In response to Parish Council President Odell Gordon’s invitation, parishioners responded with thoughtful, respectful and very moving responses to the statement: “ Holy Family Holds a Special Place in My Heart…” Following are some of the responses which were read aloud at the Sunday, June 23, 2019 Holy Family Day Mass. They will be preserved in the parish’s permanent records.
"I remember being 4 or 5 years old, before I started Holy Family Grammar school back in the 60's, and standing on the kneeler to look over the pew, to see what all the fuss was about.
Now more than 55 years later, my soul has come to realize what all the fuss was about.
There are many Churches in Chicago, all bridges to get one's soul to Heaven. The best bridge for my soul and many other souls over the years has been Holy Family Church."
"Holy Family holds a special place in my heart because I am homeless, living at Pacific Garden Mission...It is open and friendly."
"Welcoming to all."
"I came here when I was 5 years old and I didn't want to come. But when I got here everyone was so welcoming and I've been coming here ever since. Now I'm 15, I love this Church so much that I've come here every Sunday. If you do the Math, I've stepped through the doorway of the Church over 500 times."
"There's no place else like it."
"I was married here in 2017, My husband and I were privileged to go through RCIA with Fr. Mike, Deacon Dave, and Jim. Holy Family has changed my life in more ways than I can write."
"It saved my love for the faith."
"Holy Family accepted my family and gave us love when we needed a place of worship, We will forever be grateful to Holy Family!"
"I have found peace and serenity in
this awesome Church."
"The family at this place of worship
is so very accepting."
"I LOVE it here at Holy Family!"
"Every Sunday when I come to Mass, I feel God's presence and love, I consider everyone here as my brother and sister and love them as my brother and sister."
"Holy Family is Heaven on Earth."
"Every Sunday when I come to Mass, I feel God's presence and love, I consider everyone here as my brother and sister and love them as my brother and sister."
"Holy Family is where I find my
faith, family and friends."
"My great great grandparents were original parishioners in the 1850's. My great grandmother was baptized here in 1869 and married in the Church in 1894. Family stories told of them praying with their fellow parishioners to spare the Church from the fire of 1871. The Church will always be special to our family."
"I feel at home at Holy Family because of the diversity, inclusion, and ministry of Fr. Mike."
"LOVE OF CHURCH & LOVE OF GOD,
This is Holy Family."