After 170 years in the community, Immaculate Conception in Highland Park hardly needs an introduction.
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And yet, observes parish manager David Yep, people still tell him that they did not know there was a Catholic church in the city.
“It’s a beautiful campus, but the view is obstructed when you pass by on Green Bay Road,” he said. “Some people still don’t know about it.”
That’s where IC’s Paddy-Joe Fest comes in. A celebration of the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph, the event is the first in a community outreach initiative, Yep said.
“It’s a spring community-building event to celebrate the Irish and Italian heritages of people at our parish. But it is also to raise our awareness in the neighborhood and remind people that we are here,” he said.
Paddy-Joe Fest is scheduled for March 14 at 6 p.m. The public is invited. Admission is $15 per adult and $5 per child. Families will not pay more than $40, regardless of size.
In addition to catered Italian and Irish food, there will be a Blessing of the St. Joseph’s Table, with culinary contributions from the community. Entertainment will include live music and performances by members of the Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance in Glenview.
Yep, a Highland Park resident, has served as parish manager since July. Among his top priorities, he said, is strengthening ties with the city.
“We continue to be responsible members of the community and try to accommodate the needs of the city,” he said. “We provide parking spaces for the (neighboring) senior housing and city employees. We also offer space for voting.”
The church also collaborates with other worship congregations.
“We have several interfaith families and we are working toward creating more synergy with Jewish congregations,” he said. “We are trying very hard to be a parish of the modern society. We realize as people of faith that we are members of a greater community and it’s important to build a bridge across any chasms. Whether it is working at our own soup kitchen or going to Pacific Garden Missions in Chicago to make beds for the homeless, there is a need for people to work together to make the world a better place and share our experience of God.”
Immaculate Conception is located at 770 Deerfield Rd. For more information on Paddy-Joe Fest, contact Julie Harrigan at [email protected]