Illinois’ minimum wage workers

Wednesday we hosted a news conference at St. Pius V to draw attention to the need for better wages for Illinois workers. Governor Quinn was with us, and he called for a new minimum wage of $10.00. Currently a full-time minimum wage worker in Illinois makes around $16,600 annually, which is below the Federal Poverty Threshold of $17,916 for a family of three.

Along with Pope Francis, I’d like to ask how we can allow this to be. Continue reading

Seeking Posada:

Dear Friends and Families of St. Pius V,

For the families at St. Pius V, Christmas isn’t Christmas without Posadas, an old Mexican tradition that reenacts the drama of that first Christmas Eve. That night Mary and Joseph found themselves homeless in a strange city. Finally a door is opened for them in a humble stable, where they welcome their child into the world. This year our Christian base communities again organize the evening Posada in our church: processing together, praying the rosary, reflecting on the nativity story, and finally sharing Christmas sweets and the delight of breaking the treat-filled piñatas. Continue reading

Campaign for Human Development Award for St. Pius V

     At the Catholic Campaign for Human Development awards banquet in October Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George praised St. Pius V for our “commitment to social justice and helping break the cycle of poverty” and service to victims of domestic violence. Receiving the $20,000 award with Fr. Brendan were husband and wife Gonzalo Aguilar and Caritina Temiquel, and Ramon Carreon, who along with his wife Elia was featured in a CCHD video for their inspiring story of healing from domestic violence. Click here to see the CCHD video and Elia and Roman.

CCHD

Father Brendan Curran, OP, and St. Pius V parishioners receive CCHD award from Cardinal Francis George.