Mission of Our Lady of the Angels
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| Call Fr. Bob to get involved at: 773-486-8431. Today! Be love and be loved. |
2009 Mid-Year Update!
| Where do we begin with an update? So much has happened and so much is going on. We begin with an update on the three facilities and end with the good news! |
The work on the convent is going well. Many volunteers, like those pictured here from the
Catholic Heart Work Camp, have come to paint, sand, clean, and do whatever else Fr. Bob
has asked them to do. This is the type of work done on the Saturday workdays or during the
week when various groups come to volunteer. If you have a willing heart and can lift a paint
brush, you are perfectly suited to help out! (Wear old clothes.)
On the other hand, some of the work required the skill and talent of true professionals. Some
of the work was fairly dramatic, like when the roofing company delivered the materials for the
roof.
Fr. Bob is grateful to all of the trades and unions which have really come through to help on
the Convent, just as many did with the rectory. Some are listed here. More have expressed an
interest in helping in the future. (I hope I didn't forget one. If so, please shoot me an e-mail at
IrishNet@aol.com):
So many individuals, companies, churches, universities and other groups have contributed to
the work at the convent, either with old fashioned hard work, with donations of materials or
with money to help buy the materials needed. EVERYONE'S contribution has been greatly
appreciated. For more new pictures on the progress of the Convent, Click HERE or click on
the Convent tab on the menu to the left.
While the progress has been steady, there is still one really big ticket item needed: Fr. Bob
still needs a new Boiler (gas approx cost $28,000). "Yikes!" says your web master. Fr. Bob
said that with every confidence that somehow God would provide. If you know of anyone who
has a boiler laying around... Please call Fr. Bob ASAP!!!
Also, to finish the job we still need:
Although we are in tough economic times we hope to have the convent completed (at least
with the major repairs) by the end of September. Please call to volunteer your time to paint
and clean! Fr. Bob could use your help now.
Catholic Heart Work Camp, have come to paint, sand, clean, and do whatever else Fr. Bob
has asked them to do. This is the type of work done on the Saturday workdays or during the
week when various groups come to volunteer. If you have a willing heart and can lift a paint
brush, you are perfectly suited to help out! (Wear old clothes.)
On the other hand, some of the work required the skill and talent of true professionals. Some
of the work was fairly dramatic, like when the roofing company delivered the materials for the
roof.
Fr. Bob is grateful to all of the trades and unions which have really come through to help on
the Convent, just as many did with the rectory. Some are listed here. More have expressed an
interest in helping in the future. (I hope I didn't forget one. If so, please shoot me an e-mail at
IrishNet@aol.com):
- Bricklayers Local 21
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
Carpenters Labor Management Committee
Carpenters Apprentice Training Program
Illinois Regional Insulation Contractors Association
Heat and Frost Insulators Local 17
Pipe Fitters Local 597 Apprentice Training Program
Plasterers Local 5 Apprentice Training Program
Plumbers Local 130 Apprentice Training Program
Plumbing Council of Chicago
Local 130 Plumbers
Great Lakes Plumbing
So many individuals, companies, churches, universities and other groups have contributed to
the work at the convent, either with old fashioned hard work, with donations of materials or
with money to help buy the materials needed. EVERYONE'S contribution has been greatly
appreciated. For more new pictures on the progress of the Convent, Click HERE or click on
the Convent tab on the menu to the left.
While the progress has been steady, there is still one really big ticket item needed: Fr. Bob
still needs a new Boiler (gas approx cost $28,000). "Yikes!" says your web master. Fr. Bob
said that with every confidence that somehow God would provide. If you know of anyone who
has a boiler laying around... Please call Fr. Bob ASAP!!!
Also, to finish the job we still need:
- blinds for the windows,
sheets & pillow cases
towels
kitchen items (dish towels, pots and pans, serving bowls etc.)
washers and dryers for the laundry room
mattresses - 40 twin size
quilts
paint
flooring/tile
floor board
Although we are in tough economic times we hope to have the convent completed (at least
with the major repairs) by the end of September. Please call to volunteer your time to paint
and clean! Fr. Bob could use your help now.
Part I: THE CONVENT
STILL NEEDED
Copyright 2009 J.W.Weaver All rights reserved
Part II: KELLY HALL
Our after school programs are coordinated by the YMCA staff. As of the close of the school year we had about 600 kids enrolled in
the various after school programs. (Homework, sports, crafts, and computer classes). We received a grant for a computer teacher
who just started. He began with a class for the seniors. We still NEED tutors in the fall (September.) We have two Notre Dame
Summer Service Students also working with the kids.
The Seniors Program is coordinated by the Mission. We presently have 25-30 regulars attending our Tuesday Programs.
9:30 Computer Class; 10:30 Exercise Class; 11:15 Bible Study; 12:10 Lunch; 1:00 Arts and Crafts.
We had a wonderful field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo followed by lunch at the home of our faithful volunteer Jamie Brady. If anyone
has access to free events for the seniors please contact Fr. Bob. In the Fall we hope to add Thursday's to our senior schedule
similar to the Tuesday schedule.
To learn more about the renovation of Kelly Hall, the dedication by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, and the Grand Opening
events, click HERE or on the Kelly Hall tab in the menu to the left.
The Food Pantry is coordinated by the Mission. Every Tuesday Morning we serve about 60 families. Also, on the FIRST
SATURDAY of the Month, a large produce truck arrives to provide fresh veggies, fruit and staples to about 250-300 families. To
see more about the Mobile Food Pantry, click HERE or on the tab in the menu at the left. Here were just a few of the volunteers
who came in July.
the various after school programs. (Homework, sports, crafts, and computer classes). We received a grant for a computer teacher
who just started. He began with a class for the seniors. We still NEED tutors in the fall (September.) We have two Notre Dame
Summer Service Students also working with the kids.
At the end of the school year, through a program of the greater
Chicago Food Depository, we were feeding over 100 kids each day.
The Seniors Program is coordinated by the Mission. We presently have 25-30 regulars attending our Tuesday Programs.
9:30 Computer Class; 10:30 Exercise Class; 11:15 Bible Study; 12:10 Lunch; 1:00 Arts and Crafts.
We had a wonderful field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo followed by lunch at the home of our faithful volunteer Jamie Brady. If anyone
has access to free events for the seniors please contact Fr. Bob. In the Fall we hope to add Thursday's to our senior schedule
similar to the Tuesday schedule.
To learn more about the renovation of Kelly Hall, the dedication by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, and the Grand Opening
events, click HERE or on the Kelly Hall tab in the menu to the left.
The Food Pantry is coordinated by the Mission. Every Tuesday Morning we serve about 60 families. Also, on the FIRST
SATURDAY of the Month, a large produce truck arrives to provide fresh veggies, fruit and staples to about 250-300 families. To
see more about the Mobile Food Pantry, click HERE or on the tab in the menu at the left. Here were just a few of the volunteers
who came in July.
Every month, we have a core of faithful who seem to always show up to help out on Mobile Food Pantry day- typically the first
Saturday of the month. You will see many more of our "regulars" on the other pages of the web site. Each month, we also
welcome some new volunteers into the Mission family. Even the neighbors we intended to serve want to volunteer to help!
Ruby and Lucille (bottom left with Mike, the driver for the Food Pantry) pass out the numbers and help Fr. Bob organize the
neighbors as they get ready to come through the line. On August 1, Dominique and Amyario (below right) helped pass out
coloring books about Jesus, the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes from the Pauline Bookstore (172 N. Michigan
Avenue), along with brand new crayons to the other kids. They were awesome helpers-- bright young kids!
| Fr. Bob is now on YouTube... Join Fr. Bob in prayer as he leads neighbors and volunteers in The Lord's Prayer before the distribution of food. Click HERE to pray! Bookmark this spot & begin your day saying the Lord's Prayer with Fr. Bob. |
Part III: THE RECTORY
Particularly for those of you who were here from the beginning and helped Fr. Bob renovate the Rectory, we thought you would like
a few pictures to see how things are going there. Now that the weekly food pantry has been moved to Kelly Hall, the front room
which housed the clothing and the room where the food was stockpiled have been renovated. The floors in those rooms, the main
foyer and the dining room were also refinished, as you can see from the photos below. The back yard patio/garden is in bloom.
I don't think Fr. Bob could have put one more plant in his little Garden of Eden! Thanks to the helpers with green thumbs for all their
work to create this restful oasis in the middle of a devastated neighborhood. Finally, as you can see, Libby, Fr. Bob's trusty
German Shepard is doing just fine.
a few pictures to see how things are going there. Now that the weekly food pantry has been moved to Kelly Hall, the front room
which housed the clothing and the room where the food was stockpiled have been renovated. The floors in those rooms, the main
foyer and the dining room were also refinished, as you can see from the photos below. The back yard patio/garden is in bloom.
I don't think Fr. Bob could have put one more plant in his little Garden of Eden! Thanks to the helpers with green thumbs for all their
work to create this restful oasis in the middle of a devastated neighborhood. Finally, as you can see, Libby, Fr. Bob's trusty
German Shepard is doing just fine.
Part IV: The Church
| Wait!!! The Church??? Did you say "The Church?" Yes we did! The Baptists, who have been renting the church for years, recently announced that they would be vacating at the end of August! We don't know what that means yet. Fr. Bob has to confer with Cardinal George. So stay tuned! Meanwhile, I found a couple of pictures taken in Dec. 2007 at the Dedication of the Memorial so you can get an idea of what it looks like inside. |
| If by some chance we are able to open the church and celebrate mass there, who would come? 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 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. |
Unconnected to this development but equally
exciting (if not more)... There are three young
adults moving into the Rectory at the end of
August to continue their discernment as
Franciscans! If anyone else believes God may
be calling them to a life of love and service in His
Name, they should contact Fr. Bob. Want to
know more about St. Francis? Click HERE.
exciting (if not more)... There are three young
adults moving into the Rectory at the end of
August to continue their discernment as
Franciscans! If anyone else believes God may
be calling them to a life of love and service in His
Name, they should contact Fr. Bob. Want to
know more about St. Francis? Click HERE.
| 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. For an annotated bibliography of some important Church documents about Catholic evangelization, click HERE. For the answers to some FAQs about Catholic Evangelization, click HERE. |
Quick Dominick's Update
| We currently have about 250 people signed up in the Dominick's program. If you are not familiar with it, every time you shop at Dominicks, Dominick's will donate back to the Mission from 1% to 4% of what you would spend anyway if you register your Fresh Values Card with the Mission. It's easy and painless! That's it. You need no coupons, no turning in of receipts, nothing - nada. Think about asking your friends and family to sign up too. How about your whole company??? (Why think small...?) You will find more information and instructions if you click HERE or on the Dominck's tab on the menu. The Mission has already received over $1000 from this program. Even if you can't physically come to the Mission to help, here's another way to participate. Little by little, together, we make a big difference. |
