Our refugee friends extend many thanks to our generous parishioners for their continuing dedication and generosity. Your prayers, funds and efforts are greatly appreciated. (Donations may be made On Line here ) In the donation form scroll down from the initial Sunday Donation to the "Project Refugee" choice.

Assumption Parish has expanded the reach of its assistance through Catherine’s Caring Cause, an organization devoted to offering assistance to families who have sought refuge in the United States. CCC has connected Assumption with several families in need of our help.  Details Here

Our next preparation session for parents (and, if possible, godparents) of infants to be baptized is Monday, August 4, at the Rectory. Sessions are from 7:00 to 8:15pm. The next one will be September 8. These sessions are for first time parents and for parents who have never before attended a preparation session. Call the Parish Office to register. It is not necessary to wait for the baby to be born to attend a preparation session. Baptisms normally take place on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 1:15pm and on the first weekend of the month during Mass. More here.

On Thursday, July 17, Assumption's Evangelization Team invited the residents of 311 W. Illinois to a Happy Hour in our garden. Over 15 of our next door neighbors came by to enjoy a drink, delicous snacks, chatting, and friendship! Thanks so much to our friends at 311!

One of the goals of the team is to help showcase Assumption as a vital part of the neighborhood and welcome people not only to our church, but to our garden. The garden is the perfect spot to relax and hang out with friends and neighbors. 

Click the photo for a video recap!

Our annual blessing of the parish garden took place Sunday July 6, following the 9:00am Mass. Fr. Joe was joined by Fr. Michael Ogweno, C.P., visiting for Mission Weekend, from Botswana. After the blessing, refreshments and conversation were served! 

Click on the photo for a close-up. 

A group of parishioners participated in our Prayer Walk on June 29. A brief rain shower just before starting gave way to a beautiful sunny walk under blue skies. The group shared prayers and intentions at three stops in the neighborhood, concluding the walk along the river by The Mart. Click the photo for a closer look.

We will plan our next walk soon! 

The Evangelization Team invites you to a Parish Prayer Walk on Sunday, June 29 after the 10:30 Mass. Prayer Walks are a centuries-old tradition that merge walking with prayer and contemplation of God’s presence in the world. The walk will take approximately 45 minutes, traveling 1.3 miles or 3000 steps and involves crossing streets and walking up and down stairs. We will begin in the Garden and walk to three different locations nearby to pray and reflect on various intentions. Join the group for some fun, spiritual  exercise!

On Sunday, June 1 we had our annual Ice Cream Social in the garden. Despite the chilly temperatures, a tasty time was had by all!

Assumption Young Adults will gather in the Parish Hall  following the 5:00pm Mass on Sunday June 22 to eat, to socialize, and talk about plans for the future. For more information about this event or other AYA activities, email assumptionaya@gmail.com.  AYA is for anyone in their twenties or thirties, single, coupled, or married.

Every Wednesday during Lent
we will have Mass in Church at 6:00pm, an optional Lenten meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, and a speaker or Lenten ritual from 7:00 to 8:00pm. 

Join us for the entire evening or for any portion. Reservations are only required for the meal.  Details about the presentations available here.

- March 12 - Homelessness in America (Doug Fraser)
• March 19 - The Christmas Story for Adults (Fr. Joe)
• March 26 - The Roots of Our Faith (Fr. Louis Cameli)
• April 2 - The Way of the Cross for Today
• April 9 - The Seasons of Life (Mary Worden)
• April 16 - Lenten Reconciliation Service

If you plan to join us at the meal - please click here to reserve.

Traditional Stations of the Cross will be prayed on the Fridays of Lent following the 12:10 Mass.

We invite you to participate in a weekly guided study and discussion of the Scriptures assigned for the Sundays of Lent, using materials provided by Renew International.

There will be two separate groups this Lent. A daytime group will meet at the Rectory on Fridays from 10:00 to 11:15am, beginning March 7. The evening group will meet on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:15pm, beginning March 3. For more information or to sign up email bible@assumption-chgo.org

Join the party!

Saturday, February 22, 6pm

On the Feast of St. Blase, Monday, February 3, throats will be blessed during the 7:00am and 12:10pm Masses. This ritual recalls the Saint's timely rescue of a boy choking on a fish bone.

There is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the Third Monday of the month from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Adoration will next take place on Monday, January 20. To learn more about Eucharistic Adoration, watch this short video by Fr. Mike Schmitz. 

The Solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception (She was free from sin from the first moment of her existence) is normally celebrated on December 8 and is a holyday of obligation. Because December 8 fallls on Sunday, the Feast is moved to Monday December 9. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Cupich has dispensed Catholics from the obligation to attend Mass on December 9.

Assumption Parish embraces Pope Francis’s encouragement to us to care for God’s creation, our common home. We each have a personal opportunity to commit to the goals through Assumption’s Laudato Si’ and Me information site, which offers practical ideas for action.  Click here to view twelve topical themes and action ideas for each one.  Click here for a video of Father John Pawlikowski's perspective on Laudato Si'.

Our annual blessing of runners participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 13 will take place during the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, October 12. Runners and their family, friends, and fan club are our special guests that day.

The Assumption team continues to support the family who immigrated from Mexico to obtain treatment for their son's leukemia. This support includes subsidies for rent, transportation services, and more. Click for the updated story. 

  If you are over 18 and have never been baptized, maybe you should be part of this year's OCIA process. If you were baptized in another Christian faith and are considering becoming Catholic, maybe you should be part of this year's OCIA process. If you were baptized Catholic and never made First Communion and Confirmation, maybe you should be part of this year's OCIA process. OCIA (formerly RCIA) stands for Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is a group experience that begins in September and will continue until next May. For more information, contact Fr. Joe.  

Click on the photo for a better view of last year's group!

It was 138 years ago that The Assumption Parish celebrated the first Mass in this building. This celebration recognized that event, linked with the Feast of The Assumption, on Sunday, August 18. The inaugural stone is shown below;
click to see the rest of the celebration.

And click here to see a short video re-cap!

The dignity of workers has long been a concern of the Catholic Church. Why not come and pray for justice for all who labor? Mass on Labor Day, Monday September 2, will be at 7:30 and 10:30am.

Friday August 23 is the Feast of St. Philip Benizi, a fourteenth century Servite Friar held in such high esteem that he was considered a leading candidate for Pope. Once when a town was experiencing famine, Philip prayed for relief and bread miraculously appeared. Since that time, it has been a Servite custom to bless bread on the Feast of St. Philip. Our Servite Secular Order is providing bread that we will bless and distribute at the 7:00 and 12:10 Masses on August 23.

Assumption is celebrating our 143rd anniversary as a parish and the 138th anniversary of the First Mass offered in the present church. We are celebrating the Feast of the Assumption into the weekend!

To celebrate our anniversary, we are having a picnic following the 12:15pm Mass on Sunday August 18. Enjoy real Chicago Style Hot Dogs for $2 each, with chips, cookies, and beverage. Test your skills at picnic games in our beautiful garden. Guided tours of Assumption Church will be offered at 1:45pm and 2:00pm. All are welcome! Surviving for 143 years is no small feat. Come and celebrate!

The Servite Secular Order at Assumption is conducting a toiletries drive for a men's and a women's shelter. Please place your donation in the box near the Vatican flag. The collection runs through August 11.

The Servite Secular Order at Assumption is conducting a toiletries drive to aid the residents of a men's and a women's shelter in Chicago. Your donations may be left in the silver box in the front of Church. The drive ends August 11.