St. Mary

About St. Mary's Parish

The formal name of the parish is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary, although everyone calls it St. Mary's. It is located at 404 East Birch Street, New Berlin, IL 62670, in Sangamon County, and is one of four parishes of the Quad Pastoral Unit of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The current parish community gathers for Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. and for Tuesday evening Mass at 5:30 p.m., with Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly available.

History of St. Mary's

Catholic life in the New Berlin area was first cared for by itinerant missionaries and then by priests based in Springfield, who said Mass in the homes of local families. Father John Janssen — later Bishop of Belleville — began regular visits in January 1859, and was succeeded by Father Busch. New Berlin received its first resident pastor, Father Gustavus Mittinger, in 1866. The first permanent church, a frame building ready for Christmas Mass 1860, was soon too small, and the present large brick church (seating 400) was built after the cornerstone was laid in the summer of 1871. The next thirty-five years were the pastorate of Father John F. Mohr, who finished the church, built the rectory, and brought the Dominican Sisters to teach in the parish school. He is buried in the Catholic cemetery of New Berlin.

• 1860 – Foundation of the parish; first church built for Christmas Mass.
• 1866 – Father Gustavus Mittingter becomes first resident pastor.
• 1871 – Cornerstone of the present brick church laid (seats 400).
• 1872–1908 – Father John F. Mohr serves 35 years; introduces Dominican Sisters.
• 1915 – New brick Catholic school built under Father William Weigand.
• c.1919 – Father William Costello remodels the church, rectory, and Sisters' House.

Quad Pastoral Unit

St. Mary's is one of four parishes sharing clergy and ministry across rural Sangamon and Morgan counties: St. Mary's of New Berlin, Sacred Heart of Franklin, St. Sebastian of Waverly, and Visitation BVM of Alexander. The Quad Parishes share a mission statement committing them to be "disciples of Jesus through baptism in the Roman Catholic tradition" and to make Christ visible "through worship, serving others, and proclaiming God's Word." The shared office of the parishes is at 306 East Birch Street, New Berlin.

• St. Mary's — New Berlin (404 E Birch St.)
• Sacred Heart — Franklin (420 Wyatt St.)
• St. Sebastian — Waverly (265 E Elm St.)
• Visitation BVM — Alexander (506 E Old 36)

Parish Life and Ministries

The parish family offers many ways to participate beyond the celebration of the sacraments. Liturgical ministries include choir, lector, altar server, and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Social-justice and outreach ministries include visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at local food pantries, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Other groups include youth ministry, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar. Parishioners are encouraged to pray about getting involved and to suggest new ministries by contacting the parish office.

• Liturgical: choir, lector, altar server, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
• Outreach: homebound visits, food pantry volunteering, St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Community: youth ministry, men's and women's groups, annual parish bazaar

Faith Formation and Sacraments

Faith formation is a vital element of Catholic life at every age. The parishes offer Parish School of Religion (PSR) classes for public-school students in grades K–5, held Sunday mornings after the 8:00 a.m. Mass during the school year. Sacramental preparation follows the Restored Order: children baptized Catholic and catechized since kindergarten may receive First Penance beginning in 2nd grade, and the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion in 3rd grade. Adults seeking to become Catholic join the parish through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

• PSR (K–5): Sunday mornings after 8:00 a.m. Mass during the school year
• First Penance preparation: begins in 2nd grade
• Confirmation & First Communion: 3rd grade (Restored Order)
• RCIA: communal process for adult initiation into the Catholic Church

Clergy and Staff

St. Mary's is currently served by Fr. Adam Zawadzki, Pastor. The Quad Parishes office is staffed by Stacey Belcher, Office Manager. The shared parish office can be reached at 217-488-3545 or [email protected].

• Fr. Adam Zawadzki — Pastor
• Stacey Belcher — Office Manager
• Office: 306 East Birch Street, P.O. Box 20, New Berlin, IL 62670-0020

Visiting and Contact

St. Mary's Church is at 404 East Birch Street, New Berlin, IL 62670. The Quad Parishes office is right next door at 306 East Birch Street, with hours Monday & Thursday 8:30 a.m. – Noon and Tuesday & Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Phone: 217-488-3545 (phone and fax). Email: [email protected]. The parish encourages visitors to attend Mass, attend faith formation, and join in the life of the community.

• Address: 404 East Birch Street, New Berlin, IL 62670
• Phone: 217-488-3545
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon/Thu 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.; Tue/Wed 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.