savio parish. Paul is Glenn and Calista’s son, who is married to Sandie; they are loving caregivers to Calista. Glenn served with the 555th in Europe during the war. Mrs. Bush’s father, Harold B.Welch, also served in the “Five-by-Five.” Glenn’s family recalls his many war stories, but the most memorable was when he took part in the liberation of the Nordhausen concentration camp in Germany on April 12, 1945. It was a horrible memory Glenn could never put out of his mind. Two survivors from the Nazi concentration camp also attended the Veteran’s Day reception.

The families learned the meaning of high security, passing through numerous security checkpoints before actually entering the White House to the Blue Room. They were stunned to see President and Mrs. Bush there to greet them. They “quickly made us feel like old friends,” Sandie said. A group photo was taken and the group was allowed to explore the first floor of the White House freely. “In the Blue Room it was so humbling to stand at the very spot (which is so marked) where President Kennedy stood during the crisis with Cuba,” Sandie said.

The family went to Arlington National Cemetery and to the National World War II Memorial. Glenn’s name is inscribed on the memorial along with others who served during WW II.

Although Glenn could not be there to be honored, it was a Veteran’s Day to remember for his family.

The second Sunday of the month is a very special date to circle on the calendar. This is when the SDS Girl Scouts will be outside the church collecting nonperishable food items in support of the Affton Christian Food Pantry, located in the St. George Parish Facility.

Fifth-grade Junior Girl Scouts initiated this project as part of their service toward their scouting Bronze Award and today, all the Girl Scouts give their time to collect items for this very worthy cause. So be sure to make a note to look for the “smiling Girl Scouts” outside the church doors each second Sunday of the month and give these young girls with your donation. Just ask a Girl Scout: Helping others feels good!

During the second weekend of May. the sign in front of church announced, “Thank you mom for your love. Happy Mothers Day.” Mothers Day is always a very special Sunday, and it seems particularly so at Mass that day.

Moms appear especially happy as they walk into church, all dressed up in their finery with family in tow. “Songs of Mary” came forth from our choir in honor of our Holy Mother, Mary. After all, May is traditionally the Month of Mary.

It is especially interesting to watch new families arrive in the parish, often with mom “expecting,” then to see the infants appear on board, and to watch them grow into wide-eyed “little ones” fascinated by the holy water font and learning how to genuflect and to pray during Mass. How fast these “little ones” become teenagers and young adults and before you know it, the cycle begins again.

It puts special meaning into Mothers Day each year. One such young family is that of Katie and Pete Guntli and their handsome little guy,Aiden. Katie and Pete newly signed up as ushers at 8:30 Mass on Sunday. Baby Aiden has his own fan club of “admirers” each Sunday. It was his mother’s first Mothers Day and the love shined brightly.

In the gathering area, pro-life members sold coronations to show their support as a parish for LifeLine Coalition. This year $325 was raised, reported Maureen Wikete. It’s a nice tradition that not only supports a good cause, but also puts a smile many of the mothers’ faces as they are surprised with a flower. True, Mothers Day is also a time of melancholy reflection as we remember those no longer with us, spouses and mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers and loved ones who never became mothers.

But these can be good reflections bringing back happy memories of times. To watch this “cycle of life,” especially on Mothers Day, brings much happiness to those that take notice of it. It’s what life is all about!