At 195 South Kankakee Street in Coal City, Illinois, a Roman Catholic parish has gathered for worship, prayer, and service for more than 130 years. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church stands as one of the oldest Catholic congregations in Grundy County, its history bound up with the coal mining days that gave the town its name. Today the parish shares pastoral care with Sacred Heart Church in nearby Kinsman, forming a single community known to many simply as St. Mary Assumption Parish.
From the Coal Mining Days of 1889
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary had its beginning in the coal mining era of Coal City. According to a parish account, an 1888 edition of the Morris Herald reported that "the Catholics of Coal City are taking immediate steps toward erection of a church." The bricks of that first congregation were largely of Italian descent, and Father DeParadis, an Italian priest, became the parish's first pastor in February of 1889. The church was dedicated on August 15, 1892 - the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - and has carried the name ever since.
The parish's earliest decades were shaped by hard-working immigrant families and a long list of pastors who served both the church and the wider community. During the First World War, Father James A. Griffin served from 1917 to 1921. He sat on the war review board, wrote letters and acted on behalf of miners whose sons were missing in action, chaired the Coal City War Savings Club, led a Red Cross committee, and opened a school for the Americanization of foreign-born persons in Grundy County. When the flu epidemic forced the high school into service as a hospital, Father Griffin was often the only "doctor" many residents saw. He also built the parish school. He was later named Bishop of Springfield in 1924.
That tradition of reaching beyond the church walls continues in the present day. Assumption still serves Monday Night Meals through St. Vincent's Table, helps struggling families through the Our Lady of Mercy Fund, and stands ready to assist mothers in distress and victims of disaster. Reverend Joshua Miller was appointed pastor in July of 2021, and the parish describes itself as growing and thriving under his direction.
Mass Times Across Two Churches
Because the parish cares for two churches, the weekly Mass schedule is split between Coal City and Kinsman.
At Assumption Church in Coal City, weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. An 8:30 a.m. Mass is added on the first Saturday of each month. Weekday Masses are celebrated on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (followed on the first Tuesday of the month by St. Peregrine Devotions and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament) and on Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m.
At Sacred Heart in Kinsman, Mass is celebrated on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
Confessions are heard at Assumption on Tuesday from 6:00 to 6:20 p.m., on Thursday and Friday from 8:00 to 8:20 a.m., and on Saturday from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. (with an additional 8:00 to 8:20 a.m. session on the first Saturday of the month). At Sacred Heart, confessions are heard after the Wednesday and Sunday Masses.
The Rosary is prayed at Assumption on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday at 8:00 a.m. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Mother of the Eucharist Adoration Chapel
Across the street and just north of Assumption Church, the parish maintains the Mother of the Eucharist Adoration Chapel, a place of silent prayer in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. The chapel is housed in the parish center building and is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Visitors enter through the southeast door of the center.
The parish is in constant need of regular, committed adorers and seeks to place two people in the chapel for every hour of the day and night. "We encourage parishioners and friends to come for prayer in the Sacramental Presence of the Lord," the parish writes, and the chapel's written welcome reads: "Give Jesus the Christ your heart, and He will give you Heaven! Jesus is waiting for you!"
Becoming Catholic Through RCIA
Parishioners and newcomers who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or simply curious about the Catholic faith are welcomed through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, known as RCIA. The parish describes RCIA as a communal process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and formation that mirrors the ancient practice of the early Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.
Catechumens (those seeking baptism) and Candidates (baptized Christians seeking full communion) move together through stages: the Period of Inquiry, the Rite of Initiation, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election at the cathedral, the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy, a period of reflection following reception into the Church. Sponsors from the parish walk with those journeying through the process, sharing their own faith and answering questions. Deacon William Dunn directs the RCIA program and serves as a point of contact for anyone inquiring.
Family Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Children in the parish are formed in the faith from first through eighth grade through the Family Faith Formation program, directed by Deacon William Dunn. The program includes Scapular Investiture, sacramental preparation, and regular classes, with two scholarship opportunities offered each year through the Knights of Columbus - a Religious Education Scholarship and a Humanitarian Scholarship.
At Sacred Heart in Kinsman, Religious Education is held on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., coordinated by Cassie Siedentop. High school students gather in a Youth Ministry group called E.P.I.C., which "helps to keep Christ's love growing in children," and High School Youth Group meetings are part of the regular calendar.
Adults deepen their faith through two regular Bible studies. A Thursday morning Bible Study meets in the Madonna Room of Berst Hall from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and is led by Pat Hudetz. An Evening Adult Bible Study meets on Sundays at 6:30 p.m., also in the Madonna Room. Together with rosary groups, these studies form the backbone of ongoing faith formation for grown members of the parish.
The Marthas and Funeral Luncheons
For 25 years, a ministry called the Marthas has provided funeral luncheons for families of deceased parishioners in Berst Hall. Taking Saint Martha as their patron, the volunteers prepare and serve a meal following the funeral and burial, "because there is something powerful about the gift of being able to give a family comfort, no matter the form, during their time of bereavement." Members of the parish are welcome to join by helping prepare food, serve, set up, clean up, or donate a food item to the ministry.
Knights of Columbus Council 1574
Council 1574 of the Knights of Columbus has served the surrounding area since 1911. The council serves the parishes of Immaculate Conception in Braidwood, Assumption in Coal City, St. Lawrence in South Wilmington, Sacred Heart in Kinsman, and St. Mary's in Reddick, along with their surrounding communities. Charity, the first principle of the Knights, is lived out through countless volunteer hours at the parish and around the world. The council offers a Religious Education Scholarship and a Humanitarian Scholarship each year, both available to young parishioners in the area.
Saint Vincent's Table and Community Meals
For decades, Assumption has joined other local faith communities in feeding those in need through St. Vincent's Table Monday Night Meals. The parish serves in Berst Hall for part of the year and participates in a rotating schedule with neighboring parishes. A part-time cook for the Monday Night Meals is needed each year to plan menus from food bank, pantry, and local store donations, cook alongside existing volunteers, and help ensure supplies are available. Assumption Church covers the cost of Grundy County Health Department certification for any volunteer who needs it.
In addition, the parish supports the PADS shelter at Immaculate Conception Parish in Braidwood, which is open each Friday from October through April, providing a place to sleep, dinner, breakfast, and a sack lunch for those experiencing homelessness. Parishioners Joanne Morrall and Kris Werden coordinate Assumption's volunteers in this ministry.
The Renovated Church Building
On Saturday, November 18, 2017, the Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, presided at the Mass of Dedication for the newly renovated and greatly expanded Assumption Church. "It was very important to the history of the parish to preserve the original church, a building over 120 years old," said Father Robert Noesen, pastor at the time. "The doors of our church have, and continue to be, open to all parishioners, visiting Catholics, and vacationers in need of mass and the Sacraments. Non-Catholics are welcome to hear the gospel message." That spirit of hospitality continues to shape the parish.
Sacraments at the Heart of Parish Life
The parish teaches that "the whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments." The seven sacraments - Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders - are presented and prepared for across the life of every parishioner.
Infants and young children are typically baptized soon after birth, while adult baptisms are celebrated at the Easter Vigil through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Baptisms at Assumption are celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared for through Family Faith Formation; Confirmation in the diocese is conferred by the bishop, who anoints the candidates with chrism oil and lays hands on them. Confession is offered weekly as listed above. Marriage preparation, the Anointing of the Sick, and discernment for Holy Orders are all supported through the parish office.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Sacristans, and Ministers of Care (who bring Communion to the homebound) all serve in the parish. Each requires that the server be a baptized and confirmed Catholic, a registered and active parishioner of Assumption, and living in harmony with the teachings of the Church. Training is provided.
Music, Liturgy, and the Sunday Mass
Under Music Coordinator Rita Wise, the Liturgical Music Program offers a variety of styles drawn from the Church's treasury of sacred music. The parish welcomes cantors, choir members, and substitute organists, and individuals are invited to share their talents where they best fit. The Music Program complements the work of Ushers and Greeters (who welcome worshippers, pass out bulletins, take up the collection, and help preserve good order), Altar Servers (introduced and trained beginning in fourth grade through the religious education program), and the Altar Linens and Server Robes ministry, which cares for the laundry and pressing of vestments.
During Lent, Stations of the Cross are held each Friday evening. The parish teaches that the central act of worship in the Catholic Church is the Mass, divided into the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the saving death and resurrection of Jesus is made present and the faithful are nourished by his Body and Blood.
Parish Councils and Everyday Service
A number of councils and committees shape parish life. The Parish Council is involved in many activities and programs affecting the liturgical and spiritual life of the parish. The Finance Council advises the pastor on parish financial matters, monitors income and expenses, and approves the annual budget. The Parish Welcome Committee greets new parishioners and introduces them to all the parish has to offer. The Fellowship Committee coordinates social activities and gatherings throughout the year. Offertory Counters count the funds collected at Mass each week, volunteering approximately once each month. The Gardening Committee cares for the church's grounds and surrounding properties.
Children are welcomed into the Scapular Investiture, and the parish keeps standards of behavior for those working with minors, along with resources for parents on child safety and internet safety, available as part of its safeguarding ministry.
Online Giving and the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal
The parish encourages regular stewardship through online giving, which allows parishioners to set up one-time or recurring gifts, manage their account from any device, and receive a tax statement at year end. Legacy gifts through a will, trust, or insurance policy are also welcomed as a way to support the long-term mission of the parish. Donations to Assumption Parish are made through a secure online giving platform.
Each year the parish participates in the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal of the Diocese of Joliet. Funds raised above the parish goal are returned to the parish for local reinvestment, an arrangement the parish describes as "an incredible opportunity and blessing."
Pastoral Team and Parish Staff
Reverend Joshua Miller serves as pastor of the parish, having been appointed in July of 2021. Deacon William Dunn serves as Family Faith Formation Director and Business Manager, directs the RCIA program, and oversees parish catechesis and evangelization. Rita Wise serves as Music Coordinator. The parish staff is rounded out by a Parish Secretary and Bulletin/Digital Editor, who handles registration, communications, and many of the day-to-day needs of parishioners, and a Property Manager who oversees the care of the buildings.
Visitors and parishioners alike are warmly welcomed: "It is always a joy to have visitors to our congregation," the parish writes. "We exist as a Catholic Parish to offer praise to Almighty God, to grow in holiness through the Word of God and participation in the Sacramental life of the Church, most especially in our reception and worship of the Holy Eucharist."