The Parish Marimba Ensemble is making the rounds this summer. Looks for a concert near you! (Concerts in July) This past June, twelve performers travelled to Souderton, Pennsylvania, where they played for a Sunday Service at Zion Mennonite Church, and later in the day for "Sundaes in the Park". The evening concert brought out hundreds of listeners. As part of the trip, the group visited Hershey, PA and learned about the making of chocolate. And as they returned, the would be musicians- turned-scientists stopped at "Ringing Rocks" County Park, where they took a hammer and made the rocks ring! One player commented that it would be cool to play a song on the rocks for a Sunday liturgy.
A couple of weeks ago, the marimba group played for Boys Town in Nebraska. The children who are at Boys Town sat out on the lawn near the big lake, as the marimba played tunes and recognized the Chicago youth our Parish helps to sponsor in Boys Town. The marimba players had the chance to say a prayer at Fr. Flanagan's buriel site, and later fed the calves on the Boys Town farm.
About 15 neighborhood children are currently residing in Boys Town. Thanks to the affiliate site, Casa Tepeyac Boys Town of Chicago, located next to the parish in Chicago, the children and their families receive much needed support.
See the lastest publication (July, 2010) of Reflections on Life Newsletter (click here) for special updates and parish ministry or neighborhood news designed for our benefactors. For for photos and captions click on the following pages: Page 1, and Page 2.
Sr. Joellen Tumas, PHJC, the Director of Casa Catalina Basic Needs Center, helped to organize parish volunteers to join hundreds in walking for the annual Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk. The walk took place by the lakefront. Casa Catalina is supported by our parish and Catholic Charities and serves nearly 400 families every week, providing food, and other basic need services to support the family.
Scholarship Support
70 Students received scholarships for higher education last Sunday, most at masses in the neighborhood. Encouraged by local politicians and educators who attended, including Alderman Pat Dowell, Alderman Willie Cochran, State Representative Ester Golar, Richard J Daley College President, Dr. Jose Aybar, Olive-Harvey Vice President Kelly O'Malley, the students were invited to consider other scholarship opportunities and stay focused on their studies. One dad said, "This is the best Father's Day gift for me."
Judges scored the applications this past week. Close to 20 judges took several evenings to spend time with each of the 72 Scholarship applicants. Commenting on the positive experience of listening to the Back of the Yards young people, one judge said "this was one of the most rewarding things I have done in a long time."
The Peace and Education Scholarship fundraiser was held May 13, 2010. Ron Hunberman, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, AND Sandy Traback, former Principal of Cesar Chavez and neighborhood resident activist, AND Sr. Angie Kolacinski, SH, Youth Cooradinator at Holy Cross/IHM Parish, were all honored and presented with the Arturo Velasquez award recognitions from the Peace and Education Coalition. Mayor Daley was on hand to congratulate the awardees and help present the plaques. The $65,000 raised will help benefit over 70 students who have a dream for higher education.
Quintiliano Rios shakes hands with Mayor Daley after giving a moving speech on his journey to college, and how he deals with the challenging costs.
Attention College students: NEW WEB PAGE for COLLEGE STUDENTS. It's a work in progress and continues to be updated with information. (For now, read the right hand column as we fix the information on the main page.)
On May 1st the Parish sent two bus loads, plus others who found other ways, to march for immigration reform. Starting at Union Square, ten of thousands walked together to Daley Plaze in a peaceful procession. Many parish college students walked and helped to lead the song and chants asking for justice and wisdom! A week later, students in the after-school program sat down to write letters to their legislators, President Obama, US Senator Durbin and US Reepresentative Luis Gutierrez. One 14 year old wrote about how he passed his consitution test recently and could not understand why people want to separate his immigrant parents from him! He said all are immigrants. Another 13 year old wrote a two page letter explaining the history of her family and how she does not want to live in fear. Our parish continues to pray for understanding and wisdom in the struggle for immigration reform.
Months ago, the Parish celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe, a memorable prayer which accompanied our people from despair to hope. Read about the special days of this Novena 2009. A few days later, the Parish embarked on the traditional journey of Posadas, walking with Maria and Jose through the neighborhood. It was truly a time when Christmas was celebrated by bringing together the people as one family... with many different gifts! Read about Posadas 2009.
E-Newsletter Signup
Welcome to the web site of Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish!
Our church is a part of a very young community on the near southwest side of Chicago, located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Many people have grown up in this area, have moved on, and now live an ethic of service, justice and care for others wherever they go.
It is not an easy place to grow up, but our parish has a tremendous responsibility to nurture and accompany the dignity and welfare of each person. If you would like to visit us, take a look through the new web pages and bulletin, which might offer you an opportunity join with us in celebration and prayer. You are welcome anytime at our Sunday mass gathering! And as you glance through our web pages, please know we are grateful for your prayers, your support and know you are blessed in being part of our mission.
A couple of weeks ago, the marimba group played for Boys Town in Nebraska. The children who are at Boys Town sat out on the lawn near the big lake, as the marimba played tunes and recognized the Chicago youth our Parish helps to sponsor in Boys Town. The marimba players had the chance to say a prayer at Fr. Flanagan's buriel site, and later fed the calves on the Boys Town farm.
Sr. Joellen Tumas, PHJC, the Director of Casa Catalina Basic Needs Center, helped to organize parish volunteers to join hundreds in walking for the annual Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk. The walk took place by the lakefront. Casa Catalina is supported by our parish and Catholic Charities and serves nearly 400 families every week, providing food, and other basic need services to support the family. 
