Fr. José M. Santiago, OP, Pastor
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Pius V Parish,
We have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tradition at St. Pius V of celebrating Mass at 11:00 am and then hosting a community dinner in our parish hall. I invite you to join us this Thursday!
Both Mass and dinner are open to all: parishioners, friends, and many who have nowhere else to go for the holiday. The meal is prepared and served by a dedicated team of volunteers led by parishioner and coordinator Yesenia Serva.
Many of those who break bread with us on Thanksgiving are people who have visited our parish soup kitchen and food pantry throughout the year – often sitting side by side with benefactors whose generosity has made all this possible.
Thanksgiving at St. Pius V really started last Saturday as our parish hosted a large distribution of donated turkeys and other foods for families in need. On behalf of all who participated, I thank H. Kramer and Company, Richards Supply, HFS Chicago Scholars, the 12th District of the Chicago Police Department, and Manuel Perez School for their generosity and volunteer spirit in making this happen.
Some of the generous, talented people we honored at Volunteer Appreciation Night on November 19.
Last Saturday we also hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night in the parish hall. Along with food, music, and dancing, we celebrated and thanked the dozens and dozens of volunteers who make this parish such an active and engaged community of faith.
As we pause this week and express our gratitude to God for the many blessings in our lives, I give thanks for the parish family – parishioners, staff, school families, volunteers, and benefactors – of St. Pius V for the spirit of service and love that marks all that we are and do.
May God bless you and your loved ones on this Thanksgiving Day and always!
In Christ’s peace,
Fr. José M. Santiago, OP
Pastor, St. Pius V Parish
Your support allows us to minister to individuals and families in many ways, including the more than 45,000 meals made possible each year by the food pantry and soup kitchen in our parish hall. Please consider a Thanksgiving donation in support of the ministries and social outreach of St. Pius V parish. Thank you!
These smiling people are just a few of the dozens of volunteers who work hard to feed the hungry in our community. These generous women and men prepare and serve a nutritious hot meal three days a week in our parish hall. They also pack and distribute two bags of donated groceries to scores of families in need every Tuesday.
