Today is Friday, April 18.
In 1506, the cornerstone of St. Peter’s Basilica was laid on this date and it was completed in 1626. St. Peter is buried in a tomb below the altar of the basilica, as well as many other popes. The body of Pope John Paul II was laid in an alcove under the basilica that once contained the body of Blessed Pope John XXIII. Pope John’s body was moved to the main body of the basilica after his beatification. Pope John Paul II passed away in April of 2005.
Did you know St. Gall Church began in 1890 as a mission of St. Agnes in Brighton Park? Mass was celebrated at 5151 S. St. Louis Ave. until the current spot at 55th and Kedzie was acquired and the church was built.
St. Clare de Montefalco started as a mission at St. Rita’s. The church at 55th and Talman was built in 1909.
St. Simon was built in 1927 by Slovak immigrants, some who had moved away from St. Michael the Archangel. Their first Mass was celebrated in a storefront at 2624 W. 51st St. Later, a frame wooden church was built at 5143 S. California Ave. until the permanent church was constructed.
On Sunday, April 20, join in the fun at the Lincoln Park Zoo for the Green Apple Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be numerous displays by many environmental agencies, music, Kyle Orton of the Chicago Bears, appearances by personalities from WXRT-FM 93.1 radio, and much more.
On Tuesday, April 22, come on down to Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, to celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn how you can make little everyday-changes to help the earth, such as dropping newspapers off at the recycle bins in St. Simon’s parking lot at 52nd and Fairfield or bringing your used plastic grocery bags to the bin at the front doors of Jewel/Osco at 52nd and Pulaski.
Residents may take used magazines to a senior facility or hospital waiting room so more people can enjoy reading them. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, carpool or use public transportation. Did you ever hear of a solar clothes dryer? It is called a clothesline. Whenever possible, don’t use plastic, for there are ongoing studies that say plastic may contain cancer causing chemicals.
Let your leaders know how you feel about the environment. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111. You may also go to www.earthday.net and sign the Sky Petition, which will go to the members of Congress.
A benefit for Floyd Colbert will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. Donations are $25 at the door. Featured will be a free buffet, draft beer, wine and soda, a silent auction, a split-the-pot raffle and music.
Floyd was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer last September. Donations may be sent to the Floyd Colbert Benefit Fund, c/o First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, 18207 Burnham Ave., Lansing, IL, 60438.
The Bourbon Street Web site for the benefit is www.115bourbon.com/benefit_detail.asp?SpecEventsID=63.