Latest news with #DesPlaines
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Latino Catholics are transforming the Church. It's ‘about time.'
DES PLAINES, Ill. — Latino Catholics are building more of their own institutions, including a major leadership-training group and the country's first Latino owned-and-run Catholic retreat center. Spanish-speaking Catholics are reviving shrinking White parishes. And the percentage of Latino Catholics born in the United States — not abroad — is rising. This is a time of change for Latino Catholics, who now make up nearly 40 percent of the U.S. Church, and who some U.S. Catholicism experts predict are likely to become the majority in the coming decades. Fourteen percent of Catholics born between 1928 and 1945 were Latino compared with 54 percent of Gen Z Catholics born between 1997 and 2005, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 'It's been about time,' Vicente Del Real, 35, said of the prominent, self-built Latino Catholic institutions becoming more common in the U.S. Del Real emigrated from Mexico as a teen to Illinois and founded Iskali, a group that supports young Latino Catholics, and Casa Iskali, a retreat center in Des Plaines, Ill. 'I could have said this 50 years ago and it would have been true. There should be another 200 or 300 organizations like ours around the country.' But the U.S. Catholic Church is still facing significant challenges, including the disruptive impact of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Also, Latinos are a bigger share of the U.S. Catholic population, but younger Latinos are fleeing Catholicism, mostly to become religiously unaffiliated. In 2010, 67 percent of Hispanic Americans were Catholic compared with 43 percent now, according to Pew Research. When Rev. Esequiel Sanchez was ordained in 1995, less than 1 percent of the more than 1,000 priests in the Chicago archdiocese were Latino. Today, that figure is 14 percent. There needs to be more Latino leaders in the Church, said Sanchez, whose parents immigrated to Chicago from Mexico and who has been a priest in the area for 30 years. For every non-Latino priest in the archdiocese, he said, there are about 1,300 to 2,000 Catholics, compared with 10,000 Catholics for every Latino priest. Sanchez is rector at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a sprawling outdoor worship space that has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors — mostly Mexican Catholics — each year since it opened in 2008. It is just the third parish built by Latinos in the 2-million-member Chicago archdiocese, he said. After Pope Leo XIV's election, Sanchez said, a fellow cleric described being ecstatic to hear a pope speaking with a Chicago accent. 'I said: 'Why did you jump for joy?' and he said: 'Because he's one of us.' So I said: 'Now you understand how we feel — when you have someone who comes from your background, you can hear it.'' The elevation of Leo, born in the U.S. but heralded in his adopted Peru as 'the first Peruvian pope,' has also energized many Latino Catholics who hope he will appoint America's first Latino cardinal. Leo's background, including spending 20 years in Peru, allows him to better understand the complexity of being a Latino Catholic in America, some church experts say. Leo has talked and written about being influenced by liberation theology, a political movement born in Latin America Catholicism in the 1970s that emphasizes helping the poor and oppressed. But he is also an American who has voted in U.S. elections, roots for the White Sox and speaks English with a South Side of Chicago accent. Perhaps, some religious experts say, he will help unite U.S. Latino Catholics. Before he was known as Pope Leo, Robert Prevost was part of a decades-long river of U.S. missionaries and clergy who responded to the call of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s to go to Latin America to focus on the needy and to help a part of the world with a priest shortage. As Latino influence grows, church leaders will have to grapple with how to address the different needs and perspectives of foreign-born and native-born Latino congregants, religious experts said. That's a 'major shift,' said Hosffman Ospino, an expert on Latino U.S. Catholicism at Boston College. More than half of Latino Catholics are foreign born, according to Pew Research, compared with 36 percent born in the U.S. But it's quickly shifting to a more native, English-speaking population, Ospino said. These large, diverse groups have different experiences and perspectives, Ospino said. Foreign-born Latinos are largely in 'a survival and adjustment' mode, he said, while U.S.-born Latinos are able to spend more energy acquiring social and economic influence. Those born in the U.S. may focus on preserving gains of their parents and grandparents, but sometimes distance themselves from the concerns of the immigrant community, he said. 'For 50 years, most of the Catholic Church's efforts to Latinos have been geared towards the foreign-born,' Ospino said. 'Retaining the U.S.-born will call for different commitments and approaches and understanding.' The shift is already evident in Catholic parishes and organizations juggling which languages to use — Spanish or English. Parishes offering some kind of Latino ministry climbed from approximately 15 percent in the 1980s to more than 27 percent today, Ospino said. But younger Latino Catholics often prefer English. Over the last decade, the number of Latino congregants at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, has risen from about two dozen families to nearly 100. For 20 years, the cathedral offered Spanish-language Mass once a month, but in December it began offering them weekly, said Rev. Jared Johnson. North Dakota has the fastest-growing Hispanic population in the country, according to Pew Research Center. The booming oil industry there attracted many Latino workers. 'One thing we said early on to our Spanish-speaking community is that we don't want this parish to just be a place where you come to Mass. We want you to feel welcome,' Johnson said. 'We want you to feel at home.' To improve his Spanish sermons, Johnson has started practicing with a tutor for an hour a day. The services also include Spanish music. 'Everything from beginning to end is in Spanish,' Johnson said. In 2020, the predominantly Latino St. Mary Parish of Davenport, Iowa, was facing dwindling finances. It was then absorbed by the nearby, mostly White, shrinking St. Anthony Parish — saving them both. Gloria Mancilla, who runs a youth group and food pantry for the Latino community at St. Anthony's, said the number of kids at Sunday school has quadrupled — from 50 to 200 — since the merger. 'St. Anthony's was going to die,' Mancilla said. 'And now, seeing our children get involved [and that] has brought hope that the church is going to become bigger.' St. Anthony's now has a Spanish-language choir and an annual Kermes, or carnival festival with Mexican food, activities and games. It hosts a Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, a special day for Mexican Catholics that honors the Virgin Mary. It's commemorated at the church with a mariachi band followed by a Spanish-language Mass. 'In order for [the church] to keep growing,' Mancilla said, 'we have to embrace the Hispanic church into the American church.' It's unclear how the Trump administration's ongoing deportation efforts will affect the Catholic Church's growing Latino population, said Tim Matovina, a theologian at University of Notre Dame who focuses on Latino Catholics. Parishes and Catholic schools around the country have reported falling attendance since President Donald Trump took office and stepped up immigration raids, he said. Bishops and other church leaders are struggling to balance advocating for migrants without drawing negative attention to those they're trying to protect. 'A number of Catholics support the administration's immigration policies, while many others find those policies reprehensible, increasing tensions in parishes and dioceses,' Matovina said. Trump's support among Latino Catholic voters was more than 10 points higher in 2024 than in 2020. San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who leads about 1.6 million Catholics in Southern California, earlier this month issued a formal decree telling parishioners that those who face 'genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions' do not have to attend Mass. The Nashville Diocese made a similar announcement in May after a huge spike in traffic stops by law enforcement looking for migrants. Last Sunday, a married man and woman sat in their pastor's Southern California office and cried as they spoke about how and why the only places they leave their home are to go to work and church. Church, they said, is where they get fed by their faith — which helps sustain them in this difficult time. The parish recently set up an extensive security protocol in case immigration agents enter the church, including stationing people on the altar and around the building with walkie-talkies. 'So always when we leave home ... it is to entrust ourselves to God and say 'Lord, you go ahead and whatever God wants,'' said the woman. The couple and parish spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of deportation. They have lived in America for 30 years and have four U.S.-born children. Arelis R. Hernández contributed to this report.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic '70s Bands Unite With Elvis' Ex, Last Surviving Monkee For 'Incredible' Performance
Iconic '70s Bands Unite With Elvis' Ex, Last Surviving Monkee For 'Incredible' Performance originally appeared on Parade. A concert of epic proportions is scheduled for an iconic Chicago venue in August. , the last surviving member of the 1960s group , took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 15, to announce that he is performing in Chicago in August with none other than Elvis' ex-wife Priscilla Presley, iconic '70s band The Ides of March and Danny Seraphine, founding member of fellow iconic '70s band Chicago. "Come celebrate 100 years of music & memories at the Des Plaines Theatre Through the Decades show on Saturday, August 9!" writes Dolenz. "I'll be there alongside some incredible folks... Priscilla Presley, The Ides of March, and Danny Seraphine from Chicago... as we take a trip through the sounds of the 20s to the 80s. It's going to be one unforgettable night in one legendary venue. Hope to see you there!" The website for tickets reads, "This special show will showcase music from the past 100 years, with magnificent performances from every era! The Des Plaines Theatre Through the Decades show will begin with the 'Bourbon 'N Brass Prohibition Band' performing music from the 1920s and 1930s. Then, a short Andrews Sisters/Glenn Miller Orchestra-style salute to the 1940s will take place. The 1950s will be represented by a 30-minute rock-and roll retrospective by Priscilla Presley and Ron Onesti (Tickets for an after-show meet and greet and Q&A can be purchased separately)."The 1960s will be discussed by The Monkees founding vocalist and drummer, Micky Dolenz. The 1970s and 1980s will be remembered by the Ides of March and Jim Peterik. The band's 1970 hit, 'Vehicle,' along with the Peterick-penned Survivor smash from 1983, 'Eye of the Tiger,' will be performed by the band. Performing a few hit songs from the timeless rock band Chicago will be founding drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Danny Seraphine." Tickets range from $39 to $49. Dolenz is currently in the midst of his Songs and Stories tour. The next stop is the aforementioned epic night with Presley, Seraphine and the Ides of March, then it continues on, criss-crossing the country from Rhode Island to Arizona, running through February 2026. After that, he embarks on a 7-day Flower Power Cruise where fans can enjoy Dolenz all week long as they sail from Florida to St. Thomas, St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Fans are super excited, with several on Facebook lamenting that they are unable to go. And one fan credits Dolenz for why he plays the drums, writing, "In 1966, I was 8 years old. I LOVED watching The Monkees on TV. I was taking guitar lessons, but that just didn't seem to be what I wanted to do. I laughed at how funny you were on the show and told my mom that I wanted to play drums. On my birthday, there was a big box with the words Red Sparkle on it. I thought my parents bought me fireworks. I was so wrong. It was a 4-piece red sparkle Pearl set of drums. I started taking lessons immediately, and I still play today. Thanks, Mickey!" 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Iconic '70s Bands Unite With Elvis' Ex, Last Surviving Monkee For 'Incredible' Performance first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doug Ghim Reaps Rewards With a Remarkable Round at John Deere Classic
Doug Ghim Reaps Rewards With a Remarkable Round at John Deere Classic originally appeared on Athlon Sports. You know that feeling you get when you are cheering for the underdog to prevail? That's exactly what I feel when watching golfers like Doug Ghim. For seven years, the 29-year-old from Illinois has been quietly putting in the work on the PGA Tour. He has been building a reputation as one of those guys you can't help but root for. And after Thursday's 62 in the opening round of the John Deere Classic, Ghim finds himself somewhere he's never been before: leading a PGA Tour event. Advertisement From Illinois to Augusta National Talk about a dream come true. Ghim's path to professional golf reads like something out of a sports movie. Growing up in Des Plaines and Arlington Heights, he was just another kid from the Chicago suburbs who fell in love with golf. After graduating from Buffalo Grove High School, he headed down to the University of Texas, where he really started getting noticed. And what a run he had as an amateur. We're talking about a guy who won the Ben Hogan Award as college golf's top player and earned low amateur honors at the Masters Tournament — you know, just casual stuff. That Masters appearance came after a heartbreaking runner-up finish at the 2017 U.S. Amateur, but honestly, what a way to announce yourself to the golf world. Ghim's amateur resume is stacked with victories at prestigious events and representing the U.S. at both the Palmer and Walker Cup matches. Then, of course, there was that week at Augusta National where he made multiple eagles and walked away with crystal goblets, the event reward for making an eagle. Those moments at Augusta were pure magic. Advertisement The Professional Reality Professional golf is tough. Really, really tough. Ghim's amateur success had everyone expecting fireworks once he turned pro, but the reality has been a slow burn thus far. Don't get me wrong, however — his journey has not been unimpressive at all. In 162 starts on tour, Ghim has been building something special. A runner-up finish at the 2024 Shriners Children's Open wasn't just a good week — it was validation that all those years of grinding were paying off. Sure, he's still chasing that first victory, but watching him get so close was genuinely exciting. This season has thrown some curveballs his way, with Ghim entering the John Deere Classic ranked No. 124 in the FedEx Cup standings. His best result came at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, where he tied for 11th. It's been one of those seasons where the breaks haven't always gone his way, but that's what makes Thursday's performance so special. Advertisement A Career-Best Round Sometimes the golf gods smile on you, and Thursday was one of those days for Ghim. His bogey-free 62 wasn't just a career-low round — it was seven years of hard work coming together in 18 beautiful holes. Playing in his sixth John Deere Classic, he finally found that magical something that every golfer spends their career chasing. There's something really special about Ghim taking the lead at the John Deere Classic. Historically, this event has always been marked by breakthrough moments and feel-good stories. With Ghim, you have a guy from Illinois playing in front of essentially his home crowd. Advertisement You can just feel the poetry setting up for something special this week, can't you? This tournament simply loves crowning first-time winners, and Ghim couldn't fit the bill any better. The Grinder's Path Ghim's story is compelling because of his authenticity. In a world where young players sometimes seem to come out of nowhere, claiming multiple victories, Ghim represents something different. He is an example of persistence and steady improvement. He's the guy who shows up every week and just keeps working, regardless of where his game may be at. His background adds another layer to his story that makes you want to cheer even louder. As a Korean American player who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, Ghim represents the changing face of professional golf in the best possible way. His journey from Buffalo Grove High School to the PGA Tour shows what's possible when talent meets determination, and his success would mean so much to communities that don't always see themselves represented at golf's highest level. Advertisement The Moment of Truth With three rounds left at TPC Deere Run, Ghim has the chance to rewrite his story completely. Yes, there will be pressure — that's inevitable. And yes, this season has been challenging, with tour status implications hanging in the balance. But here's what Thursday's 62 tells us: Doug Ghim is ready. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones that unfold a little more slowly. And if Thursday was any indication, Ghim's story might just be getting to the good part. Related: The Soul of American Golf: A Journey Through the Game's Heart and Heritage Related: Justin Thomas Has Big Ideas for What Should Come Next in Golf Related: Keegan Bradley's 2025 Ryder Cup Vice Captains Could Deliver Victory to US This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
1 person dead after fire in north suburban Des Plaines
A person died in a building fire in north suburban Des Plaines overnight. Around 12:30 a.m., multiple fire departments, including Des Plaines and Niles, responded to a residential building fire at 9805 Bianco Terrace. Crews found a fire in a unit on the first floor that was quickly extinguished. Video from the scene shows a shattered screen door and charred inside of the building. Fire Chief Robert Greiner with the North Maine Fire Protection District said firefighters found a person unconscious from smoke inhalation. Greiner said despite life-saving measures, the victim died at the scene. The victim has not been identified. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
CBS News
09-06-2025
- CBS News
Des Plaines woman Giovanna Rodriguez-Fuentes charged with DUI in deadly crash involving semi
A 28-year-old woman from Des Plaines, Illinois, is charged with a DUI for a deadly crash involving a semi truck at the beginning of June. Des Plaines police were called to Algonquin Road and Leslie Lane just before midnight on June 1 in response to a crash. When they got there, they found a woman in the passenger seat of a Toyota Prius bleeding heavily from her leg. She was given a torniquet and taken to a local hospital but died from her injuries, police said. She was identified as 49-year-old Nazly Rodriguez-Munoz of Des Plaines. Police have charged Giovanna Rodriguez-Fuentes with Driving Under the Influence in the crash. Police say she was behind the wheel of the Prius, with Rodriguez-Munoz as her passenger, when she struck a Volvo semi at a low speed. She was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said. Des Plaines police said forensic evidence showed she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Rodrdiguez-Fuentes was charged on June 3, and released from police custody on June 5. She is due back in court in Skokie on Wednesday.
