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Minutes: Sunday, March 8, 2009
Meeting with Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Question 1: What is good or what good is happening for St. Therese Community?
Comments from the group:
- We are sharing our faith with others
- There is a renewed involvement of the youth
- There is more celebrations of our faith
- People at St. Therese seem to respect one another. To me when I am here it seems like my second family.
- During the last five years, participation in the church has increased
- Parishioners participation is from a diverse group
- I was Baptized here, left and came back to return to my roots.
- Fr. Michael gave us parking spaces.
- The Parish Priests welcome all people including the many ethnic groups.
- Fr. Michael prepares delicious food including the Fish Fry and we come together with good food to share our faith.
- When I came here from N.Y. I really felt accepted by Fr. Michael.
Comments from Bishop Siller:
Bishop Siller affirmed the people’s response saying, “I am hearing you say that there is a greater vision taking place at here St. Therese.”
Comments from Catholic School Students:
- Teachers are supportive
- Teachers are teaching us about God
- We participate in thing that are happening at the church
Comments from the group:
- We maintain our Chinese heritage in many ways including a Chinese Bible Study, an annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Church and the annual Chinese New Year dinner/dance/silent auction at a local restaurant.
- Inside St. Therese Church there is an atmosphere of sacredness and respect to our Chinese ancestors.
Comments from Ms. Cavalone:
- School students are involved in Alms Giving through several service projects this Lent, including Rice Bowl, Children’s Hope (building two wells for a community in India), and Dollars for Dreams Campaign (helping the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria).
- Students do service projects that include cleaning the church
- Eighth grade students are involved in the before and after safety drop-off/pick-up program.
- The older students positive modeling has trickled down from the 8th grade to the younger students
Comments from the group:
- One person stated “I’m only harvesting what those before me sowed. I see the formation of what the Sisters have planted and how it continues.”
Comments from Fr. Michael:
- “Holy Histories!” Fr. Michael stated, “So many people have done great work here. Sr. Linda started the Legion of Mary at St. Therese because of the great work the Legion of Mary did in China.”
- “We have different Bible study groups meeting.”
- “We also celebrate the Stations of the Cross. In 2000 the attendance included Henry Lee, myself and the cat at Stations of the Cross. I am happy to say that now there is a large number who attend.”
Comments from the group:
- The CCD program has a group of faithful volunteers.
- Fr. Michael bridges the dialog with the Buddhist and the community
- Everyone is friendly. I am grateful for the RCIA classes after mass. My husband will become a Catholic on Easter.
Question 2: What are some of the problems?
Comments from the group:
- Parking! It’s difficult to come because there is nowhere to park
- Expansion of the school is needed. “Landlocked”
- Cost and maintenance of the old buildings a major challenge
- How can we teach young people the connection between religion and science? We need people knowledgeable with science and religion.
- I don’t see the connection between religion and science a problem.
- St. Therese School offers a good education to 250 kids but the religion part appears to be second. They need to connect in order to encourage the children to practice their faith.
- Most of the students aren’t Catholic
- St. Therese has always had a neighborhood problem. We need to include the larger community.
- The Missionary Priests have kept the church alive.
- A major thing that is wrong is that many doctors come here to receive their education and then go to another place to receive their religion.
- We need to be more visible in politics
Summary: “If you want to go forward what do you think is needed here?”
- Vocations
- Because of our families, ancestors and roots it is important to have a Chinese priest here. What is the process to get a Chinese priest?
- Fr. Michael has been patient to stay here so long and we are grateful, but how do we continue/keep the good work of the church and community after he is gone?
- Fr. Michael’s response, “It is not the Priest that makes the difference. It is the community. You are the drive. Little by little we all switch roles. One problem I have is that we need to break down the barriers. We have to look beyond the box!”
- Consolidate with universities. CTU has so many priests, is it possibly for them to work with us?
- Bishop Siller, “We must encourage Vocations. We need to pray for vocations and encourage vocations within our families.”
- Parking, expansion and maintenance
- We need to have more parking spaces so more people will come.
- Discounted local parking
- More classrooms in the school
- Maintenance of school and church
- Religious involvement and awareness
- More educational programs for the parents
- Ways to get parents involved
- Way to bring Youth Ministry to our church
- How can the Archdiocese of Chicago help us to connect so others are aware of St. Therese in Chinatown
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