Congratulations Dean Dalaly, Holy Family’s 2024 Christifideles Award Winner
Dean Dalaly is this year’s Holy Family winner of the Archdiocesan Christifideles Award. The award is given to Catholic lay people in the Archdiocese of Chicago to recognize their dedication to the church and its ministries. Deano has been a member of Holy Family Parish and the Knights of Columbus for the past 10 years. He is an exceptional volunteer, always willing to assist. He has led fund raising efforts and community events and his enthusiasm is contagious as he easily draws others into his plans.
In addition to managing events, he is a kind and compassionate individual who is always caring for and helping others. He is a member of the Liturgical Arts Community as a Eucharistic Minister and also a Minister of Care. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he was the Grand Knight for three terms and built many bridges between the parish and the Knights. He remains active and is now Faithful Navigator of the Fourth degree. Deano has earned this nomination and is deserving of this recognition for his commitment to Holy Family. I want to thank him personally for his friendship and support of me and my vision for one united Holy Family Catholic Community. Congratulations, Deano!
Let’s All Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Holy
Family Saturday and Sunday November 23 and 24
It may be hard for some of you to believe, and some of you may not know, and still others of you were present when Holy Family celebrated our first Mass as Advent began in 1984.That Mass was in the cafeteria of Fremd High School because our beautiful campus and church had yet to be built. Many of you as founding parishioners fondly refer to those early years as having Mass at “St. Fremd.” Several years later, because of our growth and your generosity, we were able to build not only this beautiful facility but, more importantly, a unique, vibrant Catholic community and Academy.
We want to acknowledge where we have come in forty years in several special ways. In the 40 days leading up to that weekend, we will share 40 fun facts about the history of our community during Masses. The 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, November 23 will include video presentations, special guests and other creative elements with a reception following including hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the Narthex. We will also offer special hospitality following each Mass on Sunday, November 24. Fr. Med Laz, our founding pastor, will be one of the special guests.
Please mark your calendar and join us that weekend and spread the word to any former parishioners to come and celebrate where we have come and what we have accomplished as a Holy Family Catholic Community!
Shenanigans
I want to thank the many people involved with our Shenanigans event on Sunday, October 6, particularly Chad Archer and his family along with the Knights of Columbus cooking up burgers and brats. This event is a tailgate party and watch party for the Bears game on the Narthex TVs.
The soft entry concept came out of the Renew My Church presentations to leadership teams from our neighbor St. Anne in Barrington and us here at Holy Family two years ago. Soft entry points are events for people who may want to join our community. They are designed to give people who may want to join us a taste of our unique Holy Family community. Most Shenanigans are family events and have activities for kids as well as adults. They are soft entry because we don’t want to overwhelm people with all of the programs, activities and ministries here—we simply want to introduce them to our spirit, energy, and welcoming vibe.
Gene Garcia, our Director of Liturgical Arta and Music came up with the name and his creative heart captured the essence of a soft entry point with the title.
I really want to emphasize that all Shenanigan events are opportunities for all of us existing parishioners to intentionally invite someone to join us, have fun and catch our spirit. Please be intentional about inviting neighbors, friends and family members to accompany you to any of our fun Shenanigans events.