W E D N E S D A Y
March 5, 2025 Vol. 45, No. 35
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Spring
Performing Arts 2025
Guide
Special Section Page B1
Oak Park St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church closing promotes antibrings complex emotions panhandling campaign
Rising costs, dwindling attendance prompts decision By GREGG VOSS
Oak Park leaders don’t want you to give money to panhandlers, they hope you’ll donate instead
Contributing Reporter
Lower mass attendance and costly upkeep has resulted in the anticipated closure of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy church. The building, located at 27 Washington Blvd. in Oak Park, is part of a Catholic parish that includes St. Giles, 1045 Columbian Ave., Oak Park. Building closure will occur prior to the end of the parish’s fiscal year on June 30. A final commemorative mass will be hosted in June, according to a press release made available Monday by the parish, though no official closing date has been set. While located in Oak Park, the parish has a long history as a shared community between Oak Park and Austin. Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of St. CatherineSt. Lucy and St. Giles, made the announcement after 9 a.m. mass Sunday. He invited the roughly 75 parishioners in attendance at St. Catherine-St. Lucy to speak to each other and him about the announcement. “I can tell you than in 42 years I’ve been a priest, I never imagined that I would be in a position to tell people that their sacred place See CHURCH CLOSING on page 4
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Oak Park’s village government has taken a position to try and reduce panhandling. The village has launched a public service announcement campaign discouraging residents from giving money to people asking for it on the street, instead encouraging Oak Parkers to donate to Housing Forward using QR code posters around the community and directing people they encounter to the resources offered by that organization or other local service providers. The posters carry the slogan, “Give Real Change, Not Spare Change,” as the CREDIT: ST. CATHERINE - ST. LUCY CHURCH/FACEBOOK
St. Catherine - St. Lucy Church
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See PANHANDLING on page 9