About St. Mary · Paris, Illinois
St. Mary's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Paris, Illinois, the seat of Edgar County and the heart of a small tri-parish family that also includes the historic mission churches of St. Aloysius in North Arm and St. Michael in Hume. The parish is part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and is currently pastored by Father Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo, the first African-born priest ordained for the diocese, who was assigned to St. Mary's effective July 1, 2023. Living out its mission to 'Reach out to people of all ages through Christian fellowship,' St. Mary's supports a parish school, a Parish School of Religion (PSR), OCIA formation, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, and a busy calendar of devotions, social events, and stewardship.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo (Pastor since July 1, 2023)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, multigenerational parish that lives its mission of 'reaching out to people of all ages through Christian fellowship.' Daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday, with a Saturday Vigil and three weekend Masses spread between St. Mary's, St. Aloysius, and St. Michael, and the parish opens its doors to lifelong formation through the Parish School of Religion, OCIA (formerly RCIA), Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday, a strong Knights of Columbus council that hosts Lenten fish fries, and vibrant family events like Easter egg hunts, parish picnics, and seasonal socials. With a school on the grounds, a warm pastoral team, and a pastor who actively knows his flock, St. Mary's offers an unusually intimate Catholic home in rural Edgar County.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:15–3:45 p.m. at St. Mary's (or by appointment)
- Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30–9:00 a.m. (after daily Mass) during Lent
- Lenten Penance Services at St. Mary's and St. Michael (annual — see bulletin)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesdays 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary's (5:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. per diocesan directory)
- Holy Thursday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following 7:00 p.m. Mass, continuing until midnight
About St. Mary's Parish
The parish describes itself with the mission statement, 'Reaching out to people of all ages through Christian fellowship,' and says it is 'focusing on the future of our parish church and school, providing for the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the entire parish family and the community we serve.' The About page invites newcomers to attend a daily or weekend Mass, stop by the parish office, or browse the website, and frames the parish as a place that 'Worships, Educates, and Serves' — supporting teachers, guiding people of all ages, making everyone feel a vital part of a church family, and using the Bible as a basis for relevance in daily life. The site includes a tagline used in many bulletins: 'We are Baptized and Confirmed members called to serve in the Catholic Church, to reach out to our own and to others by prayer, sacrifice and service to all for the praise and Glory of God.'
Our History
St. Mary's Parish in Paris was established when the bishop of the Springfield diocese responded to the growth of Paris as a railroad hub in the late 1840s. Father Thomas Ryan was sent in 1858 from St. Aloysius in North Arm to organize the new parish. The mission churches that remained under St. Mary's care — St. Aloysius (organized 1817 by pioneers led by Aloysius Brown at the north arm of Coal Creek in eastern Edgar County) and St. Michael in Hume (organized 1876) — preserve a tangible link to Edgar County's pioneer Catholic roots. A historical marker honoring St. Aloysius was dedicated in August 1991 by the Edgar County Historical Society.
- 1817 — Catholic pioneers settle in eastern Edgar County under Aloysius Brown; St. Aloysius, North Arm organized
- Late 1840s — Paris chosen as a railroad hub; Bishop creates a new parish in the county seat
- 1858 — Father Thomas Ryan moves from St. Aloysius to found St. Mary's, Paris
- 1876 — St. Michael's, Hume organized as a mission
- 1900 — Present brick St. Aloysius church built, reusing the original altars and communion rails
- August 1991 — Historical marker dedicated at St. Aloysius
- July 1, 2023 — Father Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo installed as pastor
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish office is staffed by a small, dedicated team under the pastor. Father Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo serves as pastor of St. Mary's, St. Aloysius, and St. Michael's. Juliana Koutsoumpas is the Business Manager and CRE. Mary Liz Wright serves as Parish Engagement and Religious Education Coordinator. Mary Ann Sullivan directs the music ministry. Misty Elsberry is the custodian. Scott Hall coordinates OCIA. Vanessa Williams serves as secretary.
- Pastor: Rev. Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo (also Pastor of St. Aloysius, North Arm; Pastor of St. Michael, Hume)
- Business Manager & CRE: Juliana Koutsoumpas
- Parish Engagement & Religious Education Coordinator: Mary Liz Wright
- Music Coordinator: Mary Ann Sullivan
- Custodian: Misty Elsberry
- OCIA Coordinator: Scott Hall (prior); Vanessa Williams (secretary)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. Mary's is offered through both the Parish School of Religion (PSR) — which meets Sunday mornings at St. Mary's School for public-school students in grades 1–8 — and the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program, which begins with inquiry sessions in August each year and concludes with post-initiation formation in the Easter Season. Children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation are catechized through the PSR program.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Sundays, grades 1–8, at St. Mary's School
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- OCIA / RCIA — inquiry begins in August; Catechumens received at the Easter Vigil
- Sponsors from the parish accompany catechumens through prayer
- No child is denied religious education due to lack of funds
St. Mary's School
The parish operates its own school on the parish grounds, used both as a day school and as the meeting place for PSR classes on Sunday mornings. The school is part of the parish's broader ministry of education and is regularly referenced in stewardship messaging about supporting teachers and the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the parish family.
- On-site Catholic school serving the Paris community
- Hosts PSR classes on Sunday mornings
- Integrated with parish life through volunteer and stewardship programs
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music at St. Mary's is coordinated by Music Minister Mary Ann Sullivan, and the parish choir rehearses regularly (e.g. Monday evenings per bulletin). Liturgical roles — greeters, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and gift bearers — are scheduled weekly in the bulletin, reflecting a strong lay-liturgical culture.
- Music Coordinator: Mary Ann Sullivan
- Parish choir (weekly practice)
- Weekly liturgical assignments: greeters, lectors, EMHCs, servers, gift bearers
- Rosary led before Mass on Sundays
Parish Life, Fellowship & Volunteering
St. Mary's runs a busy calendar of family and fellowship events. The Hobby & Craft Circle gathers Tuesday mornings, monthly Prayer Lunches are scheduled, 'Pray & Play' family nights run April through December, and the Knights of Columbus host Friday Lenten fish fries. The parish embraces stewardship as 'a way of life,' inviting parishioners to share gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure, with the motto 'Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.' A recent (summer 2025) job posting invited a part-time Parish Engagement Coordinator to lead family- and youth-friendly events and support adult faith formation.
- Hobby & Craft Circle — Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m., St. Mary's
- Knights of Columbus — Lenten Fish Fries (Fridays, 4–6:30 p.m.)
- Monthly Prayer Lunches at St. Mary's
- Pray & Play family nights (monthly, April–December)
- Easter Egg Hunt for children after Easter Sunday Masses
- Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure
- Volunteer / Stewardship Form on the parish website
Outreach & Homebound Ministry
The bulletin consistently highlights ministry to the homebound: Anointing of the Sick and Communion calls are provided regularly for those who desire them, and parishioners are asked to keep the parish informed of the needs of the sick. The parish also supports the annual Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl Collection during Lent and the Seminarian Collection.
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion calls to the homebound
- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl collection during Lent
- Holy Land Collection on Good Friday
- Seminarian Collection (announced in parish calendar)
Sacraments
Information on the seven sacraments is published primarily through the bulletin and dedicated webpages. Couples are asked to contact the parish at least six months in advance of a desired wedding date. Confession is available Saturdays at St. Mary's, with additional Penance Services during Lent and by appointment. Anointing of the Sick and Communion calls are routinely brought to the homebound.
- Baptism — arranged through the parish office
- First Eucharist & Confirmation — via PSR / OCIA
- Reconciliation (Penance) — Saturdays 3:15–3:45 p.m. at St. Mary's, or by appointment; Lenten Penance Services
- Anointing of the Sick — available on request; regular homebound visits
- Marriage — call the parish office at least 6 months in advance
- Holy Orders / Vocations — seminarian support promoted in bulletins
Contact, Office Hours & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary's at the church central office at 528 North Main Street, Paris, IL 61944. The office is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on holidays and holy days. For appointments or emergencies with the pastor, text (217) 412-4344. A contact form is available on the parish website.
- Address: 528 N. Main Street, P.O. Box 577, Paris, IL 61944
- Phone: (217) 466-3355
- Fax: (217) 466-5215
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Pastor appointment / emergency line: text (217) 412-4344
- Rectory phone (per diocesan directory): (217) 465-7667
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Ryan1858-
First resident pastor of St. Mary's, Paris; moved from St. Aloysius, North Arm.
- Fr. Val
Welcomed Fr. Aloysius upon his arrival in 2023 and showed him around the area.