Faith and Fellowship

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish


St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

In the neighborhoods of South Shore and Jeffrey Manor in Chicago, St. Josephine Bakhita Parish embodies faith and community service. Led by Rev. Thomas G. Belanger, the parish unifies the legacies of St. Philip Neri, St. Bride, Our Lady Gate of Heaven, and Our Lady of Peace, fostering a spirit of togetherness and resilience in an area with the highest population of Section 8 housing in the city.

With three hundred registered families, predominantly seniors aged 75-80, the parish offers daily Mass and serves as its community's spiritual and social hub. St. Josephine Bakhita remains committed to engaging and supporting its youth through various programs and initiatives despite its aging congregation.

 

Youth Engagement and Mentorship
Recognizing the need for stability and mentorship, the parish runs a teen ministry that pairs high school students with senior congregants. This initiative helps seniors with daily tasks and provides students with valuable life lessons and historical insights, fostering intergenerational bonds. Many teens, especially those from single-parent homes with incarcerated fathers, find stability and guidance through this program.

Catholic Education
St. Philip Neri School, the parish’s pre-K through eighth-grade school, currently enrolls 104 students. The school offers combined classrooms and a variety of extracurricular activities, including a Catholic Club, religious education, and a Teen Mass every fourth Sunday.

Community Programs and Outreach
To deepen the faith of its members, the parish offers Catholic 101 courses after Sunday Mass. These sessions cover the fundamentals of Catholicism, address misconceptions, and explore the rich history and traditions of the faith, catering to cradle Catholics, non-Catholic spouses, and teachers at St. Philip Neri.

Food Pantry and Clothing Distribution
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the parish operates a food pantry and a clothing and toiletry distribution service, respectively, supporting around 200-250 people weekly. Set up like a grocery store, the food pantry allows clients to shop for their needs with dignity. The parish also serves as a distribution site for hospital equipment for people with disabilities.

Building Fellowship and Faith
St. Josephine Bakhita hosts backyard liturgies and BBQs during the summer, fostering community and faith through informal gatherings. These events help connect parishioners who attend different services and bring the church's roots back to life.

Social Justice and Health Awareness
The parish’s social justice committee actively works on initiatives to curb community violence, while partnerships with organizations like Walgreens offer regular health awareness sessions on diabetes, obesity, and general health.

Celebrating and Supporting the Community
The parish hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as the Back-to-School Street and Health Fair, Christmas Breakfast with Santa, and the Annual Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show. These events unite the community, celebrate diversity, and honor the achievements of parishioners.

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish exemplifies the spirit of service and community. By addressing the needs of its members, from youth mentorship to senior support and offering a wide range of programs and events, the parish continues to be a vital and nurturing presence. St. Josephine Bakhita Parish builds a more connected community through faith, service, and fellowship.

St. Josephine Bakhita ministries and programs:

  • Alpha program
  • Food Pantry on Tuesdays
  • Clothing and Toiletry distribution on Wednesdays
  • Devices for people with disabilities are distributed to this parish as requested
  • Teen Ministry
    • Teen Mass every 4th Sunday
    • Catholic Club at St. Philip Neri School
    • Parish mentoring with seniors.
    • Religious education
  • Catholic 101 courses
  • Faith through Art classes
  • Home liturgies and backyard liturgies paired with BBQs in the summer
  • GED Program
  • Volunteer programs that work with Kolbe Jail House Ministry
  • Building strong fathers group
  • Regular health awareness sessions on diabetes, obesity, general health through Walgreens
  • Social justice committee
  • Haven intramural program
  • Bible study groups
  • Grief counselors on-site through Bereavement Ministry
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Narcotics Anonymous
  • Zumba classes twice a week
  • Lenten small group discussions
  • Women’s Club
  • Men’s Club
  • Knights Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary