Connections
Connections provides service, spiritual, speaker and social opportunities for people in their thirties and beyond. We meet on the third Sunday of each month for 5 p.m. Mass, followed by refreshments in the church hall.
Contact Mark Gluodenis at mark.gluodenis@allstate.com to be placed on the Connections e-mail list.
Visit Connections' Yahoo site
Obtain detailed information on upcoming events at the Connections' Yahoo site!
If you join the Connections Yahoo Group, you can get weekly updates on all Connections events sent to your email address. You can also view photos from past Connections events.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSPconnections/
Upcoming Events
Monthly, 3rd Saturdays of the month
Greater Chicago Food Depository
9A.M. - 12p.m.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GFCD) is a not-for-profit food distribution center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The GFCD distibutes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 pantries (many of which are supported by Old St. Pat's Outreach). The GCFD is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl., Chicago.
Connections monthly support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) contributed almost 500 hours of service for 2006 and valuable 'voucher credit' for some of the Old St. Pat's outreach partners.
Please contact: Bobby Capulong to rsvp for this rewarding eventbobby@horizons-for-youth.org 630.667.4002, or Elizabeth Gain, ecgain@hotmail.com, 773.677.9283
Friday, July 4
"Pedal and Paddle" Outing
Staying in town for the Fourth of July holiday? Want a little exercise after the July 3rd fireworks? If your answer is "yes", than join Connections for a morning of biking and kayaking along the Chicago river. All are welcome. We have reserved 15 spots, first come, first serve. We'll bike as a group 4.5 miles along the Chicago River, put our bikes on a support vehicle, and kayak 4 miles back. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours for the trip. You supply the bike, the kayak company will supply the kayaks and gear. For more information and to sign up, see the Chicago River Canoe and Kayak website at http://www.chicagoriverpaddle.com/bike.html.
$35/person in canoes & tandems; $40/person in singles.
Specify you are with the Old Saint Pat's group. For general questions, contact Mark Gluodenis at mark.gluodenis@allstate.com.
Saturday, July 12
Inspiration Cafe
Wake up early and join Connections as we serve the homeless at the Inspiration Cafe!
4554 N. Broadway. 6:30/7:30 to 9:30am
- In Chicago, fair market rent is $935 for a two-bedroom unit. To afford housing and stay within 30% of income, a renter must earn either $17.98 per hour or work 111 hours per week at minimum wage.
- Across Illinois, 65,184 households are on public housing wait lists, 65% of them are in Chicago. This is more than the total number of public housing units in Illinois, which is 63,810.
Inspiration Cafe is part of the Inspiration Corporation. In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation helps people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and housing. Specifically, Inspiration Cafe serves meals in a restaurant-style setting and provides supportive services in a therapeutic community designed to help individuals on their journey toward self-sufficiency. Last year, 27,482 meals were served at Inspiration Cafe (and its sister location in Woodlawn)!
We need 3 people starting at 6:30 am to assist in the kitchen preparing breakfast and another 7 people starting at 7:30am to serve breakfast to approximately 50 people in the Inspiration program. Everyone should be done by 9:30am, so you will have most of your Saturday free!
We are honored to partner with this long-established leader (founded in 1989) in Chicago's fight against homelessness and hope you can join us!
Please contact Theresa Mazurek theresa400@rcn.com or Denise Bossung deebee3@aol.com to sign up - thanks!
Friday, July 19
Summerdance
Dance lessons: 6-7pm: Tango 21 (Argentine Tango)
Band: 7:30-9:30pm: Orquesta Tipica Imperial (Powerful Aplanadora of Tango)
SummerDance is located in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park at 601 S. Michigan, between Harrison Street and Balbo Drive. You can find us near the green and white balloons (tied low to the back of a chair) on the west side of dance floor. Full concession stands are available, so no need to bring food or beverages.
Contact Tom Lynch for more info at TLynch6090@hotmail.com.
To visit the Summerdace Web site, click here.
Saturday, July 26
Millennium Park concert
What does Vittorio Grigolo, a former racing driver have in common with the renowned tenor, Luciano Pavarotti? Find the answer to this question by attending the Saturday, July 26th Millennium Park concert.
The 6:30 p.m. program will feature familiar opera arias, Neapolitan songs and pop opera hits by a young Italian tenor described as "Il Pavarottino - the little Pavarotti".
Bring a favorite beverage, an appetizer or dessert to share, a blanket and/or a chair. Plates, cups, napkins and flatware will be provided. Please RSVP to Mary at mary_lidd@yahoo.com or 708-917-4515 by Friday, July 25th.
We will meet near the back of the lawn section of the Pritzker Pavillion.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Chicago History Museum - Catholic Chicago Exhibit and Brunch
Join your Connections friends for a guided tour of the Catholic Chicago Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum.
The Catholic Chicago exhibit is described as the first in a series of exhibitions to explore the contributions of the city's religious communities and illustrates how the
experience of being Catholic in Chicago has transformed over time.
Schedule / Costs
11:30am - Brunch at O'brien's on Wells Street - cost on your own
2:00pm - Tour at Chicago History Museum - Admission is $14 / person OR +10 people $12 / person.
RSVP by July 25 - Brunch only / Brunch and Tour / Tour only to:
Rachel Alarcon, Connections Spiritual Chairperson
E-mail: rachelbalarcon@yahoo.com
Phone: 773-860-8601
Connections Social Committee Volunteers
Connections board is looking for some creative and socially minded individuals who would like to form a committee to build on some of the great past events chaired by Clare Spartz and John Sherman, who have recently stepped down. Past events and ideas in progress now are:
Ravinia Night, Movie night in Grant Park, Opera night at Millennium Park, Kayaking on the Chicago River / Lake Michigan, Bike Trip, Grand Canyon River Rafting (September) or other National Park trip, and Summer Dance.
Those interested, please e-mail Connections President, Mark Gluodenis at mark.gluodenis@allstate.com. A meeting will be set up with all interested parties shortly.
Connections’ Contacts
- General information:
- Contact Mark Gluodenis at mark.gluodenis@allstate.com