Some of you have asked for updates on our Lenten Social Justice Projects. Sue Geegan has provided regular updates on her Human Concerns bulletin pages and the most comprehensive updates are on our website, holyfamilyparish.org; click Human Concerns then Lenten Social Justice Projects. This portion of our website updates you on the current project, but if you continue on you will see updates on previous projects and all of the videos that were shown in church.
I realize that some of you may not access the website so here is a brief update on the recent past Lenten generosity that you, as the Holy Family Catholic Community, have supported:
- St. Paul Parish in McKee, Kentucky – $48,718 towards Rebecca Wood’s salary as a Pastoral Associate (We collaborated with Catholic Extension Society)
- St. Mary Parish on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Red Lake, Minnesota – $70,030 to support the salary of a staff member who does outreach and nursing (We collaborated with Catholic Extension Society)
- Journeys | The Road Home – $54,384 for care and guidance for homeless and those on the verge of homelessness here in our community including case management, job counseling, minor medical assistance and mental health screening.
- Cuba – $95,000 for the renovation of four churches in San Miguel de los Banos and Pinar del Rio
- Peaceful Pathways – $103,134 in support of Strong Futures and Peace Corner in Chicago (We collaborated with Cardinal Cupich, Catholic Charities and St. Sabina Church).
Your total financial generosity comes to $371,266. The spiritual, emotional and ministerial goodness in response to the Gospel and in strengthening the precious gift of life that God has given to those who have benefitted is priceless.
I am joining several other pastors for a trip to the United States border with Mexico from July 11-13. Catholic Extension Society is sponsoring this trip so that we can get a closer look at some border and family issues. I will keep you informed.
RCIA
We often refer to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ministry here at Holy Family “Footsteps,” because it certainly is a journey for Candidates (those baptized in another Christian denomination besides Catholicism, or those baptized as Catholics who have not received First Communion or Confirmation) and Catechumens (those never baptized). The RCIA is the oldest form of teaching in all of Christianity and it is, in many ways, the best of adult education. These Candidates and Catechumens meet regularly, along with their sponsors and our Footsteps Team to learn about the Catholic Church. At the same time, a bond of unity always forms as these people share their stories and learn about their faith in an adult manner.
The first phase of the RCIA process, which begins in September, always involves basic learning about Catholicism. Once adults get more basic information about our faith, they are free to continue or not, based on what they have learned. In other words, with more information about the Catholic Church they can make an informed adult decision about whether they wish to continue and ultimately be welcomed into the Church in an official capacity. During the Easter Vigil, they complete their initiation by receiving, either that night or prior to it, Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.
I invite all of you to encourage any family member, friend, acquaintance or loved one who may be interested in learning more about and perhaps becoming Catholic to please contact Bonnie Rooney at 847-977-4715.
I want to extend a sincere thanks to Mary Whiteside, Director of our Adult Faith Ministering Community and to the sponsors and members of the Footsteps Team for their dedication to and support of the many adults who have been received into the Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic Community through the years.
New Ministry Positions
There have been a few changes and additions to our staff recently. Please welcome Grant Guthrie to our Teen Faith staff. Grant is assuming the position that Melanie Tomal was responsible for. Melanie is going on to further her teaching career. Thanks Melanie, and welcome Grant. Maureen DeRosa is moving on from our Operations Ministering Community and Bernie Schaeffer will assume her responsibilities, in addition to his development position. We thank Maureen for her input and dedication these past two years. Jeannie Parry joins our Adult Faith Ministering Community to assist both Mary Whiteside and Marsha Adamczyk. Welcome Jeannie. In addition, Arielle Joaquin joins the Teen and Family Faith Ministering Community as a summer intern. Welcome Arielle.