At a recent trip to the Broadview Processing (previously Detention Center) a battle-ready combat vehicle was observed entering the building. It made this writer consider what my battle-ready vehicle would look like... It would be a wagon containing the following: T-shirts with slogans like “Mercy for Justice” or “God has cast down the mighty and has lifted up the lowly”, lots of rosaries, at least one Bible and prayer books,... I don’t know who will win the battle, but I believe long-term in our chances...

This weekend marks the beginning of the 100th anniversary celebration of Saint Giles Church and Campus... From the rich histories and traditions of Saint Edmund, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Lucy, Ascension, and Saint Giles, two new communities have emerged. That does not mean that the histories of our individual parishes disappear. Quite the opposite. WE CARRY THAT HISTORY WITH US... The story is not ending. New chapters are beginning, and we are blessed to be writing them together...

Consider sharing your musical gifts with the music ministry of our parish! All adult choirs are open to singers, high school age and older. We have three adult choirs and one children’s choir in the parish. All new potential adult members are asked to contact David Anderson at the Music Office or Robert Valle for St. Edmund Choir. We also are in need of cantors and other musicians...

Are you thinking how you can grow in your faith and share your faith? It is important to be sharing and supporting the teachings of the Catholic faith, and in the power of faith, bring purpose, strength, and hope no matter where we are in life. We need catechists to work with our children from toddlers through high school. You can choose the age group and program that best fits your interests!...

Spirit and Light has been busy getting ready for the new Religious Education year... We have had a Spirit and Light Board retreat, a team-building for the Spirit and Light Team, and the Family Fun Fest. While on the surface, these kinds of gathering may seem frivolous and a waste of time, in actuality they are essential... Perhaps we can all further the endeavor of building community and get to know the people we go to church with. Who is it that sits in the row in front of me or behind me? Who is the new person that I have not seen before?...

Daily life is no less stressful for the migrants we serve than it was last fall during Operation Midway Blitz. DHS’s strategies have changed, but are just as aggressive... At the Migrant Ministry, we increasingly view our center as a “Place of Encounter,” as called for by Pope Leo. Migrants are welcomed and made to feel respected and heard... Looking with HOPE to the future, we have been very busy helping parents select school clothes and children new backpacks and school supplies...

Lately it seems that we have been hearing about severe storms, damaging tornados, earthquakes, flooding, or one natural disaster after another. When these events seem to come as often as they have recently, it is understandable to wonder: IS GOD TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING?... Faith does not promise we will never encounter storms. Faith promises we do not face them alone... So instead of only asking, “Why is God allowing this to happen?”, possibly we should also ask...

A Story from inside Broadway Detention Center - Heidi Torgerson is the Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in LaGrange, and also one of the pastors who goes inside Broadview Processing (previously Detention) Center... Pastors go in every day to provide pastoral care to the people being held there... This care is being allowed due to the work of CSPL, the Coalition of Spiritual and Pastoral Leadership, which filed a lawsuit against ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, forcing them to allow these visits...

A new school year is about to begin, and our streets, sidewalks, schools, and homes become much busier again... Safety is another important part of caring for our communities... The children and young people returning to school are not simply “someone else’s kids.”... The start of a new season in school is an opportunity for all of us to practice what Jesus teaches: LOVE ONE ANOTHER... Sometimes that love looks quite simple - a smile, holding a door, yielding the right of way, or patiently waiting our turn...

Increasingly at the Migrant Ministry, we are being called to alert migrants about significant changes in immigration policy, issue warnings about potential scams, and fight misinformation... Colorful, low-literacy information posters and flyers using eye-catching emojis are a key part of the Migrant Ministry’s efforts to educate migrants about key concerns... Migrants are encouraged to take photos of the posters and share them widely on social media...

Last week, I had the opportunity to take some time away and spend six days with my two brothers, their wives and a couple of good friends... That is why the summer offers us a gift. It reminds us that God created us not only to work, but also to rest. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to quiet places to pray... Whether it is a week away, an afternoon on the porch, a walk through the park, or simply sitting quietly with the Lord at home or in Church; let yourself be renewed...

The Immigrants' Creed - This Creed was written by Bishop Hector A. Burgos-Nunez, a United Methodist bishop from Puerto Rico. We are grateful for these words that so eloquently express our longing for God’s kingdom. We are grateful for the interfaith nature of our Migrant Ministry. We are grateful for the many volunteers who support this ministry... Thank you for making our work possible!... Donations are accepted on Monday mornings from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the former Saint Bernardine School...

I have done some reflection on one of our more recent gospel stories and lessons from Jesus, Growing the Wheat Together. One of the greatest temptations in any community is to focus on the weeds... We bring different traditions, different histories, different ways of doing things, and different expectations. At times it can be tempting to compare, criticize, or become discouraged... Jesus asks us, “What kind of disciples are you becoming?”...