A New Home
This year we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family by acknowledging our recent rededication of a unique depiction of a moment in the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, now in our Narthex. Rededicated because it has been blessed twice already, once in its original location near our choir in church and secondly when it was relocated to the opposite side of the church near the Tabernacle.
So many of you have already commented that the new location in our Narthex allows for much more public, prayerful reflection on, and appreciation of, the detail in these statues. I believe the uniqueness of this collection is consistent with the uniqueness of our mission and identity here at Holy Family Catholic Community.
Joseph depicted as a strong supporter and admirer of the young Jesus, growing in the craft of carpentry but growing much more in wisdom and grace. Mary the Mother of Jesus depicted as humble (kneeling), hard-working (ponytail) and open, acknowledging the man and Savior Jesus will become someday. She is reaching out to her son pointing to and accepting the gift that He is to her and to the world. She is also bringing lunch to her son and husband, feeding them in a simple gesture of service.
Jesus is depicted here as an adolescent, certainly one of only a few of such images. This highlights the importance of our teens here at Holy Family. He is exchanging a wooden dove with his Mother that will turn into a real dove and fly away, symbolizing the many real life exchanges between Jesus and humanity that will be transformed into spiritual messages elevating and freeing all people, and offering a peace that nothing else can. These unique features convey so much inspiration, but also along with many of the other details of the statues can inspire us in a different way—one that carries out our mission to BE a Holy Family.
We thank Bob and Wilma Growney for donating the statues and Robert Nicpon the artist whose creativity brings it to life. I also thank Scott Freund and Kevin Stuckey from Stuckey Construction who so professionally and reverently removed and relocated this collection. They both commented that this was more than a job, it was a labor of love and faith.
Please take time to read the description of the statues displayed on the East wall near the collection. It will help you pray and enhance your appreciation of some of the details so that you may make your own connections and symbolism.
A New Team Member
I am pleased to announce that Steve DeGroot has joined the staff of Holy Family as our Facility Operations Manager. Steve has a background in plant and facility management and most recently was with MacLean-Fog in Mundelein.
In his new role with us, Steve will be responsible for both the daily operations of our facility and grounds, and the planning and execution of projects to ensure the longer-term solvency of our campus. Steve will be the staff liaison with the Building Committee.
Steve and his wife Tami reside in Wauconda where they are members of Transfiguration Catholic Community and he has been involved as a Eucharistic Minister and Youth Group Leader.
Steve’s first day was Monday, December 23, so if you see him around please stop and introduce yourself. Steve will report to me; Bob Clough and the maintenance staff will report to Steve.
Bernie Schaeffer, who has assumed the Operations lead role since April 1 will assist Steve as he transitions into his role. Debbie Lively-Weyers and our front office staff, Jean Swenson, along with our finance team of Bernadette Konopka and Joan Sloan will continue to report to Bernie in his role as Director of Finance. Bernie in the interim will also oversee Development activities, including working with the chairs for the upcoming Gala, until we fill the development role.
Please join me in welcoming Steve to our team.