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Archdiocese of Chicago Announces New Parish Structures for the Exchange Renew My Church Grouping

November 27, 2018

As part of the archdiocese’s revitalization initiative, Renew My Church, the leadership of parishes in the Exchange grouping have been meeting to discuss the future church, parish and school structures for their area. They submitted their feedback to the Archdiocese of Chicago and the final structures have been approved.

Exchange Grouping

The Renew My Church Exchange grouping includes Immaculate Conception Parish and School (88th Street), Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and School, Sacred Heart Parish and School (96th Street) and St. Michael Parish and School (South Shore), all in Chicago.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, and the archdiocese’s Presbyteral Council met and, based on the Archdiocesan Commission’s recommendation and other considerations, the Cardinal made a final decision regarding the grouping’s structure.

St. Michael Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish will unite to form a new parish, effective July 1, 2019. Both churches will remain active worship sites of the parish for the current time. Once the pastor is in place for the new parish, the archdiocese and parish leadership team will begin to develop a long-term strategy for St. Michael Church and campus. Immaculate Conception School continues with its current programming – no changes – as a ministry of the new, unified parish.

As previously announced, St. Michael School (South Shore) closed in June 2018 due to declining enrollment.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and School remains as it is with its current structure (staffed by the Claretians).

Sacred Heart Croatian Parish and School remains as it is with its current structure (staffed by the Croatian Franciscans). 

Over the next few months, the archdiocese will work with the faith communities of Immaculate Conception and St. Michael to ensure an orderly and smooth transition to the new structure. The archdiocese’s Priest Placement Board will work with the community to identify a pastor to lead the new parish. A joint consultation involving the parishioners of Immaculate Conception and St. Michael will be scheduled for early 2019 to identify the gifts and characteristics needed for the pastor of the new parish.

All parishes of the grouping will embark upon the next phase of the renewal process to become a stronger, more sustainable presence for the future capable of reaching more people in their work of making disciples of Jesus Christ.