Remember My Church

Items

• An Interview Deacon Paul Spalla
  Deacon Paul Spalla is a resident deacon at St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church in Andersonville, Chicago. In this interview he discusses the merger of St. Gregory with St. Ita and St. Thomas into Mary, Mother of God parish, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the parish, the diversity and personal connections found in the congregations, and his personal experiences with the church. Joining St. Gregory shortly before the merger which was quickly followed by the pandemic, Deacon Paul Spalla recounts the parish’s difficulties he faced early on. He goes back through the church’s history as well, discussing the shifting of diversity amongst ethnicities and sexual orientations over time in the denomination. He shares interactions with specific parishioners to demonstrate the warmth and respect found at St. Gregory. He finishes the interview discussing the beauty of the church. Deacon Paul Spall also plays the organ, and has a history of playing at St. Gregory. He shared his playing for the interview.
• Saint Ita Interview with Ed Stranc
  In this interview with Saint Ita parishioner, Ed Stranc, we discuss all things Saint Ita. Specifically, we discussed his time at the church, his lifetime involvement with the parish, his thoughts about Mary, Mother of God, and the role of social media and religion in today's society. Having held multiple positions of power in the parish, Ed Stranc is very dedicated to supporting St. Ita and now Mary, Mother of God. He praises the diversity which has permeated St. Ita and Mary, Mother of God his whole life. A pertinent issue discussed is the reforms needed in how the Catholic Church operates with dwindling numbers and funds. He praises the aid and change the Friars have brought to the parish. Stranc was a vocal supporter of the merger, knowing that the church would not survive without change. He was even directly involved in the initial connections with St. Thomas. The main issue the parish is facing today is a struggle with bringing in youth.
• Dennis Donelon Interview
  This is an oral history interview with Dennis Donelon, who has been volunteering with the soup kitchen at St. Thomas for over 20 years. The interviewer is Kasey Ohn, with Roman Rosari, Charles Bevenour, and Kylie Miller offering questions as well. Dennis discusses his history with the soup kitchen: he goes into his son's passing and mental health struggles which motivated him to volunteer at a soup kitchen to honor his memory. He also discusses the soup kitchen and it's history, as well as what sets it apart from others in the area, as well as offering advice on what he has taken away from the years with the Church.
• St. Ita's Game Night
  To keep a sense of community throughout the three parishes, Mary, Mother of God Parish creates different and fun events to engage with their parishioners. In this picture, parishioners are having a fun evening playing Monopoly and card games at St. Ita's rectory. This event was mainly targeted at the young adults of the parishes. Members from each parish were more than welcomed to join and enjoy their evening playing fun games.
• Canterbury House Dinner
  Canterbury House, a parish ministry created in the wake of the Mary, Mother of God merger, is hosted in St. Thomas of Canterbury Church and serves as a mutual aid organization modeled after the Catholic Worker movement. Canterbury House Director James Murphy with help from parishioners has been holding a homecooked weekly Wednesday dinner for migrants, many of whom are staying in local shelters. This current project emphasizes the need to accept and care for those in need, particularly migrants.
• Choral Mass at St. Gregory Church
  Demonstrating St. Gregory's longstanding dedication to celebrating the role of sacred art, music, and culture in Catholic veneration, this annunciation choral mass photographed April 8, 2024 exists among countless other unique performances held at St. Gregory's Hall.
• St. Ita's Pancake Breakfast
  St. Ita's church hosts many events on the behalf of Mary, Mother of God for both parishioners and non parishioners alike; one of their more popular events is their Pancake breakfast. Parishioners are invited to gather after Sunday mass and eat breakfast with one another. This event was hosted in March of 2024 by the Knights of Columbus, a charitable Catholic fraternal organization. The breakfast serves as a way to keep the parish community alive and united, as well as to get Parishioners who perhaps may come from one of the two other parishes to get to know each other. The breakfast also serves to further St. Ita's longstanding tradition as a fund raising center for its community, and now for the whole Mary, Mother of God parish.
• St. Gregory's Arts and Cultural Center
  Pictured is a session at St. Gregory's Hall Parish Arts and Cultural Center. This is a center which promotes Catholic culture and social teaching through art and music. Anyone is welcomed and encouraged to join. It provides a place for Parishioners to unwind and practice their Catholic culture through music and art.
• St. Thomas Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
  In this picture, volunteers are pictured at St Thomas of Canterbury's soup kitchen and food pantry, located at 4827 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, Il. Warm meals are served to guests every Tuesday and Friday evening. St Thomas of Canterbury's soup kitchen is always looking for volunteers and can contact Jennifer through the Mary, Mother of God website.
• The Franciscans of St. Thomas
  Though each of the three churches that formed Mary, Mother of God Parish each had their own religious leaders, the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Saint Bonaventure Province now staff all three churches. As such, decorations recognizing the work of Franciscans now adorns the walls of all of the churches. This image is from a wall in St. Thomas of Canterbury church where two framed photographs are on display. The top one is a black and white photograph of a smiling man wearing the black robe customary of a Franciscan Friar. A small typed label under it reads "Servant of God Casimir Cypher, Conventional Franciscan Martyr of Honduras". The frame surrounding this photograph is black with some white painted decoration around the edges. The bottom photograph is approximately the same size, also in a black frame. This one is in color and depicts two smiling men in similar uniforms to the above. They are standing in a bright, sunny place in front of some faded green foliage. The caption underneath this photograph reads "Bl. Michal Tomaszek & Bl. Zbigniew Strzalkowski, Conventional Franciscan Martyrs of Peru".
• Orthodox-style Icon of Mary and Jesus
  This photograph is of a display at St. Thomas of Canterbury. There is a table with a blue and gold tablecloth and on top of it five gold crosses in a row. In front of the middle one is a display of several small blue glass cups, all of which are empty. The left side of the table is obscured by an offscreen plant display. Above the table is a painting of Mary and baby Jesus in a distinctly Orthodox style. Mary and Jesus are both wearing crowns and flanked by small angels on either side. Next to Jesus are the letters "IC XC", a Greek notation for Jesus Christ. Next to Mary is the letters "MP OY", a Greek notation for Mother of God. This artwork is inlaid in a wooden frame and mounted on a shelf protruding from the wall, which is covered in a small white fabric with gold edges. Surrounding the whole thing is a large blue painted square, with small painted shields on each corner.
• Icon of Mary with candles
  This is a photograph taken of a display in St. Thomas of Canterbury. There is an artwork of Mary and Jesus in a frame and underneath it an array of electric candles for people to 'light', of which some are on. The artwork is a piece of textile art in a Latin American style. In it, Mary is wearing a blue shawl with gold stars on it over a pink robe. She is praying and her eyes are closed. Underneath Mary is baby Jesus, wearing magenta. His arms are outstretched and he has a joyful expression. Only the top half of him is visible because the artwork is cut off by a few inches of fringe or unraveling thread on the top and bottom. Surrounding both Mary and Jesus is a two-toned gold halo, and behind them is a white background of the fabric on which the artwork was made.
• Interiors of St. Thomas of Canterbury
  These are two pictures of the interior of St. Thomas of Canterbury. The first is a picture of the altar decorated for Easter, with plants like Easter lilies spread out around it. The altar is empty with a white tablecloth on it with gold decorations. Behind it is a gold pyx, or communion box, flanked on either side with a little flower arrangement. Behind the pyx is a statue of Jesus on a pedestal, holding a cross draped with a white fabric. Encircling the altars is several white and gold pillars, holding up an arch partially obscured by a lit chandelier. On the white arch is the sentence "Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus" in gold with decorative crosses on either side. The second picture shows the pews, which are dark brown wood, and part of the ceiling, which is made up of several large square tiles held up by blue, white, and gold pillars. Some of the ceiling tiles have fans or chandeliers hanging from them.
• Religious Icons in St. Thomas of Canterbury
  This is a set of 3 images of a wall in St Thomas of Canterbury and the artworks on it. The first is the wall in full, with four distinct artworks. On top is a statue of Mary and baby Jesus, both sitting on a throne and wearing crowns. Jesus is also holding a bible and Mary is holding a flower. Below that statue to the left and right are paintings of saints praying. They are each labeled in their Latin names. On the left is "Sanct Ioann Wall" (Saint John Wall) and "Sanct Ioann Iones" (Saint John Jones). On the right is "Sanct Thom More" (Saint Thomas More) and "Sanct Ioann Fisher" (Saint John Fisher). These two artworks are shown in detail in the second and third images. Beneath both of them in the middle is a painting of a religious service with several people in prayer and priests. In front of that painting is two white orchids.
• St. Thomas Beckett Drawing in St. Thomas
  This is a picture of a colored pencil drawing taken from a room in the rectory of St. Thomas of Canterbury. In it, St. Thomas is laying on the ground with a broken and bloodstained sword on his neck, representing his martyrdom. Instead of a body is a stylized version of the name Beckett in all red, which is another name for this saint. To the top left of him is the name St. Thomas and to the top right is a crowd of people with weapons. In the bottom right is a short bit of notation, reading "61/72, JAZ, 70". Around St. Thomas in faint text is a quote near his head with blood spilling onto it. It reads "I give my life to the law of God above the law of man those who do not the same how should they know what I do? How should you know what I do?" and an attribution to T.S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral"
• Martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury
  This is an image in St. Thomas of Canterbury Church depicting the namesake saint's murder. In it, St. Thomas is praying with the top of his head cut off by the threatening soldiers around him, and his mitre and part of his head is bleeding out on the ground. Above the artwork is a plaque reading "Martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury, In Memory of Delia Pluemer, Dedicated November 29, 2009."
• Interview with Christopher Grant: Lifelong St. Gregory's Parishioner and Credit Union Chairman
  Lifelong St. Gregory’s parishioner and credit union chairman Christopher Grant provides insight into the credit union and life as a member since the 60s. Grant’s community has always been centered around St. Gregory’s since he started school there as a child. He has been heavily involved his whole life, holding various positions of power such as Chairman of the Finance Council and President of the Parish Council. He discusses his experience running the St. Gregory’s credit union for the past 35 years and their dedication to running a faith based organization. Grant also details some of the challenges the credit union has faced since the merger into Mary, Mother of God. He has many ideas for outreach and attracting more members. He shares his hopes for St. Gregory’s future, wanting more people to experience the church he calls home.
• Oral History of Fr. Alejandro
  Fr. Alejandro, a conventual Franciscan and pastor at Mary, Mother of God, discusses the impact of the merger, the conventual Franciscans, his own personal struggles, and how the church has grown as a result of the merger. He shares how Mary, Mother of God has provided a space for the Franciscans to perform their mystery to a larger community, connecting them to their roots. He discusses the challenges that come with operating a parish with multiple churches, especially being unable to help everyone. The diversity within the parish has grown immensely, and each church brings their own specialities. Despite not having interest in being a pastor, Fr. Alejandro came in when the parish was in need. He discusses the difficulties that come with being in charge of administering help and making the best choices for the parish. He concludes by sharing the importance of the Franciscan order.
• Stephanie Held Oral History
  In this oral history, I decided to interview Stephanie Held, church coordinator at Mary, Mother of God Parish. In this interview, Stephanie discussed the future of the three parishes as one, the reactions to the merging of the parishes, and much more. Stephanie was a great candidate for our Remember My Church project due to her closeness to not only the parishes but also to the parishioners. Stephanie herself attends all three parishes and therefore has her own opinions on this topic. She believes the Mary, Mother of God parish has a bright, positive future and gives us insight into parish events.
• Stained Glass Windows of St. Ita
  The stained glass at St. Ita are a main staple of the church with them being present from inside and outside of the church. The stained glass is made with over six million individually stained glass pieces. The imagery depicted allows for people to understand the story of Christ if they are not able to read or are not familiar with the story of Christ. The art was part of the church designed by Henry J. Schlacks. The stained glass windows give a wonderful glow when the light hits them and shine through, representing God's light shining on the parishioners within. The St. Ita site on the Mary, Mother of God website gives a detailed account of each and every stained glass window that is present in the church.
• St. Gregory's Architectural Facts
  Brochure/info sheet given to church visitors at St. Gregory the Great with information about the historic building, items in the church, and some of the physical features of the church that make it unique. Much of the original build and decorations remain with the church today. Many items were imported from Germany and hand carved and painted. Despite the changing demographics of the church, the influence of the culture of the first parishioners is still seen in the interior. It was very important to the original churchgoers that the architecture and art of the church remained in a traditional northern European/German style.
• St. Gregory's Podium
  This is the podium used in St Gregory the Great church services. It was hand carved out of wood in Germany in the early 20th century. It has been at the church since it was first built. The podium features a spiral staircase and multiple saints carved around including the one pictured. It was one of the most detailed works of functional art I saw at the church.
• St. Gregory the Great Church in Andersonville
  This is a photo of the exterior of St. Gregory the Great church. Built in 1904 and commissioned by Luxembourgers, the church has served the neighborhood of Andersonville for over a century. It was built in the Norman Gothic architectural style, making it a beautiful example of the Gothic Revival architectural movement in Chicago.
• Sarah Crow Oral History Clip
  Sarah Crow was interviewed due to her connection to and position as the artist- in- residence at St. Gregory the Great parish in Chicago, IL. Crow is a Catholic artist and contributes to the parish in many ways such as conducting tours and holding art workshops. In this interview, she was asked primarily about her role at the church and how she contributes to the community. She was able to provide an abundance of information about the history of art and architecture of St. Gregory the Great. Additionally, she describes the continued tradition of art at the parish, St. Gregory being labeled the “arts and cultural center” of the three parishes affiliated with Mary, Mother of God. In this clip, she answers the question; Can you recall a favorite memory or story involving your time as the artist in residence, perhaps teaching one of those classes?
• St Thomas Pulpit
  This is an image of the pulpit at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church. It is the focal point of the Mass, at which prayers are delivered and the Eucharist is performed. It is often redecorated to coincide with the current season in the liturgical year. The arch of the pulpit is framed to focus on the crucifixion of Jesus, the core of Catholic beliefs.