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This week, The Catholic New World marks the start of Respect Life Month.
Also included this week is the second installment of the series “Black and Catholic in Chicago.”
This issue features the October Faith & Education insert.

 

Cardinal's Column

 

Faith & Education
‘Family values’ return to the classroom

The clock on the classroom wall at Madonna High School says 7:30 a.m. School doesn’t start until 8:05 a.m., yet sewing machines already are humming.
Full text available

Teaching the teachers

The more than 2,000 Catholic school teachers and catechists who assembled Sept. 22 and 23 formed “a praiseworthy army of lay apostles,” said Father John E. Pollard, director of the archdiocese’s Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Full text available

Catholic-Jewish program opens eyes, minds

As Yom Kippur approaches, curiousity reigns at more than a dozen Chicago area Catholic high schools where students and teachers ask questions about Jewish holidays and traditions.
They receive informed answers from a rabbi.
Full text available

Black Priests, Black Panthers: Breaking barriers at every turn

The Catholic New World series on Black Catholics in Chicago continues examining what it means to be “the first.”

Visible Men

Full text available

Native son

Full text available

Update
Msgr. Velo takes medical leave

Msgr. Ken Velo, president of the Catholic Church Extension Society, has begun a medical leave of absence.
In granting the leave, Cardinal George praised Velo’s lengthy service to the church. “Everyone … knows the level of energy and commitment he has brought to the church and the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 25 years. He now needs to slow his pace and seek healing.”
Velo, 53, has led Extension since 1994. Before that, he was executive assistant for Cardinal Bernardin. He also has been archdiocesan vice-chancellor and held other posts.
The announcement was made by Dick Ritter, Extension Society vice president, who will temporarily assume the responsibilities of Velo’s office.
“My prayers are with Msgr. Velo,” Cardinal George said in a statement, “and I look forward to his return to good health.”
The Catholic Church Extension Society is a national organization dedicated to serving poor dioceses in the United States. More than $12 million a year are collected and distributed. Velo has received many honors for his role with Extension.

Respect Life
Taking a stand for life

Special contributor Helen Alvare gives her perspective of what it means take a stand for life.
Alvare, served as director of planning and information for the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities 1990-2000.

Interview
For Brooks, pro-life means anti-death penalty

This week, Catholic New World staff writer Michael D. Wamble talks with Deacon George Brooks, director of advocacy for Kolbe House.
Full text available

News
Possible $500 million Medicaid cut draws protest
Auxiliary Bishop Edwin Conway and Catholic health care officials joined leaders from many Chicago-area health care institutions at a press conference Sept. 21 to warn that thousands of poor people could lose medical services because of a possible change in federal Medicaid reimbursement rules.
Full text available

Theologians: condoms OK in certain cases, but not as policy

While debate continues among Catholic theologians on the issue, most agree tolerance of the use of prophylactics could be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Still, the practice of promoting condom use as a matter of policy in the fight against AIDS could never occur.

Commentary/Letters

In his column, The Catholic Difference, George Weigel helps clear the air after “Dominus Iesus.” Father Marcel Pasciak reminds couples that good marriages make better Christians.

Changing of guard? Age shifts focus on ‘papabili’

Vatican-watchers note that cardinals once considered as possible papal candidates have chosen other paths, namely retirement.

Polish cardinal to visit Chicago parishes

Cardinal Joseph Glemp of Poland will visit Chicago Oct. 6-8 to celebrate Polish unity.
Cardinal Glemp will be the principal celebrant at four Masses: 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at Holy Trinity Mission Church, 1118 N. Noble; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Five Holy Martyrs Church, 4301 S. Richmond St.; 10 a.m. Oct 8 at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, 5352 W. Belden Ave.; and 12:30 p.m. at St. Hyacinth Church, 3636 W. Wolfram St.

Parish Pride
St. Raymond de Penafort
301 S. I-Oka Ave., Mount Prospect

With an aura of simplicity and elegance, this parish of 3,400 families allows the Lord to shape them into a church community under the motto “All are welcome in this place.” In this its 51st year, a new $7 million building campaign is underway to add more classrooms, a new gym, meeting rooms and a community gathering space.

Church Clips

The Chicago Olympic connection — Australian native and Josephinum High School principal, Sister Donna Collins, RSCJ, will have 2000’s Aussie Summer Olympics in mind when the Oct. 14 “Jo Games” take place. Here’s a competition where teamwork and sportsmanship skills are more important than winning. Jo Games were created for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls from local inner city schools who don’t live in neighborhoods where they can go outside and play softball or basketball safely with friends. The games provide an opportunity for them to compete in a unique athletic tournament in a safe environment. Ninety-six percent of the students attending Wicker Park’s Josephinum are minority (Latino and African-American) young women from around the city, with 90 percent going on to college. For games info, call Zulma Ortiz at (773) 276-1261.

 

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