On Saturday, December 15, Santa and his elves hosted approximately 300 eager Holy Family kids, family, friends and neighbors to breakfast. It was wonderful morning with many smiles from the children, as well as a special feeling of gratitude to all the volunteers and sponsors. Santa would especially like to thank Ed and Lauren Worm from Joe's on Weed, all the supporters of the Kandy Kane Ball, and the parishioners from our sharing parish, St. Raymond de Penafort in Mount Prospect, for their kindness and help. Please see the Photo Albums for more pictures from the event.

On December 10, the priests and writing team members from the Little Italy Grouping presented the Feedback Summary document to the Executive Committee of the Renew My Church Commission. The Feedback Summary reflects feedback received from our parish meetings, as well our groupings conversations, on the scenarios that were presented outlining various structural changes for the grouping. The Executive Committee will now discuss our feedback and prepare a recommendation for the Renew My Church Commission. The Commission will then meet with the Cardinal to review the recommendation, after which a final decision will be made by the Cardinal. A meeting will be held in one of the parishes to update parishioners on the status of the Cardinal's decision. This meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 23, 2019. To view the Feedback Summary and other information on Renew My Church, please click on the title link or picture.

The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest who ministered to African slaves. Court #143 is comprised of members from St. Malachy, Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Martin de Porres. We are involved in spiritual, financial, social and service projects that make a difference in our parishes and community-at-large. We are actively seeking new members to help carry out our mission. Meetings are usually held the second Sunday of each month at St. Malachy+Precious Blood Rectory, 2242 West Washington Blvd at 12:30 PM. For details, please contact Vice Grand Lady Elese Dennard at (312) 834-9615 or Grand Lady Robin Watson at (773) 822-1239. We hope you will join us!

The annual Cardinal's Christmas Concert was held on December 9 at Holy Family to a packed church. The concert featured Cardinal Blaise Cupich and The City Lights Orchestra conducted by Rich Daniels. Highlights included the Cardinal's reading of the Gospel Christmas Story According to Luke, Suzanne Palmer, Bruce Henry and Catherine O'Connell's stunning vocals, as well as an old fashioned Christmas Sing-a-Long. The spirited music in such a beautiful setting left all attendees with a warm feeling in their hearts. Special thanks to Cardinal Cupich, Rich Daniels, the wonderful musicians of The City Lights Orchestra, and the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208.