Auxiliary Bishop Peter Wypych of the Archdiocese of Chicago congratulated Tinley Park’s youngest faith community on a recent Saturday during a groundbreaking for an 11,530-square-foot addition.
“This parish is becoming a great place,” Wypych told about 100 people gathered under the bright sun behind St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Church,” but it’s also a resource. You are not building just for yourself.”
The Rev. James Finno, founder and pastor, foresees the nearly $3 million addition serving the educational, religious formation and social needs of the approximately 4,000-households that regularly attend Mass at the church, 175th Street and 84th Avenue.
The addition, designed by Ken Lindberg of Chicago-based HOH Architects, stands almost 45-foot-tall, putting it 10 feet shorter than the church. Finno anticipates Mokena-based George Allen Construction beginning work “in the next couple of weeks.”
“It’s a big parish, but we only have a 30-foot by 60-foot room,” said Finno, known to parishioners as “Father J.” “We really don’t have a parish hall to gather in.”
Finno said the larger space would allow workshops with speakers the ability to break into smaller discussion groups. He said he’s also discussing ways Catholic Charities can use the addition.
Parish Finance Committee member Jim Knawa said parishioners began discussing the addition “four to five years ago.”
Parishioners, Knawa said, recognized the added space would give “both the older people and, especially, the younger people a place to go.”
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Not that Tinley Park lacks locations for old and young, but having a location on the parish grounds would be “keeping our religious faith involved in this,” he said.
Knawa said the addition, along with special events held there, have “the potential for getting the youth involved in the parish a little more.” He estimated about 1,400 youngsters are enrolled in the parish’s religious studies program.
He credits Finno’s “tireless effort” for gaining “the backing of the entire parish community” to take action.
The pastor, he said, was “the backbone of getting this done.”
Finno, however, credits Wypych with championing the expansion at both the parish and archdiocesan level. Wypych has direct authority at the archdiocesan level over St. Stephen and neighboring Catholic parishes, Finno said. “He’s our area vicar.”
Finno, handing Wypych a ceremonial shovel Saturday, noted it was the same shovel used “to break ground for the church.”
Wypych praised the commitment of St. Stephen’s parishioners.
“Prayer gives strength, but money gives growth. See how your money is getting into the holes here,” he joked. “This will be a great story to tell.”
Acknowledging Finno’s involvement in the project, Wypych told those present, “When you see Father Jay taking too much (on himself) tell him to take a rest.”
The archdiocese established St. Stephen in November 1999, with Finno saying Sunday Mass for three years in the nearby Prairieview Junior High School.
The church, designed by Architect Terry Russell of LZT/Filliung, Inc., was completed in 2002 and dedicated by Francis Cardinal George. Its interior includes a dozen stained glass panels from a closed Catholic church on the Chicago’s South Side and seating for approximately 1,000.