St. Ambrose Catholic Parish sits along Homer M. Adams Parkway in Godfrey, Illinois, a small town just north of Alton along the Mississippi River. The parish, founded in the summer of 1947, gathers Catholics from Godfrey and the surrounding river-bend communities at two worship sites - St. Ambrose Church on Homer Adams Parkway and St. Michael Church on Beltrees Road - and educates more than three generations of children at St. Ambrose Catholic School. Under the leadership of Father Steven Janoski, the parish describes its work in plain terms: "The Parish Community of St. Ambrose and St. Michael Catholic Churches strive to live by God's word. By sharing our God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure, we grow in our faith and in our love of God and one another."
A Walking History: From the Children's Home to the Present Church
St. Ambrose began as a "pilgrimage parish" announced on August 1, 1947, just two years after the close of World War II, by the pastors of St. Mary's and SS. Peter and Paul. Bishop James Griffith appointed Father Andrew Robinson to shepherd the new parish family, and the fledgling community celebrated its first Masses at the Catholic Children's Home while a permanent church was designed and built.
Fourteen acres were purchased from the Maher family for $10,500, and on February 8, 1948, the new church was completed. Two hundred fifty families filled the pews and one hundred thirty-five students, taught by four Ursuline sisters, welcomed the original school building. Father Robinson shepherded the people until his death on June 11, 1967, and Monsignor Henry Knoedler took the helm until 1977.
Father Terry Shea, whose tenure was brief but transformative, led the parish through the construction of a larger church. On February 8, 1978 - the thirtieth anniversary of the first Mass in the original church - Father Shea celebrated the first Mass in the present St. Ambrose church. Two hundred parishioners worshiped without pews or without an altar through a February blizzard. Bishop McNicholas formally processed from the old church to the new St. Ambrose for its dedication on April 29, 1979.
Father James Hill followed in 1979. During his years, fire destroyed the original church plant and classrooms, and additional classrooms were built so all students could be served under one roof. Father Don Blickhan's brief 1986 pastorate saw the original parish plant sold to another Christian denomination. Father Virgil Mank arrived in 1988 and responded to unmet needs for adult renewal, OCIA preparation, youth ministry, and older adult community. A community center and gymnasium, both lost to fire decades earlier, were carefully designed and dedicated by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan on April 22, 1996.
Father Stephen J. Pohlman became the seventh pastor in July 2004 and oversaw a series of major upgrades: new roofs for church and school in 2005, sanctuary renovations in 2006, stained-glass windows in 2012, a digital organ in 2014, and a new sound system in 2015. During his tenure the school added computer technologies and classroom upgrades. The parish is now preparing for a new chapter: a "Restore, Renew, Rejoice" Centennial Capital Campaign has been announced to care for the parish home in anticipation of its approaching milestone anniversary.
Mass Schedule and a Month of Holy Hours
St. Ambrose welcomes visitors and long-time parishioners to a full week of liturgies. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Weekday services take the form of Liturgy of the Word with Communion, with the Praying of the Rosary immediately following the Monday evening service. Tuesday through Friday each have an 8:15 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Communion.
Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. On the third Monday of every month, the parish gathers for a Holy Hour with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 4:15 p.m., concluding with Benediction and the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
Worship is broadcast on the parish YouTube channel, where visitors can also find recorded services. The church is equipped with a Wi-Fi Sound Assist hearing system, and a setup guide is available from the parish office.
The Sacraments at St. Ambrose
Baptism is the first sacrament celebrated at St. Ambrose, and the parish treats it as the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Catholic families are encouraged to baptize their children soon after birth. Parents must be registered, practicing parishioners for at least three months, and one godparent must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic. Baptismal Preparation Sessions are held quarterly, and baptisms are normally celebrated during the Mass the family regularly attends, except during Lent and Advent. A special preparation class is offered for children ages three through seven.
Reconciliation (Confession), Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders round out the seven sacraments. In keeping with the Diocese of Springfield's restored order, students at St. Ambrose Catholic School prepare for Reconciliation in second grade and celebrate Confirmation and First Communion with the Bishop in third grade.
Couples preparing for marriage can use the parish Marriage page, and a complimentary eBook on the ecology of Christian marriage by John and Sheila Kippley is offered. Natural Family Planning resources are also available, drawing on the writings of the Kippleys and the Diocese of Springfield's NFP office. An annulment assistance volunteer is available through the parish office for those seeking guidance with the process.
Faith Formation from Preschool Through Adulthood
Faith formation at St. Ambrose reaches across every age. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) meets every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the lower pastoral center, serving children in first through eighth grade who attend non-Catholic schools. Kathy Wittich serves as PSR Director, working with a team of catechists who accompany families through prayer, scripture, religious study, and sacramental participation.
Adults exploring Catholicism are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish OCIA process introduces interested persons gradually into the Catholic Church across the periods of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Enlightenment with Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy. Greg Mattingly coordinates OCIA and Bible Study; Deacon Bill Kessler oversees the Inquiry sessions that meet after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Weekly Bible Study gathers every Saturday in the Pastoral Center, with the Men's group from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. and the Women's group from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, inviting children to hear the Gospel in an age-appropriate setting before rejoining their families before Communion.
Vacation Bible School is held each summer, with a "Rainforest Falls" themed adventure for grades K through 5 offering age-appropriate faith formation. The VBS also partners with Catholic Charities in Alton, with children collecting shampoo, soap, toothpaste, brushes, and deodorant for those in need.
St. Ambrose Catholic School: 78 Years of Academic Excellence
St. Ambrose Catholic School, located at 822 W. Homer Adams Parkway, has provided Catholic education in Godfrey for 78 years. The school serves students from preschool through eighth grade and carries a clear mission: "to provide students with excellence in education both academically and spiritually, in order to prepare them to excel in service to family, community, and Christ our Lord."
Principal Bob Baird leads the school. Kim Wackerly serves as Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, and Karie Preston serves as Dean of Students and directs the Fine Arts program. The school employs a full roster of classroom teachers in PreK3, PreK4, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 8, plus specialists in Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Character Counts.
The academic program features an updated curriculum with extremely high standardized test scores and a Middle School Accelerated Math Curriculum. Catholic identity is woven throughout the day with frequent opportunities to celebrate the Sacraments, daily prayer, a Student Service Ministry, and the Character Counts curriculum. The school partners with families through the FACTS Family Portal and operates a full Before and After Care Program from 6:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each school day.
Recent investments in safety and security include camera system upgrades, door reinforcements, intercom phones, and safety film on all glass, totaling over $225,000 in building improvements. Building enhancements have included a gym stage and sound system, AV improvements, a new school roof, an outdoor classroom, smart panels in every classroom, and a STEAM Lab outfitted with grow stations, 3-D printers, robotics, a Lego wall, a makerspace, and a reading nook.
Middle School students participate in athletics, a Drama Club, and extracurricular activities. The school regularly welcomes Catholic Schools' Week celebrations, Grandparents Day, a Middle School Luau Dance, and a Book Fair, and supports a school-sponsored Golf Tournament and Spiritwear Store.
The Sister Parish in Guatemala and the Mission Cooperative Appeal
St. Ambrose maintains an active sister-parish relationship with San Juan Bautista in Guatemala, a relationship referenced directly in the parish mission statement. Each year the parish responds to the Diocese of Springfield's Mission Cooperative Appeal, most recently directing support to the Diocese of Kumbakonam in India. Contributions fund parish construction, Catholic schools and orphanages, seminary education, healthcare for leprosy patients, catechist salaries, and food security programs for widows and orphans.
The Mission Cooperative Appeal typically visits the parish once a year with a visiting mission-preacher, and parishioners can direct their gift through the parish PushPay account by selecting "Offertory" and noting "Mission Coop Appeal" in the donor notes.
SACO: St. Ambrose Community Outreach
St. Ambrose Community Outreach, known as SACO, is the parish's primary vehicle for helping neighbors in need. Supported entirely by free-will offerings of parishioners, SACO meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Pastoral Conference Room. In a recent quarter, donations totaling more than $19,000 helped 42 families with electric bills, 38 families with water bills, and individual families with food, a donated refrigerator, and car repairs - assistance that touched more than 100 children in all. SACO also makes regular Christmas donations to Catholic Charities, the Community Hope Center, the Crisis Food Center, the Oasis Women's Center, and the Overnight Warming Center in Alton.
The program is led by Michelle Pulaski (Director of Operations) at extension 4, and referrals for assistance are received through the parish office.
The Life Committee, NFP, and a Catholic Conscience
The St. Ambrose Life Committee meets bi-monthly at the parish center to address pro-life concerns in the community and diocese. The committee follows legislation updates from the Springfield diocese, organizes the East Respect Life Mass and Rosary Walk, supports the ThriVe Metro Baby Bottle Campaign, and helps facilitate the city-wide Life Chain in downtown Alton. Members also work with area school children on respect-life formation and have co-sponsored a service with Arms of Love/Thrive for those affected by past abortion decisions.
Natural Family Planning is actively promoted at the parish, with monthly newsletters and links to the Springfield diocese's NFP resources. A free eBook on the ecology of Christian marriage by John and Sheila Kippley is offered as a resource for engaged and married couples.
Each election season, Father Janoski provides guidance through the Faithful Citizenship page, drawing on the U.S. bishops' Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship document and other Catholic voting resources to encourage parishioners to form their consciences around the common good.
Ministries Built Around the Altar
Liturgical ministries at St. Ambrose form a wide circle of service around the Mass. Altar Servers begin serving after their First Communion and may continue through high school and into adulthood. Ushers assist with seating, gather the offertory collection, and serve on a rotating basis. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist distribute Communion at weekend and weekday liturgies, with training provided. Lectors proclaim the Word of God and lead the General Intercessions at weekend liturgies. Gift Bearers - families, couples, or individuals - present the gifts at the altar on a rotating schedule.
The Music Ministry of St. Ambrose, directed by Steve Stack, Director of Music and Liturgy, leads liturgical music choirs for weekend Masses and for paraliturgical prayer. The parish installed a new digital organ in 2014 and a new sound system in 2015.
Special Ministries: Bereavement, Grief Support, and Welcome
The Bereavement Committee extends Christian friendship and support to those who have experienced loss, and offers funeral luncheons to grieving families. A Grief Support Group, led by Tom Schmidt, LPC (a certified Trauma Specialist), provides ongoing care. Grief Share meets every Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for those grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, or pet. The Compassionate Friends, for those who have lost a child, grandchild, or sibling, meets on the last Friday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound and Hospitalized bring Communion to those unable to attend Mass, including residents of Alton Memorial and local assisted living facilities. Money Counters gather on five Monday mornings a year to count the Sunday collection. The Parish Welcome Group acts as ambassadors to new members, providing welcome packets and orientation to the Alton-Godfrey area for newcomers. Annulment Assistance is also available through a trained volunteer.
The Women's Group: Community and Adventure
The St. Ambrose Women's Group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Center. The group hosts an annual calendar of road trips, theatrical outings, and social gatherings, plus an annual pecan sale fundraiser. Past adventures have included tours of the Kirkwood Center for the Performing Arts, Route 66 excursions to the Union Miners Cemetery, Christmas concerts at Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis, and multi-day trips to Chicago.
The Women's Group also publishes monthly meeting minutes and welcomes new members from across the parish.
Knights of Columbus, 40 Days for Life, and the Baby Bottle Campaign
The Godfrey Knights of Columbus council is closely tied to parish life. The parish participates in the annual 40 Days for Life campaign, and the St. Ambrose Life Committee supports the ThriVe Metro Baby Bottle Campaign, providing baby bottles for parishioners to fill with loose change to support pregnancy resource centers.
Online Giving, Stewardship, and the Capital Campaign
St. Ambrose uses PushPay as its online giving platform, allowing parishioners to manage one-time or recurring contributions, register for fundraising events, and review giving history. The system accepts checking, savings, debit card, and major credit card contributions and is PCI Data Security Standards certified. Weekly envelopes continue to be used by those who prefer a tangible offering.
The parish's Season of Stewardship rests on four pillars: Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. An annual Stewardship Report is published each year, capturing the parish's gestures in each pillar. The Restore, Renew, Rejoice Centennial Capital Campaign is the parish's current major initiative, focused on caring for the parish home in anticipation of its centennial.
Safety, Safeguarding, and a Spirit of Welcome
St. Ambrose participates in the Diocese of Springfield's Safe Environment Program, mandated by Article 12 of the U.S. bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. All parish volunteers, employees, and coaches complete background checks and Virtus training before working with children. Mary Jo Zykan serves as the parish's Safe Environment Coordinator.
Parents of young children are warmly welcomed with practical advice: "God put the wiggle in children - don't feel you have to suppress those wiggles in God's house." The parish encourages families to sit toward the front, to explain the parts of the Mass, and to feel free to step into the narthex with a fussy child and return - because, as the parish notes, "As Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me.'"
Getting Involved
Parishioners and newcomers can join the parish online through the Parish Registration Form, find service opportunities through the Volunteer Opportunities page, and log service hours through the parish service-hour portal. The Women's Group, OCIA, Bible Study, Grief Support, the Life Committee, Liturgical Ministries, and SACO all welcome new members.
Parish Staff and Leadership
Father Steven Janoski serves as Pastor, assisted by Deacons Bill Kessler, Tom Wilkinson, and Jay Wackerly. Michelle Pulaski is Director of Operations; Steve Stack is Director of Music and Liturgy; Mel Bechtold oversees the church bulletin, social media, and website; and Eli Hawkins heads the IT helpdesk.
Bob Baird is Principal of St. Ambrose Catholic School. Kim Wackerly is Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, and Karie Preston is Dean of Students. Jean Connoyer serves as School Office Manager.
Parish Council and School Advisory Council members provide governance and guidance. The School Advisory Council, chaired by Erin Kochan, meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Community Center.