These past two weekends, our parishes were blessed to celebrate a beautiful sacred milestone as children received their First Holy Communion. I want to offer heartfelt congratulations to each of these young members of our community... First Communion is not a one-time event - it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Christ in the Eucharist... We all need to remember the Eucharist is spiritual food for the journey...

It seems like there are new roadblocks for our migrant families every few weeks. Especially difficult are the new fees that have been added to some applications that were once free... In most cases, the initial application that was once free now costs $560 and that fee can be much higher depending on certain statuses... Donations are accepted on Mondays from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the former Saint Bernardine School...

The St. Catherine - St. Lucy (SCSL) hiring committee is thrilled to announce a familiar face as our new leader: Ms. Kelly Archambault has officially been named Principal! Big Shoulders, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the SCSL hiring committee have confidence in Kelly and believe she is the best candidate for the role... Please join us in giving a warm "welcome back" to Mrs. Archambault in her new role...

The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB), a not-for-profit providing services to families in five schools located in the Austin neighborhood, is seeking a volunteer to Chair its Communications Committee... The Communications Chair provides strategic oversight and coordination of all communications for TNB... If you are interested in learning more, please send an email briefly outlining your experience...

Could you recommend someone? - "Ascension and St. Edmund" and "St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles" Parishes are seeking recommendations for potential Parish Pastoral Council members... You can recommend someone you know or yourself. Those who are recommended will be contacted to answer any questions. An information session will be held in early May for those who have been recommended...

On Sunday, April 12, the first Sunday after Easter has been designated as Divine Mercy Sunday. The celebration of Christ's resurrection continues with this feast, which recognizes that God's love and mercy endure forever and overcome any sin that separates us from Him... The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a Catholic prayer based on visions and messages received by Saint Faustina Kowalska... The chaplet is particularly encouraged on Good Friday and at 3:00 PM, the hour of God's mercy...

Before the proclamation of the gospel at the Easter Vigil liturgy, there is a deeply powerful and moving moment. It is the joyous triple Alleluia... Yet, we may find that our Easter joy has been dampened this year in the face of the daunting challenges of war, the upheavals experienced by migrant families... Let’s not hold back our shouts of joy. Let us sing with gusto our Alleluia for it bears witness to our enduring hope in Christ’s Resurrection...

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is a process to guide you in your discernment as well as a pathway to become Catholic... The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is how people can question, search, and learn about the Catholic faith... The following are our OCIA Candidates and Catechumen receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026...

Be a Beacon of Faith, Service, and Community - Are you passionate about deepening your faith and sharing Christ’s joy with others? The Spirit and Light ministry is seeking new members to join our Advisory Board! If you feel called to make a meaningful impact in our parish and beyond, we invite you to prayerfully consider this opportunity...

The Village of Oak Park will be making significant improvements to Oak Park Avenue, around St. Edmund Church.  This project will affect Oak Park Avenue, between Randolph Street and Ontario Street. The project is scheduled to run until November 2026. At times, the street will be closed and not accessible to parking. The St. Edmund parking lot will remain open...

PDF File - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of Newark issued a strongly statement measuring U.S. foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his Jan. 9, 2026 address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited the Holy See...

Our two Parish Creation Care Ministries in Oak Park, H.O.M.E. (Ascension and St. Edmund) and Vine and Branches (St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles), offer the following suggestions to make your Holiday Season an Eco-Sustainable Christmas that will minimize its environmental impact through conscious choices in decorations, gifts, and food...

This weekend (December 13, 2025), we remember one of the Patron Saints of our newly combined parish family, St. Catherine of Siena-ST. LUCY and St. Giles, of our Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors... Let us remember St. Lucy this weekend and ask her to pray for us that we may carry Christ’s light with courage, walk with clear vison, and be a source of hope for one another...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

Our local council of the Knights of Columbus has completed its resource document for those caring for ailing or elderly loved ones. The document includes information on individual caregivers as well as agencies and offers insights from those who have provided or arranged for care for an elderly or ailing loved one.

We are now accepting registrations for High School Confirmation for the Youth seeking to be formed and celebrate this Sacrament in Spring 2026. We witness a living faith, and we provide space for prayer, faith growth, service, and reflection...