About St. Mary · Byron, Illinois
St. Mary Catholic Church is a small, rural Roman Catholic parish located at 226 E. Second Street in Byron, Illinois, part of the Diocese of Rockford. Originally founded in the late 1890s as a mission church of St. Mary's parish in Oregon, IL, it has served the communities of Byron, Davis Junction, Egan, Holcomb, Leaf River, Lightsville, Monroe Center, Myrtle, and Stillman Valley for well over a century. The current church building — whose cornerstone was dedicated in 1975 — sits on the same site as the original frame church, and a parish center/classroom wing was added in 1994 to house faith formation. Today the parish is led by Father Romeo "Fr. Mio" Pavino, who became pastor in June 2025, and it continues a tradition of warm hospitality to longtime members, newcomers, and visitors passing through the area.
- Established
- Late 1890s
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Romeo "Fr. Mio" Pavino
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockford
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers the feel of a tight-knit rural Catholic community with the full sacramental life of the Church. Weekday and Sunday Masses, regular confession times on Friday and Saturday, family-centered faith formation, RCIA, a Knights of Columbus council, and a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference all provide ways for parishioners of every age to grow in faith and serve their neighbors. The parish makes a point of welcoming newcomers and travelers passing through, and its live-streamed Sunday Mass extends that welcome beyond the local area.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 8:00 – 8:30 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- By appointment
Parish History & Identity
St. Mary Parish was founded in the late 1890s as a mission church of St. Mary's parish in Oregon, Illinois. Originally under the Archdiocese of Chicago, it became part of the newly erected Diocese of Rockford in 1908. The parish has continuously served the rural communities of Ogle County for more than a century.
- Founded as a mission of St. Mary's, Oregon, IL, in the late 1890s
- Transferred from the Archdiocese of Chicago to the Diocese of Rockford in 1908
- Cornerstone of the present church dedicated in 1975
- Parish center / classroom wing added in 1994
- St. Peter church in Davis Junction closed in the early 1960s; members joined St. Mary's
- Parish cemetery located west of the church on Blackhawk Street, Byron
Our Pastor — Father Romeo "Fr. Mio" Pavino
Father Romeo Pavino, known as "Fr. Mio," became pastor of St. Mary Parish in Byron on June 18 (2025), according to the parish website. A native of the Philippines, he was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1998, by Bishop Ruben T. Profugo of the Diocese of Lucena, and was incardinated into the Diocese of Rockford on June 10, 2024.
- Born in Lucena City, Quezon, Philippines, to Ruben and Violeta (Lagasca) Pavino
- Attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary, St. Francis de Sales Seminary, and St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary
- Ordained Sept. 8, 1998 by Bishop Ruben T. Profugo, Diocese of Lucena
- Incardinated into the Diocese of Rockford on June 10, 2024
- Parochial Vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Crystal Lake (2017–2018)
- Parochial Vicar, Holy Cross Parish, Batavia (2018–2021)
- Council Chaplain, Knights of Columbus Council 2191 (2020)
- Parochial Administrator, St. Peter Parish, South Beloit & Church of the Holy Spirit, Roscoe (2021–2022)
- Pastor, St. Peter / Church of the Holy Spirit (2022–2024)
- Pastor, Church of the Holy Apostles, McHenry (2024–2025)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Family Faith Formation program that gathers families together in the Parish Hall after the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass. Children are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is celebrated in 8th grade after two years of middle-school formation. Adults seeking entry into the Catholic Church are served through R.C.I.A.
- Family Faith Formation — 1st & 2nd Sundays, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- 3rd Sundays: Sacrament Preparation for 2nd and 7/8th grade
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: 2nd grade (Coordinator: Mrs. Stephanie Schermerhorn)
- Confirmation: 6th–7th grade formation, sacrament conferred in 8th grade by Bishop David Malloy
- R.C.I.A. for unbaptized adults and uncatechized baptized Catholics
Councils & Organizations
Lay faithful at St. Mary's are served by two major parish organizations: the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. A Pastoral Council provides overall parish leadership.
- Knights of Columbus — Father Paul Kunkel Council 4739 (Contact: Jim Weber; Chairman: Kris Craig). Meets 1st Tuesday of the month; rosary at 7:15 PM in the church, then meeting in the Knights' Room of the Parish Hall.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Parish conference offering charitable aid in the Byron area; helpline 815-406-8368.
- Pastoral Council — provides parish leadership and stewardship planning.
Outreach & Charity
Through parish tithing, social outreach, and the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Mary's supports the needs of its surrounding communities. Parishioners join with their fellow citizens in addressing local needs through time, talent, and treasure.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: 815-406-8368
- Parish tithing and social outreach to local communities
- Knights of Columbus charitable works and fundraising
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM), and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The office is closed on holidays. Visitors and those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith are encouraged to call ahead.
- Address: 226 E. Second Street, P.O. Box 1070, Byron, IL 61010
- Phone: 815-234-7431 | Fax: 815-234-2133
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM (closed 12–1); Fri 8 AM–12 PM
- Closed on holidays
Our Mission
St. Mary's articulates a clear mission statement on its website: "By God's grace, we proclaim Jesus and the Gospel in worship and daily practice. We steward our gifts of time, talent, and treasure for our Church and the common good in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."