Category > Religion

Chicago-area pastor co-founds aid group to help houses of worship
James MacDonald says goal is to get churches, seminaries back on their feet so they can keep aid flowing to those most in needAs humanitarian agencies mobilize to rebuild schools, hospitals and houses destroyed by the January earthquake in Haiti, a north suburban pastor has set out to restore the nation's spiritual homes as well.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Bishops change feeding tube guidelines
Directive says food and water must be given to patients in persistent vegetative stateIf ever Carol Gaetjens becomes unconscious with no hope of awakening, even if she could live for years in that state, she says she wants her loved ones to discontinue all forms of artificial life support.
Source: Chicago Tribune

If you go
Katherine de Shazer's icon painting workshop meets the second weekend of every month at St. Mary of Perpetual Help; 1039 W. 32nd St. in Chicago. The next class is the weekend of March 12.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Iconography adds new dimension to faith
Artists see images as heavenly portalsAs Anna Szyamanek daubed flecks of gold on her portrait of the Archangel Michael one recent Sunday, a stillness descended upon her mind and spirit, enabling her to commune with God.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Nation of Islam’s Farrakhan cites earthquake, warns America: ‘You will not escape’
Nation of Islam leader tells faithful to prepareCalling this weekend's earthquake in Chile a divine precursor to his planned speech, controversial Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan predicted on Sunday that America will face its own imminent disaster and must prepare.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Archdiocese criticized over failure to inform public of workers accused of abuse
Citing recent reports that current and former Roman Catholic religious workers accused of molesting minors are housed near schools or living in undisclosed locations, victims' advocates are criticizing the Chicago Archdiocese for staying silent about all accused clergy, teachers or volunteers with Chicago ties.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Fire destroys Northwest Side church
Mentally disturbed congregant is held on arson chargeMembers of Edgebrook Lutheran Church on Chicago's Northwest Side knew James Deichman as a mentally disturbed congregant who suffered from paranoid delusions yet strived to be outgoing by attending church gatherings and volunteering as an usher and Scripture reader during services.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Part-time teacher accused of child pornography
3 Jewish schools immediately notify parents after learning of the arrestAdministrators of Chicago Jewish Day School, Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago and Congregation Sinai immediately notified families this week that a teacher had been arrested on charges of child pornography.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Makom Shalom's message: Bring your faith -- money isn't mandatory
Chicago Jewish congregation, amid recession, rejects admission fee for High Holiday servicesWhen Chicago's only Jewish Renewal community assembles at sundown on Friday to usher in the High Holidays, its members will take the unusual step of welcoming worshipers for free.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Some lapsed Catholics returning to the fold
Ad campaign stresses forgiveness, beckons worshippers back to pews In order to return to the pews, Cindy Colman first must grapple with the Roman Catholic Church's failure to forgive, alienating her and her mother from the institution that generations of their family have called home.
Source: Chicago Tribune