Summer "springs" forth

The parish celebrated the "Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ" (traditionally celebrated as Corpus Christi) with a special procession after the 10:30 mass at Holy Cross Church on June 21st. Fr. Bruce Wellems lead a Eucharistic procession to 47th street and offered a blessing of the neighborhood and the 47th Street annual festival, praying for a summer of peace in the community.

Mr. Craig Chico, President of the Back of the Yards Council who sponsored the festival, also offered a prayer of thanksgiving.

Parish mentors are preparing for an active summer as they work with the Peace and Education Coalition and the Back of the Yards Council to help secure 150 jobs for youth throughout the neighborhood. Work activities will include gardening, sport and recreation for kids, reading groups, music, woodshop, mural making, creative projects to beautify the neighborhood, and more.

Youth will also participate in summer trips, with activities scheduled to the Chicago White Sox, Great America and a trip with the marimba ensemble to Stone Mountain, GA, Washington DC and Boys Town, Nebraska. The Parish will also sponsor a trip to the Boundary Waters with teenagers from the neighborhood.

The Social Service agenda of the parish remains very active supporting people suffering from the downturn in the economy and those children in need. The Parish Council continues to work on ways to support the parents and create a plan for peace in the neighborhood. Street Masses and continued recognition of our youth play important roles in supporting our families this summer.

Congratulations to the 66 students who received Peace and Education Scholarships!

Congratulations to all the parish graduates, and special thanks to those who applied for scholarships to continue their higher education. A Scholarship Fundraiser, sponsored by the neighborhood Peace and Education Coalition of the Back of the Yards, was held May 14th at US Cellular Field. On behalf of the Coalition, Mayor Daley presented the Arturo Velasquez Community Leadership Award to Deputy Police Superintendent Ted O'Keefe. The fundraiser will support 61 college students who have completed volunteer service in the negihborhood and who have applied for a scholarship. The scholarship awards were given on Father's Day, June 21st at all the Sunday masses in the parishes throughout the neighborhood.

The Parish is preparing for the ordination of Jerry Rodriguez, CMF, a Claretian Missionary now assigned to work in Peru. Many of Jerry's friends and family are from Chicago. The ordination will take place June 29, 2009 at 6:30 PM at Holy Cross Church (4541 S Wood Street).

Guided by the inspiration of Bishop Gustavo Garcia, Vicariate V hosted a special "Gathered as One" celebration with all the parishes of the vicariate on June 20th. The event was held in the chapel of St. Rita High School. Lilia Garcia and several parish members were present on behalf of Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

The Marimba Ensemble played for a reception afterwards.