A weekly column of benevolent gossip

Making history — “A Healing Presence…The Story of Little Company of Mary Hospital’s Journey of Unconditional Love,” details the 70-year history of the hospital in Evergreen Park and its health care centers. The 125-page, hardcover book includes many photos as well as memories and spoken histories by sisters, doctors, employees, volunteers and neighbors. Legend has it that 95 percent of the Baby Boomers born on the far Southwest Side were delivered at Little Company. Editor is Maurice Possley of the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago connection —Lewis University (Joliet) will commemorate the message and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on campus Jan. 28-Feb. 1. Among musicians, authors and other VIPs honored, will be the arch’s own Msgr. John Egan and his associate Peggy Roach, who received honorary degrees for their commitment to the cause of civil rights. One of the nation’s first priests to march in Selma, Ala., Egan had close personal ties to King in the 1960s.

Accolades ‘n’ awards — Leonard F. Amari, former president of the Illinois Bar, a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and other organizations, will be honored by the Italian Cultural Center Feb. 17 at their Man of the Year dinner-dance. Proud of being a “kid of the projects,” he grew up poor in Mother Cabrini low-rise housing when it was mostly Italian and Sicilian. His grandparents came from Sicily, his dad was a clerk, mother a beautician and had three siblings. Amari is an alum of DePaul Academy, Northern Illinois University, John Marshall Law School and a parishioner of Queen of All Saints (N. Sauganash) with wife Donna and two daughters. . . . Ramsey Lewis, master of jazz, premier composer/performer, received an honorary degree from St. Xavier University Jan. 18. Lewis, winner of three Grammy Awards, with five gold records to his credit, has been artistic director of Ravinia’s Jazz Festival since 1992.

Wags’ corner — John J. Lyons of St. Juliana Parish (N. Osceola) is thinking Spring. “I saw a gaggle of blue birds fly over Wrigley Field the other day, and I’m gathering up all the dinette furniture from those ‘saved’ parking spots on the side streets for a garage sale.”

She knew him when — Sister Liguoria Schmidt, a Holy Family of Nazareth Sister, can’t help but beam when she realizes the little boy she taught in second grade at St. Michael School (S. South Shore) is now Bishop Jerome Listecki. Sister, who now lives at the mother house in Des Plaines, attended the episcopal ordination on Jan. 8 as well as a Mass he celebrated recently in Mokena. She reports being “exceptionally proud of him.”

Paper Chase — St. Alphonsus School (W. Wellington) needs scrap paper—non-stapled, any color—for Xeroxing. It’s OK if it has print on one side. If any employer has paper to give away, please call Bruna Kreiling at the school, (773) 348-4620 or the rectory at (773) 525-0709.

Out on a limb — Providence Sister Jean Kenny, the Seer of Super Bowls is going with the Baltimore Ravens over the NY Giants, 21-10. She thinks football is poetry so here’s a couplet from her pen: “This Ravenous team is Brian Billick’s delight/ The prized Lombardi trophy is finally in sight.” Hmmmm.

Who’s Going Where? — Clips failed to show the dates of the idyllic art enrichment pilgrimage to Italy hosted by the Fra Angelico Art Foundation. Its 12-day escorted tour is May 7-18. Call Father Vincent at the Dominican Conference Center (River Forest) at (708) 771-0740 for a brochure. . . . Father Gino Dalpiaz is leading a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Lisieux in France, Aug. 20-29. You can call him at (708) 345-3842.

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