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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Champ for women and children:

    Lisa Ling , journalist, humanitarian and former co-host of The View , will receive Little Company of Mary Hospital’s Ven. Mary Potter Humanitarian Award Feb. 7 at its Crystal Heart Ball . Ling is married to radiation oncologist Dr. Paul Song . The couple met at Little Company of Mary Hospital through mutual friends in 2006. The hospital’s Mobile Medical Care unit, an outreach program for home-bound patients will also be honored.

  • ‘Offering it up’ —

    We kind of knew this, but a recent scientific study “discovered”: practicing Catholics who concentrate on a religious object (and pray, of course,) feel less pain than nonbelievers. The study was reported in a journal called “Pain.” Twelve Catholics in the study, looking on an image of the Blessed Mother , were able to “reinterpret pain and make it less threatening.” Twelve nonreligious folks viewed a secular masterpiece and “derived no pain relief.” The University of Oxford scientists say their study results had nothing to do with the power of the supernatural, but with “the state of mind you can achieve.”

  • All about life —

    Pro-life Latinos in the United States have a new national organization, Hispanic Alliance for Life & Family . It will cover bioethics and work to stop the spread of euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning as well as opposing abortion. They are planning seminars and workshops across the country with a national pro-life meeting anticipated next September. . . . The United States had its spectacular March for Life in the capital on Jan. 22. In Spain, a million people gathered Dec. 28 for a Mass marking the feasts of the Holy Family and the Holy Innocents . Their deafening applause for life and defense of marriage showed strong opposition to Spain’s anti-life policies. Pope Benedict spoke to the crowds from giant TV screens.

  • Parish potpourri —

    St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church (W. Alexander) will usher in 2009’s Lunar New Year at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8. Don’t miss the firecrackers, lion dance and solemn Mass with its traditional ceremony of ancestral rites. A reception follows, (312) 842-6777. . . . St. Alphonsus Parish (W. Wellington) received 200 replies in almost instant response to the e-mail from concerned pastor Father Jim Hurlbert on how his parishioners are weathering the current economy. . . . St. Celestine’s (Elmwood Park) marked Jan. 25’s Conversion of St. Paul feast day with a walk along the parish labyrinth in the gym and by watching a video on the life of the late great Apostle to the Gentiles . . . . Over the holidays St. Germaine (Oak Lawn) parishioners bought cookie dough through the school’s Market Day program and Girl Scouts baked more than 100 pounds of cookies. The Ministry of Care packaged and distributed them to more than 70 homebound or nursing home parishioners. . . . St. Irenaeus Parish (Park Forest) had a collection drive during the holidays called “No Room at the Inn,” to support homeless families. Members of their Peace and Justice Committee also contributed to Catholic Charities ’ New Hope Apartments program with rent and other expenses for needy families.

  • ‘Dominus vobiscum’ —

    Even a blizzard on Jan. 10 couldn’t deter parishioners of St. Peter Church (Volo) from coming to a workshop on the Latin Mass at the parish. The day was steeped in solemn liturgies provided by the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius (N. Carpenter), Gregorian chant by the schola cantorum, classes on the history and spirituality of the Tridentine Latin Mass , and talks by Resurrection Father C. Frank Phillips , founder of the Canons Regular, and others. St. Peter’s has a 12:15 p.m. Latin Mass every Sunday.

  • Reading ’n’ ’rithmatic —

    There are now 1.5 million kids being “schooled” at home, an increase of 75 percent since 1999. The top three reasons homeschooling parents give are: a desire to impart religious/moral instruction; concern about safety or negative peer pressure; and a discontent with academic instruction at other schools. Critics say teaching children at home may stunt their social growth. On the plus side, even homeschoolers from low-income families earn higher marks than their public school peers. John and Barbara Halbur in the Joliet diocese have homeschooled their four children. Their oldest just turned 20. For more information, call them at (815) 727- 3018 or you can e-mail: [email protected].

  • Superbowl Sister —

    With Superbowl 43 comes the crystal ball of Sister of Providence Jean Kenny . Not only does she pick the Steelers to win 23 to 17, but she’s penned another poem. Describing the “ Blitzburgh ” defense over the Arizona Cardinals , she says, “The offensive birds are dealt their bridesmaid fate / The rowdy Steeler Nation goes on to celebrate.” She read the entire poem on WGN radio and was interviewed by USA Today this year.

  • Junior Clips —

    Queen of All Saints (N. Sauganash) third-grader Veronica Bedrio and seventh-grader Yarko Ralko , along with St. Alphonsus (W. Wellington) fourth-grader Ruthie Owens will perform in an open house event for kids and adults from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 14, at the Chicago Dance School (W. Irving Park).