VP
Hi, I'm Victoria Prom, uh, this is the St. Ita interviews, and. I am with;

DL
Dan Legacy.

VP
Dan, do I have your permission to record you?

DL
Yes.

VP
Uh Great, um, so let's start off the interview, can you introduce yourself? What do you do around the church? Stuff like that?

DL
Sure. My name is Dan Legacy and I have been primarily the music director here at St. Ita, and that has been since 1998. And also uh my responsibilities and ministry here have involved uh... liturgical coordination as well so uh training and coordinating liturgical ministers for the celebration of holy Mass on Sundays. So that would be like people who read the scriptures during uh mass and also um song leaders, cantors, uh... eucharistic ministers, things like that. Ushers [chuckle] the whole gamut. [both chuckle] So...

VP
Can I ask you, whats your connection to like the Rogers park community in general, like do you live in the area or if so, like how long?

DL
Yeah, so I, I started working here officially in July of 1998, and I currently live just a block west of Loyola campus on Lakewood and North Shore, and have been there since 2001. So almost as long as I've been working here, the parish.

VP
Umm ... Can you describe your first experience at St. Ita? Like what was your ... first impression?

DL
So I remember ... uh ... coming up, actually to the rectory entrance. Uh It seemed a little scary [chuckles] at first. And the secretary who answered the door at the time, her name was um Barbara Banach Murata, and uh yeah she was really friendly and opened the door and all that and welcomed me. Uh... And once passing that threshold, things uh [pause] were you know really, I mean, friendly and open. The first, the pastor who hired me firstly was um Father Lawrence Maddock, and he had been here since uh the late um eighties, and he was just a really wonderful and holy priest in the archdiocese of Chicago, and, a great mentor for a lot of, like, seminarians who were studying to be priests and things and. But he, he was also a very uh spiritual man. And although in, in many ways he was, he was really open and just friendly and welcoming to people and just really had a beautiful spirit of bringing people together um and encouraging people's faith in the Lord Jesus and, and that uh so he was the priest who hired me and um it was a really joy working with him at the time... uh, we were looking to celebrate the centenary of the parish in the year 2000. So St. Ita, as its parish, was initially founded in 1900 with uh... irish immigrants and uh... so hence the name St. Ita, who was one of the great mother saints of Ireland, along with St. Brigid, and, and also lived a little bit after the time of Saint Patrick. So um [pause] it was really um beautiful experience, you know, in that, in that regard and um [pause] the, I guess I would say that um [longer pause] I kind of lost my train of thought on that.

VP
No you're all good. uh... [pause] Like, what would be, let me think, what is one thing you would never forget about like the beginning of your career here or the beginning of like your first impression?

DL
um .. [pause] Well, one of the things that has um always amazed me about the um parish is just the diverse number of people who worship here on any given Sunday. So, I mean, in many ways, it really does feel like an experience of heaven. I mean, because it's so inclusive of people from all over the world uh and also from all the spectrums of ,you know, society, too. So there are people who have means, but some who don't, and also some uh who struggle in their journeys with whatever issues it is that they're dealing with um, and so I think that's probably one of the things that uh... I just find most have found most enjoyable in being a minister here and also just, um, it's been spiritually edifying for me to, to be able to work in that way and to bring people together, praising God with music and that great gift you know that, that God has given us and so... [pause].

VP
So you mentioned the demographic of the church and how it's very diverse. Can you talk a little more about uh how the demographic of the church has changed from the beginning of the time you're here to now?

DL
Well, I would say, actually, the remarkable thing is even though, I mean, even though people have come and go and there always has been, like, a transient element um with the parish and even in the neighborhood, just because of the type of housing, you know like with the apartments and condos on Sheridan Road, you know, who. And that's primarily where a lot of the parishioners have come, or, I mean, there are some in the local neighborhood here, but not as many as we get from other places um closer to the lake. And so really, as far as the demographic shifts, um there hasn't been a, like a change in the diversity, which is also somewhat surprising, although, uh you know, again, people come and go, uh but by and large, there's still that diversity. And even with the uh the parish becoming Mary, mother of God and the unification of the three churches, St. Thomas and St. Gregory, um still that diversity um remains uh and actually increased a little bit with some of the, um some of the diversity at St. Thomas. Uh So...

VP
Um.. so has? a bit of a more personal, but has religion always been like a part of your life or did it come to your life later on?

DL
Uh yeah, so I was I was born and baptized Catholic as a baby, uh six months after I was born. And so [heh] I grew up Catholic. I wouldn't say my family was, like, [pause] really religious, but my dad was always adamant that we went to church every week and he would do that and tried to bring, bring the family to. We were, I'm the oldest of six children, and so sometimes getting all the family together in time was a challenge. [chuckling] But he instilled that, you know, in us and, you know, at least a practice of our faith. And I would say, I mean, at this point, uh... my sister and I are are, ... uh my younger. I have two younger sisters, but my other sister is also still um practices her faith. uh ... [pause] so ... yeah....

VP
So you've been the music director for about 25 years, am I correct?

DL
Yes.

VP
What is, like, the most, [pause] what is either the most memorable or your favorite piece that you've performed in your career?

DL
Oh, my goodness. [chuckle] [pause] That's a really tough question. [both chuckle] Um [longer pause] There's been so many um memorable moments of, um, because in the music ministry here, um we would do well there, there was a tradition of doing like, an annual Christmas concert, and then for a number of years, there was also, we added an Easter concert. Uh, so that kind of offered uh an opportunity to um you know do some other music, too, and sometimes get other singers and instrumentalists involved. Um, [pause] It's hard to just say about one piece. I mean, we've also, through the years, have done some collaborations with some of the other churches in the area. So at one point, when St. Gregory's was its own parish, I mean, our choirs did uh a concert together, and also we had done um some collaborated with St. Ignatius also, and there was another, like, one of our Easter concerts was a collaboration in this regard. So, ... well, I would say, I mean, maybe not necessarily one piece of music, some of those um experiences have been, you know, really um memorable and and beautiful experiences of doing that, uh... I would say, I mean, in general, one of the things that I find most edifying as a music director is uh being able to help people to sing, so when the church is singing, like, everybody's just you know singing with all their heart and raising the roof and song in the church, I think, is probably,that that supersedes any experience of one particular piece, because a lot of um uh a lot of the music ministry in particular, you know I've encouraged um people to do the very best that they can and all of that. And so um there have been many uh instances of fine musicianship and musicality that's happened in those 25 years, [chuckle] thank God [laughs] and the Holy Spirit, too. But uh I would say that's probably um one of the greatest joys of being a music director. yeah ...

VP
Uh, You mentioned that St. Ita would collaborate with other churches. [mmhmm] Did they ever collaborate with anyone outside those who are currently in Mary, Mother of God?

DL
Ah, yes. And one of the, there was also another um service that would happen around thanksgiving time that involved a lot of the local christian denominations or religious, I should say a religious denomination. So that would involve, like, some of the other catholic churches but also like um the baptist church and the jewish people from the synagogue um and also um [thinking] faithful from the Ismaili center over on Rosemont and Broadway. So those two were other opportunities for collaborating musically and um celebrating thanksgiving together, which is a really beautiful thing, too. And we also did um St. err North Shore Baptist, which is just around the corner on Berwyn, and I think it's Lakewood. [pause] They, we had done, they had done some special, like, choral performances of uh certain pieces, like the foray Requiem and some other things that we would participate in to some of our singers here. So again, I mean, just, you know, a lot of what we were doing, you know, musically was here, but, you know, I always encouraged and tried to do some other things, too, beyond just the walls of the church here [chuckles].

VP
I know you mentioned non christian collaborations. How often would you say, uh I guess this is more of a two parted question. How often would you say those collaborations occurred? And do you wish that the church would engage more with uh non christian faiths?

DL
 Um, So those, the incidents I was talking about, about the Thanksgiving service, prayer services, those would happen annually um at Thanksgiving time .. in November. So I would say for at least, you know, majority of my years here, we would participate in those, and they would also rotate, so different churches would host the service. So, I mean, we did that at times and some in the synagogue, the Ismaili center and the baptist church um we all took turns, like, sharing that. So that was always a beautiful, beautiful thing and very celebratory um ... opportunity for us all to gather and give thanks. um, The church has a history of reaching out and being in dialogue with uh... not only other christian denominations, but also um other religious faiths. We don't often hear a lot about that because it happens [scoff] oftentimes behind the scenes with the pope and some of the delegates that specifically um are involved with. Ecumenism is the word that it's called. um, [pause] But certainly there always is room to grow, I mean, and to be in dialogue with with peoples, especially people who have other experiences, um you know especially religiously and things like that. ... so.

VP
[pause] Umm... and because I'm also a music person, so I'm going to ask you a bunch of questions about your music and

DL
[chuckles] sure!

VP
Um... But... is religion an avenue for you to express music, or is music an avenue for your religion?

DL
[thinking] I would certainly say um music. Well, especially personally, uh, so I mentioned I grew up Catholic, and I started actually playing at church when I was in 7th grade. My first instrument is violin, and so uh I was doing that, I mean, at an early age, and so a lot of my experience has always been the, you know, that of it being in church um musically, um, I studied music um and so have a performance degree in violin, but also a master's of divinity, um and so having the musical and the theological degrees have been helpful, you know, in being a minister here. And. But I would definitely say that it's, it's the, um... you know, those are kind of the two vines that have grown together... in my life. And so, yeah. [pause].

VP
Um. so how has, like, the direction of music, both as you're working here or just being around it, how has it changed? Like, at the time you've been here?

DL
Um [pause] Has it changed how?

VP
Like uh... When you first got here,

DL
ok

VP
 Uh what types of music were being performed or what pieces were being picked? And how ... -has that changed between then and 25 years later?

DL
Yeah, I would, there has been some change. Umm ... As a music director, I was, you know, when I first came here, I was conscious of, like, seeing just what had been done before, um, you know, whatever records there were, like what songs were sung and things like that. umm, A lot of the musical pieces that happen, you know, are supporting usually ritual action, especially as it pertains to um holy Mass and, you know, Sunday celebrations or, [ahem] you know, even special celebrations like ordinations and things that we've, we've had here at St. Ita. And while some of it's changed, you know, there's, by and large, there's some, a lot of the, I mean, some similar things. Some of it has changed depending on what resources were available. For example, there was at one point there was a youth choir that was more contemporary in a contemporary group.

DL
There was actually, I would say, a liturgical drummer who was part of that. He was excellent, but he had a trap set and some other auxiliary percussion instruments. But so that group would, like, play for the Sunday 530 mass and sing. And so, you know, some of that music was specific to, you know, that kind of ensemble or, you know, in some cases it was taking some of the more traditional things and, you know, just adapting them with that musical resource. So some of that has changed through the years.

DL
Again, depending on our resources. One of the things we've been extremely blessed with here is our pipe organ. So it was installed in 1951, but by the Wicks Organ company. And then as part of our centenary there was work that was done on that because when I came here, it was in somewhat disarray. There was some things that weren't working and, you know, it needed some attention.

DL
But repairing and pipe organs in general are expensive to maintain. And so it's always been one of those things that we've been blessed with a really fine instrument and the work that was done on it was also really well done. So that the instrument now has been used for, like, the american guild of organists, concerts and conventions and things like that. And there's been performances of concert organists and performers who have come and performed, you know, so that's kind of another part of the musical world that is specific to that, but again, part of the musical set of the parish.

VP
How would you describe, like, the impact of not just the organ itself, but, like, music in general on the church itself?

DL
Well, I would say the church has always valued the use of music as a way of really just uplifting the mind and heart to God. I mean, we even hear from St. Augustine. I mean, to sing is to pray twice. So there's a lot of value that the church places on having celebrations and encounters during mass with, with music.

DL
It's not that every mass has that, but really, the idea is that you would, I mean, that the mass would be sung, you know, from beginning to end. In some cases, you could actually do that. The prayer book is set up in that way that you could do that. So, and also the while there, you know, a lot of the tradition of the Catholic Church is chant and music of that nature, which is basically just, you know, spoken or sung prayer or, you know, putting music to a text in some ways, sometimes it's been, you know, you know, through the centuries, more elaborate or, you know, it's simple, simple chant. But that being the basis.

DL
I mean, there's been a lot of development and encouragement for an experience, musical experience within the liturgy of all different styles of music. So that's how you get, you know, some more contemporary experiences or, you know, actually even incorporating other christian experiences like hymns and things like that. And I guess those, you know, really the whole gamut of music.

VP
So how would you, I'm trying to think of how I'm going to phrase this question. So within the music that you do at the church, would you consider adding in or doing more modern or less music that sticks less to what is normally played at the church if it meant bringing in a wider community?

DL
I think I understand what you mean by that. Again, one of the things that, and I guess, to answer your question, some of this I experience sometimes with some of the sacramental celebrations, particularly like around the celebration of matrimony or weddings and also funerals, too, there's sometimes requests to bring in secular music into the celebration. It's not usually encouraged because of the fact that the music that is a part of holy mass is usually celebrating or supporting the sacrament or the, again, as I had mentioned earlier, like the ritual actions that are happening during the celebration. So, I mean, sometimes there are exceptions made for that, but by and large, a lot of the music that's done is meant or pertains to what's happening and as a reflection of that and again, a reflection of people's faith. So it's, you know, sacred music is what, you know, is part of what does that and edifies that in a way that secular music, I mean, it might actually be appealing, you know, and evoke certain emotions or, you know, someone's favorite song or something like that.

DL
It's more, you know, the experience of faith that is being celebrated and edified. And so the music, I think, has to speak to that.

VP
What is it about music especially? It can be just music in general, or it can be specifically, like, music within church. What is it that makes you, like, passionate? Like, what is the thing that hooked you onto music specifically?

DL
I would say. I mean, even as a little kid, I was always fascinated by music, or it always resonated with me somehow. Neither of my parents actually played music, but they were great appreciators of music. And so, and they listen to music on the radio and all different styles and through different the thirties, all the way up to the present day music experiences. And then what you always experience as you're growing up, different things.

DL
So I started actually playing violin in fourth grade, and then a year later started piano, and then in high school learned to play organ. And so I just was always fascinated by music. It's always been, you know, I played in symphony orchestras and things like that in my college years and then beyond having that experience, too. But I think, you know, in church music, it's again the, you know, the edification of being able to help people express themselves musically. And in most cases, it's usually giving glory to God or thanking God in some ways or, you know, just helping people.

DL
I think music actually appeals a lot to the imagination. And so, you know, there's a lot of the experience, particularly of the mysteries of the church and the mysteries of God's love and salvation, that, I mean, you need some imagination to access some of that because it's not always, like, you know, just very clear. So I think music has the capacity to draw people in and to, I mean, even if you're not a great singer or something like that, you can still be, like, moved emotionally by music or, you know, it can help you to, I mean, to lift, you know, the mind and heart to another realm beyond this one. So I think it's, I mean, that's kind of what I find really most, you know, attractive and beautiful about music as an art, because, I mean, the other arts, I mean, visual arts, things like that, also have the capacity to do that. But music in.

DL
In some ways is different in how it, you know, lifts the mind and heart. So.

VP
Have you ever, or are there currently, like, are there any, like, programs here at the church that can, like, bring people in the music? Like, are there any, like, educational programs? Do they teach instruments here or just, like, anything that will welcome people into music?

DL
Yeah. So one, with the unification of the churches and into the parish of Mary, mother of God, one of the ideas was to have, like, I mean, each of the churches kind of has a charism that it has and has supported through the years. So, for example, at St. Thomas, they've had a great outreach to the community with the soup kitchen and food pantry there. St.

DL
Ida is the largest of the churches, has also had, I mean, some of that, but in different ways. So a number of years, the outreach was through care for real, which is one of the other neighbor organizations that helps people in the community. St. Gregory has had a tradition of, like, cultural things, so not only musically, but also artistically. And so it more has coined.

DL
It's more or less the cultural center of the parish. And so one of the initiatives that was brought about in the unification was St. Gregory's Hall, a home for catholic culture. And so that is primarily one of the places in the parish where there's an artist in residence who does painting and has regular things that draw people in in that regard. There is a composer, a musician in residence there, Kevin Allen, who's a very fine composer and musician.

DL
And so some of the celebrations there highlight some of the major celebrations during the year, liturgically, with choral music and things like that. Although I have done some private lessons in teaching through the years, a lot of my. My time has been spent just, you know, doing what I do here in the parish. And so not so much time for that. But.

VP
Would you consider it, like, opening public lessons, or would there not be enough, like, money or time in the budget for it?

DL
I'm certainly open to it. If there were, you know, someone, for example, who was interested in, like, taking organ lessons or something like that, certainly there would be, you know, I'm open to that. We have at times, you know, tried to engage the community, offering, like, places for people to practice, you know, students. And so in that regard, we've done some of that. But as far as my time, I mean, has been pretty much spent just doing what I do with the coordination and the music here.

DL
So.

VP
So regarding your career, if you could go to, like, say that time travel existed, right. You can go all the way back to the very beginning, all those 25 years ago. What was one thing you would say to yourself? One bit of advice or just one little bit of comfort that you would say.

DL
Advice in which way?

VP
Like, just something to say to yourself, to let yourself know that the future will be, that you'll get through the future, you'll be okay, or something that you wish you knew at the very beginning of your career.

DL
Okay. I think a lot of times there have been moments here and there where I sometimes wonder if, or sometimes being preoccupied with, you know, is something going to work out? You know, if we had planned to sing something, and then you have people who are missing or, you know, can't be there to sing or whatever, sometimes it's, you know, I've relied a lot on the Holy Spirit and some musical miracles to take place in order for things to happen. But I would say, I mean, mostly it's just having faith. I mean, that things do work out with God's help.

DL
I mean, that's, and particularly in this position, you know, it's, it's, you know, we're praying and so, and supporting people's prayer and, and so, you know, again, making. And that's, I guess, one of the things I've, that wasn't maybe so clear to me at the beginning, but, you know, that really, you know, all that's I'm doing and fostering in my ministry here is actually a ministry. And so it's not about so much what I'm doing. I mean, I see myself as a facilitator in some ways of helping people to have a beautiful experience when they come to church. And that it's also that when they're coming, they're experiencing an encounter with Jesus Christ.

DL
And whatever happens during the celebration should foster that experience, you know, and help people to be able to focus in that regard. And so, because sometimes it's, you know, I would say that's not always clear everywhere that you go. And sometimes in music ministry, it's not always clear from place to place. But that's kind of one of the things I've. I would say not maybe my advice, but is something I've tried to have as an experience or, you know, like a guiding.

DL
What am I trying to say? Like a guiding, like Maxim or, you know, just, like console, you know, to, you know, guide what I'm doing.

VP
How has, how's your, like, connection or involvement in the church, like, evolved over time?

DL
Well, I would say that, you know, I mentioned that the first pastor who hired me was Father Maddock, and then he retired in 2001. And so, and that would, after the experience of the centennial, you know, so he had wanted to, you know, at least lead the parish through that because he had been, you know, here for a number of years. But there have been other pastors that have come, you know, since then. So I think our pastor now is, like number seven. So there's always something that changes, I mean, you know, with the pastoral leadership, but it's collaborating, you know, in those regards that help, you know, facilitate, again, what's happening in the parish.

DL
And, you know, that's, I see my role as, you know, really being in that regard, supporting and, you know, doing what I can to, to facilitate that. So it has changed through the years, but I would say by and large, that's kind of some of my experience. And, I mean, even, like, what I'm doing now is even different than what I first started and, you know, some of my duties and things like that. So even though, I mean, it still pertains to music and liturgy. So.

VP
You mentioned collaborating with the priests themselves. Has that collaboration generally been easy or has ever some difficulties depending on who's in charge?

DL
Yeah, I mean, by and large, I mean, nothing's perfect, and there's different ideas about how to celebrate and things like that. And priests have certain ideas, but by and large, I mean, a lot of what we'll do is a lot of the, in the celebrations, I mean, is guided by the church's prayer book. And so, I mean, there's differences here and there, you know, to be sorted out. But by and large, I mean, it's, it's mostly just, you know, navigating those and different styles and ideas about ministry and things like that. So.

VP
What is one part of the church that you feel is underutilized or not given enough attention or credit?

DL
I'm understanding that you're referring to more than just like the physical structure. Right. But the life of the church, I think just reaching out to young people in particular. I mean, we do that on a certain level, but I think sometimes, you know, being clear about what it is, we believe in transmitting the faith. We do have religious education.

DL
We do have programs for that catechesis of the good shepherd. I mean, all those things help. And we do have schools that have been part of the parish and the church's life. So there's religious education there. And you know, catholic education, but, but I still think, I mean, and this is based on experience of young people who receive the sacraments and, and then are not part of the, but then are not part of the church's life afterwards.

DL
And it's really kind of supposed to be the opposite way. And so just figuring, figuring out that dynamic and what is happening there, I think, is a crucial one.

VP
How would you feel or how do you think that the church can improve on this dynamic?

DL
That's a good question, and I don't really know the answer to that specifically because I think there's a lot of things in place that are helping with that. But ultimately, too, it's not just like what is experienced here, but it's also like in family life. I mean, families have to encourage that to parents with their kids. And so some of that is challenging, too. And then again, you know, making sure that, you know, they're the adequate resources for everyone to just be able to express their faith and taking advantage of those opportunities to know their faith well and be able to express that and share that in ways that are meaningful and also help other people and attract them to the faith.

DL
So, I mean, we had this past Easter, so there were, like, 18 people who were initiated into the church, so four who were baptized, and then six who were received into the church. And then everyone was confirmed in that sacrament. And so, I mean, sometimes it's, you know, the, ultimately, it's the movement of the Holy Spirit in people's lives and being attentive to, you know, them, being attentive to that. But, you know, it's not just one thing, and it's not always within our control. But I think, you know, the more that we can do to support that or to facilitate it, I mean, I keep using that word, but there's a lot of, you know, it's not so much controlling, but, you know, trying to allow things and giving people the tools and things to be able to be attentive to God in their lives and their faith and, you know, taking advantage of the opportunity because we have plenty, I mean, of ways in which to do that, you know, so.

VP
How would you feel about. So, I know in our class, we learned that there is a rising number of, especially youth, who are identifying as non religious.

DL
Yes.

VP
So how would you feel? Oh, this is probably an oddly phrased question, but, like, opening up the community to those who are non religious, just to have them see, oh, this is what we do, this is who we are. And not so much as the aim to convert them but just letting them make the decisions for themselves.

DL
Yeah. So, I mean, one of the. So it's called the RCIA, or the rights of christian initiation for a adults. I mean, that primarily is one of the efforts or tools of the church to do that because it offers regular meetings and, you know, people are able to engage, you know, as much as they can. Oftentimes it's with the intention of, you know, entering into the church, but it's not always.

DL
I mean, there are some people who do engage that experience, but then don't continue on. And again, some of the things, from my perspective, one of the. So a musical thing that we do that any of, like the, for example, like the concerts, things like that. We have a community organization. It's called the Chicago Chamber Choir and is very fine choir, but we've had a relationship with them for about eight years.

DL
I think it's been where they, they perform here, and they have a group that they follow and is a nonprofit. But again, opening the church up to them to be able to come and perform also gets other people from different places. I guess it's what you would describe as maybe a soft entry point for people. They come into the church, they see it, and maybe think about, you know, coming back or, you know, those types of experiences, you know? And that's, I mean, as music director, you know, I've also tried to encourage those experiences, too, as much as possible.

DL
So it offers, you know, people a way to, you know, to see and experience, you know, something beautiful within the. The walls of the church, but maybe is not the celebration of mass, you know? So.

VP
If you could preserve only one stolen one story from your time at the church, what would that be?

DL
Oh, my goodness. Those are the hardest questions to answer. One story. Hmm. It just has to be one.

VP
We only got one room in the vault for one story. What would it be?

DL
Oh, boy. Wow. Any particular type of story would have to be.

VP
Anyone that you experience or.

DL
Funny story or.

VP
Any type.

DL
The one.

VP
Yeah, the one.

DL
Oh, gosh, Victoria, that's challenging for me because there have been crazy things that have happened, too, during the years, but, oh, my goodness. Because there's a lot of. I mean, there's a lot of beautiful things. I mean, in 25 years, especially, you know, a lot of experiences that have happened. And, I mean, from people.

DL
I mean, witnessing people coming into the church, people who have, you know, like, have been married civilly, but then validate their. Their marriages here particularly. There's a family that is from Togo, Africa. And he, when he first, he was very musically involved back, back home in Africa there in his community. And when he first came here, you know, started singing in the choir because he, I mean, it just felt like a home for him.

DL
And, you know, now eventually he has brought his wife and children from there and actually even his mom is visiting too, but, and since has had other children here and, but I mean, just to see experiences like that are just really so incredibly beautiful and, you know, spiritually edifying to see that people living out their faith in that way and really being attuned to the Holy Spirit and, you know, just trying to live out their faith the best they can, it's just, for me, I guess, that would probably be, like one of many experiences. But again, that's just so beautiful to see. So.

VP
All right, let's see. I think to round out the interview, I'm going to ask you a little bit about the renew my church and the merry Mother of God, like the combining of the congregations.

DL
Okay.

VP
How did you first hear about the mergers and how did that make you feel?

DL
Surprisingly, in all my time working here, it always amazed me that, like, even within a ten block radius, there were, like, all these catholic churches. And in some ways, we, I mean, there was competition, I would say. I mean, some people just had certain, I mean, that was their parish where they would go. And, I mean, they were just, you know, it was a very parochial existence among the catholic community in this area. So when renew my church was introduced and to us, you know, especially firstly to parish staffs and things like that, it didn't surprise me because, you know, realizing that, you know, just the catholic population in this area, you know, was not necessarily the same.

DL
It was even when I first started working here. And so, yeah, there needed to be something addressed. And, you know, I was not shocked by that. But how and what would transpire was kind of what I guess I found. I would say that the Holy Spirit has been working all along, you know, and I know I keep saying that, but I do truly believe that because, for example, like when, in 2016, when the franciscan friars, conventuals, who are the pastoral leaders in the, in, in the parish, so they first came to St.

DL
Ida when we were looking for a new pastor. And, you know, they were also wanting to, as a religious community, be more involved in the archdiocese. And so it happens that, you know, they started here, which was kind of a shift because, you know, when you're going from archdiocesan priests to religious order, it's, you know, first of all, it's a community of priests. So you have a number of priests that live together, and then, and particularly franciscan spirituality, has a certain experience of parish. So when you see any of those, any parishes being led by religious communities or Franciscans or in particular, they have a certain model that they follow of how they celebrate the sacraments and things like that.

DL
But that really was kind of a beautiful happening for, I think, not only the parish, but also this area and a preparation for what was to come with regards to the unification of these churches, because this is one of the few in the archdiocese that is actually three active churches. And so it takes some finessing and some good vision, and then, of course, something like a religious community which had the number of priests to staff a reality like this. So I think, by and large, I mean, it's not perfect, but I think all the churches in this parish are benefiting somehow from being together and unified.

VP
Uh, how would you like to see the three parishes work together over the course of, like, being combined and, like, into the future?

DL
Um, I think really some of what I would hope would. Would happen would be just more vitality in what the vision of this parish is now. So, I mean, as far as, like, you know, the outreach and some of the programs that are happening at the cultural center at St. Gregory's hall, they're just people avail themselves more of those experiences and are able to, you know, that the catholic community grows and is enriched and able to meet the needs of the neighborhood and things like that.

VP
Was anything lost, would you say, in the merger of the churches?

DL
I would say very basically, yes. I mean, we all lost our status as parishes, as parish churches. So while canonically, I mean, that's somewhat of a big deal. You know, again, I think there's something that we're all getting from the fact that we're now one parish. And I think the process of all that was even through the strangeness of a pandemic which had everybody reeling in some way, I think, coming out on the other side of that, you know, God has been with us and guiding us through that, and, you know, certainly there's.

DL
There's always room, I mean, to grow in community and. And again, in the experience of what all this parish has to offer, I think there are people doing, you know, taking advantage of that. But it would just be nice, I mean, from my perspective, to see more of it, be further reaching than just like, you know, this area. There is some of that, but again, to make it, I don't know, more, again, more vivacious or, you know, the vitality of catholic community that it's contributing to that even more so than it is now.

VP
You mentioned that part of it happened during the pandemic. How would you say that the pandemic, like, impacted both St. Ida and the whole process of unifying the churches?

DL
Yeah. So the first. So we first unified with St. Thomas of Canterbury, and that was in 2019, I think. In 2019.

DL
And so, and it was may of that year. And so then with the pandemic happening in the next year, we actually had, I mean, basically, like the reset button pushed on so much of church life, as it were with, you know, not being able to meet and then just being, you know, small groups and eventually building from there. But then it was in 21 that the merger happened with St. Gregory the Great. And so, you know, it's still, I mean, even just three years later, you know, still a new reality.

DL
But I think it was strange. I think one of the strangest things was realizing in 2020 that none of the churches really had an experience of the Triduum and Easter. So, I mean, we did do. I mean, we did live stream or eventually figure out that. But, and there was a celebration, but again, it was a limited number of people, you know, that could be there.

DL
So, you know, it wasn't completely lost, but that was just a very strange experience. Probably the most strange. That was probably. That would probably be one of the experiences. It was the most unusual in all my time here.

DL
But I think growing from that experience, you know, has, has been helpful. I mean, it's never been the same, for example, for the smaller churches for saints Thomas or for St. Gregory. I mean, they have. I mean, our celebrations of Holy Week have since, you know, been primarily here at St.

DL
Eater because it's the largest of the church that we can accommodate more people. And so, and this past, I mean, holy week in tritum, we. The church was full, you know, which was another beautiful thing to see. But so, again, it's, you know, I would say that's probably the. What was lost.

DL
I mean, those experiences. And yet it seemed there seems to be, you know, some understanding of, you know, what's necessary as a parish and, you know, again, coming to terms with that reality. But again, you know, that it takes time. Yeah.

VP
How would you see the Mary mother of God combination looking like in five years or so?

DL
Yeah, that's another good question. Again, what I was mentioning about the. Just the growth and vitality. I mean, that's. I would hope to see just that there's more involvement and, you know, more people availing themselves of what's being offered in the parish, because, I mean, it is a lot.

DL
I mean, there's times where I. I'm interested in things that are happening, but it's like I'm either tied up with something else that I have to do or, you know, the timing is, you know, off for me. But I guess that's what I would see the most. I mean, just trying to. A stronger catholic reality and presence of the parish.

DL
And again, you know, as we continue, also, you know, seeing that there are parishes around that are still being closed, other churches, I hope that wouldn't be the case for the churches here in the parish. But again, finding, you know, those ways that we all work together and, you know, really kind of grow as a catholic community.

VP
What do you think about the archdiocese efforts in the renew my church project?

DL
I think the archdiocese is really trying to be responsible for the resources that it has at present. Number one, considering just the changes in people's engagement with the church and experiences. And while the closing of churches and those kinds of realities are always, you know, painful and sometimes discouraging for the faithful, I think. I think the archdiocese is really trying to do its best to, you know, to really focus its efforts and be mindful of how it can best serve the, you know, the larger Chicago community, even if that's, you know, at a loss of some of the, you know, the churches that, you know, just for whatever reason, are not having the, you know, attendance that they need to stay alive and to be cared for. So.

VP
All right, I think I have one final question, and it's a little bit of a two parter for you.

DL
Okay.

VP
So are you worried about the future of the church? And if so, what do you think the church itself can do to alleviate those worries?

DL
Hmm. I'm not. I'm. I'm not so worried about the church in particular. I mean, I think.

DL
I mean, my faith tells me that there. I mean, God is always with us in Jesus Christ. And so that while things change, I mean, and even, like, the realities around in churches and things like that change, that the church will continue to survive in some way, shape or form. I would just hope that, you know, again, what my contributions have been and. And just trying to serve as best as I can that those make a difference.

DL
I mean, I think sometimes you hear that explicitly. Sometimes you just have to rely on the fact that what you're doing is making a difference, and sometimes you don't know that. But as far as what the, you know, I think. I think some of the ways in which the church is trying to engage the world right now. I mean, I think are hopeful for at least trying to encourage people in their faith and also trying to attract people, I mean, through beauty and truth.

DL
And so I think those eternal truths will help keep the church in good stead.

VP
All right, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. It's really nice to have you. I'm going to do something called a room tone, which is basically going to hold the microwave for me for a little bit. Just get the sound of the room for editing purposes. While I'm doing that, I want you to think about one question that I did not ask that you think I should have asked.

DL
Okay. I'm not sure. I mean, the. I guess one of the things maybe would be good to ask is, like, what? But I think I answered it actually, in some ways.

DL
But just like, what your experience of. How your experience of faith has led you to be or led you to this place or to. Or kept me going for 25 years, which is sometimes what I wonder, because it's there. I have known of some other music directors who've been in their positions, you know, for quite a number of years. 25 years is a long time.

DL
I mean, I'm probably about halfway through my life. And so, in general terms, I got an early start. I wasn't even 30 when I started working here. You know that. I mean, it's been a wonderful experience.

DL
I mean, I really love what I'm doing. Not that it's been easy all the time, but again, to be able to. To me, it's been real privilege to be in a community like this one and to facilitate worship and surrounded by such beauty, not only just like in the church itself, but in the people who've come to worship here through the years and their contributions and generosity of spirit and faith. I mean, whether that's, you know, serving as an altar server or, you know, sowing altar appointments, you know, to decorate the church or serving food or providing food for many wonderful receptions that have occurred, you know, through the years, or, you know, helping someone who's fallen or, you know, all those. All those things, you know, someone who reads the scriptures particularly beautifully and well, or sings in that regard, you know, so many, so many things like that.

DL
I just have a lot of gratitude in my heart to God. And thank you, too, for your efforts with this project, which I think is a really important one and important for recording history, helping people to know in the future about, you know, the wonders, wonderful things that have happened here.

VP
All right, thank you so much.

DL
You're welcome, Victoria. Thank you, too.