Jerry Schumacher -God Gets His Gentle Giant in the Line-up

Toughness should always be measured against gentleness and compassion.  The oils of the sacraments are meant to make us supple and never brittle.  Like the leather baseball mitt that we were given as kids from Dads who scrimped to make the purchase, our lives only endure when we apply the oils and massage our hearts and wrap them in good works and intentions.  The softer the soul, heart and head, the tougher the person becomes able to take the shocks and hard ground.

Jerry Schumacher is one of the toughest person's I know.  He has gone home to Christ oiled and tested -gentle and sweet.

Jerry is a couple of years my senior and eons my superior in wisdom, grace and compassion. Eternity will be a very short journey for Jerry.

He was a giant whose legendary athleticism never allowed the mistaken notion that toughness was all about doing unto others with cruelty. Jerry never boasted - he didn't need to; he never bullied- he never needed to; he never listened to gossip, or bad-mouthing of other people -that he never needed.

Jerry loved deeply.

Jerry was too tough a man to ever shout out, " How You Like Me Now?"

Pygmies are prone to that statement.  Pygmies and little kids playing at tough guy.

His biography is impressive with accomplishments.  His life was so much more.  I never once heard Jerry Schumacher utter an unkindness, much less do a cruel or selfish thing to any person.

His kindness mortifies my own thoughtlessness.

Jerry's welcoming boom of a voice and open palms fill out God's starting line-up.

God Bless Us with some men like Jerry Schumacher; we ain't that tough anymore.

He was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School, where he won a Prep Bowl Championship on 1967, and of the University of Michigan. While at playing football at Michigan he was part of a Big 10 and Rose Bowl winning team.
He was later inducted into the Chicago Catholic League and Mount Carmel High School halls of fame. Mt. Schumacher went on to teach at Gordon Tech High School from 1974 to 1978. He was a member of Local 150.
Mr. Schumacher was the son of the late James and Kathleen nee McInerney, fond son-in-law of the late Chuck and Marge Miller.
He is survived by his wife Cathy nee Miller and children Karen (Shawn) Finnin, Katie (Michael) Cawley, Jerry Jr. and Brian (Emily) Schumacher. Grandfather of Kathleen, Brigid, Shawn and Jack Finnin, Stella and Nora Cawley.
He is also survived by his siblings Carole, the late Gene (Lee) Schumacher, Janice (John) Comiskey, Kathleen (Frank) Maloney, Erin (David) Carlstedt, Maureen (Phil) Panatera, Mary Pat (Jim) Rohan, Jim (Julie) Schumacher, and Susan (Tom) Sheahan.
Fond brother-in-law of Michael Miller, Ret. Bat. Chief CFD, and PJ (Joanne) Miller. Proud uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 2 from 3 to 9 p.m. at St. Cajetan Church, 2445 W. 112th Street.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, May 3 at St. Cajetan Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment  will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Today is The Feast of All Saints -AD 800 -2013

A British monk by the name of Alcuin was the first to set the date of November 1st as the commemoration of all the saints. However, Pope Boniface IV dragged 28 wagon loads of bones from the catacombs to the old Roman Pagan temple - The Pantheon and rededicated that building as a church sometime in May 609 AD.

The Pantheon was a temple that recognized all of the old Roman/Greek gods and now Christians who had come out of hiding from persecution in three hundred and twenty five years after Christ could recognize those who had been martyred for the Faith, or had lived exemplary lives.  My friends, family and neighbors are adding Brian Egan (58) to the canon of saints today at St. Cajetan's Church. This saint was a great guy.  There are many great guys and gals interred on consecrated ground, lost at sea, or cremated with ashes scattered all over the globe.  Tomorrow, we will recognize our War Dead at the Leo High School Memorial in the courtyard on 79th Street.

We remember the saints - small s.- as well as the Saints -Capital S.

The Pope began to set rigorous standards for official Canonization of Saints in about 990 AD. Five Hundred years ago the process became even more exacting. After Vatican II many Saints - Upper Case S - were taken out of the Canon of Saints; most memorable was the dropping of St. Christopher.

Sainthood is important, but not as important as remembering sainthood - Brian Egan is a great example.  He was a guy who showed up to worship, work and play.  Brian Egan was accountable.  That is the mark of real sainthood.  He knew the rules and did not need them.

Another saint once told me, "Don't worry about what Heaven is like; worry about what you are doing."

Do I lie, cheat, neglect, take, ignore, or shirk?  Good God, Yes.

Do I give, ease, fix, show up and remember?  Not for me to say.

St. Cajetan Mass for Veterans and Serving Heroes Today at 2 P.M.

The religious ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Cajetan Church, 2445 W. 112th St. There will be a brief Mass, or blessing, followed by a ceremony complete with Chicago Fire Department bagpipers and World War II Rangers and veterans leading the pledge.

Retired military serviceman Mike Vasko, who served 21 years in the Navy and three years in the Army National Guard, said he also wants to take time to thank spouses from back home.

“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to our wives and kids, they should get the rewards as well,” Vasko said.

Chicago-area military families who lost loved ones will be presented with flags that flew in combat and then at Ground Zero in New York City.

A New York City firefighter, who was in the World Trade Center when it collapsed, will present those honors.

“Our goal is to fill up the church and really show these guys how much we love them,” McCauley said.

The McCarthy Group is a group of Chicago police and firefighters, New York City firefighters and several combat veterans formed in honor of Col. Joseph McCarthy*, McCauley said. McCarthy was a Chicago firefighter and World War II veteran.

Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy (August 10, 1911 – June 15, 1996) was a mustang officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, who served during World War II and the Korean War. He was also the Superintendent of Ambulances in the Chicago Fire Department,[1] however, with respect for his wartime heroics, firefighters continued to address him by his wartime military rank of "Captain."[2]
Historian Bill D. Ross would write about him in 1985:
McCarthy was thirty three; overage for a company commander. He was Irish and he looked it: husky, red complexioned, pug nose. Superior officers sometimes found his manner abrasive, but unlike many Irishmen, he wasn't talkative. He was, in fact, laconic and tight-lipped. "I don't like malarkey or bullshit," the Chicagoan often said. But Joe McCarthy knew the uncompromising business of battle; he had the Silver Star for leading his company up a savagely contested hill on Saipan and his men called him "the best damned officer in the Marine Corps."[3]
The building that houses the headquarters of 2nd Battalion 24th Marines in Chicago is named in his honor. Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery[2] following a funeral mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.[4]Medal of Honor citationMarine Corps service

McCarthy first enlisted in the Marine Corps on February 20, 1937 in Chicago and served for four years. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted and returned to active duty in February 1942. In June of that year, he was discharged with the rank of first sergeant in order to accept a commission in the Marine Corps Reserve.
McCarthy joined the 4th Marine Division shortly thereafter, and went overseas in January 1944. While deployed, he took part in the Roi-Namur, Saipan-Tinian, and Iwo Jima campaigns. He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism as a rifle company commander on Saipan in 1944. He received the Purple Heart with Gold Star for wounds received in action on Saipan and Iwo Jima.
On February 21, 1945, as a captain, he earned the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima, while leading an assault team across exposed ground to wipe out positions holding up the advance of his company. "I was scared all the time," McCarthy said later. "Any man tells you he wasn't scared was an imbecile. But you dealt with it."[4] President Harry S. Truman presented the Medal of Honor to McCarthy in ceremonies at the White House, held on October 5, 1945. As Truman presented the Medal, he told McCarthy, "I'd rather have one of these than be President."[4]
Released from active duty following the war, he held the grade of lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.[5]
[edit]After the war

In 1949, McCarthy drove from Maine to North Carolina visiting the families of 26 Marines who had been killed in action on Iwo Jima. Each one of them, he told the families, had been just as brave as he was, just not as lucky.[4]
McCarthy was the Grand Marshall of the City of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1959.[6]
McCarthy retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1971 and from the Chicago Fire Department in 1973. Thereafter, he and his wife split their time between homes in Wisconsin and Delray Beach, Florida. His wife, Anita, died in 1978. The couple had no children.[4]
"I would hope and pray there never be another Medal of Honor issued," he said in a 1992 interview. "I hope and pray there's never any more wars."[4]


The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CAPTAIN JOSEPH J. McCARTHY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a rifle company attached to the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. Determined to break through the enemy's cross-island defenses, Capt. McCarthy acted on his own initiative when his company advance was held up by uninterrupted Japanese rifle, machine gun, and high-velocity 47mm. fire during the approach to Motoyama Airfield No. 2. Quickly organizing a demolitions and flamethrower team to accompany his picked rifle squad, he fearlessly led the way across 75 yards of fire-swept ground, charged a heavily fortified pillbox on the ridge of the front and, personally hurling hand grenades into the emplacement as he directed the combined operations of his small assault group, completely destroyed the hostile installation. Spotting 2 Japanese soldiers attempting an escape from the shattered pillbox, he boldly stood upright in full view of the enemy and dispatched both troops before advancing to a second emplacement under greatly intensified fire and then blasted the strong fortifications with a well-planned demolitions attack. Subsequently entering the ruins, he found a Japanese taking aim at 1 of our men and, with alert presence of mind, jumped the enemy, disarmed and shot him with his own weapon. Then, intent on smashing through the narrow breach, he rallied the remainder of his company and pressed a full attack with furious aggressiveness until he had neutralized all resistance and captured the ridge. An inspiring leader and indomitable fighter, Capt. McCarthy consistently disregarded all personal danger during the fierce conflict and, by his brilliant professional skill, daring tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed materially to the success of his division's operations against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His cool decision and outstanding valor reflect the highest credit upon Capt. McCarthy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.[1][7]

Chicago's Third Big Blizzard Day 2 - Neighbors 1: Weather 0

The thirty below Hawk froze the starter on the ancient but reliable MDT Snow-blower. Fifty- eight year old muscle and lard hefted chunks and blocks of white cake along with the younger bones and sinews of my fireman neighbor. Together we opened parking spots and driveways.

Western Ave. is as open as an old man's fly.

108th Street is open, thanks to 19th Ward Streets and San Superman Steve Riordan. The guy never sleeps. Troops of St. Cajetan eighth graders picked up some dough doing the stoops and stairs and gangways of the elderly and St. Rita bound 8th grader Joe Rohan's crew cleared driveways of single moms and folks caught out in the suburbs who have yet to make it home.

Morgan Park/St. Cajetan 1; Blizzard 2011 ain't no thang!

Neighbors take care of one another and kicked the Weather's Rump . . .again.

Fr. Tony & The Beatitudes - Protection from All Anxiety: Foreign and Domestic

I went to early Mass at St. Cajetan Church. I usually go to the warmth and simplicity of the more traditional services at Sacred Heart, but was treated to a wonderful homily on the Eight Beatitudes by a young priest from the faculty of the wonderful Mount Carmel High School here in Chicago. Leo Men admire all Catholic schools - Catholic Leaguer rivalries not withstanding.

Mount Carmel is shepherded by the Order of Carmelites, one of the four Orders of Friars in the Catholic Church ( Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans and Augustinians) and the young men of Carmel are graced with committed men like Mount Carmel Graduate Father Tony Mazurkiewicz*.

The Carmelites were founded in the Middle East. The Middle East is in turmoil and the world is gripped with anxiety - Coptic Christians were slaughtered during the Christmas season in Egypt, subsequent democratic protests gave way to riots, looting and terror. Tunisia and Yeman are locked in revolution and Israel is again under siege.

American activists have coordinated with Hamas and Islamist enemies of the West in the foolish assumption of solidarity. The outcome of events is in the hands of God, but man's pride demands megaphone loudmouths and sinister political agents opportunities to deconstruct Humanity.

A simple Spanish girl, a Carmelite, St. Theresa of Avila spoke in the Middle Ages, when Muslims and Christians alike slaughtered themselves and Jews, about prideful man.

Father Tony reminded us of this at Mass. In speaking to the Gospel, Father Tony talked about his work that brings Mount Carmel High School students and poor women in Chicago's inner city together. The young men in Brown tutor single mothers in math and reading in order to help single mom's manage household budgets. These young men are living the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4)
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

Father Tony summed up the Beatitudes in the words of St. Teresa of Avila. "Humility is to keep within the bounds of truth." Father Tony explained that humility lets us know where we stand with God -not in place of Him.

The young men who wear the scapular of Mount Carmel - you shall know them by these signs: Rolled Brown MC baseball caps and the tightly rolled brown cloth scapulars around their necks - helping single moms with poor math and reading skills are genuine activists. These tough kids are giving and helping and will do so all of their lives. One of those kids played football at Mount Carmel and later at Yale - he could have become anything in this world; but did one better.

The Solidarity and Moral High ground public figures could learn much about Justice from the humble young men, like the priest who said Mass at St. Cajetan's and young men he shepherds. Faith and Humility spark action. In Sousa's Semper Fidelis March, the lyrics are anything but politically correct:

". . . For many men profess their loyalty to true democracy yet bow to mockery
and bend the knee to aristocracy, for to live their creed their need is small.
And may men proclaim their worthiness, display their lowliness, disclaim their earthiness.
Oh give us strength to seek true holiness, and in word and deed to heed the call!" Semper Fidelis

Mount Carmel Men, Leo Men, Marines, Simple Citizen Patriots and Priests live the Beatitudes.

May God grant me a little of what it takes and what good people possess.

Father Tony Mazurkiewicz, O.Carm.



*

Mount Carmel graduate Tony Mazurkiewicz, a Carmelite priest, looks at the period in history when he attended the school on the wall at the Convocation Center at the South Side school. (Joseph P. Meier/SouthtownStar)

Enrollment at Yale University.

Again being named a football captain.

Reported membership in the Skull and Bones, a very elite Yale-based "secret society" whose members are believed to include former U.S. presidents William Taft, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

A degree in history from the Ivy League school.

Mazurkiewicz managed all these accomplishments as a young man.

But there can be more to life than a career of power and prestige in political or business or athletic circles.

Just ask the man now better known by many simply as "Father Tony."

The blond, broad-shouldered Mazurkiewicz is a Carmelite priest teaching at Mount Carmel, and like many clergy, he is not concerned with those things. He has taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Mazurkiewicz, 36, instead finds peace in daily prayer, the brotherhood of the Carmelites, teaching students and serving others.

"It's like weaving our lives with God," he said. "It's like a big sewing machine."

In August, he started teaching morality to juniors at Mount Carmel - in the same classrooms where he started his own spiritual journey.

The teenage years

Mazurkiewicz grew up in Glenwood, where he lived with parents Larry and Laura and his sister, Tina.

While he was in eighth grade, he decided to attend Mount Carmel after watching a varsity football game.

Once he started high school in 1988, Mazurkiewicz quickly demonstrated his talents in both academics and football. His Spanish teacher, Father "Padre" Benjamin Aguilar - now a fellow Carmelite - said Mazurkiewicz aced his daily quizzes.

Aguilar also noted Mazurkiewicz's interest in religion and suggested he think about becoming a priest.

"I think I saw that he was just a very disciplined young man," Aguilar said. "He had a lot of energy as well, a lot of passion.

"Whenever I spoke about a religious topic or an ethical topic or a moral topic, he was always all ears. He was like a sponge."

But this wasn't yet the time for Mazurkiewicz to hear his calling. He was focused on his studies and winning football games.

During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he played defensive back and running back for the Caravan. When he moved up to the varsity, he played safety.

"At the time, I loved the hitting," Mazurkiewicz said. "The physical side of the game was good for me to let go of the energy."

Mount Carmel alumni director Jim Civik said Mazurkiewicz was a starter on the 1989 and 1990 state championship teams. His teammates named him a captain for his senior year. School officials said he recorded 115 tackles and eight interceptions during his varsity career.

Don Sebestyen, a former Mount Carmel defensive backs coach who is the principal at Providence Catholic High School, called Mazurkiewicz one of the smartest kids he coached.

"He had a killer instinct," Sebestyen said. "He knew how to use it and bring it on, and you got to game day and he'd turn it loose - I'm glad I wasn't playing against him."

Although he was a hitter on the field, it soon hit Mazurkiewicz that there was a bigger picture. He said his senior year retreat, Kairos, played a pivotal role in his spiritual life.

"It was an eye-opening experience with God," he said. "(But) I wouldn't have considered myself a 'holy roller' then and not even now."

Mazurkiewicz graduated from Mount Carmel in 1991. He was third in his class - behind two valedictorians - and he was accepted into Yale University.

The Yale years

The success Mazurkiewicz had in high school continued at Yale. He majored in history and played strong safety for the Bulldogs.

The teams were less successful than he was used to at Mount Carmel, going 3-7 his sophomore year, 5-5 his junior year and 3-7 his senior year. But Yale sports publicity director Steve Conn said Mazurkiewicz was a team captain there his senior year and he led the defense with 41 solo tackles, 56 assisted tackles and three interceptions.

Throughout his football career, he attended church every Sunday, football wounds and all.

"We'd have running, and then we'd go to Mass," he said. "You'd see a row of guys with ice bags going to Mass."

Mazurkiewicz graduated from college in 1996 with a degree in history. Spurred by his father, a Vietnam veteran, he wrote his senior thesis about the Vietnam War. The paper detailed the Tet Offensive's effect on Marines' morale.

Not knowing what to do upon graduation, he signed up for the Peace Corps. But he didn't follow through, instead accepting a teaching gig at Mount Carmel in 1997.

Later that year, a full-time teaching job opened up for him on the East Coast. He taught Spanish, English and history in Boston in a sixth- through eighth-grade public school run by the Edison Project, a for-profit education firm run by a former Yale president.

While in Boston, he applied to and was accepted into the master's program at Harvard University's School of Education.

"I was looking online at the classes, and most of them were theology classes," he said. "Any conversation about God seemed interesting to me."

Journey to the priesthood

Mazurkiewicz returned to Mount Carmel Hi gh School in 2000 after Aguilar reached out to him. His former teacher suggested he might want to live with the Carmelites for a year in the campus priory - with no obligation.

"The Carmelites have a combination of community life, prayer life and ministry," Mazurkiewicz said. "I had been in so many communities, and this seemed to fit."

Mazurkiewicz wrote a letter asking the Carmelites if he could live with them for a year, and they agreed to it. Once again, he taught at the school and coached baseball and football.

Mazurkiewicz said his parents were surprised by his decision, but they wanted him to be happy. In fact, his mother now works as the secretary to Mount Carmel president Father Carl Markelz.

"My dad was looking for an early retirement with the Yale degree," Mazurkiewicz quipped.

As part of his path to becoming a Carmelite, Mazurkiewicz lived from 2001 to 2002 in a Carmelite home in Houston, living a life of daily prayer and communion.

The following year, he lived, prayed and meditated in a Carmelite home in Middleton, N.Y. He spent six months at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Calif., then worked at St. Agnes, in Phoenix, Ariz., from 2003 to 2005.

Mazurkiewicz enrolled at Washington (D.C.) Theological Union in 2005, earning degrees in philosophy and theology in 2009.

In May 2009, Mazurkiewicz became an ordained priest. He served his first year at St. Raphael Parish in the predominately Latino South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles.

As of August, he is back at Mount Carmel, teaching morality to three junior classes and making recruiting visits to elementary schools.

Outside his job, he likes playing basketball, skiing and fly fishing when he can. An avid reader, Mazurkiewicz enjoys historical books, as well as the works of Hermann Hesse, who authored Siddhartha, which is about a boy's spiritual journey.

Typical of his order, Mazurkiewicz is a humble man. He had reservations about being featured in a story, wanting the focus to be on his Carmelite brothers. Mazurkiewicz lives with them in a Carmelite house at 54th Street and University Avenue in Chicago's Hyde Park community.

Every morning, the Carmelites awaken at 6 a.m. for prayer, silence, Mass and the singing of psalms. The evenings end more or less the same way.

"This has happened for centuries on centuries," Mazurkiewicz said. "To continue that commitment to prayer has been life-giving."

Eleven Year Old St. Cajetan's Girl Directs Candy for Haiti Kids! Hailey Crowley -St. Cajetan Warrior!

Your St. Cajetan's Lady Warriors!

A local clown columnist wrote that Pro Lifers only care for the 'acorns while the forest burns.'

Millions of actual children living in the real world right now will continue to be denied basic health care -- some fatally -- in the name of protecting embryonic potential children. It's like letting a forest burn down for the sake of a bag of acorns.

Strain that metaphor, Steinberg! http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/2073553,CST-NWS-stein28.article

Catholic Charities opens at 8 A.M. (folks are lined up in front every day well before that time) every day on 79th Street just east of Racine to feed children and their parents, while Planned Parenthood offers opportunities to kill children all over the state. Here's some of the support Catholic Charities offers all over Chicago:

Services
Adoption
Child Development
Counseling
Children/Youth/Families Abuse or Neglect
Domestic Violence
Education
Emergency Assistance
Employment & Job Training
Health Care
Homelessness
HIV/AIDS Services
Immigration / Naturalization
Legal
Maternity / Pregnancy
Nutrition
Refugee Resettlement
Senior Services
Senior Housing
Substance Abuse
Veterans Services

http://www.catholiccharities.net/services/


"Acorns and trees"do pretty well - cradle to grave.

The history of institutional health care in Chicago begins with the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Mercy - care for foundlings, orphans and the indigent.

This Dante spouting goof Steinberg tries to imply that being anti-Abortion is hypocritical. Catholics prove the dope wrong again. A better man and a better journalist working for the same news group as pays Steinberg prints a real story on the same day. Sweet Ironies.

Hailey Crowley eleven years of age and a student at St. Cajetan Parish Grammar School must have learned that life is pretty complex. Her mom and dad it appears did a great job of raising her.

Witness this report by Steve Metsch of the Southtown Star:

Hailey Crowley was deeply touched when she saw televised reports from earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
"I just wanted to do something to help because we have so much stuff and they don't have anything. They're living on the streets," said Hailey, 11.
She won't soon forget one image.
"There was a picture of a little boy, younger than my brother, sitting in the street and crying," said Hailey, whose brother, Liam, is 6.
Hailey, of Chicago's Beverly community, decided to help raise money for the children of Haiti but wasn't sure how.
Then she found inspiration at a cousin's baptismal party.
"They had chocolate bars with her name on the label. I thought, 'I could do that,' " she said.
She asked her parents, Doug and Mary Kay Crowley, to buy several cartons of Hershey milk chocolate bars.
Doug Crowley helped Hailey design "Help 4 Haiti" labels in the red and blue colors of the Haitian flag.
Printed for free by Copy Cats, a print shop at St. Xavier University, the labels were slipped over the Hershey labels.
And then Hailey got busy selling candy bars for $2 each.
"A lot of people gave me more than $2. A lot of relatives gave me $20 for one bar," Hailey said.
One family gave Hailey $100 for one chocolate bar, Mary Kay said.
Hailey went door to door selling chocolate bars. She called friends and relatives. She even sold candy during lunch at St. Cajetan School, where she is a sixth-grader.
To date, Hailey has raised more than $300 that will be donated to UNICEF to help needy children in Haiti.
"It makes me happy," she said of her large haul.
St. Cajetan Principal Terry Reger is "happy and thrilled" by Hailey's idea.
"She's an example of the message we're trying to get out to our kids. You give back. You help others. That's what it's all about," Reger said.
"Hailey is very genuine. She's not in it for the publicity. This is Hailey. This is who she is," Reger said.
This is Hailey's second effort to help others. She organized a candy sale for Hurricane Katrina relief when she was in second grade, her father said.
That's not too surprising, given her upbringing. Helping others is a common trait in members of the Crowley family.
Doug Crowley is a Chicago firefighter. Mary Kay Crowley is a nurse at the University of Illinois Medical Center.
If you are interested in helping Hailey raise money for Haiti, she will be selling her "Help 4 Haiti" chocolate bars through St. Patrick's Day.
HOW TO HELP

To buy a "Help 4 Haiti" chocolate bar or make a contribution, e-mail Hailey Crowley's father at douglas_crowley@hotmail.com.

The Women of St. Cajetan's Parish

In Praise of Strong Catholic Women


Three Gents were bar stooling at Keegan's Pub. As I quaffed a Lime Ricky, I overheard a trio of Catholic Southside Squires waxing poetic and poignant on the Life Marital*. These three worthies were crafting rodomontade about how they had given their wives duties. The first Hector had married a sweet woman from Faith, Hope and Charity parish way up in Winnetka whom he had met at St. Pat's World's Largest Street Party and waxed thrasonical that he had told his bride that she was going to do all the dishes and house cleaning. He said it took a couple days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were done.



The second Punter had married a woman from Nativity Parish in Bridgeport. This St. Gabriel Parish raised Commodities Wizard bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. On that very first day, he didn't see any results, but the next day, it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done, and he had a huge dinner on the table.





The third Buckeen from St. Barnabas Parish married a girl from St. Cajetans Parish. The Boorish Buckeye told this Lady Warrior that her duties were to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. Our Barnabian Burgomeister said that on the first day he didn't see anything near what he had ordained to be the Master's Will and on the second day he didn't see anything as well but by the third day most of the swelling had gone down, and he could see a little out of his left eye; enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher, and telephone Brian Hogan's Landscaping Services.

Hat Tip to Bob Hylard - Leo High School Class of 1946 & Leo Hall of Fame!


*Affirmation for Catholic Women

Because of the assaults against the Christian Faith and the family by elements within contemporary society which have led to pervasive moral confusion, to damage and destruction of families and the men, women and children who comprise them;

Because we adhere to the Catholic Christian faith as expressed in Holy Scripture, the Nicene, Apostolic and Athanasian Creeds, in the ecumenical Councils of the Church, and in the continued deepening of the understanding of the revelations of Sacred Truth to the Church by the Holy Spirit through the teaching authority of the Church and of the Successors of Peter, Apostle;

Because we wish to affirm our desire to realize our vocations and our duty as Christians and as women in accordance with these authentic teachings, following the example and instruction of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and the example of Mary, His mother;

Because we are cognizant of our obligations as Christian women to witness to our faith, being mindful that this witness is important to the formation of the moral conscience of our families and of humanity, we wish to make this affirmation:

1. We believe that through God's grace our female nature affords us distinct physical and spiritual capabilities with which to participate in the Divine Plan for creation. Specifically, our natural function of childbearing endows us with the spiritual capacity for nurture, instruction, compassion and selflessness, which qualities are necessary to the establishment of families, the basic and Divinely ordained unit of society, and to the establishment of a Christian social order.

2. We believe that to attempt to subvert or deny our distinct nature and role as women subverts and denies God's plan for humanity, and leads to both personal disintegration and ultimately to the disintegration of society. Accordingly, we reject all ideologies which seek to eradicate the natural and essential distinction between the sexes, which debase and devalue womanhood, family life and the nurturing role of women in society.

3. We affirm the intrinsic sacredness of all human life, and we reject the notion that abortion, the deliberate killing of unborn children, is the "right" of any human being, male or female, or of any government. Such a distorted and corrosive notion of individual freedom is, in fact, inimical to authentic Christianity and to the establishment and maintenance of a just social order.

4. We accept and affirm the teaching of the Catholic Church on all matters dealing with human reproduction, marriage, family life and roles for men and women in the Church and in society.

5. We therefore also reject as an aberrant innovation peculiar to our times and our society the notion that priesthood is the "right" of any human being, male or female. Furthermore, we recognize that the specific role of ordained priesthood is intrinsically connected with and representative of the begetting creativity of God in which only human males can participate. Human females, who by nature share in the creativity of God by their capacity to bring forth new life, and, reflective of this essential distinction, have a different and distinct role within the Church and in society from that accorded to men, can no more be priests than men can be mothers.

6. We recognize and affirm the vocations of women who subordinate their human role of motherhood and family life in order to consecrate their lives to the service of God, His Church and humanity. Such women's authentic response of consecrated service to the physical, spiritual and/or intellectual needs of the community in no way diminishes or compromises their essential female nature, or the exercise of inherent attributes, insights and gifts peculiar to women. Rather, it extends the applications of these gifts beyond the individual human family.

7. We stand with the Second Vatican Council, which took for granted the distinct roles for men and women in the family and in society and affirmed that Christian education must impart knowledge of this distinction: "In the entire educational program [Catholic school teachers] should, together with the parents, make full allowance for the difference of sex and for the particular role which Providence has appointed to each sex in the family and in society. (Declaration on Education, Sec. 8, paragraph 3, from Vatican II Documents, ed. Austin Flannery, 1981)

8. We pledge our wholehearted support to the teachings of Pope John Paul II concerning all aspects of family life and roles for men and women in the Church and in society, especially as contained in the Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris Consortio; and we resolve to apply the principles contained therein to our own lives, our families and our communities, God being our aid.

The Muslim World of St. Cajetan's Parish, er . . .Whadda We Call it, Now?

Now, the flip side is I think that the United States and the West generally, we have to educate ourselves more effectively on Islam.

"And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.

President Barack H. Obama 6/2/2009 or is that AH 1430*

In the Name of Father . . .Alla Akabar! This meeting of the St. Cajetan . . .Caliph Umr . . . Knights of the Blessed Sacra. .. Seljuk Turks is called to order this day June . . .something er other AH 1430.

I'm Marty O'Hara, Grand Moujik of this Lodge and stuff. Okay to business

Imam Terry O'Donovan will be up in the minaret if any of you guys want to to go to Confession . . Salah, its ritual prayer, Hickey, like a novena only different - look the Sin Box is out. . . but you guys ain't exactly wearing the carpet out going in there anyway.

The Zakat, was off last week and Father Te. . . Imam Terry is beefing to me so tell the family to dig.

Sawm is like Lent, only we're moving things up to September, because Easter is out and some of you guys can stand some Sawm and then some. Half you clowns got Dunlap's Disease**- terminal.

Gaffney and O'Connell Travel has booked Ryan Air Flights -Chicago to Shannon to Mecca for this year's The Hajj,

The Tarrif ain't too bad. Nice gambling junket in the United Arab Emirates too . . .eats are nice.

Look, all this Change is what President Obama told the world we gotta do and we're gonna do it or MSNBC be will peeing all over the place 24/7.

The beer concession is cancelled 'officially' but chilled 'milk of Islam' is in the coolers so grab a couple and let's get Submissive!


This concludes the business.

Gambling, smokes and water-pipes may be lit. Imam Terry said that we gotta go easy on the noise. Cash for chips.

* Islamic Calendar

http://www.rabiah.com/convert/

** Dunlap's Disease - an affliction brought on by an excess of empty calories and an absence of exercise - 'where the belly done lops over the belt' in helot argot.

Clare Hickey -Now a St. Cajetan Graduate!

Nora, Clare and Conor Hickey at St. Cajetan Parish 8th Grade Graduation Last Night

Memorare*! Clare, one thing to take from your 9(pre-school & eight years) years at St. Cajetan, besides the thick cohort of friends and the wings of happy memories, is this prayer.

Your Mom said this every day. Your Dad only seems to remember it when he is in trouble. Be like Mom.

Your Mother, Mary, both of them, watch over you. Mom only had the earthly joy of you for a little while. Mary the Mother of God has had you much longer. Both have you eternally.

You are in an elite club, St. Cajetan Alumni. St. Cajetan always won the Southtown Economist Bell in Football - that was a trophy. St. Cajetan always educated great people - the Joyces, the Schumachers, the Wards, The Reyas, The Hodorowicz's, the Miers, the Cullens, the Sheehans, the Millers, and Hopkins.

You, Clare, will bring much to our world that is needed. Say the Memorare and get help in all you need to do. Be like Mom.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

* Here's a link to Patriot, Wit, Author, Playwright and Film Maker,Mike Houlihan's take on the Memorare! Click my post title for Mike's piece

My Dad - Guam in 1944 and St. Cajetan's Vet Services 2008

My Dad, Pfc.Patrick E. Hickey USMCR, a machine gunner with Able Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines was photographed on Guam in July, 1944. He was 19 years old at the time and a veteran of the Bougainville Campaign in the Solomon Islands in 1943. The following year he would go to Iwo Jima and return to Guam where he 'checked caves until he came home in November 1945 - he had the Points. Yesterday, the kids of St. Cajetan School in my Morgan Park neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, honored the Veterans of our Parish. My Dad is featured at the beginning of the video and had trouble standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

St. Cajetan Parish is honored by the service of about twenty young men now deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He met a 'young guy' who served in the 3rd Marines during Operation Desert Storm and told him 'Semper Fi, Mac.'

Thank you to St. Cajetan's School!

Click my post title for great Southtown Star coverage of kids giving touching tribute to our heroes -Old and Young.

Welcome Home Marines of 2-24! Chicago's Own!

There are six young men coming home from the Morgan Park/Beverly/Mount Greenwood Neighborhood, known in the Chicago MSM at the 19th Ward.

Ryan Nolan
Mike Hughes
Jim Kelly
Bob Carroll
Nick Parker
John Folliard

. . . all Marines of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines.* Our young men will be greeted down Western Ave. - their hometown mainstreet. These five heroes are members of St. Cajetan's Parish! There are Yellow Ribbons all over this neighborhood in Morgan Park of Chicago. God Bless You, Marines!

Tomorrow, I will meet the young men who have served our Country with Honor in Iraq at the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines formation at Rosemont Horizon. My interviews with their familes and the men themselves concerning their part in the The Surge and the welccome that awaits them back in the neighborhood.

My interviews and photos will appear in Chicago Daily Observer - The Best Source of Balanced Journalism in Chicago: go to www.cdobs.com

http://cdobs.com/