Of all the reports to come from the Vatican in recent weeks, this one, made in its newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, might be most relevant to Catholics, 30-50 years old. According to the publication, “The Blues Brothers” is a “Catholic classic” and is recommended viewing for all Catholics.
To show you how times have changed, here’s what the USCCB’s Office of Film and Broadcasting wrote in its review of the film 30 years ago: “The plot is interspersed with scenes of wholesale destruction and frenzied chases which are spectacularly unfunny and uninvolving. Some good musical portions from Cab Calloway and Ray Charles, but not enough depth from director John Landis to save this zany comedy from milking cheap laughs from rough language and crude situations.”
How can a reviewer mention “some good musical portions” and not mention Murph and the Magic Tones!?! Cheap laughs? Unfunny? Uninvolving? Unlike the USCCB reviewer, L’Osservatore Romano understands the significance of Jake and Elwood being “on a mission from God.”
Speaking of Chicago Catholics, you already know that Bishop William P. Callahan will be installed as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse on Aug. 11. Did you know that of the six auxiliary bishops who have served the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, he is only the second one to be promoted to a see of his own? The other one was Bishop Joseph Koudelka, the archdiocese’s first auxiliary bishop, named bishop of Superior in 1913, and where he served until his death in 1921.
With the departure of Bishop Callahan and the possible retirement of Bishop Richard J. Sklba, who turns 75 on Sept. 11, the archdiocese could be in line for another auxiliary bishop, or two. Only the Congregation for Bishops knows how many and how long it will take for him/them to be named.
Polish pride: Even though Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki doesn’t speak Polish, nor understand a lot of it, that will not deter members of the Polish Catholic community from expressing their pride when he celebrates Mass at Polish Fest on Sunday, June 20. He’s the first archbishop of Polish descent to serve the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Everybody polka!
Holy day: Tuesday, June 22, is National Columnists Day. It’s just another day for me to celebrate.