a column of benevolent gossip

When hearts ‘melt’ — It’s summer and U-Hauls around the arch are crammed with priests’ gear as they move to new assignments. Farewell party-goers weep and rejoice over Kodak moments and recall Father’s funny faux pas. He’ll be missed. He may even get a check. But when Father David Ryan took leave of St. Emily Parish (Mount Prospect) recently, after about 18 months on the job, it was not just a drive-by bye-bye. The local ice cream hangout, Capannari’s in Mount Prospect, unveiled a new flavor in Ryan’s honor. He loves chocolate, and eighth-grader Catherine Nelson felt inspired. Since Ryan constantly uses the phrase “All for one and one for all” to teach charity and harmony, Nelson suggested using Three Musketeers candy bars in the chocolate ice cream! (It’s 600 calories just to read about it.)

Church and state — The historic Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, America’s first cathedral, will mark its 200th birthday this fall. On July 7, the actual 200th anniversary of the laying of the basilica’s cornerstone, there was a procession and blessing at the site. Ceremonies recreated the original 1806 event as closely as possible. Bishop Denis Madden of Baltimore read the same psalms Archbishop John Carroll read 200 years ago. (The archbishop’s cousin, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.) The Diocese of Baltimore in 1806 ran from Maine to Georgia to the Mississippi. The War of 1812 caused construction delays, but the edifice was completed in 1821. Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was ordained in it in 1877. Some of its well known visitors have included Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Prince Hubert and Princess Teresa Lubomirski of Poland and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, among others.

Shenanigans — the 21st annual Irish American Heritage Festival (N. Knox) July 7-9 featured big name Irish entertainers and two exciting competitions: the mashed potato-eating contest and the Irish-American Idol Contest.

Junior Clips — Kindergartners at St. Constance (W. Strong) composed a letter to President Bush. They wrote about peace, invited him for a visit, and suggested, “you can land your helicopter on our parking lot.” They asked to play with his dog Barney. The class received a nice reply signed by the president, telling them to study and listen to their parents and teachers. No hint when he’s coming to the North Side. . . . Two alums of St. Barbara School (S. Throop) died recently and bequeathed a long-term endowment of $400,000 to the school. As a special one-time bonus, each new or returning student will receive a $300 scholarship award this fall toward their tuition. . . . Loyola Academy (Wilmette) grad Alex Pappas has been accepted to West Point Military Academy.

20 million Frenchmen can’t be wrong — Now officially “retired,” Father Bill Kenneally of St. Gertrude Parish (N. Granville) never expected to be treated like a rock star, but c’est la vie. The CD of The best of Kenneally’s pastoral gems, is a sellout. Now grumpy old men who never even liked Kenneally, but who don’t own a CD player, want printed copies of his homilies, to be reminded why they didn’t like him. The hard copy version is 750 pages of witty and down-to-earth “Homilies of Faith.” Same price as the CD, $20; shipping is an additional $6.65. (The parish won’t cover hernias, but if you pick it up at the rectory you can save mailing.)

Parish Potpourri — St. Helena of the Cross Parish, 10116 S. Normal, is hosting an old-fashioned Gospel Fest from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 22, with choirs, rappers, dancers, vendors, food and kids’ entertainment. . . . Ron and Marilyn Mitten of Our Lady of Humility Parish (Beach Park/Zion) will celebrate 50 years of marriage July 21 at an 11 a.m. Mass with renewal of vows. One of their sons, Jesuit Father Steve Mitten, who teaches in Belize, will be the celebrant. . . . Lots of wedding bells this season. Didja know, Holy Name Cathedral (N. State) is the site of about 150 marriages each year?

Skipping the Carnival Cruise — One of the pastors in a Western Suburb here spent 17 days this spring serving as English-speaking chaplain among the sick and dying and among thousands of able-bodied volunteer care-givers at the Shrine of Lourdes, France. (It’s not unusual for a chaplain to hear confessions there for six hours a day.) Some priest friends popped for his plane fare, and others subbed at the parish for him. He brought parishioners’ prayer intentions in a sealed envelope and buried them in the Healing Rock of the grotto.

Bread and blessings — The Benedictine Bed & Breakfast in Bridgeport at the Monastery of the Holy Cross (S. Aberdeen) is having another banner year. They continue to be one of the top two of three most popular B&B’s in Chicago! Another boost came through a glowing article in the Trib. Their guest house is also attracting more retreatants. Is it Brother Patrick’s homemade muffins or its proximity to the World Champion Chicago White Sox Cellular Field?

‘Be prepared” — St. Ferdinand Parish’s Boy Scouts spent two-nights at Great Lakes Naval Base. They watched training exercises, slept in the barracks, ate in the galley, witnessed the Navy cadet graduation and visited the base’s Naval museum. . . . Eagle Scout candidate Braden Stolfe offered free smoke detectors to fellow-parishioners at St. John Fisher’s (S. Fairfield). Another candidate, Brendan McInerney, organized the polishing of church pews and sanctuary furniture just before Easter.

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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.