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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Onward huskies? —

    The Catholic New World’s former intern/staff reporter, Krissy (Kristin) Peterson , has lived in a town in southwest Alaska in community with five other Jesuit Volunteers since last August. Her latest blog is about “Finding Beauty” in what some have called “the armpit of Alaska.” She admits Bethel doesn’t have mountains, forests and miles of coastline like other areas of our 49th state. “In the summer the tundra is dusty, in the fall and spring wet and muddy and in the winter covered in snow and ice.” Now that the snow has melted, “most of the roads in town aren’t paved and … are impassible.” (Sounds like Chicago’s post-winter streets.) A few weeks ago, Krissy and her roommates created an art piece for the wall. “We chose to paint three panels … one was the river, the other was the sky, and another was the tundra.” They painted quotes on the panels from a poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer: “I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day / And if you can
    source your own life from its presence.”     Krissy admits folks in Bethel have problems, from unemployment to addictions, but she says, “Once you start meeting the people … and you change your perspective on what is beautiful in nature, I think most people can find Bethel to be a very amazing place.”

  • Junk vs. treasure —

    You’ll get more bang for your buck at the Prince of Peace Parish (Lake Villa) garage sale than at your neighborhood gas station. Volunteers have been picking up donations in Cook, McHenry and Kenosha counties for the past six months for what’s dubbed “one of the largest rummage sales in northwestern Lake County.” Check out other parish rummage sales on Page 24.

  • Marketing? —

    Father Dan Brandt , pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Bridgeport, tells White Sox fans, “You can make 11 a.m. Sunday Mass and walk to Cellular Field with an hour to spare before the 1:05 p.m. games, or attend our 5 p.m. Mass after a winning game.” Non-Sox fans are welcome, too.

  • Open invitation —

    The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Clyde, Mo.), make the communion hosts for St. Matthew Parish (Schaumburg) and some other parishes in the arch . They’re inviting single women, ages 18-40, considering religious life, to spend July 5-12 with them. Call Sister Ruth at (877) 632-6665 for more information.

  • Noshing on birthday cake —

    Margaret “Mickey” Paluch turned 86 on June 4. She and her late husband Chester helped make “Missalette ” a household word. Back in the 1950s they published the dialogue Mass in Latin for people in the pews. So they were ready when Vatican II ushered in the vernacular (and now Spanish, English and bilingual songbooks, Scripture study guides, calendars and other materials). Mrs. Paluch, of St. Paul of the Cross Parish (Park Ridge), started the Paluch Family Foundation, which fosters religious vocations and aids charities, in 1995.

  • Number 1 and knows it —

    If you have a child, grandchild, god child or niece/nephew, etc., age 1-3, they know they’re #1. But do they know the real reason WHY? A Mom, Genny Monchamp , has written a board book for these kiddies, called: “ God Made Wonderful Me .” Each of its 12 “pages” asks a question like “Where did God put my eyes?” or “Where did God put my feet?” and the last page has a special mirror with the words, “Thank you God for making wonderful me.” It’s $8.95 + shipping from Pauline Books & Media , (312) 346-4228.

  • Parish potpourri —

    Tom Zbikowski of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish (Arlington Heights) got word he was picked in the third round of the NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. . . . Marie Higgins , 80, of Our Lady of the Snows Parish (S. Leamington) was recently honored for her many spiritual works, including 18 years as a weekend volunteer at Midway Chapel . Her mom, Raffaella Volino, 99, is also a volunteer. . . . St. John Cantius Parish (N. Carpenter) will hold homeschool graduation June 14 for elementary and high schoolers. . . . The Seniors Club of St. Wenceslaus Parish (N. Monticello) celebrated its 20th anniversary May 18. . . . St. Barbara Church (S. Throop) was the scene of a get-together Mass and reception on June 6 for the 2007 junior class of (now closed) Archbishop Quigley Seminary, who graduated this year from various high schools.

  • Tools for the soul —

    “Return to the Father’s House” is a new DVD by Father David Simonetti of Relevant Radio . It’s a retreat into a better understanding about forgiveness and the parable of the Prodigal Son. He uses art, music, film, literature, tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church , liturgy and some personal stories for the journey back to the house of the Father. It’s ideal for RCIA and spiritual renewal; even for high school. The three 30-minute videos are available for $19.95, by contacting (847) 698-4967 or www.themessageshop.org. View a sample at www.frsimonetti.com.