Book Discussion

Join us this Saturday, April 14th from 9-11 am in the Rectory to discuss Fr. Grey Boyle's latest book Barking To The Choir. Chrissy Scott and Kim Nugent, parishioners and school parents will be hosting the discussion. You also can join us to hear Fr. Greg Boyle speak live on Wednesday, April 18th at Old St. Patrick Church in the West Loop. Fr. Larry Dowling, pastor of our sharing parish, St. Agatha is working to have members of his parish join us as well. Contact Kim Nugent ([email protected]) or click on this SignMeUp link to let us know you are coming to either or both events.


About Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ: Founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. After ordination, Father Boyle spent a year living and working with Christian base communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In 1986, he was appointed pastor of Dolores Mission Church in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East LA. At the time, Dolores Mission was the poorest Catholic parish in the city, located between two large public housing projects with the highest concentration of gang activity in Los Angeles. He witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his community during what he has called "the decade of death" that began in the late 1980's. In the face of law enforcement and criminal justice tactics and policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the means to end gang violence, Father Boyle and parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treating gang members as human beings.

"Gang violence is about a lethal absence of hope" Father Boyle has said.  "Nobody has ever met a hopeful kid who joined a gang." In the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Jobs for a Future and Proyecto Pastoral, a community-organizing project begun at Dolores Mission, launched their first social enterprise business in an abandoned bakery that Hollywood producer Ray Stark helped them purchase.  They called it Homeboy Bakery.

The success of Homeboy Bakery created the groundwork for additional social enterprise businesses, leading Jobs for a Future in 2001 to become an independent nonprofit organization, Homeboy Industries.  Today, Homeboy Industries employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to 15,000 men and women who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.

To learn more about Homeboy Indiustries, click on his link: https://www.homeboyindustries.org/

 
 
Important Upcoming Dates!

Thursday, April 19th - Confirmation, 7 PM

 
Men's Spirituality Group Meeting
The St. Josaphat Men's Spirituality group will meet next on Saturday April 21st, 2018, at 6:30am in the Rectory.
SJS Applications
St. Josaphat School is now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year.
Thursday Mass 04/19
Cancelled
The 6:30 pm Mass on Thursday, April 19 will be cancelled because of Confirmation Mass at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend the Confirmation Mass.
Unity Gala Adult Events
Sign Up for Unity Gala Adult Events like "Afternoon Open House" on May 18 and "End of School Year Ladies Night" on May 18. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Coaches Needed
Do you love sports and enjoy working with children? St Josaphat School is looking for coaches for the 2018-19 school year. If you are interested, contact SJS AD Kate York at [email protected]. Go Hawks!
SJS Moe-Hawk Money Gift Cards Available
Purchase a gift card and a 2-10% rebate will go back to SJS school. Forms are due every Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. and you will receive your gift card(s) the following week. Questions/suggestions: Gina Lynch [email protected]
Parish Development Council
Know Fundraising or Communications? Join the Parish Development Council! Contact the Office.

Do you  have  a  topic  you'd like to read about?  Would you like to write an article?  Contact  [email protected]

 


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