After not being seen for almost 50 years, the beautiful stained glass window of St. John Nepomucene on the east side of the church is being restored. The restoration is being done by Daprato Rigali Studios of Chicago, the same company that did the Prodigal Son window this spring, and will take 4 to 6 months to complete. Thanks to a very generous family, approximately three quarters of the $48,000 cost has been pledged. Holy Family parishioners and friends are welcome to support this project by donating to help defer the remaining amount. Please click on the picture or title link to make a donation. The window, which symbolizes the seal of the confessional, depicts St. John Nepomucene before King Wenceslaus IV, with sword in hand, commanding St. John to tell him what the Queen has confessed. St. John refused to reveal the secret of the confessional and, as a result, was tortured and thrown into the river where he drowned. He is considered a patron saint of the Czech Republic. We look forward to having another piece of Holy Family history restored to its original splendor, and to the beauty that it brings to our liturgy every week.

Our Grouping Feedback & Discernment Team, along with leaders from Notre Dame de Chicago, The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompei, and the UIC Newman Center will meet for the next 3-4 months to discuss and prayerfully discern the ministerial and operational strengths and challenges of the parishes within this grouping. The team from Holy Family consists of Tim Barton/Amy Wood, Alison Conlon, Bob Johnson, Odell Gordon, and Saul Guzman. Eventually the team will provide feedback and information from the grouping for Archdiocesan leadership to review and recommend any potential changes to parish or school structures to Cardinal Cupich. Along the way, there will be opportunities for everyone in our own parish to learn about the details of those conversations, ask questions, and share their own points of view on the strengths and concerns of any potential changes. For more information on Renew my Church, visit our web page by clicking on the title link or picture.

RCIA sessions will begin on Wednesday, September 26th at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room of the Parish Center. If you or an adult you know (age 18+) is interested in the RCIA process or have questions, please visit our RCIA webpage by clicking on the picture or title link and contact Jim Bruton, Religious Education Coordinator, at [email protected].

Registration for Religious Education for the upcoming school year will be held on August 19 & 26 immediately following the 9:45 Mass. The registration fee is $100. Please click on the title link or picture for more information.

Would you like to help Holy Family bring the message of Christ to its members each week? Joining the choir is one way you can help out and share your talents. Don’t be shy. Membership in the choir does not require previous choir experience or a superb singing voice. A good group of ordinary voices is all that is needed to sing praise to God and enhance the liturgy. Please consider whether this is one way you can help your church community, enjoy the liturgy more yourself, and make new friends. To join the choir, please click the title link or picture to sign up online. You may also call the parish office at 312.492.8442 to join or to get more information.

The Religious Education program is need of several teachers' aides for the upcoming year. The aides will be helping out on a rotating basis. Help touch young lives while advancing the faith. For more information or to volunteer please contact Jim Bruton at [email protected] or by calling 312.492.8442.

In September, our Grouping Feedback & Discernment Team will begin its series of conversations through early December. Along the way, there will also be parish sessions for all parishioners to learn more about the Renew My Church journey, stages, and implications for our parish. Dates and times of those parish sessions will be shared as soon as we have them scheduled. In the meantime, please pray for everyone as we form our Grouping Feedback & Discernment Team. May we all be open to where the Holy Spirit leads us in faith, hope and charity. For more information about the Grouping Feedback and Discernment Team, click on the title link or picture to visit our Renew My Church web page.

Thanks to all who contributed to this year's Annual Catholic Appeal. Because of you, we have exceeded our goal of $9,408.00.  Any amount above this will be returned to the parish to support our mission. Once again, thank you for your support. Please click on the title link or picture to see a thank you video from Cardinal Cupich.