Last week we reported about a mystery priest who came to the rescue of a young woman trapped in a crushed car on Missouri Route 19. The identity of that priest is now known: it is Father Patrick Dowling of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Father Dowling was returning to Jefferson City after saying Mass for a sick priest in Ewing. 

According to an article in the Jefferson City News Tribune, Dowling said:

"I asked the sheriff's permission and approached the scene of the accident. I absolved and anointed Katie, and, at her request, prayed that her leg would not hurt. Then I stepped aside to where some rescue personnel and the pilot were waiting, and prayed the rosary silently."

Father Dowling said he left the scene once the helicopter was preparing to take off with Lentz to the hospital. Father Dowling said he was just one of many who helped Lentz. "I think there may have been angels there too and, in this context, I congratulate the fire team from New London and Hannibal, the Sheriff/deputies of Ralls County, the Highway Patrol personnel, the helicopter team, the nurses and all who worked so professionally."

Click here for a video interview with Father Dowling conducted by ABC Good Morning America.

An execution scheduled by the Missouri Supreme Court for October 23 will make Missouri the first state in the nation to use the anesthetic propofol. According to Dr. Jonathan Groner, a professor of clinical surgery at the Ohio State University, propofol, if improperly administered, can cause suffering for the inmate. "From my own point of view a firing squad is a lot safer, a lot quicker, and a lot less painful," he said.

Missouri has only a limited quantity of propofol and more of the drug will not be available for executions. Matt Kuhn, a spokesperson for the manufacturer of the drug, said: "We don't accept orders from departments of corrections nor will we do so." This story is getting national attention. Click ABC News for more. 

Rep. Paul Weiland (R-Imperial) has filed suit in federal district court in St. Louis challenging the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act. He seeks to preserve his rights under the previously existing Missouri law, which allowed employees to opt out of including coverage for contraceptives, sterilization, and potentially abortion-inducing drugs in their health plans.

Wieland received a letter this summer from the state health plan informing him that he and his minor children will now be provided this coverage in their health plans in accordance with the new federal law. Wieland, who is Catholic, filed the suit to protect his right to opt out for himself and for his family, including his minor daughters.

For more information click here for an article from the St. Louis Review.

Those of you in the St. Louis area may be aware of how a state law allowing students in unaccredited K-12 school districts to transfer to better public schools is affecting the opening of school there. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that some students in the Riverview Gardens district are having to board buses at 5:30 a.m. to get to their new schools on time.

But for some of the students and their families going to a better public school is not their first choice. They would rather attend a Catholic or Lutheran school that is just down the block. Kurema Williams says she would rather send her children to Grace Chapel Lutheran School. See Transfers for more on this story.

For several years the MCC has urged the general assembly to amend the current state law to allow families more choices in where their children attend school. The stubborn refusal to consider private and parochial schools as an option for families is unjust and inefficient. In the coming legislative session, the MCC will once again urge legislators to broaden their horizons and look to the good of families who want their children to have the best education possible. 

Many myths surround the current debate over immigration reform, such as immigrants are just here to get on welfare, or immigration hurts the U.S. economy. The issue is complicated enough without injecting false fears and myths into the mix. The challenge of creating an effective new immigration law must balance two basic principles recognized in Catholic teaching: the right of a nation to protect it borders and ensure an orderly process of immigration; and, the right of people faced with persecution or poverty to migrate for a better and safer life. The MCC has prepared a commentary that seeks to consider immigration reform in measured and balanced manner. Click Commentary for more. 

Confronting Violence through

"Hot Spots" Policing

Read any metropolitan newspaper and you will notice that violence is a serious concern in urban areas. Is there anything that can be done to make our urban core safer? At the MCC Annual Assembly on Saturday, September 28, Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, will explore strategies to reduce violence in our cities.  

Professor Rosenfeld will explore the idea of "hot spots" policing or targeting violence prone areas. He will also explore other forms of crime prevention, including strategies supported by faith communities. This workshop promises a wealth of information and stimulating discussion that you won't want to miss!

For more information about the workshops or how to register for the Annual Assembly click here.

Your State Government: 

Since 1998 Missouri's Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership Project opened access to Early Head Start services for children from birth to 3 years old by developing partnerships between federal Head Start programs, early childhood education contractors, and child care providers.  

The initiative was funded in 1998 when the Missouri legislature set aside a portion of gaming revenue to create a fund for early childhood programs.

Studies have shown that Head Start really does work, especially for some of the most vulnerable children. Children who are enrolled in Head Start programs are shown to be ready to learn, are less likely to repeat a grade in school, are less likely to need special education, and are more likely to graduate from high school.

The first signs of success can be seen as soon as the child enters kindergarten. In kindergarten, Head Start graduates make substantial progress in word knowledge, letter recognition, math skills, and writing skills relative to national averages.