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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Blessed John Henry Newman

    ‘Pastor to the mind’ —

    That’s what many call Blessed John Henry Newman. When the Newman Association of America holds its national conference Aug. 9-11 at Mundelein Seminary, their program will focus on Newman’s holiness. Its 18 speakers, from Europe, Africa and North America, will explore topics from “The Role of Conscience in the Adventure of Holiness according to Blessed John Henry Newman” to “The Saints in the Sermons of John Henry Newman,” as well as his thoughts on obedience to conscience, the relationship between faith and reason, and Newman’s teachings on economics. Cardinal George will celebrate Friday’s liturgy. To register by July 20, visit newmanassociation.com, or call (814) 871- 5756.

  • Parish potpourri —

    Susan Hickman and Catherine Leyser, of Holy Name Cathedral Parish (N. State), were among 22 people who officially joined the Springfield Dominican Family as Dominican Associates at a commitment ceremony and Mass in Springfield, Ill., May 20. . . . Bishop Andrew Wypych blessed the renovated and painted St. Barbara Church, (S. Throop) at a Mass June 9. Beautiful St. Barbara’s is one of the few high-Renaissance-style octagonal churches in the arch. The extensive project was inspired by the parish’s 2010 centennial. . . . The “Newman Singers,” students from the Newman Center at the University of Iowa, will give a free concert at St. Alphonsus Church (Prospect Heights) July 8, 7:30 p.m. . . . All children of St. Anthony Parish (S. Prairie) have a chance to learn Mexican dance with the help of a cultural group that meets in the parish. . . . St. Emily Parish (Mount Prospect) said a reluctant farewell to Barb Stempien, their outstanding business manager of 25 years. For the past few years she’s been commuting two hours one way to Michigan to the family home from the parish office. . . . Volunteers from St. Edna Parish (Arlington Heights) are about to leave on their third annual mission trip, July 8-14, to help folks recovering from the devastating flood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that happened in June 2008. The 31-foot crest of the Cedar River dislocated more than 18,000 residents. Many are still struggling. . . . Emmaus House, a non-profit outreach, is sponsoring “Undie Sunday” at St. Francis de Sales Parish (Lake Zurich), to collect new, packaged underwear in all sizes for needy children and adults in the community at large.

  • Reader’s wisdom —

    “Trying to serve God without personal prayer is like trying to start a fire without kindling.” Georgia Montana

  • The Indiana Jones film that got Servite Father Dennis Kriz, OSM, "hooked" on movies.

    ‘Father Dennis at the Movies’ —

    That’s the title of the film-review blog by Servite Father Dennis Kriz, associate pastor at Annunciata Parish (S. Avenue G). He says he’s had a lifelong love of movies. From the opening sequence in “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” that paired pop culture and the Bible, “I was hooked.” Kriz even wrote his final paper at the Servite International College in Rome on “Marian imagery” in the first “Terminator” movie!

    Because there’s plenty of space on a blog, Kriz links to the U.S. Bishops’ rating and review, and Roger Ebert’s rating and review, along with his own. He even discusses some TV miniseries. Kriz says he sees his blog as a means for him, as a 48-year-old priest, to dialogue with our culture — young adults in particular. Comments from readers are posted.

    The blog is well organized with domestic and foreign films (25 from 2010 when he began reviewing, 181 in 2011, and ongoing in 2012), categorized and alphabetized, along with a list of film festivals and Oscar winners. If you are an adult, who’s really into movies, you may find a kindred soul at www.frdennismoviereviews.blogspot.com.

  • Not much down time —

    Sister Madge Karecki, who directs the arch’s Office for Mission Education and Animation, just lost whatever free time she may have had. While attending the meeting of American Professors of Mission recently, she was elected first vice-president. The society includes more than 600 scholars and missionaries. This isn’t a Catholic organization, so it says a lot about Sister Madge.

  • Idea exchange —

    Before Father Dan Whiteside said farewell to St. Catherine-St. Lucy (Oak Park) last month, parishioners put together a souvenir DVD gift for him with their good wishes and fondest memories in increments of 5 minutes or less. It’s so Vatican II when laity get the last word!