Joe Rodrigues is a relative newcomer to the Parish and he made a very specific choice to join St. Mary of the Woods.  Geographically, Joe lived outside of the Parish boundaries, but his dear friend introduced him to the Parish about five years ago and he decided this was the place for him  -- he believes St. Mary of the Woods is not just a parish, but a family, and what better place to raise young children.  

Joe and his wife Margaret are very proud of their three children. Sarah is in the Canadian Air Force, Alexander is in fourth grade at Lincolnwood School and Shiva is in first grade.  Both Alexander and Shiva enjoy Tae Kwan Do.  Joe says keeping up with them helps to keep him young and fit.

In addition to being on the Campaign Leadership Team, Joe participates in the Loaves and Fishes program at St. Mary’s, and also helps with the Religious Ed program.  The campaign, however, is his first leadership role.  Fr. Greg called and asked him to help – “How can I say no to you?” was his reply. “Fr. Greg is a great gift to the Parish – a man with a fabulous vision.”

When he is not practicing sports with the children, Joe is a comptroller for the Allegro Hotel in downtown Chicago.  He enjoys working in this industry because he doesn’t have to sit behind a desk with a calculator; he has to know and understand the entire day-to-day workings of the business. 

Joe believes that one particularly compelling feature of SMOW’s Master Plan is improved handicapped accessibility, which is currently very limiting.  He has seen many people struggling to go up and down the steep steps.  “It is important that everyone has access to the church, and it will be a huge improvement.  The handicapped accessibility is worth all the trouble to bring the church up to ADA compliance.  Many businesses spend millions of dollars to be ADA compliant, so why not the church?”