Chicago Sun-Times

Archdiocese sets up website for prayers for Cardinal George

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:16:11 -0500

Calling prayers and well wishes for Cardinal Francis George a “significant aspect of his continuing health journey,” the Archdiocese of Chicago has set up a link on its Web site for the public to directly contact the Catholic leader. George, 75, announced last week that cancer was found in his kidney and liver, six years after he underwent surgery for cancer in his bladder, prostate and ureter. He is on his annual retreat this week and will also be undergoing additional medical tests. Prayers can be sent through www.archchicago.org or addressed to Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, 835 …

North Side’s Saint Scholastica Academy to close in June

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:20:52 -0500

Saint Scholastica Academy — the all-girls Catholic school on Chicago’s far North Side that produced the city’s only female mayor, Jane Byrne — will close at the end of this school year in June.

Concert to honor Pope John Paul II’s beatification

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:29:22 -0500

Pope John Paul II loved Chicago. And he loved music as a means to express what words sometimes couldn’t. To celebrate the first anniversary of the pope’s beatification — the first step on the path to sainthood — a diverse array of cultural and religious organizations are coming together to support a special concert at Orchestra Hall in Symphony Center April 23, it was announced Wednesday. Sir Gilbert Levine, an American conductor who performed on numerous occasions for the pope at the Vatican and around the world, came up with the idea for the concert — and its location. “Chicago …

Pastors take Ash Wednesday on the road

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:07:35 -0500

Observing “Ash Wednesday” doesn’t always require physically stepping into a church. Pastors Christian Coon and Trey Hall of the Urban Village Church took to the streets and offered to smudge the foreheads of passers-by with ash, a Christian symbol of repentance to signify the beginning of Lent. “We want to go to the people rather than expect them to come to us,” Coon said. Church laypeople joined the pastors by carrying signs that asked “Got Ashes?” and handing out informational brochures about their church, which is a United Methodist Church. “Our mission is to reach out to folks who’ve been …

Episcopal priests offer ‘Ashes to Go’ as Lent begins

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:16:00 -0500

More than 70 Episcopal parishes in 18 states will bring Ash Wednesday to the streets, kicking off the Lenten season with a twist. They’ll offer the Christian sign of repentance -- a smudged cross of ashes on the forehead -- to anyone who seeks it in train stations, coffee shops and other public spots.

Nigerian blasts mar pope’s Christmas peace appeal

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:52:34 -0500

Pope Benedict XVI issued pleas for peace to reign across the world during his traditional Christmas address Sunday, a call that was marred by Muslim extremists who bombed a Catholic church in Nigeria, striking after worshippers celebrated Mass. The assault on the Catholic church left 35 dead in Madalla, near the Nigerian capital.

What makes Catholics Catholic?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:54:53 -0500

Twenty-five percent of Americans call themselves Catholic, but a new survey finds this is more a cultural brand label for many than a religious identity. An overwhelming majority — 88 percent — say “how a person lives is more important than whether he or she is Catholic,” according to the survey, called Catholics in America: Persistence and Change in the Catholic Landscape.

Televangelist Joel Osteen’s ‘Night of Hope’ coming to Chicago

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:18:05 -0500

Joel Osteen has taken the evangelical Christian world by storm with a multi-million dollar ministry overflowing with positivity, charm and a focus on atonement-free faith. On Saturday night, Osteen and his wife will bring their digital, commercial approach to religion to Chicago.

Suburban megachurch breaks ties with group over gay counseling

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:52:46 -0500

Willow Creek Community Church has severed its formal ties to Exodus International, the largest ministry in the country that deals with issues of homosexuality in the church. “To say this is a disappointment is an understatement,” said Alan Chambers, president of the Orlando-based interdenominational association of about 255 organizations. Chambers blames the split on pressure being put on the South Barrington megachurch, and other churches, by gay rights organizations, specifically Soulforce, an organization that is “devoted to changing the hearts and minds of religious leaders who engage in anti-homosexual campaigns,” according to its website. The decision to part ways was …

Long summer days mean long fasting periods during Ramadan

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:17:01 -0500

The fasting from dawn to sunset that is required of observant Muslims during Ramadan seemingly would be more challenging when the holy month falls during the summer. The days are longer, the weather hotter, thirst more unrelenting. But Badie Ali, of Orland Park, doesn’t see it that way.

Ramadan begins on Monday

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:19:09 -0500

CAIRO — Religious authorities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia have declared that Monday will be the start of the holy month of Ramadan — a period devoted to dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayers and spiritual introspection. Official statements issued Saturday also said Lebanon and Qatar agreed on the start of the holy month. Ramadan begins about 11 days earlier each year. Its start is calculated based on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of the Muslim lunar month that varies between 29 or 30 days. During the month, Muslims are expected to abstain during daylight hours from food, …

Lutheran split could hurt social service

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:32:49 -0500

One of the largest social service networks in the U.S. faces a shakeup over the Bible and homosexuality. The theologically conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod says it has become “difficult if not impossible” to continue to work with the more liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, based in Chicago. Last year, the latter abolished barriers to ordaining gays and lesbians. The two Lutheran denominations run social service programs ranging from adoption to disaster relief. Neither denomination would discuss the financial effect Wednesday, but just one of their joint agencies, Lutheran Services in America, has an annual budget of more than $16 …

Gov. Quinn cuts foster-care contracts with Catholic Charities over civil unions dispute

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:50:59 -0500

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn defended his administration’s decision to butt heads with his own religion Monday in a dispute over the Catholic church’s refusal to place any of the nearly 2,000 state wards it cares for with same-sex couples. On Friday and Monday, the Department of Children and Family Services notified Catholic Charities organizations in four suburban or Downstate dioceses that the agency intended to terminate their foster-care and adoption contracts with the state because of the church’s unwillingness to abide by Illinois’ new civil unions law. “They made a choice,” Quinn said of the dioceses. “They have a …

Man pleads guilty to $8 million swindle - including from a church

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:50:51 -0500

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A Connecticut securities broker has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he swindled investors including members of a Greek Orthodox church out of more than $8 million. Federal authorities said Tuesday that 51-year-old Gregory Loles (LOW-liz) of Easton pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in U.S. District Court in New Haven. Prosecutors say Loles convinced officials and some parishioners at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange that he was an investment manager and misrepresented his successes. Prosecutors have said church members lost retirement and college funds. Authorities say he used the money to …

Tearful farewell to 174-year-old church in Aurora

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:52:22 -0500

For nearly two centuries, the bell of First United Methodist Church in Aurora has summoned the faithful to worship. On Sunday, however, the bell toll signified the closing of the church after 174 years. “I am going to ring it loud for all to hear,” third generation parishioner John Roesch said.