Step Up, Speak Out

06/15/2026

Join us this summer for the 2026 Pilsen Street Masses organized by The Faith Table and Fr. . 🙏

📍 See flyer for dates and locations throughout June, July, and August. Gather with neighbors for the blessing of homes, Mass, music, and food across Pilsen.

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the 36th Annual Back-to-School Fair & Misa del Zócalo featuring Fr. Gary! 📅 👣

06/04/2026

“Caregiving gives us a ticket into people’s lives.”🎟️ Fr. Gary brought the heart of to the Saint Francis Hospital Clergy Institute today — reminding faith leaders that transformation begins not with a speech, but with presence.

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05/25/2026

The mission of Step Up is rooted in the belief that real change begins with connection — across neighborhoods, faiths, cultures, and lived experiences. That spirit of unity and shared humanity is at the heart of this new YouTube series featuring our friends and fellow faith leaders, Tariq I. El-Amin and Fr. Larry Dowling.

Conscious Connection Conversations invites us into honest dialogue, music, reflection, and soul-centered conversations rooted in building bridges, creating understanding, and reminding us that while we may not all speak the same language, we can still sing the same songs.

📺 New conversations every Sunday at 7PM Central / 8PM Eastern on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/live/wxvtzU_viYw?si=lPvEFOBMlz44b3os

We hope you’ll subscribe, tune in, and join the conversation.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/23/2026

This week, Father Gary visited in Park City, Illinois in Lake County 🥊

The academy was started by Angel, a father and immigrant, who wanted to create a safe, positive space for his son after school. Since 2018, that vision has grown into a powerful community hub now serving hundreds of Lake County families.

What began as boxing has evolved into so much more. Today, the academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through programs in boxing, chess, tutoring, podcasting, photography,and more, all rooted in building confidence, discipline, and leadership. At its core, ABA uses boxing as a tool - not just to train athletes, but to build resilience, community and the next generation of leaders in a safe and supportive environment.

Father Gary joined to spend some time with program youth and hear how Angel is building community and growing a coalition of private and public partners to expand opportunities for youth who might not otherwise have access.

Thank you for having us, 🙏

04/22/2026

Fr. Gary recently returned to Waukegan to reconnect with members of his former parish, Most Blessed Trinity—home to Comunidades Eclesiales de Base, a ministry he helped form years ago. These small faith communities were created to bring families together in prayer, reflection, and action—grounded in solidarity and a deep commitment to loving one another.

Together, we reflected on lessons from his pilgrimage and listened to how immigration enforcement is impacting the Waukegan community today. Even in the face of uncertainty, parish members continue to show up for one another—offering support, accompaniment, and hope.

This is what community looks like. This is what faith in action means. Learn more about Comunidades Eclesiales de Base: https://www.mbtparish.org/comunidades-eclesiales-de-base

04/19/2026

Durante esta temporada de Pascua, el Padre Gary reflexiona sobre las maneras en que Jesús fue transformado por su resurrección. Aunque puede venir a nosotros de formas diferentes a las que esperamos, siempre camina a nuestro lado, inspirándonos a ser valientes y a alzar la voz por lo que es correcto.

04/19/2026

During this Easter season, Father Gary reflects on the ways Jesus was changed by his resurrection. While he may come to us in ways different than we expect, he is always walking alongside us, inspiring us to be brave and to speak out for what is right.

04/16/2026

During my pilmgrimage, I visited a detention center in Youngstown, Ohio. I met men facing deep injustice — and yet, what they shared stayed with me: they wanted to leave as better human beings.

That same spirit is reflected in the story of Zacchaeus. When Jesus saw his desire to change, he met him with compassion — and it transformed not only Zacchaeus, but his entire community.

This is why matters. Families and children in detention are more than their circumstances — they are people with dignity, hope, and the capacity for growth when they are met with compassion instead of confinement.

Even in places of despair, there is hope. And as a community, we are called not only to see that humanity — but to act on it. Let us read, reflect, and raise our voices to help bring them home.

04/02/2026

Through a child’s eyes, freedom means being heard, having opportunities, and making sure everyone can afford what they need to live.

Nina reminds us that policies aren’t just politics. They impact families, futures, and everyday lives.