We are pleased to present to you with the parish Outreach Newsletter. In the Spring 2024 issue, we say thank you to our interim Food Pantry Manager John Ceisel and welcome Br. Ayub Mwenda OFM, Conv. who has taken over the role. You can also see the number of individuals and households served the last five months by the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry housed at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. How can you get involved...
Thank you for your generous response to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal. You’ve kept the parish tradition of giving going strong – we met our goal of $58,400! You’ve supported parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese, helped people around the world through the humanitarian efforts of Catholic Relief Services, and supported ministries right here at Mary, Mother of God Parish. If you have already made a gift to the Appeal – thank you. If you haven’t – it’s never too late. There are envelopes available in the back of all the Churches; you can give electronically at annualcatholicappeal.com. You can call the parish office. Whatever is easiest for you. And since we’ve met our goal, the proceeds come back to our parish. Thank you for your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. This past Sunday was the final day of our parish’s Mother’s Day novena. For the last nine days, the Mary, Mother of God Parish community has been praying for the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and mother figures in our lives. After Mass on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we honored our mothers with roses. Check out these photos from at St. Thomas of Canterbury church! Prayer for All Mothers: Saturday, May 11Marian Dearit - St. Thomas of Canterbury church Catholics in Eritrea (East Africa) venerate Our Lady with a major festival at the end of the month of May and we continued that tradition here in Chicago. On May 11, the Eritrean community hosted a celebration in honor of Marian Dearit, a statue of the Virgin Mary that has resided inside a trunk of an ancient baobab tree for centuries. Festivities started at 11 AM with Mass in the Ge’ze Rite followed by a Marian procession. Then everyone went to the basement space for a celebratory reception. *Photos courtesy volunteer Wes Kinard
Sunday, May 128 AM Mass - St. Thomas of Canterbury church The Vietnamese community incorporates a May Crowning into every 8 AM Mass during the month of May. Before Mass, they line up to offer the flowers to Our Mother and then crown the statue. Sunday, May 129:30 AM Mass - St. Gregory the Great church First Communion students from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program crowned Mary at the conclusion of the Mass while Fr. Thomas said the special blessing.
The Eritrean community began their Easter celebrations this past weekend with Easter Vigil on Saturday, May 4 at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. Vigil celebrations began around 8 PM and lasted throughout the night and into the morning. Mass was followed by an incredible feast! The Eritrean Catholic Church is an autonomous Eastern Catholic church, which means they are part of the Universal Catholic Church while maintaining distinct liturgical, spiritual, theological, and canonical traditions. They celebrate Mass using the Alexandrian Rite (sometimes called the Ge'ez Rite) and follow the Julian Calendar. You can learn more about the Eritrean community at Mary, Mother of God Parish here. Preparing for MassVigil MassReception*Photos courtesy of volunteer Damian Chlanda
On April 30, students from Loyola University unveiled their digital history exhibit which explores the legacies of the three parishes – St. Thomas of Canterbury (1916), St. Gregory the Great (1904), and Saint Ita (1900) – which make up our new parish. The students and their professors joined parishioners in Jubilee Hall for the presentation. Students shared highlights from their research which included archival documents, interviews with long-time parishioners, and visits to each of our churches. Attendees also had an opportunity to ask questions and share their own stories. We are very grateful to the students for the time they spent documenting our community’s history and how thoughtfully they treated the project. Soon their final digital exhibit will be ready to share so you can see their work for yourselves! Event Photos*Photos courtesy of volunteer Dina Kwit Research PhotosMary, Mother of God Parish is excited to unveil the Vincentian Open Arms Program, a transformative initiative crafted in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Canterbury House. This innovative program is designed to weave together the strengths of our parish community with the vibrant energies of our newest neighbors. The collaboration aims to enhance the dignity and independence of all involved through skill development and employment opportunities. Support for Migrants & Families Since the onset of the migrant crisis, our parish has been a beacon of hope and support, providing essential items from winter coats to boots, and even basic necessities for those in shelters and police stations. Now, as many of our new neighbors have transitioned to more stable living situations, our focus has shifted toward providing tools for sustainable independence. Through the Vincentian Open Arms Program, we strive to maintain the dignity of every individual by offering pathways to employment and self-sufficiency, in keeping with the core tenets of Catholic Social Teaching. Free Home Health Aide Training In response to the ongoing needs of our community and the growing demand for home healthcare professionals, the Open Arms program proudly offers free training for home health aides. Training is not only directed at those seeking new employment opportunities but is also available for family members caring for a loved one in need of assistance with daily living tasks. This comprehensive program provides essential skills that empower individuals to deliver compassionate care and support within our community. Tailoring Skills & Clothing Repurposing Initiative In alignment with our mission to empower our community and provide practical skills for independence, the Vincentian Open Arms Program is thrilled to introduce a new sewing and clothing alteration workshop. As part of this initiative, participants will learn essential tailoring skills, including how to cut patterns and sew, which are invaluable in altering and repurposing clothes. The program receives donations of clothing of all sizes. In many cases these donations can serve a greater need with additional tailoring. Through this workshop, participants will master the art of modifying these clothes to better fit, enhancing both the usability of donated items and the dignity of the wearer. This skill set not only aids in personal wardrobe enhancement but also opens up opportunities for self-employment in tailoring and fashion design. The ability to alter and repurpose clothes is particularly significant as it helps address the immediate needs of our community while fostering creativity and self-reliance. By transforming donated clothing into beautifully fitted garments, participants can help ensure that everyone in our community can dress with confidence and pride. ESL Classes & Volunteer Opportunities In addition to health aide training, the program enthusiastically seeks volunteers for its ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. These classes are crucial for helping our neighbors integrate more fully into their new community, enhancing language skills and navigation of local customs. Volunteers play a vital role in addressing various learning styles, ensuring that everyone can benefit from these educational offerings. A Call to Action: Join Us in |
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