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Let’s note the retirement of Tom Sheridan, editor of the Chicago Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic New World. Tom, who held his position at the paper for nine years, will be retiring to Florida. If you are not a regular reader of The Catholic New World or if you drifted away in an earlier time when its value was questioned, re-consider a subscription. Glancing through the current edition I find the editor’s thoughtful piece; a deep reflection on 9/11; a commentary on the most recent proposal in stem-cell research; Cardinal George’s remarks on Labor Day (the current column is a little shorter than his average piece; I always get the feeling I deserve college credit after reading one of the Cardinal’s essays!); positive comments by a New Mexican bishop on the Common Ground initiative promoted by the late Cardinal Bernardin; an uplifting report on the success of the Annual Catholic Appeal in Chicago; noted commentator George Wiegel’s review of Heavenly City: The Architectural Tradition of Catholic Chicago, a very popular book available in the Cathedral bookstore; Father Marc Pasciak’s commentary on two weekend’s worth of Scripture; a story about Catholic web sites for singles; an interesting supplement on Chicago Catholic education; and ads for Relevent Radio, a Field Museum symposium on the Catholic founder of the field of genetics Gregor Mendel, an October 1 celebration at the National Shrine of St. Therese in suburban Darien, and an Open House at Casa Jesus on Saturday, September 30, from 2:00-8:00pm. Not everything in the paper is gold. I never have been a fan of Late Nite Catechism. The ads make it seem as if the play has its own perpetual adoration some place in the Archdiocese. Still, by the time I got to those silly ads, I was convinced already of The Catholic New World’s value. Tom Sheridan has to get the credit for the quality of our local Church’s paper. I really do not know Tom well; I think he knows me. In any case, I think the Cathedral Church should applaud him and his ministry. If you are interested in looking over The Catholic New World, single copies are on sale in The Holy Name Cathedral Books & Gifts Store on the lower level of the Cathedral; or call 312-655-7777.
There will be a second collection next weekend for the Church in Latin America. Your gift will help fellow Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean – rich in faith, but lacking in material resources – not only to participate more fully in the life of the Church, but also to share it with others as well. In 2004, the US Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Church in Latin America through grant programs was able to fund 470 pastoral projects in 210 dioceses for a total of more than $5.3-million. See Auxiliary Bishop John Manz’s letter elsewhere in this bulletin for more about this annual collection. Please give to next weekend’s basket for the Catholic Church in Latin America. This weekend’s second basket benefits The Children at the Crossroads Foundation which helps children from all ethnic, racial, economic backgrounds to attend Frances Xavier Warde School, the Catholic elementary school that lives on the Cathedral campus as well as at Old St. Pat’s in the West Loop. Diversity is the key to the legendary success of FXW’s academic program. Holy Name’s “Scholarship Sunday” second collection is our parish’s way of supporting Catholic elementary education. If you have questions about Frances Xavier Warde School, see the administrators and parents at the State Street doors all morning on Sunday; or phone 312-466-0700. If you forgot your envelope with a donation to FXW, bring it next week. Make sure it’s in an envelope marked for FXW and drop it in next week’s regular collection. I’ll make sure it gets to the right spot. Or hand the donation to me personally. Then I can thank you right away. The Archdiocesan Family Ministries Office welcomes couples celebrating 50 years of Catholic Marriage to Holy Name Cathedral this Sunday afternoon for a Mass and courtyard reception. Last year, over 600 couples jammed the Cathedral for a beautiful blessing. This is what our parish/Cathedral does best. We open our doors to the rest of Chicago’s Catholics so that they realize that accomplishments like 50 years in Catholic Sacramental Marriage are the strength of our Archdiocese. God bless every one of those couples married in 1956. They have a fast start on helping each other to Heaven. I’m fascinated by Taste Sensations which will take place next Sunday in the courtyard, the cafeteria, and the auditorium. Sponsored by the Cathedral’s Parish Life Commission, the event features wine tasting, tasting tables, an exiting auction, displays by local artists, entertainment, and a good time with people from the parish. See the ad elsewhere in this bulletin; and join me at Taste Sensations next Sunday at Holy Name. Next Sunday at the 12:30pm Mass, we will remember Johannes Cardinal Willebrands, a giant in the field of ecumenism who died on August 1. At 96, Cardinal Willebrands had been the oldest living Cardinal. He had served for nearly 30 years in the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. He was named secretary of that Council in 1960 when it was first established by Pope John XXIII, and promoted by Pope Paul VI to become the Council's president in 1969. He resigned that post in December 1989. He also served as Archbishop of Utrecht from 1975 to 1983. He was raised to the College of Cardinals by Pope Paul in 1975. He participated in the Second Vatican Council, playing an important role in the development of statements on ecumenism, and helped to arrange the historic meeting between Pope Paul and the Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964. Known as "the Flying Dutchman" because of his frequent travel to confer with other religious leaders, Cardinal Willebrands was a zealous, controversial proponent of closer ties with other Christian bodies. That role sometimes drew him into debates over the interpretation of Catholic teachings, and his years at the head of the Utrecht archdiocese-- at a time of serious disputes among Catholics in the Netherlands over doctrinal and liturgical questions-- added to controversy that surrounded him. Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute: "I give thanks to the Lord for all the work done by the cardinal in his ecumenical relations, of which he was an ardent advocate from the beginning of his priestly ministry." The Mass will be offered and the homily delivered by Bishop Basil Meeking, special assistant to Cardinal George, retired ordinary of Christchurch, New Zealand, and colleague of Cardinal Willebrands in the ecumenical apostolate. Cardinal George himself plans to attend, health permitting. All are welcome. Fr. Dan Mayall |
