Latest news with #SistersofSt.Joseph
Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
La Grange area leaders laud selection of Chicago-area pope
News of a new pope has Catholics celebrating everywhere, but Pope Leo XIV being from the Chicago area has La Grange leaders proud and excited. Cardinal Robert Prevost, selected after a two-day conclave, chose as his name Leo XIV, the late 19th Century pontiff known for his devotion to social justice. 'I would say that we are just thrilled that not only a person from America, but from the Chicagoland area adds an extra layer of excitement to it,' said Deborah Tracy, president of Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park. 'He seems like a person who will carry out many of the actions, hopes and dreams of Pope Francis.' Tracy, a 1982 Nazareth alumna, said Prevost's time in Latin America and the general consensus that he will continue Pope Francis' commitment to social justice inspires her. 'So much of the mission of Nazareth and the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph was something that really resonated with the things that Pope Francis was trying to do in building bridges and caring for the dear neighbor and caring for those marginalized in our society,' she said. 'It sounds like Pope Leo will be doing the same thing. We're just so happy about that because it seems like who we are.' Prevost, 69, was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, and raised in south suburban Dolton. He grew up in St. Mary of the Assumption parish, where he went to school. La Grange Village Trustee Lou Gale also hails from the south suburbs. 'It's wonderful that we have a pope not just from the United States, but from the same area of myself and my extended family,' Gale said. 'It's great to hear about his connections to New Lenox, where my parents lived after I left home.' La Grange Park Village Trustee Joe Caputo said he thought the new pope would be good for the Chicago area. 'Sadly Chicago gets a bad rap for its violence and sometimes politics,' Caputo said, pointing out the bad press the city received from people like Al Capone, high crime rates and crooked politicians. 'So I'm kind of hopeful that this will be a positive for the city and the state,' he said. 'I think the new pope will be a good symbol for Chicago and Illinois trying to turn it around and get some good recognition.' Although initial reports were that Pope Leo XIV was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, his older brother corrected that impression, stresing he was a longtime White Sox fan. Maggie Jarr, La Grange Park assistant village manager, took that as a hopeful sign. 'White Sox fans can only benefit from the new pope's devotion to lifting up those who suffer,' Jarr said. U.S. Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, a Democrat whose district includes the area, also noted the new pope's connection to Latin American. 'Latin America has the most Catholics in the world, and Pope Leo XIV's knowledge of the region, the time he spent in Peru and his fluency in the Spanish language will be key qualities that will endear him to Latinos in the United States and Latin Americans alike,' Garcia said. Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan before earning a bachelor's degree in science and math from Villanova University, an Augustinian college. Prevost also obtained a master of divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, after which he taught physics and math at St. Rita High School. He joined the Augustinian Mission in Peru in 1988 and spent a decade there serving as judge, prefect of studies, and teaching canon law in the seminary. Garcia also noted Prevost's status as an honorary St. Rita High School Mustang. 'As a Catholic and an immigrant, I am encouraged by the stances Cardinal Prevost has taken in defense of immigrants, and by his views on the poor and the environment,' Garcia said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘A legacy of humanity:' Sisters of St. Joseph honor Pope Francis' mission
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WROC) – As Catholics across the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, the loss of the pontiff's legacy is being felt at home. Mass for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Pittsford was held with a somber tone Monday morning, following news of the Pope's passing. 'We're shocked. We're stunned, and we're sad. We grew attached to him. He exuded warmth, a down-to-earth man with the people,' said Sr. Patricia Schoelles, who has served with the Sisters of St. Joseph for more than 50 years. Pope Francis' tenure, she says, brought a different form of leadership for Catholics worldwide. 'I think this Pope, more than any previous Pope, has left a legacy of humanity and of humanitarianism. There's a quote in one of our documents that says, 'The joys and hopes, the fears and anxiety of all humanity are those of the church.' To me, the leadership of Pope Francis has done just that. It has shown us how to be with humanity and among humanity and especially the ones among us who are suffering the most, the least among us,' said Sr. Schoelles. Sr. Marilyn Pray prepared a new homily Monday, after learning of the Pope's death. Sr. Pray included messages of hope and prayer, as well as a question. 'With this morning's news – I think we can add to that, what's next for us and for our church?' said Sr. Pray. As communities await what's next and potential successors, they are taking time to grieve and honor Pope Francis' legacy. 'I think we all need to express our sorrow and express our hope that the church will go on. Somehow, that his vision will be incorporated in our future years. That the future will make a difference because he made a difference for our future. That's my hope. The days are hopeful as well as filled with sorrow,' said Sr. Schoelles. A mass will be held in the Pope's honor this Friday at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Rochester. The public is welcome to attend. The service will begin at 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
School news: Goodson graduates from Elms College
Feb. 8—Goodson graduates from Elms College CHICOPEE, Mass. — Mary Goodson, of South Point, received a Master of Science in Nursing from Elms College following the conclusion of the Fall 2024 semester. Goodson was among 79 students who received their degrees in December. Elms College is a co-educational Catholic college offering a liberal arts curriculum that prepares students holistically for a purposeful life in a diverse and interconnected world. Founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Elms College has a tradition of educating reflective, principled and creative learners, who are rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, responsive to civic and social obligations, and capable of adjusting to change without compromising principle. Newcome named to fall Deans' List at Nebraska LINCOLN, Neb. — Anna Newcome, of Ironton, has been named to the Deans' List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2024-25 academic year. Newcome, a junior majoring in environmental science and plant biology, was named to the Dean's List for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Qualification for the Deans' List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale and a minimum number of graded semester hours.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Take Back the Site vigil held in honor of teenager killed in drive-by shooting
The Erie community gathered at the site of a murder Tuesday evening to remember the life of a young man lost to gun violence. Erie has already had two homicides so far in 2025, and on Tuesday a group of people came together to denounce that violence and advocate for change. Third suspect arrested in connection to 2024 murder of 17-year-old Armoni Cantu was only 17 years old when he was killed in December in a drive-by shooting near the intersection of West 31st and Liberty Streets. On Tuesday, local religious organizations invited friends and family of Cantu to the site of the homicide for a prayer vigil to remember his life. 'It's hard, you know what I'm saying, without him calling my phone, texting me, seeing how I'm doing. We had a little fallout, but we came back together as friends do, but it's hard not being able to play the game with him no more, talk about football, and laugh and joke around,' said Erik Buckner, a friend of Cantu. Buckner said he considered Cantu to be like a brother, and it's been tough moving forward without him. Other friends of Cantu's also came to the vigil where the group prayed, sang and reclaimed the site where violence occurred. The sidewalk was packed with friends and family taking back the site of the murder, but the purpose of Tuesday's vigil was to put a stop to violence in the City of Erie. 'Arguments, it doesn't have to require guns, and it's really important that as a community, we work together with the police, the schools, neighbors, parents… Everybody's got to work together because otherwise, it's not going to change,' said Deb Seng, social justice coordinator for the Sisters of St. Joseph. Seng said the Take Back the Site vigils are a way to raise awareness that violence is happening all around us, and can happen anywhere. 'It's tragic' – Two teens face homicide charges after Tuesday shooting kills one teen, injures another And when you see that violence happen to someone close to you, Cantu's friend said all you can do is push through. 'Don't take life for granted. It can be taken away from you at any moment. Just keep God first and focus on yourself. Don't worry about anyone else,' said Buckner. There will be another Take Back the Site vigil this month to remember a homicide victim killed on New Year's Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
