A weekly column of benevolent gossip

Kudos to Holy Family Hospital — The ever-personable Ron Magers, news anchor for ABC’s Ch. 7, will emcee Holy Family Medical Center’s (Des Plaines) 40th anniversary gala March 3 at the Ritz Carlton on the Magnificent Mile. The benefit, to support the hospital’s new and existing programs and services, will be hosted by the 320-member “Friends of the Family.” Friends consists of physicians, community members, volunteers and others connected with the facility. For tickets to the black-tie event, call (847) 297-1800, Ext. 1118.

Chiming in about the Angelus — In response to many readers’ requests for copies of the Angelus, it seems OK to continue the topic. According to a source, the prayer has roots in the 11th century but developed in the 13th when Pope Gregory IX decreed a bell should be rung each evening to remind Christians to pray for the Crusades. It was the Franciscans who began saying three Hail Marys when they heard the evening bell and in 1269, St. Bonaventure suggested all the faithful say the three Hail Marys. The morning prayer commemorates the Resurrection, at noon the Passion and in the evening, it recalls the Incarnation (since St. Bonaventure taught the angel’s visit to Mary came at eventide). Pope Paul VI said the Angelus needs no revision for modern times and that we should “continue its traditional recitation wherever and whenever possible.” It carries a partial indulgence when said according to church seasons (it’s replaced during the Easter Season by the Regina Coeli).

They’re baa-ack — The billboards you saw last March that said: “If you’re waiting for a sign from God, this is it. Consider the Priesthood” are back. This month they’ll be joined by ads on cable TV and signs on CTA busses. There’s also a new website: www.chicagopriest.org for more information. It’s all part of a continuing vocations marketing campaign.

School’s out — Ireland’s most exclusive girls boarding school, Our Lady’s in Rathnew, will be closing in 2004 because of a lack of sisters to staff it. Set up in 1956 through the former Archbishop of Dublin, it was to compete with public boarding schools in England for the Irish elite. Perhaps it was too elite with present fees at £4,000-£5,000 per year. Today it has just 162 students. The religious order has had no new recruits since 1973. With urban sprawl closing in, the land should be worth millions.

To church ushers — Here’s an anonymous Valentine tribute from a parish bulletin to some special people: “In my parish church one Sunday/ A thought occurred to me/ That numerous are the tasks performed/ By the Ushers’ Society./ These quiet handymen [or women] of God/ Are faithful all year round/ Passing collection baskets, pleased when seats are found./ Distributing bulletins, envelopes, palm/ Opening windows and doors/ Whenever assistance is needed, it’s the ushers who tackle the chores./ And ever they go on their thankless way, up and down all the aisles/ While over the years, as hair turns gray, their steps have stretched into miles./ But I’m sure there must be a special place—perhaps with a golden aisle/ Where angels usher these kindly folk/ To the throne of God and His smile./ So give them a grin or a greeting/ a nod or a word or two/ Remember they’re showing their love of God by their service and kindness to you.”

History and her-story — James Martin, an English teacher at Marian Catholic High School (Chicago Heights) for 17 years, has published his first book. “Push Not the River” is a novel set in 18th century Poland. It draws from a family diary of one of Martin’s friends, written generations ago and preserved. The woman diarist produced a historic work, according to Martin, which also references the Polish hero, Kosciuszko. Martin says, “There’s so little known about women in Poland in those years (1791-1795).” In 1999 he spent time in Warsaw and visited the heroine’s hometown of Sochaczew. Martin is a graduate of St. Ambrose and DePaul universities. You can contact the author at (708) 755-7565, weekdays.

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