This week, The Catholic New World looks at the pope’s trip to the Middle East, Catholic Charities’ of Illinois’ efforts to recruit foster parents and a meeting of lay ecclesial movements.

Cardinal's Column

News:

Bar association opens interfaith conversation

Cardinal George, the Rev. Jesse Jackson keynote Chicago luncheon on faith and law
Last year’s killing spree by white supremacist Benjamin Smith throughout the Midwest that targeted Jews, African Americans and Asian Americans outraged Chicago Bar Association President Kerry Peck.
Using the tragedy as catalyst, Peck arranged a series of outreach meetings that led to the creation of the Chicago Bar Association’s Interfaith Law Committee.
To further the bar association's campaign, the city’s two most prominent religious leaders, Cardinal George and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., were the featured speakers at the first-ever Chicago Bar Association Interfaith Law Luncheon March 20 in Chicago.

The Interview:
Research on stem cells poses ethical questions

Jesuit Father Kevin FitzGerald, a cancer researcher at Loyola University, has a doctorate in molecular genetics and is working on a doctorate in bioethics at Georgetown University. He often discusses the ethics of stem cell research and the church’s position on it. Full text available

Features:
Fostering Families
Catholic Charities builds relationships

If someone drew a picture of the ideal foster family, it would probably look something like the Stachowiaks or the Gonzalezes.
Both families were licensed to accept foster children through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the largest private agency that contracts with the state to provide services to foster children. Maria Gonzalez and Michelle Stachowiak both speak at information meetings for prospective foster parents and promote foster parenting in other ways.
The two families--who have taken in more than 40 abused, neglected or abandoned children between them--applaud Illinois' efforts to come to a permanent resolution for foster children faster. Under current guideline, state officials must try to decide within about 18 months whether a child in foster care can ever return home. If the state decides that a child will not be able to return home, he or she can then be adopted.
Under the old rules, many children stayed in foster care for years without knowing whether they would ever go home or be adopted.
Ironically, the Stachowiaks and the Gonzalezes stopped taking in children--at least temporarily--because they adopted children they were fostering. Full text available
Ecclesial lay movements: A family reunion
In St. Peter's Square on Pentecost Eve, 1998, Pope John Paul II joined 500,000 members of the church's lay ecclesial movements and new communities. The sense of this unprecedented gathering repeated, on a much smaller scale, March 18 at Trinity High School in River Forest.
The first ever assembly of archdiocesan lay ecclesial movements and new communities met with Cardinal George at Trinity High School, River Forest. Amid songs, Scripture readings, skits, more than 500 people heard testimonies to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Full text available

Commentary:
Sharing the story of the working poor

Catholic Charities Administrator Father Michael Boland writes: In this Jubilee Year of the Lord 2000, we are seeing more faces of the working poor, the homeless, and people of all ages coming to Catholic Charities for basic necessities.
Every one of the 89,000 persons who came to us for food, clothing or shelter in the last three months of 1999 has a story.

Briefs:
Bishop to participate in pro-life vigil

Auxiliary Bishop John R. Manz will celebrate a pro-life Mass at 8 a.m. April 8 at St. John Berchmans Church, 2517 W. Logan Blvd. Immediately following the Mass, Bishop Manz will participate in a Helpers of God’s Precious Infants prayer vigil at the American Women’s Medical Center, where abortions are performed. The procession will pray the rosary, interceding for the conversion of mothers’ hearts and for the lives of their unborn children.

Parish Pride:
St. Maria Goretti Church
3929 N. Wehrman Ave., Schiller Park

Parishioners here say, “When your parish is bordered by the tollway, railroads and O'Hare Airport, you get used to it or pray louder!” Architects Del Bianco and Associates built this solid church/school combination in 1964 of sand-toned brick and mosaic tile. A new altar and ambo designed by Daprato Rigali were installed in 1987, adding to the beauty of its sanctuary wall of grained wood and gold metal “rays” that surround a dramatic crucifix created by Daprato. ... A blue collar parish of Italians, Poles and some Hispanics, this year their faith focus is on “Jubilee Justice,” reaching out in a special way to area soup kitchens as well as to their sharing parish. Simple suppers are served from 6-7 p.m. on Lenten Thursdays.

Church Clips:

Food for the soul — Franciscan Father “Gus” Milon will host a one-day workshop called “Listening and the Lenten Journey,” from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 25. It will be Father Gus’ first public work since undergoing two major surgeries last year. He’s founder and chief-cook-and-kettle-washer at Port Ministries’ soup kitchen, shelter and pantries, free clinic and educational/recreational centers in the heart of the hurting South Side. His Lenten workshop at the Port’s Theresa House Family Transitional Shelter, 5017 S. Hermitage, will be rooted in Scripture. There’ll be a chance to reflect on the need for outreach to the marginalized. The Port soup kitchen is at 5100 S. Ashland. For more information, call (773) 778-5955.

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