New bill introduced to abolish capital punishment in Illinois

In 2000, when then-Gov. George Ryan established a moratorium on executions in Illinois, activists called for the state to go further and abolish the death penalty entirely.

Cardinal George taps into e-mail network

Cardinal George will begin offering short e-mail reflections, prayers and other messages to Catholics who sign up to receive them.

Cathedral ‘raising the roof’

Donations to repair fire damage coming from around country

A cathedral is the home church of an entire diocese, a focal point for the whole local church.

So when Holy Name Cathedral was damaged by a fire Feb. 4, Father Daniel Mayall, the rector and pastor of the cathedral parish, wasted no time in reassuring the faithful that the cathedral would continue to offer services and that the building would be repaired and reopen — and asking for help to make that happen.

St. Mary’s 24 hours of grace

Lake Forest parish hears confessions ‘all night long’

Father Michael McGovern, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Lake Forest, has come up with a successful set of ingredients to help jump start Lent at his parish and among Catholics in the northern part of the archdiocese. He said he mixes together one parish church, the Ten Commandments and at least 13 priests to create the sacramental sustenance known as “24 Hours of Grace.”

Loyola chaplain warms hearts

BVM Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt doesn’t look like she belongs on a basketball court.

But the small-framed sister, who retired from full-time work at Loyola University Chicago 15 years ago, plays a vital role for the Loyola men’s basketball team, serving as the chaplain since her retirement. She also serves as a part-time campus minister for the university, spending three days a week making herself available to students and staff.

Sin, like gravity, is a downer

During the season of Lent we begin our next Finding Grace series exploring what are known as the seven ‘deadly’ or ‘capital’ sins

Humankind has always sought the ability to fly. Unfortunately, gravity is a downer pun intended. The force of gravity pulls us down and keeps us from flying. And yet, I wrote this article while soaring at an altitude of 39,000 feet. On a jet plane, of course. On my own, I can’t fly. I can only do so with the help of an airplane.

Liturgical eating: Tips for adding the Lord to your diet

This Lent, stop dieting and start eating like a Catholic. That’s right — eating like a Catholic. There really is such a thing. Think of it as liturgical eating.

Hear the words of the Apostle this Lent

In commemoration of the Year of St. Paul proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal George invited parishes in each vicariate of the Archdiocese of Chicago to host an afternoon or evening during which an entire letter written by St. Paul would be read aloud. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of oral recitation of Scripture. Most recently, Pope Benedict participated in a 24-hour Bible reading marathon over six days in Rome last October.

Did you miss the Oscars?

So, who wants to rehash old news? Well, you know how pizza often tastes better the next day? For those who missed the Oscars or fell asleep during the Oscars or didn’t watch even half of the Oscar-nominated movies, this mini retrospective is for you.

Smyth joins second round of sports inductees

It’s usually reserved for reviewing footage from last week’s game or highlights of next week’s opponent, but on Feb. 21 the auditorium at the Chicago Bears’ famed Halas Hall became a sanctuary for Mass and a platform for the love of Jesus and the talents he gives his athletes for the second annual Sports Faith Hall of Fame induction ceremony.