Targeted Restructuring of Parishes and Schools

Across the United States, many Catholic dioceses are undergoing a structural pruning, as consistent trends must be faced: an aging priest population; a decline in Mass attendance and Sunday collections, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, a decreasing Catholic population and the rise of the “nones” — those claiming no religious affiliation; an increase in frequency and costs of structural maintenance needs of aging churches and schools; and a frequent decline in Catholic school enrollment aggravated by a nationwide educator shortage.

The Diocese of Joliet began its own pruning in the fall of 2021, when consultant recommendations streamlined operations at diocesan headquarters located at the Blanchette Catholic Center. A new organizational chart reduced headcount by nearly 30 percent, with an emphasis on outward-focused service.

In the summer of 2022, attention turned to the vitality and sustainability of parishes and schools. A team of the bishop, senior staff and the eight priests who serve as deans of the eight deaneries of the diocese began the process of evaluating data and trends about our diocese, focusing on specific geographic areas that need review — hence the term of “targeted restructuring.”

This targeted restructuring team is examining the future of parishes and schools in three phases: urgent; in the next year; and in two to three years.

Bishop Hicks wrote about this targeted restructuring process in his October 2022 column.

Members of the Targeted Restructuring Committe include:

Clergy

Most Rev. Ronald Hicks, Bishop
Very Rev. Richard Smith, Vicar General
Very Rev. John Balluff, Vicar for Priests
Very Rev. Dan Bachner
Very Rev. Gregor Gorsic
Very Rev. Chris Groh
Very Rev. Doug Hauber
Very Rev. John Lindsey
Very Rev. Tom Paul
Very Rev. Greg Podwysocki
Very Rev. Matthew Pratscher

Lay Members

Maureen Harton, Director of Implementation
Mark Janus, Director of Parish Finances
Mary Ann McLean, General Counsel
Christopher Nye, Director of Buildings & Properties
Dr. Jim Quaid, Superintendent of Schools
Justin Reyes, Director of Catechesis & Evangelization
Brian Schroeder, Chief Financial Officer

As we accompany parishes and schools in this journey to a new era of vibrant Catholic institutions, news about the process will be posted here:

Targeted Restructuring (Accordion)

Lockport

Summary

In late July 2022, St. Dennis Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic School, both located in Lockport, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that one combined new school would be created using both campuses, with the goal of developing into a regional school serving the communities of Lockport and Homer Glen at the start of the 2024–25 academic year. Although served by the two parishes of Our Mother of Good Counsel and St. Bernard, Homer Glen lacks a Diocese of Joliet Catholic school presence.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a collaborative transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lockport as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lockport

Lombard

Summary

In late July 2022, Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. Pius X Parish School, both located in Lombard, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that Sacred Heart Catholic School should close at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. St. Pius X Parish School would retain its current status.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a pastoral transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lombard as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lombard

Bensenville

Summary

In late July 2022, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensenville was placed in the urgent phase due to several factors, including but not limited to, long-standing financial problems and increasing structural and maintenance needs that the parish lacked the means to address.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the written materials and parishioner input, the committee unanimously decided on the following recommendation:

Canonically extinguish the parish;
Transfer the territory and assets of the parish to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst;
Transfer the sacramental records to the diocesan chancery office;
Assign the existing diocesan debt to the Diocese;
One weekly Sunday mass in Polish will be celebrated in the Eastern DuPage Deanery;
Direct that if St. Charles Borromeo’s real estate is ever sold, the Diocese will be reimbursed for all forgiven diocesan debt, assumed diocesan debt and expenses incurred by the Diocese in maintaining the property from the time of closure of the parish until the sale of the property. The remaining sale proceeds will go to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish; and
The effective date of these actions is June 30, 2023.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to Fr. Twaruzek, parish lay leadership and the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish for their patient, thoughtful and respectful input throughout this process. Other parishes in the Eastern DuPage Deanery will soon be hosting open houses to welcome St. Charles Borromeo parishioners. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all St. Charles Borromeo parishioners as they seek a new spiritual home.

Read the full statement about the restructuring of St. Charles Borromeo Parish

Closing Decree of St. Charles Borromeo

Joliet Deanery

Summary

The second phase of targeted restructuring in the Diocese of Joliet began July 1, 2023, and includes all 16 parishes in the Joliet Deanery. The 16 parishes were divided into three groups to facilitate the restructuring process (see link to full letter below for listing and map).

After prayerful discernment, Bishop Hicks announced his decision to accept the recommendations of the Targeted Restructuring Committee. The decision was published on January 25, 2024. A summary of the decision is as follows:

Group One (1)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish will remain in its current structure.

Four (4) parishes in Group One (1) will be restructured:

St. Joseph (Joliet), a Slovenian national parish established in 1891, that is staffed by the Carmelites.
St. Bernard, a territorial parish established in 1921.
St. Mary Magdalene, a territorial parish established in 1953.
St. Anthony, an Italian national parish established in 1902.

St. Joseph (Joliet), St. Bernard, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. Anthony will merge into a new parish. All four of these parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons and will be united as one new juridic person.

The new juridic person will have two churches/worship sites at St. Joseph and St. Mary Magdalene. The parish church will be St. Mary Magdalene Church.

St. Bernard Church and St. Anthony Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish.

Group Two (2)

All five (5) parishes in Group Two (2) will be restructured:

St. Paul the Apostle, a territorial parish established in 1950.
St. Jude, a territorial parish established in 1954.
St. Patrick, a territorial parish established in 1838, that is staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Sacred Heart, a territorial parish established in 1886.
St. Joseph (Rockdale), a territorial parish established in 1914, that is staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

St. Paul, St. Jude, St. Patrick and Sacred Heart will merge into a new parish. All five of these parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons and united as one new juridic person.

The new juridic person will have two worship sites at St. Paul the Apostle and St. Patrick. The parish church will be St. Paul the Apostle Church.

St. Joseph Parish (Rockdale) will become a mission of the new juridic person that will be created by the merger of St. Paul the Apostle, St. Jude, St. Patrick, and Sacred Heart. St. Jude Church and Sacred Heart Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish.

Group Three (3)

The Cathedral of St. Raymond will remain in its current structure.

St. John the Baptist will remain in its current structure. When the Franciscans can no longer staff St. John’s, the parish will be amalgamated into St. Raymond. At that time, a decision will be made as to whether St. John’s Church remains open as a worship site.

Two (2) personal parishes in Group Three (3) will be restructured:

St. Mary Nativity, a Croatian national parish established in 1906, and Holy Cross, a Polish national parish established in 1893, that is staffed by the Society of Christ. St. Mary Nativity will become a territorial parish but otherwise will remain in its current structure.
Holy Cross Parish, a Polish national parish, will become a personal mission of St. Mary Nativity Parish that will serve the Polish community.

Two (2) territorial parishes in Group Three (3) will be restructured:

St. Ambrose (Crest Hill), established in 1965, and
St. Anne (Crest Hill), established in 1953.

St. Ambrose and St. Anne will unite in an amalgamation. Both parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons. The new juridic person will be St. Ambrose St. Anne Parish.

St. Anne’s Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish. The effective date of these decisions is June 30, 2024.

Catholic Schools Office FAQs

Decrees

Parish Letters

Read the full letter to 16 Parishes in Joliet Deanery

Parish Session 1 Presentations

Video Messages from Bishop Hicks

Targeted Restructuring (Accordion)

Lockport

Summary

In late July 2022, St. Dennis Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic School, both located in Lockport, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that one combined new school would be created using both campuses, with the goal of developing into a regional school serving the communities of Lockport and Homer Glen at the start of the 2024–25 academic year. Although served by the two parishes of Our Mother of Good Counsel and St. Bernard, Homer Glen lacks a Diocese of Joliet Catholic school presence.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a collaborative transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lockport as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lockport

Lombard

Summary

In late July 2022, Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. Pius X Parish School, both located in Lombard, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that Sacred Heart Catholic School should close at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. St. Pius X Parish School would retain its current status.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a pastoral transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lombard as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lombard

Bensenville

Summary

In late July 2022, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensenville was placed in the urgent phase due to several factors, including but not limited to, long-standing financial problems and increasing structural and maintenance needs that the parish lacked the means to address.

After thorough and prayerful consideration of the written materials and parishioner input, the committee unanimously decided on the following recommendation:

Canonically extinguish the parish;
Transfer the territory and assets of the parish to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst;
Transfer the sacramental records to the diocesan chancery office;
Assign the existing diocesan debt to the Diocese;
One weekly Sunday mass in Polish will be celebrated in the Eastern DuPage Deanery;
Direct that if St. Charles Borromeo’s real estate is ever sold, the Diocese will be reimbursed for all forgiven diocesan debt, assumed diocesan debt and expenses incurred by the Diocese in maintaining the property from the time of closure of the parish until the sale of the property. The remaining sale proceeds will go to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish; and
The effective date of these actions is June 30, 2023.

The diocese is sincerely grateful to Fr. Twaruzek, parish lay leadership and the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish for their patient, thoughtful and respectful input throughout this process. Other parishes in the Eastern DuPage Deanery will soon be hosting open houses to welcome St. Charles Borromeo parishioners. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all St. Charles Borromeo parishioners as they seek a new spiritual home.

Read the full statement about the restructuring of St. Charles Borromeo Parish

Closing Decree of St. Charles Borromeo

Joliet Deanery

Summary

The second phase of targeted restructuring in the Diocese of Joliet began July 1, 2023, and includes all 16 parishes in the Joliet Deanery. The 16 parishes were divided into three groups to facilitate the restructuring process (see link to full letter below for listing and map).

After prayerful discernment, Bishop Hicks announced his decision to accept the recommendations of the Targeted Restructuring Committee. The decision was published on January 25, 2024. A summary of the decision is as follows:

Group One (1)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish will remain in its current structure.

Four (4) parishes in Group One (1) will be restructured:

St. Joseph (Joliet), a Slovenian national parish established in 1891, that is staffed by the Carmelites.
St. Bernard, a territorial parish established in 1921.
St. Mary Magdalene, a territorial parish established in 1953.
St. Anthony, an Italian national parish established in 1902.

St. Joseph (Joliet), St. Bernard, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. Anthony will merge into a new parish. All four of these parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons and will be united as one new juridic person.

The new juridic person will have two churches/worship sites at St. Joseph and St. Mary Magdalene. The parish church will be St. Mary Magdalene Church.

St. Bernard Church and St. Anthony Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish.

Group Two (2)

All five (5) parishes in Group Two (2) will be restructured:

St. Paul the Apostle, a territorial parish established in 1950.
St. Jude, a territorial parish established in 1954.
St. Patrick, a territorial parish established in 1838, that is staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Sacred Heart, a territorial parish established in 1886.
St. Joseph (Rockdale), a territorial parish established in 1914, that is staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

St. Paul, St. Jude, St. Patrick and Sacred Heart will merge into a new parish. All five of these parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons and united as one new juridic person.

The new juridic person will have two worship sites at St. Paul the Apostle and St. Patrick. The parish church will be St. Paul the Apostle Church.

St. Joseph Parish (Rockdale) will become a mission of the new juridic person that will be created by the merger of St. Paul the Apostle, St. Jude, St. Patrick, and Sacred Heart. St. Jude Church and Sacred Heart Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish.

Group Three (3)

The Cathedral of St. Raymond will remain in its current structure.

St. John the Baptist will remain in its current structure. When the Franciscans can no longer staff St. John’s, the parish will be amalgamated into St. Raymond. At that time, a decision will be made as to whether St. John’s Church remains open as a worship site.

Two (2) personal parishes in Group Three (3) will be restructured:

St. Mary Nativity, a Croatian national parish established in 1906, and Holy Cross, a Polish national parish established in 1893, that is staffed by the Society of Christ. St. Mary Nativity will become a territorial parish but otherwise will remain in its current structure.
Holy Cross Parish, a Polish national parish, will become a personal mission of St. Mary Nativity Parish that will serve the Polish community.

Two (2) territorial parishes in Group Three (3) will be restructured:

St. Ambrose (Crest Hill), established in 1965, and
St. Anne (Crest Hill), established in 1953.

St. Ambrose and St. Anne will unite in an amalgamation. Both parishes will be extinguished as separate juridic persons. The new juridic person will be St. Ambrose St. Anne Parish.

St. Anne’s Church will close and be relegated to profane but not sordid use sometime after the establishment of the new parish. The effective date of these decisions is June 30, 2024.

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Targeted Restructuring of Parishes and Schools