A Jewel in the Joliet Community Grows Richer

The excitement of Mariachi’s playing and the laughter and excitement of those present joined in the inaugural blessing of, “A jewel within their community,” as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s Community Learning Center, in Joliet, Illinois, was officially commemorated, November 18, 2005.

They gathered from throughout the community, those that had laid the tiles, painted the walls, and installed the wallboard. Skilled craftsmen, parish leaders, and elected officials alike, all who donated time, talent, and treasure to have their home, the jewel of this neighborhood with its magnificent church add even more to their community through the addition of a center of learning for leaders of today and tomorrow.

From a former shopping center to the present beating heart of the community, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, once a small chapel, has risen to the present and future needs of the 2,600 and still growing families that are its parishioners as she becomes the shinning example of what a little faith can do.

“We have a jewel, because of the grateful Carmelite Fathers and their dedication to this community,” said Most Reverend Joseph Imesch, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, who was present to formally dedicate the center. In 2002 the parishioners successfully converted half of the facility into worship space. This, the second of a three-part phase, has converted 50% of the remainder of the building into a cultural learning center, that houses eleven class rooms, a gathering space and two restrooms which will be used for religious instruction, and serve the community’s needs with adult education classes such as language and computer skills.

“Father Ray was the force behind us all,” said Alfredo Melesio, president of the parish council and construction committee organizer, referring to Reverend Raymond Corkery, O.Carm., the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Joliet. Alfredo and his committee were right-in-step with Father Ray. But, in Father Corkery’s opening remarks there were many who had helped to make this star a shining one. He acknowledged the many that were in attendance and the many that were present in spirit that had contributed to this new expansion of their parish. The charitable efforts had indeed helped to keep the construction cost valued at $650,000 down by their donations of time, skilled labor, and generous gifts, such as computers for the classrooms within the facility, which were donated by the University of Saint Francis, in Joliet.


The gleaming vestibule reflects the jewel of the Community Learning Center’s entranceway.

Many churches throughout the diocese came forward. Saint Mary Magdalene parish in Joliet provided furniture for classrooms while others offered monetary support for this 8,000 square foot building expansion. “We were meeting in two places before,” said Nata Martinez, director of Religious Education at the parish. “Now I feel we have a home!” Starting in January, our nearly 600 Hispanic children and high school students who will attend Religious Education classes this semester, and the countless number of adults who will learn English as a second language and computer skills that will help them advance in life, will walk through our doors this first year. The final building phase comes off the drawing board, as Architects of Thomas A. Buchar and Associates, Inc., announced plans for a banquet hall facility located in the final quarter of the building, which will seat 500 persons.

From a Jewel food store that fed the people to a jewel that provides the food of faith. From the 800 seat capacity church that fills each Sunday to the record numbers of baptisms each month, one can only draw similarities from scripture between the two, “For I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was hungry and you gave me food.” The Carmelites follow the Lord’s request in no small way. May God continue to shine upon this jewel.