Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church will host its annual Memorial Day Mass at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery (911 E. North Ave.) at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30. Rev. John McGeean will preside over the Mass at the cemetery’s Mausoleum of the Holy Apostles (see map). In the event of inclement weather, the Mass will move to Saints Peter and Paul Church (36 N. Ellsworth St.).
On Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1922, the church was completely destroyed by a fire that still remains the worst in Naperville’s history. Out of the ashes, the 350 families that comprised Saints Peter and Paul parish at that time built the magnificent church we have today.
I will forever remember the warmth, beauty, and kindness of the people I encountered in Tanzania. The staff at INUKA made me feel as if I was part of their team. And you have seen how the Catholic communities welcomed me to their celebration of the Eucharist; I will forever remember their faith and joy, and their thoughtfulness in presenting me--their honored guest--with gifts. The sacrifice they make in tithing for the Church is humbling, and the manner in which they dress for Church puts us to shame (they truly put on their Sunday best when they go to worship the Lord).
On Saturday, February 21, I boarded a very small plane for the first of my three flights to get me to the Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater area. After landing on a dirt airstrip in Lake Manyara (again, thank you for the prayers; nervous flyer), my guide, Nahto, drove me into Lake Manyara National Park. The park covers some 125 square miles including 89 square miles of lake surface.
Earlier today, Fr. Nestor drove me 3-1/2 hours to Mbeya, where I boarded a flight to Dar es Salaam. I was greeted at the airport in Dar es Salaam by Oda, a police officer and longtime friend of Fr. Nestor. After leaving the airport, we picked up Fr. Nestor’s sister, Sr. Beatrice (an oncology doctor in Dar es Salaam). Sr. Beatrice had to make sure that I arrived safely to my hotel for the night; I love her thoughtfulness and kindness.