Throughout her life, Nan Havens has wanted to be a professional singer. Over the decades, the parishioner of St. George Parish in Bourbonnais has performed at various venues across Kankakee County with rock ‘n’ roll and country bands.
Black History Month is celebrated across the nation in February. It is a time that people honor African-Americans that have made great contributions to society. Although he humbly disagrees with the ruling, retired Judge Raymond Bolden is among the crowd of noteworthy blacks making his own history in Joliet.
Inside the hospital’s chapel, he knelt respectfully before the Blessed Sacrament. Revering the Eucharist is a common practice for Catholics. But, eucharistic adoration might seem unusual to others, especially leaders of Protestant denominations. Nevertheless, the gentleman praying near the tabernacle that particular evening in Lafayette, Ind., was an evangelical minister.
The upbeat tempo and unique sound of Beatles songs are a noteworthy happening in the setting of a Catholic Mass. A praise and worship music group called Second Collection performs the eclectic music every other Saturday night at St. James the Apostle Parish in Glen Ellyn.
Countless Catholics in their 20s and 30s are seeking a deeper meaning in their lives. Many of them, however, aren’t partaking in the sacraments or looking to the church for spiritual guidance and support, stressed Paulist Father Dave Dwyer.
Nearly 30 accomplished chefs from eateries across the Chicago metropolitan area volunteered their time and talent during the 16th annual gathering in an effort to raise funds to help feed seniors residing in DuPage Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, McHenry, Lake and Will counties.
Carmelite Father Raymond Corkery, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Joliet, was ordained into the priesthood 48 years ago. Yet, he has rarely heard the phrase “Father Raymond Corkery” from his congregants, instead the one-time Iowa farm boy most often responds to “Padre Ramon Corkery.” The 76-year-old clergyman has spent almost five decades ministering to Hispanic communities in the United States and South America.
Debbie Teague has taught fifth grade at St. Joseph School in Joliet for 25 years. And each student that passes through her classroom doors learns at least one lesson before leaving—patriotism.
The unprecedented 87-degree heat made the 2007 LaSalle Bank Marathon one for the Chicago record books. It disappointed Steven Zlatic, who finished the 26.2-mile run in 4 hours 55 minutes, 29 seconds, an entire hour later than his goal time. However, the parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Parish in LaGrange is not devastated because his sights are set on bigger goals.
“I’m in heaven every day. I love what I do. I wonder why it’s taken so long to find this,” commented Paulette Shea, pastoral minister and parish nurse at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Bridget Brown uttered, “It’s wrong to kill.” The young woman with Down syndrome was talking with the Catholic Explorer about parents terminating pregnancies after undergoing prenatal screenings and learning their unborn babies have abnormalities.
Coleen Kelly Mast's mission in chastity awareness began in the mid-1980s while teaching at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee. She noticed a need for something that would present God’s love and practical assistance in navigating the path to sexual maturity.
It goes without saying that most recent college graduates don’t step off the fast track on their career paths to spend the first year out of school as a volunteer. Annie Pecoraro of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naperville is an exception.
It was fitting that a rock ‘n’ roll band named after a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor jammed Aug. 4 at a summer festival known for live performances and tasty treats.
The tune of “Tiny Bubbles” soothed ears, the aroma of a roasted pig enticed appetites and the bright-colored leis attracted eyes during the Hawaiian Luau and Dance July 21 at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield.
In the 1990s, after over a decade in the business sector, Renee Streicher of Plainfield decided to leave corporate America and travel to a place that was foreign to her—the elementary school classroom. Teaching “was just something I wanted to do,” said the 44-year-old educator, referring to the midlife decision that led her in a new direction.
In the shadow of instant messaging, cell phones and virtual online communities comes a deliberate move to revisit the traditions of Mexico with a set of vibrant dances that celebrate everything from the new dawn to the new moon.
Relying on his God-given talent in music, Octave said he embraced the peace project and sang its praises to friend and colleague, Nancy Galbraith, a world renowned composer out of Carnegie Mellon University.
Moving his fingers along the keys, the college student would play the piano for hours and hours in his school’s music practice room as he labored to master the instrument. Majoring in music, Nicholas Thomas was also bent on learning to play the organ.
A trained pastoral counselor and licensed family therapist, Carmelite of Mary Immaculate Father Mathew Maniampra, parochial vicar at St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale, is the writer of three books that explore physiology, psychology and spirituality.
About 10 feet away from the white baptismal font, Carla Shaugnessy quietly brushed acrylic paint over a mural depicting Jesus in prayer; the piece is located on the wall to the right side of the altar.
