Deacons Give Back by working at Stritch Retreat House

The Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, Illinois, has been and continues to be the place of solace and reflection for priests deacons and their wives. This ministry is supported by the generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago and its other benefactors. It is a lovely place with 50 rooms on three floors. It takes a lot to keep up a place of this magnitude. Hence there is always a need for volunteers to assist them.

Friday the 13th might spell bad news for those superstitious, but for the Retreat House it brought the aid of over a dozen volunteers, including deacons and aspirants of Hope’s on the Way. They all joined forces in July to do various needed projects around the Stritch campus. Inside two projects were completed. A guest apartment was painted, and carpet was removed in a dining room. Outside there were benches to stain, and Stations of the Cross to repair and paint. The delivery area steel work needed sanding and painting, along with water tank covers. And a deteriorated bench needed new wood slats.

The men arrived at various times on Friday and Saturday. Just as well, because much needed rain came in spurts during the day. Friday’s crew was able to stay over enjoying the meals and hospitality of the retreat house. The sun arrived between the clouds early morning, allowing the volunteers to get the remaining projects on the outside completed.

By 2:00 PM Saturday,  the projects were completed. But there is always work to be done here as this 50 acre estate has many needs. Hope’s on the Way has placed the Stritch Retreat House on their list as an annual summer project. If you would like to give back to the place that gives us so much, then contact us to be placed on the volunteer list for next year.

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