Welcome to St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish

Welcome to Saint Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, one of the most racially, ethnically and culturally diverse parishes in the Archdiocese. We are proud of the many people that make up this vibrant community.

We welcome you to explore and participate in our worship and in our service to the greater Hyde Park community. Come join us!

Our parish exists as a response to Christ’s command to preach the Good News and bring that News to others. As a parish community we exist to offer you and your family an opportunity to grow in spirituality in faith and in service to God’s Kingdom.

Thomas the Apostle comes to us as “Doubting Thomas.” He refused to simply accept that which he had not personally experienced. In this he stands as a model of one who actively explored his faith. We invite you to explore the dimensions of your faith with us, to share your gifts with the wider Body of Christ. Putting prayer into action is what this parish is about. Thomas’ profession of faith resulted in his expression: “My Lord and my God!” That is our prayer and direction even now.

Come help us bring to life the Kingdom of Justice for all those still hungering and thirsting for it today.

Fr. Elias, O. Carm., Pastor

Year of Faith

Oct. 11, 2012 - Nov. 24, 2013

"…They called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith..." (Acts 14:27).

In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one us and he invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with him.The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn towards Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and rediscover the Faith and Church.

With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei , Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.

The upcoming Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

Welcome Pope Francis

Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago website or Catholic New World for the latest news!

With you, I have been watching the accounts of the election of our new Pope in Rome. There is so much hope and joy connected with his election. He is the first Pope from the Americas, and the first with the name ‘Francis’. His simple style and his love for the poor have already captured the hearts of many. I will be watching the Mass on Tuesday, when he will celebrate in Saint Peter’s Basilica as Pope. But I was so pleased to hear that his first visit outside the Vatican was to the Church of our Lady (Santa Maria Maggiore), and that he has prayed and asked the Mother of God to help him in the exercise of this great responsibility.

May our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ bless you during the week that we honour his saving Passion and lifegiving Cross! May the Mother of God, who stood in prayer at the Cross of her Son, enfold you in the mantle of her protection! ~Elias

To Teach Who Christ Is

The To Teach Who Christ Is Campaign seeks to raise funds for Catholic education and faith formation over a three-year period. It is an Archdiocesan-wide, parish-based campaign with an enhanced major gift effort. The campaign offers benefits to our Catholic community, to individual elementary and high school children and to our society overall. The funds that are raised will preserve and strengthen our schools and religious education programs and those they serve, as well as meet the self-identified needs of each parish in Chicago and suburban Cook and Lake Counties.

Learn more at the To Teach Who Christ Is website!