Parish News & Information

Renew My Church - Process Complete

A Call to Rebuild

To address the challenges of our time, we are called by Jesus to rebuild. Renew My Church is a vision and strategic plan guiding our response to this call for renewal. This spiritual revitalization will reclaim what is most central and sacred to our faith and breathe new life into our methods of sharing the Gospel. In this way, we can provide people a Church and a home for their faith that is marked by more faithful discipleship, a loving community, and an inspired source for witness so that those for whom we pray are brought home to a Church that is marked by greater discipleship, loving community, and inspiring witness. Learn more at www.renewmychurch.org.

Click here to read an announcement letter from Fr. Britto and the priests in our grouping regarding Renew My Church

JANUARY 26, 2021 UPDATE

As you are aware, Renew My Church is an initiative of the Archdiocese to invigorate the spiritual experience and maximize the resources in each of its churches. The Archdiocese has grouped St. Paul of the Cross with five other parishes: Mary Seat of Wisdom, Our Lady of Ransom, Our Lady of Hope, St. Juliana and Immaculate Conception. On January 26, 2021, representatives of each parish along with each pastor, met to discuss the process. No decisions have been made. Future meetings will be held over the next several weeks to discern how to maximize both structural and spiritual vitality in our grouping. Parish input will be welcomed as the path becomes clearer.

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 UPDATE

On February 9, 2021, the parish grouping of St. Paul of the Cross, St. Juliana, Immaculate Conception, Mary Seat of Wisdom, Our Lady of Ransom, and Our Lady of Hope met via Zoom with the Archdiocese facilitator. Our parish grouping has been named the O'Hare Neighborhood Group. None of the six parishes in our group will close its church. Continued discernment is ongoing to discuss various potential ways in which ministries might be shared. As more information is available, further updates will be forthcoming.

MARCH 9, 2021 UPDATE

A meeting was held on March 9, 2021 with the O'Hare Neighborhood Renew My Church group (St. Paul of the Cross, Immaculate Conception,St. Juliana, Mary Seat of Wisdom, Our Lady of Ransom, and Our Lady of Hope). The discernment process continues with open discussion of structural changes for some and spiritual sharing strategies for others. This process is both time and thought intensive. To date, no decisions have been made. We will continue to keep you updated.

APRIL 13, 2021 UPDATE

The O'Hare Neighborhood group for Renew My Church (St. Paul of the Cross, St. Juliana, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Ransom, Mary Seat of Wisdom, and Our Lady of Hope) met on April 13, 2021 to complete its discernment process. Cardinal Cupich will advise regarding his decision on May 12, 2021. Once we receive any further information, we will advise.

May 12, 2021 UPDATE

The O'Hare Neighborhood group (St. Paul of the Cross, St. Juliana, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Ransom, Mary Seat of Wisdom and Our Lady of Hope) completed its discernment process. As previously reported, it was not anticipated that SPC would have any structural change. Cardinal Cupich recently advised regarding his decision for the O'Hare Neighborhood group. SPC, St. Juliana, Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of Ransom will each continue as separate parishes, each with its own pastor. Our Lady of Hope parish will be a mission of Mary Seat of Wisdom parish. Effective July 1, 2021, Fr. Derek Ho will be the pastor of the newly named Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish and Our Lady of Hope Mission, and Fr. Wojciech Oleksy will be the Director of the Mission. The O'Hare Neighborhood group will now begin the "Building the New Reality" phase of Renew My Church. It is anticipated this process will focus on developing a plan of inter-parish ministry sharing. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Britto.