Vatican Francis bolsters papacy’s moral authority on world stage The first line of the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi asks: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” It is something the first pope to name himself after the 12th century “il poverello (poor man)” of Assisi has tried to put into action by utilizing the office of the papacy to try to end war and destruction.
Chicagoland Local Catholics react to Supreme Court DACA decision When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 18 that the Trump administration’s efforts to end DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, did not meet legal muster, Carlos Benitez breathed a sigh of relief.
Photo Gallery Transfiguration, St. Hilary parishes celebrate unification Mass On June 28, 2020, St. Hilary and Transfiguration of Our Lord parishes celebrated a unification Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Mark Bartosic for the two parishes. As part of the Renew My Church process, effective July 1, the two churches were unified as one parish, named St. Pio of Pietrelcina (or “San Padre Pio”). Following Mass, parishioners processed in a car parade with statues and other important church assets from Transfiguration, 2609 W. Carmen Ave., to St. Hilary, 5601 N. California Ave. The St. Hilary site will be the main parish church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Chicagoland Bishops offer action steps to address issues of racism When a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd on May 25, a wave of protests demanding racial justice broke out around the country and world.
Chicagoland Lay group brings food to those in Blue Island who need it For 16 years, the lay group Pro Labore Dei/Feed My Lambs has been faithfully feeding the homeless and the needy in Robbins. When the pandemic hit and many people lost their jobs, the members felt called to expand their work to Blue Island.
U.S. Catholic Extension: $1,000 each for 1,000 nuns to allay COVID-19 impacts After the success of a pair of pilot programs this spring, a nationwide “Sisters on the Frontlines” fundraising effort aims to give 1,000 sisters $1,000 each to help blunt the negative effects of the coronavirus on some of the United States’ most vulnerable people.
Chicagoland Online forum discusses barriers to affordable housing in Chicago Chicago’s history of racist housing structures has contributed to an ongoing crisis of affordable and accessible housing, according to speakers at “Chicago’s Housing Crisis: A Catholic Response.”
Chicagoland With new rules in place, parishes reopen for Masses When Doug and Bernice Benker learned that their parish, St. Elizabeth Seton in Orland Hills, was going to open its doors for Masses the weekend of June 6-7, they were among the first to register.
Chicagoland Couples in archdiocese can now participate in PreCana online Couples who are preparing for marriage don’t have to delay their PreCana sessions because of the pandemic.
Chicagoland Bread Truck ministry takes food to those on the margins For the past 13 years, Anthony Brown has delivered lunch bags of food six days a week, driving the Port Ministries Bread Truck to people who gather at eight stops in Back of the Yards, Englewood, New City, Gage Park and Canaryville.
Chicagoland Parish gardens provide fresh produce to pantries during pandemic For years, some parishes in the archdiocese have maintained gardens whose produce was donated to local food pantries. With the rise in food insecurity during COVID-19 sending more people to food pantries than before, those ministries have taken on a new importance.