Chicago's Faith Journey: One Woman's Quest to Connect

In 2023, a woman from Illinois decided to take on a unique challenge. She wanted to visit as many places of worship as she could in Chicago. Her goal? To break a Guinness World Record. This wasn't just about setting a record, though. It was about exploring the city's rich religious diversity. She started her journey with a plan to visit about 85 places. But she quickly realized that might not be enough. So, she added more stops. By the end of her month-long adventure, she had visited 185 places. These included churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and even some unconventional spaces where people gather to worship. Her record-breaking feat happened around the same time as another significant event in Chicago. The election of Pope Leo XIV, who was born and raised in the city, brought joy to many. This event highlighted the city's religious diversity and the sense of unity among its residents. Before this challenge, she had already made a name for herself in the world of religious education. She had written children's books and created educational resources about different religions. Her work aimed to teach children about the world's diverse faiths and promote understanding and respect. She chose Chicago for her challenge because of its religious diversity and her familiarity with the city. Guinness World Records had specific rules for her attempt. She had to use public transit or walk to each location. She also needed to meet someone at each place to confirm her visit. During her journey, she participated in more than 20 services. This allowed her to learn about different religions firsthand. She found that despite their differences, all religions share common values like kindness, empathy, and community. Her mission coincided with a time of heightened immigration enforcement in the city. She visited Catholic churches that were once built by Polish immigrants but now serve Latino immigrants. This showed her that changing demographics don't harm a community. Instead, they add to its richness and diversity. She hopes her record will inspire others to visit places of worship they might not otherwise consider. She believes that reaching out to people of different faiths can foster understanding and unity.