A tribute for nurses: Husband Patrick Kuhl says: ‘They rang a triangle three times for her last call of duty’

Nurse Honor Guard members who recently gave a memorial tribute at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church in Belleville (from left): Lori Bliss, Linda Morrison, Linda George, Karla Poindexter, Jane Stumpf, Jane Ferko, Debra Seiffert, Diane Gedermuth and Mary Ann Kelly (Submitted photo). By Linda Norris Messenger Staff Once a […]

Posted on July 28, 2026
Sophie Ysursa with Thor, her special therapy dog.

A heart for healing: Althoff Catholic High School senior Sophie Ysursa gives back to Cardinal Glennon Hospital

Sophie Ysursa with Thor, her special therapy dog. By Linda Norris Messenger Staff When she was 13, Sophie Ysursa began a connection with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. At that time, it was not for philanthropic reasons, but as a patient. Now 17, the senior at Althoff Catholic […]

Posted on July 28, 2026

Following in their parents’ footsteps: Principals’ kids begin first year as teachers in Diocese of Belleville

All Saints Academy Principal Jill Tasker and her daughter, Claire, who is starting her first year in education as a fifth-grade teacher at Holy Childhood in Mascoutah (Submitted photo). By David Wilhelm Messenger Editor Claire Tasker was a first-grader at New Baden Elementary School in 2011 when she provided an […]

Posted on July 28, 2026

A jubilee woven without a pattern: Sr. Anitawa Fearday, ASC, marks 60 years

Sr. Anitawa Fearday, ASC, works on one of the 120 woven pieces she has created through the years (Submitted). By Carlos Restrepo For The Messenger Every night before Sr. Anitawa Fearday turns out the light, she looks at a homemade vision board fastened to the wall of her room at […]

Posted on July 28, 2026

Labrador puppy in training brings pet therapy to students, adults at Mater Dei High School

The latest and littlest Mater Dei Knight spends her days winning hearts and soothing stressed souls. CoCo, a 12-week-old chocolate Labrador retriever, comes to the Catholic high school daily with her human, Mater Dei’s counselor Tammy Carroll. There, CoCo socializes with the kids and adults, providing pet therapy to anyone who needs it.

Herrin Chamber honors Msgr. Ken Schaefer for contributions to community

Every year, the Herrin Chamber of Commerce honors an individual, chosen by the group’s president, for his or her contributions to the community. As she prepared for her final awards as chamber president, Kelly Green was having some difficulty figuring out who to choose for the 2019 President’s Award. Turns out, all she had to do was look up from her keyboard.