Parish Events and News
Lenten Bible Study
Fr. Driscoll will be leading a 5-part Bible study in the church during Lent. There is no cost to attend, and no pre-registration is required. The class will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00-7:30 p.m. A time for confessions will follow each week.
**While each session builds upon previous information, the classes are suitable to attend on a stand-alone basis. So, feel free to come as your schedule allows.
The New and Eternal Covenant
February 20 - Bible, Covenant, and Sacrifice
February 27 - The Old Testament
March 5 - The New and Eternal Covenant
March 12 - The Mass and the Eucharist
March 19 - The Sacraments and the Covenant
Stations of the Cross
“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world”.
Join us at St. Mary’s for Stations of the Cross every Friday, beginning February 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Week & Easter
Schedule
Holy Thursday, March 28th - Mass of the Lord's Supper @ 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, March 29th - Service @ 3:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday, March 30th - Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m.
(Please Note - NO 5:00 p.m. Mass on this date)
Easter Sunday, March 31st - Masses at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Growing Disciples - Pastoral Planning
A Note from Bishop Tylka
Thank you to all our parishioners who completed surveys and provided feedback regarding the second draft models as part of our Growing Disciples initiative. Gathering information from you is a critical element in the ability to move forward in this important pastoral planning process.
Since the Parish Meetings in October, CLI has diligently compiled the thousands of electronic and paper surveys, along with the letters offering feedback regarding the second round of draft models. The Core Team has reviewed the data and met to propose the final draft models. In the coming month the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission will review their work. It will then be submitted to the Presbyteral Council to make recommendations for the Bishop to consider in the final decisions. Bishop Tylka is most grateful for all the work that has brought us to this point and asks for your continued prayers during this time of discernment.
The Diocese of Peoria is constantly updating the website (growingdisciplescdop.org) with additional information about the Growing Disciples initiative, so check back frequently.
Let us remain a people of prayer: praying for each other and supporting one another as we go through this process.
Mass and Sacraments
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5pm
Sunday Masses: 8 and 10am
Weekday Masses: 7am
First Communion
& Confirmation
Arranged through our CCD program for children. Adults please contact the church.
Confessions
Online confession guide here.
Saturday: 4-4:45pm
Sunday: 7:30-7:45am
First Friday: 5:15-6:00pm
Anointing of the Sick
Please contact the church anytime day or night.
Holy Matrimony
Contact the church to schedule and begin preparation at least eight months before the wedding.
Baptism
Contact the parish office to schedule an infant baptism.
For adults, our regional RCIA program meets in the fall.
On Holy Thursday, April 11, 1675, Francis Jacques Marquette offered the first parochial Mass in the Illinois Country at Utica in the presence of 5,000 Native Americans. Father Marquette and his companion Louis Joliet, took possession of this land in the name of Jesus Christ and founded the Mission of the Immaculate Conception. A monument in his honor stands in the northeast corner of the property.
That mission eventually became the Church of Saint Mary. In 1858 a small frame church was built which was destroyed by fire seventeen years later and a brick and stone church was built on the site of the former Saint Mary School.
In 1883 the Reverend Charles Xavier O'Neill was appointed the first pastor of Saint Mary's but never took up residence there. The Reverend Canon Jeremiah Moynihan was appointed the first resident pastor in 1884. The Reverend Francis J. O'Reilly succeeded Canon Moynihan in 1888 and in the same year erected the present church.
Take a look at the Memorial's 1951 Commemorative Booklet.
Historic St. Mary's
