The computer age has eliminated the term typewriter from common vernacular, but the keyboarding skills used on the devices are an essential part of everyday life for many.
With Michael Sorich's first Communion nearing the horizon, John and Lupita talked with the Catholic Explorer at their Bourbonnais home about sharing the idea of the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist with their children.
Cultivators “need a little help along the way” from the Lord, said Richard Kelch of St. Peter Parish in Clifton as the retired farmer remarked about the importance of the annual Soil and Seeds Mass moments before it began March 9 at his rural faith community.
Dear Friends in Christ,
In recent years, reports of the sexual abuse of young people by members of the clergy and others have brought great scandal and sadness to us Catholics and others.
Many political leaders claim to be Christian, but fail to allow their faith to guide them, especially when it comes to endorsing humane treatment of prisoners, Cynthia Kobel, a member of the board of directors for the Chicago-based John Howard Association, said in an interview with the Catholic Explorer.
Close to 500 religious education and Catholic School students walked around the seat of the diocese as part of the annual Cathedral Days event coordinated by the diocesan Religious Education Office.
John Blumberg spent many years as a certified public accountant at Arthur Anderson and then moved to the human resources department where his responsibilities included worldwide recruiting. However, in 1996 he walked away from the safety of his job to follow a dream, a dream he shared Feb. 18 and 19 with parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Winfield. The talk was the parish’s mission with the same title as Blumberg’s book, “Silent Alarm.”
Father Pete Jarosz, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Lombard, is encouraging his flock and others to do a simple task that shows a greater reverence for life, ranging from reciting a simple prayer to performing acts of outreach to the homebound.
Since 1963 the U.S. Congress has proclaimed February as American Heart Month. It has become a time when public awareness is increased about the nation’s No.1 killer—cardiovascular diseases. However, there is one organization that is working year round to promote heart health—Midwest Heart Foundation in Lombard.
HB4393, which would prohibit the multiple sales of handguns within a 30-day period, is among legislation being brought to the table by Illinois lawmakers. Other gun control bills in the pre-committee stages include proposals aimed at strengthening background checks for possible buyers and banning assault weapons, said Thom Mannard, the executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.
The leaders of the Joliet-based Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate have decided to close the order’s rustic St. Clare House of Prayer overlooking the Kankakee River. The official announcement was made Feb. 12.
Catholic Charities remains steadfast in its commitment to provide assistance for close to 60,000 people in need within the seven counties of the Joliet Diocese, but the social service agency is forced to cut back due to financial limitations.
Have you ever spoken to someone with such a strong faith and love for the Lord that you wondered why you couldn’t have a faith that strong?
Gospels and other readings tell the story of Jesus’ 40-day journey in the desert, his agony in the garden, his arrest and his brutal death. What Catholics don’t hear during these readings is what other people who were close to Jesus were thinking during these moments. What thoughts were going through the mind of his mother, Mary, when she heard he had been condemned to death? What were his closest friends thinking the hours following his death?
While Michael Iwanicki, medical director of trauma service and chairman of the Department of Surgery, and his staff treated the physical wounds of Steven Kazmierczak's rampage, there were also four chaplains standing by ready to start the emotional healing process.
It appears that faith is the mainstay for Linda Greer as she struggles to make sense of the tragedy that took the life of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Parmenter. The 2006 alumnus of York Community High School in Elmhurst was one of five students killed by gunman Stephen Kazmierczak while attending Northern Illinois University classes Feb. 14 in DeKalb.
The endeavor to help God’s children doesn’t have to be contained within national boundaries, agreed two Joliet diocesan priests—Father Tuan Van Nguyen, pastor of St. Alexander Parish in Villa Park and Father Mario Quejadas, associate pastor of St. Walter Parish in Roselle. The natives of Vietnam and the Philippines, respectively, recently discussed their efforts to assist children in their homelands.
Those who are involved in social service and charitable organizations across the nation are facing the daunting task of effectively serving the impoverished with a possible economic recession looming on the horizon.
The season of Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, but it is also the final days of preparation for catechumens—people set to be baptized, receive the Eucharist and be confirmed at the upcoming Easter vigil. Bishop J. Peter Sartain wore purple vestments Feb. 10 as he walked into the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet and greeted close to 150 catechumens during the Rite of Election.
Over 6 inches of snow blanketed the Naperville area Feb. 1, but it didn’t prevent Msgr. John Dalton from celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination. The chaplain presided over a special Mass, surrounded by family and friends at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville.
“It’s about empowering people,” said Maribeth Meaux, CCHD coordinator for the Diocese of Joliet, speaking about CCHD. Groups that receive grants help others create strategies for bettering themselves, she stressed. “There are many different ways to address poverty,” she added.
