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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Chicago connection —

    When Pope Benedict XVI processes to the altar for Mass in Washington, D.C. April 17, it will be to music by our own Paul French , music director of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (W. Belmont), and the William Ferris Chorale . He’s woven the familiar melody of “ Holy God We Praise Thy Name ” into a glorious festive work for chorus, congregation, brass quintet and percussion. The brilliant musical finale of “ Concertato on Grosser Gott ” will knock your spiritual socks off.

  • Happenings —

    ACTA Publications is in the process of compiling a “best of” book of selected articles by insightful and incite-ful wordsman Tim Unsworth . His National Catholic Reporter fans and others will grab it up. . . . Terri Schiavo’s family and a leading pro-life group want people to honor the disabled woman whose life was taken in a painful euthanasia death in 2005. Together with Priests for Life , the Schindler family has established the observance of “ Terri’s Day ” each March 31. That’s the day Terri, 41, succumbed to 13- day’s of starvation/dehydration. It is also a way to encourage others to take better care of the elderly and disabled.

  • ‘Shhhh’ —

    Father Don Woznicki , formerly of St. Norbert’s (Northbrook), now on sabbatical, is exploring how to Christianize Hollywood. He founded New Ethos in 2005, to promote worthy entertainment, and be an outreach ministry to entertainment professionals. Father Don is energized about a new documentary and says “ Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed ” is a must see. It’s about the current discussion NOT taking place in academia between intelligent design advocates and Darwinists. Read Sister Helena Burns ’ review on Page 33 this issue. You’re also invited to her breezy blog on many issues, at: http://hellburns. blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html#81011 92607829561390. The film opens nationwide at selected theaters April 18.

  • Junior Clips —

    St. Francis Xavier School (Wilmette) is proud of its student council and all its students for their efforts with this year’s “ Amazing Penny Race .” The annual coin collection generates funds for a local Wilmette charity. This year, the students raised $3,5l5 to benefit the Sisters of Christian Charity’s Retirement Convent in West Wilmette.

  • Did ja know? —

    There’s been a group of Catholic and Muslim women meeting once a month for about 10 years in the area of St. Fabian Parish (Bridgeview). This “baby” of Sister Joan McGuire , who heads the arch’s Office of Ecumenical/Interreligious Affairs , throws a potluck dinner yearly for any women who would like to attend. Called “ Building Bridges for Common Ground ,” this year’s gathering is 6-9 p.m. April 29 at the parish, 8300 Thomas Ave. Call (708) 458-6150 with questions or to RSVP.

  • Onward huskies? —

    Former Catholic New World writer/intern, Krissy (Kristin) Peterson , spending a year with the Jesuit Volunteers in Bethel, Alaska, let’s us know what she’s up to: “This was probably the coldest Easter I have experienced. Temperatures were around 0 to 5 above. On the first day of spring it was 30 below in the morning. But the sun is bright until almost 10 p.m. now, so that’s something to be excited about.” The Volunteers also traveled to Anchorage for a retreat. The parish youth group at Immaculate Conception in Bethel, that Krissy heads, has a celebrity this year. “I have to be proud,” she writes, “one of our members, Jessica Klejka , won the Junior Iditarod for teens aged 14-17, this February.” Another annual event that just took place, the Camai Dance Festival, is a three-day performance by Native Alaskan, Native American and international dance groups. She says, “Many songs depict daily activities like fishing or hunting, with hand movements that look like they’re reeling or cleaning a fish or shooting a gun.”

  • Party time —

    Set your BlackBerry for the 24th annual Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party . Tickets are $35 in advance, or a two-night pass for $65 (including five beverages each night). Be prepared for headliner bands, two blocks of food and 18,000 new friends at Madison and Des Plaines in the West Loop, from 5- 10:30 p.m. July 18-19.

  • Celebrations —

    Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Bridgeport celebrated its 140th anniversary April 5. . . . The Sisters of Providence will dedicate a statue in honor of their founder, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin May 10. It is in the Marian Garden outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception . Artist is Teresa Clark .