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With pleasure, we present to you the Mary, Mother of God Parish Annual Report, covering all three of our worship sites and spanning the last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). We have so many reasons to praise and thank God! As you read this report, should you have any questions please contact the Parish office via email or via phone at 773-561-5343. We are pleased to present the latest parish Outreach Newsletter. In the Fall 2025 issue, we highlight the partners in our wider Catholic community that support our Outreach Ministries. You will also hear from current volunteers about why they give their times to the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen housed at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. October 28, 2025, 7:15pm
St. Ita Rectory Basement Present: Fr. Alejandro Lopez, Joyce Knight (virtual), Jack Nuelle (virtual), Lionel Osaghae, Robert Krug, Miroslava Krug, Heberto Machado Guest: Sarah Pelrine Meeting Summary: The PPC bylaws were signed by everyone and the minutes from the September meeting were approved. Sarah Pelrine led a presentation on the new direction of parish pastoral councils: a model that moves away from the “council of ministries model” and is attentive to the new missionary age we live in today. This new model of parish council is a one where the council is engaged in a dynamic and advisory way in the life of the parish. The pastor is the final decision maker, but the PPC is far more involved in helping him make those decisions. Finally, a discussion followed about ways to get more commission members from all three worship sites. It was decided that personal invitations are best, but Vice President Robert, President Joyce, and parish staff member Stephanie will work on putting a call in the bulletin too. In the new year, the PPC expects to see individual commission inventories and will organize a day of prayer and discernment for PPC and commission heads.
Cafés Parroquiales (Octubre de 2025) Se servirán café, pasteles y otras deliciosas comidas y bebidas después de las misas dominicales. Acompáñenos a disfrutar de la comida y la convivencia. ¡Es una excelente manera de animar a sus seres queridos a asistir a misa!
HORARIO:
 Dear Parishioners: Our Church sets aside the month of November for us to remember and to pray for our beloved dead – especially those who have passed away within the last year and for all those in Purgatory awaiting the fullness of Heavenly Glory. Following the Franciscan tradition, our parish offers an All Souls’ Day Novena. For nine days of prayer, beginning on Saturday, October 25, and continuing through Sunday, November 2, we remember all those enrolled at the Masses in our three churches and in the friars’ daily recitation of the Divine Office. The envelopes in the back of our churches allow you to enroll your loved ones in the novena. No donation is necessary. Simply return the envelope by mailing it back to us, dropping it off at a parish office, or putting it in the collection basket. As with all we do, we trust in the compassion, mercy, and love of God. For the Lord loves our loved ones even more than we do! As scripture says, “God will redeem my life, he will take me from the hand of Death.” - Psalm 49:16 Peace and All Good,  Yesterday, the last harvest from our Solidarity Garden at St. Thomas of Canterbury was given to the Food Pantry guests. 🌱 Solidarity Gardens is a network of garden plots created by the parish to provide food for our Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. It is a collaborative project of the churches of Mary, Mother of God Catholic Parish, Loyola University Chicago, and our neighbors. On Saturday, Oct 18, the St. Rita Domestic Violence Awareness Ministry, in partnership with the 20th District Police DVA organization, hosted an awareness event in Jubilee Hall at St. Ita church. Over 50 people from the parish and community attended the event. There were two speakers on what domestic violence is and what resources are available for victims. The event also included 15 organizations providing various services to DV victims. At least two current DV victims were provided real-time help during the event! Special thanks to Ranali's Pizza for providing a delicious lunch of pizza, pasta, and salad for all attendees! *Photos courtesy of Betsy Covell
We had a wonderful turn out for Fr. Alejandro’s story sharing event where he talked about hearing confessions at the Vatican during the Jubilee year. Thank you to everyone who attended! Fotos del evento Memorias del Jubileo Tuvimos una gran asistencia al evento en el que el P. Alejandro compartió su historia sobre cómo escuchó confesiones en el Vaticano durante el año jubilar. ¡Gracias a todos los que asistieron!
We are always looking for volunteers to help welcome guests and serve dinner. Learn more about the Soup Kitchen and ways you can volunteer by emailing our volunteer coordinator, Jennifer.
Earlier this month, our parish cultural center, St. Gregory's Hall, hosted a special Choral Mass for Our Lady of the Rosary. Attendees began the evening by praying the Rosary. This was followed by Mass at St. Gregory the Great church featuring music like Palestrina's Missa Ave Maria and motets by Composer-in-residence Kevin Allen. It was a beautiful way to celebrate October which is dedicated to the great Marian devotion of the Rosary. Click on the button below to learn more about the Sacred Music Program and future choral liturgies from St. Gregory's Hall. *Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart, OFS
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