Wednesday, February 17th, the archdiocese announced that, beginning July 1st, the new pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge and St. Linus Parish will be Reverend Mark Walter, the current pastor of St. Linus.

Thursday, January 21st, the archdiocese announced updates on the southwest suburbs of Chicago Ridge, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn and Palos Hills (“SW CHOP”) Renew My Church grouping.

Over the past several months, the grouping's Feedback and Discernment Teams, made up of representatives from each of the parishes and schools met to discern the future parish, school and church structures for their respective areas. Based on their meetings and discussions with the larger parish communities, they submitted feedback reports to the Archdiocesan Standards and Recommendations Commission, which includes representatives from across the archdiocese. The commission reviewed the feedback reports and other materials and information, including demographic data, financial summaries, and parish and grouping trends.

Over the course of the past several weeks, Cardinal Cupich, our auxiliary bishops and Presbyteral Council discussed the commission’s recommendations. Based on those discussions and prayerful consideration, the following decisions have been made:

The Chicago Ridge, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn and Palos Hills (SW CHOP) Renew My Church grouping includes the following parishes and schools:

• Our Lady of the Ridge Parish (Chicago Ridge)
• St. Linus Parish and School (Oak Lawn)
• St. Patricia Parish and School (Hickory Hills)
• Sacred Heart Parish (Palos Hills)

The new structure will be:

• St. Patricia and Sacred Heart will each remain in their current structures.
• Effective July 1, 2021, Our Lady of the Ridge and St. Linus will unite as a new parish with a new name, continuing to use both churches for Mass.
• As one parish, the two communities will have one pastor and one pastoral team.
• The local community will discern possibilities for the new name, within guidelines provided by the archdiocese. Until Cardinal Cupich decides on a permanent name for the new parish, the new parish will have an interim name – Our Lady of the Ridge and St. Linus Parish.
• St. Linus School will be the united parish’s school. The school will retain its name.
• The Mass schedule at each worship site will be reviewed by the pastor in consultation with parish leadership between now and July 1. The Mass schedule after July 1 may differ from the current schedule.

Additional information will be forthcoming regarding the assignment of pastors. We hope to share this information within the next few weeks.

Over the next few months, the archdiocese and the pastors of the current parishes will support the communities in their transition to the new parish and school structures. The archdiocese’s Renew My Church Accompaniment Team will work with local leaders to ensure the uniting faith communities and staff are supported through this time of change. All parishes will embark on the next phase of renewal to become stronger, more sustainable and capable of reaching more people in their work of making disciples of Jesus Christ, building communities and inspiring witness.

Click HERE for a questionnaire seeking parishoner thoughts on the qualities we seek in a pastor for the new parish.

Drop both your Sunday Offertory envelope and your Split the Pot/Share the Gift envelope in the collection basket as you enter church. If you are unable to attend Sunday Mass due to Mass capacity restrictions, you can drop off both envelopes through the mail slot in the rectory front door. Please remember that both the Sunday offertory envelope and the Split the Pot/Share the Gift envelope must be turned in together in order to participate. The results of the Split the Pot/Share the Gift drawing will be posted here each week. Thank you and stay safe.

From Sunday, February 14, 2021, envelope number 1607 was drawn for the Split the Pot/Share the Gift drawing. The parishioner assigned to this number did not participate. The total prize of $3,312.50 will be added to next week’s proceeds.

One of the many gifts that Jesus has given to His church is the gift of healing prayer. Our Lady of the Ridge has Prayer Ministers who have completed a formation program for this ministry. They are available to you as the need arises in your life. Our prayer ministers are available to pray with you after weekend liturgies one Sunday per month and by appointment. Due to the Covid-19 situation, our next scheduled Prayer Ministry dates are pending. To make a unique appointment, please call the Rectory (425-3800), leave your contact information, and a prayer minister will call to confirm your appointment.

Click here for more information.