January
12: Priests, religious call on President-elect Barack Obama to act on comprehensive immigration reform; advocacy efforts for immigration reform continued throughout the year
15: New Kelly Hall YMCA opens in former Our Lady of the Angels Parish Center; program is a partnership of the YMCA and Our Lady of the Angels Mission and Greater Chicago Food Depository
30: Office for Catholic Schools, Big Shoulders Fund announce $1 million scholarship fund for Catholic school families in which a parent has lost a job
February
1: Village of Mundelein celebrates centenary. Town was named for Cardinal Mundelein.
4: Fire at Holy Name Cathedral damages roof, newly repaired ceiling and firefighting efforts cause water damage throughout. For the second time in a year, the cathedral is closed for repairs
March
4: More than 4,000 Catholics rally, lobby legislators in Springfield at “Catholics in the Capitol.”
9: Cardinal George establishes Chicago Board of Catholic Schools
29: Respect Life Office mounts campaign against bill that would make abortion a fundamental right in Illinois, as well as expand state funding for abortion; the bill was never called for a final vote
April
30: Two Mercy sisters, among others prepared to go to jail for protesting lack of access to immigration deportees, end up celebrating a victory when they are allowed to pray with those about to be deported every week
May
8: Archdiocese host U.S. charity premiere of “Testimony,” a documentary about the life of John Paul II
10: CNW reports on parishes and schools taking precautions to limit the spread of H1N1 flu. Such precautions continued through the fall and winter months.
17: Retired Cardinal Jozef Glemp of Warsaw dedicates a memorial to the victims of the Katyn Massacre at St. Adlabert Cemetery in Niles
23: Nine men ordained to priesthood for the archdiocese at St. Rita High School chapel
24: 15 permanent deacons are ordained for the archdiocese
June
10: Illinois Appellate Court rules that a priest cannot sue for defamation men who accused him of sexual abuse
19: Year for Priests begins
21: Catholic Chicago Blog is launched 28: Coronation of the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July
15: Roman Szabelski, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago, becomes receiver for Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, after cemetery employees were charged with digging up remains and reselling graves. Szabelski stayed on as a consultant at the secular cemetery after its owners filed for bankruptcy and the receivership ended.
21: Archdiocese announces settlements with six victims of clerical sexual abuse and releases deposition of retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert, former vicar general.
August
1: Holy Name Cathedral reopens
October
1: National leaders of the Catholic Church and Lutheran World Federation gathered in Old St. Patrick Church downtown to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.
15: Cardinal George’s book, “The Difference God Makes,” is released
16-17: Festival of Faith draws more than 7,000 Catholics to Rosemont
29: Parishes are urged by USCCB to distribute materials to assist members in reaching out to representatives and senators about health care reform
November
23: Archdiocese announces it will invest $500,000 in creating affordable housing through a partnership with The Resurrection Project
December
16: Catholics Come Home initiative officially begins