WELCOME TO ST. GILES PARISH!
What to Expect When You Return to Church (PDF)
Re-Opening Team Volunteer Sign Up
Call for Peace & Justice – Cardinal Cupich and Fr. Carl
BROADCAST SUNDAY MASSES FROM ST. GILES
14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – JULY 5, 2020
Broadcast on our YouTube Channel
Please use this Worship Aid to participate during Mass
Worship Aid – 14th Sunday of OT (PDF)
Act of Spiritual Communion (Pope Francis) – My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
MESSAGE FROM FR. CARL – MAY 31, 2020
Dear Saint Giles Community,
I write this on Pentecost Sunday, aware of all the destruction and violence taking place since the horrific death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last Monday. I pray for the great power of the Holy Spirit to help peace to prevail over the anger, hurt and hopelessness that many are feeling during these difficult days. People must be allowed to express themselves peacefully without fear of violent response of others. The demands for justice must be met with peace, or the chaos will continue. The challenges before us now need more than prayer, but for individuals to put true leadership that is most needed into action.
On this Feast of Pentecost, I also want to share some news with you, trusting that the wisdom of the Holy Spirit is leading the Oak Park Catholic Communities of Saint Giles and Ascension Parish in a new direction. Last week, I received a phone call from Bishop John Manz, who oversees our Vicariate, on behalf of Cardinal Cupich. While keeping my duties as Pastor here at Saint Giles, I have been asked to also serve as the Administrator at Ascension Parish. Fr. Jim Hurlbert, the present Pastor at Ascension, will be leaving July 1st for a new assignment. In addition to my new role as Administrator, a new Associate Pastor has been assigned to Ascension to lead the day-to-day operations of the parish, Fr. Rex Pillai. Currently, Fr. Pillai has served for the past seven years with distinction as both Associate Pastor and Administrator at Saint Clement Parish in Lincoln Park.
I know this is not the traditional parish leadership arrangement and you are wondering why I am being asked to do this. The idea behind this particular path was developed by the Priests’ Placement Board and Bishop Manz with his Vicariate team in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Renew My Church team. Of course, all this is approved of by Cardinal Cupich. There are many details that will still need to be worked out over the course of time. Parish staff and leadership from both communities will play a vital role in developing this idea moving forward. We all need to remember that we cannot underestimate the power and courage of the Holy Spirit, desperately needed these days, for the many challenges that our world and our church are facing.
In the spring of 2022, perhaps sooner, our Oak Park Parish “groupings” will begin the Renew My Church Process. This decision now will help us better prepare for discussions regarding collaboration and sharing among our ministries and the services offered to Catholics living in Oak Park. I promise to keep you posted, and I ask for your prayers for all Parishes and communities, Associates and Pastors undergoing transitions at this time. Let us also hold in prayer all those suffering from the chaos and violence swirling around us. Come Holy Spirit, breathe into all calm and the desire for peace!
Blessings to all,
Fr. Carl Morello
Parish Bulletin – July 5, 2020 (PDF)
St. Giles YouTube Channel – Masses & Messages
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We are a vibrant, engaged Roman Catholic Parish community of the Archdiocese of Chicago first established in 1927 to serve the areas of North Oak Park and the Galewood section of Chicago, but are now enriched by parishioners beyond these geographic borders. Many families in the parish have roots going back several generations while new parishioners continue to join us, seeking fellowship, service opportunities, sacraments, and religious formation.
Each week we work together to create numerous ways to live our 3 W’s: Worship, Welcoming and Walking the Way, motivated by gratitude for God’s many blessings. Through such a lifestyle the parish community supports 50 plus ministries and organizations for adults, teens and youth, a School (Pre-3 through Grade 8), and Religious Education Program (Pre-3 through Grade 8).
While we hope this site will be helpful and informative, we look forward to seeing you soon to join with our community in service and worship!
