An Interview Deacon Paul Spalla

Title: An Interview Deacon Paul Spalla
Description: 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.
Interviewer: Genevieve Schaafsma
Narrator: Deacon Paul Spalla
Date: April 24, 2024
Language: English
Is Part Of: Mary, Mother of God Roman Catholic Parish
Denomination: en Roman Catholic Church
City: Chicago
Neighborhood: en Andersonville; en Edgewater; en Uptown
Creator: Genevieve Schaafsma

Media: Transcription of Interview with Paul Salla; Audio of Interview with Deacon Paul Spalla; Recording of Paul Spalla Playing the Organ