A weekly column of benevolent gossip

Chicago connection — The cause for possible canonization of the late Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, world famous “rosary priest” and radio/TV pioneer, has been opened in the Vatican. Peyton, who died in 1992 at age 83, encouraged millions worldwide to pray the rosary for peace and harmony because, as he said, “The family that prays together, stays together.” A busy promoter of his apostolate, he made a point of praying a decade of the rosary with a reporter before doing any interview and when visiting Chicago, often rode the CTA to appointments.

Digging deep — The Women’s Center, a Catholic pro-life counseling outreach to at-risk moms, many of whom bring their babies to term, is in need of maternity clothes in all sizes and infant boys’ clothing. Also recent baby cribs, mattresses, playpens, baby swings, infant car seats, strollers, high chairs in useable condition and disposable diapers. Call (773) 794-1313 if you can help. . . . St Mary Parish (Buffalo Grove) teen youth group will host an all-night teen dance-a-thon at the school, 9 p.m.-9 a.m. July 13. The pledges and donations will benefit Habitat for Humanity-Lake County. . . . De La Salle High School (S. Wabash) had 112 energized students volunteer to hit street corners for this spring’s Misericordia fund-raiser — double last year’s volunteers. . . . The Chris Zorich Foundation sponsors a 5K run, walk, kids’ dash and wheelchair race starting 7:30 a.m. July 15. The benefit event on Dearborn between Polk and Harrison streets in the South Loop will help outreaches like the Zora Zorich Scholarship fund at the University of Notre Dame for a Chicago-area student, Thanksgiving food baskets, women’s shelters, kids’ residences and new toys and clothing for the needy. To register, call (773) 868-3010.

Wags’ corner — John J. Lyons of St. Juliana’s (N. Osceola) quips, “I’ve been invited to Oprah’s California mansion for a July 4th B-B-Q. We’re going to have a round of golf in her back yard.”

Keeping the title — It was customary for Franciscan sisters elected to head the order to receive the title “Mother” until it was dropped after Vatican II. The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have one exception — Mother Mary Beatrice (Helen) Rybacki of Johnstown, Pa., mother general from 1958-1970. The sisters say, “For some reason we couldn’t get out of the habit of calling her “Mother.” So Sister Beatrice, who blew out 100 candles on her birthday cake May 22, is still called “Mother Beatrice.”

People and places — Msgr. Ignatius McDermott, co-founder of Haymarket Center for substance abuse treatment (W. Washington), recently entertained two visitors from Poland, a priest from Kovalev and a psychiatrist from Warsaw who came to learn about the center’s work firsthand.

Who’s going where — The Lira Ensemble is on its annual unforgettable tour of Central and Northern Poland. This year the troupe and friends have added Vilnius, Lithuania, on its itinerary. Escorted by general manager Lucyna Migala, included in the sights is a visit to the Polish Parliament, a Mozart Summer Festival under the stars, seeing Chopin’s birthplace, Mass at the church of martyred Father Popieluszko, Mass at the famous Solidarity Church in Gdansk, and plenty of Polish folklore, songs and dancing. The pilgrims return July 12.

Internet cathedral — There’s a great new Website that gives a 360-degree virtual tour of the interior and exterior of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Built on the site where St. Patrick himself founded his first stone church, visitors to www.armagharchdiocese.org will find a fine history of its construction, as well as the pictorial “tour.”

Wanted — Misericordia’s Family Festival committee is looking for donations of completed quilts, afghans, new baby items, homemade Christmas decorations and other completed craft items for their Sept. 9 fest. Label donations “Gentle Touch” and drop or send to either Heart of Mercy, 6300 N. Ridge or Misericordia South, 2916 W. 47th St.

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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