The Catholic New World - News Digest 11/12/00

11/12/00

This week, The Catholic New World includes coverage of the Black Catholic Convocation 2000, the first gathering of its kind in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the naming of a new auxiliary bishop.

News:

Assisted suicide, voucher bills are defeated

A move to permit assisted suicide in Maine was defeated Nov. 7 with the support of the state’s Catholic leaders. Also defeated were ballot questions that would have given vouchers to private school students in Michigan and California.

Measures against same-sex marriages passed by 2 to 1 margins in Nevada and Nebraska, while a proposal to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in Maine appeared likely to fail, despite support from the state’s Catholic bishops.

Immigrants, criminal justice on bishops’ agenda

Immigrants, immigration reform, crime and criminal justice, and the relation of church buildings and art to liturgy are among major topics the U.S. Catholic bishops will take up when they meet in Washington Nov. 13-16.

They will also vote on brief statements titled “The U.S. Supreme Court and the Culture of Death” and “Sudan’s Cry for Peace.”

Bishops face vote on church art, architecture

The U.S. Catholic bishops will be asked to vote on principles of church art and architecture when they meet in Washington Nov. 13-16.

The document before them is titled “Built of Living Stones,”' a 110-page statement providing national guidelines on art, architecture and worship.

Commentary:

Farewell, Steverino

In his lengthy obituaries, comedian, composer and moral conscience Steve Allen was honored for his varied talents and achievements. Being gracious, it seems, was high among them.

Just a week before he went to his gentle demise (Oct. 30), Allen wrote this personal e-mail to me at The Catholic New World: “Dear Dolores, thanks for sending me the results of our recent interview. And thanks, too, for allotting it so much space in The Catholic New World. It’s a fine paper and I’m grateful to you for bringing it to my attention. Cordially, Steve Allen.”

Briefs:

Memorial Mass for Cardinal Bernardin

Cardinal George will celebrate a memorial Mass for Cardinal Bernardin at 12:10 p.m. Nov. 17 at Holy Name Cathedral. The Mass will commemorate the fourth anniversary of Cardinal Bernardin’s death. Participants also will remember all of the archdiocesan priests who have died during the past year. Priests who wish to participate in the liturgy are asked to bring their own albs and white stoles.

Parish Pride:

St. Hilary Church
5600 N. Fairfield Ave.
A cucumber field on the city’s North Side owned by a pickle company in the 1920s became the site of St. Hilary’s first parish buildings. This is their third church. Executed by architect John Jay Fox and dedicated in 1956, it was inspired by the designs of two 16th century giants. Lofty wooden trusswork throughout combines Palladio’s love of geometric drama with Bramante’s gift for illusion—you peer through it to “heaven” above. This parish, with its own resident opera company, can also celebrate unity in diversity, boasting they “are there for each other,” and will mark its 75th jubilee next year.

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Homecoming — Another jubilee celebration, this one a pilgrimage of converts to Catholicism, just concluded in Rome. The Path to Rome congress, Nov. 2-8, was promoted by “Miles Jesu” (Soldiers of Christ), which defines itself as an “ecclesial family of consecrated life.” Founded in 1964, it is now in 13 countries with more than 1,000 associates, including bishops, priests, consecrated persons, celibate lay people and married couples. Speakers at the jubilee event included the former Anglican bishop of London as well as the Archduchess Alexandra of Austria. Scott Hahn, former Presbyterian minister and one of our country’s most famous Catholic converts, said, “There are few moments of greater happiness than to know you have returned home, to be reunited with the family, parents, brothers and sisters. We have been enriched, because we now have the Eucharist and other sacraments, the splendor of Christ, Mary and the saints, the pope, the magisterium.”

Recipe for recognition — In going through the supermarket check-out aisle, look for the December issue of Better Homes and Gardens “Hometown Cooking—The Best Holiday Baking in America.” Grab it! On page 28, you’ll find the saga of that rustic, historic church, St. James at Sag Bridge in Lemont! The next 16 glossy pages contain color photos of parishioners, pastor, church, their cook book and its mouth-watering samples from BH&G’s test kitchen— “Eggnog Bread” to “Cranberry-Apple Casserole.” You can find more St. James recipes at www.hometowncook.com, including one for “Croatian Walnut Cake.” You can order a cookbook by calling (630) 257-7000.

Had enough politics? — The process of beatification of the one-time mayor of Palermo, Italy, Prince Francesco Paolo Gravina, has just moved forward. The lonely prince lost his mother at age 5, a brother died, three sisters entered cloistered convents, and his marriage was a failure. But in undergoing a gradual conversion, he embraced the poor and was elected mayor of Palermo in 1835. He opened his house to the destitute, later managed a homeless shelter for 1,000 people and founded a religious order. His religious institutes still help orphans and the elderly in Italy today. During a ceremony last week, they said he showed it was possible to be a faithful husband despite difficulties, a holy administrator and be an agent of charity besides. Some day he may become the patron saint of mayors. Hurry.

Starting over — Parishes, schools, and priests in the diocese of Worcester, Mass. got a pleasant jubilee surprise recently. Their shepherd, Bishop Daniel Reilly, canceled all their debts owed to the diocese. “I hope this initiative will contribute to make priests and parishes address the challenges they face with renewed vigor,” the bishop told the diocesan weekly bulletin.

Idea exchange — During this year preceding the 75th anniversary of St. Hilary Parish (N. Fairfield) on May 6, 2001, they are inviting priests and former pastors who served there through the years, to come back and celebrate a 10 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of each month.

Junior Clips — Volunteers, staff, students and parents from Sacred Heart Schools (N. Sheridan) wielded brooms, weeded, replanted and shoveled woodchips to spearhead a “spruce up” at an all-girls’ high school in the city last month. Josephinum High School (N. Oakley), was one of the schools in 21 cities that benefited during a National Day of Service as part of the 200th anniversary activities honoring the Religious of the Sacred Heart.

The pines of Marmion — Thousands of pine and spruce trees are available at Marmion Academy’s 100-acre pine forest, near Warrenville, from 9 a.m.-dusk, Nov. 24 to Dec. 23. Prices range from $20-$30, and depending on the type, they are 6 to 11 feet tall. Bring a small bow saw to save time, or use one of the abbey’s. Call (630) 897-3011 for a recorded message.