"The storage area not only looks neat and well organized but they will help maintain cleanliness which is very crucial in food safety. My gratitude to all the benefactors and everyone who made this project a success."
On Tuesday July 29, staff members Octavio and Lester helped Br. Ayub install the new shelves in the storage area of the Food Pantry. The funds for this project were generously donated by the parishioners of Ss. Joseph & Francis Xavier Parish and Mary, Mother of God Parish.
 Last month, a group of high school students from St. Ignatius High School in California came to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. This was part of a week-long service trip organized by the Br. David Darst Center. They greatly impressed us with their spirit of prayer and service. "All of us who are regular volunteers at this soup kitchen were very impressed with the group's Ignatian spirit and their help in preparing our soup for dinner. Before every meal the volunteers huddle up to say the Our Father and Hail Mary, seeking their help as we begin to feed our guests. That night's prayer was especially magnificent, because of the passionate manner in which the students joined us in both prayers. I honestly have to say it was the best pre-meal prayer I have ever heard in my 7.5 years of volunteering at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen!" Message from the Pastor: “Last Sunday, we had our Tastes of Summer parish fundraiser set in the parking lot of St. Ita church. All of the different international groups of our parish came together to help, and each booth featured donated, homemade traditional food from their homelands. It was wonderful and it was hard to keep from eating everything! Also, this was the first year where I didn’t pull my back out because we had so much help setting up and taking down. Best of all, the day brought everyone together as a community. Mensaje del Párroco: “El mes pasado, celebramos nuestra recaudación de fondos parroquial Sabores del Verano en el estacionamiento de la iglesia de Santa Ita. Todos los grupos internacionales de nuestra parroquia se unieron para ayudar, y cada puesto ofreció comida tradicional casera donada de sus países de origen. ¡Fue maravilloso y fue difícil contenerse de comerlo todo! Además, este fue el primer año en el que no me lesioné la espalda gracias a la gran ayuda que recibimos para montar y desmontar. Lo mejor de todo es que el día unió a todos como comunidad. CONGRATULATIONS TO... THE GRAND RAFFLE WINNERS 1st Prize – $1000.00 – Huyen Nguyen 2nd Prize – $500.00 – Kenneth W. Merle 3rd Prize – $250.00 – Piwi 4th Prize – $100.00 – Mary Schlee 5th Prize – $100.00 – Moon Seller’s Prize – Lily Ann Rodriguez THE WHEELBARROW RAFFLE WINNER Juan Chanchava WITH GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO SOLD TICKETS – AND BOUGHT TICKETS!  FELICITACIONES A...LOS GANADORES DE LA RIFA
1.er Premio – $1000.00 – Huyen Nguyen 2.º Premio – $500.00 – Kenneth W. Merle 3.er Premio – $250.00 – Piwi 4.º Premio – $100.00 – Mary Schlee 5.º Premio – $100.00 – Moon Premio del Vendedor – Lily Ann Rodriguez El GANADOR DE LA RIFA DE LA CARRETILLA Juan Chanchava ¡CON GRATITUD A TODOS LOS QUE VENDIERON Y COMPRARON BOLETOS!  On July 13, Bishop John Siemianowski confirmed four members of our Becoming Catholic group. It was a joyful occasion for all involved – those who received the Sacrament and for our parish. Please keep our newest Sister and Brothers in your prayers! *Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart, OFS “Becoming Catholic" welcomes adult converts to the Catholic faith. This program is for people who are seeking to become members of the Church, both baptized Christians of other denominations and those who have never been baptized. It provides education and formation on living a Christian life, with reception into the Church at Easter. For more information, call the Parish Office at 773-561-5343 or email the group. El 13 de julio, el obispo John Siemianowski confirmó a cuatro miembros de nuestro grupo "Cómo hacerse Católico". Fue una ocasión de alegría para todos los participantes: quienes recibieron el sacramento y para nuestra parroquia. ¡Por favor, mantengan a nuestros nuevos hermanos y hermanas en sus oraciones! *Fotos cortesía de la voluntaria parroquial Luana Lienhart, OFS
"Cómo hacerse Católico" da la bienvenida a los adultos convertidos a la fe católica. Este programa está dirigido a quienes buscan convertirse en miembros de la Iglesia, tanto cristianos bautizados de otras denominaciones como quienes nunca han sido bautizados. Ofrece educación y formación para vivir una vida cristiana, con recepción en la Iglesia durante la Pascua. Para más información, llame a la Oficina Parroquial al 773-561-5343 o envíe un correo electrónico al grupo. Thank you, Anne, for your generous donation! Anne just recently moved into the neighborhood and, inspired by the mission of the parish Outreach Ministries, purchased an assortment of hygiene items for the Food Pantry. Brother Ayub, OFM Conv. and all the volunteers at the Food Pantry wish many blessings on Anne for her kind heart.
You too can make a donation to the Outreach Ministries, click the button below to see our wish list for the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen!
Congratulations, Anthony!One of our parish employees, Anthony Spalla, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2025 "Helping Hands Award" from the local nonprofit, The Chicago Help Initiative. Anthony has served our parish for almost four years leading the Food Rescue Ministry. He works with organizations and churches across the city to redistribute food that would otherwise go to waste. He is a devoted Catholic, dedicated staff member, and wonderful person. We’re so proud of you, Anthony!
Learn more about the tremendous work of Chicago Help Initiative by clicking here.  Image: Anthony Spalla (left) dropping off cupcakes at the Soup Kitchen. ¡Felicidades, Anthony!Uno de nuestros empleados parroquiales, Anthony Spalla, ha sido elegido como ganador del Premio "Manos que Ayudan" 2025 de la organización local sin fines de lucro, The Chicago Help Initiative. Anthony ha servido a nuestra parroquia durante casi cuatro años liderando el Ministerio de Rescate de Alimentos. Trabaja con organizaciones e iglesias de toda la ciudad para redistribuir alimentos que de otro modo se desperdiciarían. Es un católico devoto, un miembro dedicado del personal y una persona maravillosa. ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ti, Anthony! Querido Dios amoroso y misericordioso, te damos gracias por Anthony Spalla. Bendice su ministerio y sus continuos esfuerzos por servir a su comunidad. Oh Señor, cuida de Anthony y su familia. Oramos esto en el nombre de tu hijo, Jesucristo. Amén. Obtenga más información sobre el tremendo trabajo de Chicago Help Initiative haciendo clic aquí.  Imagen: Anthony Spalla (abajo a la izquierda) en la salida del personal de la parroquia a un juego de los White Sox en mayo. The soup kitchen received an out-pouring of generosity from some anonymous donors. (You can see the items they donated in the photographs below.) We also received a box of plastic knives from Daniel Torres. Thank you all for your generosity! The Soup Kitchen feed hundreds of our neighbors every week and this work would not be possible without your help. You too can make a donation to the Outreach Ministries, click the button below to see our wish list for the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen!
|
