Pastor’s Letter: Big Updates, Changes at OLW
Dear Parishioners,
As many of you have heard, the Archdiocese of Chicago has implemented the “Renew My Church” program. You may even be aware that, within the scope of this program, some smaller parishes within the Archdiocese were combined to create larger, more viable parishes. As a result, there is a certain anxiety that Our Lady of the Wayside will be combined with another neighboring parish.
We are a thriving and viable parish with a large school and no debt, and we will likely remain so. For this reason, the real focus of the Renew My Church program at Our Lady of the Wayside to continue helping our parish flourish and continue welcoming people into the Church.
In light of this goal, I will be restructuring the parish staff and redefining several roles. For instance, our Business Manager has recently retired. In his place I will hire an Operations Director. This role will be similar to the role of a Business Manager, but will also involve overseeing the parishes’ physical assets, human resources, and other “physical” capital of the parish according to our mission, which is evangelization and education. The scope of the Operations Director’s role will also entail the parish school’s budget.
In addition, we will hire a Director of Parish Ministry & Evangelization. This position will collaborate with the me in implementing a strategic plan to carry out the parish’s mission, increase vitality, and ensure that parish ministries align with our parish mission. An announcement regarding this position is forthcoming.
Thank you to the volunteers and staff who have worked so hard to reopen our parish and to those who are working so diligently to reopen our school. Together we will continue to build and foster a vibrant parish community and school that provide a home in Christ for each of us and our families.
Other Announcements:
Welcome Fr. Mark Augustine
I am delighted to welcome Fr. Mark Augustine as a resident to Our Lady of the Wayside Parish. Fr. Mark will join our parish community on the weekends in order to assist me by celebrating a few Sunday Masses. Thank you, Bishop Rassas, for kindly introducing Fr. Mark to me. Below you will find Fr. Mark’s introduction.
Our 8th Graders Have Graduated!
On Friday July 24, the 8th grade students of Our Lady of the Wayside participated in their graduation Mass. Congratulations 8th graders! We will miss you, and we wish you all the best throughout your high school careers.
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation will take place this Saturday, August 1, during the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass. May God continue bless and guide you!
Reopening of Our Lady of the Wayside
Our Lady of the Wayside is now open, and the public is welcome to attend Mass. The schedule for Mass is as follows: daily Mass will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:30 AM. Sunday Masses will be celebrated on Saturday evenings at 5:00 PM and on Sundays at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 6:00 PM. Due to the ongoing corona virus pandemic, Cardinal Cupich has extended the dispensation to attend Sunday Mass in person. Those who are at risk and those who are not yet comfortable attending Sunday Mass in person may continue to watch the live stream Masses on our Facebook page and make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Arthur Marat
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