About Sacred Heart · Aurora, Illinois
Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Sagrado Corazón) is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Aurora, Illinois, located at the corner of Fulton and North State Streets in a residential neighborhood about a mile east of the Fox River. Founded in 1868 by residents with ties to France and Luxembourg, it is today designated a Hispanic National Parish within the Diocese of Rockford, serving a predominantly Latino congregation of about 885 registered families. The current sanctuary was built in 2012, replacing the original brick church that was destroyed by arson in December 1998, and seats roughly 450 people.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Juan Arciniegas (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockford
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is Aurora's oldest Catholic parish and its designated Hispanic National Parish in the Diocese of Rockford, offering one of the most extensive Spanish-language liturgical schedules in the area — four Spanish Sunday Masses plus a daily Spanish evening Mass on Wednesday and Friday. Parish life is built around deeply rooted ministries for every age and stage: religious education for public-school children (K–5), youth ministry, baptism preparation, the Legion of Mary, a Prayer Group, the Knights of Columbus (Council 12497 shared with St. John Neumann), an active music ministry, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and ushers — all described on the parish website as ways to serve and grow together in faith.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tiempo de oración personal)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Sagrado Corazón) is Aurora, Illinois' oldest Roman Catholic parish, located at the corner of Fulton and North State Streets in a residential neighborhood about a mile east of the Fox River. Founded in 1868 by residents with ties to France and Luxembourg, it is today designated a Hispanic National Parish within the Diocese of Rockford, with about 885 registered families and a sanctuary seating 450. The parish offers one of the most extensive Spanish-language liturgical schedules in the area, with four Spanish Sunday Masses plus a daily Spanish evening Mass on Wednesday and Friday.
- Founded: 1868
- Current church built: 2012
- Registered families: ~885
- Church capacity: 450
- Parish type: Hispanic National Parish, Diocese of Rockford
History
Sacred Heart's history spans more than 150 years and includes two fires, repeated threats of closure, and a remarkable community-driven rebuilding effort. The parish was established in the late nineteenth century by French- and Luxembourgish-descended Aurora residents on the city's east side. By the 1980s, mounting debt prompted the diocese to consider closing the parish; a 1987 merger proposal with St. Nicholas was defeated only when parishioners raised funds and agreed to consolidate the parish school.
- 1980 — Diocese of Rockford considers closing Sacred Heart
- 1987 — Merger with St. Nicholas defeated after parishioner campaign; parish school folds
- December 1998 — Arson fire destroys the original century-old brick church and its tall spire
- 1999 & 2005 — Rebuild plans drafted but shelved for lack of money
- 2010 — Bishop Thomas Doran approves rebuilding
- February 2012 — New $1.5 million sanctuary opens, seating 450
The 1998 Fire and Rebuild
A fire set in December 1998 by a 15-year-old (whose confession was later ruled inadmissible and against whom the diocese declined to press charges) gutted the original brick church. Only one stained-glass window could be salvaged — it is now displayed in a hallway of the present building. Insurance proceeds of about $1.2 million arrived, of which roughly $580,000 was used to retire debt; parishioners then raised an additional $500,000 through bake sales and post-Mass meals of tacos, tostadas, and other treats. For 13 years the community worshipped in the basement of the adjacent former school until the new sanctuary opened the first Sunday of Lent in February 2012.
- Cause: arson (15-year-old with prior arson conviction)
- Salvaged item: one stained-glass window, now on display in the new building
- Years in makeshift worship space: 1998–2012
- Cost of new sanctuary: $1.5 million
- New seating capacity: 450 (double the original)
Ministries (Ministerios)
Parish life at Sacred Heart is organized around a broad slate of Spanish-language ministries that cover formation, worship, service, and community outreach. The parish explicitly frames ministries as a way for parishioners to grow in faith while serving others.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education serves public-school children from kindergarten through fifth grade, preparing them to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist while supporting parents and guardians as the primary educators of their children in the Catholic faith.
- Educación religiosa para niños (K–5)
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Family-based catechetical support
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish in a variety of liturgical roles. The parish specifically thanks its altar servers for preserving 'the most beautiful thing on this side of heaven,' and welcomes readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers whose service fosters a reverent atmosphere for worship.
- Monaguillos (Altar Servers)
- Lectores (Lectors)
- Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión
- Ujieres (Ushers)
Music Ministry
Sacred Heart's Music Ministry gathers talented choirs for various age groups who lead the assembly in prayer and song throughout the liturgical year.
- Choirs for multiple age groups
- Instruments and cantors supporting weekend and weekday liturgies
Youth Ministry (Ministerio Juvenil)
The parish youth ministry aims to connect every student with Jesus Christ through worship, teaching, and small groups, hosting events and retreats that build community and spiritual growth among friends.
- Worship, teaching, and small-group gatherings
- Retreats and social events for teens
Prayer & Devotional Groups
The Prayer Group is made up of men and women seeking a deep awareness and experience of God's love, the graces, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, sharing the teachings of Christ weekly through prayer, Scripture, song, and praise. The Legion of Mary works to deepen the spiritual life of every member and the wider parish community.
- Grupo de oración (Prayer Group — weekly Scripture, song, praise)
- Legión de María (Legion of Mary — spiritual formation and evangelization)
Baptism Preparation
A dedicated team accompanies parents of newly born children, offering support, guidance, and a solid foundation on what it means to bring a child to Baptism at Sacred Heart, and ensuring families have everything they need to be ready for the sacrament.
- Guidance and accompaniment for parents and guardians
- Preparation classes and support team
Knights of Columbus — Council 12497
Sacred Heart is the home of Knights of Columbus Council 12497, which is jointly chartered with St. John Neumann Parish and serves both parishes as well as the wider St. Charles-area community. The international Catholic fraternal charitable organization was founded by Fr. Michael J. McGivney in 1882.
- Council 12497 — serves Sacred Heart and St. John Neumann parishes
- Founded 1882 by Fr. Michael J. McGivney
- Charitable, fraternal, and faith-building work in the community
Parish Staff (Conoce al personal)
The parish is currently led by Rev. Juan Arciniegas as Parochial Administrator. The staff page lists parish clergy and office personnel who support the work of the community. (Rev. Msgr. Arquimedes Vallejo, who led Sacred Heart from 2009 to 2020, was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph in Elgin in summer 2020.)
- Rev. Juan Arciniegas — Parochial Administrator
- Rev. Jorge Vallejo, MSC — Parochial Vicar
- Diana Cortes — parish staff
- Yarely Gonzalez — parish staff
- Maria Macho — parish staff
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Arquimedes VallejoJune 1, 2009 – summer 2020
Parochial Administrator (and later Pastor) who led the rebuilding campaign after the 1998 fire and celebrated the opening of the new sanctuary in February 2012. Originally incardinated in the Diocese of Rockford in 2002; appointed Pastor of St. Joseph (Elgin) in summer 2020. Ordained in the Diocese of Garagoa, Colombia in 1989.
- Rev. Juan Arciniegas2020–present
Current Parochial Administrator per the Diocese of Rockford parish listing.