A weekly column of benevolent gossip

Made for Windy City prime time — John (Jack) Kuenster, (see photo) a ’42 grad of Mt. Carmel High School, author, journalist, editor of “Baseball Digest,” veteran sports writer, and member of Most Holy Redeemer Parish (Evergreen Park), is busy autographing copies of his latest book, “Heartbreakers.” It’s stories and photos of baseball’s most agonizing losses—the almost-wins that shoulda/woulda but didn’t. Kuenster has interviewed key players who had defeat snatched “from the jaws of victory.” It’s a human replay written by a hometown pro who has worked with the best and interviewed the greatest during his long career. “Heartbreakers” is in all the bookstores and on Amazon.com—$24.95. Like they say in Brooklyn, he’s got 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, you should buy a copy already.

Wags’ corner — John J. Lyons of St. Juliana Parish (N. Osceola) wonders, “Which is more exciting for a North Sider, driving the Dan Ryan or watching a White Sox game?”

Merely Lewis — HarperCollins Publishers andbeliefnet.com are sponsoring an essay contest with no word limit. Topic is: “Now It’s Your Turn to Play Devil’s Advocate.” Based on C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters,” entrants (18 or older) are to imagine what strategy Screwtape would design to ensnare today’s 21st century man or woman. First prize is a trip for two to London and Oxford. Some suggestions, a form to fill out and a place to include your essay are online at: www . beliefnet . com/cslewis/essay _ rules.asp. Deadline for entries is July 1, 2001. . . . While on the topic of Lewis—London’s Sunday Times just carried the news that HarperCollins is approaching several established writers of children’s fantasies to possibly create new books based on the characters in Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia.” The stories would not be sequels. One of Lewis’ biographers says the idea is “ridiculous and I’m sure Lewis would have thought so, too.” Stay tuned.

Prayerful reminders — May 12, 8-9 a.m. (CDT) is the day and time for the united recitation of one million rosaries to end abortion. Patrick Dennis, director of Rosaries for Life in Memphis, says he has heard from laity and clergy, even teens and bishops—“A 90-year-old former China missionary is promoting the event to missions throughout the world.” . . . May 6 marks the third year of celebrating National Clergy Day or Good Shepherd Sunday in honor of bishops, priests and deacons.

In print — Paul Wilkes, author of “The Good Enough Catholic,” has just published “Excellent Catholic Parishes.” Amid the capsule listing of 300 exemplary parishes nationwide, a dozen are in the arch. Kudos to Holy Family (Inverness)—among a variety of eight parishes nationwide given extended profiles in the book. There’s a Web site: www. pastoralsummit .org. Wilkes admits he didn’t find “all the great Catholic parishes in America,” but “we have found some of them.”

Chicago connection — A mural in “drip painting” style finished recently by 16 honors art students at Mother Guerin High School is a tribute to Jackson Pollock. The students created their own 6-by-9-foot mural in Pollock’s trademark abstract expressionist, canvas-on-floor, style. They had seen his works at the Art Institute and viewed/discussed a 1999 BBC video on his life and work before starting the project. Ed Harris, who picked up an Oscar for Best Actor this year for his portrayal of the painter in “Pollock,” is married to Amy Madigan, who played art collector Peggy Guggenheim. Madigan, daughter of inimitable news commentator John Madigan attended St. Philip Neri Grade School and is a ’68 alum of Aquinas High School that once stood in Ssss-south Shore.

Send your benevolent gossip to Church Clips, 721 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610 or via e-mail to: [email protected]

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