A employee of St. Anthony Hospital prepares to distribute the vaccine Dec. 23, 2020 at St. Anthony Hospital, 2875 W. 19th St. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
In a memo to school staff in late January, archdiocesan officials announced that they are working with state and local health departments on a system-wide approach to ensure equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine. “We have been repeatedly assured that our Catholic school employees will receive the vaccine at the same time as those in the public schools,” said the memo, which was signed by Justin Lombardo, co-chair of the Archdiocesan COVID-19 Task Force, and Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic schools. “Per senior officials at Cook County Department of Health, a plan is in development to get school personnel vaccinated, but it will take time and weeks to accomplish because of supply. Thus, we are finalizing our system-wide vaccination efforts with health departments for rollout beginning in mid-February. However, be advised that the rollout will take several weeks and is dependent upon ongoing vaccine supply.” Archdiocesan officials are also working with private companies that have been qualified to distribute vaccines and are considering using archdiocesan locations for distribution. While awaiting a system-wide rollout, school employees are encouraged to register for vaccines on municipal and state websites. “It is vital that we work together, particularly during these anxious and confusing times,” the memo stated. “Know that we are working hard with the health departments to overcome uncertainty and ensure quick, equitable access to the vaccine.”
St. Bede School in Ingleside to close despite massive fundraising Father George Koeune, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish and St. Bede School in Ingleside, announced on March 21 that St. Bede School would close at the end of this school year because of low registration for next school year.
St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero to remain open St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero received welcome news March 6 when the Archdiocese of Chicago announced that the school, which was slated to close in June, would remain open.
Marian’s Sister Mary Jo using newfound fame to talk about God Before she was a sister, Sister Mary Jo Sobieck was an athlete. Sister Mary Jo, 50, started playing softball, basketball and volleyball in elementary school, and she was a three-sport athlete all through high school and her first two years of college. She dropped basketball for her final two years, but stuck with softball and volleyball.