The Catholic New World - News Digest





		03/11/01 Update Peace and Justice director Colombia-bound William Purcell, archdiocesan director of the Office for Peace and Justice, will travel to Colombia March 11-15 as part of a delegation discussing social ministry efforts in U.S. dioceses. “During Lent we are urged to pray, as well as to fast in solidarity with those who are suffering in our world,” Purcell said. “Colombia could really use our prayers and advocacy efforts.” The Catholic Relief Services-sponsored trip reflects the pope’s call for unity of the church in America, Purcell said. Colombia is enduring a horrible human rights crisis, he said. Some 3,000 civilians die from political violence every year, and almost 2 million people have been displaced. The U.S. Catholic Conference and the Colombian Episcopal Conference seek a balance between assistance to armed forces and aid that directly addresses the root causes of the conflict and assists victims, Purcell said. The conferences believe aid should depend on human rights criteria. They support peace programs, including alternative crop development, judicial reform and humanitarian aid to the displaced. News Pope, beginning retreat, asks for prayers As Pope John Paul 11 began his annual Lenten retreat-this year directed by Cardinal George-he asked for prayers for himself and members of the Roman Curia, the church’s central administrative off ices. Cardinal’s retreat theme draws on globalization The topic for the Lenten retreat Cardinal George preached last week to Pope John Paul 11 and members of the Roman Curia was “A Faith for All Peoples,” a timely subject given the globalization and multiethnic societies that characterize the world. In this interview, conducted on the eve of the retreat with Zenit, an international news service with Vatican ties, Cardinal George spoke openly: “I love to be in Rome, but on this occasion I am somewhat apprehensive. I will try to do the best possible, trusting in the Holy Spirit, but it goes without saying that the task is very daunting.” Chaplains offer help, prayers to school shooting victims In an outpouring of faith in the midst of tragedy, Catholic youth ministers, priests, chaplains, parents and teens ministered to each other following the March 5 shooting of 15 people, two of them fatally, at Santana High School in Santee, Calif. Two days later, priests, youth ministers and others were called into do the same thing after one eighth-grade girl shot another at Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsport, Pa. Food for the soul: Fish fries, soup suppers offer Lenten sustenance As the calendar turns to Lent, parishes and other organizations fire up the fryers and throw open the doors for one of the tastiest traditions of this season of penance: the Friday night fish fry. Spirituality Father Rolheiser's column The Holy Longing The Eucharist molds us into community Features Berrigan, McAlister still sowing seeds of peace The most confining place many priests have found themselves is in the confessional booth. For Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan, it has been the jail cell. Go to story News in Brief Go to stories St. Richard Church, Chicago Movie Reviews: The U.S. Catholic Conference's Office for Film and Broadcasting judges films according to artistic merit and moral suitability. Go to reviews top Front Page \| Digest \| Cardinal \| Observations Interview \| Classifieds \| About Us \| Write Us Subscribe \| Advertise \| Archive \| Catholic Sites New World Publications \| Católico \| Directory \| Site Map

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Trip to Wistful-Vista — The Old-Time Radio Players will present a variety of shows from “The Shadow” to “Fibber McGee and Molly” at Carmelite Carefree Village in Darien at 2 p.m. March 25. Father Kevin Shanley, OCarm, well known author/lecturer, is a member of the group. It’s free, fun, and open to the public, but reserve a seat by calling (630) 960-4060. Chuck Schaden’s “Those Were the Days” radio show, (the inspiration for The O.T.R. Players) airs all the original gems each Saturday from 1-5 p.m. The program moved recently from WNIB-FM to The College of DuPage station, WNIZ-FM at 96.9.

‘The Girl That I Marry’ — They weren’t playing that tune when Bill Pisani courted Delia Alessi because they were married Feb. 15, 1931 at the former Our Lady of the Angels Church (W. Iowa). To celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, the couple renewed their vows Feb. 17 at St. Juliana Church (N. Osceola), then partied with their three daughters, their husbands, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and other family members at Rossini’s Restaurant on Milwaukee Ave. . . . At the other end of the arch at St. Barnabas Parish (S. Longwood), 42 couples came together just before Valentine’s Day for a program and to renew their marriage vows at a church ceremony. Their wedding dates ranged from 1961 to 1998.

Unsung heroines — Mary

Mary Kay Barron

Kay Barron gets this year’sMother McAuley High School Distinguished Alumnae Award on April 6. A nurse practitioner, Barron, now in Old St. Pat’s Parish (W. Adams), worked with the suffering poor as a community health nurse at the Mercy Clinic in Belize, Central America. Back home she got a master of science degree and then a post master certificate in teacher training and taught at Loyola University, also her alma mater. Barron, bilingual, was a family nurse practitioner in a Humboldt Park clinic for five years and today is on the staff at Northwestern Memorial, in a variety of services, and is school nurse for Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and St. Procopius Grade School in Little Village. . . . In recognition of Women's History Month, Dominick's gave a public salute to “The Fresh Spirit of Chicago's Leading Women Religious Leaders.” Among the list of 15 female ministers, leaders and alderwomen honored, is the arch's own Sister Anita Baird, director of the Archdiocesan Office for Racial Justice.

Unsung heroes — Last month Cardinal George joined with over 50 religious brothers from Region 7 for a Mass and celebration at Alexian Brothers Medical Center (Elk Grove). Brother Jim Van Dyke, CSC, was honored with the Recognition of Brotherhood Award.

Unsung new bishop (?) — Bishop Jerome Listecki, as pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Rogers Park, will do almost anything to raise money to restore his “drop-dead gorgeous church.” The famous Second City Touring Company is coming out to do a special benefit performance at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at 1330 W. Loyola. Tickets are $25, and who knows, Bishop Listecki may do some Bill Murray improv routines. Call (773) 764-5936 for reservations, or just show up and applaud.

Knight ‘Life’ — At last year’s Illinois State Knights of Columbus convention the knights resolved to make the Feast of Mary’s Annunciation, March 25, their No. 1 pro-life feastday. It won’t replace any existing pro-life commemorative days on the calendar, but there is a rationale: When Mary was told the news by the angel that she was to give birth to the Messiah, she was “a single, young woman, unmarried, poor, and engaged to marry a common worker.” Mary’s “Yes” was to Life, and its Author.

Hallowed Hammonds? — Is your church pipe organ in working condition? Is your church on the south end of the arch? Then contact The Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society or Guild of Organists. In the meantime their spring organ crawl, 10 a.m.-2:45 p.m. March 24, will be at five historic Protestant churches only. The event is free and open to the public (lunch is on your own), and you’ll hear magnificent pipe organs from the 1920s through the 1960s. For more info and directions, call Julie at (708) 579-5433.

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