Windows: The windows are so bad, you can feel the cold wind coming in. They need to be replaced before winter sets in. You can see the windows in the Overview below. Here's what he needs:
15 windows 41" wide by 73" high for the first floor If you know of a supplier who would give a good discount on windows, it would really help. Once we get some prices, maybe we can find individuals to buy just one window so the task doesn't seem so insurmountable. Even now, while the temperature is mild, the heating bill is astronomical. Roof: If we can't afford both the windows and roof, we may have to patch the roof and wait until next year to replace it. But if you know of a good roofer who would be interested in helping out, please send him to the Mission. Tile: The floor needs to be replaced, and Fr. Bob thinks tile would be the best option. The whole place doesn't need to be the same tile. Maybe we'll even do each bedroom different (although that wouldn't be ideal...) If you have surplus tile - maybe left over from a project, please call Fr. Bob asap. Someone donated 160 gallons of paint. Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will have other supplies left over. These are the basic things he needs now. In a week or two, we hope to divide up the 60 or so bedrooms and, perhaps people or groups would want to "Adopt a Room" and make it a little project. If we each do a little bit, together we'll get it done by January 15. So please watch here for more details. |
The big crunch, now, is to get the materials and labor lined up for the Convent renovation, so it will be ready about the same time. It will take a miracle, but miracles are nothing new to the Mission! Thanks to everyone across the nation who is praying for the Mission and signing up for the Dominick's program! THANKS TO EVERYONE! Father Bob could not do it without YOU! |
| KELLY HALL BEFORE |
| So while the world was turning upside down, what was happening at Kelly Hall? |
Mission of Our Lady of the Angels: Construction Update
| There are a lot of little angels just waiting for the Kelly Hall YMCA to open! |
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| The Angelus sung by The Daughters of St. Paul (Click on link, have the sound turned up, and when done viewing hit your "back" button.) |
| KELLY HALL NOW |
| Overview of the Renovation of the Convent! |
The Knights of Columbus are stepping forward to take a portion of the project. Others donated the money to pay for
the baseline drawings of the facility. Fr. Bob thanks God for the various Trades who have been coming in to help, as
they did with the Rectory. Other individuals and companies have contacted Fr. Bob and have been most generous as we
try to get this done by January 15 too. That's only two and a half months away! Yikes!
The economy is slow. Perhaps you have a construction crew that will be idle for a week. Rather than send them home,
think about whether Fr. Bob might be able to use them. Do you have a vendor or supplier that has windows, kitchen
appliances, washers, dryers, or other supplies stockpiled due to the housing downturn? Perhaps he or she would like to
donate the supplies just to move them. Please think how you might fit into this picture and tell us! He needs you.
Fr. Bob anticipates beginning services in Kelly Hall after the first of the year. At that time, it will be critical to have the
Convent renovated in order to house the many service groups that will be coming to volunteer. The tenants vacated
September 1. Then the work will began on the convent.
Various groups stepped forward and volunteered to take pieces of the project. The Knights of Malta volunteered to
renovate the entire Chapel and another portion of the building. They have already started work on the chapel.
Convent renovated in order to house the many service groups that will be coming to volunteer. The tenants vacated
September 1. Then the work will began on the convent.
Various groups stepped forward and volunteered to take pieces of the project. The Knights of Malta volunteered to
renovate the entire Chapel and another portion of the building. They have already started work on the chapel.
Above you see a small sample of the work that needs to be done. If you can't contribute in labor or materials, although he won't ask
for it, Fr. Bob would also be overjoyed for any donations. If your company is fortunate enough to be on target for a good year,
consider making part of your year-end charitable donation now. We are almost done with the hardest part of the work! What a
great Christmas present it would be for our Savior and the people of the neighborhood.
Again-- thank you to EVERYONE who has made it possible to get this far. Your kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.
To become involved in this great work, call Fr. Bob at 773-486-8431.
for it, Fr. Bob would also be overjoyed for any donations. If your company is fortunate enough to be on target for a good year,
consider making part of your year-end charitable donation now. We are almost done with the hardest part of the work! What a
great Christmas present it would be for our Savior and the people of the neighborhood.
Again-- thank you to EVERYONE who has made it possible to get this far. Your kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.
To become involved in this great work, call Fr. Bob at 773-486-8431.
| All of the windows need to be replaced and the exterior needs as much work as the interior. |
| Fr. Bob might not look so cheerful if he has to spend too many hours in this kitchen-- a little too green even for a Notre Dame graduate! |
| The dining room (above) and the hallways need serious work from floor to ceiling. |
Double click on any picture on this page to enlarge. The hit the "back" button on your browser to return to the page you were viewing.
| It was a very unsettling October, as construction continued. Over the last few weeks, many, if not most of us experienced anxiety, worry, and distress as we watched the American and foreign markets sink day after day. We watched our retirement savings dwindle. Some worried about the stability of their banks. We wondered (and still wonder) where is this heading?
Over the last few weeks, many of us experienced what the people in Humboldt Park feel every day. It wasn't fun, was it? Perhaps this experience can be used to give us renewed compassion for our brothers and sisters - good people, caught in difficult times. It can happen to anyone. As we continue in these stressful times, be assured of Fr. Bob's prayers for you, and let's pray for each other, the neighbors we help, those who God will yet guide to the Mission, and Fr. Bob. Pray for the whole Mission family. Remember also the words of St. Teresa of Avila: "Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient." |
A few short months ago, Kelly Hall was a useless building. Now, there is hope and excitement in
Humboldt Park and an almost completed YMCA! The neighbors watched as dumpsters were
moved in, debris was removed from Kelly Hall and demolition of the interior began. They
repeatedly asked when Kelly Hall would completed.
Now we have an answer: SOON!!!
Things are on schedule to be done at Kelly Hall near the beginning of December. Keep praying
that all goes well. We hope to have the grand opening celebration on January 15. Watch here
for details.
| Our Lady of the Angels Watch over and protect all those who come to this Mission for help and all those who make this Mission possible. Amen. |
The new fence is up and trees have been planted! It looks great.
| The sidewalks have been fixed and holes installed for the new trees. The interior was gutted. Above right you see the new entrance. |
Dingy old halls are bright and clean.
| Trash was everywhere. It was removed and hauled away. |
| New rooms were constructed or remodeled. Above- the new food pantry. Above right- Fr. Bob's office. Right- new offices for program personnel. |
Old electrical and plumbing - gone.
| New plumbing and electric. Fr. Bob is thrilled! |
| The Holy Family has moved on... |
| You know this is what the kids are waiting for - the GYM! But Seniors will have exercise programs here too. |
| Old bathroom and hallways. |
| Everything is bright and cheery. Stairwell and new lockers. |
| Waiting.... |
| The Convent Update: |
Scroll down for the Overview of the Convent renovation.
| "On a Sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who had invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:12-14. |
| Immediate needs: |
Waiting....