WHITING – A familial spirit and a reliable generosity have ensured that St. John the Baptist has remained a towering presence of faith and fellowship in the “little city by the lake” for more than 125 years. Parishioners, staff members and neighbors have described the importance of the church among other Whiting organizations not by the height of its landmark bell tower, but by the many people who have offered prayers in the sacred space and received a quality education at the parish school.
Educationally, St. John the Baptist Catholic School continues to serve scores of students from north Lake County and into Illinois. Administrators recently reported that enrollment has again exceeded 300 children and teens.
The increase has been attributed to a focus among concerned parents on values-based education, the state’s popular school choice voucher initiative, and the beneficence of the Big Shoulder Fund and Dean and Barbara White Foundation and private donors.
“The positive developments in funding, coupled with increased enrollment, have infused the St. John the Baptist school family with a strong sense of vibrancy and growth,” said principal Michelle Ondas. “There is a palpable excitement and optimism.”
At the church, Mass attendance is up and ministries such as the faith formation program are flourishing. This has kept Jamie Sandona, director of religious education, busy with the CCD program and assisting with other ministry initiatives. “The Holy Spirit is flowing in Whiting for sure!” Sandona said.
The return of a parish picnic, set for Sunday, Sept. 8, brings back a tradition that was lost for decades, but the value of which is found in the connection local believers have to their church. According to Sandona, other developments such as the return of fish frys offered this Lent, point to a healthy parish prognosis.
“We got a huge response to those fish frys and we were so blessed to have such support,” said Sandona. “My inclination was to host monthly (fellowship) meetings in the Panel Room (in the school) so we can continue to bring people together and grow.
How, then, does the parish manage when a wrench is thrown in the works?
This winter, Ondas and Sandona joined other parish leaders working with pastor Father Mark Peres, C.PP.S., who was appraised of certain infrastructure concerns that demanded attention. Unfortunately, issues with bursting pipes in an antiquated heating system functioning between the church and school buildings was more serious than any damage possible from the proverbial tossed wrench.
Maintenance crew members and HVAC specialists patched sections of the piping, only to note leaks spring forth down the line. Some of the water reached the gymnasium floor, which was later repaired.
Overall, the heating system was not providing balanced warming to the SJB campus buildings. The parish tapped into funds that were invested in the school and stabilized the piping issue.
“Anybody who owns a home or structure realizes that you don’t buy a house, put it on a shelf and let it sit there and draw interest,” said third-generation SJB parishioner Tom Markovich. “The house itself suffers the effects of time – it has to be maintained and taken care of, otherwise you lose your investment.”
Markovich stepped up with his expertise in project management and offered to spearhead a capital campaign which he said would “ensure the next 100 years,” of the parish.
Going by the name The St. John the Baptist Capital Project Funding Campaign, the plan has gained the approval of diocesan officials and was announced to those gathered for Masses on Aug. 17-18. Details are to be released to parishioners in future bulletins.
“About this campaign we say, ‘Steadfast in mission, growth through sacrifice and unity in purpose,’” explained Markovich. “That’s reflective of the parish and what is going to underpin the whole campaign.”
The initial phase of the physical plant project focused on assessing and rectifying the boiler issues, and a significant investment was made in the installation of modern equipment to separate the heating systems for the church and school.
Markovich said the St. John the Baptist campus is “a source of good and life” for the people of Whiting, the Robertsdale neighborhood and beyond. With such a solid reputation, he and parish leaders believe a fundraising effort and a well spelled-out priority list would be greeted with the historical generosity of Whiting believers.
Other issues bore further explanation and officials hoped to avoid a “tremor” among parish supporters. But as a study of the rectory and office complex revealed, replacement of the structure south of the church is necessary. “The rectory is falling down – that’s where my office is and there are cracks in the wall where someone can put their arm in,” explained Sandona. “Near the front end of the building there is a fault underneath.”
Parish officials have been upfront about the $7.5 million price tag as the “out-the-door” price for the entire project, with $4.5 designated for a new heating system. A survey of select parishioners is an ongoing way to gauge the response of people in the pews and make fundraising an “organic process.”
Markovich trusts in the concern of the St. John the Baptist faithful, but said he understands hearing how difficult economic conditions have affected parishioners and that not everyone can contribute to the capital campaign. “If someone doesn’t have the means to contribute financially, they can contribute by promoting Catholic education, and promoting the church as a place where people can join and become parishioners. Volunteerism is important,” he said.
The church family in Whiting is capable of facing the challenge of investing in the future, according to Markovich. He said the generosity of the people has been shown, from residents who tithed and donated labor for the construction of the present church building (completed in 1933) during the uncertainty of the Great Depression, to today’s faithful who stay engaged with their parish.
“(In the 1930s) parishioners prayed for the intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux … and we believe through her intercession the church came to fruition,” Markovich said, carrying on the devotion.
Caption: The circa 1950 St. John's Parochial Center section of St. John the Baptist Catholic School is shown in Whiting. Inspired by increasing enrollment at the parish school and a greater Mass attendance, yet concerned about urgent campus infrastructure needs, leaders from the 125-year-old church have launched the the St. John the Baptist Capital Project Funding Campaign to address identified structural needs. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)