'We Will Never Forget': SMI Hosts Service For Tornado Victims

PLAINFIELD, IL — To remember the terrible destruction left behind in the wake of the F-5 tornado that ripped through Plainfield on Aug. 28, 1990, the St. Mary Immaculate Parish is hosting a special service on Friday. The Liturgy of Remembrance Plainfield Tornado 1990 will be start at 1:00 pm and will be livestreamed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Pam Angelus, SMI development director, since the tornado, St. Mary's has experienced "tremendous spiritual growth." The church, school, parish offices and rectory were all totally destroyed by the storm. The Plainfield School District 202 let them worship at Indian Trail Middle School's gym and the St. Mary's students attended classes in the afternoon at Central Elementary School.

"We were so thankful to the district for opening up their doors to us," Angelus said. "Our school reopened in 1992, and we began celebrating mass in our own gymnasium. It felt good to come back home."

The tornado had struck without warning — no sirens to announce its approach. President George Bush and Illinois Governor James Thompson declared the communities of Plainfield, Crest Hill and parts of Joliet as federal and state disaster areas. Over 180 members of the Illinois National Guard were called out to help with rescue and cleanup efforts.

The disaster killed 29 people that day, including three members of the SMI parish — Sister Mary Keenan, principal of St. Mary Immaculate School, Gloria Sanchez, music teacher of St. Mary Immaculate, and Howard Hawes son of the parish cook.

"[The tornado] changed the small town identity we were so proud of. Out of something so destructive came a lot of positivity to the Plainfield community," Angelus said. "The growth of new homes being built, new businesses coming to town creating places to work, shop and dine. Plainfield has a great sense of community."

After the tornado, she said she recalls having a church picnic where everyone came together, shared stories and prayed.

"It was beautiful. We were even given a piece of the stained glass from the church," she said.

Angelus lives in north Plainfield at the time and her house was not affected. However, her in-laws' home was completely wrecked and her husband — who was with the fire department — was not seen for days while he slept in shifts at the station and helped out with the rescue efforts.

She is asking everyone to pray for the families who were affected by the tornado that changed the community "forever."

"Also remember the impact the tornado had on our community and how God, in his goodness, brought new life, new hope, and tremendous growth out of the devastation and destruction that was visited upon us," Angelus said. "We will never forget."

To join the online service, visit here.

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