LUMEN
For friends of the Archdiocese of Chicago
TOGETHER WE BRING LIGHT
Promises and pathways to happiness in a troubled world
WHO WE ARE
The Archdiocese of Chicago serves around two million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries. This local church is pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, assisted by six episcopal vicars, each responsible for a vicariate (region).
Our Mission
We provide opportunities for our parishes and the people of our local communities to put faith into action. It’s through our initiatives and programs that we seek the faith formation of others, and encourage people to deepen their faith in Christ and live as disciples through each aspect of life.
The 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal theme in which Pope Leo XIV proclaims “Together we bring light” graces St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish’s rectory façade. The sign is seen by thousands of commuters along the Kennedy Expressway each day. Established in 1867 on what was then farmland, the parish sits at Noble and Potomac streets near Milwaukee Avenue.
Brendan Keating, JD Chief Development Officer
312.534.5271
bkeating@archchicago.org
Melissa M. Babcock, CFRE Senior Director of Development 312.534.8197
mbabcock@archchicago.org
Barbara Shea Collins Director, Annual Catholic Appeal
312.534.7944
bcollins@archchicago.org
Jose Piñones Director of Giving
312.534.8278
jpinones@archchicago.org
Carla Beecher Editor, Lumen magazine
Front cover: Natalie Battaglia
Natalie Battaglia Photography
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Thank you for your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Very likely, you do not even realize all the good that comes from your support. With your help, the archdiocese is able to help parishes and schools in need, foster religious education for children and ministerial formation for those who serve the Church, uphold the dignity of all people and their precious right to life, and help the helpless throughout the world through Catholic Relief Services. Your financial contributions really do make a difference in the lives of so many people. The theme of this year’s Appeal expresses it well: Together we bring light.
As you have been generous with your financial support, I also encourage your generosity in sharing your time and talents with a world in need. Whether it is in your family or your workplace or your local community or even the wider world, you can serve and bring light to others. This may sound like a daunting task, and you may wonder where to begin. Allow me to offer you some suggestions — real steps you can consider taking to equip yourself to share your talents and time as a light for this world so troubled by darkness.
The first step is to pray. Pray “Thy will be done” and pray that God will let you know what you are to do. Listen to the Lord who speaks inside of us and through others.
Another essential foundation for our service involves forming ourselves in union with the mind of the Church. In a particular way, we need to become familiar with the Church’s teachings about the human person and the needs of our world. The best place to begin is with is the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. It reads “the signs of the times,” that is, indicators of the needs, struggles, and possibilities of our world in our moment. The Constitution then takes up important themes, such as family life, justice and peace in our world, and the right way to establish human priorities. Study and personal reflection on this document could be an effective starting point for exploring our commitments in the world.
Finally, as you consider sharing your time and talents in service of the Gospel in order to bring light to the world, realize that you do not do this alone. We do this together, as a Church and as a community of faith. As part of our archdiocesan renewal, I hope and dream of a time when we will readily come together in our parishes, walk together in faith, discern together what the Lord wants us to do, and take action together to accomplish his will. This is nothing more than the vision of synodality.
May God bless your generosity to the Annual Catholic Appeal. And may God lead you forward to share yourself generously in your service as a light to the world.
Cyndy Flores-Mocarski/ Chicago Catholic
What is special about Catholic funerals?
A few years ago, I participated in an ecumenical and interfaith gathering of Catholic and Orthodox priests, Protestant ministers, and Jewish rabbis from the Chicago metro area to share our experiences of funerals celebrated with our respective congregations. Practices ranged from absolutely fixed and unchangeable rituals to free-for-alls that might even include roasting the deceased. No priest, minister, or rabbi was completely happy with the way funerals unfolded. Across denominational lines, we could claim a consensus that certain values needed to be shored up for the celebration of funerals — comfort for the grieving family and friends, respect for the faith tradition, loving remembrance of the deceased, and — if necessary — some movement in the direction of healing for broken or frayed relationships.
This experience led me to reflect more deeply on our Catholic funeral tradition. Our practice includes three stations or stages in the full ritual: the vigil or wake service, the funeral Mass (sometimes mistakenly called the “Mass of Resurrection”), and the burial or committal at the cemetery. Our funerals are not what is — again, mistakenly — called “a celebration of life.” Certainly, as I will explain, the life of the deceased is remembered, but in a much larger context than that of our life on earth. If we focus on the funeral Mass, certain key elements become clear.
The funeral Mass has to do with grief. Clearly, death brings with it a sense of loss accompanied by sadness. The liturgy acknowledges
that sense of loss and grief but also affirms that it does not have the last word. The prayers and words of Scripture echo the thoughts of Paul writing to the Thessalonians: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)
In addition to facing the grief that follows death, the funeral Mass is also an act of gratitude. At the end of a loved one’s life, we lift up to God our thanks. That gratitude certainly is directed to the good things that God has poured into the life of his deceased servant. There are many gifts and graces that mark our lives, beginning with the very gift of life itself. The ritual directs homilists to speak about how the mystery of Christ worked in the life of the deceased. That is, of course, the great gift that needs both recognition and heartfelt thanksgiving.
Another significant feature of the funeral Mass includes prayers for the deceased. The practice of praying for the dead is common but often not well understood. Why do we pray for the dead? The prayer that we make is clear and focused. We pray that they may be ready to be received by the Lord and see him face to face. Many of us die with loose ends and unfinished business in our lives. We stand in need of purification, of being readied, to be able to see the God of absolute love face to face. The teaching about purgatory, a
hope-filled journey of purification, is exactly about that. And we the living as well as those who have already entered the heavenly kingdom can pray for those who go through this process of purification. We ask the Lord to make them ready and to receive them quickly.
The last and the most important element of the funeral Mass is a resounding affirmation of our faith and hope. The words of Scripture and the prayers of the Mass focus us on our faith in the power of the Risen Lord who brings us to new life and is the source of our hope. These are the powerful words of the liturgy that express this faith and hope:
In Christ our Lord the hope of blessed resurrection has dawned,
that those saddened by the certainty of dying might be consoled by the promise of immortality to come.
Indeed, for your faithful, Lord, life is changed, not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.
Father Louis J. Cameli, STD, is the cardinal’s delegate for Christian formation and mission for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Natalie Battaglia Photography
St. Moses the Black
The parish of St. Moses the Black is located on Chicago’s South Side at 71st and Calumet. The parish patron is a fascinating figure who deserves to be more widely known.
Moses, a Black African, was born in Nubia in the fourth century. Contemporaries report that he was a giant of a man endowed with great strength. He was also enslaved. At a certain point, Moses (like his namesake in the book of Exodus) murdered a man. His master banished him, and he joined a gang of 75 robbers and pillagers who terrified communities in the Nile valley of Egypt.
After a robbery gone wrong, Moses sought refuge with a colony of monks in Scetis in the Egyptian desert and near the city of Alexandria. His encounter with the monks, who radiated a kind of peace and dedication he had never known, had a powerful impact on him. In fact, his experience with the monks led him to abandon his old way of life, be baptized, and join them. In time, these monks and corresponding groups of women came to be known as the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert. They represented a strong spiritual movement from the third through the fifth centuries that was dedicated to living the Christian life in a radical form.
What were these men and women looking for as they went out into the desert? The great 20thcentury writer and Trappist monk Thomas Merton says this about them in his book The Wisdom of the Desert: “What the Fathers sought most of all was their own true self, in Christ. And in order to do this, they had to reject completely the false, formal self,
fabricated under social compulsion in ‘the world.’ They sought a way to God that was uncharted and freely chosen, not inherited from others who had mapped it out beforehand. They sought a God whom they alone could find, not one who was ‘given’ in a set stereotyped form by somebody else.”
Back to St. Moses. His conversion and his embrace of the monastic life in the desert did not signal an end to his struggles. He continued to grapple with temptation in his life. At one point, he confessed to Abba Isidore a torturous temptation to fornication. With the guidance of Abba Isidore, Moses stayed the course and moved forward. Similarly, his violent and confrontational past did not completely abandon him. One day robbers came to the monastery, and he thrashed them and later brought them to the other monks. In fact, they, too, became members of the community. In the process, Moses moved to live in a nonviolent way. Moses grew, and he changed. Eventually, under the guidance of Abba Isidore, he was ordained a priest. He grew in wisdom, the wisdom for which the Desert Fathers were famous. In his case, wisdom stemmed particularly from his steady awareness that he was a forgiven sinner. That consciousness shaped his interactions with others. There is a famous story about him that illustrates how deeply his personal
awareness of sin and forgiveness molded his outlook and behavior. The story is taken from the Christian spiritual classic The Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
“A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, ‘Come, for everyone is waiting for you.’ So, he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with him. The others came out to meet him and said to him, ‘What is this, Father?’ The old man said to them, ‘My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.’ When they heard that, they said no more to the brother but forgave him.”
St. Moses, in the end, is not only a saint of great wisdom who drew from his profound experience of God’s grace and forgiveness; he also reveals our capacity, enabled by God’s grace, to be completely transformed. In that he is a most remarkable saint of undying hope.
Public domain.
St. Sophia Cathedral, Novgorod Museum.
Saint Moses the Black icon, 15th century
COMMUNICATION IS EVANGELIZATION
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PROMISES AND PATHWAYS TO HAPPINESS IN A TROUBLED WORLD
Everyone wants to be happy. And yet, we seem to suffer a pandemic of discontent, melancholy and dissatisfaction. The rich and famous, no less than the poor and struggling, cannot claim to be happy, and certainly, not fully satisfied. The pursuit of happiness along the pathways of acquiring money, power, prestige, and position all turn out to be dead ends in the long term.
There is a terrible mismatch between what we so deeply desire and what we are able to achieve. We are destined, it seems, to be forever frustrated. We can never reach what we really want. Across history, different schools of philosophy and various religious traditions have sought to address this riddle of human existence. Our own Christian tradition that draws on the teachings of Jesus offers a remarkable and realistic take on the possibility of happiness.
It starts at the very beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. Mark describes that beginning: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” (Mark 1:14–15) The coming of that kingdom means that God is reclaiming his sovereignty in this broken and wounded world and that he is bringing us into a fulfillment that exceeds anything that we can imagine or hope for. It is surely God’s kingdom, but it is also our true and lasting happiness.
A note of realism colors the promise of the kingdom. Although this kingdom is at hand or coming, it has not fully arrived. In Jesus Christ, God’s kingdom has begun its irrevocable entrance and claim on our world. But still we pray “thy Kingdom come,” because it has not fully taken hold of our lives and our world. The kingdom is ahead of us. In the meantime, God invites us to accept that kingdom and its claims. God also invites us to make a pathway for the full coming of the kingdom by living our lives well and making our world ready through our works of mercy, compassion, justice, peace, and — above all — love.
The beatitudes, especially as we find them in chapter five of St. Matthew’s gospel, give us specific pathways for welcoming God’s kingdom and finding our true and lasting happiness. The beatitudes, as we will see, are promises about the future, but they are clearly and realistically grounded in human experience as we know it right now, in this moment.
Each of the eight beatitudes begins, “blessed are …” These words translate the original Greek makarios, which can mean blessed or fortunate or — more specifically to our concern — happy. The beatitudes then give us a key to claiming the kingdom of God and our happy fulfillment in that kingdom. The first four beatitudes identify significant human experiences now, and then project into the future and a much different experience. The second four beatitudes focus more on ways of living life now, and then project into a reconfigured future. We can consider each beatitude and begin to explore the meaning and possibilities of happiness.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When we recognize our fundamental poverty, our basic inability to marshal the resources to control our lives and determine the outcomes that we so desire, then things open for us. The kingdom of heaven, which is to say God’s kingdom, is not something we can lay hold of. It belongs to those who recognize and live by their dependence on God, not on their own resources.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
All of us are touched by loss or some grief or pain. Our instinct is to fill up the void left by the loss with something or to somehow escape the consequent grief and pain. When we mourn in faith, when we realistically accept the loss and hold it in God’s providence, we come to know that it is not the last word. Our God will indeed comfort us and lift us up in ways that we cannot imagine.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
The meek are not merely passive bystanders in life. They do not, however, push themselves into life’s affairs with a drive to control outcomes and establish their own supremacy. The meek — again in faith — keep watch and listen. They allow God’s designs to emerge in this world. Because of this, they will indeed inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
The hunger or deep desire for righteousness is a longing for justice accompanied by truth and mercy. That justice leads to genuine peace. Those who translate their hunger and thirst for righteousness into action in the great and small gestures of their lives will find fulfillment. And beyond fulfillment of their desire, they will find themselves in God’s kingdom of righteousness.
The last four beatitudes describe ways of living that capture even now, as we make our earthly journey, our future in the kingdom of God. They are both expressions and pathways of God’s kingdom. We are invited to embrace and commit ourselves to these ways of living.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
In God’s kingdom, mercy and compassion reign supreme. It could not be otherwise, because we have come to know our God as the all-merciful one. When we extend mercy and compassion to others, we anticipate the life of the kingdom. Even more, we will receive in greater measure what we have given. God’s mercy is not earned, deserved or merited. It is sheer grace, a gift. Our merciful living must move in that same direction in our dealings with others.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Who are the pure or clean of heart? They are the ones who live honestly, transparently. They prize truth, and they avoid anything that would obscure it. They are focused on the one necessary thing, their service to the Lord. Their hearts are not cluttered, distracted, or moving in a thousand different directions. Their hearts are pure and simple. Living in this way prepares them for their full life in the kingdom of God, where they will see their Lord face to face.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. From the moment that sin entered the world through the sin of our first parents, God has been reconciling himself with humanity, making peace with those he created. In his love for us, he cannot let us be alienated from him and from each other. So, he
makes peace endlessly until we are fully reconciled. Peacemakers imitate their Creator as they seek reconciliation. They truly are children of God and happy sharers in his kingdom.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Those who are persecuted endure suffering and insult. There is no happiness or blessedness in that passive endurance. The true blessing and the promised happiness flow from active persistence and perseverance in the face of persecution and suffering. That is faithful endurance. It expresses and ever-purer love and opens a pathway to full entrance into the kingdom of God.
We began with an important question: Is happiness within reach in this broken world? We then turned to Jesus, who preached the beatitudes, promises and pathways that lead to true happiness. As we reflect on the beatitudes, things become clearer. The movement to true happiness coincides with moving beyond our often self-enclosed egos, accepting in freedom our responsibility to act, loving others, and entrusting ourselves to the mystery of God even when life hurts. Our movement to true and full happiness in the future in the kingdom of God can and does coexist with suffering now. Still, we continue to move forward because of the power of his reliable word of promise.
Meekness, Justice, Mercy by Eustache Le Sueur (French, 1617–1655), from the Eight Beatitudes series, 1650.
Art Institute of Chicago
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg
Private collection
Building bridges through friendship, service and faith
Many parishes throughout the archdiocese have a long history of sharing their resources as a way to pair betterresourced parishes with those needing support. As St. Anne Parish in Barrington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Sharing Parish Ministry next year, board chair Bill Sneed reflects on the importance it has had in the life of the church.
“This ministry has given us the opportunity to create a caring and deep relationship with both St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero and St. Moses the Black Parish on Chicago’s South Side,” he said recently. “It’s allowed us to share not only our time and resources, but also create a relationship based on understanding, friendship, and mutual respect.”
When the parishes of St. Frances of Rome in Cicero and St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn merged in 2021 to form St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, its school, St. Frances of Rome School, faced possible closure. Its new principal, Phil Jackson, was relieved to learn of the long-standing relationship the school had with St. Anne’s Church.
St. Anne joined with the
archdiocese, the Big Shoulders Fund, and other supporters to provide essential funding needed to keep the school operating. “St. Anne’s generosity became a significant part of the plan that allowed us to keep the school open,” said Jackson.
“This isn’t their parish, and yet they chose to invest in our students and our future. To have people outside our parish care enough about this community to step up and provide so much support has made all the difference.”
A cornerstone of their partnership with the school is a weekly tutoring program where St. Anne parishioners travel to Cicero to work one on one with students, primarily in the early grades. “We
Natalie Battaglia Photography
usually have four or five volunteers going down each week, some of them retired teachers,” Sneed said.
Volunteer Cheryl Grelle, who grew up in Barrington and spent most of her life at St. Anne’s — attending church, teaching in its school for 24 years, and even getting married there 59 years ago — said that after she retired, volunteering as a tutor felt like coming home.
Grelle works a half day each week with first- and second-graders who struggle with reading. “I spend about a half hour with each student,” she said. “That one-on-one time matters. It lets me focus on exactly what each child needs.
“Sometimes the progress is slow,” she continued. “But sometimes there’s an aha moment right away. Even a small difference is worth it. I’m not working miracles, but I’m helping. Volunteering gives me purpose, satisfaction, and the joy of staying connected to learning.”
Principal Jackson has seen the impact of volunteers’ commitment firsthand. Over time, he said, the results have been clear.
“They take the students with the lowest test scores and work with them individually, week after week, focusing on foundational skills in math and reading,” he said. “That kind of consistent, personal attention makes a real difference. These children are no longer falling through the cracks — they’re gaining confidence, they’re moving up, and they’re getting the support they need to succeed.”
The relationship between the two parishes also brought parishioners from St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds to Barrington last fall to share a Mass and a meal together — with students from the school entertaining the large
gathering with a ballet folklórico. “It was a real celebration that was very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed,” added Sneed.
Another group of volunteers at St. Anne’s is led by Peggy Hirsch, a former chair of the ministry and current board liaison to St. Moses the Black Parish. Under Hirsch’s leadership, between 20 and 30 volunteers from St. Anne’s support St. Moses the Black’s Wednesday food pantry by collecting and delivering food.
St. Anne’s also organizes a spring and fall clothing drive for the parish. “There’s dignity in what you give to people,” Hirsch said, noting that donated items are carefully selected and sorted. For her, the motivation is simple: “I’ve been so fortunate in my life,” she said. “What are we here on earth to do if not help our fellow man?”
That same spirit of shared service recently brought St. Anne’s Guys’ Group (STAGG) into the sharing parish work. Last November,
six members spent a Saturday at St. Moses the Black painting and patching rooms in a former rectory being prepared for retired nuns. Patrick Finn, who led the group, said the project grew directly out of the sharing parish relationship. “We spent the day painting and patching bedrooms and hallways,” he said. “At its core, the group is about getting men together to know each other better outside of Mass and then doing something meaningful with our time.”
For nearly 50 years now, St. Anne’s Sharing Parish Ministry has helped narrow the distance between communities by building strong, lasting relationships rooted in faith and service. Through consistent presence — showing up week after week — parishioners have formed connections that go beyond programs or projects. In walking alongside its partner communities, St. Anne’s has lived out the archdiocese’s call to share time, talent, and treasure.
Above: St. Anne Parish volunteer Cheryl Grelle tutors St. Frances of Rome School first-grader Olivia. Left: Sharing Parish Ministry board chair Bill Sneed also volunteers as a tutor at St. Frances of Rome School. He is pictured with fourth-grader Santiago.
Natalie Battaglia Photography
From underdogs to one united parish
How trust, mission and inclusion fuel the campaign
When Father Thadeo Mgimba arrived on Chicago’s West Side during the uncertainty of the pandemic, he inherited more than aging buildings and limited resources: He stepped into a community still learning how to become one.
What had once been two parishes — St. Martin de Porres in the Austin neighborhood and St. Agatha in North Lawndale — had officially united in 2022 under the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church process. A year later, the newly formed parish was given a shared name, St. Simon of Cyrene Parish, while each church retained its historic identity. On paper, the merger was complete. In practice, healing divisions and building trust would take time.
Stewardship is not just about dollars raised, but about people empowered to build the Church together, generation to generation.
By the time the parish entered Phase II of the Generation to Generation campaign, Father Thadeo saw an opportunity not just to raise funds but also to strengthen
the bonds of a small but deeply committed African American Catholic community.
“From a Catholic perspective, we are a small parish,” he explained. “But in the African American context, a parish of 300 people is significant. Catholicism is not historically common in our community. The people who are here are deeply invested.”
That investment became clear as the parish discerned its campaign priorities. Both church sites faced a practical but pressing challenge: parking. One location owned a parking lot that had never undergone repaving, while the other needed to acquire adjacent city property to serve a growing congregation. Without adequate parking, parishioners — especially seniors and families — struggled to attend Mass and parish events.
“This wasn’t about convenience,” Father Thadeo said. “It was about survival and future vitality.”
Still, he knew that asking for financial support required more than identifying donors with the capacity to give. The standard fundraising
model encouraged him to focus on major donors — those who already gave the most money. But Father Thadeo believed that definition was too narrow.
“In our parish, generosity shows up in different ways,” he said. “Some people give money. Others give time. Others give talent. All of them are major donors.”
So, he took an unconventional approach. Instead of a single donor dinner, the parish hosted three. The first invited those known for their financial support. The second and third honored parishioners whose primary contributions were service and leadership — choir members, volunteers, organizers, and behindthe-scenes leaders with no official titles.
“That second dinner changed everything,” he recalled. “People felt seen. They felt included. And when people know they matter, they give according to their ability.”
Beyond the dinners, Father Thadeo focused on transparency and presence. He spoke openly from the pulpit about the parish’s needs,
Natalie Battaglia Photography
CAMPAIGN PROGRESS
“These leaders without titles carry enormous influence. When they believe in the vision, the parish believes.”
addressed concerns rooted in past campaigns, and answered questions directly. He also pointed to his own record.
“I told the community of faith, ‘Judge me by what I’ve done since I arrived,’” he said. “‘If I haven’t kept my promises, then don’t trust me. But if you’ve seen results, be assured that this will happen, too.’”
Just as important was empowering trusted parish leaders — those informal voices people naturally turn to for reassurance. By bringing them into the process early, Father Thadeo ensured that conversations continued well beyond official meetings.
“These leaders without titles carry enormous influence,” he said. “When they believe in the vision, the parish believes.”
Father Thadeo is quick to downplay the word “success.”
Compared to larger parishes, the funds raised were modest. But expectations had been low, and the journey itself became a sign of grace.
“We were the underdogs,” he said. “Many people didn’t think we could do this. The fact that we did is a blessing.”
For Father Thadeo, fundraising is not separate from priestly ministry. A former missionary, he sees it as deeply biblical.
“Saint Paul raised money to support other churches,” he noted. “A pastor who says money doesn’t matter probably already has plenty of it. Collections support the mission — feeding the hungry, serving the community, keeping the church alive.”
Today, St. Simon of Cyrene Parish continues to grow not only in resources but also in unity. What began as a capital campaign became a communal act of faith — a reminder that stewardship is not just about dollars raised but also about people empowered to build the Church together, generation to generation.
As of March 26, 2026, the $300 million Generation to Generation campaign has raised $261,979,575 of its goal, with 19,700 households pledging an average of $225/month. The campaign is focused on four critical areas for growth:
• Strengthening local parishes
• Igniting spiritual renewal
• Supporting our priests
• Aiding vulnerable communities
$300,000,000 $261,979,575
Parishioners bring the offertory to Father Mgimba before the Eucharistic Prayer.
Natalie Battaglia Photography
SMALL STEPS TOGETHER
The journey to spiritual renewal
In conversations about parish life, it’s easy to measure success by what is visible: new programs launched, ministries added, staff expanded, calendars filled. But quietly, a different question is at the center of the work of spiritual renewal: Are we actually changing culture, or are we just adding and running more programs and ministries?
The answer matters. Additions are often welcome — they can be planned, implemented, and checked off within a defined period of time. But changing or even discontinuing existing programs can feel uncomfortable. Yet when such changes are pursued — and grounded in a deep understanding of the vision of renewal and the community’s needs — they can spark a lasting culture shift.
That shift is quietly taking place at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Oak Lawn, a co-implementation
parish that receives on-the-ground day-to-day implementation support from the archdiocese to nurture transformational renewal.
These types of experiences are possible because of the congeniality and cohesiveness of St. Catherine’s senior leadership team. Their openness creates an appetite for early change, and they feel supported as they establish and grow a culture of evangelization.
One such opportunity presented itself through a practice instituted in 2024, when Father Matthew Litak
arrived at St. Catherine’s. Weekly staff prayer and intentions in the adoration chapel became part of the parish’s rhythm. One staff member spoke with gratitude about “the opportunity to spend time in adoration of the blessed sacrament,” seeing in it a sign of Father Matt’s care for his people and his conviction that renewal must be centered on prayer. The connection was clear: Prayer and the vision for spiritual renewal could not be separated, even if that renewal would take months — or years — to fully unfold. “Parish renewal is important to all of us at St. Catherine of Alexandria,” Father Matt said. “We know that the Holy Spirit transforms hearts, whether you are a longtime parishioner or someone who is simply curious about faith. As disciples, we are here to share the gifts and blessings of Christ.”
Megan Daigle is part of the parish’s co-implementation team.
BY MAGGIE BAHLER
As a communications coordinator, she connected with parish leaders and staff to understand their communications needs, their habits, and their hopes — while accompanying them on a journey of spiritual renewal. Daigle understood the importance of communication as one part of the overall vision of renewal. She quickly noticed
leadership, and liturgical roles. She sought opportunities to deepen her own discipleship by sharing her faith, which she knew would be transformative. Daigle sensed that Theresa was ready to embody the vision of renewal in a concrete way. Together, they turned their attention to the parish communication channels, which are
that the parish’s communications channels reflected a busy parish full of announcements, events, and opportunities, but did not yet communicate “the depth and breadth of love the community had for each other and for Christ.”
Parish secretary and bulletin editor Theresa Ready was open to rethinking the impact of all parish communications. Theresa felt a strong personal call to evangelization and spiritual renewal. She has been a lifelong parishioner at St. Catherine’s and also volunteered for many years in maintenance,
a core component of Theresa’s daily work and a shared point of contact for nearly every parishioner.
“The work we do as a support team is only possible because God has been here ahead of us and is powerfully present in the hearts of each person I meet in this parish,” Daigle said.
Inspired by Daigle said’s curiosity, guidance, and support, Theresa began making gradual changes. What emerged were channels that invited intentional reflection. Photos of parishioners in service were paired with short
reflections on the spiritual gift of giving. School news was revamped to include renewal messaging, and revised formatting of all the channels encouraged contemplation of the parish’s invitation to grow, lead, serve, and worship.
These seemingly small changes clearly communicated the shift to a culture of evangelization. Parishioners were directly invited to serve those on the margins, deepen their prayer life, and lead ministries — old and new. Sacramental preparation and community celebrations grew from simple informational posts to meaningful moments of reflection and invitation to connect in Christian fellowship. This transformation is evident throughout the parish — whether through communications, the adoration chapel, or small faithsharing groups. These small groups provide an opportunity to build deep relationships with each other and Christ and make a lasting impact on the participants as they create a sense of welcoming and belonging — core elements of building a culture of evangelization.
This story offers a quiet but powerful lesson. Culture change does not always begin with large initiatives. Sometimes it begins with listening closely, honoring existing gifts, and trusting that even small adjustments can open space for the Holy Spirit to work.
As we look ahead, becoming more attuned to these moments of transformation may be one of the most important things to consider. Look for opportunities to change or adjust current tools, remain open to incremental changes that can make a difference, and step into leadership together as an engaged community.
Father Matthew Litak and Megan Daigle.
Natalie Battaglia Photography
“The archdiocese is deeply grateful that Kathy continues to honor her mother’s memory through her generosity. It is a beautiful tribute, and her ongoing commitment ensures that her mother’s legacy lives on by making a meaningful difference across our parishes and schools.”
Jose Piñones, director of giving
Continuing a legacy of faith and service
When Kathy Chappell reflects on the life of her mother, Dr. Lucy Chappell, one word comes quickly to mind: determination.
“My mother was a dynamo,” Kathy said. “If she made up her mind about something, it was going to get done.”
That determination shaped a lifetime of service to Chicago’s most vulnerable residents and continues today through the faith and generosity of her daughter.
Dr. Chappell, who died in 2024 at age 99, built a remarkable career in social work and mental health advocacy. Beginning in 1969, she became known as a hands-on social worker who actively sought out people who had fallen through the cracks of the system — individuals whose mental, emotional, or physical disabilities left them without the support they needed.
Her work soon drew wider recognition. She was appointed executive director of the Lawndale Mental Health Center on Chicago’s West Side, where hundreds of residents were not receiving basic services. Under her leadership, the center expanded its outreach and care. In 1972, the program earned the Francis J. Gerty Award for the best-operated mental health center in Illinois.
Dr. Chappell later served as regional director overseeing nine mental health clinics across Chicago, and in 1984, she became director of the Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center. During her tenure there, the center’s programs grew dramatically — from 11 to 32 in just three years.
Yet one basic unmet need weighed heavily on her heart: safe housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
For years, she pursued funding to build a residential facility where individuals with special needs could live with dignity and stability. Persistence finally paid off when she secured support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1992, a 40unit apartment building opened in Chicago to serve developmentally challenged adults and their families.
The Dr. Lucy Chappell Housing Complex for the Developmentally Challenged and Special Needs Population is one of the few facilities in Chicago that was named for a living person and the only one named for an African American woman.
But to Kathy, the seeds of that lifelong mission began much earlier.
“As a child growing up in Florida, my mother saw people with developmental challenges being ignored or ridiculed. She told me that when she was only 9 years old, she gave away most of her weekly 10-cent allowance to buy treats for those who had nothing.
“She told her parents then that if she was ever in a position to help people like that, she would,” Kathy said. “And she carried that promise with her throughout her life.”
Faith was the foundation that guided that promise.
Dr. Chappell grew up Catholic, and despite experiencing the painful reality of segregated churches in the South, her love for the Church never wavered.
“Her faith was first and foremost in her life,” Kathy said. “Whenever she faced challenges, she prayed.”
That faith eventually brought Dr. Chappell into deeper involvement with the Archdiocese of Chicago. When her parish church closed about 15 years ago, she searched for a new spiritual home and “interviewed” the pastor of St. Moses the Black Parish (then St. Columbanus Church) before becoming a member of the church.
“She brought her notebook with everything she had done and everything she was working on,” Kathy recalled. “She told the pastor her whole story and then started asking him questions. She said, ‘I’m not going to just join a church and sit in the pew; I want to know what’s going on and what I can be involved in.’”
Grateful for her blessings, Lucy began supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal and later joined the Lumen Cordium Society, which recognizes donors who make lasting commitments to the Church’s mission.
“My mom had so much respect for Cardinal Cupich
and Pope Francis because she recognized their God-given talent and their extraordinary spiritual expertise.”
She recalled that someone at the archdiocese had sent her mother a photo of Cardinal Cupich with Pope Francis, “So she placed it right in front of her where she ate her meals. She prayed for them every day.”
Kathy said her mother followed the life of the Church closely and would have been thrilled by the election of Pope Leo XIV. “She would have absolutely loved that he’s from the South Side, and that he’s a Chicago Bears fan. She was an absolute diehard Bears fan.
“Supporting the Church was her way of helping others,” she continued. “She believed that if you have blessings, you share them.”
The Chappell family lived that faith in daily life. Lucy’s husband, Roy Chappell — a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen who later became a Chicago educator — shared her commitment to service. Together, they raised two daughters in a home where faith and compassion were lived out by example.
“Growing up, you just saw it,” Kathy says. “They didn’t just talk about faith. They lived it.”
Today, she is carrying that legacy forward.
A retired professor from Yale and DePaul universities, she remains active at St. Moses the Black Parish. Kathy is continuing her mother’s commitment to the Annual Catholic Appeal and the Lumen Cordium Society, ensuring the ministries her mother valued continue to flourish.
“She introduced me to all of it,” Kathy says. “It was part of her desire to give back.”
Kathy’s own spiritual journey has deepened in recent years through pilgrimages to Italy and Greece. Those experiences became especially meaningful after her mother’s death in 2024.
“The grief was very hard,” Kathy admits. “When someone lives that long, you have even more memories.”
Yet those memories now guide her forward. In her parish, in the ministries supported by the archdiocese, and in the lives touched through the Church’s outreach, Kathy sees the continuation of the work her mother believed in so deeply.
“My parents lived their faith by example,” she said. “And that’s what I try to do, too. If you want to inspire someone, the best way is to live it.”
Roy and Lucy Chappell
Photo provided by family.
LUMEN CORDIUM
SOCIETY
The Lumen Cordium Society is a special alliance of Catholic men and women who take a leadership role in the work of the Church. As a member, your generosity sets an example of good stewardship as you reach out with love to people and ministries in need of your assistance. While the satisfaction derived from advancing the mission of the Church in Chicago is the greatest reward, the benefits described below are intended to convey Cardinal Cupich’s gratitude for your support. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Cobb, coordinator, Annual Catholic Appeal, at 312.534.7615 or kcobb@archchicago.org.
PATRONS
Those donating at the $1,500 to $4,999 level will:
• Be remembered in weekly Masses celebrated at St. James Chapel in the Quigley Pastoral Center
• Receive Lumen magazine twice a year
• Be included in the Prayer Intention Book of society members
• Be invited to the annual Mass and reception with Cardinal Cupich
BENEFACTORS
Those donating at the $5,000 to $9,999 level will:
• Receive Patrons benefits
• Receive a subscription to Chicago Catholic, the archdiocesan newspaper
• Be invited to an annual reception with Cardinal Cupich
CARDINAL’S CIRCLE
Those donating at the $10,000 to $24,999 level will:
• Receive Benefactors benefits
• Be invited to a Christmas reception with Cardinal Cupich
CARDINAL’S GUILD
Those donating at the $25,000+ level will:
• Receive Cardinal’s Circle benefits
• Be invited to a special VIP reception
To recognize more of our generous donors who support the work of the Church, the Archdiocese of Chicago recently instituted three more giving societies in addition to our Lumen Cordium Society.
LUMEN LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Cumulative lifetime giving over $100,000
The Lumen Leadership Society honors families and individuals who have made cumulative lifetime gifts totaling $100,000 or more to archdiocese initiatives, including the Annual Catholic Appeal and To Teach Who Christ Is. Members receive recognition and invitations to special events. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Shea Collins, director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, at 312.534.7944 or bcollins@archchicago.org.
LUMEN LOYALIST SOCIETY
Loyal support for the Annual Catholic Appeal
The Lumen Loyalist Society honors those who have made gifts of $500 or more to the Annual Catholic Appeal every year for 10 years. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Shea Collins, director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, at 312.534.7944 or bcollins@archchicago.org.
LUMEN LEGACY SOCIETY
Planned gifts
The Lumen Legacy Society honors individuals who have included a gift to the archdiocese — or one of its parishes, schools or ministries — in their estate plans through a will, trust, retirement account or other financial asset. Membership is also extended to those who establish a gift annuity or name the Annual Catholic Appeal as a beneficiary in their estate plan. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa M. Babcock at 312.534.8197 or mbabcock@archchicago.org.
2025 Annual Catholic Appeal
HOW YOUR GIFT WAS USED
$ 7,105,873 Low-income parishes and schools
$ 3,673,422 Parish-based incentives
$ 899,259 Archdiocesan ministries
$ 251,080 Spiritual renewal efforts
$ 1,275,629 Priest formation
$ 749,680 Scholarships
$ 545,000 Catholic Relief Services
$ 14,499,943 MINISTRIES TOTAL
$ 825,892 Cost of the Appeal
$ 15,325,836 TOTAL APPEAL
Support for parishes and schools serving financially challenged communities
After a parish reaches its goal, donated funds are returned to the parish for local use
Outreach initiatives for young adults, families, children and others
Transforming parishes to share our faith in new and creative ways
Education and development for seminarians and priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago
Tuition assistance for disadvantaged Catholic school families
Support for those suffering from natural disasters around the world
Printing, postage and processing costs for the Appeal
This chart shows how your Annual Catholic Appeal funds were used in 2025 to support these many initiatives and programs.
The Annual Catholic Appeal supports the work of the Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
No money donated to the Annual Catholic Appeal has been or will be used to defray expenses related to misconduct issues.
A LEGACY OF FAITH
Giving through donor-advised funds
For generations, Catholics have understood that giving is not merely a financial transaction — it is an expression of faith. From the widow’s mite to the shared loaves and fishes, Scripture reminds us that generosity, offered prayerfully, can multiply far beyond what we imagine. Today, as families seek thoughtful and flexible ways to support our mission, one increasingly popular tool is the donoradvised fund.
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is a charitable giving tool that allows donors to combine favorable tax benefits with remarkable flexibility — making it easier than ever to support a parish, school, ministry, or the Archdiocese of Chicago itself.
At its heart, a donor-advised fund is about intention. You contribute assets — often cash or appreciated stock — into the fund, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants over time to the charitable causes closest to your heart. For many Catholics, this means supporting parish life, Catholic education, social service ministries, and outreach efforts that bring Christ’s love to the more than two million Catholics and community members across Cook and Lake counties.
You may choose to recommend a one-time gift to address an urgent need or establish a recurring monthly or quarterly grant to sustain a ministry over time,” said Brendan Keating, chief development officer.
“While donor-advised funds cannot be used to fulfill legally binding pledges, donors may attach a special purpose to their grants, helping ensure that their gifts align with their values and priorities.
Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of a donor-advised fund is the opportunity it offers to create a lasting legacy of faith.
“One of the great strengths of a donor-advised fund is its flexibility.
“Just as importantly,” Keating continued,
“donor-advised funds invite families into deeper conversations about faith and stewardship. Parents and grandparents can involve children and grandchildren in recommending grants, teaching them why giving matters and how generosity strengthens the Church and the wider community. Some families even form ‘giving circles,’ pooling resources with friends or relatives
to amplify their impact and build a shared sense of mission.”
Beyond their convenience, donor-advised funds can also be a powerful part of thoughtful financial stewardship. By contributing appreciated stock to a DAF, donors may avoid capital gains taxes while supporting the Church’s work. Others choose to bundle charitable gifts — making several years’ worth of donations at once — to potentially itemize deductions in a single year. These practical benefits can make giving both simpler and more sustainable.
Yet perhaps the most meaningful aspect of a donor-advised fund is the opportunity it offers to create a lasting legacy of faith. When you establish or update your fund, you may designate what happens to any remaining balance after your lifetime. Many Catholics choose to name their parish, a favorite ministry, or the Archdiocese of Chicago as a beneficiary — either in full or in part — while leaving the remaining portion to their children or grandchildren. In doing so, they ensure that their values endure and that future generations continue a tradition of generosity.
If you would like to learn more about giving through a donoradvised fund or about creating a legacy gift that reflects your faith, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s stewardship team is ready to help. Together, we can explore easy and meaningful ways to make an impact — now and for generations to come.
QUESTIONS
For questions about donor-advised fund gifts, please contact the Archdiocese of Chicago at 312.534.7959 or giving@archchicago.org
Secure Extra Income For Yourself and the Church
Charitable Gift Annuity
A gift annuity with the Archdiocese of Chicago offers you fixed payments for life and a way to support the Church.
How It Works
• Make a gift of $10,000 or more using cash, appreciated securities or a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA.
• Receive fixed payments for life for yourself or a loved one age 60 or older; a portion of each payment is tax-free (through life expectancy).
• Receive an income tax deduction for a portion of your gift, per IRS rules.
• Reduce capital gains tax liability for gifts of appreciated securities.
• Satisfy annual required minimum distributions from your IRA with a QCD gift if you are 73 or older.
• Designate the remaining funds to support your parish, school, ministry or the archdiocese.
Gift Annuity Rates for One-Life
*Effective January 1, 2025. Rates are subject to change.
To receive a free, no-obligation illustration of how you could benefit from a charitable gift annuity, contact Melissa M. Babcock at 312.534.8197 or mbabcock@archchicago.org
Scan QR code to learn more about charitable gift annuities.
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At Easter, in parishes all over our archdiocese, the Holy Spirit led more than a thousand people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through the Sacraments of Initiation. “We continue to be blessed by the Holy Spirit and the growth of our local Church,” said Todd Williamson, director of the Office for Divine Worship.
Learn more about the sacraments of the Church at pvm.archchicago.org/ sacraments or scan the QR code.
Karen Callaway/ Chicago Catholic