Updates

Hike smoke tax to help funding
Catholic Church officials joined a statewide effort by the Illinois Children’s Initiative (ICI) to support a 75-cent-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes. The tax would provide as much as $500 million in state revenues that could be used for health and human services funding.

Father Michael Boland, administrator of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese, spoke at a Jan. 28 press conference where the plan- “Turning Ash into Cash”-was unveiled.

He represented the Illinois Catholic Conference and Catholic Charities across the state. The ICI also released a survey which showed that three-fourths of Illinois residents would support such an increase on cigarettes. The tax, supporters said, also would reduce teen smoking.

“Necessary social service programs are on the line,” Boland said. “A cigarette excise tax increase would help prevent future budget cuts, while the additional revenue could be used to cover shortfalls in state contracts for essential community-based social services.” Budget woes have forced cuts in such services.

Pope to visit Mexico in July
Pope John Paul II’s plans for a July visit to Mexico encompass three events over three days, according to a tentative schedule just released by Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera.

The pope will visit with Mexican President Vicente Fox July 30, followed the next day by the canonization of Blessed Juan Diego, the 16th-century peasant who saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, and then meet with Mexican church hierarchy

News

Justice fuels efforts to shelter suburban homeless
About 15 homeless people in the Northwest suburbs found a more comfortable place to sleep Jan. 27, the first night Holy Family Parish provided an emergency shelter.

But after an outcry from some of the church’s neighbors, the homeless did not sleep there. Instead, Holy Family parishioners operated the shelter at the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, which opened its doors after hearing about the Inverness controversy.

Catholic school too costly?
Ask—Financial aid IS available!

Notre Dame de Namur Sister Mary Bridget Murphy wants young people to have the benefit of a Catholic education. To increase their chances, the president of Notre Dame High School for Girls uses innovative ways to make parents aware their children can attend a Catholic high school even if the family has limited financial resources.

CRS worker helps forge link between students, refugees
Marist High School is a long way from the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, but Kathy Brown tried to bring them a bit closer Jan. 25.

Brown, the national advocacy director for Catholic Relief Services, spent most of December in Pakistan helping set up emergency relief operations for Afghanistan and visiting the refugee camps in Pakistan. She shared what she learned with the students less than a month after returning to the United States.

Heart of the School awards presented
Fourteen Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic elementary and high school teachers were honored for their accomplishments in the classroom at a ceremony Jan. 24, at De La Salle Institute. In addition, the archdiocese recognized one of 12 grade school principals and six secondary school principals nationwide to receive Distinguished Principal Awards from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

The “Heart of the School Awards for Teacher Recognition,” which were presented by Schools Superintendent Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, recognize outstanding, unique and innovative accomplishments of individual teachers at archdiocesan schools. Two awards were presented in seven categories: peace and justice, leadership, innovation and creativity, technology, evangelization and religious education, the arts and rising star (for teachers who have taught less than five years).

Confirmation ‘service’ becomes journey of faith
Jim McQuillan is only 13, but he’s making a difference in the world. The St. Emily eighth-grader is sponsoring a child from a poor family in the Philippines. What’s remarkable is that McQuillan is doing it alone, using money he earns.

McQuillan didn’t plan his generosity. The teenager—a candidate for confirmation—says it all began evolving when he chose as his sponsor John Moriarty, another St. Emily parishioner.

MTV host stars as faith-filled teen
Imagine if you will, a multiplatinum teen recording artist, with a regular stint on MTV, the looks of a runway model-and the heart to portray the dowdy daughter of a Baptist minister in a new, and rare, teen film with a decidedly Christian-friendly flair.

Teen singing sensation Mandy Moore, 17, has done just that. A singer and songwriter, Moore released her debut CD, “So Real,” at the age of 15 in 1999. It went platinum in three months and has sold nearly 3 million copies since.

Jesuit fills in for Mother Angelica
Father Mitch Pacwa, a Jesuit who taught at the University of Dallas, will take a permanent role at the Eternal Word Television Network, including as the fill-in for the ailing Mother Angelica.

Mother Angelica, 78, who suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve, left the hospital Jan. 25 and is continuing her rehabilitation at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Ala.

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The 33-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture has been traveling to sites in the archdiocese for two years. A final determination of its future has not yet been announced.

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