Archbishop Cupich celebrates first Easter in Chicago

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- It was a very special Easter in Chicago, as Archbishop Blaise Cupich celebrated Easter Sunday for the first time as the head of Chicago's Catholic Church.

From the city to the suburbs, Christians of all denominations gathered in church Sunday to celebrate Easter Sunday, the holiest day on the Christian calendar.

One of the oldest churches in Chicago, the Fourth Presbyterian Church gathered parishioners for three separate services. On the city's Northwest Side, some 800 believers of all different races and nationalities came together in what was billed as a service geared toward racial healing and reconciliation.

"We should not have any racial issues. We should not have any cultural issues. We are the people of God," said Pastor Ray Berryhill, Resurrected Life Church.

In a departure from tradition, the Archbishop of Chicago celebrated Easter Mass not in Holy Name Cathedral, but in Tinley Park.

"We are here today not just because we believe Jesus rose from the dead, but because we love him," Archbishop Cupich said.

Archbishop Cupich delighted the members of Tinley Park's St. Julie Billiart by choosing to spend the holiday with them.

"When we got picked I couldn't believe it. I was so amazed our church got picked," said parishioner Peggy Keating.

"It says a lot about him and his role of being with the people and that's very important," parishioner Deanne Tumpich said.

Cupich, who celebrated the Easter vigil at Holy Name Cathedral, said his choice to celebrate at one of the parishes is a continuation of what he's done over the last 17 years, though he admitted, in his typical good humor, being somewhat surprised at all the preparations made for his visit.

"One of my sisters told me, when she saw all that was being prepared, 'The only thing you can do to top that is to parachute in.' I said, 'No, I'm not going to be doing that,'" he said.