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News Digest

Issue of August 2 – August 15, 2009The following items are condensed. For the complete articles, please read the print edition of The Catholic New World. To subscribe, call (312) 534-7777.

News Update

Hospital goes independent

St. Anthony Hospital, 2875 W. 19th St., has split from St. Louis-based Ascension Health, the largest Catholic hospital network in the United States. St. Anthony had been affiliated with Ascension since 2002.

The 110-year-old hospital will operate as an independent, Catholic institution, governed by an independent board.

"In Chicago, this represents the first time that a Catholic community hospital will be governed in this manner," Cardinal George said in a statement. "We're happy that St. Anthony will remain a Catholic hospital. It is doing important work in providing excellent care for underserved communities."

St. Anthony serves mostly lowincome patients. More than half are covered by Medicaid.

The 150-bed hospital posted income of $730,000 for fiscal 2008 after losing $12.4 million the prior year. Improved relations with its physicians and a new emergency department have increased patient admissions and improved its finances, the hospital said.

Iftar invitation

Catholics are invited to join Cardinal George at an interfaith iftar dinner, celebrating the evening breaking of the fast during the month of Ramadan, from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Mosque Foundation, 7360 W. 93rd St., Bridgeview.

Muslims abstain from all food and water, as well as a variety of other behaviors, from sunrise to sunset every day during Ramadan.

The event will include the breaking of the fast, evening prayer and dinner and a program.

The event is free, but those who attend must have reservations. To attend, contact the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at (312) 534- 5325, by fax at (312) 534-0357 or by e-mail at [email protected].

News Digest

African-American Catholic organization celebrates 100 years

The Knights of Peter Claver, the nation's largest lay organization for African-American Catholics, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this November. The group's national chaplain, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, explained the significance of the Knights and their organization's century of endurance.

"Their importance stems from their origin in a different social climate, where African-Americans were not generally accepted in various clubs, organizations, or lodges of that nature," he said.

Pope confirms visit to Turin; new evidence on shroud emerges

Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his intention to visit the Shroud of Turin when it goes on public display in Turin's cathedral April 10-May 23, 2010.

Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin, papal custodian of the Shroud of Turin, visited the pope July 26 in Les Combes, Italy, where the pope was spending part of his vacation. The Alpine village is about 85 miles from Turin.

On Alpine retreat pope speaks of power of the Lord

In a world where power often is used to dominate or oppress others, Christians profess belief in an all-powerful God who demonstrates his might through his love and mercy, Pope Benedict XVI said.

"The height of God's power is that he could suffer with us and for us," the pope said July 24 during an evening prayer service in Aosta, a city in the Italian Alps near where he has been vacationing since July 13.

ND alum reunited with missing ring after 52 years

Walter Dray Sr. treasured his 1940 class ring from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He even wore it in place of a wedding ring, with the blessing of his wife, Peg.

When the Davenport businessman and father of eight lost the ring in 1957 at the bottom of a Wisconsin lake, he was heartbroken, but Peg assured him the ring eventually would be found.