About St. Joseph · Aurora, Illinois
St. Joseph Parish is a Catholic parish in the Pigeon Hill neighborhood of Aurora, Illinois, belonging to the Diocese of Rockford. Founded in 1899 with its first Mass celebrated that October, it grew up alongside a parish school first staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee. Today the parish numbers over 700 families and continues to serve the city through daily and weekend Masses, a sacramental life that includes a monthly Deaf Mass in American Sign Language, Family Faith Formation, and a range of ministries including St. Vincent de Paul, PADS shelter support, Knights of Columbus, a music ministry, and small faith groups.
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Godwin N. Asuquo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockford
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes families, singles, couples, and seniors into a parish life that takes seriously both the sacraments and everyday service. Worship is offered daily and on weekends, including a monthly Deaf Mass celebrated in American Sign Language in the Mary Mother of God Room, with Reconciliation available several times a week. Beyond Mass, the parish runs Family Faith Formation, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and parish-school connection through Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy; lay ministries such as St. Vincent de Paul, the PADS shelter program, Knights of Columbus, the music ministry, Communion to the Homebound, and small faith groups give parishioners concrete ways to live out their baptismal call on Aurora's Pigeon Hill.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM (after the 7:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:40 PM (sometimes listed through 3:45 PM)
- Sunday 8:15 AM – 8:50 AM
- Monday and Tuesday 7:00 AM (before Mass)
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Pigeon Hill neighborhood of Aurora, Illinois, part of the Diocese of Rockford. Its mission statement, displayed on the parish website and bulletin, is 'to be a visible sign of Christ's presence among us in the world, by living out the gospel message of God's love in ministry and service.' The parish numbers over 700 families and continues to grow through its sacramental life, faith formation programs, school community (now Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy), and a wide range of lay ministries.
- Mission: 'To be a visible sign of Christ's presence among us in the world, by living out the gospel message of God's love in ministry and service.'
- Diocese: Rockford
- Over 700 registered families
- Located on Aurora's Pigeon Hill since 1898
Our History
The parish was established in the late 1890s with the purchase of land north of Mountain Street between Root and High Streets in August 1898. Ground was broken on September 28, 1898, the patronage of St. Joseph was assigned, Father (later Monsignor) John Schmitt was formally appointed first pastor on February 1, 1899, and the first Mass was celebrated on October 1, 1899. The school opened in November 1899 with 225 pupils under the Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee. A mid-century building program produced the present church (cornerstone 1955, dedicated 1957), the rectory, and a new school, all completed by 1963. The parish center that anchors much of parish life today was dedicated on December 1, 1995 by Bishop Thomas G. Doran. In 2017–18 the parish helped launch Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy, and Fr. Godwin Asuquo became the parish's eighth pastor in June 2023.
- 1898: Land purchased on Pigeon Hill (August 18); ground broken (September 28).
- 1899: First pastor appointed (February 1); first Mass (October 1); school opened with 225 pupils (November).
- 1949: 50th Anniversary celebrated with 500 families.
- 1956: First Mass in the new church on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19).
- 1957: Bishop Loras T. Lane dedicated the new church on May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker).
- 1995: St. Joseph Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Thomas G. Doran on December 1.
- 2018–19: Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy launched as the regional Catholic school.
- 2023: Fr. Godwin Asuquo appointed 8th pastor (June).
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Joseph Parish runs a Family Faith Formation (FFF) program — formerly known as Ignite Your Faith — that gathers after the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass and welcomes everyone from the youngest children to the oldest members of the parish. FFF replaces the more traditional 'Religious Education' model, fostering a setting in which parents and children learn, pray, and serve together. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year journey typically beginning in first grade; children must be baptized, enrolled in Faith Formation or in a Catholic school, and have at least one parent actively participating in FFF.
- Family Faith Formation (FFF) — parish-wide program for children and adults
- Religious Education / Sacramental Preparation
- First Communion & Reconciliation — two-year journey beginning in 1st grade
- Confirmation preparation — two-year program for 7th & 8th graders not at Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy
- Contact: Suzy Banuelos at the Parish Office, 630-844-3780
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. As the parish explains, RCIA 'is designed to form disciples of Jesus into the fullness of Christian life.' The journey includes prayer and reflection, Scripture reading, questioning, storytelling, worship, and works of charity, accompanied by parish members. There is no initial commitment required — anyone curious about where God may be calling them is welcome to inquire.
- For adults discerning baptism, confirmation, or full communion
- Periods of prayer, reflection, Scripture reading, and works of charity
- Companionship from current parish members
- Adult RCIA registration form available for the current year
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments according to diocesan norms. Baptism is offered the first Sunday of the month after the 9:00 AM Mass, with godparent requirements and registration prerequisites. First Communion and Reconciliation follow a two-year formation beginning in first grade. Confirmation is conferred by the Bishop of Rockford to 7th and 8th grade candidates every two years. Weddings and quinceañeras are scheduled through the parish office, and the Ministry of the Sick brings the Eucharist and pastoral care to those who are homebound or hospitalized.
- Baptism — first Sunday of the month after 9:00 AM Mass
- First Communion & Reconciliation — two-year preparation
- Confirmation — biennial, by the Bishop of Rockford
- Marriage (Weddings) — arranged through the parish office
- Anointing / Ministry of the Sick — pastoral visits on request
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish defines ministry as 'the practice of serving by following God's call,' representing active service to meet spiritual, emotional, and physical needs in Christ's name. Signing up is available 24/7 via the parish website; staff or ministry leaders follow up with new volunteers. Outreach extends into the wider Aurora community through the PADS shelter ministry and the parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference, while internal parish life is nourished by the Knights of Columbus, music ministry, small faith groups, Communion to the Homebound, and grounds and building committees.
- Small Faith Groups
- Communion to the Homebound
- PADS Ministry at St. Joseph Parish
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Joseph Music Ministry
- Building Committee
- Grounds / Maintenance volunteers
School and Catholic Academy
St. Joseph School first opened in November 1899 with 225 students under the Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee. After more than a century of continuous operation, in 2017–18 the Diocese of Rockford and the Aurora Task Force Committee announced the creation of a new regional Catholic school, Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy, which opened in the 2018–19 school year. The academy now serves more than 160 students and serves as the parish-connected school option for sacramental-age families; contact the school at 630-844-3781 or visit jp2aurora.org.
- Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy — opened 2018–19 school year
- Head of School (interim): Ms. Renee Payne
- Phone: 630-844-3781
- Website: jp2aurora.org
- Facebook: @PSJPIIAuroraIL
Parish Staff
The current parish staff includes Fr. Godwin Asuquo as pastor (the parish's eighth), supported by a Business Manager, Administrative Assistant, Liturgy Coordinator, Religious Education coordinator, Cemetery Administrator, and maintenance staff. The Liturgy Coordinator oversees funerals, weddings, quinceañeras, and other Mass celebrations; Religious Education coordinates the Family Faith Formation program and sacramental preparation.
- Rev. Godwin N. Asuquo — Pastor (630-844-3780 x 225)
- Jesse Renteria — Business Manager
- Laura Linden — Administrative Assistant (Reception & Religious Education)
- Kim Nadr — Liturgy Coordinator
- Suzy Banuelos — Religious Education / Family Faith Formation
- Edith Camarillo — Cemetery Administrator (630-844-3780 x 226)
- Maria Velazquez — Maintenance
- Betty — Parish office (630-844-3780 x 224)
Parish Information and Contact
Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (or 12:00 PM off season) and Friday 8:00 AM to Noon; the office is closed on holidays. The parish is located at 722 High Street in Aurora, Illinois, in the historic Pigeon Hill neighborhood where the parish was founded in 1898. Weekly bulletins are posted online and include Mass intentions, readings, ministry news, and the bishop's message.
- Address: 722 High Street, Aurora, IL 60505
- Phone: 630-844-3780
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjoeaurora.org
- Facebook: @stjosephaurora (look for the St. Joseph statue)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. John Schmitt1899–1940
First pastor; received formal appointment February 1, 1899; died April 17, 1940 after forty years of service to the parish.
- Rev. Joseph J. Weitekamp1940–1963
Appointed May 22, 1940; celebrated the first Mass in the new church on March 19, 1956; died May 19, 1963 after 23 years of service.
- Rev. Paul Tuchlinsky1963–1976
Appointed June 5, 1963; oversaw completion of the new school and rectory in August 1963; retired in 1976.
- Rev. Lawrence London1976–1991
Appointed summer 1976; during his tenure the parish had 800 families and 300 students with 17 faculty.
- Rev. Eric Barr1991–1997
Appointed July 15, 1991.
- Rev. Jerome Leake1997–2019
Appointed June 1997.
- Rev. Matthew J. McMorrow2019–2023
Appointed June 2019.
- Rev. Godwin N. Asuquo2023–present
Appointed June 2023 as the parish's eighth pastor; joined Diocese of Rockford in 1999, ordained in Rockford in 2003 by Bishop (emeritus) Thomas Doran.
- Rev. Edward Berthold1906–
First assistant priest of the parish, appointed February 13, 1906.
- Rev. William Staff
Assistant pastor who died in a rectory fire on January 18, 1962.