About St. Patrick · Rochelle, Illinois
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Rochelle, Illinois, belonging to the Diocese of Rockford and serving a wide swath of rural Ogle, DeKalb, and Lee counties. The parish community describes itself as 'a people called to BELONG, BELIEVE, BECOME' and as 'a family of families helping each other get to Heaven,' centered on the Eucharist and life-long faith formation. Weekend Masses are offered in both English and Spanish, and the parish operates a Religious Education program, a Cemetery, a parish Learning Center, and a Knights of Columbus council. Fr. Jesus Dominguez has served as pastor since July 1, 2020.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Jesus Dominguez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockford
Why belong here
St. Patrick welcomes newcomers into a genuinely bilingual Catholic family that lives at the intersection of traditional and contemporary faith, English and Spanish, lifelong members and first-time visitors. Weekend Masses are celebrated three times on Saturday and Sunday, plus a 6:30 PM Spanish Mass on Thursdays and weekday Masses Monday through Thursday — making it one of the more accessible parishes in the region. The community gathers for Eucharistic Adoration every Monday evening and all day Thursday, prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet weekly, runs a Religious Education program for children, forms adults through RCIA, and supports outreach, a parish cemetery, and a Knights of Columbus council. As Father Jesus Dominguez puts it, St. Patrick is a parish where 'Christ embraces us in each moment, no matter what,' inviting you to belong, believe, and become — whether for a weekend or a lifetime.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 8:30 AM
- Tuesday 8:30 AM
- Monday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (sign up for a holy hour)
Parish Overview & Mission
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rochelle, Illinois, is a Roman Rite parish of the Diocese of Rockford that describes itself as 'a family of families helping each other get to Heaven' and a 'people called to BELONG, BELIEVE, BECOME.' In his welcome letter on the parish website, Pastor Rev. Jesus Dominguez calls St. Patrick 'a diverse parish and always eager to see new faces' that lives at the center of spirited Eucharistic celebrations, life-long faith formation, and parish ministries and community outreach. The parish campus includes the church on Kelley Drive, the parish office at 236 Kelley Drive, the Education/Learning Center at 903 Caron Road, and a parish cemetery.
- Tagline: A people called to BELONG, BELIEVE, BECOME
- Diocese of Rockford (Bishop: Most Reverend David J. Malloy, D.D., J.C.L., S.T.D.)
- Pastor: Rev. Jesus Dominguez (appointed July 1, 2020)
- Two physical campuses: 236–244 Kelley Drive (church & office) and 903 Caron Road (Education/Learning Center)
History of St. Patrick Parish
Catholics among the early settlers of Rochelle were served by visiting missionary priests as early as 1853. In 1856 Father Thomas Kennedy of Dixon organized Rochelle as an out-mission church and built the first wood-frame church at Lincoln Avenue and Eighth Street. In 1868 Father Patrick Duhig became the first resident pastor. A brick church was dedicated December 9, 1890, a fire devastated the church on June 4, 1918, and a new church, parish center, and Learning Center followed in the 20th century — the current church on Caron Road–area land designed under Father Francis Kennedy (1966–1999). The parish school, opened in 1908 and completed in its own building in 1929, served until 1972.
- 1853 – Earliest known Masses offered by missionary priests
- 1856 – Father Thomas Kennedy establishes Rochelle as an out-mission from Dixon; first wood-frame church built
- 1868 – Father Patrick Duhig appointed as first resident pastor
- 1890 – Second (brick) church dedicated December 9
- 1908 – First parish school opens, taught by Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception
- 1918 (June 4) – Fire destroys the church; restored church reopens December 22
- 1929 – New school building completed (closes 1972)
- 1951 – New bells blessed, partly cast from the fire-damaged 1877 bell
- 1963 – Property on Caron Road acquired for the future church
- 1966–1999 – Father Francis Kennedy designs and builds the current church, Parish Center, and acquires the Learning Center
- 2009 – Major interior renovation under Father Steven J. Lange
- 2020 – Fr. Jesus Dominguez appointed pastor by the Diocese of Rockford
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Patrick is led by pastor Rev. Jesus Dominguez and is served by three permanent deacons and a dedicated lay staff for faith formation, music, outreach, and operations.
- Rev. Jesus Dominguez – Pastor
- Deacon Fermin Garcia – Parish Deacon
- Deacon George Schramm – Parish Deacon
- Deacon Prosper Agbetrobu – Parish Deacon
- Jean Henning – Bookkeeper / Cemetery Manager
- Erin Robles – Director of Religious Education
- Mary Hacaga – Music Coordinator
- Cristina Mascote – Hispanic Music Coordinator
- Theresa White – Outreach Support
- Juana L Hernandez – Maintenance
- Jean Kroupa – RCIA
- Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus (council leader)
Devotions & Other Services
In addition to Mass, Confession, and Adoration, St. Patrick offers the Divine Mercy Chaplet weekly in both English and Spanish, and pastoral Anointing of the Sick on request.
- Divine Mercy Chaplet – Monday 6:00 PM (English)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet – Thursday 6:00 PM (Spanish)
- Anointing of the Sick – by appointment through the parish office
Religious Education & Faith Formation
St. Patrick's Religious Education program, under Director of Religious Education Erin Robles, partners with parents (who at Baptism promised to raise their children in the faith) to form young Catholics for a lifetime of discipleship. Classes meet at the Catholic Education and Community Center at 903 Caron Road, and the parish also offers RCIA for adults seeking full initiation, as well as ongoing Adult Faith Formation.
- DRE: Erin Robles — (815) 562-2370 / [email protected]
- Location: Catholic Education and Community Center, 903 Caron Road, Rochelle, IL
- Religious Education classes for children, including sacramental preparation
- First Communion preparation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — coordinator: Jean Kroupa
- Adult Faith Formation
- Respect Life ministry
Music Ministry
Music is coordinated at both the English and Spanish weekend Masses by dedicated music directors, supporting 'spirited Eucharistic celebrations' at the heart of parish life.
- Mary Hacaga – Music Coordinator (English)
- Cristina Mascote – Hispanic Music Coordinator (Spanish)
Parish Outreach & Service
Outreach is coordinated through a dedicated staff member and through parish organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, so that the parish lives its faith 'in our relationships with family and friends, and through parish ministries and community outreach.'
- Theresa White – Outreach Support
- Knights of Columbus council with active Grand Knight
- Respect Life ministry
- Cemetery ministry (see below)
Cemetery
The parish operates its own cemetery, managed along with the bookkeeping by Jean Henning. The parish publishes clear decoration guidelines to keep the grounds dignified and safe through harsh northern Illinois winters.
- Limit decorations to one per grave
- Natural and artificial flowers permitted
- Pots may not exceed 10 inches in diameter
- Planter boxes: up to 18 inches long × 8 inches wide × 6 inches high
- Containers must be plastic or wood with drainage; place on the marker or concrete slab, not on turf
- Cemetery is not responsible for damaged or stolen decorations
- Prohibited: metal stands, shepherd hooks, glass, statuary, decorative stones, border edging, and any kind of restrictions
Sacraments
St. Patrick prepares parishioners for the Church's seven sacraments through the parish office, Religious Education program, and RCIA process.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish office
- First Communion — through Religious Education (Erin Robles)
- Confirmation — typically through Religious Education / Youth Faith Formation
- Marriage — contact the parish office for preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and those seeking Confirmation or first Communion
Parish Boundaries
St. Patrick's parish territory covers a large rural area spanning parts of Ogle, DeKalb, and Lee counties — from Stillman Valley Road and Holcomb Road in the north, east along the DeKalb county line to Perry Road, south to Ashton/Bradford township lines, and back west through Chana, Stone Hill, and Brick Roads.
- North boundary: Holcomb Road / Lindenwood Road (to the Ogle/DeKalb county line)
- East boundary: Ogle/DeKalb county line down to Lee/DeKalb county line to Perry Road
- South boundary: Perry Road, US 39, Reynolds Road, Ashton Road, Ashton/Bradford township line
- West boundary: Franklin Grove/Ashton township line, Hoosier Rd., Flagg Road, Chana Road, Grist Mill Road, Stone Hill Road, Brick Road back to Stillman Valley Road
Visiting & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the parish office during weekday business hours, with separate contact information for the Education/Learning Center.
- Parish Office: 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle, IL 61068
- Phone: (815) 562-2370
- Fax: (815) 562-5250
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stpatricksrochelle.com (also referenced as stpatricksrochelle.net)
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00); closed Friday and Saturday
- St. Patrick's Education Center: 903 Caron Road, Rochelle, IL 61068 — (815) 561-0079
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Duhig1868 –
First resident pastor; with Father Thomas Kennedy signed the deed for the first Rectory on Seventh Street.
- Father Thomas Kennedy1856 –
Missionary priest from Dixon; organized Rochelle as an out-mission and built the first wood-frame church.
- Father James Treacy1884 –
Began planning a new (brick) church.
- Father J. J. Greenecirca 1890
Had the old wood church relocated to make way for the brick church; illness prevented completion.
- Father Andrew Carr1890 – 1893
Completed the second (brick) church, dedicated December 9, 1890.
- Father Thomas Finn1893 –
Purchased land next to church and built a new Rectory.
- Father D. J. Conway1908 –
Opened the parish's first school in a purchased residence, staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception.
- Father Edward Froelich1877
Installed the 2,250-pound bell (later damaged in 1918 fire).
- Father Paul Bourkethrough 1918
Led the repair after the June 4, 1918 fire; first services in the restored church December 22, 1918; purchased land for a new school.
- Father Thomas J. O'Brienafter 1918
Completed the new school in 1929; it served until 1972.
- Father Thomas L. Lynam1948 (pastor 1954)
Presided over the 1951 blessing of new bells made in part from the old fire-damaged bell.
- Father Edward J. McIsaac1963 – 1966
Acquired the Caron Road property, the site of the current church.
- Father Francis Kennedy1966 – 1999
Designed and built the new church and Parish Center; acquired a building for the Learning Center. Died in 1999 after 33 years as pastor.
- Father John P. Earl1999 – 2000
Began rearrangement of interior church furnishings.
- Father David A. PeckOctober 2000 – 2009
Continued interior church improvements.
- Father Steven J. Lange2009 –
Additional renovations that completely changed the church's interior appearance; stepped aside due to illness.
- Father William VallejoParochial Vicar 2008; Administrator Jan 13, 2013 – mid-2013
Appointed Parochial Administrator when Father Lange stepped aside; soon reassigned to a larger parish.
- Father Juan AyalaAdministrator 2013; Pastor April 14, 2014 – late 2014
Installed as pastor; severely injured in an automotive accident shortly afterward.
- Father Johnson Lopezinterim 2014; installed pastor June 21, 2015
Served as Parochial Administrator after Father Ayala's accident, then installed as pastor.
- Father Ruben HerreraJune 2017 – June 2020
Pastor before the current pastor.
- Father Jesus DominguezJuly 1, 2020 – present
Current pastor, appointed by the Diocese of Rockford.