Statements

Once again we must reach out in shock and horror to comfort the victims of a mass shooting in our country. We offer our prayers and our deep sympathy to all those affected by this senseless act of violence. We are grateful to the first responders and others who aided the victims and helped moved people to safety.

We are deeply disturbed that Governor Rauner has broken his word and firm public promise to veto HB 40. Governor Rauner, together with the legislators who voted for this misguided legislation, will now force Illinois taxpayers to pay for the taking of human life, in this case that of a defenseless child in the womb.

Today President Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the dreams of nearly a million young people covered by the executive order and applying for inclusion.

The Christian community in the United States has lost a faithful bishop, His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos, the late Metropolitan of Chicago. Metropolitan Iakovos was the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in six Midwestern states, and a well-respected member of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, an interfaith organization.

Last Friday, Governor Rauner promised to veto House Bill 40. This legislation, which is pending in the General Assembly, would use public dollars, through Illinois’ Medicaid and employee health insurance programs, to fund elective abortions at any stage of pregnancy for any reason.

Thank you Fr. Hurley and all here at Old St. Pat’s for the chance to celebrate with you once again the beginning of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

With this letter I want to express my support as we stand together in solidarity with many of our parishioners who are deeply troubled by the recent executive orders related to immigration. Their trust in you and the Church is prompting them to come to you for support, spiritual guidance, and compassion.

In December 2016, the Archdiocese of Chicago presented St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School, located in Lemont, and Our Lady of the Ridge School, located in Chicago Ridge, with fundraising and student enrollment targets that needed to be met for the schools to open next school year (2017/18).

This weekend proved to be a dark moment in U.S. history. The executive order to turn away refugees and to close our nation to those, particularly Muslims, fleeing violence, oppression and persecution is contrary to both Catholic and American values.