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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Something different —

    Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (W. Belmont) is praying the “Stations of the Resurrection,” at 3 p.m. on the seven Sundays of Eastertide. The “Via Lucis” (Way of Light), was introduced by the Vatican for the Jubilee Year 2000. Lent’s ritual 40 days with the Via Crucis now has a counterpart for the 50 days of Easter, culminating on the Solemnity of Pentecost. It was a Salesian priest in Rome who helped develop the idea of the Via Lucis in the 1990s.

  • Hitting the bricks —

    There will be a March for Life May 22 from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. starting with a rally at the State of Illinois Building, (W. Randolph). Speakers at 12:15-1 p.m. will include Jim Finnegan from Transfiguration Parish (Wauconda) who spearheads the License Plates for Life campaign and Sandy Rios from WYLL Christian radio, co-sponsor of the rally with WIND-AM 560 radio and Americans for Life. The march steps off at 1 p.m. to the Federal Building Plaza (W. Adams). Speakers such as Joe Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League, nurse-hero Jill Stanek and religious leaders will take the mike until 2:45 p.m. Pro-life flags and signs will be provided to marchers. No homemade signs, please. Call Dick Walsh at (630) 312-0081 for more information. . . . The Pro-Life Action League is one of the groups renting buses to travel to Notre Dame University May 17. For more info, call (773) 777-2900. . . . The Cardinal Newman Society began a 40-day rosary campaign April 8 for “the conversion of President Obama’s heart” to a more pro-life position. Their goal is 1 million rosaries prayed by May 17’s commencement ceremonies at Notre Dame.

  • Parish potpourri —

    Father George Koeune, pastor of St. Eugene’s (W. Foster) recently received a first-class relic of St. Paul the Apostle. An actual piece of bone from his body. The case bears a Vatican seal. . . . Altar servers at St. Hubert (Hoffman Estates), and Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Marceline and St. Matthew (Schaumburg) were feted by the Knights of Columbus, Hoffman-Schaumburg Council, to an all-you-can-eat pizza party April 23. . . . St. Agatha Parish (W. Douglas) is marking its 100th jubilee in various ways. One idea is the sale of sets of six colorful greeting or note cards with Biblical themes on each cover, “Jesus and Mary at Cana,” “The Baptism of Jesus,” and others. . . . St. Symphorosa Parish (W. 62nd St.) has a Super Club for seniors, age 55 and up. If you enjoy fun and games, they start drifting into the parish center around 9 a.m. on Thursdays to play cards or talk. The meeting is at noon. Call the rectory for more info, at (773) 767-1523. . . . St. Philip Neri Parish (E. 72nd St.) held a successful fashion show and luncheon April 26 where they also honored community leaders. . . . St. Mary of Celle Parish (Berwyn) has formed an indoor adult wiffle ball league on Tuesday and Thursday nights. A dad in Connecticut invented the wiffle ball in 1953 for his 12-year-old son. The boy and his buddies would refer to a strikeout as a “whiff” and that’s how it got its name.

  • Idea exchange —

    St. Philip Parish (Northfield) uses good movies to pull families into a recreational couple hours with other parishioners. For three years, “Summer with the Saints,” has combined movies, popcorn and religious education for Mom, Dad and the kids. So far they haven't run out of flicks on saints like Joan of Arc and Thomas More. According to business manager Geoffrey Pautsch, “It’s really neat and has been effective in getting whole families to come out and enjoy a worthwhile film.”

  • Memo from Peoria —

    It is now possible to receive a second-class relic of Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen. A fragment of Sheen’s vestments from his ministry in Rochester, N.Y., is attached to a new holy card folder. The front has a reproduction of a painting of young Msgr. Sheen by Brockhurst, a British portraitist. The folder also includes Sheen’s favorite poem to Our Lady, “Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue.” One card request per individual, although multiples are available to priests or institutions. Contact Jane at The Fulton Sheen Foundation, P. O. Box 728, Peoria, IL 61762-0728. Include $1 donation to cover printing and shipping. For more info, call (309) 671-1550.