Welcome
to
Old St. Mary’s
Part of the Downtown Chicago Catholic Churches
As we begin our Fall season here at Old St. Mary’s, I want to welcome everyone to the transition from just getting back into the groove to fully immersing ourselves in spreading the Gospel. For some of you, venturing out after Covid, and in the midst of social ills can be daunting. However, the Church is about bringing us together, working together, engaging in understanding how to spread the faith and help people to feel loved and safe. Please know you are welcome in person to the parish!
Old St. Mary’s has been welcoming folks to faith and working together since 1833, when we were the only Catholic Church in the territory of Chicago. In 1903, the Archdiocese welcomed one of the newer Catholic orders, the Paulist Fathers. The Paulists have been leading parish missionary efforts ever since then.
Rolling forward from mission, Old St. Mary’s Catholic School has been sharing faith with our youngsters and helping them grow into leaders. More recently the school’s ongoing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion have helped make Christ’s message more tangible to a twenty-first century community.
Our school and parish are moving toward understanding what it means to be engaged parishioners in this ever-changing world. Partnered with the world-wide Church Synod, and Renew My Church in the Archdiocese, the realization of reaching outside the walls of our buildings to the community that surrounds us and the visitors who drop by is amplified by partnering with others seeking the same objectives.
Our downtown grouping of Holy Name Cathedral, Assumption Parish, St. James Church, Old St. Patrick’s Church and St. Peter’s Church has been in discussions about getting the good news out to all who need it, together. I hope you will find a home (or home away from home) with any or all of us as you look to where you are being called to make your faith home. And don’t forget to check out the OSM-Parish App for the latest and greatest.
God Bless!
Fr. Brad Schoeberle, CSP
Pastor