Mission of Our Lady of the Angels

For those Chicagoans my age, what comes to mind when we here the name... Our Lady of Angels? It is the tragic school fire on Dec 1. 1958 at Our Lady of Angels school in West Humboldt Park. I was only three years old when my mother began to cry watching the news. But I will never forget. Through my early education years, we were aggressively taught fire safety, teachers always referred to the horrific event that killed 92 children, three nuns and hundreds who walked away with significant injuries.

Over the years, the Catholic school closed first but was a charter school until approximately 2017 when given back to the Franciscans of the Eucharist at the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels. Fr. Bob Lombardo came to Chicago, at the special request of Cardinal George, to set up a mission outreach, to help the poverty- stricken neighborhood that struggled with gang infiltration and drug trafficking on Chicago’s west side.

Today, this passionate community of young men and woman work together to help the residents, providing essentials at their Tuesday food pantry. And, relentlessly, continue to pursue through the pandemic. Covid 19 has brought the number of individuals attending the pantry of fresh produce and non-perishable food much higher. Currently, they are averaging over 600 visitors per week. The Mission never slows down; offering many services which include emergency assistance, after school programs, Senior Citizen help, exercise classes and Bible study groups. They are now getting ready for the upcoming school year and need your help.

Currently, the Mission has a NEW Amazon wish list to help Chicago students go back to school this year. They are seeking school supplies and anticipate distributing 1000+ backpacks full of school supplies in August. You can order school supplies online and ship them at any time to 3808 W. Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60651. Part of your purchase when using Amazon Smiles goes to the Mission, at no additional cost to you. Feel free to check out their website that is always updated with new information if you have any questions or concerns. The Franciscans our the true angels in West Humboldt Park because of the work they perform daily and the education they have attained to teach others. Most of all, they believe in sharing the amazing treasure of the holy spirit enveloped in their Catholic faith.