Coming Attractions

This year's adult faith program (beginning in January) will be Fr. Robert Barron's ten-part video series, "Catholicism." Call (or email) to enroll.
 We hope to offer a preview screening in September, but meanwhile, here is the trailer for a sneak preview:

Do you hear what I hear...on Michigan Avenue?

You may notice something new as you walk up to our bookstore entrance...the sounds of the Daughters of St. Paul music! Thanks to Sr Anne's Mom (who donated the outdoor speakers) and to HFI member Bill Perales (who installed them), passers-by get a gentle wave of inspirational music whether they continue on their way or, as some have begun to do, stop and take a look at the source of such an unexpected experience. Sister Frances' beautiful front window treatments add to the invitation and give the location a clearly Catholic identity.
Our summer months are usually pretty quiet, but the recently-installed sound system seems to be encouraging new visitors to step inside. The first thing many people want to know is how long the Pauline center has been here. (Um, thirty years!)  It has been consoling to hear several people who, after their first visit, express the intention to make Pauline (and the chapel) their own special sanctuary!

Borders bookstores' final chapter

Is there a place for bookstores in a society where the most avid readers keep their Kindle (or Nook or Kobe or iPad) in their backpack and order books through the ether? This is the question that our community has been discussing since Borders announced it would be closing its last remaining (399) bookstores. Analyses by the Chicago Tribune and the online magazine Slate indicate that the chain made the fatal mistake of focusing more on their brick-and-mortar locations than on the Internet. By the time they attempted to enter the online marketplace in a real way, Amazon and Barnes and Noble had already established themselves securely. Even though Barnes and Noble still faces challenges, it gets a healthy percentage of its income from online sales--something that Borders never managed to do.

While we don't see ourselves going the way of Borders any time soon, the huge chain's experience does challenge us. After all, we have put a great deal of effort and expense into our small national "chain" of Pauline Book & Media Centers, centers our Founder loved to speak of as "not stores, but pulpits from which the Word of God reaches people."

Have you visited our Michigan Ave. location or recommended it to others?

Fun-raiser

To help us meet our fundraising goal for our documentary film project, what event would be more appropriate than the one-woman play, "Sunday School Cinema" with Vicki Quade? "Sister" teaches a class about faith and film! And the Sisters will be there in the audience, enjoying every minute of it. There are only 100 tickets available, at $30 each. Call or email Sr. Helena to secure yours now!

Thirty + years in the neighborhood

Here's an interesting look at downtown Chicago then (1977) and now. We arrived in 1979, so it's a look at our history, too!

94th Floor | Growing Old from Blak Maria on Vimeo.

Catholic literacy opportunities

Holy Name Cathedral started the "Epic" Church History video series: 20 centuries in 20 weeks! 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month January-October, 2011 - 7:00-8:30 PM - Holy Name Cathedral Parish Center Cafeteria;  Free-will offering; bring snacks to share. Register:  hncepicseries@gmail.com

At St. Peter's in the Loop:
Fr. Bob Sprott is back in Chicago! Meet with him for a six-week study of Bl. John Henry Newman's "Apologia Pro Vita Sua," a masterpiece of English literature and of the spiritual life. Tuesdays, March 7-April 11, 12:10-12:50 (info: Carolyn Jarosz, 312 853-2376). Get the book.

The Book of Revelation from a Catholic perspective, in its historical, theological and literary contexts. Just four days: Feb. 28-Mar. 3, 12:10-12:50 (info: Carolyn Jarosz, 312 853-2376).

Catholics Come Home, continuing program especially for people who want to renew their relationship with the Church. Topic for Part 2: Reconciliation, Forgiveness. Thursdays, March 10-April 14; 12:10-12:50 (info: Carolyn Jarosz, 312 853-2376).

In  Lakeview, Our Lady of Mt Carmel is running the 8-week Scripture overview program by Jeff Cavins (video). DATES: Wed. evenings 7:15 - 8:45 PM February 23rd thru April 13th OR Tues. mornings 9:00 - 10:30 AM February 22nd thru April 12th in the parish center. $25 includes workbook packet. Call Rita at 773-525-0453 x12 or email: olmcinfo2@aol.com

And here at PBM, we have begun the full 28-week Scripture program by Jeff Cavins. Saturday mornings (except for 2nd Saturday of the month) 10:30-12:00. Bring your own Bible! Registration: $40; Optional workbook: $30. Call 312 346 4228 to sign up!

Pope Benedict's newest book--and a special offer!

Almost in time for Lent (it's being released just after Ash Wednesday), Pope Benedict's reflections on that last crucial week in the life of Christ--and his Resurrection.
Order it now and get a 20% pre-publication discount! (This could also be a good gift for people in RCIA.)
Order by phone M-F 10 a.m.-6 p.m. S 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 312 346 4228  Offer ends March 14!

From Drop Box