With record speed and support, Woodlawn neighbors and parishioners are working together to help the Shrine of Christ the King, which suffered a devastating fire on October 7, to rise from its ashes in a next door venue located only inches away from this historic landmark church.
The new academic year began at St. Philip Neri International Seminary at the start of September with a spiritual retreat on the theme of the Most Blessed Sacrament as a sign of God's love preached by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Yesterday's Rally for Resurrection at the Shrine enjoyed news coverage from several major networks.
Today's Mass and rally were covered by several local new media. One of them, WGN TV posted this video online:
Rally for Resurrection - on Sunday, October 11, the Shrine community gathered for Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle, then a rally at the fire-damaged Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.
Sunday, October 11, 2015 - Canon Michael Stein of the Shrine of Christ the King shows the faithful the High Altar Cross that was retrieved from the fire.
Day 3 - Damage assessment continues. This is how it looks from the sanctuary toward the back of the church and the choir loft where the fire began.
Three days after the fire, a great sadness is felt by families who regard the Shrine as their spiritual home.
On Saturday, a group of faithful came to pray before the shuttered church. Sunday Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on 5472 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago.
As soon as it was safe to do so, Canon Talarico and Canon Stein, two of three priests stationed at the Shrine, retrieved the sacred liturgical items from the burnt church.
The serene countenance of the Blessed Virgin holding the Holy Child has been a source of comfort and help in prayer.