Cupich brings humor, praise to Des Plaines parish
Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich proved he knows a thing or two about making a good first impression, albeit a wet one.
It happened in a lighthearted, but telling moment during Sunday's 11 a.m. Mass at St. Stephen Promartyr Church in Des Plaines.
Cupich had just finished blessing the church's new shrines with holy water, when he turned around and sprayed St. Stephen's pastor, the Rev. Noel Reyes.
Parishioners laughed and applauded.
"The reason I sprinkled him is because, I thought, since I was blessing all the shrines, I might as well bless him, too," Cupich told the packed church.
It culminated a festive morning and afternoon at the church, which was celebrating the dedication of its new altar and shrines.
They were added to the church at 1280 Prospect Ave. last year as part of a renovation. The project was funded by several donors, Reyes said. Among the changes were bringing the altar closer to the pews.
The occasion also served as a chance to get acquainted with the new archbishop.
"This altar reminds us that our lives are lived in community," Cupich said. "They are lives filled with sacrifice. So today, treasure the sacrifices that you make for one another."
Parishioners packed St. Stephen for Cupich's first visit to the Des Plaines church.
"It was a very humbling experience to have him here," said Cesar Delgado of Des Plaines. "It's an honor to see him in person. He came across as a very sincere, honest, humble man. He definitely made a good impression on everyone."
"I just love him," Denise Wiorek of Des Plaines added. "I feel like I got to know him a little more by his presence here."
Besides a dedication ceremony for the church's new altar and shrine, the service was a reflection of the diversity of the congregation, with prayers in Spanish and English, both translated for the congregation on a projection screen.
Cupich spoke in Spanish as well as English.
"Thanks to the screens and the willingness of everybody, we have come to this point where, no matter the language, everybody is involved," said Music Director Marieth Quintero.
She even praised Cupich's Spanish, saying it was, "Not bad. Better than my English."
Reyes said his congregation includes Hispanics, Poles, Filipinos, Italians, Vietnamese, Africans and Indians. The liturgy, he said, serves as the common ground, with the Masses delivered in two and often three languages.
"It is a matter of throwing out different languages in the liturgy that will allow people to feel they are at home and that they can connect to the liturgy," he said.
Cupich congratulated the church on its "parish transformation," saying it shows "there is a wonderful spirit in this parish."
"Father Reyes is a wonderful breath of fresh air for your community," he said.