Cardinal to join bishop for statue consecration

ST. JOHN | St. John the Evangelist Parish will officially welcome Our Lady of the New Millennium, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary commissioned by the late Carl Demma, who grew up in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

It was his dream to honor our Blessed Mother with a statue that stands nearly 34 feet tall, weighs 8,400 pounds and is constructed entirely of ribbons of stainless steel. After traveling to many parishes for 12 years, the statue will be permanently installed at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John.

Diocese of Gary Bishop Dale Melczek will welcome Cardinal Francis George from the Archdiocese of Chicago at 5 p.m. May 22 as they consecrate the Our Lady of the New Millennium statue, temporarily placed in the parking lot of St. John the Evangelist Church at 10701 Olcott St.

Festivities will begin at 2 with a Laudate Series Concert presented by the St. John Evangelist Church Music Ministry.

For further information, visit www.stjohnparish.org.