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Church Clips by dolores madlener People and places — When Tommy Lasorda’s U.S. Olympic Baseball Team triumphed over
the mighty Cubans, skeptics were surprised. Not Lasorda. His words
before planing to Australia: “We aren’t flying 6,000 miles to
lose!” Outspoken manager of two World Series Dodgers’ teams and
a U.S. Army veteran, Lasorda is upfront about his Catholic faith
as well. In 1989 as spokesman for Catholic Charities USA’s Caritas
MasterCard, Lasorda said he accepted the post to show his gratitude
for God’s blessings. . . . Unsinkable Franciscan Father Augustin
(Gus) Milon, founder of Port Ministries on the South Side, is
now an author. “Wisdom From the Poor” is scripturally-centered
with prayerful reflections, illustrated with photos by Markus
Giolas. Donation is $13.50, including shipping and can be ordered
by calling (773) 561-4978. Wags’ corner — John J. Lyons feels upbeat after last Sunday’s win: “Bears’
Coach Dick Jauron must have called Dr. Laura because he was able
to ‘go take on the day.’” Clips has never met Lyons, but to readers
inquiring about the mysterious wag (i.e. joker or wit), here’s
what we know: He was a member of St. Juliana Parish (N. Osceola)
for a long time, but two years ago was stricken and in a coma
for many months. His scribbles of sports quips eventually began
appearing in our mailbox from a convalescent home in Niles where
he continues to recuperate. Lyons has a sense of humor that triumphs
over physical setbacks. Unholy pirates — Thieves are stripping Guatemala of its heritage of historic
Catholic artifacts, according to the Central American country’s
archeological community. It’s a profitable business, since Guatemala
has the fourth-largest collection of antique Catholic religious
art in Latin America. More than 100 statues of Christ, the Blessed
Mother and saints have been stolen from Guatemalan churches since
1998. Churches in Mexico, Peru and Bolivia are also victims of
plundering. Like a challenge? — Curious how it would be to have a live-in experience at a Trappist
or Benedictine Monastery? Prayerful single men are invited to
“live the life of a monk for a few days” and learn more about
the vocation from the monks themselves. The unusual retreat is
popular and free, and space is limited. Locations are in Kentucky,
Utah, Virginia, Alabama and Georgia. There are also live-ins available
for women at some of the women’s monasteries! Call Natalia at
(954) 340-5705. Junior Clips — De La Salle (S. Wabash) senior Ben Wonzer spent a day during
summer vacation in the pits. Of a race track, that is. Wonzer
was invited to Target’s Grand Prix at the Chicago Motor Speedway
to interview racers Jimmy Vasser and Juan Montoya. He calls it
a “once in a lifetime experience.” His article in this month’s
“TeenInk” journal says auto racing is the toughest and most popular
spectator sport in the country—World Series playoffs notwithstanding.
Finding out about G-forces makes being an aspiring attorney sound
like a piece of cake for the National Honor Society member. Milestones — Msgr. John Hayes, pastor emeritus of Epiphany Parish (S. Keeler),
who is well remembered for his exciting (not inciting) lectures
on economics and labor, might be the perfect person to explain
the difference between the tax/spend/save plans of our two major
presidential candidates. Last month he celebrated his 70th jubilee
as a priest, as did Father Cletus Lynch, his other classmate among
1930’s ordinands. Lynch, now retired in Florida, grew up in the
then-boonies of Lemont in St. Alphonsus Parish and became the
first chaplain at Resurrection Hospital as well as founding pastor
of St. Louise de Marillac Parish in La Grange Park. “Ad multos
annos!” Energizer bunny — The Rosary Crusade keeps going and going, providing free rosaries
and scapulars for people to distribute in their parishes. October,
being rosary month and all, you might have some creative places
and people to gift with a rosary. They are free, although you
could include a little donation. Write to The Rosary Crusade,
P. O. Box 147, Waukon, IA 52172. It’s so easy to flit from project
to project,
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