a column of benevolent gossip

Christmas in the air — St. Martha’s (Morton Grove) adult choir and some friends and relatives, 87 folks in all, traveled to Rome. They sang the main Sunday Mass Dec. 29 at St. Peter’s with their pastor, Father Dennis O’Neill, concelebrating. New Year’s Day the group celebrated Mass with the pope as part of a larger group of choristers. The pilgrims posted daily updates on their parish Web site.

Way over 50 and lovin’ it — Twenty-five fun-lovin’ lady residents of Franciscan Village (Lemont), members of a newly formed chapter of the Red Hat Society, journeyed to the Drake Hotel for high tea Dec. 27. Inspired by Jenny Joseph’s poem that begins, “When I am an old woman …” and mentions wearing a red hat and purple dress, the ladies did just that. The society began some years ago, when a woman in California formed a group with friends who met boldly in public for tea on a regular basis, wearing those clashing red hats and purple dresses. It lit a spark and has become an international “disorganization,” a Ya Ya Sisterhood of sorts for women after 50. Red-hatting is supposed to be fun, zany and silly—with an underlying bond of affection and enthusiasm. (It’s so contagious there are pink-hat chapters for women under 50.) Besides the ladies living in Franciscan Village (who have yet to come up with a name), there are dozens of Chicagoland chapters that meet, with monikers ranging from Antioch’s “Raspberries” to “The Red Hot Peppers of Oak Lawn.” You can find more information at www.redhatsociety.com. It is, of course, a secular group, not the Altar Guild, but then, you never know.

Dot com — “Fastest way to heaven? Knee mail.” (From a sign on a church in Buford, Ga.)

Invading the market place — Newly relocated Old St. Mary Parish, 1500 S. Michigan, is reaching out to its neighbors and announcing its presence. Besides informative business cards parishioners are encouraged to distribute to friends, there are religious formation programs Sunday mornings, a nursery service to facilitate them and planned fun-raisers. On Christmas Eve afternoon Legion of Mary members and the evangelization committee took half-hour shifts outside a nearby Jewel-Osco, inviting shoppers to Mass. Invitations were also available for advance mailing to friends for the feast day, and the parish provided free bus service for their first Christmas in the new church. . . . The lovely bed and breakfast accommodations at the Monastery of the Holy Cross just outside the South Loop, 3100 S. Aberdeen, has earned it membership in the Illinois Bed and Breakfast Association. Next spring a vegetable garden will be planted to enhance the healthy menu. Guests on vacation or attending conventions come from as far away as Australia or close as Palatine. Call (773) 927-7424 for more info.

Radio Rosary — Tired of a steady diet of “talk” radio or “Oprah”? There used to be a break on WNDZ 750-AM with recitation of the rosary from 9:15-9:45 a.m. weekdays and 9:30-10 a.m. Saturdays. A group of ladies in Cincinnati came up with the idea and kept it going in several cities until last October. It costs $86 each weekday and they either found sponsors, got contributions from listeners or divvied up the difference between themselves. They need an “angel” or a lot of people who will send them an offering to get this powerful prayer back on the air. You won’t get your face on TV with a placard, but you’ll be doing your share for peace in a different way. Write: Radio Rosary, Box 15026, Cincinnati, OH, 45215.

Vroom, vroom — Sister Margaret Zalot, SSC says bidding on ebaymotors.com began Jan. 15 for the black-on-black ’88 Lamborghini Jalpa collectible. It’s part of Maria High School’s (S. California) Snow Ball gala that includes a live and silent auction of other items on Jan. 25 at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel. For tickets, call (773) 925-8686, Ext. 116.

Then there’s brotherhood — When the religious brothers of Region 7 (State of Illinois) gather with Cardinal George Feb. 8 at Alexian Brothers Medical Center (Elk Grove), they’ll honor 2003’s recipient of the Recognition of Brotherhood Award: Brother Edmund Siderewicz, FSC. A native of Omaha, he worked in the missions of Guatemala for nine years before coming here in 1995 and helping found San Miguel School at 48th and Damen, for poor junior high kids. This year Brother Ed helped begin a second San Miguel School on our impoverished West Side.

Church and state — The historical archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are being electronically catalogued. Officially opened for perusal by scholars in 1998, 2,500 pieces, including antique file folders and files, parchments, engravings and documents dating from the middle of the 16th century to the early years of the 20th century, are already being catalogued. The work is made possible thanks to an agreement with the Italian Ministry for Cultural Goods.

Thought — The Women’s Centers are pro-life outreaches. In an average “good” year, they help save about 2,000 babies from abortion, and give the troubled moms genuine hope and help at (773) 794-4771.

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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