At a meeting of "essential" leaders, and in a September 29, 2019 bulletin announcement, Fr. Peter shared more of his vision and transition plan for the parish. The most significant part of the plan involves the Sunday Mass schedule. Beginning December 1, the first Sunday of Advent, the 9:45 Mass at Holy Family and the 10:00 Mass at Notre Dame will be combined into one Mass to be held at 10:00 alternating between the two churches. On December 1, the 10:00 Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family and on December 8 at Notre Dame. This alternating schedule will continue through the Christmas season and end on January 12, 2020. Transportation will be provided between the two sites. It is hoped that this shared experience will help in the discernment of the next steps the parish will take to build the future. All other Masses will continue at the regularly scheduled times. Fr. Peter also made clear the Cardinal's decree that all Sunday Masses celebrated at Holy Family must cease as of June 30, 2020. Please click on the title link or picture and the September 29 bulletin for more information.

Holy Family/Notre Dame parishioners, together with St. Ignatius College Prep students and faculty, joined to fight hunger in Chicago by walking in the 34th Annual Hunger Walk in Jackson Park on September 7. This year, our 67 walkers joined over 15,000 in the park to raise funds for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. To date, our walkers have raised over $2,300 through direct donations and walker subsidies. A portion of these funds are slated to come back to the Holy Family food pantry. All the walkers hope that the Holy Family food pantry will be open soon after being closed due to flooding in Damen Hall. Donations are still being accepted through September. Please click on the picture or title link to make a contribution.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process where you can experience the Catholic faith community. It is an opportunity for questions to be answered and for learning about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. The Christian Initiation process offers a comfortable and welcoming environment of support and guidance as you seek to discover how God is working in you life. Sessions will now be scheduled on Sunday mornings alongside the 9:45 and/or 10am Masses. If you or an adult you know is interested in the RCIA process or have questions, please contact Jim Bruton at [email protected]. Please also visit the RCIA webpage by clicking the on title link or picture.

After the last heavy rainstorm in August, Damen Hall flooded and created a major health concern for the food pantry and other activities that use the space. Unfortunately, the Holy Family food pantry will be closed to clients until further notice. Until the situation can be rectified, clients have been referred to another food pantry in the area.

All are invited to participate in a pilgrimage to visit the birth and burial place of Fr. Augustus Tolton; stopping at those sites in and around those places of interest that highlight the life of Father Tolton. Please consider joining the Postulator of the Cause, Bishop Joseph N. Perry, who will be the primary spiritual director of our pilgrimage. The journey as a group starts with a train ride to Quincy, IL, where the group will travel to different sites that were significant in Father Augustus Tolton’s life of service to the Church. Join us as we strive to educate, engage and evangelize! The pilgrimage will start with train ride departing from Union Station at 7:40 a.m. on Friday, September 13 and conclude with a train leaving from Quincy at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2019. To register, please click on the title link or picture.