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By Dolores Madlener

St. Kieran Church

724 W. 195th Street, Chicago Heights

Named for the 5th century Irish monk and scholar (above), this parish plant sprawls on 13 acres in the southeast suburbs. Shedding its “temporary” church/school building after 21 years, a new stand-alone edifice, designed by Ben Nelson & Associates, was dedicated by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in 1984. Modern airy stained glass windows depict the seven sacraments. Faith and good works are hallmarks here, with rooted traditions like First Friday evening Mass and holy hour, as well as a novena to Our Sorrowful Mother on Thursdays. “The Breakfast Club” flourishes with a family buffet on three Sundays a year. On Mother’s Day the crowd mushrooms to 500 people. The Women’s Club, men’s clubs and other groups work together to enhance parish life. A new statue by Patrick Rankin of a seated Jesus is a focal point in front of the school, and a great place to take photos of kids climbing onto “the lap of the Lord.”