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And yes, I'm a fan of cultural Catholicism. Also cool is when people do participate and attend Mass, etc. Some cities are labeled Catholic, but I'm not sure if that means more in culture, or in practice. Just a distinction I've noticed. At any rate, an active Catholic community probably springs from both qualities being present I'd guess.
I grew up on the south side of Chicago in the Beverly neighborhood. It's a very nice area with a very strong traditional Irish Catholic presence. The Polish are there too. The surrounding suburbs do too, though Blue Island has gotten more black baptist / evangelical lately.
The surrounding suburbs do too, though Blue Island has gotten more black baptist / evangelical lately.
Blue Island...what a blast from the past...I remember driving through there once, within the last 15 years, and asked myself if Chicago suburbs get any more vapid than that. Was it ever an ethnic Catholic neighborhood?
Denver is a tremendous place for young, committed Catholics (I'm one of them). George Weigel described Denver as "arguably the most evangelical diocese in the country." Because Denver is not a traditionally Catholic place like Philadelphia, Chicago, or Boston, you'll find a more dynamic spirit at work here, but it is very orthodox. Moreover, there is a lot of work between the evangelical groups which are huge in Colorado and the Church, which makes it a really tremendous place to live your faith.
Blue Island...what a blast from the past...I remember driving through there once, within the last 15 years, and asked myself if Chicago suburbs get any more vapid than that. Was it ever an ethnic Catholic neighborhood?
Historically Blue Island, Alsip, Mount Greenwood, Evergreen Park, Beverly, and around those areas are considered Catholic, usually Irish or Polish. Blacks have been moving in to Blue Island and Alsip more and more.
My parents remember a time when 85th st. and north was considered "black" and south of 85th was "white", then it was I-57. Now basically all of Morgan Park is black, a good number of houses in my old hood (south Beverly) are black, etc.
Not bad or good or anything, just an observation. For a long time, since at least the 1880s, those areas were a haven for Irish and Polish workers.
Historically Blue Island, Alsip, Mount Greenwood, Evergreen Park, Beverly, and around those areas are considered Catholic, usually Irish or Polish. Blacks have been moving in to Blue Island and Alsip more and more.
So is it fair to say that Melrose Park, Franklin Park and Cicero are largely Italian Catholic then? Are they still? I had an awesome Italian meal in Melrose Park.
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