In January 2015, I helped lead 45 people on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Everyone found the pilgrimage a blessed experience that helped make the scriptures come alive. We were young and older participants from various ethnicities, and life experiences. But, not all of the pilgrims on this trip were from Saint Andrew Parish!

Many months prior to our departure I received a phone call from Fr. Jason Malave, who at the time was the pastor of Saint Benedict Parish. He had learned of Saint Andrew’s plans and he told me that he had always wanted to take his parishioners on a pilgrimage, but for one reason or another it never happened. He then asked if Saint Benedict Parish could came along. I said, “Sure! The more the merrier!

If Saint Benedict had not joined us, we would have been a smaller group. But, more importantly, we would never have had the benefit of meeting and getting to know new people. After a couple of days the lines between our two parishes began to dissipate as new friendships were formed, which have lasted well beyond the pilgrimage.

After our return, Fr. Malave and I began to have further discussions about our parishes doing other things together. We began by having a combined Lenten Mission, with each parish taking turns being the host parish. We’ve also had combined events and ministries with Young Adults, Youth Groups, Summer Bible Camp, Kairos retreats, etc. Eventually Fr. Malave finished his term at Saint Benedict and Fr. Stephen Kononick was appointed the new pastor. He has remained committed to continue finding ways for our two parishes to work together.

In the Fall/Winter of 2020 our parish, along with Saint Benedict, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Saint Mary of the Lake parishes went through the Renew My Church process. We considered various models of how these four parishes could continue to do ministry, in light of the shortage of priests, as well as the dwindling attendance of the faithful. One of those models we proposed was for Saint Andrew and Saint Benedict to remain independent parishes, but to establish a covenant for shared ministry. Although the covenant for shared ministry was an answer to the reality of limited parish resources, it also was an exclamation that when parishes work together, ministries and the lives of all are enriched. Thankfully, Cardinal Cupich agreed to this model.

This week, representative teams of 6 people from both parishes will begin working with Leadership Roundtable, a Catholic consulting group, to discern what that shared ministry should be, and how best can we implement our vision. Larger groups of parishioners will be able to participate after the core teams go through some formation. After 7 facilitated meetings, ending in late November, the goal will be to have a document ready to present to our respective parishes, and the Archdiocese of Chicago.

We will be embarking on an exciting journey that will focus our minds and hearts not on the little we have, but on the bounty God has given us. I am thankful for Fr. Malave’s initial call, and the many blessings that have come from our two parishes working together. I look forward to the many more blessings this covenant will provide for many years to come. Please keep both Saint Andrew and Saint Benedict parishes in your prayers as we discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us.

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