|
GREAT THINGS ARE
HAPPENING!!
The families of
St. Ailbe have grown together, raised
children
together, shared hurts and joys, supported and
helped one another and worn many hats out side
the Church. They have spread a spiritual joy in doing
God's work. There are many Great Things
Happening at
St. Ailbe!!!
The HOLY SPIRIT is moving throughout
our Church in incredible ways that I as your Pastor do
not always understand. A call has gone out that many
people wish to have a recording
of our Church liturgies. We have had the potential to
do so for many years, yet now especially with the
enhancement in leadership we must move ahead. If we
recorded or produced tapes of our liturgy, our
homebound and hospitalized will be afforded spiritual opportunities
for connection to their Church. Recording gives us all
of us faith-deepening opportunities as we can refer to
liturgies as we desire. Under the direction of Mrs.
Patricia poke and Mr. Prosper Edorh, we plan to move
ahead with this. God inspired possibilities.
Reflections: Church
Bulletin May 29/30
The
Church has undergone a face-lift. Prior to the
renovation, the alter was set far apart from the pews (where the
congregation sits during mass) and priest seemed isolated from the
congregation. Now the altar is situated in the middle of the church among the pews.
"The atmosphere of the Church is more inviting.
Renovation 2003. There is a resurrected spirit visible at St.
Ailbe, as we see a variety of construction people
beginning to arrive here in the next few weeks. As promised,
I would like to highlight some
physical renovation projects that are underway
here within our parish complex. Beginning immediately we will plan to renovate the
Umoja room which will include construction of
closets, cabinetry, shelving, new lighting and new
wall covering. this should be completed toward the
end of May 2003.What was a less than desirable room
has been renovated into a place that is beautiful
and functional for our needs today and for
tomorrow. Beginning the second week in June
we will completely rebuild our entrance way into
the Church at the lower level and will be a completely
new look for the main entrance into our church. The parking lot will be
completely done over. All of the asphalt will be
removed and will be replaced.
Additional enhancements will include a possible
new marquee and significant landscaping. As we
expand our ministry we will continuously enhance
our facilities.
The plans look
marvelous. Many thanks to those who have worked to
enhance the artistic rendering to create what is
truly what we need.
RENOVATION PARKING ENTRANCE
Deacon Bruce did an outstanding presentation on
our new liturgical furnishings at all of the
liturgies last week end. It was a wonderful
catechetical/teaching moment for all that were in
attendance.
Reflections from the pastor. November
29/30, 2003
Great Things are Happening at
St. Ailbe Catholic Church!!!
By Joan Singleton
Jerzy Kenar is well-known for his figurative
creations in wood, bronze and stone. One
cannot view one of these finished pieces in St. Ailbe
Church without realizing the artist had something very
special in mind. These works represent a total package
- which embodies a progression of ideas, images and
passions which go beyond the here and now. Each piece
was handcrafted by Jerzy Kenar and worked on in his
art studio.
The unique environment of St.
Ailbe was wonderful and provided a spiritual
atmosphere with a deep sense of enlightenment. All
of the artist visions that took form were for a
purpose. There is a personal connection between each
produced work of art where the artist can relate
strongly to the environment and the feelings that took
place when it was created. It has been shown and
proven that people feel spiritually uplifted,
encouraged and gain a sense of well-being from Art.
Jerzy's figurative creations and ideas are
one-of-a-kind, interactive and unforgettable. Jerzy,
himself took his very first collective look at
what he had created for the space at St. Ailbe and we
saw the tears running down his face...
Jerzy Kenar created the following liturgical
furnishings for St. Ailbe Catholic Church. The Ambo, The Altar,
Jesus
on the Cross, The
Adoration Screen, Chairs - African American
Decor multi talented multi cultured, Book of Gospel designed by Laura James,
The Ambry, The Processional Cross, The Credence (Table),
Frame for Picture of Perpetual Mother of Help, The Holy Family Shrine.
Click for here
additional detailed information on the furnishings.
Indeed these works of art are
quite intriguing and unique in design. They are bound
to captivate the fondness and spiritual feelings of
anyone with an eye for the striking beauty of
sculptured wood. Symbolically, these works of art
provide a sense of connection between the inner
experience and the everyday reality of the space in
which the sculpture is located.
The sculptures and cravings are
intended to evoke the paradoxical sense of calm and
spiritual feelings which give the sensation of moving
freely and observing vivid events wherein we visualize
the promise of our own future.
Jerzy Kenar has been given this gift, but it is
obvious that these were meant to be for all to see. We
of St. Ailbe are Blessed that he has shared his
Art with us. His visions have brought us
inner fulfillment, happiness, love and light.
________________________________________
A
call was sent out to St. Ailbe
(and
still is being sent out) that
hungry men, women,
and children need food to survive. Our new sister parish, Holy Rosary (113 & King Drive), is
better able to assist hundreds of hungry people
because of the generosity the people of St.
Ailbe Church bring forth. Whether it was the donation of hundreds of non-perishable food items
or helping with the Monday night dinner,
people are being fed. The hundreds of coats have
helped wrap people in warmth. The toys that
were bestowed on the children were joyously appreciated
and the personal body supplies helped
hundreds to maintain a sense of dignity. The
list can go on and on.
Find Your Rightful Place in St. Ailbe's Church.
St.
Ailbe has thirty ministries which provides a wide
range of spiritual and community services. There is a
beauty and strength in these ministries constantly working together toward our common
goals
"ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR OUR
LORD"
When we as a people
put our words into action, we
realize we must go beyond our four walls. I
believe we have a growing awareness of our responsibility and
privilege to be "ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR OUR LORD"
Over the years St Ailbe has undertaken a variety of
different projects to assist those in need . Our Church
community
has assisted at a women's overnight shelter, various
clothing and food drives and supplied financial resources to provide a self-help venture in Africa for purchasing farm animals, etc....
We also assist the Holy Rosary Catholic Church distribute their weekly meals to the hungry.
Every Monday evening 120 to 160 gather at Rosary Church to be fed. One third of those seeking physical
nourishment are children.
The people of St. Ailbe Parish believe in miracles
and they
proclaimed that conviction on special lapel buttons when Cardinal George came to
dedicate their new senior citizen housing complex at 9300 S. Kimbark Ave., July 17.St.
Ailbe Faith Apartments not only will provide
affordable housing for seniors already living in
the area on modest fixed incomes who want to stay
in the community, but also offer day care service
to seniors not necessarily living in the apartments."
Father John S. Breslin, pastor of St. Ailbe, with a strong belief
in miracles himself, remembers driving past the closed church buildings on his
way to Communion calls. “The place was abandoned-the windows broken, and one
day I got out of my car, stood in the parking lot and asked God, 'What's Your
vision here?'”
The
St. Ailbe Faith Apartments were developed by
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and will be operated
by the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp., 721 N. LaSalle St.
Catholic
Charities fulfills the Church's mission of charity by providing
competent, compassionate and professional services to improve the quality of
personal and family life while respecting the unique resources of each
individual.
The Adult Day Care Center will occupy the east
wing on the first floor of the building. The
Center will have meeting/activity rooms, offices,
a warming kitchen, a dining room and garden area. Ten
percent of the apartments are designed for the
mobility-impaired. Door-monitor security and
on-site parking also are provided.
|
Wheelchair Accessible
