Nancy:
|
|
As a long
term employee of The Merchandise Mart Owners, I attended
Assumption Church on Holy Days and Sundays, when working our
trade shows and events. A family member, Manetta Calkins,
and Father John M. Dowd, OSM, were instrumental in my
initial involvement at Assumption Church. Upon their
encouragement, I joined the Choir in 2001, and next, upon
Father
Damian M. Charboneau’s encouragement,
Secular Servites (Secular Order of the Servants of Mary)
in 2008.
Father Joe Chamblain, OSM, further involved me in the Parish
Wedding Ministry, assisting visiting priests and wedding
parties. |
Gordon:
|
|
If you
were recommending Assumption to a potential new parishioner,
what aspects of the Parish would you emphasize? |
Nancy:
|
|
What
attracted me most to Assumption Church was the welcome
feeling I experienced from the Servite priests, as well
as the parishioners I met after Mass at the Hospitality
Sundays and at the Annual Parish Dinner. I continue to
be enlightened and uplifted by the Servite homilies,
which are vital, relevant, and thought provoking. Many
of the parishioners at Assumption Church live beyond the
River North neighborhood, and travel a distance to
attend Mass and many of the parish activities held
there. The ministries at Assumption are as varied as
the parishioners, and they continue to grow. ALL are
welcome!
|
|
|
|
Gordon:
|
|
Fr. Joe
has praised Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter
LAUDATO SI and explained that "
he Pope
is warning us that the cavalier way that our present
economic-political system treats earth “our common home” is
unsustainable. Today it is the world’s poor who are most
affected; tomorrow it will be us. He then proposes very
concrete actions, some of which we can take as individuals
and some require systemic change. We can practice
environ-mental responsibility by “avoiding the use of
plastic and paper, reducing water consumption, separating
refuse, cooking only what can be reasonably consumed,
showing care for other living beings, using public
transportation or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off
unnecessary lights . . .”
What
impact do you believe that this Encyclical Letter will have
on the daily life of most Catholics? |
|
|
|
Nancy:
|
|
I
continue to be moved and inspired by Pope Francis’ weekly
messages, especially his goals for an inclusive church, and
his continual concern for the poor and the environment.
Pope Francis is calling out to “every person on the planet”
to think about production, conservation, the environment and
consumerism, prompting us to live in moderation, and to
reduce, reuse, and recycle. My efforts will be to continue
to recycle plastics/paper/refuse, conserve on electricity
and water, conserve gasoline by combining daily errands, and
purchase a limited amount of food per week, to avoid waste.
Where possible, and most difficult of all, I am making a
concerted effort to reduce the purchase of items sold in
plastic containers, and eliminating the use of plastic
bags!! Learning by example from a former staff person, I
encourage conserving and recycling wherever I go! |
|
|
|
Gordon:
|
|
What
Mass do your primarily attend?
|
Nancy:
|
|
Being a member of the
Assumption Church Choir, I typically attend Mass at 10:30 a.m. Mass on the 2nd
and 4th Sundays of the month, as well as on all major Church Holy
Days.
|
|
|
|
Gordon:
|
|
When we
first met, I remember asking you what the CMP designation on
your business card meant. Would you share some information
about this certification and the studies necessary for this
certification? |
|
|
|
Nancy:
|
|
A
“Certified Meeting Professional” (CMP) designation can be
obtained through the
Convention
Industry Council.
The CIC website outlines the steps to qualify for a CMP
designation. I passed my CMP exam in 2003, and will hold
this certification through 2018. Recertification is
necessary every 5 years. The CMP designation is
internationally recognized in the meetings, special events,
conventions, and trade show industry. |
|
|
|
Nancy:
|
|
I have
been a member of the
Meeting
Professionals International-Chicago-Area Chapter
Association since 1994.Meeting Professionals
International (MPI) is the meeting and event industry’s
largest and most vibrant global community. MPI-CAC offers
annual Continuing Education Unit (CEU) seminars, education,
and events that continually introduce professional members
to the newest ideas and concepts in the events industry,
offering the opportunity to become better acquainted with
new relationships, marketplaces and venues within the
Chicago area |
Nancy:
|
|
My former positions at The
Merchandise Mart were Office Manager, Director, Meeting
Planning & Special Events; and Director, Corporate
Relations, Community Outreach Department. My primary
responsibilities included providing event management
services for corporate, tenant, and trade show events,
as well as 3rd party private and social events for
corporations, religious, government, civic, and
charitable organizations.
|
Gordon: |
|
You
recently became an
Event Management Consultant.
What are the primary services that you offer? |
|
|
|
Nancy:
|
|
I am
utilizing my event, property, and office management
experience to manage events, conferences and fundraisers for
clients, while I continue to remain actively involved with
many Church and charitable efforts and fundraisers. |
|
|
|
Gordon:
|
|
You are
currently involved in a major Servite event -
The V National Conference of the Servite Secular Order. .
Could you tell us something about this
important project? |
|
|
|
Nancy:
|
|
I am currently working on the Fifth National
Conference for the Servite Secular Order: USA, to be held
October 23-25, 2015, at the
Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre (Pasadena), California. The focus of
this year’s conference is “Family: Cornerstone of Love”,
which includes Keynote speakers and workshops given by
members of the Servite Order, as well as noted Catholic
speakers. I welcome meeting and spending time with Secular
Servites from the many Communities across the United States.
|
|
|
|
Gordon:
|
|
Please provide an overview of the Secular
Order of the Servants of Mary (OSSM) Community within
Assumption Church.
|
Nancy:
|
|
·
The Secular
Order of the Servants of Mary (OSSM) is made up of lay men
and women who wish to align and unite themselves in the
Service or Christ and others, by drawing on the inspiration
of Mary.
·
The
Assumption
Church’s OSSM Community, “St. Mary, Source of Our Joy”, is involved in many aspects of faith life at Assumption Church,
including Deacon-in-Training formation, RCIA formation
sponsors, Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Ministers of
Care (home and hospital visits), Altar servers, Choir
members, Lectors, Hospitality committee, Knights of
Columbus, Wedding ministry, Parish Ministry Fair, Social
Justice causes, and, happily, Servite priest celebrations.
·
Throughout
the year, we have presentations given by expert speakers on
topics, such as Human Trafficking, Fair Trade Sales, and
Radical Evangelization. Father David Brown, OSM, presented
on his newly published book, “Preaching
the Scriptures of The Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary",
Father Michael Doyle, OSM, our Spiritual Advisor, presented
his reflections on Papal Conclave 1963, and his trip to the
Holy Land. Father John Pawlikowski, OSM, is scheduled to
speak to us on Islamic Relations in January 2016.
·
The OSSM
Community participates in many of the Parish activities at
Assumption Church, including the Ministry Fair, Annual
Dinner & Silent Auction, Bake Sale, Hospitality Coffee
service, Church cleaning, etc.
·
The OSSM Community supports many
fundraising efforts at Assumption Church, including the
Knights of Columbus' baby bottle drive;
The Chicago HELP
Initiative’s
feed the homeless efforts, knit cap & glove drive, and
annual fundraiser; raffles for our sister Parish,
Our Lady of Sorrows
Basilica,
and the Annual Parish Dinner and Silent Auction.
·
Annually, in
January & February, the Servite Secular Order holds a
Toiletry Donations Drive to benefit local area shelters for
men and women.
·
Annually, after the Easter Vigil
Mass, the Servite Secular Order sponsors a reception for the
new Rite of Christian of Adults (RCIA) with food, treats,
and beverages for the new Catholics (Neophytes) and their
families.
· Annually,
on August 23, bread samples are blessed and distributed by
members of the Secular Servite Order after morning and Noon
Mass in honor of the Feast Day of St. Philip Benizi, OSM, considered
to be a founding father of the Servite Order.
·
Annually, in November, members
of the Secular Service Order join other parishioners and
serve at the Annual Parish Dinner & Silent Auction. This is
a great way to visit with fellow parishioners, and meet new
members!
·
The
Secular Order of the Servants of Mary is a great ministry,
and we are always looking for new members! Thank you for
this opportunity!
|
Gordon: |
|
Thank you for a great interview
and a valuable insight into the Servite Secular Order.
|
|
|