Historic

Sharing Institution - Zacchaeus House

 

Throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago parishes share with other inter parishes or institutions. St. James at Sag Bridge's sharing  institution is Zacchaeus House.

Zacchaeus House is a non-treatment shelter for men who are in transition in their lives and who appreciate coaching and direction towards independent living. The house is not a treatment center, halfway house or shelter, but a house of evangelization and a home for men who want to stabilize their lives and find Christ. It helps individual men and their communities, but also raises awareness of the Catholic Church

This is a ministry of Catholic Deacons who care for the residents, help them reflect on their lives, weigh alternatives and acquire a discretionary ability to make decisions anew for themselves.  They offer the atmosphere of a Catholic environment with appropriate religious symbols and spiritual exercises in the House. 

Alfred Coleman II, a Deacon of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is the Director of Zacchaeus House, Deacon Coleman lives full time on the premises with the assistance of fellow deacons who will serve as spiritual advisors for residents. Deacon Coleman became the second director of Zacchaeus House after the passing of Deacon Abrom Salley in April of 2007.

Zacchaeus House is located In a former convent at 12242 South Parnell on Chicago's far South Side.

 

 

 

Deacon Abrom Salley 1944 to 2007

 

On Good Friday April 6, 2007 Deacon Abrom Salley passed away of heart failure in St. Francis Hospital & Health Center in Blue Island. Deacon Salley, a painter early in life who got along for years as a "staving artist" was the first and only director Zacchaeus House has ever known.

A native of Chicago's West Side, Mr. Salley attended Wells High School and took classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. A painter of portraits and landscapes he scraped by as an artist, often donating his painting to schools and organizations.

He was doing street ministry on the West Side when he met Bishop Perry, and the two men began discussing the need for housing. Mr. Salley began scouting on the South Side, while also training to become a Catholic Deacon. Abrom Salley was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 26, 2002 along with St. James' own John Wilkinson by Francis Cardinal George at Holy Name Cathedral. It was during this same time that Zacchaeus House opened. Today Deacon Salley's paintings of Jesus Christ & Martin Luther King Jr. adorn the walls of Zacchaeus House.

He had a calling from God and devoted his life to helping those less in need. The Chicago Catholic Church was well aware of this as evident by his funeral mass which was celebrated by Bishop Perry, ten Priests, and fifty Deacons.

Please Pray for the Soul of Deacon Abron Salley