St. Thecla bricks and cross View Full Caption

NORWOOD PARK — Bishop Francis Kane, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is scheduled to visit St. Thecla Saturday to bless a cross donated to the church as well as dozens of engraved bricks that now line the front walk to the church, church officials said.

The bricks, which bear the names of the families who have worshipped at the Far Northwest Side church for generations, raised approximately $75,000 for the Norwood Park church and school at 6725 W. Devon Ave., said the Rev. Gene Dyer, pastor of the church.

"The bricks are a wonderful memorial to the generations that have made St. Thecla home," Dyer said. "They have also made the front entrance of the church really beautiful."

Kane will also bless the soaring white cross installed on the church's front lawn along Devon Avenue. The cross was donated to the church by Rick U. Rodriguez, a member of the Knights of Columbus.

"The cross will remind everyone driving up and down Devon Avenue of Jesus' sacrifice," Kane said.

The blessing will also celebrate the growth the church has enjoyed in recent months as new families have moved into homes emerging from foreclosure in the area, Dyer said.

Kane is scheduled to celebrate the Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, which will include the blessing of the bricks and cross.

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