St. Ambrose

About St. Ambrose Parish

St. Ambrose Catholic Parish is a two-church, one-school Catholic community in Godfrey, Illinois, in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The parish includes St. Ambrose Church on Homer M. Adams Parkway, St. Michael Church in nearby Beltrees (26214 Beltrees Rd.), and St. Ambrose Catholic School. The parish mission is to live by God's word and grow in faith through the sacraments, outreach, faith formation for all ages, and the Sister Parish relationship with San Juan Baptista in Guatemala.

• Approximately 746 families / 1,662 parishioners
• One pastor assisted by three deacons, an Oblate Novitiate, and lay staff
• Saturday vigil Mass, Sunday and weekday Masses, and a monthly Holy Hour

History

Founded August 1, 1947, the parish was announced by the pastors of St. Mary's and SS. Peter and Paul. Father Andrew Robinson was appointed founding pastor by Bishop James Griffith, and the first church was completed February 8, 1948, with 250 families and 135 students. Eight pastors have served the parish, guiding it through major growth, a devastating fire, two new worship spaces (1948 and 1977/78), the addition of a community center and gymnasium dedicated in 1996, and ongoing facilities upgrades through 2015.

• 1947: Parish founded; Mass first celebrated at the Catholic Children's Home
• 1948: First church and school building completed
• 1978: Present-day church dedicated on February 8 (30th anniversary)
• 1979: Formal dedication by Bishop McNicholas, April 29
• 1996: Community center and gymnasium dedicated by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan, April 22

Parish Staff

The parish is led by Father Steven Janoski, Pastor, with three resident deacons and a lay staff including a Director of Operations, Director of Music & Liturgy, principal, PSR Director, and administrative team. Fr. Jerry Wickenhauser and priests from the nearby Oblate Novitiate also assist.

• Father Steven Janoski, Pastor (ext. 5, [email protected])
• Deacon Bill Kessler (ext. 6, [email protected])
• Deacon Tom Wilkinson (ext. 7, [email protected])
• Deacon Jay Wackerly (ext. 8, [email protected])
• Michelle Pulaski, Director of Operations
• Pat Klasner, Secretary; Mary Jo Zykan, Receptionist / Safe Environment
• Sandy Willings and Steve Stack, Parish Office
• Eli Hawkins, IT Helpdesk

St. Ambrose Catholic School

St. Ambrose Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade) is located at 822 W. Homer M. Adams Parkway, Godfrey, IL 62035, phone 618-466-4216. Its mission is to provide excellence in education both academically and spiritually, preparing students to serve family, community, and Christ. The school marks 77 years of academic excellence and offers Catholic identity formation, Character Counts curriculum, athletics, and significant recent building and safety upgrades.

• Principal: Mr. Bob Baird ([email protected])
• 77 years of academic excellence
• Catholic identity features: daily prayer, frequent Sacraments, Student Service Ministry
• Middle School accelerated math curriculum and high standardized test scores
• Recent building improvements: gym stage, gym sound, AV upgrades, new school roof, outdoor classroom, SMART panels in all classrooms, STEAM Room
• Safety & security: over $225,000 invested in cameras, doors, intercoms, and safety film on glass; active Safety and Security Committee; collaboration with local law enforcement

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish offers multiple pathways for catechesis. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves children in public or private non-Catholic schools from Grades 1-8, meeting Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the lower pastoral center. Family Faith Formation is a monthly gathering open to all parishioners. Sacramental preparation follows the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois 'restored order,' with First Reconciliation in 2nd grade and Confirmation/First Communion celebrated with the Bishop in 3rd grade.

• Parish School of Religion (Grades 1-8) — Director Kathy Wittich
• Family Faith Formation — second Sunday of each month, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Community Center
• First Reconciliation in 2nd grade; Confirmation and First Communion with the Bishop in 3rd grade

St. Ambrose Community Outreach (SACO)

SACO collaborates with other people of good will to serve the less fortunate in the parish and surrounding community, supported entirely by free-will offerings from parishioners. Recent quarterly reports show thousands of dollars in aid to local families and partner agencies.

• Bills assistance (electric, water, food, car repair, appliances)
• Partner donations: Catholic Charities Christmas, Christmas Baskets, Community Hope Center, Crisis Food Center, Oasis Women's Center, Overnight Warming Center (Alton)
• SACO meets first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Pastoral Conference Room
• Contact the parish office at 618-466-2921, ext. 4

St. Michael Church

St. Michael Church in Beltrees (26214 Beltrees Rd., Beltrees, IL 62022) is the second worship site of the parish community. Originally a separate parish, it was reassigned to St. Ambrose under the direction of Father Stephen Pohlman. The church is available for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

• Address: 26214 Beltrees Rd., Beltrees, IL 62022
• Phone: 618-466-2921
• Reassigned to St. Ambrose Parish under Father Stephen Pohlman's direction
• Available for weddings, baptisms, and funerals

Special Ministries

The parish's Special Ministries page highlights service to parishioners who are homebound, hospitalized, or new to the community. Volunteers and deacons coordinate visits, welcome outreach, and the parish's commitment to people at every stage of life.

• Hospital and homebound ministry (coordinated through the Deacon office)
• Welcome ministry for new members
• Home visits and outreach to those in need

Sister Parish — San Juan Baptista, Guatemala

St. Ambrose Parish maintains a sister-parish relationship with San Juan Baptista in Guatemala, integrated into the parish's mission statement. This bond is part of the parish's broader effort to live out the Gospel in solidarity with the wider Church.