Our Saviour

Parish History and Heritage

Our Saviour traces its roots to the first Mass celebrated in Jacksonville in 1851 by Father Gifford of Springfield. From those humble beginnings with five or six families in a private home, the parish grew through a succession of pastors who built its institutions: Father Costa completed the original church and started St. Patrick's School; Father Crowe (1883-1916) remodeled the church, built the rectory, secured the Sisters of Charity, and founded Routt College and High School in 1902; and Msgr. Francis Formaz (1916-1965) served an astonishing 59 years and built the grade school still in use. Msgr. Driscoll built the present church, and Fr. Tom Meyer oversaw a major 2018 renovation, school addition, and return of priests to the old rectory.

Leadership and Parish Staff

The parish is led by Fr. Adam Zawadzki as Pastor and Fr. Zachraiah Patibandla as Parochial Vicar, supported by an Office Manager/Sacramental Coordinator (Laura DeFrain), a Business Manager (Fritzie Wagner), and a Liturgical Music Coordinator (Jim Harris). The Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council provide lay governance and meet periodically throughout the year.

• Pastor: Rev. Adam Zawadzki ([email protected])
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Zachraiah Patibandla ([email protected])
• Office Manager / Sacramental Coordinator: Laura DeFrain
• Business Manager: Fritzie Wagner ([email protected])
• Liturgical Music Coordinator: Jim Harris

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith formation at Our Saviour spans cradle to adult: Parish School of Religion (PSR) on Wednesday evenings for public-school students (Grades K-5), a school-year sacramental preparation track beginning in 2nd grade (1st Penance in 2nd grade; 1st Communion and Confirmation together in 3rd grade under the Restored Order), and the Order of Christian Initiation for both Adults (OCIA) and Children (OCIC). Youth ministry includes 'The Outlet' (middle school) and 'SWAG' (high school), meeting the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 7 PM in the Convent Upper Room.

• PSR: Wednesday evenings, 6:15-7:15 PM at Our Saviour Grade School, September through May
• 1st Penance preparation begins in 2nd grade (parent meetings required)
• 1st Communion & Confirmation together in 3rd grade (Retreat required)
• OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA): team members and sponsors journey with inquirers
• OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Children (director: Madonna Berry)
• Youth Ministry: 'The Outlet' (middle school) led by Annie Ratliff (309-371-7559); 'SWAG' (high school) led by Randy Scott (217-473-1654)
• Vacation Bible School: free, one week in summer, for children entering PreK-5th grade from any church

Our Saviour School

Our Saviour School is the parish's PreK-8 Catholic school, envisioned as an extension of the parish community that nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of each student, with worship integrated into the educational process. The school is led by Principal Amy Evans and governed by an 11-member Advisory Board chaired by Lindsey English, with Fr. Adam Zawadzki and Principal Evans serving ex officio. In 2018 under Fr. Tom Meyer the parish completed a major school addition and church renovation.

• PreK-8 Catholic school linked to the parish
• Principal: Amy Evans (ex officio)
• Advisory Board President: Lindsey English; VP Sean Hynes; Secretary Jill Copeland
• 9 elected members + pastor and principal ex officio
• Strategic Goals 2026-2030 under development

Parish Life and Liturgical Ministries

The heart of the parish is the Eucharist, but its body is the lay ministries that animate parish life. Liturgical roles include Music Ministry (Cantors, Organists, Pianists), Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound.

• Music Ministry — interim music director Ann Marie Stahel (217-602-1377)
• Greeters, Ushers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
• Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
• Children's Liturgy of the Word
• Video Livestream team (for the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass)
• Pastoral Council (meets 8 times a year)
• Finance Council

Outreach and Social-Justice Ministries

The parish puts faith into action through a wide range of outreach ministries that serve the local Jacksonville community and beyond. The St. Vincent de Paul Society (led by Joe Kaufmann) supports the needy and suffering in the spirit of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and St. Vincent de Paul. Prison Ministry (Tom and Judy Cisne) brings Mass and a Residents Encounter Christ retreat weekend to the Jacksonville Correctional Center. The Sister Parish relationship with a parish in Guatemala is funded by a First Sunday collection (30% of which is distributed among six local charities).

• St. Vincent de Paul Society (Joe Kaufmann, 217-370-0109)
• Prison Ministry at Jacksonville Correctional Center (Tom & Judy Cisne, 217-371-6670)
• Sister Parish in Guatemala (1st Sunday collection)
• Food Bank (donations to Jacksonville Food Center; volunteers serve on Wednesdays, contact Ed Preston, 217-675-2092)
• Right to Life Ministry (Linda Curtis, 217-245-9848)
• Hope and Caring Ministry
• Deaf Ministry
• Doorbell Dinners
• Minute Maids (cleaning ministry, contact Linda Curtis, 217-553-7715)
• Minute Men (handyman ministry, contact Harry Coop, 217-248-6329)

Parish Organizations and Fraternal Groups

Long-standing Catholic organizations anchor the parish community. The Knights of Columbus Council 868 was established in 1904 and meets at 320½ E. State Street (Grand Knight Adam Haas). The Catholic Daughters of America meet on the second Monday of each month at 1:30 PM in the Convent Upper Room (contact Alice Massey, 217-243-2758), and the Altar & Rosary Society is open to all women of the parish.

• Knights of Columbus Council 868 (est. 1904), Grand Knight Adam Haas, 217-243-1015
• Catholic Daughters of America — meets 2nd Monday, 1:30 PM, Convent Upper Room (Alice Massey, 217-243-2758)
• Altar & Rosary Society — open to all women of the parish
• Welcoming Committee (Shelly Heideman, 217-626-1004)

Sacramental Preparation

Our Saviour prepares members of every age for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation. Sacramental preparation begins in the 2nd grade for baptized Catholic children catechized at OSS or PSR since Kindergarten, with 1st Penance in 2nd grade and 1st Communion and Confirmation received together in 3rd grade under the Restored Order (parent meetings and an all-day retreat required).

• 1st Penance: begins in 2nd grade (parent meetings required)
• 1st Communion + Confirmation together in 3rd grade (Restored Order)
• All-day student retreat required for Confirmation
• OCIC (children) directed by Madonna Berry
• OCIA (adults) for those preparing to enter the Church

Marriage and Family Life

Pre-Cana welcomes, educates, inspires, and supports engaged couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage. The ministry group plans 2-3 times a year and hosts the Pre-Cana retreat in February. A Marriage Encounter Community supports couples in continuing to grow their sacramental bond.

• Pre-Cana for engaged couples (planning meetings 2-3 times a year; retreat in February)
• Marriage Encounter Community
• Mom's Group

Prayer, Devotions and Adult Faith Formation

Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish nurtures ongoing spiritual growth through Scripture Study (two small groups meet Monday mornings at 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM), Cursillo, a Prayer Line (Karolyn Robson, 217-245-7789), and the Ministry of Praise, in which members receive a monthly list of prayer intentions — particularly helpful for homebound or nursing-home members.

• Scripture Study — Monday mornings 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM (Betty Gibson, 217-371-0813; Mary Ann Rapozo, 217-370-4144)
• Cursillo
• Prayer Line (Karolyn Robson, 217-245-7789)
• Ministry of Praise (Betty Gibson, 217-371-0813)

Calvary Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery, the parish's historic burial ground, was established in 1868, only a few years after the parish itself. It is the resting place of founders, saints, and sinners of Jacksonville's early Catholic community, including several former pastors such as Fr. John Crowe (1883-1916) and Msgr. Francis F. Formaz. The cemetery is cared for as a parish organization, listed alongside the Altar & Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters, and Knights of Columbus on the parish's stewardship page.

• Established in 1868
• Burial place of Fr. John Crowe and Msgr. Francis F. Formaz (among others)
• Maintained as a parish organization

Getting Involved — Volunteer Stewardship

The parish encourages parishioners to prayerfully consider volunteering; many councils and committees have term limits. Open roles on the Stewardship page include Ministry of Hospitality, Hospitality Doorbell Dinners, music and livestream opportunities, faith-formation teaching, RCIA/PSR volunteers, and outreach through the Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Sister Parish.

• Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, OSS School Board
• Discipleship and Stewardship Committee
• Buildings and Grounds Committee
• Events Committee

Contact and Visit

Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The church is located at 453 East State Street, Jacksonville, IL 62650. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office by phone at (217) 245-6184 or by email to [email protected]; clergy can be reached directly at [email protected] (pastor) or [email protected] (parochial vicar).

• Address: 453 E State St, Jacksonville, IL 62650
• Phone: (217) 245-6184
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:00 PM