Pompeii's fest celebrates tradition

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii's Festa di Tutti i Santi will be held Sunday, Aug. 26, and is expected to draw more than 1,200 participants.

The fest starts with a Mass at 11 a.m. at the shrine, 1224 W. Lexington St. Members of various patron saint societies will carry their religious banners and statues behind the Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni at the close of the liturgy. La Banda Siciliana di Chicago will lead this year’s procession, which will make its way toward the Christopher Columbus statue at the west end of Arrigo Park, one block west of the shrine. Then devotees and parishioners will process around the park to the picnic site.

Susan M. Pudelek, director of pilgrimage ministry for the shrine, said the Mass and fest convey "a real sense of Italian heritage." Societies that would like to participate in this year's celebration are invited to contact the shrine for details.

While at the fest, visitors can view The Italian Experience: A Pictorial History. Created by Carolina and John D'Anca, this exhibit shows what the Near West Side looked like from the time Italians first migrated to the area to today.

The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Families are encouraged to reserve la tavola di famiglia, family tables with seating for ten. Priced at $100, a tavola comes with a table under a tent, ten chairs, and $30 in tickets that can be redeemed for food, beverages, and children's games.

The children's area features pony rides, stilt walkers, a jumping jack, face painting, and games of chance with prizes. The fest also offers a bocce tournament, Italian and Filipino cuisine, and live entertainment.

The Shrine Cookbook Vol. II is packed with recipes submitted by contributors from the Taylor Street area and surrounding communities, and it will be available for purchase. Ye Olde Shrine Shoppe tent will offer gifts, books, and statues. All proceeds go to the shrine.

The event's Pot of Gold raffle will be held again this year. Only 1,000 tickets are sold at $20 each. There will be a $5,000 grand prize, a $2,500 second prize, and five additional cash prizes of $500 each. For raffle tickets, go to www.ourladyofpompeii.org or purchase them in person after Sunday Mass and in the shrine office.

Free parking will be available at the University of Illinois at Chicago Lot 1-B at the northeast corner of
Racine Avenue and Harrison Street.

For more information about the fest, table reservations, volunteering, and sponsorship opportunities, call (312) 421-3757.

 

Fr. Donahue celebrates 25 years

Rev. Scott Donahue, president and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving June 24 at Holy Family Church to mark his 25 years of ministry. More than 800 friends and supporters attended the Mass and the reception that followed at St. Ignatius College Prep.

Since his ordination on May 12, 1982, Fr. Donahue has worked as a parish priest at the Chicago churches St. Juliana, St. Barnabas, and currently St. Robert Bellarmine. He has worked with youngsters at Mercy Home since 1993 and became the organization’s associate president in 1996. In 2006, Cardinal Francis George appointed him Mercy Home's eighth president in its 120-year history, succeeding Rev. James J. Close.

Besides providing care for 132 young men and women on two Chicago campuses, Fr. Donahue is principal liturgist for and celebrant of the televised Sunday Mass at Mercy Home program, which reaches more
than 60,000 Chicago-area shut-ins.

Reflecting on his 25 years serving the faithful, the poor, and the needy, he said the one word that best describes his journey as a priest is "gratitude,” adding that he is “deeply grateful to God for the many blessings that He has bestowed on me."

 

Skinner School to erect new building 

Mark T. Skinner Elementary School at 111 S. Throop St. is getting a much needed overhaul in the form of a new building. Construction will begin as soon as the bidding process concludes.

            Calling the old building, which already has been demolished, “outdated and outlived,” Mike Vaughn of the Chicago Public Schools said the facility’s structural problems made new construction the best option.

            Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. of the 27th Ward said, “Skinner school was in bad shape, and it also couldn’t meet the enrollment demand” resulting from its impressive classical program and arts focus.

            Burnett hopes the school will accept about a third of its students from the community, provided those students meet its testing requirements.

             “We’re looking for a minimum of 30% of students within a one-mile radius of the school, but we are still working out those numbers,” said Burnett. If Skinner does not meet the 30% local minimum, the school will seek students from other Chicago communities.

            The new building’s state-of-the-art facilities will include a large library, gymnasium, and theatre.

“Our goal is to keep people in the community and to provide better schools for the children,” Burnett explained.

            The Skinner Elementary School program has been based at Sojourner Truth School, 1443 N. Ogden Ave., since the 2006-2007 school year.  It will remain there until the projected opening date for the new building in September 2009.

            --Crystal Carlson

 

Miller, Related Midwest host basketball camp 

Mark Miller, a basketball player for Westinghouse High School, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and the Euroleague, held his inaugural basketball camp in July at UIC. Designed for boys and girls ages eight through 18, the two-day camp featured fundamentals training, contests, competitive games, and guest speakers.

            Miller grew up near UIC and lived in the Chicago Housing Authority's ABLA Homes until he started high school. He has many memories of his years at ABLA and maintains strong ties to its residents and the neighborhood. Local developer Related Midwest honored this community bond and recognized Miller’s achievements as a role model and hometown hero turned basketball legend by sponsoring 50 young people from the neighborhood at the basketball camp.

                Related Midwest is the master developer of Roosevelt Square, the redevelopment of the 135-acre site that contained the CHA’s ABLA Homes. Roosevelt Square will replace ABLA Homes and when completed will consist of 2,441 dwellings for families seeking market rate housing, families needing affordable housing, and public housing families. The planned six-phase redevelopment will provide 1,351 for-sale dwellings and 1,090 rental units.

            For more information, visit www.MarkMillerBasketball.com or www.RelatedMidwest.com or call (312) 595-7400.

 

ONIAC holds anti-drug and alcohol seminar

The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club (ONIAC) recently held its annual Anti Drug and Alcohol Seminar. Four hundred third through eighth graders from Santa Lucia Grammar School, Bridgeport Catholic Academy, and St. Jerome Grammar School attended.

            Participating were Rich Catezone Sr., Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse; Robert Tito, C.A.P.S. coordinator; 11th Ward Alderman James Balcer; Commander Eugene Roy, 9th District, Chicago Police Department; Vernita Mitchell, Cook County Sheriff’s Office; Kevin Draftz, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Narcotics Officer Sandra LaPorta; the Keeping It Real speakers, Northwestern University; Dominic DiFazio, Oniac president; former Chicago Bull Bob Love; and Lakos, a dog serving with the K-9 Division, Cook County State's Attorney’s Office.

            The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club is committed to helping youth of this community, and the Anti-Drug & Alcohol Seminar is just one of the programs it offers for youngsters.

            All those attending enjoyed lunch courtesy of Connie’s Pizza, and the children received gifts. ONIAC offers a special thank you to Vince, Mario, and Rosario for their donation of soft drinks.