After a very warm Christmas, we were finally hit with some real Chicago weather, served with all the accoutrements that made our winters famous—snow, ice, subzero temperatures, and bracing winds off the Lake. As I write these words on Monday morning, work is proceeding on schedule in the church. The new tile and carpet are in place, and the new pews are to arrive this week. We survived our first week of Masses in the Parish Hall. For the weekend Masses, the sound was a little weak in the back rows and on the livestream (because the temporary camera was also in the back): but you are always welcome to move up closer! As some of you know, the Parish Hall was the first church of Assumption, where the community worshipped from 1881 until the church was completed in 1886. So, we got to return to our roots and also celebrate Mass in a more intimate setting.
People have continued to ask about the need for new pews, and I have always emphasized that this was not an easy decision to make. Our Finance Council and Pastoral Council discussed and debated this issue for over a year. The problem was that the bleach with which we were required to rub down the pews during the pandemic destroyed the finish and, in some cases, led the wood to begin to split. By the time the Archdiocese came up with an approved disinfectant spray that would not damage wood, the damage had been done. Like many other churches, our pews needed help. We examined the cost of restoration and the cost of new pews and the time it would take to complete the project. A number of bids were obtained and the cost of restoration versus new pews was not significantly different. In fact, in one case, the cost of restoration would have been significantly higher. If these had been the original pews, there is no question that we would have opted for restoration. In fact, our pews were from the late 1950’s and bear no resemblance whatsoever to the pews that were original to the church. Again, I thank those who donated to this project, and we will find an appropriate way in the church to show our thanks. These new pews should be a little more comfortable and the spacing between them a little more generous. We almost succeeded tin finding a new home for all the old pews. A gentleman from Florida, who is developing a banquet and reception hall on his horse farm, came looking for a good deal on used pews for a proposed wedding chapel on the property. By the time he calculated the costs, he discovered what we discovered, that even though we were giving away the pews, the cost of transit and the cost of repair and restoration would be greater than the cost of new pews. (Colonel Parker, Elvis’ long-time manager, promised that if he ever wrote his autobiography, it would be titled How Much Will It Cost If It’s Free?). As it was, most of the smaller side pews were claimed by parishioners and a local non-profit.
While caring for our historic church is important, the real church is the people who worship in it, the people who have been called by God to serve their sisters and brothers and to bring Good News to the world. As we move forward in this new year, the most important change at Assumption should not be the interior of the building but the interior life of the members. If you have not yet made or broken a new year’s resolution, resolve to participate in something that renews your soul and spirit this year. There are plenty of options out there. Our Evangelization Team will be inviting you to participate in the Alpha course this spring. Alpha is a chance to look more deeply at the foundation of our faith, with the hope that you will be better equipped to help others grow in faith. There will be a Lenten Bible Study, of course, and our Leadership Group is working on short videos designed to enrich your prayer life. We are finalizing our Wednesday evening Lenten Speaker series for this year, and it is never too late to jump aboard Deacon Kevin’s catechism class. Our Refugee Assistance Group is still doing great and important work (especially in this cold weather). We will be having a gathering of recently married couples in April and also a welcoming reception for new members, at which time we will invite everyone (new members or veteran members) to consider their own call to ministry. Assumption Young Adults have reorganized and are looking to be more active this year. There are also social events on the calendar, beginning with the Fish Fry on February 23 and our Parish Pizza Party on April 20. The Pastoral Council is hoping to jumpstart the Hospitality Ministry, and our Garden Club will be looking for more dirt dobbers in a few months, when the cold weather lifts. That last item should give us hope. Spring is only two months away.
Fr. Joe
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