About

     The people of Saint Aloysius Parish are about growing and sharing—growing and sharing in Jesus Christ. For nearly 125 years, we have grown in so many ways, and we have shared our lives and our faith with so many people that it was only natural for our Pastoral Council to set forth a parish vision of Growing and Sharing in Jesus Christ as we prepare for our 125th anniversary. Our vision is both an understanding of our past and our path to our future as a parish. But how do we make our vision a reality?

     We grow. We grow as we have always grown. In the beginning of our parish (1884), we were growing so fast with members that we had to build two churches in one year! And growing means that we share the blessings we have received. Monsignor Thiele, our founding Pastor, sought out the Sisters of Christian Charity and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ to share the ministry of the Gospel by building Josephinum Academy and St. Elizabeth Hospital. All the while, he planned for our third church building because sharing the Good News meant that the parish was growing even faster!

     Over the years, the parish has participated in the growth of this community from the Association House to the Linden House to the Near North Neighborhood Network and beyond. We have shared our strengths and our beliefs. We have built a fourth church, school buildings and gardens to minister to all. We have shared the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the Charismatic Renewal. We have walked door to door evangelizing and welcoming every person and culture who has made Wicker and Humboldt Parks their home.

     Most recently, we have grown through our merger with St. Fidelis Parish and Our Lady of Aglona. We have shared our faith by caring for the needy, the homeless, the grieving, and the isolated.

     Once more, sharing our faith means that our buildings must grow if we are to have enough space to take care of all the people who come to us. We are asking you to make a commitment today so that we will continue Growing and Sharing in Jesus Christ as a parish for the next 125 years.

Why Are We Building?

     Over the years, the parish has not had the money to make the necessary repairs to the school building. Now, it is in such bad shape that the building cannot be used safely without repairs of nearly $3 million dollars! But the space is not big enough for all that we need to do as a parish. In addition, many of our people cannot access the building because of the stairs going both up and down to the various rooms. Currently, the parish sponsors 3 food pantries (ours, MAC and WIC programs), a shelter, a Service Center, Religious Education for nearly 200 children, the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal, and meeting rooms for 9 prayer groups, the youth group, women’s group, St. Vincent dePaul Society and 3 12-step programs. We need space for all these groups to meet! In addition, Bible Studies, Council meetings, Baptismal and RCIA classes are all being squeezed by the lack of space available to us. A new building will help us meet all of these space requirements and begin to plan for a future that may include Day Care, after school programs and athletic activities. A large hall with a kitchen can also be rented out for quinceañeras and other parties, generating extra income to pay for the upkeep of the new facility.