Thanksgiving is upon us, and so is the beginning of our new liturgical year which begins next week, the first Sunday of Advent. Our theme reminds us of one of the gifts we can be grateful for, hope. Always waiting, in HOPE!... May this season renew our hope, soften our hearts where needed, and remind us that GRATITUDE is itself a blessing that draws us closer to God and one another...

Migrant Ministry is honored to have received the 2025 Bradford O'Neill Medallion for Social Justice from Dominican University, a Catholic Hispanic Serving institution and a leader in educating immigrants and the children of immigrants... Over the past two years, Migrant Ministry has had many opportunities to work with the students and faculty of Dominican...

As the season of Thanksgiving is upon us, I am grateful for two important events that happened quietly and with little fanfare... The former Saint Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Rectory is now being used as offices for Housing Forward, The Bridge Center and Faith and Fellowship Ministry... Dominican University gave our Migrant Ministry the Bradford O’Neil Medallion for Social Justice...

The bishops address their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States... Los obispos expresan su preocupación por la situación cambiante que afecta a los inmigrantes en Estados Unidos...

This month has been designated for highlighting the legacy of Black Catholics in the Church. On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States formally established November as Black Catholic History Month... Through the centuries, Black Catholics have endured oppression, discrimination, and marginalization even within the Church,...

One of the most urgent and valued services provided by the Migrant Ministry has been assisting migrants to complete and submit their asylum applications, work authorization, and change of court venue... it was determined that “the drastically changed legal environment” requires the experience and knowledge of an immigration lawyer to navigate...

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on the Moral Imperative to Uphold Both Security and Human Dignity - Declaración del Cardenal Blase J. Cupich, Arzobispo de Chicago, sobre el Imperativo Moral de mantener tanto la Seguridad como la Dignidad Humana

As I celebrate Masses at each of our churches, I am continually inspired by many of our seniors across the parishes whose lives reflect both wisdom and vitality. Their quiet strength, deep faith, and joyful spirit reveal something beautiful about what it means to grow older with grace... Our seniors remind us daily that joy and purpose do not fade with time...

We congratulate two of our schools – Ascension School and St. Giles School – on their individual achievements in the National and Governor's Blue Ribbon School of Excellence program... We are blessed to have three vibrant Catholic schools that each deliver a nurturing, faith-filled educational experience to its students...

Recently volunteers, parish staff members, and pastors of local churches gathered to bid farewell to Centro San Edmundo, and bless volunteers... Although Centro San Edmundo is closed to migrants, store rooms are available and volunteers will be filling special orders for coats and clothing until we are able to move to our new location at Boulevard Presbyterian...

Last week I attended two events that highlighted the gifts and strength of our Oak Park Catholic communities and neighbors working together... As Pastor, I am so proud and pleased of the work so many have done to share these visions and help to make them a reality... What our world needs more of is what we are already doing: living hope through action!...

Sister JoAnn Persch and Sister Pat Murphy are members of the Sisters of Mercy. For the past 40 years they have had a ministry of persistence. There motto is, “We do things peacefully and respectfully. But we never take no for an answer.”... Today, we hear three inspiring stories of people with limited resources or skills who persevere in their tasks...

Last Thursday, October 9, was our last Migrant Ministry Services day in Centro San Edmundo,... how do we meet the needs of the migrants too afraid and traumatized to leave their homes?... The free stores are paused, but our incredible volunteers are not stopping... Padre Vittorio Bruscella, CMF, recently reflected that “the word ‘Sanctuary’ no longer means a place made of bricks”...

While Father Carl is on Vacation, our Oak Park Parishes' Operations Directors offer some parish updates... Carlos Guerrero: I want to begin by thanking you for your ongoing support of the parish. Fr. Carl and all of us on the staff appreciate each one of you... Matt Brophy: When I started working at the parish in January 2021, Father Carl wondered if I would have enough work to keep me busy...

A Companion Sponsor for OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a parishioner who would like to accompany a person who is preparing to receive the sacraments... Companion Sponsors will receive training prior to being paired with an individual and will continue to be supported while they work with a person...

The simple phrase “What would Jesus do?” has guided Christians for generations... When we ask, “What would Jesus do?’ the answer is NEVER hatred, fear, or exclusion, but it is ALWAYS mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and truth spoken in love... In the end, the question is not only “What would Jesus do?” but also “What will we do?” As followers of Christ, we are called to be different...

We learned this week that one of our migrant couples are planning to get married but were waiting until they could afford to buy the bride a ring... We will miss Centro San Edmundo and recognize the impact our time there has had not only on the migrants,... We are pausing all but financial donations now, and will alert you when we can accept donations again...

The decision has been made to close the Saint Edmund School building due to the enormous cost of repairing and maintaining the beloved, but very old, structure. The last day the “free stores” and social services will be available for the migrants in the building will be Thursday, October 9. Immigration Support Services has moved to Murphy Hall and that will continue...

I feel it and hear it spoken all around me these days. There is so much bitterness and hardening of hearts in our country today. How do we not give up on hope? Read Luke 8:4-15... Jesus speaks about the word of God as a seed that is sown but does not produce fruit in everyone... Our task these days is to ask ourselves, what kind of soil am I?...

We are accepting RE Registrations for the Year 2025-2026 - We are excited to begin another year of faith formation and spiritual growth! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we look forward to guiding your child on their journey of faith...