About Our Lady of Lourdes · Sparta, Illinois
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Catholic parish in Sparta, Illinois, established in 1897 and belonging to the Diocese of Belleville. Located at 611 West Broadway Street, the parish serves the Catholic community of Sparta and surrounding Randolph County under the pastoral care of Rev. Charles Anyaoku, who serves as parish Administrator. Working in partnership with neighboring parishes St. Pius V in Walsh and St. Boniface in Evansville, Our Lady of Lourdes offers weekend and weekday Mass, faith formation for children, and a range of parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus and St. Ann's Altar Sodality. The parish identifies itself with the motto "Growing Closer to God" and continues to serve as a longtime Catholic presence in southern Illinois.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Anyaoku (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes welcomes Catholics in Sparta and the surrounding Randolph County area to a faithful, family-sized parish community rooted in 1897. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and Sunday morning, with a Wednesday morning weekday Mass for those who wish to worship during the week. The parish supports faith formation for children through its Parish School of Religion and CYO, and offers adults a chance to serve and socialize through the Knights of Columbus, St. Ann's Altar Sodality, Liturgical Ministries, and other parish groups. With its partnered parishes in Walsh and Evansville, Our Lady of Lourdes is a stable, long-established Catholic home in southern Illinois where parishioners can grow closer to God.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
About Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is the Catholic parish serving Sparta, Illinois, located at 611 West Broadway Street in Randolph County. Established in 1897, it is part of the Diocese of Belleville and ministers to Catholic families in Sparta and surrounding communities. The parish is led by Administrator Rev. Charles Anyaoku and supported by CRE Debi Hoelscher and Secretary Jane Pillers. The parish shares its priestly ministry in partnership with two neighboring parishes: St. Pius V in Walsh and St. Boniface in Evansville. The parish describes itself with the motto "Growing Closer to God."
- Parish motto: "Growing Closer to God."
- Established: 1897
- Diocese: Belleville
- Administrator: Rev. Charles Anyaoku
- CRE: Debi Hoelscher
- Secretary: Jane Pillers
- Partnered parishes: St. Pius V (Walsh) and St. Boniface (Evansville)
Mass and Worship Schedule
Our Lady of Lourdes offers weekend and weekday Mass opportunities for parishioners and visitors. The weekend schedule includes a Saturday Vigil Mass and a Sunday morning Mass, with one weekly weekday Mass on Wednesday morning. Holy Day Masses are scheduled as announced, with a vigil Mass on the evening before as also announced. The parish follows the Roman-Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Wednesday Daily Mass: 8:30 a.m.
- Holy Day Vigil: as announced
- Holy Day Mass: as announced
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Our Lady of Lourdes supports a range of parish organizations that serve both the spiritual and social needs of its members. Adult faithful are invited to join the Knights of Columbus council and St. Ann's Altar Sodality, while liturgical roles are filled through the parish's Liturgical Ministries. The parish also promotes "other faith opportunities" beyond what is listed on the directory.
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Ann's Altar Sodality
- Liturgical Ministries
- Other faith opportunities
Faith Formation and Youth
Religious education for the children of the parish is provided through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), with Debi Hoelscher serving as the Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE). Youth ministry is offered through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), giving young parishioners opportunities for fellowship, service, and faith enrichment. The parish does not operate its own Catholic elementary school; formation for school-age children is therefore centered in the PSR program.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
- CRE: Debi Hoelscher
- Parish School of Religion phone: 618-443-2878
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Our Lady of Lourdes at the parish rectory and secretary's office at 611 West Broadway Street, Sparta, Illinois 62286. The secretary's office and rectory share the phone number 618-443-2811, while the CRE office and parish center are reached at 618-443-2878. General inquiries can be emailed to [email protected]. The parish's website is hosted at www.ollchurch.com (via the faithweb platform).
- Address: 611 W. Broadway, Sparta, IL 62286
- Secretary / Rectory: 618-443-2811
- CRE Office / Parish Center: 618-443-2878
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ollchurch.com / http://www.oll-sparta.faithweb.com/
History and Heritage
Our Lady of Lourdes was established in 1897, making it a longstanding Catholic presence in Sparta and Randolph County. The parish has been served over the years by priests of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), including the late pastor Rev. Lawrence Mariasoosai, OMI, who is identified in older parish directories. Today the parish is administered by Rev. Charles Anyaoku and works collaboratively with two partner parishes — St. Pius V in Walsh and St. Boniface in Evansville — to sustain priestly ministry and Catholic life across the rural area.
- Founded: 1897
- Past Oblate presence, including Rev. Lawrence Mariasoosai, OMI
- Current Administrator: Rev. Charles Anyaoku
- Partnered parishes: St. Pius V (Walsh), St. Boniface (Evansville)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence Mariasoosai, OMI
Listed as Pastor in earlier parish directory data (St Louis Churches directory)