"No Dibs" For Cupich's Easter Sunday Mass In Tinley Park
CHICAGO (CBS) -- There will be no "dibs" for seats in the pews at a Catholic church in Tinley Park on Easter Sunday, when Archbishop Blase Cupich will be celebrating Mass.
After saying Easter Vigil Mass at Holy Name Cathedral Saturday night, Cupich will visit St. Julie Billiart Church in Tinley Park, for their 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday.
Fr. Lou Tylka said, even if some people go to the 9 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass, they'll have to leave the church and re-enter if they want to be there for the 10:30a Mass that Archbishop Cupich will say.
"You can't camp out, and there are no dibs in Tinley Park," Tylka said. "We anticipate that we're going to be swamped, so we're making some efforts to be able to simulcast the Mass in our parish hall. So that would allow us to accommodate another 350 to 400 people."
Tylka said as many people who'll fit, "that the fire department allows," will be able to take part in the Mass.
Tinley Park police will be directing traffic, and the Tinley Park Fire Department will be on hand in case someone becomes ill during Mass, according to Tylka. He said an ambulance and a fire engine will be situated right off the corner of the St. Julie property in the 7300 block of West 159th Street.
Tylka said police also will set up one designated entrance to the parking lot, and one designated exit.
The St. Julie pastor said parishioners are very excited about Cupich's visit, and there are a lot of preparations to do, but he said, "It's a good chaos to have. We like when people come to church."
Tylka jokingly encouraged people to take in the 9 a.m. Mass, for which he promises a "very good, short Easter homily."
"Probably the fastest I've ever given," he said.