Catholic Explorer - Around the Diocese

Prayers seek Our Lady of Charity’s aid in ending abortion

Kim Lovejoy-Voss — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:24:51 UT

About 50 people prayed the rosary with members of the Joliet Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Kaffer to ask Our Lady of Charity to intercede and help the many victims of abortion.

CCW women are honored for serving at Christ’s side

Kim Lovejoy-Voss — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:23:55 UT

“Mary saw herself in a different way than the angel saw her,” Bishop Sartain explained during his homily. “She saw herself as the daughter of Abraham. She saw herself as a slave, a handmade. She never thought it was she whom God would choose to be his son’s mother.”

Marriage conference teaches secrets of long-lasting relationships

Mark Indreika — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:39:37 UT

Simply by studying the way a married couple argues and connects with each other, researchers can now predict—with an average of 91 percent accuracy—whether their relationship will end in divorce, said Brent Atkinson, an associate professor of marriage and family therapy at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.

Youth minister brings pope’s message back to parish

Paul Storer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:46:44 UT

With thousands of other believers, Patty Bailey awaited the entrance of Pope Benedict XVI April 20 inside Yankee Stadium in New York City. As the hours passed before the pontiff’s arrival, the youth minister at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, emphasized, “You could feel the excitement rising.”

Close enough to be blessed

Kathrynne Skonicki — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:53:52 UT

A little exhaustion couldn’t stop Doug Delaney from beaming April 21 in his office at the Chancery for the Joliet Diocese. The executive assistant to Bishop J. Peter Sartain had just returned from six days of serving alongside about a dozen other media specialists from across the nation.

Reflections on the papal visit: Kathleen McGowan

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:19:13 UT

Mass at Nationals Stadium occurred on Thursday, April 17. What a spirit of excitement and wonder! As the thousands of people came pouring into the stadium, smiles and hellos were the words and actions of the day. Anticipation filled the hearts of all there and a palpable exhilaration was present.

Reflections on the papal visit: Notre Dame Sister Theresa Galvan

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:16:58 UT

The truth of his words, point always to the centrality of God in our personal and collective lives; and the urgency for us to live and act on God’s cry for healing, justice, compassion, peace, union with God for each of us and for all humankind.

Reflections on the papal visit: Father David Medow

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:21:32 UT

The joy and contagious excitement that greeted the Holy Father at the Washington D. C. Mass was a feeling that appeared to grip the city itself. We experienced a warm reception wherever we went in the D. C. area: people were eager to know if we were going to see the pope and they expressed a deep joy that Pope Benedict had come to their city.

Reflections on the papal visit: Michael Vinciguerra

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:50:06 UT

On April 17, I had the privilege of attending a session with Pope Benedict XVI where he addressed the presidents of the nation’s 200 Catholic colleges and universities and superintendents of diocesan schools on the topic of Catholic education. What an honor to be with the Holy Father in such an intimate setting. It is something that one can only dream of as a child growing up within a Catholic school environment.

Reflections on the papal visit: Benedictine Sister Helen Jean Kormelink

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:46:47 UT

The pope finally arrived in our hall to a more subdued but no less appreciative applause. Welcomes were sung and spoken; dignitaries were introduced; and greetings and gifts were exchanged. The pope, humble yet regal, in white, waved, smiled, bowed and blessed. He seemed to be all we hoped for.

Reflections on the papal visit: Christian Brother James Gaffney

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:58:27 UT

On Thursday, April 17, the large majority of presidents from the approximately 230 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States had the privilege of spending an hour with Pope Benedict XVI on the campus of the Catholic University of America in Washington. We were joined by the superintendents of education from most of the Catholic dioceses throughout America. I believe it is accurate to say that our encounter with the pope and his address to us far exceeded even our high expectations.

Bourbonnais principal speaks at national convention

Paul Storer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:46:38 UT

Terry Granger, principal of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Bourbonnais, offered remarks at the 2008 National Catholic Education Association Convention, which was held March 24-28 in Indianapolis.

Words from a brave man save 1,268 people

Kim Lovejoy-Voss — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:07:18 UT

“The only thing we were sure of is that we were going to die,” said Paul Rusesabagina to a large audience April 9 at Benedictine University in Lisle. Rusesabagina was a manager of a luxury hotel in Rwanda in 1994 when Hutu militias began slaughtering Tutsis. His actions, which saved 1,268 people, were the storyline of “Hotel Rwanda,” a 2004 film that was nominated for three Academy awards.

Catholics across diocese work to be good stewards of the environment

Mark Indreika — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:53:41 UT

As the Catholic Church continues to raise its voice in defense of the environment, people across the Diocese of Joliet are heeding the call, participating in educational programs and implementing new, environmentally-friendly technologies.

Plainfield parish shares 100 years of sharing God’s word

Kim Lovejoy-Voss — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:45:47 UT

Many things have changed over 2,000 years, but some remain constant, pointed out Bishop J. Peter Sartain during an April 12 Mass at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield. Retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger L. Kaffer and Father David Medow, pastor, were among the clegrymen concelebrating the Mass.