St. Julie Billiart blesses marathon runners

Runners from the parish bow their heads in prayer during the blessing. Father Roy Belocura, associate pastor, was the main celebrant at an Oct. 12, 2024, Mass at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley park where parishioners running in the Chicago Marathon the following day received a blessing. St. Julie Billiart Parish has its own “Team St. Julie” running in the marathon to benefit the Pat Kmak Faith Formation Fund that continues the legacy of the late Pat Kmak who served as the parish’s faith formation director for nearly 50 years. Funds raised will help families in need offset the cost of religious education classes and activities associated with the program. Kmak died unexpectedly on July 23, 2022, and her daughter Ruth, head coach of the University of Chicago softball team, is one of the runners on Team St. Julie. Belocura ran his first Chicago Marathon in 2023. (Cyndy Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)

Father Roy Belocura extends his arms and prays over the runners. (Cyndy Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)

Massgoers extend their hands in blessing over the runners. (Cyndy Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)

The runners from the parish pose for a photo after Mass. (Cyndy Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)