Tile:  The floor needs to be replaced, and Fr. Bob thinks tile
    would be the best option.  The whole place doesn't need to be
    the same tile.  Maybe we'll even do each bedroom different
    (although that wouldn't be ideal...)  If you have surplus tile -
    maybe left over from a project, please call Fr. Bob asap.  
    Someone donated 160 gallons of paint. Maybe we'll get lucky
    and someone will have other supplies left over.  

    These are the basic things he needs now. In a week or two,  we hope
    to divide up the 60 or so bedrooms and, perhaps people or groups
    would want  to "Adopt a Room" and make it a little project.    If we
    each do a little bit, together we'll get it done by January 15.  So please
    watch here for more details.























Thanks to everyone across the nation who is praying for the Mission and signing up for the Dominick's program!

THANKS TO EVERYONE!  Father Bob could not do it without YOU!  
So while the world was turning upside down,
what was happening at the Convent?
Mission of Our Lady of the Angels: Construction Update
The Angelus
sung by The Daughters of St. Paul
(Click on link, have the sound turned up, and when
done viewing hit your "back" button.)
Overview of the Renovation of
the Convent- the beginning.
The  tenants vacated  September 1.  Then the work  began on the convent.   Various
groups stepped forward and volunteered to take pieces of the project.  The
Knights of
Malta
volunteered to renovate the entire Chapel and another portion of the building.  
Above you see a small sample of the work that needed to be done.  If you can't contribute in labor or materials, although he won't
ask for it, Fr. Bob would also be overjoyed  for any donations.  If your company is fortunate enough to be on target for a good year,  
consider making part of your year-end charitable donation now.   We are almost done with the hardest part of the work!  What a
great Christmas present it would be for our Savior and the people of the neighborhood.

Again-- thank you to EVERYONE who has made it possible to get this far. Your kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.

To become involved in this great work, call Fr. Bob at  773-486-8431.   
Fr. Bob might
not look so
cheerful if he
has to spend
too many hours
in this kitchen--
a little too
green even for
a Notre Dame
graduate!
The dining
room (above)
and the
hallways need
serious work
from floor to
ceiling.
Double click on any picture on this page to enlarge. The hit the "back" button on your browser to return to the page you were viewing.
It was a very unsettling October, as construction continued.

Over the last few weeks, many, if not most of us experienced anxiety, worry, and  distress as we
watched the American and foreign markets sink day after day.  We watched our retirement
savings dwindle. Some worried about the stability of their banks.  
We wondered (and still wonder) where is this heading?
  • What will the future bring?
  • Will I lose my job?
  • Will I be able to retire when I want?
  • What will I have to cut back on?
  • Just how bad will the economy get?
  • Will my family be okay?

Over the last few weeks, many of us experienced what the people
in Humboldt Park feel every day.
It wasn't fun, was it?  Perhaps this experience can be used to give
us renewed compassion for our brothers and sisters - good people,
caught in difficult times.  It can happen to anyone.




As we continue in these stressful times, be assured of Fr. Bob's prayers for you,  and let's pray for each
other, the neighbors we help,  those who God will yet guide to the Mission, and Fr. Bob.
Pray for the whole Mission family.  Remember also the words of St. Teresa of Avila:

"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging.
Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God:
God alone is sufficient."

A few short months ago, Kelly Hall was a useless building.  Now, there is hope and
excitement in Humboldt Park as the YMCA opens it doors!  The neighbors watched
as dumpsters were moved in, debris was removed from Kelly Hall  and demolition of
the interior began.  They repeatedly asked when Kelly Hall would completed.   Now
we have an answer:  It's done!!

Now we are in the third phase of the project: renovation of the Convent.
Our Lady of the Angels

Watch over and protect all those who come
to this Mission for help and all those who
make this Mission possible.
Amen.
The Convent Update:
Scroll down for the Overview of the Convent renovation.  
"On a Sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who had invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not
invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy
neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.  

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.  
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  
Luke 14:12-14.
We will be updating this
section this week.
While Kelly Hall was being built, work was proceeding on the Convent
renovation thanks entirely to the many people who have donated time,
materials,  skills and money.
Remember the old
windows? (left)  The 40
new windows have been
installed and have
drastically cut Fr. Bob's
heating bill for the
convent. Thanks to the
donor!
A contractor brought
14 members of his
crew and his family to
work on the convent
as a Saturday service
project and made
great progress in the
demolition.  
Many, many others came to help with the convent
renovation - from other trades, businesses, church groups,
university groups and  individuals who just wanted to be
part of something really good.  Those you see pictured here
are those who just happened to be on site when your
friendly web master was visiting the Mission in December.

If your group goes to the Mission for a service project, feel
free to take a group photo and send it to IrishNet@aol.com.   
You might just see it posted on the web site one day!
The Local Union 597
Pipe Fitters Training
Center sent many
volunteer  
apprentices to the
convent for weeks to
repair more than 90
radiators and the
boiler.  Thank God!
Stay tuned here for more updates!  Things move so fast at the Mission, it's hard to keep up with
the progress on this web site.  But we will do our best so that our whole Mission family across
the country can share in the joy that comes from knowing you are, in fact, doing God's work.