Our Lady of the Ridge
10838 S. Oxford Drive, Chicago Ridge
From 1948's first makeshift building for worship, this parish
has witnessed the dedication of its present $2-million modern
edifice by Cardinal George in 2000. Doubling the capacity
of their previous church, worshipers now sit in two semi-circular
sections facing one another, "praying for we; not me."
There are no strangers here. There is also no shortage of volunteers
for a variety of activities and services. Need a ride to
church-there's a volunteer. A worship team gathers everyone
from altar servers to lectors, ushers and priests for regular
planning sessions. A variety of musicians and choirs help to
lift the congregation's voices. There are holy hours; and intercessory
as well as healing prayer groups. A telephone request
to the rectory for prayers launches the Prayer Line, which
links to many eager pray-ers by a phone chain. Grief outreach,
pro-life ministry, men and women's clubs, and even a monthly
parish coffee house with entertainment, all serve to build community.