On June 22, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced an update on the Round Lake/Volo, Deerfield/Lake Forest and Hanover Township Renew My Church groupings. Over the past several months, the groupings’ Feedback and Discernment Teams, made up of representatives from the parishes, met to review and discern their future parish and church structures. Based on their meetings and discussions with the larger parish communities, they submitted feedback to the Archdiocesan Standards and Recommendations Commission, which includes representatives from across the archdiocese. The commission reviewed feedback and other information, including demographic data, financial summaries and parish and grouping trends. Cardinal Cupich, the archdiocese’s auxiliary bishops and Presbyteral Council have discussed the commission’s recommendations. Based on those discussions and prayerful consideration, the following decisions have been made: Round Lake/Volo Grouping: The Round Lake/Volo grouping includes two parishes: St. Joseph Parish, Round Lake, and St. Peter Parish, Volo. There are no parish structural changes at this time; both parishes will remain in their current structure. Deerfield/Lake Forest Grouping: The Deerfield/Lake Forest grouping includes three parishes and one school: Holy Cross Parish, Deerfield; St. Mary parish and school, Lake Forest; and St. Patrick Parish, Lake Forest. There are no parish structural changes at this time, however the sustainability of continuing as three parishes will be reviewed annually, based on Mass attendance relative to other archdiocesan parishes and future pastor availability. St. Mary School will continue with no changes. Hanover Township Grouping: The Hanover Township grouping includes three parishes and one school: St. Ansgar Parish, Hanover Park; St. John the Evangelist parish and school, Streamwood; and St. Peter Damian Parish, Bartlett. There are no parish structural change at this time; however, if ministry needs, particularly for Hispanic ministry, are no longer being supported effectively by the current structure, structural changes will be considered. St. John the Evangelist School will continue with no changes.
Last Mass celebrated at St. Bernadette Church in Evergreen Park Members of the former St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park bade farewell to the church with a Mass and procession June 30 to their new parish, St. Gianna.
Grants from Lilly Endowment to help spiritually renew parishes Three organizations in the Archdiocese of Chicago have received grants from the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative to support projects aimed at helping parishes engage in ongoing spiritual renewal.
Day of Renewal invites leaders to deeper understanding of the Eucharist Hundreds of parish leaders and clergy attended the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Day of Renewal on Sept. 25 at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont.