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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • No good deed goes unpunished —

    Trying to recycle Christmas cards is commendable. Unfortunately we haven’t found any big-time takers. Clips readers have suggested making place mats for an elder care facility with them, or offering the cards to teachers in primary grades at your school. One reader sent me the name of a lady in Highland, Ill., (not Indiana) listed in “ Good Old Days ” magazine, who wanted used cards. I phoned the lady, who was digging her way out of a mountain of cards she had already received. In her confused state, she thought Church Clips was seeking cards and has now circulated our address to a few friends. Neatly wrapped packages have begun arriving. This experience has taught me that while we may be sentimental about our own greeting cards, we can toss someone else’s into the recycling bin with no compunction. Otherwise you’re in Hallmark hell.

  • Walkin’ the walk —

    The 8th Day Center

    for Justice will sponsor a Good Friday Walk for Justice in downtown Chicago from noon-3 p.m. March 21. Call (312) 641-5151 for more information.

  • Chicago connection —

    Sherry

    Meyer is the arch’s lay missionary in Arua, Uganda, working with the Comboni Fathers . In her January newsletter Meyer reports she missed her days as a teacher and principal with Christmas break! Her work at Radio Pacis has been non-stop 24/7 with seasonal programming. She says on Christmas Eve about sunset, “I hosted my annual [homemade] ice cream social and carols around the tree” for more than 100 people. The tree, though artificial, was blazing with lights as it towered outside in the yard. Meyer says, “It was Uganda’s tallest Christmas tree!” (A donation to Meyer can be mailed to her sister, Nancy Meyer, 109 Walleye Court, Indianapolis, IN 46227.)

  • Polish palette —

    This year’s Polish

    Constitution Day art contest theme is “ Beautiful Poland .” Competition is open to students in grades 6-8 and also grades 9-12, with monetary prizes. Art can be in any medium, perhaps depicting a Polish city or landscape. Deadline is April 15. You don’t have to be Polish to enter. Call the Polish Museum of America , at (773) 384-3352, Ext. 104 for more information.

  • Junior Clips —

    St. Rita High School senior

    John Majka of St. Cajetan Parish (W. 112th St.), was accepted by the US Naval Academy, class of 2012. It carries a hefty scholarship as well. . . . St. Richard School (S. Kostner) received $25,000 for a new mobile computer lab cart in memory of Father Emmett Ryan . . . . For Black History Month , 12 social studies students at Regina Dominican High School (Wilmette) went on a civil-rights adventure over the Martin Luther King holiday. They are being recognized as the first high school in the country to visit the newly formed Emmett Till trail in rural Mississippi. . . . Six Josephinum High School (N. Oakley) students spent a week volunteering at the New Hampshire primary. They worked for candidates of both parties, even doing door-todoor canvassing. Chelsea Clinton took their photo with her mom!

  • Surreal and special —

    Christ the

    King (S. Hamilton) parishioner Barbara Bansle y is back with her imaginary White House Blue Room and “ The Wit of America’s First Ladies .” She is exhibiting her (public interaction) art installation at the Beverly Art Center , 2407 W. 111th St., Feb. 29- March 30, with a special presentation 7-9 p.m. March 7. Bansley, a late-blooming scholar/artist has researched our country’s 43 First Ladies and grouped their spirits congenially at 13 decorated tables with gilded chairs. (Those who had little children in the White House years; those whose husbands were in the military, etc.) Guests are welcome to sit, for instance, at Jackie Kennedy’s place, or Abigail Adams’ , and read each First Lady’s story printed on their napkin (handmade paper by Bansley) and see her likeness in the handmade “plate.” Feel free to table hop and “perform,” ever so properly, with your friends in this crazy election year. More at www.barbarabansley.com.

  • Leap Day —

    For Christians it’s always the

    Year of the Lord ; for the Chinese, 2008 is fondly called the Year of the Rat ; but for zoos and aquariums, Feb. 29, 2008 is Leap Day and ushers in the Year of the Frog . Frogs get bad press in Scripture, but have redeeming features in fairy tales and as a Muppet .

  • Parish potpourri —

    Several handbell

    ringers from St. Patrick Parish (Wadsworth) have been chosen to attend the 2008 International Handbell Symposium in Orlando in August. (Bet they wish it was now!) . . . “Spectacular” is the word to describe the performance of the finale of the papal opera, “ La Comica del Cielo ,” at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii recently. Father Edward McKenna and the ensemble outdid themselves! . . . The Knights of Columbus Lake Forest Council 1268 celebrated their 100th anniversary at St. Mary Parish (Lake Forest) at the end of 2007. The council has distributed over $250,000 to charities in the past 10 years. . . . St. Ignatius Parish (N. Glenwood) concert choir will perform with Ireland’s top artists March 8. “ If You’re Irish … ” an all new show at the Chicago Theater , is directed by Frank McNamara , the person responsible for the musical magic of the Irish Tenors . . . . The Paulist Fathers at Old St. Mary Parish (S. Michigan), have announced the opening of the cause for canonization of Father Isaac Hecker (1819-1888), founder of the Paulists . See Page 15 for more.