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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • ‘Religious Freedom Rally’ —

    March 23 religious freedom rally in Loop.

    Clips had an email from Eric Scheidler of the Pro- Life Action League reminding us the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally is June 8, at noon, at Federal Plaza, 50 W. Adams. Rallies will take place in 135 cities with energized organizations, families and individuals. Anyone can participate. The message to lawmakers is: overturn the HHS mandate and make sure that religious freedom continues to be respected and protected under the U.S. Constitution.

  • Parish potpourri —

    Sacred Heart Parish (Winnetka), celebrating its 115th year, won’t run out of parishioners for a while. They have 330 students in their school and 500 in religious education. . . . Students at St. Dorothy Parish (E. 78th St.) are planting a backyard garden at the former convent. Grown-ups are bringing home-grown hostas for decoration and scouts will lend a hand. . . . St. Raymond Church (Mount Prospect) held a prayer service May 29. “Called and Sent” celebrated the ministry of women religious in the church. . . . More than 70 parishes in the arch sold 8,900 beautiful floral bouquets on Mother’s Day weekend to support the pro-life work of the Women’s Center. . . . Old St Mary’s (S. Michigan) holds their annual outdoor Crawfish Boil June 3, like old New Orleans. . . . St. Margaret Mary Parish (W. Chase) began in 1919 with immigrants from Luxembourg and Germany. The community recently welcomed author Fausto Gardini, a Luxembourg-American historian for a book signing of his “Luxembourg on My Mind,” and “An American Aunt,” the story of Luxembourg after WWII and its brides who married GIs. . . . St. John Fisher Parish (S. Fairfield) had an outdoor blessing of kids’ bikes, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards.

  • Ever wonder? —

    You’ve seen Father George Rutler on EWTN. In a recent homily he mentioned the origin of the term, “Red Letter Day.” His explanation: “It goes back to 325 AD when the First Council of Nicaea decreed great feasts be marked in red on the calendar. Pentecost is quite literally a Red Letter Day since its liturgical color is red, to match the fire that came down on the apostles 50 days after the Resurrection remade the world.” You can get his weekly homily emailed to you by signing up at www.oursaviournyc.org/pastors-corner.

  • On the road —

    St. Eugene Parish (W. Foster) is planning a one-day pilgrimage Aug. 14 to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. . . . Our Lady of Victory (W. Agatite) parishioners can accommodate a few more pilgrims on its Aug. 5-9 trip to Mother Angelica’s EWTN and shrine in Alabama with Father Ray Garcia. They will also head to the sacred shrines of Canada Sept. 8-13. Call Emily at (773) 218-6281.

  • Nothing banal here —

    It wasn’t fair to try and read Father James Hurlbert’s “New Stars for Navigation and other Musings” in one sitting, on a steamy evening, with my A/C kaput. It is 298 pages of spiritual wisdom, humor and fatherly compassion. Savor it!

    Fr. Jim Hurlbert's "New Stars for Navigation and other Musings"

    Hurlbert has degrees in theology, phi losophy and psychology, and he grew up the oldest of seven kids, so he knows life. He’s a serious writer, but not intimidating. This is a selection of 80 articles he wrote in Sunday bulletins at parishes where he’s served the past 20 years. (Each topic is like a retreat, a counseling session or just good conversation. Not your usual bulletin fare.)

    Saints and sinners, priests and laity, can find themselves in the questions he raises, from the reason for suffering (“Parts 1 & 2”) to our cool membership in “Club Catholic.” There are quotes from Chesterton to Merton to Benedict; and references from Vatican II to the Jerry Seinfeld show. Just concluding 13 years as pastor of St. Alphonsus (W. Wellington), Hurlbert will shortly begin ministering at an orphanage in Guatemala. “New Stars for Navigation and other Musings” is $13.49 plus shipping, at amazon.com.

  • People and places —

    Father George McKenna, in his 68th year of priesthood, is recycled, not retired. He now has a blog at fathermckenna.wordpress.com. It ranges from thoughts on seminary days to an event on the Paris subway. McKenna founded Midway Airport chapel and was golf champion of the 265 retired priests in the arch for eight years. To verify, ask Father John Cassidy, his golf partner for 30 years. . . . Mary Nicolini, parishioner at St. Hilary’s (N. California) turns 106 on July 7. She still reads her Catholic New World (without glasses). Her daughter Dina says it’s mostly just headline news now and photos. (Hope she reads this!)