About St. John of the Cross · Western Springs, Illinois
St. John of the Cross Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Western Springs, Illinois, in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and part of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Founded in 1960 by Rev. William Bennett, the parish grew rapidly: its school opened the following year with 595 students. The present church, dedicated in 1976, was the last designed by celebrated Chicago modernist architect Edward Dart and is known for its steep cedar-shake roof, Chicago common brick walls, Douglas-fir trussed ceilings, two side chapels, and lack of steeple or bells. Today the parish is served by Pastor Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe (appointed 2024), Associate Pastor Rev. John Adio, three deacons, and a full parish and school staff. With a Blue Ribbon–winning parish school of more than 600 students, robust Lifelong Formation programs, active outreach to local food pantries and the Kolbe House Jail Ministry, and a busy music ministry, SJC describes its mission simply as 'worship, formation and charity.'
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- St. John of the Cross (Spanish: San Juan de la Cruz; 1542–1591), Carmelite mystic, Doctor of the Church
- Rector
- Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic New World lists it among the archdiocese's parishes; the parish falls within the archdiocese's Southwest suburban deanery)
Why belong here
St. John of the Cross welcomes families into a faith community that lives its mission of 'worship, formation and charity' in concrete ways. Parishioners raise their children in a nationally Blue Ribbon parish school of more than 600 students, enrich their own faith through year-round adult education and Lifelong Formation, walk alongside those entering the Church through the OCIA process, and put belief into action through outreach to local food pantries, the St. Blase Food Pantry, BEDS Plus, and the Kolbe House Jail Ministry. The parish's architecturally distinctive Edward Dart church, refurbished in recent years, hosts a vibrant music ministry with adult and children's choirs and cantors, while the Garden of Mary, parish center, and tri-parish collaborations make SJC a hub of Catholic life in Western Springs.
Mass times at St. John of the Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays after the 9:00 AM Mass (also widely listed simply as 'after 9:00 am Mass on Saturdays')
Parish History
Founded in 1960 with Rev. William Bennett as the first pastor, St. John of the Cross opened its school the following year with 595 students — an extraordinary launch that set the tone for decades of growth. The Builders' Club began acquiring property early on; the rectory was built in 1968. The present church, the last designed by Edward Dart, was envisioned in 1974 and first used in 1976, with the Parish Center dedicated in 1992. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2010. A succession of pastors — Rev. Joseph F. McDonnell (1980), Rev. Richard P. Hynes (1996), Rev. David P. Dowdle (2007), Rev. Marc W. Reszel (2018), and the current Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe (2024) — has guided SJC through eras of expansion, refurbishment, and renewed outreach. Among the founding members in 1960 were Dr. Arthur and Lillian Falls; Dr. Falls was a pioneering Black physician whose civil-rights work helped desegregate Chicago-area hospitals.
- 1960 — Parish established; Rev. William Bennett appointed founding pastor
- 1961 — School opens with 595 students
- 1968 — Rectory built
- 1976 — First Mass in the new Edward Dart–designed church
- 1980 — Rev. Joseph F. McDonnell appointed pastor
- 1992 — Parish Center dedicated
- 1996 — Rev. Richard P. Hynes appointed pastor
- 2007 — Rev. David P. Dowdle appointed pastor
- 2010 — Parish celebrates 50 years in Western Springs
- 2018 — Rev. Marc W. Reszel appointed pastor
- 2024 — Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe appointed pastor
Attending Mass
St. John of the Cross offers a robust daily and Sunday Mass schedule, including a Saturday Vigil and four Sunday liturgies. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, who are led to the Community Room for age-appropriate readings after the opening prayer. The church is fully handicapped accessible, with a push-button automatic door at the north (Caroline Avenue) entrance and reserved handicapped parking adjacent to the building.
- Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- Confessions after the Saturday 9:00 AM Mass
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during 9:00 AM Sunday Mass (K–3)
- Low-gluten (.001%) hosts available through the sacristan
- Assistive Listening System available (app-based)
Liturgical Accommodations
SJC is committed to full participation in the liturgy. Low-gluten hosts (.001%) are consecrated in a separate pix during Mass and distributed by the presiding priest; communicants should identify themselves clearly by saying 'gluten-free.' An assistive listening system serves those with hearing difficulties, and the church's accessibility features are described in detail on the parish website.
- Low-gluten hosts for those with Celiac disease
- Assistive Listening System via mobile app
- Handicapped-accessible entrances, automatic door at north end
- Reserved handicapped parking adjacent to the building
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — formerly RCIA — is the parish's process for welcoming adults into the Catholic Church. It is intended for those never baptized, Christians from other traditions seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Eucharist or Confirmation. The process unfolds gradually over several months, marked by liturgical rites and accompanied by sponsors and catechists. OCIA is run jointly with neighboring St. Francis Xavier Parish, and the teams host an annual Ice Cream Social each September for inquirers. Those who journey through OCIA typically celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist — at the Easter Vigil.
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and uncatechized Catholics
- Joint program with St. Francis Xavier Parish
- Annual Ice Cream Social kick-off in September
- Pastoral contact: Steve Weigand, Pastoral Associate — [email protected] or (708) 246-4404 ext. 137
Lifelong Formation & Religious Education
The Office for Lifelong Formation, directed by Nathan Roy, accompanies parishioners 'from Baptism to end of life' and offers two complementary K–8 faith formation tracks. Family Formation empowers parents as the first catechists of their children with monthly sessions (Sunday 10:30 AM–12 PM or Wednesday 6:00–7:30 PM). Classroom Formation is a traditional model with two monthly sessions, requiring a parent or guardian to attend. Adaptive Catechesis is available for children with IEPs or 504 plans. Sacramental fees are $100 each for First Eucharist and Confirmation.
- Family Formation — once-a-month, two time options
- Classroom Formation — twice-a-month, parent attendance required
- Adaptive Catechesis for students with IEPs/504 plans
- Tuition: $320 (1 child) / $420 (2) / $520 (3+)
- Catechist discount: -$160
- Office: (708) 246-6760, Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Parish School
St. John of the Cross Parish School (preschool through 8th grade) has been recognized as a national Blue Ribbon school and serves more than 600 students. The curriculum includes a STREAM lab (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, math), Spanish instruction in grades 4–8, fine arts (art, music, physical education), student resource services, athletics, and an early-childhood program for preschoolers and kindergartners. The school shares the parish campus at 51st and Caroline Streets.
- Principal: Mr. Andrew DiMarco; Assistant Principal: Mrs. Julie Martin
- STREAM Lab and Technology integration
- Spanish Grades 4–8
- Student Resource Services and Reading Specialists
- Athletics and after-school programs
- Preschool 3, Preschool 4, and full-day Kindergarten
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
MaryClaire Zurowski coordinates Youth and Young Adult Ministry, including high school youth ministry nights and parish-wide gatherings. The parish also collaborates with neighboring parishes on youth events such as the Tri-Parish 3v3 Basketball tournament and Basketball Camp.
- High School Youth Ministry
- Tri-Parish 3v3 Basketball
- Basketball Camp
- Youth/Young Adult events listed in the parish calendar
Music Ministries
Music ministry at SJC includes adult choirs, children's choirs, and cantors serving the parish liturgies. The parish provides a 'Sing to the Lord' guidebook, Wedding Music Selections, and rehearsal schedules. A Visser pipe organ anchors the music program in the Edward Dart church.
- Adult Choirs
- Children's Choirs
- Cantors (e.g., Audrey Brynda)
- Wedding Music Selections
- 'Sing to the Lord' guidebook
- Visser pipe organ
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is one of the three pillars of the parish mission — 'worship, formation and charity.' Outreach Coordinator Laura Jachim leads the ministry, supporting the St. Blase Food Pantry (with regular M/Th/F shifts), monthly food delivery from the church narthex to area pantries, and Team Cuisine (parishioners who prepare casseroles and lasagnas for outreach clients). SJC also partners with BEDS Plus, Helping Hand, CARS (Community Assisted Rides), the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, the Kolbe House Jail Ministry, and a number of neighboring parishes and food pantries. Smaller hands-on opportunities include making baptism cards for newly baptized families and praying a 9-day Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe for the Kolbe House Jail Ministry.
- St. Blase Food Pantry volunteers (M/Th/F, morning and evening)
- Team Cuisine — casserole and lasagna preparation
- Monthly food delivery to area pantries
- BEDS Plus, Helping Hand, CARS rides
- Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
- Kolbe House Jail Ministry support
- Baptism-card ministry
- 9-day Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe
Parish Staff
The parish is served by two priests and three deacon couples, supported by a full administrative, formation, liturgy, outreach, facilities, and operations team. School and parish staff work together on the integrated parish campus.
- Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe — Pastor
- Rev. John Adio — Associate Pastor
- Deacon John & Mary Ellen Schopp
- Deacon Tim & Lee Springer
- Deacon Rich & Gale Voytas
- Mrs. Patty Antikauskas — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Ms. Grettel Aranda — Bookkeeper
- Mr. Andrew DiMarco — Principal
- Mrs. Alina Grela — Business Manager
- Mr. James Hahn — Facilities Director
- Mrs. Laura Jachim — Outreach Coordinator
- Mrs. Kelly Mini — Receptionist
- Ms. Denise Pozen — Liturgy Coordinator
- Mrs. Theresa Reyes — Office Manager
- Mr. Nathan Roy — Director of Lifelong Formation
- Mrs. Julie Villegas-Suarez — Director of Operations
- Mr. Steve Weigand — Pastoral Associate
- Ms. MaryClaire Zurowski — Youth and Young Adult Coordinator
Join Our Parish
St. John of the Cross warmly welcomes new parishioners and visitors. The parish describes itself as 'a faith community fueled by the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of many generous people who gather to pray, learn, serve, and be Christ to others.' Newcomers are invited to experience the newly refurbished church, the Garden of Mary with its marble statue of the Blessed Mother, and the full calendar of parish life, with meetings and activities held in the Parish Center. To register, contact Theresa at (708) 246-4404.
- National Blue Ribbon parish school with 600+ students
- Year-round adult education and faith formation
- Outreach, prayer, and service opportunities
- Garden of Mary with marble statue of the Blessed Mother
- Newly refurbished Edward Dart church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Bennett1960–c.1980
Founding pastor; appointed to establish the new parish in 1960; school opened with 595 students in 1961.
- Rev. Joseph F. McDonnell1980
Succeeded Fr. Bennett; oversaw dedication of Parish Center in 1992.
- Rev. Richard P. Hynes1996
Pastored through the parish's early-2000s growth; featured in Catholic New World 'Parish Pride' profile in 2001.
- Rev. David P. Dowdle2007
Led parish during its 50th anniversary in 2010.
- Rev. Marc W. Reszel2018
Appointed pastor in 2018.
- Rev. Don Einar S. Cambe2024–present
Current pastor; previously referenced as 'Fr. Don Cambe' on the parish calendar.