Two people were injured on Saturday when part of the ceiling in the chapel collapsed in Marytown, the national shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois. (A photo of the chapel is available on the front page of their web site.)
Rev. Steve McKinley was lighting candles at Libertyville’s Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament chapel Saturday evening when he saw a small piece fall from the ceiling, followed by a rumble.
“I yelled: `Get out! Get out!’” McKinley said.
About 15 people who were in the chapel preparing for a devotion service did just that. They scrambled to get out as a 40-by-40-foot piece of the ceiling collapsed on the often-packed pews.
Two people were treated for non-critical injuries, said a nursing supervisor at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Two other people were treated for minor injuries on the scene, said Assistant Chief Robert Key of the Libertyville Fire Department.
A group of pilgrims was about to enter the chapel for Mass. If it had been a Suunday, it could have been much, much worse. I have a friend who works in Marytown and he tells me that the chapel will be closed for a year for repairs.
Much expensive work to repair the damage
Guess it’s time to step up to the plate!
Seriously, there are so many worthy charities, it’s difficult to decide who to send money to. If I ever win the lottery…