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The Catholic New World
News Digest: Week in Summary
Issue of February 27, 2005

UPDATE

College offers aid and promise
Benedictine University, Lisle, has begun a partnership program to assist students at St. Ethelreda School on Chicago’s South Side.
Thirty-two St. Ethelreda eighth-grade students visited Benedictine University Feb. 18-19 to expose the young students to a college atmosphere, help improve their skills in math and science, and engage Benedictine education students in a mentoring experience.
Charlotte Ross, School of Education faculty member and program director, said the program may be expanded.
Benedictine University also hopes to encourage minority students to pursue careers in education. University President William Carroll has pledged that any St. Ethelreda student who graduates from eighth grade with a “B” or better average and maintains that average through high school will be given a four-year scholarship to Benedictine if they commit to a major in education.
“There is a serious shortage of minority teachers not only in Chicago, but throughout the country,” Carroll said. “We want to excite and educate young people in mathematics and the sciences and encourage them to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others.”

Life-saving
efforts honored
Three people were scheduled to be honored by the Oak Forest Fire Department Feb. 22 at Oak Forest City Hall for their efforts in saving the life of a man who collapsed during Ash Wednesday services at St. Damian Church, Oak Forest.
Paramedics Joe Conway and Kirt Westgren revived Thomas Quinn using a defibrillator recently purchased by the parish. St. Damian parishioner Lynn Hilger was to be recognized for her efforts in securing the defibrillators and for training ushers in their use.
St. Damian’s pastor, Father Michael Meany, said Hilger encouraged him to buy the defibrillators after the local school district offered the Catholic school the opportunity. After buying one for the school and another for the gym, Meany said they should also have one in church. That proved to be a life-saving decision.
Quinn, who had a permanent defibrillator put in his heart at Palos Hospital, was released Feb. 16.

NEWS

Pope: Don’t fear media—use it to promote truth
Catholics must not be afraid of the communications media, but must learn to use them to promote the truth and must speak out when the media distort the truth, Pope John Paul II said.
Modern media are instruments “God has placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth, including the truth about our dignity and about our destiny as his children,” the pope said in a letter to communicators.

Embryo ruling spurs discussion on life issues
On Feb. 4, Cook County Judge Jeffrey Lawrence handed down a decision that a Chicago couple could go forward with a lawsuit for wrongful death against a fertility clinic that had mistakenly discarded a frozen embryo.
That opinion, based on a short section of the Illinois wrongful death code, set off a volley of responses from all sides of the life issue. Fertility doctors said that it could mean the end of the in vitro fertilization industry, while pro-life activists hailed the judge’s comment that the Illinois state legislature intended embryos, from the time of conception, to be considered human beings.

Dioceses sponsor conference on ‘Gospel of Life’
The six Catholic diocese in Illinois will sponsor a special celebration of the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical “Evangelium Vitae.”
“Evangelium Vitae is a monumental event in the history of Catholic social teaching. We hope that everyone who has concern for the protection of human life and dignity will join us for this very special celebration,” said Mary-Louise Kurey, archdiocesan Respect Life director.
“The Gospel of Life: Celebrating Ten Years” will feature a question-and-answer session with Cardinal George and several presentations, including:
u “The Gospel of Life’s Implications for Stem Cells and Cloning: Understanding the Scientific Issues and Moral Objections,” by Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, director of education and staff ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center
u “The Gospel of Life: Something Worth Fighting For,” by Cathy Cleaver-Ruse, director of planning and information for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities
u “The Gospel of Life and Public Policy in Illinois,” by Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois
The day opens with Mass, and runs from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 12 at Northridge Prep High School, 8320 W. Ballard Road, Niles. Admission is $25, or $15 for high school and college students, and includes breakfast, lunch and materials. Space is limited. For information, call the Respect Life Office at (312) 751-5355.

Letter to the mother who left her baby at St. Michael Church Feb. 6:
Father Robert Perez, the pastor of St. Michael Parish (South Shore) published this letter in the Feb. 13 bulletin. It address the mother who left a premature newborn at the church door Feb. 6. The baby, a healthy boy, was baptized Michael Joseph by Father Paul Kalchik, who found him before the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

Dear Mom,
I want to thank you for the beautiful baby boy you gave birth to last week. The doctors say Michael Joseph is doing well but I’m sure he is missing you terribly.
You must have a lot of heartache going on in your life that you would be compelled to leave your newborn child in the caring hands of others. Or maybe you are just too young to have a child. Whatever the reasons might be, I am glad you chose to leave your child at St. Michael’s, for on the day of his birth, he was surrounded by God’s love and the warmth of this community.
Sometimes out of pain and in the confusion of life’s problems it is easy to vent one’s frustrations and hurts on the most vulnerable of all human beings … a child and in particular, an unborn child. The world caught a glimpse of your own life when you decided to allow your son to be born and then give him to those who could care for him. You did not harm him and this reveals God’s grace in you even at this difficult time in your life.
I wish I could tell you that all will be well and that you won’t have any more problems or hurts in life but this is something I simply can not promise your or anyone. I can tell you that it is not too late to reunite with your son. If you take him back, you will not be alone and you will receive help from people who care.
I regret we could not help you through the problems that brought you to this point. I can only imagine the loneliness you must have felt. Know that if we can help you in any way now, please come or call and speak to one of the priests at St. Michael’s. Our phone number is (773) 734-4921. You may be surprised at the many people who are eager to help you be reunited with your son. If this is not to be, I am sure with God’s grace and a good adoptive family your son will be loved and cared for.
The Community of St. Michael’s and I will continue to remember you in our prayers. May God guide you and bring healing and peace to your life and the life of your son.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Bob Perez and the St. Michael’s Community


New allegations, but audit compliance grows

An independent audit released Feb. 18 in Washington reported that 96 percent of the 195 U.S. dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies were implementing every applicable article of the U.S. bishops’ policies to prevent clergy sex abuse of minors as of Dec. 31.
Despite the near-total compliance, “continued external oversight and evaluation (are) essential” since compliance “may improve or diminish over time,” said the audit report for 2004 prepared by the bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection. The audit is the second in two years following the 2002 mandate of the U.S. bishops.

CCI legislative agenda focuses on vulnerable
Citing Catholic social teaching, the Catholic Conference of Illinois said it will seek support for the church’s Bible-based concern for the “least” of society in the 94th General Assembly.
CCI is “primarily concerned with the relative lack of attention being paid to the ‘least among us’ and to the common good,” said Robert Gilligan, executive director. He said the priorities for CCI, which is the public policy arm of the six dioceses in Illinois, is a legislative agenda rooted in the basic principles of Catholic social teaching: pro-family, pro-life and pro-community and which shows a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.

Review board head says audits must continue
The annual clergy sex abuse and child protection audits of U.S. Catholic dioceses must continue, the chairman of the bishops’ National Review Board said Feb. 18.
Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean of the law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and head of the review board, sharply criticized the nonparticipation of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., in the 2004 audits, saying its “lack of cooperation is egregious.”

Compassion and prayer warm hearts, souls
On Dec. 22, one of the coldest days of the year, about 125 people in thin coats were blowing on their hands as they waited in line at St. Columbanus’ food pantry on Chicago’s South Side. Volunteer Stacey Moses was touched by their plight.
“I thought maybe we could have a drive for gloves, hats and scarves,” she said, recalling the event. “Actually we didn’t, so I just started praying for them.”
Then on Jan. 5, Deacon William McKinnis and team leader La Verne Morris traveled to Skokie to pick up donations of food from St. Peter Parish. Along with the food, there were 15-20 wrapped presents and 100 sets of new hats and gloves, and just in time for more bad weather.
Situations like that “energize us,” said Morris, who also requires an internal form of energy which she receives from visiting the parish’s adoration chapel, which opened last November. She became involved [with the chapel] because of George and Blessing Borha, whom she considers “the evangelizers of the parish.”

Catholics, Jews have share in efforts to engage culture
Catholics and Jews must not only continue the dialogue between their faith communities, but also speak together as people of faith as they engage secular American culture, Cardinal George said Feb. 21 in the 10th annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture.
The lecture, held this year at Anshe Emet Synagogue on Chicago’s North Side, has become an annual event in ongoing interfaith relationship between the Catholic and Jewish communities of Chicago.

Good health has ‘moral, not just physical’ dimension
The concept of good health has a moral dimension that risks being ignored today, Pope John Paul II said, citing widespread cases of alcoholism, drug addiction and AIDS.
The pope, who suffers from several ailments and was recently hospitalized for flu and other problems, made the comments in a written message to participants of a Vatican-sponsored conference Feb. 21-23 on “The Quality of Life and the Ethics of Health.”

Extension marking century
The Catholic Church Extension Society is marking a milestone: 100 years serving the “invisible church”—those who live in poor and remote locations of the United States where diocesan resources are insufficient.
“These are the mission areas of the United States … 82 out of the 195 dioceses in the country,” said Bishop William Houck, Extension president, which began in and remains headquartered in Chicago. Mission dioceses are located in Alaska, parts of the western and southeastern United States, and the Appalachian Mountain areas.

Chicago company’s project tells tales of seminary life
When Carol Marin and Don Moseley of Marin Corp. Productions set out to produce a documentary about seminary life, they essentially had two goals in mind.
They wanted to demystify what goes on behind the walls of the institutions that prepare men for the priesthood, and to examine why, in one of the most difficult periods in the Catholic Church’s history. a man would choose this life.
Marin, along with those who appeared in the documentary about the Athenaeum of Ohio at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Cincinnati, are pleased with the results. She is a special assignment reporter for WMAQ-Channel 5 in Chicago and a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.

 


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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener
    
Dolores Madlener
a
column
of
benevolent gossip

Reality ballroom — Bob Centano, a musician/bandleader who’s toured with big band-era bands and played Chicago’s jazz circuit, has formed an entertainment committee in his parish of St. Bartholomew (W. Patterson). Along with friends and other parishioners Centano wants to promote and offer music to religious institutions throughout the arch. He’s written the arrangements for Chicago Grandstand’s Feb. 27 performance (doors open 3:30 p.m.) at St. Bart’s. The popular 18-member big band, directed by Bill Gilardon, is made up of local musicians who have played with the likes of Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson and Duke Ellington. They’ll entertain the audience with tunes from swing and jazz, to sentimental vocals and contemporary works. If you want to book them for a gig at your parish or alumni reunion, call Centano at (773) 725-0509.

Wise up for life — The U.S. Bishops’ pro-life activities secretariat has launched the Second Look Project in the Washington D.C. metro area and in national media outlets. The campaign could be called “Roe vs. Wade for Dummies.” It gives vital facts the public is clueless about. Raise your hand if you know Roe vs. Wade allows legal abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. That means a day or hour before full term. Most Americans think the all-wise Supremes only allowed killing in the first three months. Instead it created an unlimited “right” to abortion “And most people think an unlimited right to abortion is wrong,” say the bishops. They’re hoping people will take a second look at their views on abortion. More than 500 transit ads will appear on trains and buses in the Washington area this month and next, as well as in selected publications. They refer viewers to a Web site, www.secondlookproject.org.

Junior Clips — Young RJ Trejo III, a student at Notre Dame High School for Boys made Eagle Scout recently. His project was getting donations of items from family, friends and school families for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. He was able to put together 10 housewarming kits and 18 boxes of extra items for the shelter’s homeless clients. . . . The religious ed students of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish (Orland Hills) collected $2,713.60 for tsunami relief. The students were encouraged to bring in their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters with the understanding, “every little bit helps.” The monies collected have been sent to Catholic Relief Services. . . . Resurrection High School (W. Talcott) recently invited Colleen Murphy and Katie Reidy of The Women’s Center to speak to members of its Pro-Life Club on the subject of unplanned pregnancy, as well as on issues relating to family dynamics, self-esteem, relationships, substance abuse, education and careers. To arrange for a visit, or for more information, call the Center, at (800) 400-4205.

Mother knows best? — Whether you home school or send-’em-out-the-door-to school, moms can relate to author Susie Lloyd. The latest book by the mother of five girls is “Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water.” She ponders stuff like “If heaven’s a banquet, will I have to do the dishes?” It’s $14.95 from www.catholicompany.com or Heaven Sent, at (708) 422-7739. And don’t be shocked by the section on “Family rosary and other occasions of sin. ...”

Idea Exchange — St. Alphonsus (W. Wellington) has a “10 Minute Catechism” after weekend Masses during Lent. Topic is the Eucharist. Folks who are interested move to the front pews and the priest: 1) covers an aspect of the Eucharist 2) discusses what the church teaches 3) distributes material to explore at home on your own. There’s a timer and a promise: “You can leave as soon as it rings.”

Catholic Polish pride — The first Monday in March marks Casimir Pulaski Day. The newly renovated Polish Museum of America (N. Milwaukee) will have a wreath-laying ceremony and speeches at 10 a.m. Their wall-size oil painting of Pulaski depicts him on horseback in the Battle of Savannah, where he was fatally wounded fighting in the American Revolution. He earned the accolade, “Father of the American Cavalry.” We don’t have a special day to remember another Revolutionary War hero, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who saved the day at Saratoga. A brilliant Polish military engineer, his birthday is coincidentally the same as Lincoln’s. In his will he directed friend and executor Thomas Jefferson to use his entire estate to purchase the freedom of slaves and instruct them in being “good neighbors, good fathers or mothers, husbands or wives and in their duties as citizens …” For a copy of his 150-word testament, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Church Clips (address below).

Help’s on the way — Resurrection Health Care’s March 5 Monarch Ball will give a shot in the arm (pun intended) to nursing education. The benefit will help in the training of over 100 students a year at its top ranked West Suburban College of Nursing in Oak Park. With an estimated need for 1 million new nurses by the year 2010, the college’s role is particularly vital.

Greening time — Little Company of Mary Hospital will be Grand Marshal of the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 13. . . . Misericordia bakery’s gift-of-the-month club selection for March—“Luck o’ the Irish”—includes Irish soda bread, butter cookies, a shamrock brownie, mint fudge and more. Call (773) 273-4759 to find out what mysteries the rest of the year holds. . . . Irish American Heritage Center (N. Knox) opens its library this spring with a facsimile edition of the world famous illuminated manu-
script, The Book of Kells. . . .
Gaelic Park (Oak Forest) has an
Irish soda bread contest March 5
and names its Irish Fest Queen
March 6.

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

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Movies at a Glance
Capsule reviews of movies from the U.S. Catholic Conference's Office for Film and Broadcasting, judged according to artistic merit and moral suitability. Go to reviews