Catholic New World - Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago

Events for the Fortnight for Freedom have been taking place around the archdiocese. The following is a list of some of the events. Find more at www.archchicago.org:

• On June 16, the Institute for Diaconal Studies and the Office of the Vicar for the Diaconate Community sponsored a day-long seminar for deacons and other ministers about the issue of religious freedom. Several hundred people turned out to hear Cardinal George speak, along with Teresa Stanton Collett of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, John Breen of Loyola University-Chicago School of Law and Father Thomas Baima of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

  The event was held to give attendees background on the issue so they could return to their parishes and preach or speak about the topic.

• At St. Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park, there will be a prayer vigil for freedom with Bishop Francis Kane on July 3 at 7 p.m. to which everyone is invited, and a Mass for religious freedom and thanksgiving for our nation’s independence is set for 8 a.m. July 4.

  The parish opened the fortnight with a Mass June 21, discussions and prayer services. In addition, the parish’s regularly scheduled Divine Mercy Holy Hour July 2 is to be focused on religious freedom.

• Also on July 2, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Streamwood, will have a Holy Hour for religious freedom at 6:30 p.m., and St. Ansgar, Hanover Park, will be praying its monthly bilingual Rosary for Life at 7 p.m. This month will also focus on praying for religious freedom and conscience protection.

• St. Thomas More Parish, 2825 W. 81st St., is having a Mass with a eucharistic procession at 7 p.m. each evening of the fortnight, and St. Theresa, Palatine, is having a nightly rosary, reflection and litany for liberty at 7:30 p.m. each evening until July 2.

• On July 4, St. Theresa will have a Rosary for Liberty following the 9 a.m. Mass, and Father Francis Hoffman — better known as Father Rocky — will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Lambert, Skokie.

  At Marytown, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville planned six nights of talks by leading Catholic thinkers, discussing contemporary issues, religious liberty and forming a Catholic conscience in regard to public policies. On July 2, Bonnie Quirke, executive director of Lake County Right to Life, will speak at 7 p.m. The Conventual Franciscan Friars also are holding prayer services at 6:30 p.m. each day for the preservation of religious freedom in the United States. Marytown will conclude the Fortnight for Freedom with a special Mass at 9 a.m. July 4.

  All of Marytown’s events for the Fortnight for Freedom are free of charge and do not require registration. For information, call (847) 367-7800 or visit www.marytown.com.

• Other parishes that held holy hours, prayer services or talks included: Our Lady of the Woods, Orland Park; Divine Infant, Westchester; St. Mary of the Angels; St. Joseph, Round Lake; St. Philip the Apostle; St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr; Queen of All Saints Basilica and St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine.

• Meanwhile, parishioners will find cards in the pews during both weekends of the fortnight asking them to sign up for the Illinois Catholic Advocacy Network. The cards ask for email and home addresses. Home addresses will be used to determine in which legislative and congressional districts each participant lives.

  Participants then will receive email alerts on topics of interest to the Catholic Conference of Illinois with a request that they contact their legislators.

  For information, visit www.ilcatholic.org.

For more parish events and resources about the Fortnight for Freedom, visit www.archchicago.org.