Maternity BVM Parish - Bourbonnais, Illinois

(Observer photos by Sharon Boehlefeld)

Destination: There are several reasons you might be in the neighborhood of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais. You might pass it on the way to Bears Camp next summer. You might be in the area for the Sugar Creek Symphony and Song opera festival, an August event. Or you might at anytime be on a personal pilgrimage to visit important places in the life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Any option is good reason to visit the parish or go to a weekend Mass.
Mass is offered at 7:30 a.m. weekdays; 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 7:15, 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays.
In the photo (right), a plaque on a sundial near the grotto includes the name of Fulton J. Sheen. His college class donated the sundial to the parish (left).
Why to go:  The lovely interior of the 1850’s church, its French history clear in its design, has recently been refreshed. The parish traces its history to 1837 when priests began to say Masses for early French-Canadian settlers. Eventually, the first parish became the campus church for St. Viateur’s College (later Viator), Archbishop Sheen’s alma mater. History rooms behind the altar feature cases of artifacts and lots of framed photos and other memorabilia. Father Richard Pighini, CSV (in photo at top), has recently begun a drive to replace the church organ to ensure the parish’s tradition of excellent liturgical music remains intact.
Accessibility: There are a few steps to negotiate, but the grotto is level.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an active parish attached to a school, so kids are always welcome.

Info:  Address: Maternity BVM Church, 308 E. Marsile St.,  Bourbonnais, IL  60914. Phone: 815/933-8285 Web: www.mbvmchurch.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org