About Holy Childhood of Jesus · Mascoutah, Illinois
Holy Childhood of Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Mascoutah, Illinois, founded in 1857 and now part of the Diocese of Belleville. It is currently partnered with St. Liborius Parish in nearby St. Libory and is closely tied to Holy Childhood Grade School, which the parish founded in 1859 — just two years after the church itself. Today the parish is served by Pastor Rev. Mark D. Stec and Permanent Deacon Daniel R. Cozzi, and offers a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- Holy Childhood of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Mark D. Stec
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Holy Childhood of Jesus is a long-established Mascoutah parish (founded 1857) that still worships in its 1882 church and remains tightly linked to Holy Childhood Grade School. The community offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily and weekend Mass, reconciliation twice weekly, three sessions of Eucharistic adoration, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy — alongside active lay ministries such as altar serving, lectors, extraordinary Eucharistic ministers, greeters, ushers, the adult choir, Knights of Columbus Council #4380, the Holy Childhood Council of Catholic Women, parish quilters, and a home-based Faith Family Catechesis program for K–8. It's the kind of parish where nearly everyone who joins can find a way to serve.
Mass times at Holy Childhood of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM @ Holy Childhood
- Saturday 4:00 PM @ Holy Childhood
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM @ Holy Childhood
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM @ Holy Childhood
- 2nd Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM @ Holy Childhood
Parish History
Holy Childhood of Jesus was founded in 1857 by the Catholic citizens of Mascoutah and the surrounding area. Their first church, built of brick and timber, seated about 60 families. In 1859 — just two years later — the parishioners opened Holy Childhood Catholic School, which continues to serve the community today.
- 1857: Parish founded; first brick-and-timber church (~60 family capacity)
- 1859: Holy Childhood Catholic School founded
- 1882: Larger, present-day church built to replace the original
- 1932: 'Double Jubilee' celebrated — Diamond Jubilee of the parish and Golden Jubilee of the 1882 church; a souvenir book preserves early history
- Today: 165+ years of continuous ministry in Mascoutah under the Diocese of Belleville
Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by a pastor and a permanent deacon, supported by an administrative assistant and a sacristan. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–1:00 PM (subject to change — callers are advised to call first).
- Pastor — Rev. Mark D. Stec (618-514-8673); ordained 1988 by Bishop James Keleher; graduate of Loyola University and St. Mary of the Lake–Mundelein Seminary; pastor of Holy Childhood since July 2023
- Permanent Deacon — Dcn. Daniel R. Cozzi (618-566-6165); USAFA aeronautical engineering graduate; ordained 2018 by Bishop Edward Braxton; in the parish since 2011
- Administrative Assistant / Business Manager / Parish Secretary — Heather Bridegroom (618-566-2958)
- Sacristan — Stacie Cornman (618-920-8386)
Liturgy & Worship Ministries
The parish runs a robust set of lay liturgical ministries, each with modest time commitments and training. Most contact names are published on the parish website so newcomers can volunteer directly.
- Altar Servers — assist the celebrant; minimum age 5th grade; ~1–2 hours/month
- Lectors — proclaim the readings at Mass; ~1 Mass/month
- Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers — distribute Holy Communion and bring Communion to the sick and homebound
- Greeters — welcome parishioners before Mass; ~15 minutes every two months
- Ushers — seating, collection, Communion procession, bulletins; ~1 hour every 2–6 months
- Gift Bearers — families bring the gifts to the altar
- Breaking Open the Word — adults lead children ages 3 through 3rd grade during 10 AM Mass
- Adult Choir — always accepting new members
- Welcome Sunday — coffee, donuts and juice after 10 AM Mass on the first Sunday of each month
Faith Family Catechesis (Religious Education)
Faith Family Catechesis (formerly called PSR) is the parish's religious-education program for students in public schools, covering grades K–8. Families learn together through textbook lessons and online e-learning resources at home, with monthly parish gatherings for service projects and faith enrichment. The Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are celebrated in conjunction with Holy Childhood School, with continuing formation after Confirmation offered in a High School program.
- Grades K–8 religious instruction for public-school families
- Home-based textbook plus online e-learning model; parents are the primary catechists
- E-assessments sent to the CRE at the end of each unit
- Monthly family gatherings for service and faith enrichment
- Sacramental years coordinated with Holy Childhood School
- Continuing formation after Confirmation in a High School program
- Registration: 2nd weekend of August after all Masses; forms available at the Rectory
- Coordinator: Wendy Uhl, CRE — [email protected]
Holy Childhood Grade School
Founded in 1859, only two years after the parish itself, Holy Childhood Grade School is the parish's Catholic school serving Mascoutah. It is led by Principal Mr. Timothy Keefe with a School Advisory Council chaired by Mike Brennan.
- Founded 1859 — one of the oldest parish schools in the Diocese of Belleville
- Address: 215 North John Street, Mascoutah, IL 62258
- Phone: 618-566-2922 — Fax: 618-566-2720
- Principal: Mr. Timothy Keefe
- School Advisory Council President: Mike Brennan
- Website: holychildhoodschool.com
Social Ministries & Parish Organizations
Beyond liturgical service, the parish sustains a strong social and community life through its affiliated organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and a long-running quilting ministry.
- Knights of Columbus Council #4380 — meets 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center
- Holy Childhood Council of Catholic Women (HCCCW) — member of the Belleville Diocesan CCW; meets 2nd Tuesday, September–May, in the Parish Center; funds altar bread, wine, vestments, flowers and other liturgical needs
- Parish Quilters — Tuesdays 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and Thursdays 1:00–4:00 PM; quilts are donated to the Parish Picnic; contact Bernice Curry at 618-566-4755
- Parish Directory — updated roughly every 5 years; current ministry led by Karen Wobbe ([email protected])
- Annual Parish Picnic — a community-wide event featuring food, games, kiddie land, and Quilt & Cash Bingo
Contact & Visiting
The parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners. Office hours are posted on the website and parishioners are encouraged to call ahead, as schedules can change. The parish is partnered with St. Liborius in St. Libory, which it references for some Mass and sacramental scheduling.
- Rectory phone: 618-566-2958
- Address: 419 E Church St, Mascoutah, IL 62258
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
- Partnered parish: St. Liborius, St. Libory
- Diocese: Diocese of Belleville