WELCOME TO HOPE'S ON THE WAY!

After the devastation by the Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, a flood of support came pouring in to Louisiana. Like most items in our lives, if you don’t witness it first hand—if it doesn’t affect you personally—you will soon erase it from your mind and slowly drift back to your life and its day-to-day encounters.

This website is about the efforts of a small group of Catholic ordained deacons and their volunteers from the Chicago land area, who in their little way, continue to help the people of New Orleans, that so many have forgotten.

In July, Hope's on the Way deacons and lay volunteers painted the narthex and vestibule at St. Rene’s Parish in Chicago, to prepare the church for their 50th anniversary year. View the photos!

(Above) Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago visits with members of Hope’s on the Way during the 170 year celebration of St. Patrick’s Church in Lemont, Sunday, May 4, 2008.

SAINT MICHAEL’S PARISH HONORED When Deacon Tony Cocco from St. Michael’s parish in Orland Park volunteered to lead the June, 2007 mission to New Orleans, he wasn’t alone. Seven additional men from his parish answered the call including fellow Deacon, Jim Janicek. He also brought the support and prayers of his pastor Fr. Mike Hack, and the generous donations of the parishioners there. The parish donated $11,000 in funds which included $1,000 in tools donated by Father Mike to be given to Catholic Charities in New Orleans. On Saturday, August 11, 2007 at the 4:30 pm Mass, several of the board of director’s from Hope’s on the Way attended St. Michael’s to personally say thank you. A plaque and Hope’s on the Way tee shirt was given to Father Mike on behalf of the efforts of the parish. They provided 80% of the volunteers and a sizeable amount of funds to make this trip a success. Our gifts were only a small token of appreciation for their parish commitment. (Center) Father Mike Hack, pastor of St. Michael’s parish in Orland Park, Illinois holds a plaque given to him and the parish for their generous efforts for mission five to New Orleans. Hope’s on the Way board members and volunteers (from left) Rich and Linda Rybski, Deacon Sal Lema, Deacon Joseph Winblad and Nancy Siekierka made the presentation.

Hope’s on the Way (formerly known as Project Hope) volunteers first started their service by assisting the sisters in New Orleans. Since that first initial trip in January of 2005 to rebuild a print shop facility, men and women volunteers have made five more missions to New Orleans.  On the six missions the volunteers have completed:

• Installation of insulation, dry wall, tape and mud, doors, lights, drop ceiling and paint for a  print shop facility on the grounds of Mount Carmel Academy, a high school for girls
• Painting most of the Convent of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in New Orleans, a 45,000 square foot facility
• Ceramic tiling most bathrooms and laundry facilities at the Motherhouse
• Rebuilding Commercial Kitchen on the second floor of the Motherhouse
• Re-wiring (two 200 amp circuits) and installing a new furnace and air conditioning unit for a deacon in New Orleans
• Installing wall board, tape and painting a 2300 sq. foot home owned by a Baptist minister
• Completing dry wall, tape and sanding of home owned by a deaf family in Harvey, Louisiana
• Weed whacking (weeds as tall as trees) on a homeowners lot to ward off severe penalties from the City
• Painting the exterior of a two-story wood frame home for a family in the lower 9th Ward
• Since our inception in January of 2005, Hope’s On The Way has raised and provided over $400,000 in goods and services.

COOK’S WANTED!

While fish eaters will be in heaven in New Orleans, it isn’t long before us Chicagoan’s are missing good old fashion eastern style home cooking! Where’s the Beef? Providing our own cook’s takes the weight and burden from those that are inviting us to help them. Not all who come need to work physically on remodeling projects. There is a great need for cooks to fill the stomachs of the hungry volunteers. Chef duties include full run of the kitchen, everything from buying foods at local supermarkets, to cleaning up afterwards. More than one cook is needed for each mission. If you are interested in fulfulling this need, please contact us through this website.