About St. Vincent De Paul · Peoria, Illinois
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Peoria, Illinois, within the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. Established on July 1, 1962 by Bishop John Franz, the parish was named in honor of St. Vincent de Paul and the missionary Congregation of the Mission he founded. Worship services began in the parish school for thirteen years until a dedicated church was built and first used on the feast of St. Vincent de Paul on September 27, 1977. Today the parish serves more than 1,600 families on Peoria's north side, offering daily and weekend Masses, Adoration, a Catholic grade school and preschool, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference for the poor, and a wide range of ministries for all ages.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Rector
- Father Stephen A. Willard
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul offers a full Catholic life in one north-side Peoria location: daily and weekend Masses, weekday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Saturday confession, OCIA for adults and OCIC for children, a parish school (K-8) and preschool, a music program, and a thriving youth ministry that partners with two neighboring parishes for Life Teen and runs Totus Tuus in the summer. Outreach is woven into parish identity — the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Homebound Ministry bringing Communion to the sick, the Elizabeth Ministry supporting mothers, a Pro-Life Ministry, and a Men's Club, Women's Guild, and Young Adults Group make it easy to find community. With more than 1,600 families it is large enough to offer every sacramental and social need, yet the parish is known for being welcoming to new members.
Mass times at St. Vincent De Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
- Additional times during Advent and Lent (see bulletin)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:15 AM – 6:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:30 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History
St. Vincent de Paul Parish was established by Bishop John Franz on July 1, 1962, with Father Robert C. Livingston as first pastor. Bishop Franz specifically wanted a parish in the Diocese of Peoria to bear the name of St. Vincent de Paul, since Vincentian missionaries had served central Illinois since the 1830s but had never named a church for their founder. The parish opened the same year with a school of 300 students, and the community worshipped in the school gymnasium and cafeteria for thirteen years. Ground was broken for a dedicated church in 1975; its first Mass was celebrated on the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, September 27, 1977, and Bishop Edward O'Rourke formally dedicated the building on October 30, 1977. Today the parish serves more than 1,600 families.
- Established July 1, 1962 by Bishop John Franz
- First pastor: Father Robert C. Livingston
- School opened September 1962 with 300 students
- Church construction began 1975
- First Mass in new church: September 27, 1977 (feast of St. Vincent de Paul)
- Church dedicated by Bishop Edward O'Rourke: October 30, 1977
- Today: 1,600+ families
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Stephen A. Willard as pastor and is assisted by Father Glenn H. Harris as parochial vicar and Deacon Robert W. Myers Sr. The broader parish staff includes a parish secretary, director of evangelization, bulletin editor / receptionist, and director of music, all reachable at the parish office.
- Father Stephen A. Willard — Pastor (x261)
- Father Glenn H. Harris — Parochial Vicar (x271)
- Deacon Robert W. Myers Sr.
- Lorraine Abraham — Parish Secretary (x251)
- Lydia Brennan — Director of Evangelization (x252)
- Lori Donlan — Bulletin Editor, Tuition, Receptionist (x250)
- Justin Lindsey — Director of Music (x253)
- Parish phone: 309-691-3602
Devotions
Parish devotions are woven into the daily schedule. The Rosary is prayed on Saturdays, school children lead the Rosary once a month, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited several mornings a week, and a Tuesday Morning Prayer Group gathers after the 7:45 AM Mass to pray for the sick with coffee and fellowship afterwards.
- Rosary — Saturdays 7:10 AM
- School Rosary — 2:45 PM on the first Monday when school is in session
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy — 8:15 AM Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Tuesday Morning Prayer Group — Rosary and prayers for the sick after the 7:45 AM Mass; coffee and breakfast treats in the community room (contact Carol Lacanski 309-691-5858)
Sacraments & OCIA
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the sacraments of initiation through the Order of Christian Initiation. OCIA meets Tuesday evenings from September through April, while OCIC adapts the same journey for children. First Reconciliation and First Communion are received in 2nd grade and Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade. Couples seeking marriage must be in good standing with the Catholic Church.
- OCIA — Adults, Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 PM, Parish Office Conference Room, Sept–April
- OCIC — Children, age-appropriate preparation
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — 2nd grade (April)
- Confirmation preparation — begins 7th grade
- Marriage — contact Fr. Steve or Lydia Brennan; must be in good standing
- Contact: Lydia Brennan at [email protected]
Faith Formation & Education
Beyond OCIA, the parish offers a Religious Education program, a Catholic women's Bible study (Walking with Purpose), a monthly Catholic Book Club, and a full K-8 parish school with an adjoining preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds — all on the same campus at 6001 N. University St.
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (K-8), the 'Vikings' — 309-691-5012
- St. Vincent de Paul Preschool (ages 3–5) with before/after care
- Religious Education program for parish children
- Walking with Purpose — women's Bible study (Wed AM and Wed PM)
- St. Vincent de Paul Book Club — 1 Tuesday/month, 10:30 AM, school Professional Development Room
Catholic School & Preschool
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School has been part of the parish since September 1962, when it opened with 300 students, and continues as a parish-sponsored grade school serving the north Peoria area. A separate preschool on the same campus welcomes 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds with half-day, full-day, and before/after care options. The school is accredited by AdvancED Accreditation and School Improvement.
- Opened September 1962 with 300 students
- Accredited by AdvancED
- Preschool half-day (8:30–11:00 AM or 12:30–3:00 PM) and full-day (8:30 AM–3:00 PM)
- Before/after care available
- Contact: 6001 N. University St., 309-691-5012
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The parish runs two complementary youth programs: Peoria LifeTeen, a collaborative high school ministry with neighboring parishes St. Ann and St. Thomas, and Totus Tuus, a week-long summer parish mission for grades 1–12. A separate Young Adults Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays in the Parish Hall.
- Peoria LifeTeen — 1st Sunday of the month, 6–8 PM, rotating parishes; collaboration of St. Ann, St. Thomas, and St. Vincent de Paul
- Totus Tuus — week-long summer program, grades 1–12
- Young Adults Group — 1st & 3rd Thursdays in the Parish Hall (social and spiritual activities)
Parish Service Organizations
Service to the wider community is at the heart of parish identity. The local Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference (joint with neighboring St. Jude parish, 50+ members) visits the needy in their homes and provides referrals, prayer, food, household items, and financial assistance. The Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion to the sick and elderly, the Elizabeth Ministry surrounds mothers with prayer and meals, and the Pro-Life Ministry advocates for the unborn.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Help Line 309-677-7696; donations via 'For the Poor in Our Community' envelope (80% passed through to the Society)
- Homebound Ministry — Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion on a schedule, contact Lydia Brennan
- Elizabeth Ministry — prayer, home-cooked meals, email prayer support, mentoring
- Pro-Life Ministry — year-round activities; contact Lydia Brennan
Parish Fellowship & Stewardship
Three large fellowship organizations anchor parish social life: the Women's Guild, the Men's Club, and the Young Adults Group, supplemented by hands-on service like the Church Cleaning Crew and Gardening & Groundskeeping.
- Women's Guild — board meets 2nd Tuesday, 6–8 PM, school music room
- Men's Club — supports parish, school, and preschool through volunteer and fundraising activities
- Church Cleaning Crew — every Friday
- Gardening & Groundskeeping — contact Lydia Brennan or Fr. Steve
Contact & Location
St. Vincent de Paul Parish and School share the campus at 6001 N. University Street on Peoria's north side, just off Northmoor, with easy access from the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
- Address: 6001 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61614
- Parish phone: 309-691-3602; Fax: 309-691-3687
- School phone: 309-691-5012
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul help line: 309-264-5815
- Website: https://svdppeoria.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/SVdPVikings
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Robert C. Livingston1962–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop John Franz; oversaw the opening of the school in September 1962 and led the parish for its first thirteen years until a church was built.