Congratulations to the Youth Sing Praise for performing "Children of Eden." This was a musical play starting with Adam and Eve and ending with the people and animals leaving Noah's Ark.

This program was held last Saturday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. My brother, Russell Krause, chaperones, R.J. Krause All-Stars and I had special permission to watch the final dress rehearsal on June 22.

We did this so we could get a better learning experience to let our young people see what is going on before the final show. This will help us when we do programs at the nursing homes and the St. Clair County Fair this summer.

Special thanks to all the performers, program director Donna Eisenbath, assistant program director Erin Brennan, director Brad Behrmann, choreographer Peggy Quinn and music director Joe Koestner.

There were 24 high school and college performers singing and dancing in the two acts. They were exceptional.

After 28 years, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate discontinued financial and staff support for the Youth Sing Praise Foundation Inc., which was established on Sept. 1, 2011.

This organization needs your help. Please look at youthsingpraise.com. The All-Stars enjoyed listening to Brother Tom Ruhmann, O.M.I. before the program. I am hoping that our Tamia Ross will make the 2013 Youth Sing Praise. We will be back.

Richard "R.J." Krause

East St. Louis