Church Clips

by Dolores Madlener

‘Semper fi’ — Cardinal John O'Connor’s passing was felt in a particular way by Navy chaplains from the arch. Father Richard J. Dempsey, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish (Evergreen Park) who served in the Philippines, Vietnam and Okinawa, remembers him as a hard worker who “knew everybody” and was “very aware he was a priest.” He recalls his humor at a dinner at the War College. “As Rear Admiral John O’Connor he sat at one end of the dais and was introduced: “On the far left ...” O’Connor quipped, “That’s the first time I’ve ever been described ‘on the far left.’” . . . Father Edwin Bohula, pastor of St. James at Sag Bridge Parish (Lemont), a Navy/Marine vet of Vietnam also, remembers shipping out after chaplain’s school at Newport, R.I., in 1964. The chaplain who picked him up at the airport at DaNang and drove him in a jeep deep into the war zone was Chaplain John O’Connor. Bohula says they “hit it off right from the start,” and were friends for life. Not too many weeks ago Bohula received a congratulatory letter on his 45th anniversary of ordination from the cardinal’s office.

Simply jubilant — Spanish tenor Jose Carreras gave a special concert April 30 in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels backed by a symphonic orchestra and choir. Jubilee pilgrims enjoyed the special treat and Carreras confided it was a “great satisfaction, both as a believer and artist” to contribute to the Jubilee celebrations. . . . The prestigious Tour of Italy cycle race is comparable to the Tour de France. On May 12 cyclists received the pope’s blessing in the Vatican and the next day the first lap of the Tour took place. The first lap ends in the avenue that leads to St. Peter’s Square and the winner will receive his pink jersey there. The Vatican sees a special link between sports and the Jubilee, if the sport is based on “the values of the person, sacrifice, determination to go on and the support of others. ...”

Father Peyton is smilin’ — A new North Side Rosary Makers Guild is open to anyone from age 10 and up, boys and gentlemen, teens, girls and ladies. You have to be willing and able to learn how to make a corded rosary for donation to the missions. The free learning kit includes a knot-making tool, 60 beads, a 60-inch cord and instructions (in English and Spanish). Bring your own scissors. The first session is from 1:15-3:15 p.m. May 21 at St. Benedict Parish Rectory, 2215 W. Irving Park. Due to space limitations, reservations should be made by calling Katherine Strangaritch at (773) 792-8143. The guild will continue to meet the third Sunday each month. Participants can purchase their supplies and make rosaries for distribution locally or to the missions, as a group or as individuals at home.

Milestones — The Holy Father’s 80th birthday is May 18. . . . The Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange traveled to St. Francis Xavier Parish (LaGrange) from Kansas in 1900. This spring, on April 30, 500 people gathered here to celebrate the centennial of their arrival, enjoying the music of the “Pink Garter Band” made up of seven sisters on banjos, drums, bass, piano and trumpet, and others entertainers. The community honored individuals like Sister Mary Liguori McCosham, 95, who joined in 1921 and became a teacher. Founded in 1650 in France, the sisters came to the United States in 1836 and branched out to all parts of the country. Dedicated to Jesus’ “Mission of Unity,” they serve as nurses, social workers, parish counselors, artists, musicians and teachers. For more info, their web site is: www.ministryofthearts.org.

Junior Clips — De La Salle’s Meteors host St. Rita’s Mustangs for a South Side showdown at Comiskey Park at 3 p.m. May 19. Admission for the game is $4; for tickets, call Mike Skowronski at (312) 842-7355, Ext. 118. . . . For the fifth year, religious studies classes from Loyola Academy (Wilmette) took 150 freshmen on a tour of some local architectural treasures to learn some of their history and worship styles. The tour included St. Scholastica, St. Clement, St. Mary of the Angels, Madonna Della Strada Chapel, St. John Cantius, Old St. Patrick’s and St. Michael (Old Town). They also saw Holy Name Cathedral, Quigley Chapel and the Fourth Presbyterian Church.

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