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Issue of November 21, 2004
UPDATE Bringing comfort, seeking peace, praying to end bloodshed Two of the victims—an 18-year-old and a man in his 20s—died. A 13-year-old girl was injured. For Father Peter McQuinn, they are only the most recent victims of violence in a community torn by gangs, substance abuse and domestic violence. McQuinn, pastor of Epiphany for seven years, arrived to find a parish already involved in advocating against violence. Since then, the parish has expanded and continued its efforts, both on its own and in conjunction with other churches in the community, including St. Agnes of Bohemia, Our Lady of Tepeyac and Good Shepherd. No decision made on schools’ future Following media reports that as many as 40 schools are threatened with closure or consolidation, archdiocesan officials said no decisions have been made, but the process of assessing the viability of Catholic schools is an ongoing one. Jim Dwyer, an archdiocesan spokesman, said recommendations could be made to Cardinal George in January, though there was no deadline. “As we continue to plan proactively for the future of our schools, we are constantly evaluating situations where we know that circumstances have changed in the many decades since … schools were established,” said Nicholas Wolsonovich, superintendent of schools, in a statement. “Our goal is to make sure we are meeting the current demand for Catholic education while building a stronger future for those families who choose Catholic schools.” Sometimes, he said, that involves opening a new school or “creating a new model of education.” Other times, he said, schools close for a variety of reasons, such as shifting populations or diminishing financial resources. The planning process involves episcopal vicars, parishes, parents, local school board members, alumni and others. Enrollment has dwindled for decades as fewer families choose Catholic schools. Grassi cited for mental health aid Bishop Francis Kane was the main celebrant Nov. 14 for the archdiocese’s annual Mass for person with mental illness, their families, friends and mental health workers. Sponsored by the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness, the Mass was celebrated at St. Josaphat Church. Father Dominic Grassi, pastor, was honored with the commission’s first Founders’ Award for his support of persons with mental illness. For information on the commission and its activities, call (708) 383-9276.
NEWS Finding a way home Charities, VA collaborate to help those who paid ‘the price of freedom’ It’s a national scandal that an estimated 300,000 veterans sleep on the streets of the country they defended, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago intends to do something about it. That was the message from Father Michael Boland, administrator of Catholic Charities, at the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 25 and at a special press conference Nov. 10, timed for coverage to coincide with Veteran’s Day. The centerpiece of Catholic Charities’ efforts to help homeless vets is a plan to build a 141-unit studio apartment building for veterans on the site of the former St. Leo the Great Parish, 7750 S. Emerald Ave. The campus also will include an outpatient Veterans’ Administration medical clinic, counseling services and a Department of Labor job training and placement program for veterans.
Bishops face packed agenda With such internal matters as elections and budget out of the way, members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops went into regional meetings and executive session still facing a hefty agenda as The Catholic New World went to press Nov. 16 . Among the topics scheduled to be debated during the last two days of the Nov. 15-18 fall general meeting in Washington were the first national Catholic catechism for adults; several Spanish-language liturgical texts that would incorporate important Latin American rituals into church services; a proposal to join a new ecumenical association, Christian Churches Together in the USA; a plan to write a pastoral letter on marriage; and follow-up to the bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
Skylstad to lead bishops Cardinal George elected vice president The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 15 elected Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., as USCCB president for the next three years. Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago was elected vice president of the conference. Under conference rules, the remaining nine presidential candidates run for vice president; the cardinal was elected on the third ballot with 118 votes out of 230 cast.
Bishop Gregory reflects n a Nov. 15 speech opening the last meeting he will chair, the outgoing president of the U.S. bishops emotionally thanked those who helped him through a tumultuous three years for the U.S. Catholic Church and predicted that “the conference as we know it is likely to be a much different conference five or 10 years from now.” Bishop Wilton D. Gregory opened the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with the traditional president’s address, in which he reflected on the difficulties of his term, particularly the sexual abuse crisis, which he called “the greatest scandal that the church in the United States perhaps has ever confronted.”
McChesney plans to step down Kathleen McChesney, who set up the U.S. bishops’ office to help dioceses implement child sex abuse prevention policies, plans to resign Feb. 25 after publication of the 2004 diocesan compliance audits. Children are safer now under the church’s policies but the bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection will continue to function, McChesney said Nov. 15 to reporters covering the bishops’ general meeting.
In search of the ‘Catholic vote’ Analysts find Catholics split like other voters The “Catholic vote” sought with such determination in this year’s presidential race went to President George W. Bush by about the same margin the rest of the country voted for him. As they study results from this year’s election, analysts are suggesting that the frequency with which people go to church may be a better predictor of how people vote than their religious affiliation.
Rassas new vicar general Father George J. Rassas has been appointed vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal George, effective Nov. 30. Rassas had been pastor of St. Mary Parish, Lake Forest. He replaces retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond E. Goedert, who had reassumed the position as interim vicar general Aug. 20 following the death of Bishop Edwin Conway. In his new role as vicar general, Rassas will assist the archbishop as a chief executive officer and will function in the archbishop’s name during his absence.
Three named to guide health care Bishop Jerome Listecki has been named the Cardinal George’s Liaison for Health and Hospital Affairs—a position previously held by Bishop Edwin Conway, who died in August. In addition, Cardinal George named two delegates to share the responsibilities of maintaining the traditional Catholic role of health-care facilities. “Bishop Conway did a phenomenal job,” Bishop Listecki said. “You just don’t replace somebody like that … nobody that can come in and take over his persona because that was developed over so many years. Think of all the relationships he had. Now, you have three people replacing one.”
Leading the crowd Stewardship, evangelization key topic for members of councils, commissions American Catholics have received God’s gifts in abundance, and they must give them back the same way, said Bishop Robert Morneau of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wis. Bishop Morneau, well-known speaker and writer on the meaning of stewardship, offered his thoughts to about 1,000 people at Parish Leadership Day Nov. 6. The day offers members of parish commissions or councils a chance to learn and to refresh and renew their commitment to serving their communities. This year’s event featured an emphasis on stewardship, with Bishop Morneau’s talk and a series of workshops. Other topics included the basic functions of a parish pastoral council to effective communication to how to minister in a multicultural parish. Workshops also were offered in Spanish.
A fond farewell South Side parish offers prayers as pastor reports for duty in Baghdad By Michelle Martin Staff writer Two months after completing his Army chaplain’s training, Father John H. Barkemeyer was headed to Baghdad. Barkemeyer, pastor of St. Cajetan Parish in the Southwest Side Beverly neighborhood for six years, said his rapid deployment demonstrates the urgent need for Catholic priests to serve the needs of U.S. servicemembers. Barkemeyer, 40, got orders Nov. 3 to report for duty Nov. 13. “They say they need at least 300 Catholic priests, and they’ve got about 100,” he said. “When I was in training, I was impressed with the commitment the Army showed to meeting the religious needs of the soldiers. They do the best they can with the resources they have.”
Pope cites ecumenism as a priority of his service Christians must not despair at their lack of unity, but must rejoice at how much closer they are to one another and must renew their commitment to continuing the ecumenical journey, Pope John Paul II said. “True ecumenism does not exist without interior conversion and the purification of memories, without a holiness of life in conformity with the Gospel and, especially, without intense and constant prayer,” the pope said Nov. 13 during an ecumenical evening prayer service.
Priests’ Council leader sees need to change clergy image In the wake of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, the Catholic Church must find a way to move forward, but perhaps with a different view of the priesthood, said Father Robert Silva, the president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils. “We see a world in need of evangelization,” Silva said. “It’s a multi-ethnic world, a multi-generational world, it’s a transgenerational world. It’s a world that yearns and struggles. We need not be afraid. We need to go forward with hope.” Front Page | Digest | Cardinal | Observations |
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program “One Church One Child,” as pastor of Holy Angels (E. Oakwood). It was old home week Nov. 17 when Clements’ four adopted sons flew into town as well as Lou Gossett Jr. who played Clements on TV. Over 150,000 kids in 20 states have a new life, thanks to the innovative adoption program.