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a column of benevolent gossip
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Never enough mangers —
Catholic News Service says Pope Benedict will have three nativity scenes in the papal apartment: a large one in the hallway; one under the Christmas tree in the living room (where the pope puts the baby Jesus just before celebrating Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s); and one that has belonged to the pope for 45 years in the dining room. Almost every Vatican office has its own creche. The Swiss Guards use eight German beer crates for their scene’s base and an empty munitions box for the grotto, (they say) to symbolize “the only weapon a Christian needs is Christ.” -
Parish potpourri —
Cardinal George will celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass Dec. 19 at St. Peter’s in the Loop (W. Madison). . . . St. Martha’s (Morton Grove), not only has a new parish cook book, but they introduced it with a “Taste of St. Martha’s Heritage” one Sunday, to sample some of the treats. . . . St. Isidore’s (Blue Island), may be the arch’s homemade pierogi champions. The successful fundraiser was Dec. 5 this year. . . . To mark contributions by women in the church, all the Masses one recent weekend at Old St. Mary’s (S. Michigan) were accompanied by music composed by female musicians. It ranged from a composition by Kassia around the year 810, and Hildegard of Bingen in the 11th century, to contemporary women composers. . . . Ad hoc carolers of Our Lady of Humility Parish (Zion) chose a Sunday in mid-Advent to carol at a local nursing home to an enthusiastic audience. . . . Cardinal George celebrated Mass Dec. 12 with parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (N. Austin), and dedicated a new icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the church sanctuary. An icon to Mary with this title was first venerated publicly in Rome by early Christians in 1499. . . . Weight Watchers is now available at St. Germaine Parish (Oak Lawn) for all parishioners. Anyone aged 10-17 needs a doctor’s note to join. . . . Handy parishioners just finished another job at St. Louis de Montfort Church (Oak Lawn), repairing their pews and kneelers. . . . St. Lawrence O’Toole School (Matteson) had a special guest at a recent Family Reading Night. Sister Mary Paul McCaughey, superintendent of Catholic schools, read “Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids,” by Carol McCloud to the the large audience. -
They’re baack —
With “3-Minute Retreats” you can take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage at your own pace. You’re “master” of this retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you’re a newbie at online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience. Just visit www.loyolapress.com. -
Tolton talk —
St. Dorothy Church (S. Eberhart) welcomed a third-grandniece of Father Augustus Tolton Nov. 28, during Black Catholic History Month. In her talk, Rev. Sabrina Penn said knowing about the life of their esteemed relative through the years “was like having a movie star in your family.” She has written two books to make Father Tolton’s struggles and accomplishments better known, “A Place for My Children,” and one for youngsters, “A Boy Called Gus.” To receive a card with the prayer for the canonization of Father Tolton, contact: Bishop Joseph N. Perry, P.O. Box 733, South Holland, IL, 60473, or call (708) 339- 2474.
Fr. Tolton prayer card
Father Joe Rodrigues has a
Christmas CD and others.
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.
