The Mission of Our Lady of the Angels
| Our Lady of the Angels Pray for us & bless our good work! |
Go, Build My Church.
One day when Saint Francis went out to meditate in
the fields, he was passing by the church of San
Damiano which was threatening to collapse because
of extreme age. Inspired by the Spirit, he went inside
to pray.
Kneeling before an image of the Crucified, he was
filled with great fervor and consolation as he prayed.
While his tear-filled eyes were gazing at the Lord's
cross, he heard with his bodily ears a voice coming
from the cross, telling him three times:
“Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see,
is falling into ruin.”
Trembling with fear, Francis was amazed at the
sound of this astonishing voice, since he was alone
in the church; and as he received in his heart the
power of the divine words, he fell into a state of
ecstasy. Returning finally to his senses, he prepared
to put his whole heart into obeying the command he
had received.
He began zealously to repair the church materially,
although the principle intention of the words referred
to that Church which Christ purchased with his own
blood, as the Holy Spirit afterward made him realize
and as he later disclosed to the friars. (Taken from
the web site of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
One day not too long ago, Fr. Bob also heard a voice
saying, "Bob, go and repair my house which, as you
see, is falling into ruin." Of course, the voice
belonged to Cardinal George, but in our book, that's
close enough! We are getting right to work -- not just
to restore the beautiful church but to also build a
community of believers in Humboldt Park.
the fields, he was passing by the church of San
Damiano which was threatening to collapse because
of extreme age. Inspired by the Spirit, he went inside
to pray.
Kneeling before an image of the Crucified, he was
filled with great fervor and consolation as he prayed.
While his tear-filled eyes were gazing at the Lord's
cross, he heard with his bodily ears a voice coming
from the cross, telling him three times:
“Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see,
is falling into ruin.”
Trembling with fear, Francis was amazed at the
sound of this astonishing voice, since he was alone
in the church; and as he received in his heart the
power of the divine words, he fell into a state of
ecstasy. Returning finally to his senses, he prepared
to put his whole heart into obeying the command he
had received.
He began zealously to repair the church materially,
although the principle intention of the words referred
to that Church which Christ purchased with his own
blood, as the Holy Spirit afterward made him realize
and as he later disclosed to the friars. (Taken from
the web site of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal)
One day not too long ago, Fr. Bob also heard a voice
saying, "Bob, go and repair my house which, as you
see, is falling into ruin." Of course, the voice
belonged to Cardinal George, but in our book, that's
close enough! We are getting right to work -- not just
to restore the beautiful church but to also build a
community of believers in Humboldt Park.
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| The Church of Our Lady of the Angels - A Jewel in the Heart of one of Chicago's Poorest Neighborhoods. |
As you approach the church from the west and view the rather simple facade, you would never
imagine the beauty hidden behind the bricks, unless, of course, you were a parishioner here before
1990 when the last mass was celebrated before the church closed.
imagine the beauty hidden behind the bricks, unless, of course, you were a parishioner here before
1990 when the last mass was celebrated before the church closed.
| Saints Bartholomew, James Minor, Philip and Thomas, along with a few prophets, also await you in the stairwells and in the choir loft. Bring your children and teach them about the saints who so loved our Lord that they were willing to die for Him and suffer the cruelest of tortures rather than deny Him. If only we had such faith today! If only.... |
Imagine the baptisms, weddings and other sacraments that took
place here many years ago. Stand on the altar, look back at
the choir loft and imagine the voices lifted in joyful song in
praise of our Father. Imagine those who might come to pray, to
find peace and to learn how to love a little better once these
doors are open again. Just imagine the possibilities.
place here many years ago. Stand on the altar, look back at
the choir loft and imagine the voices lifted in joyful song in
praise of our Father. Imagine those who might come to pray, to
find peace and to learn how to love a little better once these
doors are open again. Just imagine the possibilities.
IT'S TIME TO IMAGINE....
NOW, IT'S TIME FOR REALITY...
While we have an unbelievable opportunity, our lovely church has been slowly deteriorating for the last
20 years. The basement is in shambles and the building has suffered from extensive water damage.
20 years. The basement is in shambles and the building has suffered from extensive water damage.
| Imagine once again the wonderful programs and celebrations that could take place in this great basement space once the trash is hauled out and repairs made. |
It's hard to imagine what went on in this kitchen!!!
Trash everywhere! Calling all strong & cheerful volunteers!
Lots of water damage!
| Before we give you more "reality," we thought we would give you a glimpse of a few more of the beautiful stained glass windows revealed from the interior as the light shines into that holy space. |
BACK TO REALITY...
| If you look beyond the ornate trusses, you can see the water damage on the roof. And using the confessional for a junk closet (left) is brilliant - unless you want to get to Heaven! We can't wait to restore the Sacred Heart Chapel!!!! (below) |
| The bathrooms are particularly lovely (not). The instruments & organs are waiting to be tuned and played! |
| Let your love for one another be intense, Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:8-10 Have a most beautiful day. |
| Who will help Fr. Bob repair this church? The faithful are already coming and Fr. Bob is grateful. |
Come join Fr. Bob in this joyous work.
Be doers of the Word, not just hearers!
Be doers of the Word, not just hearers!
| For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 |
Click on any of the smaller pictures to enlarge. Then hit the "back" button on your browser to return to this page.
Click on any of the smaller pictures to enlarge. Then hit the "back" button on your browser to return to this page.
| Click HERE for NBC News April 12 Report on the Church. |
| Click HERE for the April 12 Sun Times Article about the |
One could never know for sure, but those who would come might include the following: the curious the lost the found the seekers those who love those who need love those who wonder who's that preacher who wears a gray robe and always smiles those who know who he is those who wonder why so many strangers come to their neighborhood to help them those who understand why they come those who need rest those who seek peace those who have no hope or who are losing it those who just want a friendly smile those who want to serve those who seek to be part of a community of faith those who are not happy in their own church those without a church those who live in the neighborhood and were raised Catholic those who want to be fed more than what is offered at the mobile food pantry those who attended the school and church many years ago... It is possible that all of these could come. With God, all things are possible. And we have been planting the seeds...quietly, gently and lovingly. Some will surely fall on good soil and take root. |
| Who is this on this medal? What does this mean? |
| Questions have been asked, and questions have been answered. |
| Bonds have been formed. Love has been shared. |
To learn more about grassroots Evangelization, click HERE. |
| When we open the church and celebrate mass there, who would come? |
The view outside of the Church from Hamlin Street (March 5, 2011) Foundation in disrepair.... No landscaping... Concrete cracked... |
| Sidewalks and steps crumbling and cracked. |
Not very welcoming entrances... Doors in disrepair.
Who will help repair my house? |
| When you stand outside the church and look up to the heavens, if you look real close, you will notice the cracks and crumbling facade. Little by little, penny by penny, prayer by prayer....this too shall be repaired-- just as we have repaired the cracks in the rectory, Kelly Hall YMCA and the convent-- with the help of God and the many awesome volunteers He brings to be part of the Mission family. |
God bless all whose Lenten sacrifices and prayers are helping restore the House of the Lord. |
| Have a most blessed and holy Lenten journey! May God bless you, and keep you and those you love in His loving care all the days of your life. |
