History
History of Mary Queen of Heaven Church
Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Cicero, Illinois, was established in 1911, following the efforts of local Catholics who had formed a group called the Central Club in 1908. This group petitioned Archbishop Quigley for the creation of a new parish, as there were about fifty Catholic families in the Morton Park section of Cicero. In the summer of 1911, Rev. A.J. Dedera was appointed to establish the parish.
A temporary church was set up in a building originally used as the Morton Park Clubhouse, later a Town Hall, and a Methodist Congregational church, before being sold to the Archbishop of Chicago. The church was blessed on December 10, 1911, by Archbishop Quigley and named Mary Queen of Heaven. The first Mass was held on December 17, 1911, and additional Masses were scheduled shortly afterward. The first baptism at the parish occurred in 1911, and the first marriage was performed in 1912.
In its early years, the parish grew rapidly. In 1913, the school opened with 38 pupils and was initially taught by the pastor, Father Dedera, and two lay teachers. By 1913, the Sisters of Charity (B.V.M.) arrived to assist with the teaching, and the number of students quickly increased. In 1915, a new church-school building was constructed at a cost of $40,000 and was dedicated in 1916. By 1919, the school had expanded to accommodate 490 pupils and required 10 teaching sisters. The parish continued to acquire properties, including a convent, rectory, and additional land.
A tragedy struck in 1915 when the excursion steamer Eastland capsized, killing several Mary Queen of Heaven parishioners. Despite such challenges, the parish flourished. In 1923, Rev. William R. Griffin became the pastor and launched an appeal to eliminate the parish’s remaining debt, which was paid off within six months. He also organized spiritual practices like May devotions and First Friday devotions, which helped foster the parish's spiritual growth.
In 1925, Father Griffin organized the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago and oversaw significant improvements to the parish. A new rectory was built in 1925, and by 1929, plans were underway for a new church. Construction of the new church began in 1929 and was completed in 1930, costing nearly $350,000. The church was furnished and dedicated without debt, thanks to the parishioners' generosity.
In the early 1930s, the parish expanded further, with the number of families growing to over 600 and seven Masses held each Sunday. Under the leadership of Father Griffin, Mary Queen of Heaven became one of the diocese’s most prominent parishes. However, the onset of World War II brought sorrow as many young parishioners were called to serve, with some losing their lives. Despite these hardships, the parish continued to thrive spiritually, with crowded Masses and Novenas.
By the 1940s, under the leadership of Rev. James F. Halpin, the parish remained active, and the Men's Club and choir flourished. Several other priests were assigned to the parish, including Rev. William J. Zink and Rev. Aloysius H. Minarik, who contributed to the development of youth groups and religious education.
Throughout its history, Mary Queen of Heaven has grown from a small group of Catholic families into a large, vibrant parish. Despite challenges like financial struggles, tragedies, and wartime loss, the community has remained committed to its faith, with significant contributions to spiritual and physical growth under the guidance of dedicated clergy. The parish remains a prominent religious community in Cicero.
History of Our Lady of the Mount Church
In 1919, Archbishop George Mundelein recognized the need for a local church for Bohemian Catholics living between 56th and Ridgeland Avenues in Chicago. Father Albert J. Dedera was appointed rector and a temporary church was constructed, measuring 60x30 feet and costing just under $3,000. The church was completed by December 1919, and the first Mass was held on January 5, 1920. The parish was named after the Marian Shrine in the town of Vranov, Czechoslovakia, known as the Lourdes of Czechoslovakia, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.
In its early years, the parish grew quickly. A bungalow at 2435 South 61st Avenue served as a temporary rectory, and additional lots were purchased for future expansion. By 1923, the original church proved too small to accommodate the growing number of parishioners, prompting the construction of an addition. This new expansion, measuring 48x40 feet, increased the church’s seating capacity to around 400 people. The church also constructed a school in a "U" shape around a space for a future church. The Sisters of St. Benedict from Lisle, Illinois, were brought in to run the school, and a temporary convent was set up at 2422 South 61st Avenue.
The rapid growth of the parish under Father Dedera's leadership led to further expansion. In 1925, construction began on a new church at the center of the U-shaped school, and the former church was converted into a parish hall. The new church was dedicated on November 28, 1926. In 1929, Father Dedera also initiated plans for a new social center and convent, which were completed by 1930. The parish had 575 families by 1926, and parishioners actively participated in fundraising events. By 1940, the parish had successfully paid off a $350,000 debt.
Father Dedera served as pastor for 30 years until his death in 1949. His successor, Reverend Francis J. Tony, was appointed pastor and served until 1963. Father Tony was made Monsignor in 1959, and he was succeeded by Reverend Francis J. Pokorney in 1963. During Father Pokorney’s tenure, the parish undertook several improvements, including renovations to the school and the celebration of the parish’s golden jubilee in 1970. However, Father Pokorney passed away in 1971 after suffering a heart attack while on vacation.
Reverend Richard R. Grimmel became pastor in 1971 and continued the renovation work, including a major refurbishment of the church, which was completed by Holy Thursday, April 19, 1973. By the late 1970s, the parish had become more ethnically diverse, with an influx of Italians, Poles, Asians, and Hispanics. The parish transitioned to conducting services in English to accommodate the changing demographics, and by 1978, the parish had 1,470 families and 200 children enrolled in the school.
Father Grimmel served until January 1987, followed by Father Thomas E. Unz as administrator, and then Father Joseph T. Le Voy, who took over the pastoral leadership in 1987. Father Le Voy immediately focused on renovating parish buildings, including repairing the roof and updating the Social Center. The convent was sold, with the proceeds directed toward the renovation projects. By this time, the parish had 950 families and 268 children in the school.
Throughout its history, Our Lady of the Mount has been defined not just by its physical buildings, but by its active and engaged community. In its early years, various societies and clubs, such as the Altar and Rosary Society (1920), Holy Name Society (1924), and the St. Cecilia Choristers (1920), were formed to serve both the spiritual and social needs of the parish. Social clubs like the Jaeger Club (1924) and the Friday Evening Club (1924) also contributed to the community’s growth and involvement. The Boy Scouts, organized in 1930, and the Girl Scouts, formed in 1934, were important groups within the parish. Many of these groups eventually disbanded, but the legacy of their service remains in the memories of older parishioners.
In recent years, new organizations focused on service to the parish and community have been established, including the Parents’ Club, the School Board, and ministries like the lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ministers of care. The parish school, fully accredited by North Central, continues to provide both academic and extracurricular opportunities for students.
In terms of its ethnic composition, the parish began with a strong Czech identity, with services and communications in Czech, but as time went on, it embraced the changing ethnic make-up of the community. The parish opened its doors to Italian, Polish, Irish, and later Hispanic, Asian, and Slavic immigrants. In 1983, Father Votech S.B. began celebrating Mass in Czech again, helping to maintain the parish's connection with its Czech roots.
Today, Our Lady of the Mount remains a vibrant and welcoming parish with a rich history of growth, community involvement, and spiritual dedication.
What is Renew My Church Process?
Renew My Church" (RMC) is an initiative launched in 2016 by the Archdiocese of Chicago under Cardinal Blase Cupich to revitalize the Catholic Church’s mission, improve parish sustainability, and address changing demographics and declining participation. The initiative is multi-faceted, addressing structural, financial, pastoral, and evangelization challenges while fostering spiritual renewal. Below is a detailed summary of the RMC process:
1. Initial Vision and Goals
Spiritual Renewal:
Central to RMC is the vision of creating a more mission-oriented Church, following Pope Francis' call for a "missionary church." The goal is to transform parishes into beacons of faith and service, deeply engaged with their communities.
Structural and Financial Stability:
Many parishes in Chicago were struggling with declining Mass attendance, financial difficulties, and aging infrastructure. The Archdiocese aimed to restructure parishes to maximize resources, reduce redundancies, and create more financially sustainable and viable communities.
2. The Grouping and Discernment Process
Parish Grouping: Over 300 parishes in the Archdiocese were grouped together based on geographic location and other factors. This allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of each grouping’s viability.
Discernment Sessions: Each group of parishes engaged in a process of discernment, with parishioners, clergy, and lay leaders assessing factors such as financial health, demographic shifts, building conditions, and community needs. Surveys, listening sessions, and workshops were held to gather input.
Outcomes: Based on these discernment sessions, parishes were given recommendations on whether they should remain independent, merge with other parishes, or close. In many cases, parishes merged, sharing resources and combining communities to form larger, sustainable entities.
3. Implementation and Transition
Formation of New Parish Communities:
Merged parishes often underwent a delicate transition. The Archdiocese worked to blend parish identities, respecting traditions and practices while forming a unified community. In some cases, new names were chosen for the merged parishes, and leadership teams were adapted to support the larger communities.
Reallocation of Clergy and Staf:
With fewer priests available, the Archdiocese sought to allocate clergy and pastoral staff more efficiently across newly restructured parishes. New roles, such as **Parish Life Coordinators** (laypeople or deacons overseeing administrative functions), were introduced to support priests in non-sacramental tasks.
Renovations and Building Sales:
In cases where buildings were no longer needed, they were sold, with the proceeds reinvested into remaining parishes. Church buildings, schools, and other facilities were renovated to better serve the needs of the remaining parish communities.
4. Evangelization and Faith Formation
-Building the New Reality:
RMC emphasized that restructuring alone was not enough. The Archdiocese focused on creating a renewed spiritual life, aiming to engage lapsed Catholics and reach out to new members through evangelization.
Programs for Formation and Outreach:
Several programs were launched to support evangelization, such as **Alpha** and ChristLife, which are designed to draw in new seekers and help Catholics deepen their faith. The Archdiocese also strengthened its outreach efforts through youth and young adult ministry and improved digital media strategies.
Leadership Development:
New leadership programs were created to equip parish staff and lay leaders with skills in pastoral planning, community engagement, and evangelization, ensuring that parishes could thrive even in a smaller, more focused structure.
5. Ongoing Accompaniment and Evaluation
Support Systems for Parishes:
The Archdiocese provided continuous support to parishes through coaches, consultants, and resources, particularly as they navigated the changes introduced by RMC. This support helped parishes implement new structures and strategies effectively.
Evaluation and Adjustment:
RMC is an ongoing process, and the Archdiocese has periodically reviewed its progress, making adjustments as needed. These reviews included revisiting parish groupings, expanding or reducing support resources, and refining evangelization strategies to meet changing needs and demographic shifts.
Transparency and Communication:
Throughout RMC, the Archdiocese has prioritized open communication with parishioners. Regular updates, listening sessions, and a dedicated website were used to maintain transparency, build trust, and keep parishioners informed about the progress and decisions of the initiative.
Challenges and Community Response
Emotional Impact:
The restructuring process had an emotional impact on many parishioners, particularly those whose churches merged or closed. Many felt strong attachments to their local parish, and the Archdiocese recognized the need for pastoral care and support during this time of transition. Special Masses and commemorative services were held to honor the history of closed parishes.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Chicago’s Catholic community is diverse, with many ethnic parishes (e.g., Spanish-speaking, Polish-speaking). The Archdiocese worked to preserve language-specific and culturally focused ministries wherever possible, ensuring that ethnic communities continued to have a vital role in parish life despite restructuring.
Looking Forward
"Renew My Church" is intended as an ongoing journey, not a one-time solution. The Archdiocese aims to create parishes that are not only financially stable and operationally efficient but also spiritually vibrant and mission-oriented. By continuing to evaluate and adjust the program based on local needs and feedback, RMC is seen as a model for Church renewal, ensuring that the Archdiocese of Chicago thrives and grows in the face of contemporary challenges. The ultimate goal is to build a Church that is alive, engaged, and responsive to the changing needs of the faithful.
The Renew My Church Process Began Summer 2021
In November 2021, the North Berwyn-Cicero grouping of parishes—St. Anthony, Mary Queen of Heaven, St. Odilo, and Our Lady of the Mount—participated in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church (RMC) initiative. This renewal and restructuring initiative aims to help parishes grow sustainably by adapting to demographic and financial trends, particularly in communities with a large Spanish-speaking population. The grouping’s discernment process was managed by a Grouping Feedback and Discernment Team (GFDT) consisting of representatives from each parish, who carefully reviewed parish needs, financial summaries, and demographic data.
The Mary Queen of Heaven GFDT included: Genevieve Boul, Cinthya Calderon, Alma Velazquez, Enrique Silva, and Maria Martinez, who engaged closely with other parishioners to provide comprehensive feedback. For Our Lady of the Mount, the GFDT consisted of Gaudencio Gutierrez, Deacon Benito Gallegos, Jose Avila, and Norma Alvarez. These individuals, working alongside pastors Fr. Sergio Solis, Fr. Sergio De La Torre, Fr. Bartholomew Juncer, and Fr. Juan Luis Andrade, gathered extensive community input and discussed potential future structures with the Archdiocesan Standards and Recommendations Commission.
The team ultimately recommended uniting Mary Queen of Heaven and Our Lady of the Mount into a single parish with two worship sites. This decision was approved by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and auxiliary Bishop Birmingham. As of July 1, 2022, Mary Queen of Heaven and Our Lady of the Mount are to be a single parish with a shared pastoral team and one pastor. Our Lady of the Mount will be designated as the primary parish for record-keeping. St. Anthony and St. Odilo will remain structurally independent but are encouraged to collaborate closely with the newly combined parish.
In the next phase of the RMC initiative, the united parish will focus on evangelization, community-building, and meeting the spiritual needs of the surrounding area. The consolidation is intended to make pastoral care more effective and financially sustainable, while reaching out more robustly to the community, especially Spanish-speaking Catholics. Cardinal Cupich and the archdiocese expressed profound gratitude to all participants in the GFDT for their dedication and careful discernment during this transition.
DECREE of the Unification – January 20th 2022
The Archdiocese of Chicago has experienced a decline in both population and Catholic parishioners, creating financial strain and reducing parish vitality. Between 1970 and 2020, Chicago’s population decreased by nearly 21% from 3,366,957 to 2,693,976. Meanwhile, the overall population in the Archdiocese's jurisdiction (Cook and Lake Counties) declined by less than 2% from 2010 to 2020, with a decrease from 5,903,190 to 5,821,933. However, the Catholic population within the Archdiocese fell more sharply by approximately 7%, with a loss of 159,000 Catholics (from 2,338,000 to 2,179,000).
These demographic changes have impacted parishes, many of which were established in the early 20th century for specific national or ethnic communities, groups that no longer reside in these areas. Between Fiscal Years 2012 and 2021, the Archdiocese spent $187,818,176 supporting financially struggling parishes and Catholic schools—$49,452,924 went to 119 parishes, while $138,365,252 supported schools. Fiscal Year 2021 alone saw $10,708,494 allocated, primarily to parochial schools. Due to limited resources, this high level of financial assistance cannot continue, leading the Archdiocese to shift its focus to revitalizing parishes.
In response, the Archdiocese launched the *Renew My Church* (RMC) initiative, inspired by Pope Francis’ vision in *Evangelii Gaudium* of a transformative "missionary option." The goal is to make parishes more self-sustaining and focused on discipleship, evangelism, scholarship, and charity. Under this plan, parishes are encouraged to collaborate with nearby parishes on a future-focused strategy, with possible structural changes.
One of the RMC proposals concerned the consolidation of Mary Queen of Heaven and Our Lady of the Mount, two parishes in Cicero, Illinois, located within two square miles. Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, established in 1911, and Our Lady of the Mount, founded in 1919 for Bohemian Catholics, have since evolved, with both now primarily serving Spanish-speaking Catholics (86% at Mary Queen of Heaven and 91% at Our Lady of the Mount). Combined Sunday attendance in 2019 reached 4,208—a 26% increase over a decade. Attendance at Mary Queen of Heaven decreased by 9%, while Our Lady of the Mount grew by 84%.
Financially, Mary Queen of Heaven Parish showed an operating surplus of $146,160 in Fiscal Year 2021, with $1,166,221 in debt and $173,218 in savings. In contrast, Our Lady of the Mount Parish had deficits, including a $156,584 shortfall in 2021, total debt of $678,653, and only $40,257 in savings. Liturgically, the two parishes had a combined 68 funerals, 31 marriages, and 381 baptisms in 2019, suggesting a young demographic but indicating financial and administrative challenges.
After consultations with parish leaders and parishioners, the Archdiocesan Standards and Recommendations Commission recommended consolidating these two parishes due to their significant combined debt, budgetary struggles, and the decline in specific ethnic ministry needs. On November 9, 2021, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and the Presbyteral Council voted to merge them. Effective July 1, 2022, Mary Queen of Heaven Parish and Our Lady of the Mount Parish ceased to exist as independent juridic entities, forming a new parish under the temporary name *Mary Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of the Mount Parish*. Our Lady of the Mount Church was designated the primary parish church.
This decision aimed to centralize resources under one pastoral team, streamline operations, and support the mission of evangelization and discipleship. The merger included combining all ministries, assets, and sacramental records under the new parish, with the expectation that the restructuring would strengthen the community’s financial sustainability and long-term spiritual mission. The decree was announced on January 20, 2022, with parishioners notified and informed of their appeal rights.
A New Name for the New Parish Community
A survey team consisting of members from both Our Lady of the Mount Church and Mary Queen of Heaven Church was formed to select a new name for the merged parish in Cicero, Illinois. The team included Genaro Barajas, Alma Velazquez, Juan del Real, Michael Fron, Jovita Monarrez, and Jose Almazan.
On January 20, 2022, both parishes were officially combined into a new entity, temporarily named Mary, Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of the Mount Parish. After consultations with parishioners and church councils, the new permanent name was decreed as Our Lady, the Mystical Rose Parish (Parroquia Nuestra Señora, la Rosa Mística) on January 26, 2023, from Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois.
