About St. Patrick · Pana, Illinois
St. Patrick's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Pana, Illinois, serving the faith needs of about 785 parishioners in 378 families (Diocese of Springfield in Illinois pastoral directory). The parish worships in a striking 1926-built church described on the parish's own website as one of the 'most beautiful and unique churches in the Diocese of Springfield, IL.' St. Patrick's shares faith-formation and school life with neighboring Sacred Heart Church through the combined ministries of St. Patrick's and the affiliated Sacred Heart School (Pre-K through 8), all administered through the shared shspana.com site.
- Established
- 1850s (parish roots trace back more than 170 years; 1926 dedicated the current church building)
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. T. Joseph Havrilka
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Patrick's offers daily Mass Tuesday through Friday plus a Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Mass, with Saturday confessions and a parish school of religion that forms children kindergarten through eighth grade in the Catholic faith. Worship is supported by a liturgical music ministry and a high school youth group (S.P.Y. — St. Pat's Youth), while the parish actively cares for its historic 1926 church building through a community capital campaign. Families who value a tight-knit Catholic community with its own Pre-K–8 school, sacramental preparation, and century-old sanctuary will find a deeply rooted parish home here.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45–3:25 p.m.
- By appointment: (217) 562-9221
Parish History
St. Patrick's Parish traces its roots back more than 170 years in Pana, Illinois. The current church building was constructed in 1926, and the parish marked that milestone with the publication of the '1926 Souvenir History of Saint Patrick's Catholic Parish.' A second volume, the '2001 Diamond Jubilee History of Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Parish,' was prepared by the parish's Liturgy Committee to mark the 75th anniversary of the church. Both histories are freely available as PDFs through the parish website. The parish community continues this legacy by actively preserving its century-old sanctuary through an ongoing capital campaign.
- Parish roots: 170+ years of continuous Catholic presence
- 1926 — current church constructed; first souvenir history published
- 2001 — Diamond Jubilee History published for the 75th anniversary of the church
- Currently fundraising for plastering, painting, HVAC, pew repair, and terrazzo restoration
Architecture of the 1926 Church
St. Patrick's Church is modeled on Il Gesù, the Jesuit mother church in Rome designed by Jacopo Vignola and Giacomo della Porta. Like Il Gesù, the Pana church is essentially Baroque in plan and decorative sensibility, but the architect layered in distinctly American elements, including a Gothic-inspired lower window flanked by Ionic columns. The building is anchored by original plaster walls, painted details, and terrazzo flooring — all targeted by the parish's current restoration campaign.
- Year built: 1926
- Baroque plan inspired by Il Gesù, Rome
- Gothic-inspired central window with Ionic columns
- Original plaster, terrazzo flooring, and woodwork now being restored
Mass and Sacraments
Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:15 a.m., with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 9:30 a.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard Saturdays from 2:45 to 3:25 p.m. and by appointment. Holy Day and Vigil Masses are announced in the bulletin.
- Daily Mass Tue–Fri — 8:15 a.m.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday — 9:30 a.m.
- Confessions — Sat 2:45–3:25 p.m. and by appointment
- Holy Day & Vigil Masses — as announced
Faith Formation — Parish School of Religion (PSR)
St. Patrick's PSR program provides Catholic religious instruction and sacramental preparation for public-school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Volunteer catechists work with families to help children 'know, love, and serve God.' Classes usually begin the first Wednesday after Labor Day. Sacramental preparation covers First Reconciliation (Grade 2), First Communion (Grade 3), and Confirmation (Grade 8, with a sponsor verification form signed by the sponsor's parish pastor). The parish uses the ACRE religious education assessment in grades 5 and 8 and the Touching Safety program required by the diocese.
- Grades K–8 religious instruction
- First Reconciliation in Grade 2
- First Communion in Grade 3
- Confirmation in Grade 8 with verified sponsor
- Annual ACRE assessment (grades 5 & 8) and Touching Safety program
OCIA / RCIA
Adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their initiation sacraments are accompanied through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA). The parish's DRE, Toni Winchester, coordinates this ministry.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Coordinated by DRE Toni Winchester
Sacred Heart School (Pre-K–8)
Founded in 1887 by Fr. Ferdinand Stick and named in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Sacred Heart School is a Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic school affiliated with St. Patrick's Parish. From its first classes in a small wood-framed building behind St. Patrick's Church under Mother Agnes Maguire and the Dominican Sisters of Illinois, SHS has stressed academics, religion, and the fine arts. The school motto is 'We are here to try our best to grow in mind and spirit, through the grace of God,' and its threefold mission is Faith, Family, and Education.
- Founded 1887 by Fr. Ferdinand Stick and the Dominican Sisters of Illinois
- Pre-K through Grade 8
- Recognized by the State of Illinois
- All teachers state-certified
- Athletic program with 25+ IESA State Tournament appearances (basketball, grades 4–8)
- Mission: Faith, Family, Education — motto: 'We are here to try our best to grow in mind and spirit, through the grace of God.'
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Patrick's is coordinated by Jane McMillen. The parish employs volunteer cantors and musicians to support the Mass schedule and the major feasts of the Church year.
- Liturgical Music Coordinator — Jane McMillen
- Volunteer cantors and musicians
- Music supports the daily Mass schedule and major feasts
Parish Staff and Contacts
The parish is staffed by a pastor and a small lay team. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Pastor — Rev. T. Joseph Havrilka
- Secretary — Gina Gruber
- Bookkeeper — Chrisy Nollman
- DRE / OCIA — Toni Winchester
- CRE — Cindy Duez
- Liturgical Music Coordinator — Jane McMillen
- Office: (217) 562-5396 — fax (217) 562-2308
- Rectory: (217) 562-9221 — hall (217) 562-4405
Youth Ministry — S.P.Y. (St. Pat's Youth)
High school students are encouraged to join S.P.Y. (St. Pat's Youth), the parish's high school youth group. PSR students graduate into S.P.Y. as they move on from eighth grade, giving the parish continuous faith-formation through high school.
- Open to all high-school-age parishioners
- Feeder ministry from PSR 8th grade
- Contact: parish office (217) 562-5396
Parish Capital Campaign — Preserving a 100-Year-Old Church
To preserve its 1926 sanctuary for future generations, St. Patrick's has launched a capital campaign funding critical improvements including plastering, painting, HVAC enhancements, pew repairs, and restoration of the terrazzo flooring. The parish invites parishioners and supporters to prayerfully contribute to the effort.
- Plastering and painting
- HVAC system enhancements
- Pew repair
- Terrazzo flooring restoration
- Contributions accepted through the parish office
Joining the Parish
Newcomers can register with St. Patrick's using the parish's official registration form, available on the shspana.com website. Registration connects families to sacramental preparation, the parish school of religion, and parish communications.
- St. Patrick's Parish Registration Form available on the parish website
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Phone: (217) 562-5396