Holy Family celebrated what may be its last Black History Month Mass–a tribute to African-Americans who worshiped and studied at the parish’s St. Joseph’s Mission and its founder, Fr. Arnold J. Garvy, S.J. (1868-1950). A relic from St. Peter Claver S.J. (patron saint of West African slaves), a statue of St. Martin de Porres (patron saint of mixed-race people and all who seek racial harmony) which occupied a place of honor in St. Joseph’s Mission from 1933 until its closing in the early 1960s, and several photos from St. Joseph Mission were on display. Late last month, Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that Holy Family’s well attended and spirited Sunday morning 9:45 a.m. Mass, where Gospel music and rousing spirituals are sung by an integrated choir whose voices often perform sacred hymns and Celtic tunes, is to be terminated and hundreds of parishioners are told to merge with nearby Notre Dame de Chicago effective July 1, 2019. Hundreds of parishioners signed a 60-foot petition and an online version and presented it to Cardinal Cupich pleading to reverse his decision. CLICK ON THE TITLE LINK OR PICTURE FOR THE FULL STORY

Special congratulations go out to Sr. Pat Cummings SSND, who will received the Fr. Augustus Tolton Award on February 23. This award honors priests, sisters and religious organizations that help support Catholic Charities mission in the south suburbs. Holy Family is proud of Sr. Pat and thankful for all that she does for the parish.

Members of the Priests' Placement Board met with the staff, parish leadership, RMC team, and parishioners of Holy Family and Notre Dame de Chicago to hear what qualities the new pastor of the combined parish should possess, as well as what current ministries and programs contribute to parish vitality and should continue. The Board, represented by his Excellency, Bishop Robert Casey, Mgsr. Wayne Prist, Fr. Larry Dowling, and Fr. Mike McGovern, heard from a spirited church filled with Holy Family parishioners that, just like that old commercial, they would like to see the new pastor to "be like Fr. Mike." The Board heard speaker after speaker state how much Fr. Mike is loved and respected, and all that he means to the people of Holy Family. Many expressed their opinion and hope that Fr. Mike should continue in the role of pastor of the combined parish. In addition to discussing the new pastor, those in attendance continued to voice their concern that there will be no Sunday morning Mass at Holy Family. Many in attendance left confused as to what will happen after July 1, 2019 in terms of the Masses that will be offered and where they will be held.

Congratulations to Jerrilynn Young on receiving the Sister Thea Bowman Humanitarian Award. This award recognizes Jerri for the many sacrifices she has made over the year for the good of her family, friends, and the church.

Thanks to Holy Family's own noted historian and author, Ellen Skerrett, we have the history of St. Joseph's Mission. Please click on the title link or picture to read this chapter of Holy Family's past and the impact it has had on our future. Celebrate Black History Month!

To read Maureen Callahan's Chicago Tribune historical perspective on Holy Family, please click on the title link or picture. Maureen is a parishioner, who was married at Holy Family and whose four children have been baptized here. She is now working on a new feature about Holy Family at the crossroads.

A special thanks to Amy Wood, Tim Barton and family for hosting last Sunday's hospitality. The treats and fellowship were wonderful.

On February 12, Fr. Mike, Alison Conlon, and Tom Justic met with Cardinal Cupich, Fr. Jason Malave and other members of the archdiocesan committee on Renew My Church to present the petition from the people and friends of Holy Family asking the Cardinal to reconsider his decision to end Sunday morning Masses at Holy Family as part of the merger with Notre Dame de Chicago. Cardinal Cupich indicated that he would review the petition and inform the parish of his final decision soon.

Special congratulations go to our children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation on February 10. Our prayers continue for them as they prepare for their First Holy Communion. A note of thanks to Fr. Lucas Laniauskas SJ for helping in celebrating this wonderful sacrament .with our children

A Parish Consultation has been scheduled at Holy Family Parish for Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Two members of the Priests Placement Board, the Bishop, and the Dean will have three separate meetings with the following groups to gather input about the qualities needed in the new pastor for the combined parish; 4 PM – meeting with the Parish Staff and Permanent Deacons; 6PM – meeting with parish leadership and Grouping Discernment Team from both parishes (members of Parish Council, Finance Committee, etc.); 7 PM – meeting with all interested parishioners from both parishes in a Town Hall format to discuss the strengths and challenges of the parish and the qualities needed in their next pastor. Input from parishioners is very important in the process. Both pastors and current staff members have been asked not to attend this session to allow people to express their opinions openly. For more information on the process, click on the title link or picture to see a information from the archdiocese.

Just as parishioners did in 1871 as the Great Chicago Fire was burning, and as generations did later as the wrecking ball threatened the parish in the 1980's, the rosary was prayed in front of the Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help to ask that Sunday AM Mass be preserved at Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph...Pray for Us.

Fr. Mike informed the parish that a meeting with Cardinal Cupich has been scheduled for February 12 to further discuss the issue of the Sunday AM Mass. As he did last week, Fr. Mike once again tied his remarks to the scripture readings saying that "Holy Family gives us love; And love endures all things; Love overcomes all things; Love never fails." He emphasized that ours is a petition of prayer, not of anger. He also mentioned that he is hoping to be able to present our 60' scroll as well as the names, as of February 3, of 220 online signatures to the archdiocese this week. Fr. Mike asked that we continue to pray