Year of Hope Appeal

Jubilee Year 2025

 The late Pope Francis wrote, “Every effort should be made to enable the People of God to participate fully in its proclamation of hope in God’s grace and in the signs that attest to their efficacy. May hope fill our days!”

On Christmas Eve 2024, before opening the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis announced Jubilee Year 2025. Hope is the overarching theme of this jubilee year. “Hope does not disappoint,” said Pope Francis.

In his song “High Hopes,” legendary Italian-American singer Frank Sinatra recognized that mighty little ant who had “high hopes” of moving a rubber tree plant. The lyrics continue later with “Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant.” Every time I hear that song I break out with a smile and I’m a little lighter on my feet because I too have high hopes!

In October 1994, the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, at the request of the Chicagoland Italian community, established this Archdiocesan Shrine. Dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Rosary, The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is a place of hope and healing for all who enter our doors. Without hope, I couldn’t have ever imagined our 31^st anniversary this fall.

In this Year of Hope, we sing in Italian at the beginning of our Ordinary Sunday liturgies the 2025 Jubilee hymn “Pellegrini Di Speranza” (“Pilgrims of Hope”). I hope you’ve had the opportunity to hear our congregation sing this song with much joy and gusto in the Shrine Chapel, our wonderful temporary worship space while our church structure is being completely renovated.

I am writing to you today to ask for your help in our special Year of Hope Appeal. This serves as our annual spring appeal. Every gift received will help us meet this year’s finances for our ministry of service to those who visit our Shrine.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is a self-sustaining mission, with no financial support from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Because of your generosity, we can:

• Keep our doors open to seekers and the heat and lights on;
• Repair and maintain the cleanliness of our buildings and repair and maintain Shrine properties (Note: Resources for the renovation of our church building come from separate funds through The Shining Brightly Campaign);
• Create the Sunday prayer and worship services that inspire so many believers;
• Provide hospitality and events that make the Shrine a community of welcome, where pilgrims want to return;
• And most importantly, advance the mission of Our Blessed Mother,

Can I again count on your generosity for our Shrine’s Year of Hope Appeal?

I assure you that we budget our resources very carefully. We must, as our resources are limited and our needs significant. I thank you in advance for sharing in this ministry through your prayers and sacrifices.

All of us here at the Shrine wish you peace, joy, and of course, hope! In prayerful remembrance and gratitude,

Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni, PhD, Rector

P.S. For your gift of $500 or more, receive an Engraved Memorial Paver to be placed in our “Garden of Remembrance.” Marcia Piemonte will contact you about details.

With heartfelt gratitude and blessings,

Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni, PhD Rector