Issue of February 28 – March 13
Catholic school board bestows its first honors
The first Distinguished Service Awards dinner sponsored by the Office of Catholic Schools and the archdiocese’s Board of Catholic Schools honored the following people during the Feb. 21 event.
Archdiocese releases 2009 financial report
Overview provided in special pullout section
The Archdiocese of Chicago released its Annual Report in this issue of the Catholic New World. The report outlines the financial position of the archdiocese in 2009.
“In difficult times, the numbers disclose good management of limited resources and continuous review of parishes and programs,” Cardinal George writes in his letter with the report.
It is in the desert where we hear God’s voice the loudest
Lent plays a considerable role in the liturgical year. This time should help us experience the mysteries of salvation in our lives. The liturgy offers us signs and symbols drawn from a tradition that’s been given meaning by God. It is worth seeing these symbols and signs as a way to approach his plan of salvation for us.
Ill. Freedom of Choice Act returns
For the second consecutive year, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union are advocating for legislation in Springfield that, among other things, seeks to nullify existing regulations of abortion, publicly fund abortions and threaten healthcare worker’s right of conscience. The legislation is House Bill 6205.
Beyond the rings
The Catholic Church’s rich teaching on marriage explored in pastoral letter from U.S. bishops
Your marriage is important to the Catholic Church. That is the underlying message of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” Released by the U.S. bishops during their meeting last November. After just wrapping up Valentine’s Day celebrations and gearing up for wedding season, we thought now would be a good time to take a look at what this document has to offer.
Girls Catholic Athletic Conference celebrates 35 years
It seems foreign these days to talk about girls sports as an afterthought, an absent piece of the American high school landscape. Yet, that’s precisely what it was in 1974.
People are hungry but you can help
Catholic Charities holds food drive throughout Cook and Lake Counties
From her spot in the former convent of St. Francis of Rome Parish in west suburban Cicero, Dalia Rocotello is directing a dedicated staff of personnel at the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center. The demand has never been so high, the need so great.
Marriage tale misses the mark
A new Christian movie about marriage titled “No Greater Love” is a disappointment.
Yes, the interior design of a church can help us pray better
This review is not written for artists, architects, pastors, seminary students, designers, liturgists, contractors or professors. “Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy” should simply be their required reading.
Lent’s white flag — “What are you giving up?” is the question going ’round these 40 days. According to Paddy Power, Ireland’s largest bookmaker, here are the odds on popular Lenten penances: chocolate is the 11/8 favorite folly Catholics will “give up,” followed by red meat and alcohol. New on the list are Twitter and Facebook, the 10/1 favorites folks say they’ll avoid. Mobile phone abstinence is a toughie at 33/1, just behind iPods. (“Not betting” is ninth on the list of the 14 most popular Irish penances.)
When Frank was born, Caroline was excited at first. Then she realized he really didn’t do much besides eat, sleep and cry — and take up lots of my time — and by the time he was a month old, she asked when, not if, he was going back.
