 The week of january 31 through February 6 is catholic schools week across the united states. Catholic schools in cook and lake counties will welcome the public during special open houses and will focus on catholic education with other special events in their schools throughout the week. this year’s theme is “catholic schools – dividends for life.”
CONTACT: Ryan Blackburn, Director, School Marketing, 312-534-5334, rblackburn@archchicago.org
Monday, February 1, 7 to 9 p.m.
CATHOLICS BEING “WELCOMED HOME” THROUGHOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
The second phase of the evangelization initiative, Catholics Come Home Chicago, is beginning in the Archdiocese of Chicago with an invitation to Catholics who have been away from the Church to experience forgiveness and renewal with additional times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This “Welcome” component follows the airing of nearly 2,000 television commercials in three languages in the metropolitan area since mid-December that constituted the “Invitation” phase.
Twenty-two Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Chicago will offer unique timing opportunities for Reconciliation. These are in addition to the regular Reconciliation schedule in parishes.
CONTACT: www.CatholicsComeHomeCHICAGO.org.
Thursday, February 4, 9:30 a.m.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
The Office of Catholic Schools’ focus in February on African American Heritage Month will be celebrated with the annual African American Heritage Eucharistic Celebration at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago. The liturgy will celebrate African culture in music, song and dance, and will feature a special choir made up of students from participating schools. Hundreds of elementary and high school students from Archdiocesan Catholic schools will attend. This is the 32nd time this Mass has been celebrated honoring African-American Heritage Month.
CONTACT: Joyce King, 773-651-7000 or jjakking938@hotmail.com.
Saturday, February 6, 4 to 7 p.m.
YOUTH LEADERS OF CHICAGO SOUTH GATHERING
The Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry’s Vicariate VI, on Chicago’s south side, will sponsor this event at St. Ailbe Church Hall, 9015 South Harper Avenue in Chicago. Designed for teens and by teens, the focus will be on issues that affect their lives and encourage them to make the best life choices. This three-hour event includes messages, music, video, games and refreshments. All are welcome.
CONTACT: Tiffany Swann-Covington, Vicariate VI coordinator of youth ministry, 312-534-8035 or tswann@archchicago.org.
Friday, February 12,
SEVENTH ANNUAL SOLEMN VESPERS
Most Rev. Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside at the Seventh Annual Solemn Vespers to be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, 3121 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. The service will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a meal to which the public is invited. There is no charge.
CONTACT: Mary Norfleet-Johnson, MA, M.Div., director, Office for Black Catholics, 312-534-8377, mnjohnson@archchicago.org
Saturday. February 13, 5 p.m.
50TH ANNIVERSARY MASS AT ST. EMILY PARISH
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant at a Mass with parishioners of St. Emily Parish, 1400 East Central Road in Mt. Prospect, to mark the 50th anniversary of the parish.
CONTACT: Fr. Ronald Navoy, pastor, 847-824-5049.
Sunday, February 14, 2:30 p.m.
ORDINATION OF HISPANIC PERMANENT DEACONS
Cardinal George will ordain four men at St. Rita of Cascia Church, 6243 South Fairfield Avenue in Chicago, to serve parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago as permanent deacons.
CONTACT: Jaime Bascunan, director Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral, 847-837-4556, jbascunan@usml.edu
Sunday, February 14, 2:30 p.m.
RITE OF ELECTION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Most Rev. George Rassas, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside at the first of five Rites of Election liturgies at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago, for those preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) services in their local parishes. During this liturgy, those who have not been baptized are called forward to the front of the church, where the presiding bishop elects them for the Easter sacraments. Those coming into full communion in the Church (the baptized) are also called forward. The bishop recognizes them and calls them to continued conversion.
CONTACT: Todd Williamson, director, Office of Divine Worship, 312-534-5153.
Tuesday, February 16, 9 a.m.
SHROVE TUESDAY BURNING OF PALM BRANCHES AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Palm branches are traditionally burnt to create the ashes, which will be applied to the foreheads of Roman Catholics on Ash Wednesday. Palms will be burnt in the courtyard of Holy Name Cathedral. Deacon Michael McCluskey will preside at the palm burning ceremony and the school children of nearby Frances Xavier Warde School will attend.
CONTACT: Patricia Still, Holy Name Cathedral, 312-787-8040.
Wednesday, February 17, 12:10 p.m.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Cardinal George will preside at the 12:10 p.m. Ash Wednesday Eucharistic Liturgy at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago. During the Mass, Cardinal George will bless ashes and participate in their imposition. Cathedral staff will be available to direct media. The distribution of ashes will take place throughout the day in the Cathedral at these times: 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 12, 3, 4 and 7 p.m. Masses will be celebrated at 6, 7 and 8 a.m. and at 12:10 and 5:15 p.m.
CONTACT: Office of Media Relations, 312-534-8227.
NOTE: Clergy in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago will bless ashes and apply them to the foreheads of Catholics with the Sign of the Cross and the reminder, “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” The ashes are a sign of the need for penance and spiritual renewal through prayer, fasting and good works that begins the six weeks of Lent that precede the celebration of Holy Week and Easter.
CONTACT: Office of Media Relations, 312-534-8227.
Wednesday, February 17, 5:15 p.m.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS AND WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS
Cardinal George will preside and deliver the homily at a Mass with college students at the John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 700 South Morgan Street in Chicago.
CONTACT: Fr. Patrick Marshall, chaplain and director, 312-226-1880.
Saturday, February 20, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
EVANGELIZATION REVIVAL FOR BLACK CATHOLICS
“Order My Steps In Your Word” is the theme of this evangelization intensive at St. John De LaSalle Church, 10205 South King Drive in Chicago, sponsored by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry’s office and the Office for Black Catholics. The revivalists are Rev. Paul Whittington, OP, pastor of St. Benedict the African-West, and Rev. Andrew Smith, associate pastor of St. Ailbe. Choirs from Holy Angels and St. Benedict the African-East parishes will perform.
CONTACT: Mary Norfleet-Johnson, MA, M.Div., director, Office for Black Catholics, 312-534-8377 or mnjohnson@archchicago.org.
Sunday, February 21, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
RITES OF ELECTION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Cardinal George and Most Rev. John Manz, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside at two Rites of Election liturgies at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago, for those preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) services in their local parishes. During this liturgy, those who have not been baptized are called forward to the front of the chapel, where the presider elects them for the Easter sacraments. Those coming into full communion in the Church (the baptized) are also called forward. The presider recognizes them and calls them to continued conversion. Cardinal George will preside at the 2:30 p.m. rite and Bishop Manz will preside at the 7:30 p.m. rite.
CONTACT: Todd Williamson, director, Office of Divine Worship, 312-534-5153.
Sunday, February 21, 4 p.m.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS DINNER
The Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, with Cardinal George and the Archdiocese of Chicago Board of Catholic Schools will host the Distinguished Service Awards Dinner 2010 at the Chicago Marriott, 540 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, to honor individuals and schools for outstanding achievement. These three people will receive the Special Service Award: Elaine M. Schuster, Ph.D., education fellow, Kellogg School of Management and former Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese; Rev. Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C., Director, Institute for Educational Initiatives, University of Notre Dame; and Mr. Joshua D. Hale, Executive Director, Big Shoulders Fund. Two schools: St. Joseph Elementary in Libertyville and St. Raymond Elementary in Mt. Prospect will be honored as Blue Ribbon recipient schools. Two teachers: Julie Szwedo Noigebauer of Immaculate Conception School on Talcott in Chicago, and Sr. Marion O’Connor, O.P., Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, are National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) winners, and Rev. Patrick Lee, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish on North Park in Chicago, is the NCEA Distinguished Pastor recipient. Twenty-five educators will also be acknowledged for their outstanding work at Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
CONTACT: Ryan Blackburn, director Marketing and Communications, Office of Catholic Schools, 312-534-5334 or rblackburn@archchicago.org.
Wednesday, February 24, 7 p.m.
ANNUAL MASS WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS
Cardinal George will be the main celebrant at the annual Mass for college students at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago. Students from private and public colleges and universities in and around Cook and Lake counties are invited each year to celebrate this special liturgy with Cardinal George that is followed by a reception. The campus ministry offices at the area’s colleges and universities organize this event.
CONTACT: Beth Knobbe, Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University, 847-328-4648.
Sunday, February 28, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
RITES OF ELECTION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Most Rev. Gustaveo Garcia-Siller and Most Rev. Francis Kane, Auxiliary Bishops of Chicago, will preside at two Rites of Election liturgies at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago, for those preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) services in their local parishes. During this liturgy, those who have not been baptized are called forward to the front of the church, where the presiding bishop elects them for the Easter sacraments. Those coming into full communion in the Church (the baptized) are also called forward. The bishop recognizes them and calls them to continued conversion. Bishop Garcia-Siller will preside at the 2:30 p.m. rite and Bishop Kane will preside at the 7:30 p.m. rite.
CONTACT: Todd Williamson, director, Office of Divine Worship, 312-534-5153.
Sunday, February 28, 4 p.m.
TOLTON PROGRAM 20TH ANNIVERSARY MASS
Cardinal George will be the main celebrant at a Mass at Catholic Theological Union (CTU), 5401 South Cornell Avenue in Chicago, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program. This program offers scholarships to Black Catholic lay women and men to pursue graduate theology degrees that prepare them to minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Tolton Program, named after August Tolton, the first known and recognized Black priest in the United States of America, is cosponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
CONTACT: Vanessa White, CTU, 773-753-7478, Email: tolton@ctu.edu. |
