Respect Life Week Starts Sunday: Mokena Village Board

MOKENA, IL — The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees at its Monday meeting proclaimed the week of Oct. 3 as Respect Life Week. The proclamation was made by Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer, who was absent from the meeting.

The proclamation states: "Respect for Life is the core of modern civilization and is the foundation upon which an orderly society is built; and WHEREAS, The Respect Life Program originated as a national week focusing on the sanctity of all human life and recognizing that each human being has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and WHEREAS, The Illinois Right to Life Committee, the Illinois Federation for Right to Life, the Illinois Citizens Concerned for Life and many other organizations, as well as members of the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths recognize the sanctity of life."

Fleischer, in the proclamation, "urge(s) all citizens to take cognizance of the special events arranged for this time by the Illinois Right to Life Committee."

Illinois Right to Life is a "non-profit organization that educates on the beauty and value of all human life regardless of a person’s size, gender, race, age, or disability," according to information on its website. It also states that “It is our vision to turn Illinois pro-life, one heart at a time,” and “Every day we work to make abortion unthinkable."

Abortion was made legal in all 50 states in 1973.

Helen Sluis, a member of St. Mary Mokena Catholic Church's Council of Catholic Women, thanked Fleischer and the board members for the proclamation.

"As it was written in the proclamation, respect for life is the core of modern civilization, and is the foundation upon which and only society is based," she said." Tragically, since 1973 over 62 million babies have been murdered by abortion. This unbelievable lack of respect for these little pre-born lives has had a terrible ripple effect. Life is now not seen as something special and worth protecting. The murder rates in our country, and especially in our cities, testify to that.

"This once very beautiful gift of life has become for much too long very cheap and very disposable. We must work harder than ever to restore the sacredness of life of every human being from conception to natural death. And I thank you so much for issuing this proclamation.”

Trustee George Metanias, who filled in as Village President Pro Tempore in Fleischer’s absence, presented Sluis with a copy of the Respect for Life Week proclamation.

Christian Bookstore, Coffeehouse Opens

Trish Rickard, owner of Watershed Cafe and Books, located in the Brookhaven Marketplace Plaza at LaPorte Road and LaGrange Road, spoke at Monday's meeting about the store's opening.

Rickard described Watershed Cafe and Books as a “ministry-based Christian bookstore and coffeehouse.”

She said the cafe offers an espresso bar, as well as regular coffee; organic coffee beans for sale; teas, smoothies and other soft drinks; bakery items; a dessert bar; gluten-free and organic products; and breakfast items.

The bookstore offers books, music and other various gift items, Rickard said. Local artists’ work is also on display, she said.

Future plans for Watershed Cafe and Books include free events for the public, which may feature music, speakers and book signings, Rickard said.

Watershed Cafe and Bookstore is currently open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Rickard said the hours could expand in the future.

A grand opening is planned for Nov. 6, Rickard said.

Round It Up

A brief recap of other items discussed at the Monday Village Board of Trustees meeting.

• Village Administrator John Tomasoski wished outgoing Mokena Police Department Officer Dennis Boardman a happy retirement. Boardman is set to retire Oct. 3. He has been a Mokena police officer since 1986.
• The Village Board unanimously approved a motion to grant approval to the Mokena Community Park District to conduct Halloween Hollow from Oct. 8-10 and authorize municipal resources for event coordination. Trustee Joseph Budzyn questioned why the Mokena Park District only gave the Village approximately three weeks notice prior to its request as opposed to the usual four months advance notice the Village requires. Budzyn asked staff to make sure that requests to the Village are submitted earlier.
• Unanimously approved the appointed Timothy Bershers to wastewater treatment plant mechanic.
• Unanimously approved a motion to purchase a vacant parcel of land from Will County at Parkway Lane and Meadows Drive for $791.

The next Mokena Village Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Mokena Village Hall, 11004 Carpenter St.

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