Catholic in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago / Illinois / United States

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Weddings: Arrange with a pastoral staff member at least four months in advance. Participation in marriage preparation is essential. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): For unbaptized persons or baptized persons interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the process of becoming a Catholic. Call the parish office. Services Religious Education: Arrangements should be made for the religious education of children attending public schools. Call the director of catechesis at (773) 588-6484. Homebound: Call parish office to arrange communion in home for those unable to attend mass or to request visit by parish nurse. In the mid-1990s, the church building was facing a number of maintenance issues. Topping the list of needed repairs was roof and brick restoration. As the Legacy Committee began raising funds for such work, it became apparent that the inside of the church also needed help. Out of those initial discussions came a movement to renovate the entire interior of the church to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the parish in 2002. After three years of planning, work on the renovation/restoration of the church began in December 1999. One year later, the restoration, renovation and innovation of the church were completed. With the goal of inclusion-conveying a message that all are welcome-the church was made handicap accessible with the installation of an elevator and ramps. In addition, plastering and painting was completed, the lighting and sound systems were upgraded, and pews and kneelers were refinished to further beautify our faith environment and extend the legacy of the parish founders. Today, the Centennial Campaign continues as other needed renovations to campus buildings are undertaken to prepare our church and schools for the next one hundred years of ministry to the North Center community. In December 1999, St. Benedict Parish received an extremely generous and unexpected gift to facilitate further growth of its educational ministry. An anonymous trust that provides capital grants in support of Catholic schools donated $4.6 million toward the construction of a three-story, 40, 000-square-foot brick building on the corner of Byron Street and Bell Avenue, replacing homes and a six-flat that had once served as residences for clergy and other religious and, more recently as administrative offices and preschool classrooms. Opened in October 2001, the new building houses facilities serving all of the schools, including preschool classrooms for 120 young children, two science labs, a music center, a lunchroom and kitchen, a 40-seat chapel, a nurses station, and additional classrooms and offices. A century ago, a small group of people had a dream, a spiritual birth grounded in the cornerstone ministry of education. The realization of that dream continues today in the education and formation of more than 1, 000 children at the Schools of St. Benedict, from preschool through high school, and in the numerous other vital ministries of St. Benedict Parish. Since 1902, the faith, generosity, and commitment of the people of St. Benedict Parish have inspired involvement in organizations, ministries, and activities within the parish whose reach extends far beyond the boundaries of the neighborhood. Today, St. Benedict Parish is a community of nearly 1, 600 households which reflect the diversity of heritage, age and economics that befit a large urban parish-a strong faith community which is as much a part of our legacy as the buildings on our block.