A weekly column of benevolent gossip

He’s baa-ack…. — Six-year-old twins Meghan and Billy Cavanagh of St. James Parish (Arlington Heights) placed the Infant Jesus statue in his manger at Daley Plaza on Dec. 2. They are the same children who returned the statue to the spot last Christmastide. Pranksters had stolen it and then called 911 to tell police it was in a locker at Union Station. Jim Finnegan of Transfiguration Parish (Wauconda), chairman of the Nativity Scene Committee, puts up the nativity set, the second largest in the country, aided by the “God Squad,” a group of 30 local tradesmen who volunteer time and expertise each year.

Wag’s corner — John J. Lyons says, “I did my Christmas shopping. Got some uncollectibles: a Clapper, Chia Pet and a ‘Souvenir Book of the Bears 2000.’”

Spotlighting sisters — Felician Sisters will be feted at a 10 a.m. Mass Dec. 17 at SS. Peter & Paul Church (S. Paulina). An icon of St. Francis will be blessed in the church to honor the sisters who have served continually at the parish from 1904 to the present. The Mass and reception will also be a reunion for sisters who served at the parish or went to school there and their friends and families. The order has served Chicago since 1882. . . . The smiling sisters from Nigeria, the Daughters of Divine Love, celebrated their 10th year of ministry in the arch at a Mass Dec. 2 at St. Philip Neri Church (E. 72nd St.) with Cardinal George as celebrant. . . . Benedictine Sisters at St. Scholastica Monastery (N. Ridge) have joined other religious around the country in tolling their tower bells for two minutes at 6 p.m. on the date of any scheduled execution of a convicted criminal. In a symbol of solidarity for human rights, the campaign asks to bring about a nationwide moratorium of the death penalty. For more information, the national website is www.smu.edu/~deathpen/ pending.html.

Tomorrow’s edition — The Catholic New World’s prolific staff writer, Michelle Martin, is used to honoring deadlines—so is her newborn son, Francis. He arrived on Nov. 30, a day before his due date. It was also on Editor Tom Sheridan’s birthday, so he might even grow up to be a diplomat. Michelle, husband Tony, daughter Caroline and son are doing splendidly.

Peace on earth?— Israel’s tourism for Year 2000 was the best ever, up 30 per cent for the first nine months. By late September the Israeli-Palestinian “situation” and U.S. State Department travel advisories caused cancelations of pilgrimages, like that of Old St. Patrick’s Parish (W. Adams). Tourism has plummeted and Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem are iffy. Should the situation improve some smaller-scaled plans are being readied.

Practice makes perfect — Mary Jane Boyle, parishioner at St. Sylvester (N. Humboldt), remembers the first time she played the organ. It was in 7th grade, 50 years ago this Dec. 12 at SS. Peter & Paul School in Gary. When sister led the class into church to sing carols she told Mary Jane Buchek, who played piano, to accompany them on the organ. She obeyed. Later fate decided Buchek (Boyle) would take organ lessons from Sister Arline Jaeger, SSND, practicing at recess, part of her lunchtime and after school every day. Now a chemist at Baxter Labs, Boyle recalls playing at many churches but it wasn’t until she was studying for her degree at the American Conservatory of Music that she finally saw a paycheck for her services. Her biggest challenge: the changes of Vatican II; biggest thrill: singing at the papal Mass in Grant Park. Today she accompanies the adult English choir at St. Sylvester.

Who’s going where? — The Tower of London, Canterbury, the British Museum, tickets to the very hot “The Lion King” are tips of the trip being led by Father William Welsh Feb. 19-27 from St. Lambert Parish (Skokie). Interested? Call (847) 673-5090. . . . Pam Ronson of St. Colette’s (Rolling Meadows) and a student at the University of Notre Dame, is back from her experience with the Glenmary Home Missioners. Ronson participated in the group’s volunteer program, working among the poor of Lewis County, one of the poorest in Kentucky. For info on the Glenmary programs, call (800) 935-0975.

Junior Clips — Tradition continues at St. Rita High School (S. Western) where students were presented one by one with their scapulars during the school’s annual blessing
and conferring ceremony recently.