Issue of April 12th – April 25th
Dinner like a ‘pep rally’ for cathedral
Next year, Holy Name Cathedral Parish might skip February all together. At least that’s what Father Daniel Mayall, pastor of the parish, joked to a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the “All Join Hands to Raise the Roof” dinner March 30 at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago.
Historic Order of Malta hosts first showing of new JP II documentary
When the Order of Malta hosts the U.S. charity premiere of “Testimony,” a documentary about the life of Pope John Paul II, May 8, its members will be doing something new.
Young adults find ‘Spirit and Truth’
Spirit and Truth, a new young-adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago, is more than just Thursday night meetings where talks, discussion and socializing take place each week. Spirit and Truth is a “way of life,” according to Michael Sullivan, director of mission advancement at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy at Stanislaus Kostka Parish where the gatherings take place.
Insidious sin of pride can only be conquered through humility
We’re number one! We’re number one.” What sports fan doesn’t enjoy shouting this phrase? To be number one, to be in first place, to be a champion, is to have no equal. To show their team pride, fans don caps, jerseys, sweatshirts and anything they can find bearing their favorite team’s logo.
Christians, Jews each see themselves in Abraham
When people speak of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as the three “Abrahamic” faiths, and suggest that members of the traditions should see themselves as equal members of the Abrahamic family, they are missing a central point, said Jon Levenson, who offered the 14th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture.
Choosing to be Catholic
Each year thousands of people in Cook and Lake counties make the decision to become members of the Catholic Church. They join people down through the centuries who have chosen to follow a faith presented by Jesus Christ. Conversion stories are often powerful — emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Given the rites of Christian initiation that conclude at the Easter vigil each year, we wanted to share some stories of conversion. May they remind us all of our need to continually grow in holiness and persevere in our journey to Jesus.
He discovered 50 wasn’t too late to join the church
Let me first briefly set the backdrop that accentuates my Catholic conversion experience. I am now 63 years old but didn’t see Christ in my heart for at least the first 45 years.
Who wrote letters of St. Paul?
Who wrote the letters of St. Paul? It sounds like a trick question, but Scripture scholars today spill much ink in discussions about the authorship of the Pauline epistles. Why would such a question arise? What are the most important things for ordinary Catholics to know about St. Paul as a biblical author?
Remembering the plight of Christians in Iraq
For Father Dominic Grassi, pastor of St. Gertrude Parish in Edgewater, it was a moment of grace when he met a small boy named Saad.
Cardinal’s comments
Because many different accounts are circulating about what Cardinal George said concerning the University of Notre Dame’s invitation to President Obama to speak at their commencement exercises and receive an honorary degree, the following clarifications might be of help:
Death, love gently explored
Looking for films that entertain and inspire little ones? A new rendition of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” directed by Michael Landon Jr., and voiced by Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt, Ellen Burstyn and others, is now available on DVD.
End run on ND? — The 5th Annual Midwest Regional Bioethics Conference sponsored by the Catholic Physicians’ Guild of Chicago and several other Midwest pro-life guilds, medical schools and hospitals, is still scheduled for May 2. However, instead of being held at the University of Notre Dame, it will take place at the facilities of Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend campus. 
Frank’s first confession was nothing like mine.
Well, maybe not “nothing like.” They were both face-to-face, and they both involved a priest. But our initiations to the sacrament of reconciliation, some 30 years apart, had a totally different feeling.
When I went, the priest I was assigned to was stationed in the sacristy. I walked in and sat in front of him, with my knees shaking, and totally forgot everything I was supposed to say.
We are living in a sexually toxic society that views children as objects and uses media to exploit them. That’s what prevention expert Cordelia Anderson shared at the fourth-annual National Safe Environment Leadership Conference held last month and sponsored by the archdiocese’s Office for Protection of Children and Youth.
Anderson operates a training and consultation business based in Minneapolis and has 30 years of experience in prevention — promoting healthy development and preventing harmful behaviors.
She spoke with editor Joyce Duriga while at the conference. April is national Child Abuse Prevention Month.
