The COVID-19 pandemic and the response to it continued to dominate the news both locally and around the world in 2021. Hope for a return to normalcy grew throughout the spring with expanding access to and availability of vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease, but then took a hit in the summer as the delta variant surged. A new variant, omicron, entered the lexicon in December, as infection rates started to climb once again. But with vaccines available and masks in place in indoor or crowded settings, parishes and schools began functioning more normally, at least, as did the wider church and institutions around the world. The year marked the opening of a “synod on synodality,” with dioceses around the world seeking input about how the church can better walk with its people in advance of the 2023 Synod of Bishops. Pope Francis also marked the fifth anniversary of his encyclical, “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” with the launch of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, and climate activists in the Archdiocese of Chicago, in the United States and around the world increased their efforts to stem the tide of rising temperatures. In the United States, Catholic bishops focused on the Eucharist as a point of unity with the release of the document “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church” after their November general meeting. They also planned to launch a three-year eucharistic revival starting on the feast of Corpus Christi 2022 and leading up to a eucharistic congress in Indianapolis in July 2024. The moves followed a contentious debate during the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ virtual spring meeting, during which several bishops raised the issue of whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, including President Joe Biden, should be allowed to receive Communion — a topic on which the document the bishops voted in November is silent. The Vatican had advised bishops around the world against politicizing the sacrament. Pope Francis continued to speak out on behalf of migrants, as migration crises continued to develop both on the U.S. border with Mexico and in Europe, as people fleeing violence, natural disasters and economic catastrophes sought safety in other countries. These are some of the stories that made news in 2021: January Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 13 and 14, respectively. Pope Francis has spoken frequently in support of the vaccines, calling getting vaccinated “an act of love.” Parishes continued to respond to COVID-19, finding new ways to connect with parishioners and encourage regular giving so that they could pay their own expenses, while also working to help the communities that were hardest hit by the pandemic. Some parishes adjusted the way they serve homeless people. At the same time, groups and organizations found new ways to gather, including changing the Chicago March for Life into a car procession and rally. Catholic Theological Union, a graduate school of theology and ministry, welcomed Dominican Sister Barbara Reid as its first woman president Jan. 1. February Catholic school staff got the opportunity to be vaccinated under a plan rolled out the week of Feb. 15 in cooperation with Loyola University Health System and Jewish and Lutheran schools in the Chicago area. Schools also celebrated a Catholic Schools Week that featured virtual tours instead of open houses and lots of gatherings on videoconferencing platforms instead of in person. The annual African American Heritage Prayer Service also took place virtually on Feb. 11. March A year after many traditional Lenten observances and gatherings were canceled by COVID-19, fish frys and other events returned, but with modifications aimed at helping participants stay safe, including take-out-only dinners and outdoor Masses, often held in parking lots and broadcast to car radios in the winter months. As the weather warmed and gardeners prepared for a new growing season, the archdiocese launched an initiative to recognize “Laudato Si’ gardens” at parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions. Signs installed in such gardens include encouragement for visitors to pray and reflect on the way they are connected to their neighbors and to all of creation. Pope Francis visited Iraq, believed to be the site of the original home of Abraham. There he offered comfort to the dwindling Christian population and friendship to Muslim leaders. “Often you must take a risk” to promote harmony, he told reporters March 8 as he flew back to Rome from Baghdad. April As access to COVID-19 vaccinations spread beyond those with higher risk to all adults, several parishes hosted vaccination clinics. Meanwhile, some parishes that began offering opportunities for members to do an outdoor, neighborhood Way of the Cross at their own pace last year said the events had been so popular that they repeated them, even though parishes could hold indoor observances this year. Students from Catholic high schools who had been meeting to discuss ways to improve racial equity at their schools shared their thoughts in a virtual meeting with Cardinal Cupich April 16. May Catholic high schools found ways to hold graduation ceremonies in person by moving ceremonies outdoors or to larger venues, or by limiting the number of guests that were allowed to attend. Catholic colleges continued hold virtual ceremonies. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines hosted a memorial Mass for people who died from COVID-19, especially in the Hispanic community. Catholics joined people of other faiths to rally against anti-Asian hate on May 2. The event was in response to increasing incidents of hate against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, including the killing of eight women at an Atlanta spa in March. The Catholic bishops of Illinois rallied support for the state’s tax credit scholarship program, an effort that was successful when the program was maintained in the state budget. Nine priests were ordained for the archdiocese May 15. June Catholics joined others around the country in remembering the 2020 death of George Floyd, which sparked protests for racial justice. Archdiocesan staff also marked the year with staff retreats focuses on racial diversity and equity. Capacity restrictions on Mass attendance were formally ended on June 11, and those who were vaccinated were told they were no longer required to wear masks at Mass. The mask mandate returned later in the summer as the number of COVID-19 cases rose again. Parishes also were told parishioners no longer had to register to attend Mass, and holy water fonts and baptismal pools were refilled. July Two dozen new parishes were created from the combining and closing of existing parishes as part of the restructuring phase of Renew My Church. The archdiocese is asking parishes to discern together how to use available financial and human resources to create strong, vital parishes that support communities of missionary disciples. Auxiliary Bishop John Manz, a priest for 50 years and a bishop for 25 years, retired. The Office for Catholic Schools on July 20 announced that schools would begin to dispense with some the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place last year, bringing back extracurricular activities that had been suspended and ending the requirement that students be kept in the same cohorts all day. Schools also ended the availability of remote learning for most students. August Catholics continued pray for peace in their communities in their parishes and in other groups, with street Masses, lakefront Masses, marches and processions held throughout the city. They also remembered Officer Ella French, a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty Aug. 7 Greg Richmond became the new superintendent of Catholic schools on Aug. 16. Dominican University in River Forest named Glena Temple its first lay president. She took office Aug. 2. September Parishes and schools remembered the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with Masses and prayer services. St. Theresa Parish in Palatine dedicated its new Holy Face of Jesus Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, a $1.6 million project that took three years to complete. The Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants held a vigil Sept. 25 to protest the ongoing use of Title 42, an immigration provision being used to keep people trying to claim asylum out of the country. It is one of several rules and polices and advocates for immigrants’ rights have protested. October The archdiocese joined dioceses around the world in beginning a two-year, worldwide synod process — focused on what it means to be a “synodal church” — that will conclude with a synod of bishops in 2023 in Rome. The University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary kicked off its centenary celebration with a Mass Oct. 17. Pro-life advocates decried the October vote of Illinois legislators to repeal the state’s parental notification law, which will make it possible for girls under 18 to obtain abortions without telling their parents. November The Archdiocese of Chicago observed the 25th anniversary of the Nov. 14, 1996, death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. Events included “Now More Than Ever: The Enduring Prophetic Voice and Legacy of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin 25 Years after His Death,” an evening of speakers at Holy Name Cathedral Nov. 1, and the All Souls’ Day Mass at the cathedral the next day, as well as the opening of the Bishops Mausoleum for visitors to pay their respects at Cardinal Bernardin’s crypt on Nov. 14. A jubilee year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the canonization of Mother Cabrini kicked off with a Mass on Nov. 13 and the opening of the holy doors at the National Shrine to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. The Vatican launched the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Nov. 14. The platform is a global effort for dioceses, parishes, schools and universities, hospitals, other institutions and individuals and families to commit to the goals of “Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home,” hearing both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. The Archdiocese of Chicago was one of nine dioceses around the world that helped set up the framework for dioceses, and Loyola University Chicago was part of the university working group. Participants can get resources, support and connect with others who are participating around the world. December The Year of St. Joseph closed Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines returned to in-person celebrations of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with all participants required to wear masks while on the shrine property and COVID-19 vaccinations available.