PRAYER TREE DESIGNED
FOR ALL PARISH FAMILIES
Regardless if you're much of an environmentalist, people love 
trees. From a practical point of view,
planting shade trees on the south and west sides of your house can reduce winter heating bills by up to 15% and summer cooling bills by up to 50%. A well-landscaped, tree-lined yard can also raise the property value 
of a home by 5 to 15%, increasing neighborhood desirability and speeding up sales.
And, of course, trimming trees at Christmas time has become an art form. Some families even keep up an artificial tree year round and decorate it for each holiday.
On our campus we have a Prayer Tree. It was dedicated in memory of Art Wiesbrook '53, who left a bequest to our school to establish a needs-based scholarship. As there were additional funds remaining, the family embraced the idea of the Prayer Tree which is south of the Jr. High and adorns the walkway to the Ministry Center.
The concept of the Prayer Tree is simple. If you have a family member or friend who is ill and in need of God's healing grace, you are welcome to add a ribbon to the tree. Simply call our Advancement Office (630) 718-2166 and indicate whom you wish to pray fro and the illness needing a cure. It is your choice if you want to come in or have our staff tie a ribbon on the Prayer Tree. You can also add the person's name, or initials, to the back of the ribbon.
As people pass the Prayer Tree, and see the ribbons, they will be aware of the need for prayer for the afflicted child of God as well as that person's family members. It thus becomes a powerful symbol for our entire school and parish community to have so many voices in unison asking God for His mercy on those who are suffering.
We currently have the following ribbons with the universal colors for each accompanying illness:
Pink for breast cancer.
Ivory for lung cancer.
Brown for colon cancer.
Orange for leukemia.
Orange also for multiple sclerosis.
White for diabetes.
White also for Alzheimers.
Silver for asthma.
Silver also for children with disabilities.
Purple for pancreatic cancer.
Purple also for Crohn's disease and Lupus.
Light blue for prostate cancer.
Green for depression.
Green also for bipolar disorder.
Periwinkle for eating disorder.
Royal Blue - Pray for Them.
Stones also circle the tree with two inspirational sayings: I Came That They Might Have Life and Have It Abundantly and Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled. There is also a bench nearby by a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary where you may also come and pray for loved ones.
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