Saturday, February 4, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
BISHOP PERRY FATHER AND SON CONFERENCE
Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS), the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Young Adult Ministry and Office for Black Catholic’s will sponsor the first Bishop Perry Father and Son Conference of the new year, at Seton Academy High School, 16100 Seton Drive in South Holland. Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will deliver a reflection at the morning conference, at 9 a.m. with a Color Guard presentation by the Knights of Columbus and prayer.  Father Andrew Smith, associate pastor of St. Ailbe Parish in Chicago, will deliver the keynote address, “Keep your hand to the plow:” The Powerful Role of the Father.  Andrew Lyke, Director of the Office for Black Catholics, will deliver a challenge to the men and their sons.  The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Department of Parish Life and Formation and the Chicago Holy Name Society are sponsors of the conference.
CONTACT: Contact Frank Casella, Catholic Men Chicago Southland, 708-935-2532.

Saturday, February 4, 3 p.m.
MASS AND CHOIR OF 1000 VOICES
Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant at a Mass featuring a Choir of 1000 Voices made up of singers ages 9-18 from high school, middle school and parish choirs, celebrating the end of Catholic Schools Week.  This event is sponsored by the Archdiocese’s Office for Catholic Schools and the American Federation Pueri Cantores.  For full details, visit http://www.pcchoirs.org/choir-of-1000-voices.html
CONTACT: Office of Catholic Schools, Marketing and Communications, 312-534-5361.

Thursday, February 9, to Friday, February 17
REGION VII AD LIMINA VISIT – ROME
Cardinal George and the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese will travel to Rome for the “Ad Limina” visit, which each diocesan bishop must make every five years to report to the Pope and curial officials regarding the state of his diocese.  Region VII includes the six dioceses in the State of Illinois and those in Indiana and Wisconsin.
CONTACT: Media Relations Office, 312-534-8227.

Friday, February 17, 7 p.m.
CONFIRMATION LITURGY – ST. BERNADETTE PARISH
Cardinal George will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on members of St. Bernadette Parish, 9349 South Francisco Avenue in Evergreen Park.
CONTACT: Fr. Gary Miller, pastor, 708-422-8995.

Saturday, February 18, 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
PARISH LEADERSHIP DAY 2012
Cardinal George will engage in an informal dialog with participants and will be the mail celebrant at the closing Liturgy during Parish Leadership Day, at Loyola Academy, 1100 Laramie Avenue in Wilmette. Rev. James G. Gartland, S.J., president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago will be the keynote speaker and Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, S.J., president of Loyola Academy, will be the homilist at the closing Mass. Open to all interested parishioners and leaders from around the Archdiocese, along with priests, religious, and parish staffs, Leadership Day will include over 100 workshops given in English, Polish and Spanish, with several workshops of special interest to youth, young adults and the adults who work with them focused on the Year of Teens and Young Adults, the first initiative of the five-year Archdiocesan Strategic Plan, Reflect Christ’s Light.  Parish Leadership Day 2012 is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office for Councils. Those interested in attending can contact their Parish or the Office for Councils for pre-registration and additional information.  The Parish Leadership Day Brochure and Registration Form can be downloaded from the Office for Councils web page and from the home page of the Archdiocesan website, www.archchicago.org.
CONTACT: Office for Councils, 312-534-8364.

Sunday, February 19, 2:30 p.m.
RITES OF ELECTION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Cardinal George will preside at the first of five Rites of Election liturgies to be held at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior 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 Cathedral, where the 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 21, 9 a.m.
SHROVE TUESDAY BURNING OF PALM BRANCHES AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Palm branches are traditionally burnt to create the ashes that 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: Holy Name Cathedral, 312-787-8040.

Wednesday, February 22
ASH WEDNESDAY BEGINS THE SEASON OF LENT IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
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.  A directory of Archdiocesan parishes is located on www.archchicago.org.

ASH WEDNESDAY AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Ashes will be distributed during regularly scheduled Masses in Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago, at 6, 7 and 8 a.m. and at 12:10 and 5:15 p.m.  Distribution of ashes will also take place throughout the day and evening at these times: 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 12, 3, 4 and 7 p.m. 
CONTACT: Office of Media Relations, 312-534-8227.

Wednesday, February 22, 4:45 p.m.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS – UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Cardinal George will be the main celebrant and distribute ashes during Mass in Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, 5850 South Woodlawn in Chicago. 
CONTACT: Office of Media Relations, 312-534-8227.

Friday, February 24, 7 p.m.
SOLEMN VESPERS SERVICE
Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside at a Solemn Vesper Service at St. Ailbe Catholic Church, 9015 South Harper Avenue in Chicago. Food and fellowship at 6 p.m. will precede the service.
CONTACT: Office for Black Catholics, 312-534-8376.

Sunday, February 26, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
RITES OF ELECTION AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Most Rev. George Rassas and Most Rev. Alberto Rojas, auxiliary bishops of Chicago, will preside at two Rites of Election liturgies at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior 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 Cathedral, where the 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 Rassas will preside at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony and Bishop Rojas will preside at the 7:30 p.m. ceremony.
CONTACT: Todd Williamson, director, Office of Divine Worship, 312-534-5153.

Wednesday, February 29, 7 p.m.
LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES AT ST. MARY PARISH IN RIVERSIDE
Cardinal George will deliver an address on “The Church as Mother” as part of a Wednesday evening Lenten series of speakers being presented at St. Mary Parish, 126 Herrick Road in Riverside.
CONTACT: Media Relations Office, 312-534-8227.