Divine Savior’s closing is a loss because it makes such a contribution
This is in response to your article, “Parishioners react to Norridge, Harwood Heights-area churches closing.”
I have been a volunteer, former Divine Savior teacher and parishioner for almost 40 years. I thought I would respond to your article with a different viewpoint.
One of the main reasons for consolidating parishes is there is a lack of enough priests. Priests are retiring and not many young men are entering the priesthood today.
Divine Savior has been a wonderful parish in Norridge for 65 years providing spiritual guidance and comfort to countless families. It also had a great school that educated hundreds of young people who went on to wonderful careers and success based in their faith. It continues to provide spiritual guidance through its Religious Education program.
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Not mentioned in the article was how Divine Savior has helped its sharing parish, St. Eulalia parish in Maywood, during the pandemic. Each week a team of volunteers from Divine Savior shop with funds for food donated by Divine Savior parishioners, deliver and pack groceries. Groceries are given out in a drive-up every Tuesday to those in Maywood in need. Divine Savior has provided hundreds of dollars to keep this needed event going during the pandemic.
Divine Savior is not about a yearly carnival that doesn’t happen anymore. Parishioners have also not been attending because of health concerns during the pandemic. But parishioners at Divine Savior continue to provide outreach where it is needed.
This wonderful parish closing is a tremendous loss to the community. Let’s not forget all this parish has done and continues to do to enrich Norridge as a whole.
We will move on, but let’s not forget the goodness of the past.
Colleen Lizak
Norridge