About St. John Bosco · Churubusco, Indiana
St. John Bosco Catholic Church is a small, close-knit Roman Catholic parish serving the greater Churubusco, Indiana area from its home on North Main Street in downtown Churubusco. It is one of 81 parishes in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, under the pastoral care of Father Francis Chukwuma (who also serves nearby Immaculate Conception in Ege). The parish was founded in 1958 by Father Anthony Reszutek — a Salesian priest who chose the name because of its similarity to the town's nickname, "Busco," and because of the heroic witness of St. John Bosco. Today the parish offers Mass in English several times a week, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, religious education for about 60 preschool through eighth-grade children, an active Altar Rosary Society, a men's SPARC group, a combined youth ministry, RCIA, a Bible study, and a music ministry led by guitarist Steve Palmer — all rooted in the parish's stated spirit of ecumenism and lay participation.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. John Bosco (Don Bosco)
- Rector
- Rev. Francis Chukwuma
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend (Bishop: Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades)
Why belong here
St. John Bosco is a small, welcoming parish of about 250 close-knit households in the heart of Churubusco, where parishioners genuinely greet one another and stay to visit after Mass. Worship is grounded in the Eucharist (offered in English several times a week), weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and regular opportunities for Confession. Faith formation is a clear priority — roughly 60 preschool through eighth-grade students are in religious education, and the parish combines RCIA and Confirmation retreats with neighboring Immaculate Conception, runs a Monday-morning Bible study, a youth group, the Altar Rosary Society, and the men's SPARC (Small Parish Actively Receiving Christ) group, all supported by a music ministry led by guitarist Steve Palmer. Located right on a main highway in downtown Churubusco, it's an easy, faithful stop for area Catholics — and the parish itself says, "It's a good feeling when people are welcoming."
Mass times at St. John Bosco
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:30 PM
- Wednesday 4:30 – 5:15 PM
- Friday 7:00 – 7:45 AM
Adoration times
- Thursday 2:00 – 10:00 PM (with a Children-welcoming hour 2:00 – 3:00 PM)
Parish History
St. John Bosco was founded April 13, 1958, when Catholics in greater Churubusco — originally missioned from Immaculate Conception in Ege — were numerous enough to need their own church. The first pastor, Father Anthony Reszutek, a Salesian priest, chose the dedication of the parish in the converted York Theater on Main Street, and the parish grew from about 65 members to roughly 445 in its first thirteen years. In 1971, under Father Dennis Blank, the parish purchased the former Faith United Methodist Church at 220 N. Main St., where it remains. See the full pastor succession in the 'Our Pastors' section below.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
About 60 preschool through eighth-grade students participate in religious education at St. John Bosco, directed by Donna Macino. Preschoolers use the Good Shepherd program, which is based on the Montessori method. Confirmation preparation and RCIA are run jointly with Immaculate Conception in Ege, and the parish also restarted its youth group (8th grade and up) under Father Chukwuma.
- Preschool – 8th grade Religious Education (Donna Macino, DRE)
- Good Shepherd Montessori-based preschool program
- RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic), combined with Immaculate Conception
- Youth Group (8th grade and up), combined with Immaculate Conception, Ege
- Confirmation retreat (joint with Immaculate Conception)
Parish Ministries & Groups
Active lay involvement is a hallmark of St. John Bosco, going back to the first Parish Council organized in 1970. The Altar Rosary Society, the SPARC men's group, a Monday morning Bible study, and a small music ministry round out parish life.
- Altar Rosary Society — women's group that meets monthly (Rosary meetings listed on the parish calendar), hosts the annual Christmas Bazaar, and provides funeral dinners
- SPARC — Small Parish Actively Receiving Christ — men's small group (about 15–20 men) meeting every other week; grew out of the Rekindle the Fire men's retreat; leads the rosary at parish funerals
- Bible Study — Monday mornings after Mass
- Music Ministry — Director Steve Palmer (guitar), with occasional organ and vocalists (no formal choir)
- Parish Council (formed December 1970, with committees)
- Finance Committee
Buildings, Grounds & Community Use
The campus includes the church (a converted former Protestant sanctuary with a renovated sanctuary, marble flooring and altar, renovated choir loft and Stations of the Cross), a fully renovated basement, a renovated Religious Education building, and a rectory with additional rooms. The church sits right on Main Street (US 33) in downtown Churubusco, making it easy to spot and reach, and the parish has an on-site parking lot created from the former gas station next door.
- Basement — venue for parish meals, funeral dinners, and community groups (a quilt club and the Rotary Club both meet there)
- Designated safe place for children in the event of a local school evacuation
- Elevator accessibility project underway for the basement
- Office hours via the parish phone line: (260) 693-9578
Annual Events & Fundraisers
The parish hosts a few signature events that double as fundraisers, with proceeds commonly supporting Catholic education and supporting parishioners who attend St. Mary's School in Avilla.
- Annual Christmas Bazaar (Altar Rosary Society) — homemade noodles, baked goods, crafts
- Spaghetti dinner
- Beer, wine and cheese tasting
Our Patron: St. John Bosco
St. John Melchior Bosco (1815–1888), known affectionately as 'Don Bosco' ('Father Bosco' in Italian), was an Italian priest who founded the Salesian Society — and Father Anthony Reszutek, himself a Salesian, chose the saint as patron for the new Churubusco parish because of his name's echo of the town's nickname 'Busco.' Don Bosco is the universal patron of young people, schoolchildren, apprentices, and editors/publishers; he was canonized on April 1, 1934, by Pope Pius XI, and his memorial is celebrated on January 31.
- Born August 16, 1815, in Castelnuovo d'Asti, Italy
- Founder of the Salesian Society and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
- Died January 31, 1888; canonized April 1, 1934
- Patron of young people, schoolchildren, apprentices, and editors
- Named 'Father and Teacher of Youth' by Pope John Paul II
Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
St. John Bosco is one of 81 parishes in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. The current diocesan bishop is the Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, and the diocesan newspaper is Today's Catholic, which published a community profile of the parish.
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to call ahead or to stay after Mass to visit, in keeping with the parish's stated culture of hospitality. The parish is located on Main Street in downtown Churubusco and is easy to find because of its highway location.
- Address: 216 North Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723
- Phone: (260) 693-9578
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stjohnboscochurubusco.org/
- Mass: Saturday 4 PM; Sunday 7 AM & 10:30 AM; Wednesday 5:30 PM; Friday 8 AM
- Confession: Sat 3:00–3:30 PM; Wed 4:30–5:15 PM; Fri 7:00–7:45 AM
- Adoration: Thursday 2:00–10:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony Reszutekfounding pastor, dedication April 13, 1958
Salesian priest; selected the parish name because of its similarity to the town's nickname 'Busco' and the heroic deeds of St. John Bosco. The parish was originally housed in the converted York Theater on Main Street.
- Rev. Dennis Blankappointed July 1970
Appointed by Bishop Leo A. Pursley as pastor of both Immaculate Conception (Ege) and St. John Bosco. Guided the move to the former Faith United Methodist Church at 220 N. Main St. in 1971 and organized the first Parish Council in 1970. First pastor to occupy the present rectory.
- Rev. Camillo TirabasiSeptember 1, 1972 – (succeeded)
Succeeded Father Blank.
- Rev. James SeculoffFebruary 1978 – September 1978
Served as Parish Administrator.
- Rev. Patrick Durkinappointed September 1978
Appointed Pastor after Father Seculoff's administration.
- Rev. Donald IsenbargerJuly 7, 1980 – October 2, 1995
Ordained May 3, 1955. Instrumental in rebuilding the Ege church after a fire and beautifying it with parishioners. Died October 31, 2005.
- Rev. Danney PintoOctober 2, 1995 – August 2016
Succeeded Father Isenbarger.
- Rev. Francis ChukwumaAugust 2016 – present
Current pastor; also serves Immaculate Conception in Ege. Restarted the youth group, combined with Immaculate Conception youth.