My deepest thanks to you and your parishioners for contributing to the special collection for Catholic Charities on Mother's Day. Thanks to you and your parishioners, vulnerable people who come to Catholic Charities will receive the guidance they need to work towards a more promising and stable future. The compassion generated by your parish community will enable us to surround them with our strong network of supportive services. May God Bless you and your parishioners abundantly for reaching out and giving hope. Sincerely, Monsignor Michael Boland

From the Chicago Catholic - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of Father Augustus Tolton, who was the first African American diocesan priest in the United States and founder of the first black Catholic parish in Chicago. Signing decrees issued by the Congregation for Saints' Causes June 11, Pope Francis also formally recognized the martyrdom of three Catholic laywomen who were nurses for the Red Cross and were killed during the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War. The decree for Father Tolton's cause makes him "venerable" and recognizes that he lived a life of heroic virtue

On June 4, members of the transition team and liturgical representatives from both Holy Family and Notre Dame met with Fr. Peter McQuinn, new pastor of Holy Family/Notre Dame parish, and representatives from the archdiocese to discuss planning for weekend liturgies. At that meeting, Fr. Peter shared that he is going to continue to offer a Sunday morning Mass at Holy Family after the merger begins on July 1. He further stated that he saw no reason to "discontinue" the Mass based his experience several weeks ago at the vibrant 9:45 Mass. This news was received with great excitement by those in attendance, as the fight to keep a Sunday Mass at Holy Family has been at the forefront of parish life and conversation for past six months. Fr. Peter stated that he believes the Cardinal's decree places this decision in his hands. He further stated that his vision for a weekend Mass schedule is as follows: Saturday - Vigil Mass at ND; Sunday - AM Mass at ND (English), AM Mass at HF (English), Noon Mass at ND (Spanish). Times for all Masses to be determined. Unfortunately, the 5:00 PM Mass at Holy Family and the 8:30 AM Mass at Notre Dame will likely be cancelled shortly after the merger is complete.

The Women of the Spirit would like to thank all who donated to the "Care Packages." We collected an abundance of very needed items. Our original plan was to make 200 packages to be delivered in an Outreach manner. Items are still being accepted. Again, a BIG "thank you" to the Holy Family community.

It is with sadness that we inform you that Eleanore Kotleba, longtime Parishioner of Holy Family and wife of Deacon Rudolf Kotleba, passed away on Monday, June 3rd. May we pray for peace and comfort for Deacon Rudy and their daughter Felicia, son-in-law Leonard and grandchildren Michael, Jessica and Kayla, and may we pray in gratitude for Eleanore’s lifelong devotion to the Church and many years of faithful service to the Holy Family community. Please click on the title link or picture to see the obituary.

Gerry Dignan, the celebrated musician and performer, played his final Mass at Holy Family on Sunday during the 5:00 Mass. For many years, Gerry's beautiful voice and musical ability has added great beauty to every Mass and special occasion. Holy Family parishioners and friends at his final Mass were deeply moved and saddened that Gerry will no longer be playing at Holy Family because the new parish still has not firmed up Mass schedules and transition plans. Thank you, Gerry! To hear part of Gerry's final Mass, click on the title link or picture.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago's 2nd Annual Charity Golf Classic is set for Monday, July 22, 2019 at Seven Bridges Golf Course in Woodridge, IL. Proceeds from this event help nonprofit PCFC promote prostate cancer awareness through monthly informational support group meetings, free prostate cancer screenings, community and professional education, and publication of clinical research findings. Early bird pricing is available until June 14. For more information and to register, please click on the title link or picture.

Holy Family parishioners and friends where excited to welcome back Deacon Dave Keene. In his remarks at the 9:45 Mass, Deacon Dave shared how he suffered a heart attack while presiding over a wedding several weeks ago. Fr. Mike asked the congregation to pray for Deacon Dave as he received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick to comfort him as he prepares for bypass surgery this week. Please keep Deacon Dave in your thoughts and prayers, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

The 2019 Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk returns to Jackson Park on Saturday, September 7, 2019. More information and online registration will be available beginning in June. The event is a great fundraiser for the Food Pantry, so please support us in whatever way you can.

Transition team members from Holy Family and Notre Dame met with our new pastor, Fr. Peter McQuinn, to share information about each of the current parishes and to begin the conversation on transitioning to a single parish. It was also an opportunity for Fr. Peter to share his ideas and vision with those in attendance. Holy Family team members continued to advocate for a Sunday Mass at Holy Family after the merger takes place on July 1 to help the assure that the new parish has a stronger base from which to grow. While it seems likely that a Sunday Mass will continue at Holy Family during the transition, Fr. Peter seemed less certain, based on the Cardinal's Decree, that Sunday Mass will continue after this undefined period of time. The focus will now be on the transition, and the many details that are necessary to the operation of the parish. Be assured that Holy Family team members will continue to work with the team and Fr. Peter to show the benefit to the new parish of maintaining a Sunday Mass and presence at Holy Family.

Parishioners and friends of Holy Family joined with Fr. Mike on May 19 as he celebrated 35 years of dedicated and faithful service to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Holy Family is grateful to Fr. Mike for his warm and comforting pastoral skills in ministering to our diverse community. He has also been a beacon of courage and tenacity as we have fought to keep a Sunday Mass at Holy Family. We thank Fr. Mike for his inspirational leadership and devotion to our parish and congratulate him on this milestone.

Heavenly Father, from the beginning you have chosen to entrust the human person to mothers in a special way. We thank and praise you for the gift of mothers; for their tenderness, care, and compassion, for their intuition and encouragement, for commitment and sacrifice. Bless all mothers this day. Keep, strengthen, and refresh them in your loving care. May they be blessed by our openhearted love and gratitude. Amen.

Many parishioners have asked that their personal information not be submitted to the newly merged parish of Holy Family and Notre Dame de Chicago if Sunday Mass will no longer be offered at Holy Family. If you do not wish to have your contact information shared with the new parish, please click on the title link or picture to complete an online request. You may also contact the Parish Office at 312.492.8442.

On a beautiful spring morning, 33 children of the parish were welcomed to the table of the Lord celebrating their First Communion. A full church of proud parents, grandparents, and other family members smiled throughout the Mass as the children were blessed in receiving this joyous sacrament. During his homily, Fr Mike reflected on his own First Communion with humor and told communicants and parents that this should be the first of many to come. Special thanks to our teachers, Virginia Clayton, Jerilynn Young, Cynthia Holden, Jacque Hale, and Jim Bruton.

Fr. Mike presided over the 8th Annual Prayer Service for Child Abuse Prevention and Pinwheel Planting in the Healing Garden and brought smiles to the students as he told them that they are all "celebrities." Students from St. Mary of the Woods and St. Angela schools listened attentively as Michael Hoffman, clergy abuse survivor and chairman of the Hope and Healing Committee for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of the Protection of Children and Youth (OPCY) shared his story, and told students what they should do if they find themselves in a difficult situation. Students from St. Ignatius College Prep added great beauty to the service with their voices of support. The service ended with the traditional planting of pinwheels, the symbol of national child abuse prevention.

On a beautiful Easter morning, Holy Family was filled with the faithful to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. The enthusiastic congregation sang joyfully, and celebrated the Mass with Holy Family's hallmark vitality and welcoming spirit. Fr. Mike's stirring homily shared his hope that like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Holy Family will continue to have Sunday morning Mass and holiday celebrations. "Like the embers and ruble, the pain and shock of Notre Dame, fire is not the end of the story. It will be rebuilt. Just like Holy Family, I know and believe somehow. The light will shine, for we believe that He is risen. He is truly Risen, " he said. For FULL STORY, please click on the title link or picture.

Holy Family was packed with hundreds of worshipers who made the traditional Holy Thursday pilgrimage to pray and reflect. Three buses from St. Bede's, on the south side, joined worshipers from distant Wheaton as well as people from all over Chicagoland to join in prayer with members of the Holy Family community. Those in attendance shared their disbelief and sadness that under the Cardinal's decree, Holy Family will no longer hold Sunday Masses and other holy day celebrations.

After a beautiful and moving service on Holy Thursday, a group of Holy Family parishioners and friends "kept watch" by visiting and praying with our friends at the altar of repose at The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and Notre Dame de Chicago. Catholics from all over the city also visited Holy Family, as the church remained open until midnight for prayer and reflection.

Thank you to all who assisted with last week's Hospitality following the 9:45 Mass. We had a significant assembly to welcome Fr. McQuinn, and numerous parishioners generously helped with serving and supplied treats and refreshments. Special thanks to Ellen Skerett, Arlyne Jackson, Col Chin, Rita Crosse, Sharon Igoe, Vernon Lam and the students of the Year 1 Confirmation class for embodying the welcoming and hospitable spirit that makes Holy Family community so special.

Our new pastor, Fr. Peter McQuinn concelebrated Mass with Fr. Mike and was witness to some good old Holy Family hospitality and vitality. Fr. Peter received a warm welcome from all in attendance, while seeing first hand why parishioners are passionate about maintaining a Sunday Mass at Holy Family.