St. Rita Parish Officially Unites with St. Clare of Montefalco

As of July 1st, 2020, St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago Lawn has officially united with St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in the Gage Park neighborhood under the leadership of Fr. Homero Sanchez, OSA, Pastor, Fr. Ray Flores, OSA and Fr. Vito Martinez, OFM.Cap, parochial vicars.

After many months of discussions and planning through the Renew My Church process of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the respective leadership and communities of each parish met to move into the direction of this unification.  The unified parish will remain with the official title of St. Rita of Cascia.

Both parishes were founded by the Augustinians, St. Rita Parish in 1905 and St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in 1916.  St. Rita Parish has consistently been under the pastoral care of the Augustinians since its founding and St. Clare Parish until 2002 when the Capuchin Franciscans arrived to serve.  Both the Augustinian and Capuchin Friars are presently serving the pastoral needs of these respective communities of Chicago Lawn and Gage Park neighborhoods.