St. Mary's of Sycamore to host dinner dance for St. John's Lutheran

The Rev. Don Phelps, senior pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sycamore (left) takes time out to meet with Father Frank J. Timar, M.S.C., pastor at St. Mary's of Sycamore, to discuss the benefit dinner that St. Mary's will host for St. John's on Aug. 7. Provided photo

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SYCAMORE - The act of being a good neighbor is a principle taught in most any faith. The Church of St. Mary will follow this teaching by hosting a benefit dinner dance for St. John's Lutheran Church, which lost its worship and gathering places to a fire on Feb. 9. The dance, which is being put on by St. Mary's Irish Dinner Dance committee, is slated for 7 p.m. Aug. 7 and is open to the public. It will feature a chicken dinner donated by The Carls Fargo in Sycamore. A disc jockey, courtesy of The Music and Sound Company, will provide entertainment for the evening. Other merchants from all over the Sycamore and DeKalb area have contributed to make the dinner dance a success. Desserts will be provided by It's A Piece of Cake, Sweet Dreams Desserts and Petite's. Other events scheduled for the evening include an auction. Among the many items on the auction block is a $50 gift certificate at Johnny's Charhouse, golf for four with carts at Buena Vista and golf lessons with Kirk Lundbeck. There also will be a raffle. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. First prize in the raffle is a "One Night Romantic Getaway for Two." The package includes flowers courtesy of Kar-Free Flowers, limousine service courtesy of Dreamweaver Limousine, dinner for two at Sorrento's (up to $50) and a one-night stay in the honeymoon suite at the Best Western Inn & Suites of DeKalb. Second prize is golf for four with two carts at Sycamore Park District. Third prize is a catered party for up to 15 people from Ciccio's Pizza in Sycamore. Father Frank J. Timar, M.S.C., priest at St. Mary's, said he was "proud that someone stepped forward" from the parish community to help St. John's, saying it shows that "Christ is alive in St. Mary's community." He added that people "don't have to look far and wide to help others; people here need us just as much." Since February, St. John's has made progress toward rebuilding. According to the Rev. Don Phelps, senior pastor at St. John's, they already have selected an architect to design their new church. They also decided to relocate their church and will decide on a new site by the end of July. "We are so appreciative of the outpouring of love and support in the community," Phelps said. "It's been incredible." Timar added that "this is a chance for people to be a neighbor to someone in need." Tickets are $25, and only 360 are available. Tickets can be purchased after any weekend Mass at St. Mary's or after services on Sunday at St. John's. For more information or to buy tickets or raffle tickets, call Tony or Brenda Bannon at (815) 895-5197.