Looking back at 2013, the major story that comes to mind is the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of the first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis. Since his election, Pope Francis has captured the attention and hearts of Catholics and non- Catholics alike around the world. But a lot also happened locally this past year, including: January Schools examine security in the wake of the Dec. 14, 2012 Newtown massacre. Office for Catholic Schools announces that elementary school enrollment in the city of Chicago grew for the third straight year. Dozens of parishes, cemeteries and other Catholic institutions host observances of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on or around Jan. 22. February Local Catholics react to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His resignation was announced Feb. 11 and was effective Feb. 28. In his column in the Catholic New World, Cardinal George said he woke up to the news just like everyone else. In his remarks at a press conference Feb. 11, Cardinal George called the decision “courageous,” going on to say, “It’s not a decision that could have been lightly made but I’m sure it was prayerfully made, which means that the Holy Spirit was in his heart and in his mind directing him as far as he was able to know. The moment is a somber one but it is also a joyful one because someone who has given his whole life to the Lord in his Body the church made a very courageous decision.” Relics of St. Mary Magdalene tour archdiocese Feb. 20- March 3. The Catholic Conference of Illinois decries the Illinois Senate vote on Feb. 14 to approve samesex marriage in the state. The state house did not vote until November. About 100 Hispanic Catholics gathered at Maryville on Feb. 27 to pray for the sanctity of marriage. Catholics continue campaign to change HHS mandate that requires employers to cover contraceptives, sterilization and other procedures the church teaches are immoral in employee insurance plans. An exception for religious employers was far too narrow, and did not address the situation of Catholic and other business owners who are morally opposed to paying for such services, and changes in the mandate announced Feb. 1 did not go far enough, according to the USCCB. Parishes in the archdiocese distributed postcards outlining the church’s objections to be sent to legislators the weekend of Feb. 23-24. March Archdiocese announces that it is reducing staff by 75 positions by laying off 60 people and eliminating 15 vacant positions. The move was intended to help stabilize finances. At the same time, according to the annual report, the pastoral center had an estimated $40 million operating deficit in fiscal 2012. The archdiocese also reduced aid to Catholic schools, causing some closures, and to parishes. Local Catholics react with joy to the news of a new pope on March 13 — especially those at Jesuit institutions. “It was almost like a pep rally atmosphere,” said Jesuit Father Patrick E. McGrath, president of Loyola Academy in Wilmette, who reported students high-fiving him in the hallway after classes were dismissed for the day. “I was kind of taken aback at how excited the students were. They take an awful lot of pride in being connected to the Jesuit community.” A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated that day at Holy Name Cathedral. “This afternoon our hearts were filled with joy because we have our shepherd. And what a burden he has,” Bishop Raymond Goedert said at the Mass. Catholics celebrated again when Pope Francis was installed on March 19. New strategic plan for Catholic schools is released March 21, with emphasis on both new management strategies and finding new funding, as well as a strong focus on Catholic identity and excellent academics. April The remains of Slovenian Bishop Gregorij Rožman are sent home. The remains of the late Bishop of Ljubljana, who died in 1959, were exhumed from his grave in the cemetery at St. Mary Friary in Lemont April 3 and given a wake service and memorial Mass at Blessed Anton Martin Slomsek Slovenian Catholic Mission April 7. They were to be interred in the cathedral in Ljubljana the following week. Two hundred and fifty young adults gather from all corners of the archdiocese and beyond for the first multicultural young adult Encuentro held at Old St. Mary’s Church on April 13. More than 800 people pack Old St. Mary’s Church, 1500 S. Michigan Ave., April 20 for a Mass to celebrate a new shrine to St. Pedro Calungsod, a young, Filipino catechist martyred in Guam in 1672. The standing-room only and overflow crowd came to pay homage to one of the Catholic Church’s newest saints canonized last October by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. May Eleven new priests are ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago, including one from the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, and 14 new deacons are ordained for the archdiocese. More than 1,000 people make their way to Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Road, on May 30 to take stock of how far the journey toward comprehensive immigration reform has come and to gather strength for the rest of the journey. The Senate passed a reform bill June 27; the House of Representatives had not yet taken the matter up for a vote as of Dec. 10. Father Andrew Greeley, 85, priest, sociologist, journalist and best-selling novelist, dies May 30. Cardinal George celebrated his funeral Mass on June 5 at Christ the King Church, 9235 S. Hamilton Ave. June The following schools close: St. Gregory the Great High School; St. Bernardine, Forest Park; St. Kieran, Chicago Heights; St. Helena of the Cross; and St. Paul Our Lady of Vilna. On June 5, Cardinal George announces a major fundraising effort for Catholic education and faith formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago — the $350 million “To Teach Who Christ Is” campaign. The campaign has been structured to create significant financial support to archdiocesan Catholic schools, religious education for children and teens, adult faith formation and capital needs for parishes and schools. Relics of St. Anthony of Padua visit the archdiocese June 9-17. The U.S. bishops’ second annual Fortnight for Freedom — a period of prayer and fasting to raise awareness of challenges to religious liberty, both nationally and internationally — is held June 21-July 4. U.S. Catholic bishops say the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 rulings on samesex marriage were a “tragic day for marriage and our nation.” In a statement, Cardinal George said, “Since women and men are not interchangeable, the Court’s action is illogical and pretentious. The Court abuses its own authority when it permits civil law to alter the definition of marriage, which is a natural institution. What is truly at stake in these decisions is not the right of adults to love whom they please, but rather the right of children to have both a mother and a father.” July Bishop Francis Kane becomes vicar general, after the retirement of Msgr. John Canary. Passionist Father Don Senior steps aside after 23 years as president of Catholic Theological Union. He is replaced by Viatorian Father Mark Francis. Year of Strong Catholic Parents begins. Chicago-area Catholics hail the news that Pope Francis signed a decree July 5 clearing the way for the canonization of popes John Paul II and John XXIII. “The canonization of blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be a joyful moment,” Cardinal George said in a statement. “The history of the church is the story of holiness. It is a centuries-long saga of disciples growing ever closer to the Lord. Both popes now join the great chorus of those recognized publicly as friends of the Lord, witnesses to the transforming power of God’s grace active in human lives. This canonization will encourage everyone to stay on the path of discipleship.” Retired Auxiliary Bishop Thad Jakubowski, 89, dies July 14. Hundreds of teens come together at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights July 27 to pray, to learn about their faith and to be in solidarity with young people from around the world who were coming together with Pope Francis at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On July 29, with a heavy police presence, more than 200 black priests, deacons, women religious and seminarians join community members for a march for nonviolence in the Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. The march was part of a four-day gathering of the Joint Conference of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, the National Black Sisters’ Conference and the National Black Catholic Seminarians’ Association along with the National Association of Black Catholic Deacons. The city recorded its 400th homicide of 2013 on Dec. 8. August While waiting for the U.S, House of Representatives to vote on an immigration bill, the Office for Immigrant Affairs and Immigration Education kicks off a 40‐Day Campaign of Prayer, Fasting and Action on Aug. 15 with a Mass on the Assumption at Lady of Mercy Church, 4432 N. Troy St. The Office of Catholic Schools announces in August that it is starting a two-year process to become accredited by AdvancED, the world’s largest educational accrediting agency. Such accreditation is a new step for most of the Catholic elementary schools in the archdiocese, which generally have been accredited through an internal process. All the elementary schools are currently recognized by the State of Illinois and will continue to participate in that separate process. Hales Franciscan High School welcomes girls for the first time. September Eight elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago are named 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Sept. 24. The schools are: St. Andrew School, 1710 W. Addison St.; St. Francis Xavier School, La Grange; St. Joan of Arc School, Evanston; St. Michael School, Orland Park; St. Norbert School, Northbrook; Northside Catholic Academy, 6216 N. Glenwood Ave. and 5525 N. Magnolia Ave.; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, 720 W. Belmont Ave.; and Queen of Angels School, 4520 N. Western Ave. Retired Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Lyne, 94, dies Sept. 25. October Hundreds of people walk in pilgrimage through the streets of downtown Chicago on Oct. 19, mostly in silence, wearing white ribbons on their arms and carrying signs asking for immigration reform, especially an end to deportations of undocumented immigrants who are not criminals and are separated from their families, which often include U.S. citizen children. The pilgrims made their way from Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., to Daley Plaza, at Dearborn and Washington streets, for more prayers and speeches. They then walked to Old St. Mary’s Church, 1500 S. Michigan Ave., for a closing prayer service. November The definition of marriage is changed on Nov. 5 when state lawmakers voted to approve same-sex marriage in Illinois. The measure passed the House 61 to 54, with two voting present and was approved by the Senate that evening. Gov. Pat Quinn signs the bill into law Nov. 20. The Office of Catholic Schools announces that its $2 million Caritas Scholars pilot program is helping 622 students. The Year of Faith closes Nov. 24. December Cardinal George celebrates his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Pascal Church on Dec. 21, 1963.