Finding their 'sacred space'

Nestled among farms near Antioch, St. Raphael the Archangel celebrated its first Mass Saturday.

Pastor John Jamnicky welcomed about 150 people to Lake County's newest Catholic church, which is temporarily being housed in a machine shed on the former Pedersen farm.

Briefly mentioning the Christmas story of Christ being born in a barn, Jamnicky said the church is sacred space, no matter what kind of building is used for worship.

"Today we are preparing to celebrate the Eucharist here. This is our home, our sacred space," he said.

The building has undergone extensive renovation. The crucifix above the altar, the pews, confessionals, the tabernacle, the stained glass and wooden arches all previously stood in now-closed Chicago churches.

"The crucifix is nearly 100 years old, and that image of Christ has been a symbol for worship for many years," Jamnicky said.

St. Raphael is the Archdiocese of Chicago's first new parish in 10 years, according to the church bulletin. It serves an eight-square-mile territory bordered by the state line to the north, the Tri-State Tollway to the east, Grand Avenue to the south and Deep Lake and Grass Lake roads to the west.

The renovated machine shed seats 200 people and will be used for about five years. The archdiocese plans to build a church adjacent to the building on 40 acres along Route 45 it has owned for the last decade. That church will seat 1,500 to 1,600 people and cost $15 million to $20 million to build.

Jamnicky served as chaplain of O'Hare International Airport for 20 years. Comparing his job to that of a waiter, he told parishioners that he was there to serve them.

Antioch resident Dorothy Wegener was among those celebrating Mass on Saturday.

"I knew the family who had farmed here before, and I wanted to see the new church," she said.

Since St. Raphael seats only about 200, Mass will be held twice on Saturdays, three times on Sundays and daily during the week.

Jamnicky will hold services at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. today.

Cardinal Francis George will bless the church during the 6 p.m. Mass on Sept. 29, which also is the Feast of the Archangels.