Weekly Contributions for the weekend of November 24, 2013

No change in Stewardship pledges.

From the Pastor’s Desk

Weekly Contributions for the weekend of November 17, 2013

No change in Stewardship.

Number of Families Pledges increase by two, now 795.  Total Parish Pledges decrease by $1,077.50 despite this increase in Family Pledges. Another detail was supplied, namely that Total Paid on Parish Pledges includes “overpayments”.

Overdose victim's family sues archdiocese for wrongful death

 

On Wednesday, McIlmail took an unusual first step to memorialize her son's passing - by filing a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contending that church officials ignored years of complaints against the Rev. Robert L. Brennan while he molested Sean and more than 20 other boys.

"This is his [Sean's] legacy," McIlmail, 57, told reporters at a Center City news conference. "Sean will empower sexual-abuse victims who live in darkness and shame, and consequently bring about the necessary changes for the Catholic Church."

The suit, filed in Common Pleas Court, also names Brennan and Msgr. William J. Lynn, the former church official responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by priests.

Read more of the story by clicking on the following:  Overdose victim's family sues archdiocese for wrongful death

Insurance companies to buy back policies as part of Milwaukee Archdiocese bankruptcy - News - 1330 WHBL Sheboygan's News Radio

 

A group of insurers that includes Lloyd's of London has agreed to buy back policies they sold to the church, in exchange for avoiding liability in paying claims to victims of sex abuse by priests.

Church spokesman Jerry Topczewski would not say how much the archdiocese will get from the settlement. He says it will be spelled out in the church's financial re-organization plan which must be approved in federal bankruptcy court. Topczewski did not know when the plan will be filed. Media reports say settlement talks continue with another carrier, Stonewall Insurance.

Click on the following to read the entire article:  Insurance companies to buy back policies as part of Milwaukee Archdiocese bankruptcy - News - 1330 WHBL Sheboygan's News Radio

Weekly Contributions for the weekend of November 10, 2013

 

Stewardship pledges increased by $864.

 

No change in pledge numbers.

 

U.S. Catholic bishops name leaders and immigrant advocate - Yahoo News

By Mary Wisniewski

U.S. Catholic bishops on Tuesday elected an archbishop from Kentucky and a Texas cardinal known for his support of immigrants to head their leadership conference in a nod toward Pope Francis' emphasis on social justice.

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, 67, of Louisville, Kentucky and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, 64, of the Galveston-Houston diocese, were elected to three-year terms as president and vice president, respectively of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Read more by clicking on the following:  U.S. Catholic bishops name leaders and immigrant advocate - Yahoo News

Rockford Bishop pens letter on gay marriage - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

The letter, in part, states:

“As you probably know, the Illinois legislature has voted this week to redefine marriage within our state, abandoning the understanding found in nature and in our faith that God has established this institution as a life-long commitment between one man and one woman.

“This decision, however well-intended, has no basis in nature and certainly not in the teaching or the practice of our Catholic faith. To quote Pope Francis when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and a similar bill was under consideration: “Let us not be naive: this is not simply a political struggle, but it is an attempt to destroy God’s plan. … (and) to confuse and deceive the children of God.

“Our task now is to truly live and teach the reality of marriage and family as professed by our church with joy and faith. No human vote can overwrite God’s law.

“Let us remember as well that we are called by Christ to love and respect all of our brothers and sisters. That means all without exception. But we cannot do so at the expense of abandoning how God, in His love, has made us and made the world.”

Story taken from:  Rockford Bishop pens letter on gay marriage - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Australian nun makes list of women cardinal candidates

 

The Australian nun named as a candidate to be the first woman cardinal would be willing to serve if the Pope asked her, but does not expect a call.

Sister Maryanne Loughry, assistant director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, was one of eight women listed as strong possibilities by American Jesuit priest James Keenan in a recent Facebook post that has gone viral.

Read more:  Australian nun makes list of women cardinal candidates

Irish woman could be Catholic Church’s first female cardinal, some scholars say - NY Daily News

 

Irish theologian Linda Horgan, left, is rumored to be a possible surprise pick when Pope Francis taps 14 new cardinals in February.

She’s married and a feminist to boot, but Irish theologian Linda Hogan is being touted as a candidate to become the first female “prince” of the Catholic Church.

Hogan, 49, has become the subject of widespread speculation that Pope Francis will someday choose her to break the Holy See’s stained-glass ceiling.

Read the entire article:  Irish woman could be Catholic Church’s first female cardinal, some scholars say - NY Daily News

Archbishop Thomas Wenski among nominees for Catholic leadership role - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

 

Howard Cohen

hcohen@MiamiHerald.com

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami is on the shortlist for nomination to the presidency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The position would make Wenski the face and the voice of the Catholic Church in the United States.

But first, Wenski has to get the nod over nine other religious leaders during an election process to be held at the bishops’ annual fall General Assembly Nov. 11-14 in Baltimore.

The position currently is held by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.

Presidents and vice presidents serve for a period of three years.

Wenski faces competition from other church leaders in regions including New Orleans, Washington, Los Angeles, Detroit and Cincinnati.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski among nominees for Catholic leadership role - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

St. James, Belvidere, Il-- Financial Reports FY 2013

 

 

Click on the photo copy to enlarge:

From the first document thje following information regarding the building campaign can be obtained. As of June 30, 2013 $1,583,042 [633,306 + 591,057 + 358,679] was collected:  $887,343 [165.737  + 363,168 + 358,438 ]   was expended on the project; leaving $695,699 remaining..A smaller amount actually remains inasmuch that in 2011 the majority of the $194,688 DIAL loan repayment was procurred from campaign funds.

For those not familiar with the parish, as of June 30, 2013, only the parking lot was complete. No construction has commenced on the new Rectory or the addition to the church.

Letter from Pastor of St. James: Church Addition & Rectory

 

Weekly Contributions for the weekend of November 3, 2013

 

No change in Stewardship from prior week.

No change in pledges however number of families pledging increases back to 793.

$4,500,000 appears to be the “goal”.

The above is from St. James website:  http://www.stjamesbelvidere.org/