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Church Clips by Dolores Madlener

Dolores Madlenera column of benevolent gossip

  • Don’t miss —

    Andy Garcia stars in "For Greater Glory," a true story of persecution in North America.

    You’ve heard the awed feedback from folks who have already seen “For Greater Glory.” It’s only at selected theaters, and now, through the efforts of Father Paul Seaman and parishioners of St. Pascal’s (N. Melvina), it will be shown at the Patio Theater, 6008 W. Irving Park, on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5. It’s violent (innocent people died as martyrs in defense of their faith in Mexico), so it’s not for little kids, but it’s a must-see for most Christians. While the Cristeros War took place in the 1920s, bloody persecution of Christians persists today in the Middle East and parts of Africa. . . . On a lighter note, but still of special interest to people of faith, Provision Theater will present “Shaw vs. Chesterton: the Debate” Sept. 8-Oct. 28. It’s based on actual exchanges between George Bernard Shaw and G.K. Chesterton, “friendly enemies” and two of the 20th century’s greatest literary minds. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 3 p.m., at 1001 W. Roosevelt. Call the box office at (312) 455- 0066 for tickets and seating.

  • ‘Something borrowed’ —

    What friendly parish on the Northwest Side borrowed a jolly spiel from “Author Unknown” for a recent bulletin that went something like this (but longer and covering a larger multitude of sins and omissions): “We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re ‘just browsing,’ just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s baptism. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, bleeding hearts and you!”

  • Didja know? —

    Our Bishop Abramowicz Seminary program is unique. Since September 1999, it has recruited seminarians in Poland each year who have left their comfort zone (with approval of their respective bishops) and their native country to come to an adopted one. Their calling is to serve in Chicago after their training at Bishop Abramowicz Seminary (on Holy Name Cathedral’s campus), and then at Mundelein. A benefit dinner in Rosemont Sept. 9 marks its 13th anniversary. Call Camille at (847) 394-2520 for tickets.

  • Call it parish pride —

    Father Dennis O'Neill, pastor of St. Martha Parish, with some of the many religious relics he's acquired over the years. Karen Callaway

    When your church is home to relics of nearly 1,200 different saints, you want to show them off. Pastor, Father Dennis O’Neill will offer a 10-week series on Catholic Church history and feature some of the items in the relic collection of St. Martha Church (Morton Grove). Non-Catholics considering RCIA are especially welcome to come and learn our church’s stories. The talks are free, but RSVP to (847) 965-0262.

  • Parish potpourri —

    St. John Brebeuf (Niles) Holy Name Men’s Club made a bus pilgrimage to Milwaukee Aug. 20 for a Cubs vs. Brewers game. There was no victory lap. . . . St. Pius X Parish (Stickney) brings back its traditional devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sept. 7 and other first Fridays, with a Mass at 7 p.m., short novena prayers and anointing of the sick. . . . The bridge group in St. John Fisher (S. Fairfield) is forming for the fall and hopes to find interested bridge players who want to join. Call Janet at (773) 233-8152. . . . St. Alphonsus Parish (Prospect Heights) has “ambassadors” who volunteer to contact new parishioners who want to know more about parish events, get some questions answered or be introduced to other families. . . . Filipino-American parishioners of St. Emily’s (Mount Prospect) are hosting a barn dance Sept. 15 using music from the ’50s and ’60s. . . . St. William Parish (N. Sayre) welcomed a visitor from Rome, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, who celebrated the 10:30 a.m. Polish Mass Aug. 12. . . . Our Lady of Victory (W. Agatite) parishioners are heading to Mother Angelica’s EWTN Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Call Rick at (773) 577-4974.