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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Welcome mat —

    Annmarie Lindgren , Miriam Tierney and Amy Goggin are three moms with young children in St. John Fisher Parish (S. Washtenaw). A couple months ago they looked for a way to spend time in eucharistic adoration, but knew their children might disturb others. If they had their own hour they could even teach the youngsters to pray in the presence of the Eucharist. Their “ Children’s Holy Hour ” now takes place on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the former convent chapel of their neighboring parish, Queen of Martyrs (Evergreen Park). With the attitude “kids are never too young,” they began something beautiful for God. The hour opens with a recorded song. Then children of various ages take turns leading a decade of the rosary. With mothers and sometimes dads there with from five to a dozen children, it is an hour of grace. At the end of the rosary, one mother reads a story about one of the saints and there’s five minutes of quiet meditation. Goggin says adorers without children are always welcome, as are other parents with their children (you don’t have to stay an hour). If you want to find out more, call her at (708) 499-2090.

  • Old and new —

    Buckminster Fuller could have been inspired by Lithuanian straw ornaments for his geodesic structures. The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture (S. Pulaski) schedules a class in early December on how to make these unique designs. Traditionally constructed from rye straw, the local story is that Juze Dauzvardis , wife of the Consul General of Lithuania in Chicago at the time (1961-1971), was asked to decorate one of the Christmas trees in an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry . Because real straw wasn’t available, the local Sisters of St. Casimir helped her come up with the idea to make ornaments out of white paper (now plastic) drinking straws. Thus began a new twist on an old ethnic tradition.

  • Parish potpourri —

    Father Britto Berchmans , pastor of St. Nicholas Parish (Evanston), arrived back in Chicago safely from a home visit to India the day the terrorist attacks occurred in Mumbai. He had been visiting his sister in that city just the week before. . . . St. Clement Church (W. Deming) presented its production of Handel’s “ Messiah ” by candlelight Dec. 6. . . . Teens from St. Barnabas Parish (S. Longwood) went door-to-door collecting nonperishable food items for a neighborhood food panty Nov. 23. . . . Five Holy Martyrs (S. Richmond) opened its centennial year with a Mass Nov. 9. . . . Catherine Dienes celebrated her 94th birthday Nov. 24 and was congratulated in the bulletin of St. Isidore Parish (Blue Island). . . . Bob Centano and his band entertained at St. Juliana Parish (N. Osceola) Nov. 30. A veteran sax player, Centano has played with orchestras like Tex Beneke , Ralph Martire and Claude Thornhill . His goal today is to bring his big band sound to as many parishes as possible in the arch . To book an evening of big band and jazz, call him at (773) 725-0509. . . . If the first snowfall and chill winds have made you hunker down, take heart. St. Bartholomew Parish (W. Patterson) has already had a carnival planning meeting for 2009.

  • Caroling, caroling —

    Anyone who missed the 40-voice William Ferris Chorale’s season opener on Dec. 5 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (W. Belmont) better not pout or cry, because the Christmas concert is already available on CD. Each of the 16 selections in “ An Old Fashioned Christmas ” radiates the real meaning of the holy season, in French, English, Ukrainian, German and American carols. Music director Paul French gives a freshness like new fallen snow to well-remembered melodies. The CD is $18, plus shipping and handling. Call (773) 325-2000 or stop at the rectory.

  • Good neighbors —

    Clare Paulet , who works in the cardinal’s office, grew up in Romania. She is part of the Focolare Movement and lives in their center across the street from the home of Michelle and president-elect Barack Obama in Hyde Park. You would think with all the gatherings at the center, the cement barriers and ever-present Secret Service and CPD details would be a nuisance. But the Focolare says everyone has been “very kind and courteous” and there’s been “no problem at all.”

  • Road ‘warrior’ —

    Father John Enright , pastor emeritus of Epiphany Parish (S. Keeler), who served in the arch’s Panama mission for 12 years and at Santa Teresita Vicariate (Palatine), has racked up considerable missionary mileage. Back in 1998, Cardinal George also chose him to co-direct the new Office for International Priests , matchmaking “foreign” priests with parishes needing Spanish-speaking clerics. Retired now but still working in the Joliet diocese, as well as the arch , he recently received Joliet’s “ St. Francis Xavier Award ” given yearly to an exemplary missioner. Father Enright says he’s had “missionitis” for 50 years, since the papacy of Blessed Pope John XXIII .

  • Junior Clips —

    Sixth-grade students at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Parish School (Oak Park) sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI after his visit to the U.S. last spring. They received a reply some time later saying he prays the children, teachers and families will be blessed with peace and joy. The students also received an autographed photo of the Holy Father . . . . Students at St. Mary of Czestochowa School (Cicero) collected over 25 large boxes of helpful items in early fall for members of the military. Working with Operation Care Package , the gifts are already on their way for Christmas delivery. Students say they learned a lesson in patriotism.