* Fr. Andrzey Beltowski appointed associate pastor of St. Barbara Parish, July 1, 2010

* Fr. Dennis Ziomek appointed pastor of St. Barbara Parish, announced April 18, 2010

* Fr. Francis Li appointed administrator of St. Therese in Chinatown, announced March 28, 2010

* Corpus Christi Procession, June 17, 2009

St. Barbara Parish celebrated the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) on Sunday, June 14. At the conclusion of the 11:30 a.m. Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was carried in an outdoor procession lead by Fr. Francis Li. Joining in procession was the Festival Choir followed by the faithful of St. Barbara Parish. The procession concluded in the rectory garden, where there was Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

* Parish Blood Drive, June 7, 2009

The St. Barbara Parish Pastoral Council held at Spring Blood Drive on Sunday morning, June 7. The Blood Drive was conducted by Heartland Blood Centers. Because blood donations decrease during the summer, it is even more important for donors to give blood during the summer months.

* St. Barbara Welcomes “Quigley” Class of 2009, May 29, 2009

Students, family, friends, and alumni of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary gathered at St. Barbara Parish on Friday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m. for a special Mass to honor the Class of 2009. With the closing of Quigley in June of 2007, Quigley students were welcomed into a variety of Catholic and other High Schools for which they have graduated from. The parents of these graduates organized a Mass and reception to honor the young men of the Class of 2009. Fr. Dennis Ziomek, who was on the faculty at Archbishop Quigley and is currently administrator at St. Barbara, was the celebrant of the Mass. At the conclusion of the liturgy, Mr. Martin Graham-McHugh, past vice-principal of Archbishop Quigley, addressed the Class of 2009. All graduates of the Class of 2009 were then presented with a certificate which read: The Alumni, Family, and Friends of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary congratulate the Class of 2009 on the occasion of their graduation from High School. May the Course of Study and Formation obtained at AQPS always be a part of your life. Pictured are members of the Class of 2009 gathered in the sanctuary of St. Barbara.

* St. Barbara Young People Honored, April 27, 2009

On Sunday, April 26, six high school young people from St. Barbara Parish were presented with Youth Leadership Awards for their involvement in St. Barbara Parish. The awards presentation took place at the annual Vicariate V Youth Leadership Awards Banquet at the Lexington House. Over 200 high school youth were honored by Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller. Pictured from left to right are : Fr. Francis Li, Deanne, Alexis, Sarah, Chris, Paul, Mike, and Fr. Dennis Ziomek, administrator.

* Rev. Dennis Ziomek Honored as a Quigley Distinguished Alumnus, January 27, 2009

Fr. Dennis Ziomek, Administrator of St. Barbara Parish, was honored as an Archbishop James E. Quigley Distinguished Alumni at the 17th Annual Alumni Wards Dinner on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. Fr. Dennis Ziomek graduated from Quigley Seminary South in 1970. To many of his friends, students, and fellow alumni, he is called “Zi,” a nickname he received as a freshman at Quigley South. After ordination, his first assignment was St. Gall on 55th and Kedzie (1978-183). He then joined the faculty at Quigley South (1983-1990) and then moved to Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (1990-2007). At Quigley, he was the Director of Technology and coached Cross Country and Track for many years. While teaching at Quigley, he resided at St. Gerald in Oak Lawn and then Our Lady of the Snows near Midway Airport. In 2005, he was appointed administrator of St. Barbara Parish. Presenting the award to Fr. Zi is the Very Rev. James Presta, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, and Rev. Peter Snieg, Vice-Rector.
Complete Bio from Awards Book  -  YouTube Video of Event by John Pham

* Rev. Edward Skupien Distinguished Graduate and the Sr. Mary Grandys Award, January 25, 2009

Catch the Momentum is the theme of this year’s St. Barbara Family & Alumni Dinner Dance. The dinner dance will kick off Catholic Schools Week. It will be held on Sunday evening, January 25 at Polonia Banquets (4602 S. Archer Ave.) from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $35 and children’s tickets are $15 Children under 3 are free. There will be a cash bar.

Each year at the dinner dance, two special awards are given; the Rev. Edward Skupien Distinguished Graduate and the Sister Mary Grandys Award.

Father Edward Skupien was a graduate of St. Barbara Elementary School. After entering the priesthood, Father Ed spent time as a missionary priest. He returned to St. Barbara and served as pastor from 1966 – 1983. Father Skupien was well-loved and respected. His positive influence on his parishioners and the parish was appreciated by all.

Sister Mary was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis. She was the principal of St. Barbara High School for many years. Sister Mary was tiny in size but had a huge heart. Her kindness and patience allowed her to work with not only the high schools girls but people of all ages. She was superior of the house and was loved by her fellow sisters. After her retirement from education, she remained in the parish and was actively involved in the care of the sick. Sister Mary passed away on March 13, 1996.

* St. Barbara Christmas Pageant, December 24, 2008

At the Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Mass at St. Barbara Parish, the elementary school children put on a Christmas Pageant for everyone in church. The children assumed the roles of Mary, Joseph, the three Magi, the shepherds, and the angels. The Crèche was then blessed by Fr. Dennis Ziomek, the parish administrator. Leading the congregation in song was a special Youth Choir composed of 8th graders and high schoolers who played guitars, piano, flute, and sang. Pictured above are some of the angels who were in the pageant.

* St. Barbara’s Resurrection Choir Sings Carols, December 28, 2008

On Sunday, December 28, St. Barbara’s Resurrection Choir joined with members of St. Patricia’s Choir, Hickory Hills, to sing a special Christmas Concert for the patients at the Holy Rosary Convalescent Center in Justice, Illinois.

* St. Barbara Altar of the Dead, November 2008

During the month of November, parishioners at St. Barbara, 2859 S. Throop St., were invited to bring photos or other remembrances of deceased loved ones to place upon the Altar of the Dead. This tradition from Mexico honors the lives of the deceased and celebrates the continuation of life; that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new life with God in eternity. Pictured is Cindy Calderon (with her family), who helped to setup the Altar of the Dead, with the help of Julie Garcia and Irma Palma.

* St. Barbara Commissions Parish Council, November 9, 2008

The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Barbara Parish, 2859 S. Throop St., was commissioned on Sunday, November 9, at the 11:30 a.m. Mass. The Parish Council’s purpose is to advise the pastor/administrator how the parish can best carry out the mission of Christ. Each Council Member was presented with a candle, reminding them of their task to walk in the light of Christ and to share it with others. Parish Council members include: Ed Glabicki, Jesus Perez, Dolores Becatti, Barbara Czerniak, Matt Rekar, Barbara Rekar, Becky Brazel, Marianne Coffey (secretary), John Jordan (vice-chair), and Douglas Lovato (chair), along with Mrs. Dorene Hurckes (principal), Fr. Francis Li (associate) and Fr. Dennis Ziomek (administrator).

* St. Barbara Celebrates Memorial Mass, November 2, 2008

St. Barbara celebrated a Special Memorial Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, the Feast of All Souls. Every parish family who buried a loved one during the past year was invited. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Francis Li, the associate, who himself lost his mother, Cecilia Sun, during the past year. After the homily of the Mass, one member of each family was asked to come forward to light a candle as a way of remembering and praying for the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant onto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them. Pictured is Dolores Butkiewicz lighting a candle in memory of her deceased son, Ronald.

* St. Barbara Prays for Life, October 19, 2008

On Sunday, October 19, a group of parishioners from St. Barbara Parish, 2859 S. Throop Street, joined others in a prayer vigil outside a northside clinic where abortions are performed. Mrs. Patricia Blaszak, the parish Respect Life Coordinator, organized St. Barbara’s participation in the 40 Days for Life Campaign, a nationwide peaceful vigil to pray for an end to abortion in America. Those joining Pat in prayer included her husband and Fr. Dennis Ziomek, who is the parish administrator, along with several other parishioners from St. Barbara as well as those from other parishes.

* St. Barbara installs new Altar Servers, October 12, 2008

St. Barbara Parish, 2859 S. Throop Street, commissioned ten new servers at the 9:30 family Mass on Sunday, October 12. Fr. Francis Li, the Associate at St. Barbara and coordinator of the parish servers, presented each of the newly installed altar servers with a special pin, representative of their special liturgical ministry.

* St. Barbara Celebrates the Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of Pets, October 4, 2008

St. Barbara Parish, 2859 S. Throop Street, celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of animals on the Church steps on Saturday, October 4. Fr. Dennis Ziomek, the administrator at St. Barbara, lead those gathered in prayer and performed the blessing. St. Francis, who loved all of creation, is the patron saint of animals and the environment

* Gladys Kaminski receives Christifideles Award, September 12, 2008

Gladys Kaminski (nee Lukasik), a native of Bridgeport and a longtime parishioner of St. Barbara Parish, was presented with the Christifideles Award by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago. This presentation took place at the Conferral of Ecclesial Honors Liturgy at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, September 21, 2008. The Christifideles Award is bestowed upon a layperson or couple who demonstrate faithfulness and dedication in serving their Church as they serve their parish. Her involvement in the parish and in the neighborhood would tire someone half her age: Finance Council, Treasurer for St. Barbara and for Knights of Columbus Seniors, Summer Fest Co-Chair, Daughters of Isabella, Altar and Rosary Society, Italian American Club, Benton House Board, and BINGO Treasurer. Gladys attended St. Mary of Perpetual Help Elementary School, and was married at St. Barbara, where she has been a parishioner every since. Pictured with Gladys is Bishop Gustavo-Siller, Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate V.

* Financial and Stewardship Reports for 0708, October 2008

Archive: July 2007-June 2008