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Mission of Our Lady of the Angels

Kelly Hall - From Start to Finish

This is what we posted in April 2007 about Kelly Hall:
"Once renovated it will house programs for seniors
and kids. A lot of work is needed to make this dream a
reality for the neighborhood."

Do you remember what it looked like then? Dreams do
come true.

Renovation began in late summer 2008, and proceeded quickly and efficiently
such that Kelly Hall was completely renovated in time for a Christmas Party
for the neighborhood and the grand opening on January 15, 2009.

The children
of Humboldt
Park now
have a much
better chance
for a bright
future, away
from drugs
and violence.

Their parents
received the
gift of hope
last Christmas.

A much better alternative to the streets!

As the command center
for our contractor got
smaller and smaller as
the project comes to an
end, we thanked the
Ryan Companies for a job
well done and ahead of
schedule!

Thank you also to all
those who prayed for the
successful renovation
and the volunteers who
continue the work on the
third phase of the project:
the Convent renovation.

Jan. 15, 2009- the Grand Opening of the
Kelly Hall --
the story of a Partnership that evolved into a
family.

It started with one person
who brought together the
leaders of the Metropolitan
Chicago YMCA (left), the
Greater Chicago Food
Depository (right) and the
Archdiocese of Chicago
(below.)

Oh, yeah, and
Father Bob....

And hundreds of volunteers came
week after week, month after
month, to help with the operation
of the Mobile Food Pantry, the
renovation of the Convent, work
around the rectory and do
whatever else needed to be done
while Kelly Hall was being built.

They didn't have a plan,...

...but, they did have
objectives:

To have a Catholic presence
in this area of Chicago;
to feed the hungry; and
to rebuild hope.

Oh, yeah, and they had
Father Bob....

Then the pieces of the puzzle began to come together as if
being put in place by a Divine hand.

Alderman, Walter Burnett, Jr.
threw his full support behind the
project and worked hard to help
make the dream come true.

His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George blessed the new YMCA.
Angela read the following Scripture passage:

When the son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.

And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.'

Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'

And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine,
you did for me.'

Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'

Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.'

And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

(Matthew 25:31-46)

WHAT MORE IS THERE TO SAY?

Have a most blessed day, and thanks again to all in the Mission family.

The Ryan Companies team threw their
hearts and souls into the project and
delivered an immaculate project on time.

On January 15, 2009, we believe the Lord looked
down from Heaven and was pleased,
and those of us present heard the angels sing.

MORE KELLY HALL
BEFORE

A lot of little angels were just waiting for the Kelly Hall to open!

MORE KELLY HALL IN PROGRESS

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.

Dingy old halls are bright and clean.

Trash was
everywhere. It
was removed
and hauled away.

Above- the new food
pantry.

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...

Old bathroom
and hallways.

Everything is bright and cheery.
Stairwell and new lockers.

Waiting....

In December 2008, we finally saw the results of much hard work as the
new community center became a reality. On December 20, Fr. Bob, the
new YMCA Staff and a ton of volunteers threw the first Christmas Party
for the neighbors.

The Kelly Hall is a symbol of hope in Humboldt Park.
The doors officially opened for business on January 5, 2009.
Do you think it is making a difference in the lives of the people you see below?

Friendly YMCA Staff greeted
all of the guests.

Fr. Bob introduced Steve Cole, CEO
of the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA,
who welcomed the neighbors.

Stan Lewis, the Executive Director
of the Kelly Hall YMCA introduced
some of his staff to the crowd.

And the neighbors were
THRILLED to be there!

....taking his first jump shot in
the new gym.

....seriously working on the first of many future art projects.

...helping
Joseph with
his artwork.

Fr. Bob says, "How can you look at these beautiful faces and not believe that
they deserve a chance for a good future? How can you not love them?"

...leading the
crowd in
Christmas
carols.

Click HERE for a
message from
Fr. Bob from the
party.

As you wonder what is in store for you in 2009
and think about what work God might want you to do,
think about these words delivered by Bono at the
National Prayer Breakfast a couple years ago.

Remember, with God, all things are possible.

You can reach Fr. Bob Lombardo at (773) 486-8431.

He said, "Stop asking God to
bless what you're doing.
Get involved in what God is
doing - because it's already
blessed."

If you are reading this page,
we bet there's a good chance
you are meant to become part
of the Mission family if you
aren't already.
Join us.
Surely it is God's work and
already blessed.

Before

AFTER!