Catholic New World - News Digest

News Update

Charities needs space for gifts

Catholic Charities' Lake County division needs a distribution site for its annual Christmas gift program Dec. 3-16. Without the space to store gifts, Catholic Charities may have to cancel the program, said Jim Wogan, who has run the program for the past 11 years. "Through this program, we provide gifts to about 12,000 individuals. We also have an incredible group of volunteers who are very dedicated," Wogan said. "So many people would be disappointed if we were not able to run the program."

Sponsors deliver the gifts to the distribution site, and clients pick up the gifts shortly before Christmas. "Our goal is to serve everybody in need. We have never turned anybody away," Wogan said.

Wogan needs to secure the site soon because he must inform sponsors where to deliver the items. The site should be about 30,000 to 40,000 square feet, he said.

The program helps families throughout Lake County, including those recommended by the Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities' Emergency Services, Waukegan Public Schools, Second Chance, PADS, Lake County Health Department and DCFS. The agency asks individuals and families to play Santa by purchasing gifts for these families.

Catholic Charities matches churches, individuals, schools and corporate employees to families and provides them with the families' wish lists. The program matches each family in need with a donor, Wogan said.

To provide space, please contact Jim Wogan at (847) 782-4126 as soon as possible.

Seminary salutes dinner

Father John J. "Jack" Wall, president of the Catholic Church Extension Society, attorney William R. Quinlan and Teamsters official Patrick W. Flynn will receive Rerum Novarum Awards Oct. 28 at the 18th annual Seminary Salute Oct. 28 at Plumbers' Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd. The evening benefits St. Joseph College Seminary and traditionally honors leaders from the church, labor and business. Cost is $175 per person. Call Mary Minogue at (773) 973-0722 for information or to reserve tickets.

News Digest

True love does not exist without suffering, pope says

God's love poured out on humanity through the cross of Jesus offers healing and salvation to all people, Pope Benedict XVI said. At his Sept. 17 weekly general audience, the pope reflected on his Sept. 12-15 trip to France, which he said had brought him many blessings.

Cardinal says main priority is to help people suffering after Ike

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston urged the local Catholic community to "be an example of good witness under the fire of some adversity" as the region recovers from the effects of Hurricane Ike. "Be attentive to neighbors, especially the elderly. Share your goods," he said in a Sept. 18 pastoral message.

Church responsive to domestic violence, survey says

Catholic dioceses are increasingly responsive to the reality of domestic violence, according to survey results released in time for the annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The survey, Diocesan Responses to Domestic Violence, was conducted last spring. It was sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

30 years ... and counting: Madlener reflects on decades at newspaper

In early September of 1978, Pope John Paul I was in the midst of his 28-day papacy, Cardinal John Cody led the Archdiocese of Chicago and A.E.P. "Ed" Wall, the editor of The Chicago Catholic, as this newspaper was then known, was in need of a secretary. Dolores Madlener, meanwhile, was working at the American Medical Association headquarters in Chicago.

Having St. Paul as namesake inspires Catholics in their faith

Pope Benedict XVI once remarked that saints are sinners, too. This truly resonates with the life of St. Paul. Here in the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Paul is considered a dear friend and faithful companion by many men and women. Not only does Paul give us hope that we really can get to heaven (after all, before he was Paul, he was Saul, and persecuting Jesus' followers in the name of God), but more so, he gives us a perennial example of conversion and commitment.

Suicide conference aims to offer understanding, hope for others

Is suicide a sin or an act of bravery? This is a common question asked by teenagers who, in their short lives, have already experienced the loss of a friend or a family member to suicide. According to statistics, suicide is a growing problem, especially in western civilizations. Research suggests that graphic, sensationalized or romanticized descriptions of suicide deaths in the news media contribute to suicide contagion, particularly among teenagers and young people. When a single event, such as the loss of a job or a relationship, is shown with no mention of other factors, such as depression, substance abuse or lack of access to treatment for these conditions, suicide can seem to be a solution to problems.

Imagination sparks first 'vocation parish'

"Imagination is the greatest nation," a popular saying goes.

With so many problems facing our nation - weakened economy, racial division, and terrorism - I am especially grateful for my Catholic hope and imagination. It allows me to act out of love and see possibilities.

Catholic parishes in our archdiocese aren't immune to problems, but can really thrive when we act out of hope and creatively use our imagination. This is especially true when we hopefully and creatively promote vocations.

Our Lady of Victory Parish is a place brimming with hope and new ideas. It is strategically looking forward to increasing vocations in our archdiocese. OLV includes a strong mission-driven vocations committee and was recently established as the first archdiocesan "Vocation Parish" by the Vocations Office.

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