A weekly column of benevolent gossip

Pro-Life pen ’n’ ink — Bil Keane’s work is distinctive and carries the innocence of little kids. His “Family Circus” cartoon is rated high in popularity polls. An original full-color Keane drawing was recently created just for The Women’s Center, a local pro-life crisis pregnancy agency. Keane, who has a strong Catholic faith, said he gets many requests nationally and has to turn down most, but this one he felt “happy to support.” The autographed cartoon will be the focal point for a once-in-a-lifetime Web-based auction. It will go to the highest bidder between April 1 and May 2. Bidding will begin at $500 and continue in $10 increments at www.womens-center.org. Proceeds go to support the counseling work of the center.

Just like home — When St. Emeric Parish (Country Club Hills) celebrates this year’s Seder dinner at 6 p.m. April 9, they won't be using the usual disposable plates, glasses and flatware. Parishioners have been asked to donate their cupboard’s extra or unmatched pieces in advance. Object: To create a more homelike atmosphere. (Now if everyone were to bring a dish towel for later, it would really seem like home.)

Lost and found art — Sister Cecilia Schmitt, OFM, says palm weaving is more than just a lost art. She calls it “a religious practice” for the family and she hopes to revive it. Emphasis on the sacred practice grew into an all-state palm braiding festival on Palm Sunday 1999, in St. Cloud, Minn. About 600 participants watched 40 palm-braiding experts do their stuff, learned how to do it and listened to liturgists. Sister also thinks the work is easy enough for preschool children and disabled adults. She has over 100 patterns in a how-to book as well as a video kit that also tells the custom’s history. She sells them for $20 + $2.50 for shipping. Order the book or video from St. Francis Studios, 1035 N. 32nd. Ave., St. Cloud, MN 56303; or call Sister at (320) 252-1234, or check her Web site at www.chem.umb.edu/Palms,

Blessings, not indulgences — Papal blessings on parchment are now as close as the information highway. They are available for occasions like weddings, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmation, ordination, birthdays or jubilees via the Internet. For decades they could only be obtained through religious goods stores in the Vatican. San Michele Arcangelo is one of the first outside companies to offer the service over the World Wide Web and will include a Vatican souvenir, blessed during the Jubilee. The papal “blessing” is not sold. The modest fee covers the parchment, calligraphy, shipping and handling. They arrive by mail and cost between $24 and $42, depending on the design. See www.sanmichelearcangelo.com for more details and samples. There is also a Vatican Art & Souvenirs site on the Web that has a larger parchment, just one design, selling for $48 and arrives in 10-12 days by FedEx. The site also shows unique rosaries, artsy t-shirts, and religious items, available at www. vatican-souvenirs.com. Without the Internet, a person can call the arch’s office of the vice chancellor at (312) 751-8382. He will send you the mailing address to contact. These parchments from Rome cost $45 and take several months to arrive.

Junior Clips — Seventh-graders at St. Clement School (N. Orchard) aren’t just passing up junk food for Lent. Some told the pastor they were giving up “sarcasm or negativity,” and others were going out of their way to help others. . . .Brittany A. Brown, a senior at Carmel High School (Mundelein), received the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award, in a ceremony March 11. . . .Eddie Aquino, sophomore at St. Patrick High School (W. Belmont), just made Eagle Scout, Boy Scouting’s highest rank.

Send your benevolent gossip to Church Clips, 721 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610 or via e-mail to: [email protected]

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