About St. Malachy · Geneseo, Illinois
St. Malachy Parish is a Catholic parish in Geneseo, Illinois, in the heart of the Quad Cities region, belonging to the Diocese of Peoria. Established in 1866 as the first Catholic church built in Henry County, the parish today serves roughly 600 worshippers in its current church building (dedicated July 2, 1989) and operates St. Malachy Catholic School (K-6), welcoming families of all faiths. Under pastor Fr. Daniel P. Gifford and parochial vicar Fr. Chris G. Haake, supported by seven permanent deacons, the parish runs a wide-ranging sacramental life (daily and weekend Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday/Saturday devotions) along with faith formation for every age, including OCIA, CCD, Totus Tuus, The Rock and Oasis youth groups, Confirmation prep, Knights of Columbus, Rosary Makers, and a parish nurse ministry.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- Saint Malachy (Maolmhaodhog ua Morgair), 12th-century Archbishop of Armagh and reforming saint of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel P. Gifford (appointed by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., effective September 8, 2020)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Malachy is a vibrant 19th-century parish that still feels like a close-knit small-town Catholic community. Weekday and Sunday Masses are complemented by an unusually rich sacramental schedule — multiple weekly Reconciliation times, daily and weekend Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday/Saturday devotions, and a 'Come and See' invitation that is built into its mission statement. Families are supported by St. Malachy Catholic School (K-6), Totus Tuus summer programs, CCD, Confirmation prep, and The Rock (middle school) and Oasis (high school) youth groups, while adults can grow through OCIA, Discipleship Quads, Bible study, the Parish Library, Rosary Makers, Knights of Columbus, and a Parish Nurse ministry — all under a large pastoral team of a pastor, parochial vicar and seven deacons.
Mass times at St. Malachy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 8:45 AM
- Tuesday: 8:45 AM (may extend longer if needed)
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Lenten Reconciliation (added): Monday–Thursday 12:00 PM
- Advent: extra times added
Adoration times
- Monday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (some sources show 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Thursday: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- First Friday and First Saturday: 8:30 AM
- Weekday Adoration: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (First Friday / First Saturday)
- ADORE Night — First Wednesday of the month: 7:00 PM
Parish History
The story of St. Malachy begins in 1857, when Fr. Alleman of Rock Island celebrated the first Mass in Henry County in the home of James Warren in Geneseo. Within a decade, Fr. McElherne had organized a building committee, purchased land on Russell Avenue for $243, and built the first St. Malachy Church in 1866 at a total cost of $5,110. Worshippers initially sat on planks and used a table for an altar, while the early flock — Irish, German, Alsatian-Lorrainais, and Polish immigrants — numbered about 400 souls. The parish then grew through a second church (dedicated October 27, 1908 under Fr. Martin Foley), the first English Mass in December 1963 after Vatican II, and finally the current 600-seat church on East Ogden Avenue, dedicated July 2, 1989 by Bishop Edward W. O'Rourke.
- 1857 — first Mass in Henry County (Fr. Alleman)
- 1866 — first St. Malachy Church built (cost $5,110)
- 1867 — Fr. R.W. Smyth becomes first resident priest; buys first organ ($688); forms first choir
- 1899 — Fr. Foley organizes Golden Jubilee; plans a second church
- 1908 — second church dedicated October 27 (cost $35,000)
- 1963 — English Mass begins in December (Vatican II)
- 1989 — procession March 29 from old church to new; first Masses May 20–21; dedication July 2
- 2006 — 140th Anniversary week with Mass by Bishop Daniel Jenky; time capsule buried
- 2009 — 20,000-sq-ft building/renovation project
- 2014 — parish addition paid off in full
- 2016 — year-long 150th Anniversary celebration begins
- 2020 — church closes March 16 for COVID-19; live-streamed Masses begin June 20; Fr. Pakula retires July 8
- 2020 — Fr. Daniel Gifford appointed pastor September 8
- 2021 — Parish Mission (April–May); Deacon Harley Chaffee dies October 29
St. Malachy, Our Patron Saint
The parish takes its name from Saint Malachy (Maolmhaodhog ua Morgair), born in Armagh in 1094. Orphaned young, he was raised in the love and fear of God and submitted himself to the religious discipline of the hermit Imar O'Hagan. He was eventually elected Bishop of Connor and then Archbishop of Armagh, became papal legate to Ireland, reformed the Irish Church, and in 1142 helped found the great Abbey of Mellifont. Malachy died in the arms of St. Bernard of Clairvaux on November 2, 1148; he was canonized in 1190 by Pope Clement III. Because November 2 is the Feast of All Souls, his memorial is observed on November 3.
- Born Armagh, Ireland, 1094
- Bishop of Connor; Archbishop of Armagh; papal legate to Ireland
- Helped found Abbey of Mellifont, 1142
- Died in arms of St. Bernard at Clairvaux, November 2, 1148
- Canonized by Pope Clement III, 1190
- Feast day observed November 3
- Second patron saint of Ireland (and first patron actually born there)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Daniel P. Gifford and parochial vicar Fr. Chris G. Haake (who joined in July 2025), supported by one of the largest diaconate teams in the Diocese of Peoria. Staff includes a business manager, office manager, secretary, facilities manager, administrative assistant for faith formation, director of youth ministry, CCD/Confirmation coordinator, interim parish music director, parish nurse, and the principal and teachers of St. Malachy School.
- Pastor: Fr. Daniel P. Gifford
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Chris G. Haake
- Deacons: Tom Wachtel (1992), Robert O'Rourke (2007), Art Ries (2007), Mike Sigwalt (2017), Tom Mattan (2022), Bob Thoene (2022)
- Business Manager: Jennifer Higgins
- Office Manager: Mary Sebastian
- Secretary: Debbie Mattan
- Facilities Manager: Jeanne Ryan Hartsock
- Faith Formation Admin Assistant: Shannon Carroll
- Director of Youth Ministry: Sara Osborn
- CCD Coordinator & Confirmation Prep: Michelle Ganson
- Interim Parish Music Director: Mary Frimml
- School Principal: Devon Schaaf
- Parish Nurse: Cathie Stinson, B.S.N.
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Pastoral Care volunteers bring Holy Communion to those who are homebound, in nursing homes, hospitals, or long-term care facilities, with the goal of creating real relationships with the people they visit. Beyond that, the parish runs a Prayer Chain, a Bereavement Ministry (Deacon Art Ries), a Parish Nurse (Cathie Stinson, B.S.N.), a Divorced, Separated, and Widowed Support group (Shannon Carroll), and the Knights of Columbus, which provides service, faith, and fraternal support to families and the wider community.
- Pastoral Care — homebound, nursing home, hospital visits
- Knights of Columbus — service, faith, fraternal society
- Bereavement Ministry (Deacon Art Ries)
- Prayer Chain
- Parish Nurse (Cathie Stinson)
- Divorced, Separated, Widowed Support (Shannon Carroll)
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency phone 309-944-0422
Faith Formation for Children and Teens
St. Malachy provides Catholic formation for every age, beginning with Children's Liturgy of the Word during select Sunday Masses for ages 4 through 2nd grade, and K-5th grade CCD (Catholic Children's Discipleship) on most Wednesdays after school from 3:30–4:45 PM. The Christ Our Life curriculum grounds children in Scripture, Church teaching, and the liturgical year. On the second Sunday of each month, children in kindergarten and up are invited to take active roles — serving, ushering, reading, and singing — at the 10:30 AM Children's Mass.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4–2nd grade)
- K-5 CCD Wednesdays 3:30–4:45 PM using 'Christ Our Life' curriculum
- Sunday Children's Masses on the 2nd Sunday at 10:30 AM
- Totus Tuus summer program (grades 1–12)
Middle School and High School Youth Ministry
The Rock (middle school) and Oasis (high school) youth ministries gather on Wednesday evenings during the school year from 5:30–7:00 PM in the Youth Room, blending games, dinner, a weekly Faith Talk, and small-group discussion. The 6th–8th grade Discipleship Progression uses the Chosen program to help teens discover the Catholic faith and prepare them to make an informed Confirmation commitment.
- The Rock (middle school) — Wed 5:30–7:00 PM, with dinner 6:30–7:00 PM
- Oasis (high school) — same Wednesday evening slot
- Confirmation Prep using Chosen (7th grade + 8th grade fall semester)
- 6th–8th grade CCD Sundays 9:30–10:20 AM
- Youth Ministry Intercessory Prayer Team — first Wednesday 6:15 PM
- Text ROCKVIP to 84576 for updates
Adult Faith Formation
Adults grow in faith through OCIA (Order of Initiation for Adults), Discipleship Quads, Bible Study, and the Parish Library. OCIA is open to non-Catholics considering the Catholic Church, Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or First Communion, non-Catholic spouses, and any Catholic wishing to renew or deepen their faith. Discipleship Quads are small groups of four that meet weekly for about a year to read Scripture, discuss lessons, and pray together.
- OCIA — Order of Initiation for Adults (Deacon Mike Sigwalt)
- Discipleship Quads — meet Tuesdays 6:00 PM, sessions begin October 21, 2025
- Bible Study
- Parish Library (coming)
St. Malachy Catholic School (K-6)
St. Malachy School is a Catholic elementary school rooted in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith, welcoming families and students of all faiths. The school presents Catholic beliefs as true and life-giving, focuses on developing the whole student — academic excellence and faith formation — and gathers weekly for a School Mass on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. The All-School Project has been a school tradition since 1995. Reported enrollment for 2024–2025 was 122 students.
- Grades K-6
- Principal: Devon Schaaf
- Phone: (309) 944-3230
- School Mass Wednesdays at 9:00 AM
- All-School Project tradition since 1995
- Welcomes families of all faiths
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments with clear preparation paths. Baptisms are preceded by a Pre-Baptism Gathering scheduled by appointment with Katelyn & Patrick Turner or the parish office; godparents are welcome. Reconciliation is offered six days a week plus extra times during Advent and Lent. Holy Matrimony requires arrangements at least four months in advance. Confirmation follows a two-year preparation program for teens, and adults enter the Church through OCIA.
- Baptism — by appointment
- Reconciliation — see schedule above
- First Communion — through CCD
- Confirmation — two-year prep for teens; OCIA for adults
- Holy Matrimony — 4-month advance; contact Fr. Gifford
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency phone 309-944-0422
- OCIA for adult initiation
Visit Us
St. Malachy Parish is located at 595 E. Ogden Avenue in Geneseo, Illinois, in the Diocese of Peoria. Weekend and weekday Masses are open to all, with a special 'Come and See' welcome built into the parish's mission: 'We strive to follow Jesus, loving God and loving one another. As missionary disciples, our faith in the Lord inspires us to build community, serve our neighbors and share the peace, hope and joy of the Lord every chance we get.' Live-streamed weekend Masses are available on the parish Facebook page.
- Address: 595 E. Ogden Avenue, Geneseo, IL 61254
- Parish Office: (309) 944-5393
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.saintmalachy.org
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alleman (Rock Island)1857
Celebrated first Mass in Henry County in the Geneseo home of James Warren; had charge of all Mississippi River territory north of St. Louis.
- Fr. McElherne1863 onward
Began planning the first permanent church during periodic visits.
- First resident priest — Fr. Ackley
Former assistant to Fr. McElherne; raised funds to finish the interior (altar, chandelier, vestments, sacred vessels) and began paying down the debt.
- Fr. R.W. Smyth1867
Purchased the parish's first organ for $688 and formed the first choir; parish numbered about 400.
- Fr. Martin Foley1899 onward
Organized the Golden Jubilee and the second, larger church, dedicated October 27, 1908 at a cost of $35,000.
- Fr. Brajkovich
Began the search for property on which to build the current church.
- Fr. Michael G. Pakularetired July 8, 2020
Moved to Senior Status by the Bishop and officially retired.
- Fr. James G. Pallardy2020 (brief)
Appointed pastor after Fr. Pakula's retirement.
- Fr. Daniel P. GiffordSeptember 8, 2020–present
Appointed by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., as pastor of St. Malachy church and school.