News Releases - 2011

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News Releases

CARDINAL GEORGE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
WITH MASSES AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL VISIT
Chicago, IL (December 21, 2011) - Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will observe the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with liturgical celebrations at Holy Name Cathedral and the Cook County Department of Corrections.  The Cardinal will also continue his annual Christmas tradition of visiting with seriously ill children and their families at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
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CARDINAL GEORGE TO CELEBRATE SIMBANG GABI MASS
WITH FILIPINO CATHOLICS
Chicago, IL (December 20, 2011) - Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant at a 6:30 p.m. Mass on Friday, December 23, at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, 3535 Thornwood Avenue in Glenview, in celebration of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day novena of masses in preparation for Christmas celebrated by Filipino Catholics.
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25th ANNUAL ARCHDIOCESAN POSADA TO BE CELEBRATED AT
HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL AND THE GOLD COAST
Sunday, December 18, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Chicago, IL (December 14, 2011) – The Office for Hispanic Catholics will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Archdiocesan Posada on Sunday, December 18, beginning at 7 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago.  Hundreds of Catholics, representing parishes from across the Archdiocese of Chicago, will come together to celebrate the Posada, which is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter.
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EARLY MORNING LOOP PILGRIMAGE TO RAISE AWARENESS
IN ORDER TO STOP SEPARATION OF FAMILIES
Friday, December 16, Beginning at 7 a.m.
Chicago, IL (December 13, 2011) – Members of the Office for Immigrant Affairs and Immigration Education of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Priests for Justice for Immigrants (representing 200 priests) and Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants (representing 59 religious orders), will hold a Posada, a symbolic search for shelter that offers hope, justice and human dignity for all immigrants, on Friday, December 16, beginning at 7 a.m. outside the United States Center for Immigration Services, 101 West Congress in downtown Chicago.
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Archdiocese of Chicago Elementary School Students Exceed National Test Norms in Every Academic Category
Chicago, IL (December 5, 2011) – The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools today released the results of TerraNova standardized achievement tests administered in 2011 to third, fifth and seventh grade students. The test scores demonstrate that, in every major grouping of schools, the students achieved scores above the national average for all test categories.
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MEMORIAL MASS FOR DECEASED PRIESTS AND BISHOPS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
Friday, November 18, at Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago, IL (November 9, 2011) – The Memorial Mass to pray for all Archdiocesan priests who have died in the last year will be celebrated by Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago. 
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ARCHDIOCESAN RADIO PROGRAMS NOW HEARD
LIVE ON THE INTERNET
Live-Streaming of Relevant Radio Programming 24/7
Chicago (October 27, 2011) - The Archdiocese of Chicago’s weekday radio programs, broadcast on Relevant Radio 950AM, can now be heard live over the Internet, Monday through Friday, from 9 to 10 a.m., through live-streaming. 
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ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE FOR HISPANIC CATHOLICS
CELEBRATES NOCHE DE GALA WITH THEME
OUR CHURCH, FOREVER YOUNG, FOREVER FAITHFUL
Chicago (September 27, 2011) - The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Hispanic Catholics will celebrate the 13th annual Noche de Gala, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 30, at the Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO LAUNCHES NEW iPad APP
More than 1,000 Photos Showcase Over 350 Catholic Churches in Chicago and Suburbs
Chicago, IL (September 21, 2011) – The Archdiocese of Chicago has launched a stunning new iPad app that showcases the architectural beauty, history and treasured art works that form the sacred worship places Catholics in Chicago and the suburbs call their home parish.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NAMES SIX ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOOLS AS BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
Most decorated school system in the country
Chicago, IL (September 20, 2011) – Six Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chicago, St. Emily School in Mt. Prospect, St. Linus School, Oak Lawn, Mary Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge, St. Paul of the Cross School, Park Ridge and Queen of the Rosary School, Elk Grove Village, will be among the 304 schools from across the country to receive Blue Ribbon School Awards at a November ceremony in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Department of Education.
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CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AWARDS $489,489
TO FIGHT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND POVERTY
Chicago, IL (September 16, 2011) – The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) of the Archdiocese of Chicago recently announced grants totaling $489,489 to twenty-four community-based organizations at a ceremony held at St. Ignatius College Prep. in Chicago.
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CHICAGO PILGRIMS INVITED TO ATTEND 2012 INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN IRELAND
Chicago, IL (August 29) – The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin, Ireland from June 10 to June 17, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI has given his formal approval to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress theme: The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with One Another.
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FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON PILGRIMAGE
Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17 
Chicago, IL (August 24, 2011) – A pilgrimage to Father Augustus Tolton’s birthplace in Missouri, and the origins of his path to priesthood in Quincy, Illinois, will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17.  This pilgrimage is being sponsored by the Office of Bishop Joseph N. Perry, the Office for Black Catholics and the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union.
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FIVE SIMULTANEOUS BACK TO SCHOOL SUNRISE PRAYER SERVICES TO BE CONDUCTED AT CHICAGO LAKEFRONT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
Chicago, IL (August 22, 2011) – The Black Catholic Deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago are inviting all to attend a Back to School Sunrise Prayer Service on Saturday, August 27, at 6:30 a.m. to pray for an end to violence, to protect our children, as well as to pray for a successful and non-violent school year. 
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REV. ANDREW P. WYPYCH AND REV. ALBERTO ROJAS ORDAINED TODAY AS AUXILIARY BISHOPS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
CHICAGO (August 10, 2011) – Most Rev. Andrew P. Wypych and Most Rev. Alberto Rojas were ordained as auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Chicago today in a ceremony that took place at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO TO HOLD MASS OF BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011
CHICAGO (July 22, 2011) – Catholic teens and young adults from across the Archdiocese of Chicago are preparing to attend World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid and Chicago.
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HOLY FATHER APPOINTS REV. ANDREW P. WYPYCH AND REV. ALBERTO ROJAS AS NEW AUXILIARY BISHOPS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
CHICAGO (June 13, 2011) -  His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, today named Rev. Andrew P. Wypych and Rev. Alberto Rojas as new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese.
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Rev. ANDREW P. WYPYCH AND REV. ALBERTO ROJAS
ORDAINED TODAY AS auxiliary bishops for the archdiocese of chicago
CHICAGO (August 10, 2011) – Most Rev. Andrew P. Wypych and Most Rev. Alberto Rojas were ordained as auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Chicago today in a ceremony that took place at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets.
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HEALING GARDEN PRAYER SERVICE AND DEDICATION
Thursday, June 9, 10 a.m.
Chicago, IL (June 9, 2011) – Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will preside at a Prayer Service in Holy Family Church, 1080 West Roosevelt Road in Chicago, followed by the dedication of the newly constructed Healing Garden of the Archdiocese of Chicago, created as a place of prayer and healing for victim-survivors of clerical, sexual abuse, their families and the greater Catholic Church.
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CARDINAL GEORGE TO CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY MASS AT MARYHILL CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN NILES
Archdiocesan Bishops and Priests to Celebrate Masses at Dozens of Catholic Cemeteries in Cook and Lake Counties
Chicago, IL (May 25, 2011) – Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will celebrate Mass on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m., at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, 8600 Milwaukee Avenue in Niles.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the national Holiday Act of 1971 that established the last Monday in May as the official Memorial Day observance and Maryhill Cemetery’s 50th anniversary of its dedication by Cardinal Meyer.
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CARDINAL GEORGE TO ORDAIN TEN MEN
FOR ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
Ceremony to be Held at Holy Name Cathedral on Saturday, May 21
Chicago, IL (May 19, 2011) – Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will ordain ten  new priests at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago.  The men, ranging in age from 25 to 34, include three from the U.S., three from Mexico and two from Tanzania.  Two others are from Kenya and Poland.
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TWELVE MEN TO BE ORDAINED AS DEACONS
Chicago, IL (May 10, 2011) – Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will ordain twelve men as permanent deacons on Sunday, May 15, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago.
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ARCHDIOCESAN INTERRELIGIOUS CEREMONY
TO BE HELD FOR PEOPLE IN JAPAN
Chicago, IL (April 12, 2011) – An interreligious, memorial ceremony for the victims of the March 11 catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan will be held on Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m., at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church, 218 West Alexander Street in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood.
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CHICAGO CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE
Catholic Men Invited to Daylong Event
Chicago, IL (March 1, 2011) – The 2011 Chicago Catholic Men’s Conference will be held on Saturday, March 19, at the Chicago Oak Brook Marriott in Oak Brook, Illinois.  Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will celebrate the closing Mass of this daylong conference. 
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FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON'S CAUSE FOR CANONIZATION MOVES TO NEXT STEP TOWARD SAINTHOOD
Chicago, IL (February 15, 2011) – Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and Postulator for the cause for sainthood of Father Augustus Tolton, has announced that the next step in the process, the Proclamation and First Session of the Canonical Trial, will be held on Thursday, February 24, at 2 p.m., at St. James Chapel, Archbishop Quigley Center, 835 North Rush Street in Chicago.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO'S SCHOOLS
CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Annual Observance Scheduled for January 30 through February 5
Chicago, IL (January 27, 2011) - Catholic Schools Week begins Sunday, January 30.  The theme selected for this year’s observance is A+ for America.  This annual, nationwide celebration, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, will feature local school activities including special Masses, open houses and visits from civic representatives and Archdiocesan officials, including Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO NAMES NEW
DIRECTOR OF THE RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
Chicago, IL (January 21, 2011) - Msgr. Richard P. Hynes, Director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Parish Life and Formation Department, has named Margie Manczko Breen, Director of the Respect Life Office. 
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PARISH LEADERSHIP DAY 2011
Our Church: Ever Ancient, Ever New
Saturday, February 26, at Maria High School in Chicago
Chicago, IL (January 19, 2011) – A Conversation with Cardinal George will be one of the major highlights at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Parish Leadership Day on Saturday, February 26, at Maria High School, 6727 South California Avenue in Chicago.
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Statements

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO Statement from Francis Cardinal George, OMI Archbishop of Chicago December 27, 2011 The Chicago Gay Pride Parade has been organized and attended for many years without interfering with the worship of God in a Catholic church. When the 2012 Parade organizers announced a time and route change this year, it was apparent that the Parade would interfere with divine worship in a Catholic parish on the new route. When the pastor's request for reconsideration of the plans was ignored, the organizers invited an obvious comparison to other groups who have historically attempted to stifle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church. One such organization is the Ku Klux Klan which, well into the 1940's, paraded through American cities not only to interfere with Catholic worship but also to demonstrate that Catholics stand outside of the American consensus. It is not a precedent anyone should want to emulate. It is terribly wrong and sinful that gays and lesbians have been harassed and subjected to psychological and even physical harm. These tragedies can be addressed, however, without disturbing the organized and orderly public worship of God in a country that claims to be free. I am grateful that all parties concerned resolved this problem by moving the Parade's start time so as not to conflict with the celebration of Mass that Sunday.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO STATEMENT OF CARDINAL GEORGE ON THE DEATH OF MARGARET DALEY Friday, November 25, 2011 My deepest sympathies go out to Mayor Richard M. Daley on the death of his wife, Margaret. Mrs. Daley lived for her husband and children and, in her graceful way, she touched as well the lives of many in Chicago, especially school children and people with special needs. While many grieve her loss, it is the life of her husband that is most affected. As I remember her before the Lord, he too will be frequently in my prayers. Francis Cardinal George, OMI Archbishop of Chicago

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO Statement of Cardinal Francis George, OMI on the appointment of two auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Chicago Monday, June 13, 2011 I am grateful to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, for his appointing two priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago as auxiliary bishops here.  The Rev. Andrew P. Wypych, pastor of St. Francis Borgia Parish, will serve as my vicar for Vicariate V of the Archdiocese and as liaison to Polish Catholics; the Rev. Alberto Rojas, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, will serve as my vicar for Vicariate III of the Archdiocese and as liaison to Hispanic Catholics. The Holy Father’s pastoral concern for the priests, deacons, religious men and women and lay ministers and all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Chicago is clearly evident in these appointments.  Bishop-elect Wypych was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Krakow in Poland in 1979.  He came to Chicago in 1983 and was incardinated in this Archdiocese several years later.  Bishop-elect Rojas studied for the priesthood in his native city, Aguascalientes, Mexico, and in the Archdiocese of Chicago, where he was ordained a priest in 1997.  Both priests have served as pastors and associate pastors.  Bishop-elect Wypych has also served as a Dean, and Bishop-elect Rojas was a member of the seminary formation faculty at Mundelein.  Both will bring their dedication to the Church and her people to the office of Bishop.  They will make visible in their ministry the love of God for his Church.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO STATEMENT REGARDING REV. THADDEUS DZIESZKO, PASTOR, ST. CONSTANCE PARISH The Archdiocese of Chicago is cooperating with the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian regarding Fr. Thaddeus Dzieszko and the allegations of inappropriate, personal financial behavior. Father Dzieszko has agreed to step aside from his responsibilities at St. Constance Parish in Chicago pending the outcome of the investigation. He remains the pastor of the parish. The Archdiocese will continue to work with and cooperate with the civil authorities in this matter.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO Statement of Francis Cardinal George, OMI Regarding the Protest at Holy Name Cathedral Sunday, February 13, 2011 Some members of the Gay Liberation Network demonstrated in front of Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, February 13, protesting against Catholic Church teaching on the immorality of homosexual genital relations and opposition to so called "gay marriage".  These are deeply felt issues, because they speak to the personal identity of some and to the religious beliefs of others.  No matter the issue, Catholics should be able to worship in peace, without fear of harassment.  An open display of prejudice against the Catholic Church because of resentment of Church teachings prejudices civil discourse in our society.

Archdiocese of Chicago Statement of Francis Cardinal George, OMI Regarding the Archdiocese of Milwaukee January 4, 2011 The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I hope and pray that this action will ensure fairness to all the victims of sexual abuse over many years and that the ministries of the Archdiocese, built upon the generosity of generations of Milwaukee Catholics, will be able to continue.

Special Issues

ILLINOIS BISHOPS' LETTER REQUESTS MEETING WITH GOV. QUINN Illinois' diocesan and auxiliary bishops last week sent a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn, asking for a meeting to discuss the governor's stance on pro-life issues, civil unions and religious freedom. Bishops' Letter

Testimony of Jimmy M. Lago Chancellor, Archdiocese of Chicago Chicago City Council Regarding Proposed Water and Sewer Fees November 2, 2011

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF ILLINOIS URGE GOVERNOR QUINN TO SIGN DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION BILL January 13, 2011 - Following last week's approval by the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois State Senate approved Senate Bill 3539 on Tuesday. This landmark legislation to abolish the death penalty in Illinois now awaits Governor Quinn's approval. The Catholic Bishops of Illinois urge the Governor to sign the bill.  more >>