Dear Friends in Christ,
As we approach the feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 12, we may well feel like we are entombed by precautionary measures that have altered the rhythm of life these days given the threat associated with coronavirus. All this is certainly without precedent in our lifetimes. We struggle daily enough with the cold and flu and other physical discomforts and can find relief in most instances with over-the- counter meds. And, let’s admit it, we Americans are not used to plagues of this nature and scope that hit other areas around the world.
The austerity of Lent and what the season can mean faces us dramatically. What is God saying to us in this time of anxiety and misfortune? It is a time for prayer and sober reflection on our dependence upon the mercy of God. What prayer can we recite together as a household while we are waiting on the Lord?
For we cannot heal ourselves. While churches are closed these days for sake of the fright connected with contagion, once they are reopened we hope many more unused to the regimen of weekly ritual focus upon God might be inclined to reorder their lives and join us.
I’ve been busy telephoning the priests of the vicariate, family and relatives and friends to make sure everyone is alright. With the exception of one of our priests who is hospitalized with the virus, everyone else appears to be alright. Thank God!
While we already have made necessary changes to our lifestyle and readjusted certain habits, we might measure which of these we might carryover once this is all over, what needs particular attention on our parts for a better quality of life and spiritual tone to our busy lives.
Certainly, a healing in response to a bad turn with health is one of the gifts of God. “But first, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added unto you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” Matthew 6, 33-34. Blessings and good health I wish for you and all who are important to you.
Read posts on the bible, liturgical practices, holy days of obligation, and more.
Visit the Adult Faith Formation page for more information.
When a parishioner was randomly shot in the middle of a weekday at a gas station, it rocked the members of St. Benedict the African Parish in Englewood.
Read moreBishop Joseph Perry shares his seasonal message for Catholic Men Chicago Southland Apostolate on October 23.
Read moreEven though there is no congregation at Sunday Mass, the community at St. Benedict the African Parish in Chicago has never been so close.
Read moreSomething funky is brewing in Chicago. MOSAIC Soul, a young vocal group founded by Phillip Armstrong and Greg Woods in 2018, will soon hit the airwaves and it is not to be missed.
Read moreAngela Jackson, Illinois’ new poet laureate, wrote her first poem when she was in third grade at St. Anne School, located at Garfield Boulevard and Wentworth Avenue.
Read more
This 2020 Holy Week, we were fortunate to celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday as a community online using the Zoom meeting platform.
Read more
As we approach the feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 12, we may well feel like we are entombed by precautionary measures that have altered the rhythm of life these days given the threat associated with coronavirus.
Read more
Today we celebrated the first communion of Chimamanda, Henry, and Olivia, and I want to highlight the following.
Read more
It might be more accurate to say that there is the “forty day fast within Lent.” Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable.
Read more
In 1949, famed Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes celebrated Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month) with members of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and their students at the all black and Catholic St. Alphonsus School in Wilson, North Carolina.
Read more
It is a new year, a time to look back and reflect, to look ahead and rethink some things and make decisions. Today in this beginning of the new year I want to speak of a charge to us, the people of God of St. Benedict the African parish.
Read more
Today is the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Father David Jones. He was born on November 17, 1962 and ordained on December 15, 1989. His loving parents and supportive family helped to place him on a path toward God. This intention must have already been in his soul because it was apparent in him at a very early age.
Read more
As part of the Saint Benedict the African family, Father Jonathan Hill's work with an orphanage in Kilwa Masoko, Tanzania has been supported with $3,000 from the parish.
Read more
Tolton ambassadors from across the country celebrated Mass today with the Saint Benedict the African community.
Read more
The Saint Benedict the African family congratulates Father Jonathan Hill as he celebrated Mass today for the first time as a priest at our church.
Read more
Jeremiah and Kemi celebrated their First Communion on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Read more
Following Palm Sunday, Saint Benedict the African started its Holy Week celebrations on Wednesday with the Tenebrae Service.
Read more
SBA’s own Phillip Armstrong, as part of MOSAIC group, performed the St. Benedict the African original mass music.
Read more
On the celebration of the feast day of Saint Benedict the African Bishop Perry dedicated the Ann and Arthur Eiland Art Gallery and Collection.
Read more-Mrs. Rowell, Parishioner
See how you can help care for our parish home
Get In Touch!
SAINT BENEDICT THE AFRICAN PARISH
340 W 66th Street
Chicago, IL 60621
773-873-4464
SBApanullrishnull@aolnull.com