Snow brought out the best neighbors

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

I am not sure if we are officially done with the snow yet, or if it is just wishful thinking; but in either case I’d like to give a shout out and many thanks to my neighbors for their much-appreciated help with the snow this season.

To my neighbors on the north, Eddie and Arturo; on the south, Charly and Jessie; and on the west, Victor, thank you so much. You are wonderful neighbors, and I appreciate your help.

Last week we welcomed Sister My Huong Pham as the new Director of Spiritual Needs at Holy Cross Hospital and said goodbye to her predecessor, Sister Laura.

When I spoke with Sister My Huong last week, we talked about the heavy toll placed on hospital workers over the last few years.

Once the pandemic began, the job of a hospital chaplain became more difficult too. In-person visits were banned, allowing communication mainly via the telephone. The level of fatigue was also growing among staff at the hospital.

Dennis Ryan, Vice President for Mission Effectiveness at Holy Cross, recently told the Chicago Catholic that the number of staff asking for contact with chaplains has certainly increased over the pandemic.

That said, the youth group at St. Rita of Cascia Parish is working on putting together a little something to help a bit. I’ll give you an update on that in the near future.

Over the last several weeks, it seems I am quite often sharing news of the passing of someone who has been a part of our neighborhood. Sadly, this week is no different. Sister of St. Casimir Johanna Marie Shainauskas recently passed away after a long illness.

Your paths may have crossed during her time as a receptionist at Holy Cross or maybe you remember her during the 1990s when she was at Maria High School as Director of Student Services, where she also taught Spanish III and IV.

Sister Margaret Zalot tells us that in addition to being fluent in Spanish, she was also fluent in Lithuanian. That proved helpful while she was secretary and receptionist at Nativity BVM Parish. She was also a longtime member of the Knights of Lithuania and worked on their Vytis magazine.

For Catholics, Lent has begun this week. As is tradition, St. Thomas More Church, 2825 W. 81^st St., is offering Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent after the noon Mass.

The deadline for teens interested in participating in the Sports and Recreational Leadership Program at Marquette Park is fast approaching. The leadership development program for those age 16 and up will take place on Tuesdays and Wednesday from March 8 to May 18. In addition to learning skills that will benefit teens in the future, it prepares participants for possible summer employment with the Chicago Park District and more. Contact Paul Pope at [email protected] for details.

Weather permitting, the Sand Ridge Nature Center is promoting Nature Play Days from March 2 through May 25 at the Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center. Organizers invite parents to bring their little ones to enjoy the Dan Ryan Woods Nature Play space and connect with nature. Stories, art and exploration will be offered each time. For more information or if you are interested in bringing a school or group, contact [email protected]

As we travel back to previous decades here, the similarities in news stories never fail to amaze me. Let’s go back to this week in 1992 and you’ll see what I mean with this one: “Aldermen Worried Over Phone Scams.” The article explains what a scam is (in this case a legit-sounding firm contacting seniors by phone and by mail, claiming assistance with unclaimed funds available from forgotten accounts or insurance policies). Much like now, isn’t it?

When we left 1992 last week, I wondered if you remembered the longtime businessman who passed away at this time 30 years ago. I was surprised no one figured out this answer yet. So, let’s try one more week. By this time in 1992 his shop had been open for decades at 3312 W. 63^rd Street. He lived most of his life about a block away from the shop.

He was a barber and built up quite a following, so much so, that even after he went into semi-retirement, he was still cutting hair by request when customers called to ask. One of his sons joined him in the barber business, taking over the day-to-day workings, and the other opened his photo business next door. Do you remember him yet?