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a column of benevolent gossip
‘From breviary to bayonet’ —
Historically Old St. Pat’s Parish (W. Adams) has had impressive pastors. It was founded in 1846 by Father Denis Dunne, he was its builder and first pastor. In 1862, as the Civil War raged, Dunne, at 36, was the engine that pulled together the 90th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the “Irish Legion.”Motivated partly out of patriotism, he also wanted to prove Irish Catholics did support the Union’s war effort. He drew Irish immigrant recruits from around the Midwest, but started with his own parishioners. The Legion’s first quartermaster, for instance, was the first president of its St. Vincent de Paul Society, begun in Chicago by Dunne. The Legion took part in some of the roughest campaigns, including Missionary Ridge and Sherman’s march to the sea, and suffered 400 casualties. Author James B. Swan is an independent historian and retired Iowa State University professor who authored “Chicago’s Irish Legion: The 90th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War.” He loves his subject. Never dry, the book also spotlights firsthand accounts from the soldiers “who endured the misery of frigid winters and brutal environments, struggling against the ravages of disease and hunger as they marched more than 2,600 miles over the course of the war.” “Chicago’s Irish Legion” is recommended and available at bookstores, or at amazon.com.
James B. Swan’s 300-page
labor of love about Old St.
Pat’s and “Chicago’s Irish
Legion.”Hearty news —
According to Life-News.com, scientists from several institutions just published a study showing the latest benefits of adult stem cells for heart attack patients. The injected stem cells (derived from adult bone marrow) migrated to the damaged heart and began repairing damaged tissue in 53 patients who had recent heart attacks. See the Dec. 8, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology for the news you won’t see anywhere else.A little late —
But happy 100th birthday to longtime Pullman resident Alice Busin of St. Anthony’s (Roseland) who rarely misses the Monday Senior Bingo at her parish.Cathedral caroling —
The enduring “Ides of March” band once again sang a couple numbers at Holy Name Cathedral’s (N. State) 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. The rock group has been a feature at the Mass since Dec. 24, 2005. “Sharing Christmas” is their original carol and portions of its album sales have contributed to cathedral dinners for the needy, as well as its recent renovation fund. The Ides, originally called “The Shon-Dels,” when they started out in Berwyn, celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2004, still maintaining an international following.Didja know? —
Does everyone know that Craig Robinson, basketball coach at Oregon State University, is First Lady Michelle Obama’s brother? According to an interview in The Oregonian, Robinson attributes his education and experience at Mount Carmel High School (S. Dante) with preparing him for Princeton University and an early career as an investment banker.Making a difference —
Another Maryville (Des Plaines) success story is Marine Gunnery Sgt. Frank Lopez. Featured in a recent issue of “Voice of Maryville,” Lopez came to the Catholic campus for at-risk kids in 1989 at age 14 from what he calls a “not-sogreat family environment.” He says Maryville was “a gift and I remain grateful to this day.” An active-duty career U.S. Marine since 1995, he is on his third combat tour in Iraq.
One of many Catholic school food drives in
time for the holidays.Send your benevolent gossip to Church Clips, Catholic New World, P.O. Box 1979, Chicago, IL 60690-1979; or e-mail to dmadlener@catholicnewworld.com.
