Chicago Cubs World Series Victory Inspires Great Acts of Charity
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich extends gratitude to Marc Malnati and Sister Rosemary Connelly, R.S.M., for their generous donations of Lou Malnati's Chicago deep dish pizzas and Misericordia’s Hearts & Flour Bakery brownies to be delivered to both the Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and to the Catholic Charities evening supper program in Chicago.
Video: Everybody Wins in Cubs Bet
Chicago, IL (November 4, 2016) – The leaders of the home Catholic dioceses for the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians have decided that giving back generously, so the poor in both cities can share in the win, should be the final result of their wager.
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich promised enough Chicago deep dish pizzas and baked goods to feed more than 100 guests of the Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, Ohio, if the Cubs lost the World Series. Bishop Richard G. Lennon had answered the challenge by offering to provide a Cleveland-Style Feast for more than 100 guests of the evening supper program for the homeless, sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, if the Indians were defeated.
“Both teams put up a great effort, both cities very much wanted this victory, and today Chicago is giving thanks for this blessing,” said Archbishop Cupich. “Our city is celebrating with our Cubs, and we want to include our friends in Cleveland.”
Chicago deep dish pizzas and Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery treats, as well as the Cleveland-Style Feast will be delivered to both the Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, and to the evening supper program in Chicago.
“Although we hoped the Indians would come out on top, we humbly accept our defeat and congratulate our friends to the West in Chicago,” said Bishop Lennon. “We are thankful for the pizzas and dessert, and hope Chicago enjoys a taste of Cleveland on us. We’ll be back next year!”
The pizzas and their transportation are being donated by Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, known as the home of the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Misericordia’s Hearts & Flour Bakery will deliver their homemade baked goods. Italian Creations, of Lakewood, Ohio, will deliver a meal of pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut and green beans.
Most Rev. Richard G. Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland, leads the Diocese, serving nearly 700,000 Catholics in eight counties of Northeast Ohio, including the cities of Cleveland, Akron and Lorain.
The Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center provides guests with access to such fundamental services as hot meals, shower facilities, mail distribution, and many other forms of assistance. In addition, the center offers referrals to employment and training programs, health and mental health screenings, Veteran Administration benefit help and aid with obtaining housing subsidies. For more information, please visit www.ccdocle.org/cosgrove.
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich is the head of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest archdiocese in the United States with more than 2.2 million Catholics in Cook and Lake Counties.
The evening supper program for the homeless, sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, feeds approximately 135 individuals at each meal. Catholic Charities Chicago also offers 150 programs, at 153 locations, assisting more than 1 million persons each year. For more information: www.catholiccharities.net.
Misericordia, meaning Heart of Mercy, under the leadership of Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM, currently serves more than 600 children and adults with mild to profound intellectual and developmental disabilities, from diverse racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The Misericordia Hearts & Flour Bakery is one of the most popular work programs at Misericordia, providing fulfilling jobs for more than 45 adults with developmental disabilities. For more information on Misericordia’s work and the Bakery, please visit www.misericordia.org.
About the Diocese of Cleveland
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was founded on April 23, 1847. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Richard Lennon, bishop of Cleveland, it is the twenty-third largest diocese in the United States. The diocese encompasses the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne and Ashland. There are more than 692,000 Catholics in the Diocese, and Catholic Charities - Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world. There are 185 parishes, 114 Catholic schools, one pastoral center and one mission office within the diocese. The cathedral is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, located in downtown Cleveland.
About the Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 347 parishes in Cook and Lake Counties, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, has more than 15,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 217 elementary and secondary schools comprise the largest U.S. private school system and have garnered more U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards than any system of any type.