a column of benevolent gossip

• ‘Have a cup?’ —

  Sister Rosemary Connelly and her Misericordia
  Misericordia Heart of Mercy’s “Coffee from the Heart.”
  staff and teammates have introduced their very own (fair trade) coffee that will be ground and packaged on site, giving jobs to Misericordia residents. “Coffee from the Heart” brand is now available in decaf and medium or full-bodied blends. It’s also in a sampler package and sold as whole beans. Find it online at www.misericordia. com, at Misericordia’s Greenhouse Inn at 6500 N. Ridge, or call (773) 273-4160.

• Here and there —

  You may consider yourself “a working antique,” but the official “L” holds the actual title. In operation since 1892 (the year “The New World” printed its first issue), it has starred in movies, and its first car is in the Chicago History Museum. The best bargain in town is author Greg Borzo’s illustrated lecture on “The Chicago L,” Nov. 13, 1:30 p.m., at 2320 N. Kenmore, hosted by Richard Houk of the DePaul Geographical Society. Admission is $2, with discounts for students and seniors! . . . The Women’s Center is selling beautiful (difficultto- find) pro-life Christmas cards — 10 for $5, + $1 shipping. Call (773) 794-1313. The center’s three sites can also use volunteers for an hour now and then, and gently used items for infants.

• Parish potpourri —

  St. Giles Parish (Oak Park) will post wake and funeral arrangements of deceased parishioners on its website in a timely fashion for the convenience of those who wish to express their condolences. . . . Rudy Yunger, author/historian of Chicago’s Fuller Park Neighborhood, presented his slide show of nine outstanding churches in the arch, from St. Hyacinth Basilica on the north to St. Gabriel’s in Canaryville for the Holy Name men of Sacred Heart Parish (Palos Hills) recently. To book Yunger, of St. Thomas More (S. California), call (708) 633- 0647. . . . St. Catherine of Alexandria School (Oak Lawn) doesn’t seem the same this semester. Mrs. Eileen Kelleher, school nurse for 26 years, retired to Colorado. . . . Dorothy Tapanja of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish (Lemont), enjoyed her 100th birthday in July. Her pastor, Father Larry Lisowski, helped her blow out the candles. . . . It has taken several years’ efforts, but St. Alphonsus Church (W. Wellington) now has its pipe organ restored and better than ever.

• Ya never know —

  Actor Tony Sirico, aka “Paulie.”
  The very astute Father Robert Sirico is president of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, (kind of a faith-based economic think tank). The 20-yearold institute, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., will hold another Chicago Open Mic Night cocktail party Nov. 4 at the University Club. Sirico will be joined by Brian Wesbury, sometimes called America’s No. 1 economic forecaster, and attorney Joe Morris. Call (616) 454-3080 for $15 tickets, $8/college students with I.D. Who knew Father Sirico’s brother is Tony Sirico, the Brooklyn-born character actor, best known as “Paulie” in “The Sopranos”?
• Mike Houlihan, (lower right) with family and friends at last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Contest, held each February in Chicago.

  Drama queen —

  Mike Houlihan’s new documentary, “Her Majesty, ’da Queen” premieres Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center (N. Knox). The film is a sneak peek backstage at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Contest. With 100 contestants vying each year, the event has plenty of humor, heartbreak and yes, “drama.” Call (773) 282-7035 for tickets.

• R U Dizzy yet? —

  (Correction:) Dr. Dominick Maino is a tenor in St. Bartholomew’s choir (W. Patterson), not St. Benedict’s, and this expert on why you get dizzy at 3-D movies (Clips 10/10/10) edits a journal called “Optometry & Vision Development” for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. (As Maxwell Smart used to say, “Missed it by that much.”)

• Speaking of quotes:

  Mother Teresa said it best: “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.
  

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.