ABOUT US: OVERVIEW

The Mission of Our Lady of the Angels establishes a Catholic presence in the West Humboldt Park area on Chicago’s west side.

This area is presently one of the poorest neighborhoods in the City of Chicago. The purpose of the Mission is twofold:  to assist the materially poor and to share the treasure of our Catholic Faith.

ASSISTANCE TO THE MATERIALLY POOR INCLUDES:

• Food Pantries- The Mission currently provides food to about 3000 families each month.  (SEE THIS LINK)
• Distribution of Clothing/ Household Goods- Gently used clothing, furniture and household goods are distributed at set times as well as to meet emergency needs as they arise. (SEE THIS LINK)
• Emergency Assistance- The Mission provides emergency food, material assistance, and referrals to other agencies as requested.
• Afterschool Programming- Hundreds of youth participate in a variety of afterschool, evening and summer programs, many of which are offered in partnership with the YMCA and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. These programs help to keep our youth in school and off the streets, away from gangs and drugs.
• Senior Citizens' Programming- Each week the Mission hosts between 50-60 senior citizens for a seniors' program that includes:  a senior-friendly exercise class, a group Bible study, lunch, and fellowship. (SEE THIS LINK)
• Community Dinners- Community dinners, the Mission’s family-oriented spin on a traditional soup kitchen, give our neighbors an opportunity to come together to pray, enjoy a home-cooked, nutritious meal, and strengthen healthy family and community relationships based on Christian values.(SEE THIS LINK)
• Special Events- The Mission hosts several special events each year including block parties and large Thanksgiving and Christmas parties.  (SEE THIS LINK)
  

OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THE TREASURES OF OUR FAITH INCLUDE:

• Retreats- The Mission provides space for various retreat opportunities. The Franciscans also travel to other locations to lead retreats for parishes, schools, or other groups. (SEE RETREAT PAGE)  
• Street Evangelization- During the summer we regularly close the street to host block parties and provide a safe, supervised play area for the children in the neighborhood. During these times, we have the opportunity to share the treasures of our faith. (SEE THIS LINK)
• -Preaching- The Franciscans of the Eucharist regularly go out to speak at parishes and other Catholic/Christian events and organizations. (SEE THIS LINK)
• Summer Bible Camps- The Mission hosts Bible camps for the neighborhood children several weeks every summer. (SEE THIS LINK)
• Eucharistic Adoration- As a part of our building up to (SEE THIS LINK), the Mission currently hosts times for volunteers (and soon our neighbors) to join us in prayer to and with our Eucharistic Lord. We believe if you can’t see Jesus in the Eucharist, you can’t see Him in the poor.