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The Catholic New World
News Digest: Week in Summary
Issue of November 20, 2005

UPDATE

Gay seminarian document due

An Italian newspaper reports that a long-awaited Vatican document says the church cannot ordain as priests those who are active homosexuals, who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies or who support the “gay culture.”

The newspaper, Il Giornale, reported what it said were key excerpts from the eight-page document in its Nov. 9 edition. Vatican officials refused to comment. The document, expected to be formally released in late November, was approved by Pope Benedict XVI Aug. 31, the newspaper said. The document said the church should welcome homosexuals with respect and sensitivity and avoid discrimination.

But, the newspaper said, the document added that “the church, while deeply respecting these persons, cannot admit to the priesthood those who practice homosexuality, who present deeply rooted homosexual tendencies or who support the so-called gay culture.”

Catholic school pupils score well

Students at archdiocesan schools scored higher than the national average on the TerraNova II standardized series of tests given to third, fifth and seventh grade students.

In the overall combined test performance for reading, language and mathematics, students at archdiocesan schools were in the 68th percentile in third grade, 73rd percentile in fifth grade and 75th percentile in the seventh grade. In the science and social studies tests, archdiocesan students were above the national average.

The overall scores in reading, language and mathematics for students at the Catholic schools in the City of Chicago were in the 59th percentile for third grade, the 64th percentile for fifth grade and the 68th percentile for seventh grade.

For more information , visit www.archchicago.org/schools.





NEWS

Catholic schools announce

Genesis, new strategic plan

Genesis, the strategic plan to improve the vitality, Catholic identity and academic excellence of archdiocesan schools, got its official launch Nov. 14.

Superintendent Nicholas Wolsonovich touted the multi-year plan twice, first at a press conference and then to members of the Notre Dame Club of Chicago as part of its prestigious Hesburgh Forum lecture series.



Senate considers immigration

The secretary of Homeland Security told a Senate committee that parts of the U.S. immigration enforcement system have “nearly collapsed under the weight of numbers,” while the Labor secretary said that the current system for legally hiring immigrant workers is “complex and burdensome.”

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Catholic and other religious groups were among those advocating for immigration law changes that reunite families, protect human rights and offer ways for illegal immigrants to “come out of the shadows.”



Bishops ponder Mass changes

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops held an hourlong informational session Nov. 14, the first day of the bishops’ fall meeting, to prepare for one of the biggest liturgical projects they will face in the next two or three years—an entirely new English translation of the Roman Missal for use in the United States.

Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pa., chairman of the Committee on Liturgy, moderated a half-hour panel presentation and led a half-hour question-answer session on the ins and outs of what the bishops can expect to deal with as they move through the translation approval process.



Bishops renew death penalty opposition

After selecting a new general secretary for the next five years and taking a series of votes on major documents Nov. 15, members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops moved into executive session for the second half of their Nov. 14-17 annual meeting in Washington.

But results of the voting on documents dealing with the death penalty, children’s Masses and lay ecclesial ministers were not announced before the bishops began their private sessions.



Leaders pitch in at schools

Lend a Shoulder

lets executives

go back to class

Cardinal George, Msgr. Kenneth Velo and nearly 100 other civic, corporate and community leaders from the Chicago area got a chance to trade their briefcases for bookbags Nov. 3.

The executives and other leaders were invited to “Lend a Shoulder” at Catholic elementary and high schools that serve economically disadvantaged populations. The schools receive scholarships or other assistance from the Big Shoulders Fund, which organized the event.



Leadership weekend for black youth

The Bible may be filled with stories of great people, but some of those people did not start out great. Yet, said one keynote speaker at a leadership conference for young black people, those same people had faith in God.

Just as their faith carried them to greatness, today’s young people also possess the potential for greatness, said Dominican Father Paul Whittington, addressing Kujenga XXVII.

Schools celebrate 50 years

Southwest Side home to three institutions

Saint Xavier University, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and Brother Rice High School celebrated 50 years together at a special Mass with Cardinal George and more than 1,000 students, alumni and friends Nov. 6.

The three schools occupy a 155-acre campus in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood area. Mother McAuley, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is the largest all-girls Catholic high school in the United States, and Brother Rice, sponsored by the Christian Brothers, has been named one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the country for the past 2 years. Saint Xavier University claims title as the oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in Chicago; it began as an elementary school through college academy for women when the Sisters of Mercy opened its doors downtown in 1846.



School program brings teens, seniors together

Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia is onto something good—so good the principal and students want to share it with other schools.

Its Alumni-Student Intergenerational Service Team, known as ASIST, takes the Gospel message and puts it into practice in service to others, according to Robert O’Neill, Roman’s principal.

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

Chicago connection — Notre Dame Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in New Orleans was founded in 1923. During Archbishop John Cody’s years in New Orleans (1962-65), he helped it become a provincial seminary exclusively for theology students. In the heart of New Orleans, it experienced severe damage from Hurricane Katrina. Its students have had to move to another seminary in St. Benedict, La., until at least Jan. 1. A dozen seminarians and some priests stayed behind during the flood to help evacuate elderly neighbors and secure valuable artifacts as the levee gave way. The National Guard is currently staying in the seminary. Notre Dame’s rector, Father Pat Williams, is asking Catholics to consider sending the monetary value of a typical Christmas present on your gift list for the seminary’s renovation and rebuilding. “Every gift is greatly needed and appreciated.” Please make out a check or money order to “Notre Dame Seminary” with “Hurricane Relief” on the check’s memo line. Mail to: Fr. Pat Williams, Notre Dame Seminary, 75376 River Rd., St. Benedict, LA 70457.

Speaking up — Bill Donohue, who heads the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, gave a rapid fire talk before 300 Catholic Citizens of Illinois Nov. 3 at Drury Lane Oakbrook. The articulate Donohue’s topics ranged from Pius XII to Al Franken. Never one to mince words, he dubbed secularizing our holidays as “the war on Christmas” and its basis, “the culture of fascists.” Fondly nicknamed the Catholic bulldog, Donohue, a former professor, can be seen almost any time, debating anti-Catholic exponents on TV. The League, founded in 1973, is the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization and defends the free speech of laity and clergy to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination. For more, go to www.catholicleague.org.

Mystery of Mercy — Founders Day, Dec. 2, at St. Xavier University (W. 103rd St.), will also celebrate the dedication of an antique stained glass window depicting Mother Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, instructing a young girl. Once part of the chapel of St. Xavier Academy and College, at 49th and Cottage Grove, the window was sold when the buildings were razed in 1956. A Mercy alumnus discovered it in a North Side antique shop in the 1980s. It was recovered by the sisters and has been at their regional office since 1991.

Junior Clips — St. Viator Grade School (W. Addison), has formed a new alumni association, “The Viator Club.” Alumni, parents and friends can join the database by calling (773) 545-2173. . . . Resurrection High School (W. Talcott) senior Maureen Kelly has been chosen to serve for 2005-06 on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Chicago. She was also a delegate to the Girl Scouts National Convention in Atlanta, Ga., last month. . . . Cecilia Cline, midfielder and defender for De La Salle’s Meteors, has made a special mark in women’s soccer. The junior has been chosen Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division’s Player of the Year. “C.C.” also ranks No. 19 out of 114 fellow students academically.

Calling Hollywood — Many schools in the archdiocese have “Rainbows” chapters. They are part of the “world’s largest grief support charity for youth” and foster emotional healing for kids grieving a loss from a crisis like divorce or a death. Irish-born actress Roma Downey has called on Hollywood celebrities who perhaps had painful childhoods to join her as Rainbows ambassadors. Downey, who starred in TV’s “Touched by an Angel,” knew people who were killed in the struggles of Northern Ireland. She was 10 when her mother died and a college freshman when her father died. Rainbows was begun by Suzy Yehl Marta of St. Francis de Sales Parish (Lake Zurich). Call (800) 266-3206.

Parish Potpourri — The Cathedral Gift & Book Store opened Nov. 1 and has already served over 500 customers. In the lower level of Holy Name Cathedral (700 N. State), it has 1,500 books on faith, devotional items, and Chicago souvenirs—like CDs by the cathedral choirs, or a replica of the cathedral’s Resurrection crucifix. Open Wednesday through Sunday, call (312) 482-8710 for hours. . . . Joe Scheidler, of Queen of All Saints Basilica Parish (N. Sauganash) as national director of Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, will be standing before the U.S. Supreme Court for an unprecedented third time Nov. 30. It is related to the action brought by the National Organization for Women (NOW) regarding peaceful protest against abortion. (See story, Page 1) . . . St. Joseph Parish (Homewood) must have some awesome homilies. Go to www.parishofstjoseph-homewood.org and get the audio; as well as a podcast feed for downloading. . . . Speaking of techy parishes, St. Julie Billiart (Tinley Park) posts a daily meditation with questions and suggested actions by Father Steven Lanza at their On-Line Chapel. When you visit www.stjulie.org you find a virtual tour of the church and lots more.

God Squad coming — Get to Daley Plaza 11 a.m. Nov. 26 and join Cardinal
George and a group of volunteer
tradesmen and families erect our
Christmas stable with the Baby
Jesus in his manger. Music by
Santa Maria del Popolo’s bell
choir (Mundelein).

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

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