As I sit down to write this, the gray skies outside open up and unleash a torrent of rain, which beats a steady drum roll on my windows. The old Ricky Nelson tune with the line “Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain” comes to mind. Then, somehow thoughts turn to the old expression “raining cats and dogs.”
What an odd saying! Seems the term originated in 17th century England, when streets had no storm drains. At that time, it is said that hundreds of cats and dogs roamed about. So, during downpours, many of these poor animals ended up swimming (and drowning) in the flood waters. Hence, the expression, which described what appeared to take place!
It’s time for Mayor Daley’s Spring Clean and Green Day in Chicago. This year's event takes place on Saturday, May 17.
Depending on the work performed, the city will provide volunteers with rakes and brooms, as well as trash bags. To register and/or obtain more information about the program, call 311.
The Council of Catholic Women of Our Lady of Snows Parish, 4810 S. Leamington Ave., is pleased to announce its Woman of the Year, Marie Higgins. A more apt title would be Woman of the Half Century, as Marie and her husband, Jim, were founding parishioners who helped raise funds to build the church and school with the Rev. Leo Kinsella, pastor.
Marie Higgins attended St. Matthew's grammar school and Providence High School, then graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree. She is mother to six children, who attended the parish school, grandmother of 11, and great-grandmother to six. When her husband, Jim, died in 1986, Marie returned to teaching at Sahs School in Stickney, where she still continues to substitute when needed.
She has been a minister of care to many neighbors, as well as her cherished mother. who recently died just before reaching her 100th birthday. Marie is also a member of the funeral choir and is a lector and Eucharistic minister at daily Mass. She assists at the Midway Airport Chapel on weekends and participates in the Sunday noon Mass at Snows Parish.
Marie is clearly an example of dedication and deep faith, possessing a boundless energy that belies her age of 80 years. Snows Parish is proud that she will represent the church at the upcoming 22nd Annual Vicariate V Woman of the Year luncheon at the Belvedere Chateau in Palos Hills.
Tickets to attend the event cost $30 and need to be ordered before May 5. A cash bar will be open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call Joan Saba, (773) 767- 4532.
A spring concert comes to the area when the Canticum Novum Chamber Choir comes to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac Ave. at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4.
A freewill offering will be taken. Light refreshments will be served following the concert.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School, 5252 S. Major Ave., is offering excercise classes at 9 a.m. Monday and Thursday, and at 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.
The cost is $3.50 per class on a pay-as-you-go basis. For more details, contact Julie Krizka at (773) 581-5259.