Our Lady of Africa
Fr. Carl Gales at Our Lady of Africa Parish leads a unified community formed by merging the faith communities of Corpus Christi, Holy Angels, St. Ambrose, St. Anselm, and St. Elizabeth. Reflecting on the journey, Fr. Gales shares, “We are going on our third year of being together, praying together, and working together.” This sense of unity is vital as the parish mission is growing in holiness with a mission to serve.
Community outreach and engagement
Our Lady of Africa Parish is deeply committed to social justice and community service. The parishioners, in response to the community’s needs, have established several important ministries and services. For instance, the parish supports a ministry that distributes meals to the homeless in partnership with the Chicago Help Initiative through Catholic Charities. The parish also hosts continual clothing drives; a diaper drive last year brought in over $5,000 worth of diapers, and regularly donates clothes to the Lincoln Community Shelter. Since June, volunteers from Our Lady of Africa Parish have been visiting Margaret’s Village, a shelter for mothers and children, on the second Saturday of each month to assist in various tasks, starting with the significant project of sorting and organizing donated clothes.
One of the parish’s vital initiatives is its food pantry, which works with the Chicago Greater Food Depository to serve 250 individuals monthly. The social justice ministry at Our Lady of Africa is particularly active, focusing on battling the roots of injustice and developing action plans, such as an ecumenical peace service planned for August 2024. Additionally, the parish has an HIV ministry that supports those suffering from the disease and the Charles and Delores Rose Memorial Fund, which provides youth activities and scholarships, further strengthening the bond between Holy Angels Catholic School and the parish.
Focus on prayer
Prayer, worship, and devotion are the central to Our Lady of Africa Parish's efforts. Fr. Gales emphasizes the role of daily prayer in combating injustice. He shares, “when the foundation of our lives is rooted in prayer, it affects everything we do, our community, and how we treat others.”
Parishioners are engaged through town hall meetings that foster transparency and community involvement. Last year, a town hall was held to discuss the state of the parish, followed by a session in February to incorporate and report back on parishioner feedback. These efforts have been crucial in building trust and unity within the community, making each parishioner feel included and valued in the decision-making process.
Youth and young adult ministry
Our Lady of Africa Parish places a strong emphasis on engaging the youth. The parish has seen increased youth participation in ministries such as altar servers, lectors, and ushers. Fr. Gales notes, “We have outings for bowling, horseback riding, and our annual Jammie Jam event, which brings parishioners, parents, and students together for a night of fun, music, and fellowship.” The youth ministry also organizes musical outings and social events like ice cream socials. Weekly Mass at Holy Angels Catholic School has been particularly effective, with more children expressing a love for Mass and participating enthusiastically.
Young adult ministry is another growth area, with events like Theology on Tap, which have been well-received. “More and more young adults are coming to Mass, which is a great sign for the future,” Fr. Gales remarks.
Parish events
Critical events throughout the year include the annual parish picnic in August, which draws excellent youth engagement and features a backpack and school supply giveaway, and the Unity Mass in the fall, which brings together the diverse cultural communities within the parish. The parish celebrates African American History Month in February, honoring African American achievements and Holy Week is always a particularly wonderful time at Our Lady of Africa. Fridays during Lent at Our Lady of Africa Parish draw large crowds for the Stations of the Cross at noon and 6:30 p.m., followed by a fellowship meal of fish and chips, an event that grows in popularity each year.
A place of welcome
Its proud celebration of African American heritage sets Our Lady of Africa apart. Fr. Gales describes, “Our worship, music, and expression of worship are very special and tap into the roots of who we are as African Americans. With this exuberance of worship, people know this is a very welcoming parish; visitors are always overwhelmed by the hospitality of our greeters and the parishioners, who intentionally greet and welcome people coming for the first time. Our Lady of Africa is a wonderful place where you can feel at home but also engaged, inspired, and renewed spiritually.”
Our Lady of Africa Parish celebrates faith, service, and community, embodying its mission to grow holiness and serve others through a deep and committed relationship with Jesus Christ.
