All Saints Parish - St. Martha Church-Shrine of All Saints

About All Saints Parish

All Saints Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Chicago that worships at two inspiring sites: St. Martha of Bethany in Morton Grove and St. Isaac Jogues in Niles. The parish describes itself as 'a community of believers who cherish their faith' and welcomes new parishioners through registration forms available at both campuses. The parish mission is to immerse members in the scriptures and 'contemplate the great things God has done through his Son by the power of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of all people.' New Parishioner Registration Forms are available at both campuses, and visitors are invited to see an usher with any questions.

History of St. Martha of Bethany

St. Martha was officially recognized as a parish by Cardinal Mundelein in November 1919, making 2019 its centennial year. Its roots reach back to 1866, when German-speaking Catholic immigrants from Luxembourg were gathering for worship in the Morton Grove area. The congregation worshipped in a rented closed tavern, then built its first brick church in 1924 under Fr. Frederick Bergs, expanded through the mid-20th century with a school, convent, and auditorium-chapel, and was merged with St. Isaac Jogues to form today's All Saints Parish. The parish's official Parish Histories page notes that the formal history of St. Martha 'is coming soon,' but the long arc of its story is well documented in local centennial histories and the parish bulletin.

• 1866: Luxembourgish Catholic immigrants gather for worship in the Morton Grove area
• November 1919: Cardinal Mundelein officially recognizes the parish; Fr. Martin Schmidt assigned
• 1922: Fr. Frederick Bergs becomes first resident priest
• May 4, 1924: Original brick church dedicated
• 1944: Church renovated and redecorated
• 1946: Convent for teaching sisters opens
• 1947: Basement classrooms serve 73 children
• 1950: New school built with 8 classrooms, library, music rooms, and offices
• May 20, 1962: Auditorium-chapel ('big church') dedicated; enrollment peaks at nearly 800 pupils
• 2000: Fr. Dennis O'Neill becomes pastor
• 2006: Fr. O'Neill donates his relic collection to the parish
• November 1, 2015: Cardinal Blase Cupich dedicates the Shrine of All Saints
• 2019: Centennial of the parish

Shrine of All Saints

The Shrine of All Saints is housed in what used to be a multipurpose room of the former St. Martha School (the 'large church' or 'big church') and is the second-largest collection of Christian relics outside the Vatican, with more than 3,200 unique saints represented. It was declared an archdiocesan shrine on All Saints' Day, November 1, 2015, by Cardinal Blase Cupich, and the relics are curated by Fr. Dennis O'Neill, who began collecting them as an altar boy at age 12 and has spent decades rescuing them from closed churches, monasteries, and private collections — sometimes through eBay purchases. The shrine offers docent-led guided tours of about two hours by appointment only and is overseen by Head Docent Cathy Allen. The relics include first-class relics (parts of saints' physical persons), second-class relics (items they used), and third-class relics (items touched to the saints).

• More than 3,200 unique saints represented
• Second-largest collection of Christian relics outside the Vatican
• Dedicated as an archdiocesan shrine on November 1, 2015 by Cardinal Blase Cupich
• Curated by Fr. Dennis B. O'Neill
• Head Docent: Cathy Allen — [email protected], 847-779-0735
• Relics include a pelvis fragment of St. Nicholas carbon-dated to ca. A.D. 340 by Oxford University scientists
• Bones attributed to St. Mark the Evangelist (acquired 2023)
• A lock of hair of St. Thérèse of Lisieux said to give off the scent of roses
• Oldest relics from the 5th century B.C.E.
• Tours are by appointment only; typical duration about 2 hours
• Shrine Tour Information: 847-779-0735

Faith Formation & Religious Education

All Saints Parish runs an active Religious Education program for the youth of the parish, held Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the traditional classrooms at the St. Martha school building. The program generally runs from late August through early May, with annual tuition of $300 and a $75 sacramental fee for Confirmation; families with more than one child can use the discount code FAMILY. Adult Faith Formation and Catholic Resources are also offered through the parish, including OCIA for adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.

• Youth Religious Education (K through High School)
• Classes: Mondays, 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m. at the St. Martha school building
• Annual tuition: $300; sacramental fee: $75 for Confirmation; discount code FAMILY for multiple children
• First Reconciliation preparation: 2nd grade (two-year process)
• Confirmation preparation: Year One and Year Two
• First Communion preparation in 2nd grade
• Adult Faith Formation and OCIA (RCIA) for adults 18+
• Director of Religious Education: Michelle Dal Pino — [email protected], mobile 630-484-5093
• Registration open June 8, 2026 through August 24, 2026; classes begin Monday, August 3

Ministries & Organizations

All Saints Parish supports a wide range of liturgical, musical, social, and outreach ministries. The parish website lists Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Liturgical Ministries, Adult Music, Youth Choir, Seniors Club, and Hospitality & Welcome among its core groups. The Men's Club and the annual Taste of All Saints international food fundraiser are long-running traditions, and the parish regularly fields a team for the CROP Hunger Walk, supporting the local Maine Township Food Pantry and global hunger relief.

• Pastoral Council
• Finance Council
• Liturgical Ministries
• Adult Music Ministry
• Youth Choir
• Seniors Club
• Hospitality & Welcome
• Men's Club
• Taste of All Saints international food festival
• CROP Hunger Walk — Team All Saints

Outreach: Martha's Food Pantry & Food Distribution

The parish operates Martha's Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, and co-sponsors a monthly fresh-produce and non-perishable food distribution with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Catholic Charities, held in the parking lot of St. Isaac Jogues. Volunteers are needed for set-up, packing, distribution, and clean-up. The parish also participates in the CROP Hunger Walk each year, with Deacon Lekë Brisku and Michelle Dal Pino leading Team All Saints to support both the Maine Township Food Pantry and global food security programs.

• Martha's Food Pantry and Clothing Closet (St. Martha campus)
• Monthly food distribution co-sponsored with Greater Chicago Food Depository and Catholic Charities — held at St. Isaac Jogues parking lot
• CROP Hunger Walk — Team All Saints (Niles-Park Ridge)
• CRS Rice Bowl participation in Lent

Parish Staff & Leadership

The parish is led by Fr. Thomas Baldonieri as pastor, with the support of Deacon Lekë Brisku and the parish staff at both campuses. Business operations are handled by Business Manager Lori Ronczka; music by part-time musician Bradely Whaley; and faith formation by Liz Frake and Coordinator of Religious Education Michelle Dal Pino. Fr. Dennis O'Neill remains closely associated with the parish as Pastor Emeritus and curator of the Shrine of All Saints.

• Pastor: Rev. Thomas Baldonieri (Rectory 847-965-0262)
• Deacon: Lekë Brisku — [email protected], 773-882-1171
• Business Manager: Lori Ronczka — [email protected]
• Part-time Musician: Bradley Whaley
• Religious Education: Liz Frake — [email protected]
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Michelle Dal Pino — [email protected], 630-484-5093
• Flock Note Questions: Anna Duerr
• Curator of the Shrine of All Saints: Rev. Dennis B. O'Neill