Parishes continue streak of helping to build homes for others
More than 200 volunteers from seven south suburban Archdiocese of Chicago parishes built the framing walls for two houses on June 12 and 13, 2026, in the parking lot of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park that will benefit the Northern Indiana Habitat for Humanity chapter. The seven parishes have worked collaboratively to raise more than $20,000 for the housing project through donations. The two homes will be donated to families in need in Gary, Ind. The parishes involved were St. Damian (Oak Forest), St. Elizabeth Seton (Orland Hills), St. Francis of Assisi (Orland Park), St. George (Tinley Park), St. Julie Billiart (Tinley Park), St. Michael (Orland Park) and St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr (Tinley Park). The effort is in collaboration with Crossroads Mission. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
John Baggio from St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Nancy Biggio from St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Lee Wanatowicz from Incarnation Parish measure a board for cutting. More than 200 volunteers from seven south suburban Archdiocese of Chicago parishes built the framing walls for two houses on June 12 and 13, 2026, in the parking lot of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park that will benefit the Northern Indiana Habitat for Humanity chapter. The seven parishes have worked collaboratively to raise more than $20,000 for the housing project through donations. The two homes will be donated to families in need in Gary, Ind. The parishes include St. Damian (Oak Forest), St. Elizabeth Seton (Orland Hills), St. Francis of Assisi (Orland Park), St. George (Tinley Park), St. Julie Billiart (Tinley Park), St. Michael (Orland Park) and St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr (Tinley Park). The effort is in collaboration with Crossroads Mission. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Nancy Biggio from St. Francis of Assisi cuts a board. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Gerry Kaminski from St. George Parish and Joe Biggio from St. Francis of Assisi Parish cut wood. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Frank Mallet from St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus, instructs Dennis Wright from St. Julie Parish and Bob Miller from St. Damien Parish on the status of their wood. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Al Fancsali from St. George Parish and Faith Selzer from St. Elizabeth Seton Parish stack smaller cuts of wood during the build. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jim Kocher and Jenn Durkin, both parishioners at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, examine boards recently cut by volunteers. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
