This past week was quite eventful for our local Augustinian community. Earlier this year, the friars voted Rev. Thomas McCarthy to be their new Prior Provincial for the next four years.
As you no doubt remember, locally, Father Tom is a graduate of St. Adrian Grammar School and St. Rita High School. Also locally, among his many assignments as an Augustinian, he has spent many years at St. Rita High School beginning as a teacher all the way up to president. He has been Vocation Director for the Midwest Province and is the Director of the St. Rita Shrine.
His installation as Prior Provincial took place on Wednesday, June 10, which you may remember as an evening when severe storms threatened and the traffic signals leading in every direction to the Shrine were flashing red.
But that did not stop people from filling the pews of the shrine at 77th and Western. Even with the electricity out for the night, folks adjusted to the candlelight and used the flashlight feature on their cell phones to guide them.
As a surprise, The Shannon Rovers Irish Bagpipe Band, who incidentally are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, got everyone clapping as they marched up the aisle playing When the Saints Go Marching In.
And the congregation was also there to give thanks to Rev. Anthony Pizzo, former pastor of St. Rita and St. Clare and the Prior Provincial for the past eight years. A long line of folks waited throughout the evening to wish him well as he is now headed for a well-deserved sabbatical.
And, just a few days later, on Sunday, June 14, St. Rita parishioners gathered for an afternoon of food and festivities as they bid farewell to Rev. Homero Sanchez, who is leaving after serving as pastor for the past ten years.
Father Homero has led the parish through the pandemic, bringing the parish of St. Clare of Montefalco into St. Rita of Cascia parish, and guiding updates and remodeling of both campuses. He will now be pastor of St. Barnabas and Christ the King as Rev. Samuel Joutras takes over the reins at St. Rita.
Here’s wishing them all well.
Things to do
St. Rita of Cascia parish is hosting “Let Me Tell You a Story – A family experience of Faith, Fun and Encounter” on Saturday, June 20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the St. Clare Campus, 5443 S. Washtenaw Ave., in the Pastoral Center and gym. The event promises to feature simple age-appropriate activities with crafts, discussion and prayer.
Then next Saturday, June 27, St. Rita parish is hosting a Teen Retreat for teens ages 14 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the St. Clare Gym at 55th and Talman. The cost is $20. Registration is required at the parish office, 6243 S. Fairfield Avenue. For more information call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.
Tweens and teens, ages 10 to 19, are invited to join the Chicago Lawn Library in fishing at Marquette Park. The event takes place on Monday, June 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. Join in as Jonathan Schlesinger shows the proper techniques for casting and releasing. Fishing supplies will be provided. Meet on the shore of the lagoon just south of the fieldhouse or contact the library for transportation information.(312) 747-0639.
The Marquette Park Music Program is holding a free concert on Wednesday, June 24, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Marquette Park fieldhouse, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave. The evening begins with the Marquette Park Chamber Ensemble playing Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The Marquette Park Composer’s Workshop follows with a set of music composed and arranged by Ben Zucker, whose album “Always Untils” was recently released by Elektramusic.
Preceding the concerts on Wednesday, June 24, the Southwest Action Network is hosting a Light the Night event at the Marquette Park fieldhouse at 5 p.m. Get a free light installed on your bicycle, one per person.
Over at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Ave., on Monday, June 22, the Center will host a Pool Tournament with prizes for first and second place. Registration is $10.
And on Wednesday, June 24, it is a celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month beginning at 10 a.m. Jukebox Johnny will provide the music.
A reminder, the Chicago Lawn Historical Society glass case at the Chicago Lawn Library is featuring photos of people and events that have taken place at Ford City in the 1970s. If you were there, whether for a sidewalk sale, just shopping, or for any event, you may be in one of the photos. The display will change every week or so as the closing of the main mall at Ford City looms.
1976: Frank’s Barber Shop and King Brothers
Now back to 1976. When we left last week, we were headed over to 2508 W. 63rd Street because King Brothers Funeral Home had purchased the building next door and was getting ready to have it demolished to make a parking lot for their customers.
The building that was in the process of demolition 50 years ago housed a business that was in the community for a long time and could be considered a gathering place for the customers that frequented its services. Jerry S. was the first to remember Frank’s Barber Shop.
I’m sure many of you remember King Brothers Funeral Home as it moved to 63rd Street back in 1935 and remained there through the 1900s.
Here’s a question for next week: Do you know where the original King Brothers Funeral Home was founded?
Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor correspondent Kathy Headley can be reached at 773-776-7778.