Closing of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

Closing Letter below in Printable Format (PDF)

March 2, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the difficult decision to close the worship site at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church which is united as one parish with St. Giles Church in Oak Park. Lower attendance at Mass and the costly upkeep on a beautiful but aging building are contributing factors. While this is very sad news for the faithful community of St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy, we look to the Holy Spirit of God to guide us through this challenging time and to present us with new opportunities for building unity and a newfound sense of community.

Despite the closing of the church, the campus of St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy will remain a powerful base serving the community and its neighbors. St. Catherine – St. Lucy Catholic School will continue its important mission. The organization, SisterHouse, will remain in the former convent building. The Neighborhood Bridge and the Faith and Fellowship Ministry will continue to work out of the repurposed rectory along with Housing Forward which will have offices in the shared building.

Although no closing date has been set, there will be a final commemorative Mass sometime in June for all of us to gather in this worship space one last time. I am grateful for the unique gifts, faithfulness, love of neighbor, and the spirit of worship and fellowship that has defined this community for so many years. As we move forward together, I hope and pray that we will do so with steadfast love, trusting that we will find new ways and places to experience and worship God.

Fr. Carl Morello
Pastor

WE WALK BY FAITH
March 30 and April 6

Mutual Accompaniment of the St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish Family through the June Closing of the St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy Worship Space

FIRST SESSION – This Session is only for the current worshipping community at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy – Sunday, March 30, 2025 after the 9 am Mass at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

The Purpose is Fourfold:

  1. Prayer
  2. Spend a short period processing what you are feeling now.
  3. Spend a time of discernment toward a decision for where you, the St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy community, would hope to worship together (if desired), and what are the cultural and spiritual gifts you would like to bring with you, those things you feel define you as the community in Christ you have been and would hope to continue in some way.
  4. Based on this discernment, who is willing to participate in the Mutual Accompaniment team being formed?

SECOND SESSION – This is for anyone from the faith community of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles who would like to participate in the Mutual Accompaniment Journey – Sunday, April 6, 2025 after the 9 am Mass at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

The Purpose is Fivefold:

  1. Prayer
  2. Sharing Hospitality
  3. Listening / Reflection
  4. Relationship Building
  5. Discussing next steps (calendaring, agenda) on the Journey through the final Mass at Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy in June to the Welcoming and Inclusion at the new church(es) and beyond.

Please contact Maudette Carr at mtcarrlsw@aol.com or Valerie Jennings at jennings_val@sbcglobal.net to volunteer.

Final Mass at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

Please mark your calendars for the final Mass at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church on Sunday, June 22, 2025 – Time to be determined!

More information to be posted!

Sacramental Records for St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

All sacramental records for both St. Lucy, St. Catherine of Siena and the combined St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church are housed in the parish offices located at 1025 Columbian.

Please contact the parish office to inquire about copies of sacramental records at 708-383-3430 or stgiles@stgilesparish.org. Valid Identification must be presented to request copies of sacramental records.