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a column of benevolent gossip
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Mail call —
Clips received a Fourth of July shout out from “Padre” Chris Doering. The former pastor of Our Lady of Victory (W. Agatite) is at Ft. Jackson, S.C., in military chaplain training.
“Padre” Christopher Doering
(military-chaplain-in-training)
It’s slightly different than Mundelein Seminary training: “Overall, I feel OK with my performance in the two-mile run test (237 out of 300). Not too shabby. But hearing the numbers from my classmates I have some work ahead of me. Our fastest runner did it in a little over 12 minutes! However, I outweigh him by at least 80 lbs. and we’re the same height. Not much wind resistance with him — a lot of wind drag for me!”
Priesthood and the military have ceremony in common: “Today was the end of our Chaplain Initial Military Training, although I still have more to do until Sept. 2. The completion of this phase was our beret-donning ceremony. We diligently prepared our berets (shaving, wetting and shaping) for the past couple weeks until they were inspection-ready for today.
“Independence Day is upon us. It seems more special now that I am wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army. I always had respect and admiration for those who serve. I have even more now. ... How much of a sacrifice these men and women make on a daily basis is amazing. (The sacrifices become greater once deployment happens.) Please keep all members of our armed forces in your prayers.” -
Parish potpourri —
Mary Nicolini, parishioner at St. Hilary’s (N. California) turned 104 on July 7. She’s a faithful fan of the Catholic New World. Her daughter Dina, says she still reads her paper without glasses. . . . The last four “missing” alums from St. Mary of Perpetual Help’s (W. 32nd St.) class of 1960 were found in time for a Sept. 18 reunion. . . . St. Norbert’s and Our Lady of the Brook’s youth ministry (Northbrook) will host 24 teens (ages 16-19) and four adults from Muenster, Germany, this summer. Father John Arntz, who has already visited St. Norbert’s in the Crossing Over project, will accompany the travelers. The group will spend one week in July living with parishioner families, having fun and seeing Chicago. The second week the German and American teens will work on a Habitat for Humanity project in Benton Harbor, Mich. . . . St. Nicholas Parish (Evanston) had a blessing of bikes after Sunday Masses and a workshop on how to tune up your bike. . . . Father Bob Kyfes, pastor at St. John Fisher (S. Fairfield), recently hosted the 45-year reunion of his St. Francis de Sales Grade School (S. Ewing) class. -
Ireland’s own —
St. Kieran Parish(Chicago Heights) is named for a fifth-century learned monk, known as one of the “12 Apostles of Ireland.” The parish is marking its golden jubilee with a special medal of its patron in brass, with antique bronze plating. Its design has a Celtic cross and other symbols, as well as a prayer to St. Kieran on the back. Each medal (ideal for a key chain, not a necklace) is $20, or three for $45, and includes shipping in the U.S. Contact Anita at (708) 755-0074. The 50th anniversary will be celebrated Oct. 23 at a 5 p.m. Mass with Cardinal George.
Medal of Ireland’s
St. Kieran -
Mary gardeners —
Didja know any white flowers symbolize Mary’s joys; red flowers symbolize her sorrows, and yellow ones her glory? Obviously marigolds are “Mary’s Gold,” and it is the first flower named for Mary in the 14th century. Lilies of the valley are called “Our Lady’s Tears,” iris, “Our Lady’s Sword.” The idea to plant flowers dedicated to Our Lady stems from medieval times in Ireland and when England was Mary England.
Joe ScheidlerSend your benevolent gossip to Church Clips, Catholic New World, P.O. Box 1979, Chicago, IL 60690-1979; or e-mail to dmadlener@catholicnewworld.com.
