St. Luke Parish-Carol Stream welcomes back Father Michael Pennock May 8-9
St. Luke Parish, 421 Cochise Court in Carol Stream, welcomes back their parish administer, Father Michael Pennock on May 1-2.
Father Pennock was scheduled to preside at the parish in May of 2020. A worldwide pandemic prevented Father Pennock from returning earlier. The community will celebrate with Father Pennock on Saturday, May 8, after the 5 p.m. Mass and on Sunday, May 9, after the 8 and 10 a.m. Masses. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only saying hello in a receiving line will be available.
"Father Pennock first came to serve at St. Luke Parish in July of 2019. During a busy four month stay, Father Pennock built relationships with our 200 families. He presided over the sacraments such as baptisms and daily Mass. He shared his vast knowledge of the saints with all of us," stated Mary Lou Gabl, St. Luke Administrative Assistant.
Father Pennock left St. Luke's in October 2019 as he was scheduled to serve six months at a parish in Florida. His planned return to Carol Stream in April 2020 could not happen due to the pandemic's health and travel restrictions. In his absence, Father Asirvadam Dandu, Father Marek Jurzyk, Father Tri Tran and Father Marty Gabel provided support to St. Luke Parish faith community.
"We are excited for Father Pennock to return to say our Masses in our newly renovated worship space! We had a fire in our sanctuary right after Christmas 2019," Mary Lou Gabl said. "The space was devastated but not our parishioners. During the rebuild, we met in our community room and in classrooms. In the summer of 2020, in the middle of COVID, the Joliet Diocese' renovation was far enough along for us to move back into our beloved worship space for Mass celebrations. Father Pennock has only seen the space online. He'll get to see the restored altar, pews and statues. Our new sound system is great, too."
Father Michael Pennock, a COVID-19 survivor and Chicago suburb native has been serving as a long-distance parish leader of St. Luke Parish since September 2020.,
Staff will no longer need to meet by internet with him. Parishioners will now have the opportunity to talk to Father Pennock in person rather than via, email, phone or video. The parish will offer three weekend Masses with Father Pennock's return beginning May 8.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, reservations and a face mask are required to attend the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass, 8 or 10 a.m. Sunday Mass. Visit www.stlukemasses.eventbrite.com to reserve a Mass ticket. Call the parish office at (630) 668-1325 for more information.
"Father Pennock will be living at the rectory for the next six months instead of the Clearwater Beach area in Florida. We cannot wait to say 'welcome back', " Gabl said.
For information, call the church at (630) 668-1325 or email stloff@aol.com.