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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Recycling, not retiring —

    Marist Sister Colleen Morris is saying farewell to Our Lady of the Snows Parish (S. Leamington) after eight years. A golden jubilarian, she will be serving her fellow sisters in Detroit, Mich. Her career has included time as a nurse, school principal, college administrator and hospital chaplain. . . . Mercy Sister Carmeline Goebl recently said farewell to St. Joseph Parish (Libertyville) where she established a variety of religious education programs and has worn many “hats” of service since coming there in 1967. She will now keep busy at Mercy Hall near the campus of St. Xavier University in Chicago.

  • Parish potpourri —

    St. Mary of Vernon Parish (Indian Creek/Vernon Hills) marks its 30th anniversary at the 11:15 a.m. Mass Aug. 17, with a picnic to follow and 5k walk/run along their new Reflection Trail. . . . Lt. John M. Kowalski , St. Michael Grade School (Orland Park) class of 2000, just graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and will be stationed in Germany. . . . Parishioners of St. Linus (Oak Lawn) were invited to become “taggers” and write their names with marker pens on the cement foundation floors of their new Cardiff Center , before tile and carpet is laid. . . . St. Isaac Jogues Parish (Niles) is getting ready for a tuneful Irish invasion when the Milwaukee Irish Fest Choir performs at 7:30 p.m. July 25. Tickets at $10 are available at the door . . . Some parishioners of Old St. Mary’s (S. Michigan) will accompany their Paulist Fathers on a pilgrimage to Rome honoring the Holy Year of St. Paul , Nov. 8-15. . . . A piece of memorabilia from St. Hilary Parish (N. California) is on display at the Edgewater Historical Society Museum . The public is invited to sit and pray in “St. Hilary’s Bench,” a pew from the former convent chapel where Benedictine Sisters once said their “Aves.”

  • Oops —

    St. Anne Parish (Hazel Crest) holds its year-round fish fry only on the second Friday each month (it’s every Friday during Lent). I hope that correction gets Clips “off the hook.”

  • Things you don’t see too often —

    On a recent morning in front of the ACU Health [abortion] Clinic in Hinsdale — 30 people prayed the rosary and Father Gerald O’Reilly from St. Daniel the Prophet Parish (W. 54th St.), led them in prayer in full vestments. An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe , inspired us, said a participant. They usually are met by “escorts” from the facility, talking over their prayers who “protect” and encourage clients to go in, “you’ll feel better afterwards.”

  • Little LaCrosse looms large —

    It’s dedication time for the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wis. A few years ago Clips carried news of the building project founded by Archbishop R a y m o n d Burke as bishop of LaCrosse on 70-acres (now 100) gifted by the Robert Swing family. Construction was continued by Bishop Jerome Listecki , current bishop of LaCrosse. All ticketed events are sold out for the July 28- Aug. 3 celebrations, and Cardinal George will be in attendance. Plan your Midwest pilgrimage after that, and expect to be awed. The church has a 25-bell carillon, stained glass windows honoring the Blessed Mother under her many titles, a bronze sculpture of St. Joseph the Workman , weighing over 1,000 lbs., the creation of Father Anthony Brankin, pastor of St. Odilo Parish (Cicero); and a chapel with 576 votive candles, ever-glowing. There are outdoor stations, a rosary walk, meditation trail, Pilgrim Center and dining room. For more information, call (608) 782-5440 or go to www.guadalupeshrine.org.

  • People potpourri —

    School Sister of St. Francis of Christ the King Jude Marie Naiden , a 1959 alum of Mount Assisi Academy (Lemont), who has given 40 years of service to her alma mater in various capacities, received the “Excellence in Teaching Award” from the "Give Something Back Foundation” this spring. She also served for six years as provincial superior of her order. . . . Robert Mariano of St. Theresa Parish (Palatine) was honored with the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian of the Year Award at a blacktie gala hosted by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans in June. Among the dignitaries present were Alesandro Motta, consul general of Italy, and his wife Sandrine. Chairman of the event was Antonio M. Romanucci. . . . Mrs. Alice Roberts, 85, has taught three generations at St. Elizabeth School (E. 41st St.). Parents say she “listens” to kids, in a “gunwounded city.” The parish will embrace and honor her at the 10:30 a.m. Mass July 20. . . . Former Catholic New World staff reporter, Tania Mann, fluent in Italian, has just landed an editorial position with the English version of L’Osservatore Romano in Rome. Mann is also volunteering with the Sant’Egidio ecclesial community in the Eternal City.