Snapshots
Assumption snapshots is a monthly report that features some of the news and events of Assumption parishioners and priests designed to help us all get to know each other a little better.
Help Haiti School on Sunday
Among the thousands of structures damaged by the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti last January was the Child Jesus School at Servants of Mary Center in Petit-Goave. The need for funds to repair the school remains and a benefit concert for this Haiti school will be held from 2 to 4 pm Sunday, October 3 at Assumption Church, featuring the Hush Opera.
The services offered at the school include food, shelter, medical and school supplies, family sponsorship, and small business start-up support. The school's Security Wall is in need of reconstruction.
Assumption parishioners are encouraged to attend for two reasons. First, the concert is organized by St. Mary Source of our Joy, the Secular Servite Community at Assumption, and, second, the Hush Opera, which regularly performs at Phil Stefani's Restaurant in Chicago, features our own John Eskola.
Tickets are $20 at the door, and if you can't attend then please send a donation to the Servants of Mary, Haiti Fund, ATTN: Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM, 3121 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago IL 60612.
Wedding Is Family Tradition
Planning her wedding at Assumption Church was part of a family tradition for Mary Beth Collins this past summer. When she and Wesley Matheney were married on June 11, it was in the same church where her parents, Patricia and William Collins, were married in 1979.
Mary Beth's grandparents, Dr. Benjamin and Shirley Coglianese, became Assumption Church parishioners because of its Italian tradition. She was baptized here and has wonderful memories of attending services with her grandparents, especially enjoying the coffee and donuts gatherings in the parish hall afterwards.
Now she and her new husband live in River West and are the third generation of her family to attend Assumption.
Blessing of the Runners on October 9
Assumption Church is located a block from the Hubbard - Orleans turn as the runners in the 2010 Chicago Marathon will head up the incline going south on Orleans. To celebrate our support of the participants in this year's race, Assumption will hold a Blessing of the Runners at the 5 pm Mass on Saturday, October 9.
In past years, those runners participating in the Blessing have included both Assumption parishioners and visitors spending the night in area hotels before the Sunday morning event.
Jackie Golab, a member of the Assumption parish, recalls how important the Blessing was to her when she ran in the 2008 Marathon.
"I can only say that when I did run, the blessing of the runners at the Mass brought me to tears, seriously," she recalls. "My family is pretty much spread out across the country so it was like I had all those who were at that Mass not only praying for me but cheering me on personally and emotionally -- so much so it got me through some of the rougher spots along the end of the run - like Mile 22 (ugh!) It was an amazing experience and I will be at that same Mass to 'give back' to those who will be running this year."
So if you are planning to run this year's Marathon, please join us at the 5 pm Mass on Saturday, October 9. And if you aren't participating, come and be part of the congregation giving support to all the runners who will be tested the next day.
The Marathon not only offers challenges to the runners but last year raised almost $10 million for various charities around the world.