

| The back yard: This turned out to be a wonderful quiet spot with tables and chairs where retreatants and others who came to the Mission could share a moment of fellowship over a cup of coffee or quietly enjoy a moment of peace in a neighborhood accustomed to drugs and gangs. |



| The Courtyard (Click on images below to see larger pictures.) |
| An important piece of the picture: Some of those who make it all possible. From May 19, 2007: Friends from New York and Notre Dame Alumni (Click on images below to see a larger picture.) |


| May 19: Digging out the old flag pole base turned out to be quite a challenge for this group of ND grads and friends. |


| the other side of the front yard.the other side of the front yard. |




| JUNE 2007 |
| The Boy Scout Troop from Park Ridge, Illinois came to help Fr. Bob on June 23 and did a fabulous job with the front yard! |

| The Courtyard, an area tucked between the buildings, will eventually be a quiet place for prayer or reading. |

| July 2007 (Left) |
| (Right) |

| Spring bulbs have been planted. |




| Fr. Bob chats with neighbors as the fair begins. |
| Volunteers came, primarily from St. John, Indiana. They brought the food, music, ponies and their faith. |










| The pony rides were a hit. |
| The music was awesome. It was great to see our young adults using their talents to do God's work. |
| We have heard that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The looks on all of these faces testify to this. |



| The great volunteers who came all the way from St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in St. John, Indiana. |
| Fr. Bob says he has been teased mercilessly about the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe posted below since he doesn't cook. Doesn't cook? You will LOVE this recipe for Cherry Bars served at the Mission if you like to bake or eat. Remember, share them with your friends and let them know where they can get the recipe! Cherry Bars |

| July 21, 2007 Remember what this patio looked like three months ago? (If not, see above.) |
| Fr. Bob holds a surprise street fair for the neighborhood! |
| Chocolate Carmel Layer Bars |





| Eugene and John took on the hard tasks and installed (and carried up and down three flights of stairs) 10 air conditioners. Nice job guys! |
| Fr. Bob digs in too! |
| Ready to get to work. |
| Terry and Don (our ND leader) after a hard day's work. Hey Don, isn't that paint suppose to be on the wall instead of your clothes??? |

| Some worked in the yard while work continued inside the rectory (with a few moments to rest and have a laugh or two with friends.) |