From Mission Church to Parish on Navajo Drive
St. Ann Catholic Parish serves the town of Channahon, Illinois, a growing community in Will County about an hour southwest of Chicago. The parish's story began with the rapid growth of the Channahon area, which made it necessary for St. Mary's of Minooka to establish a mission church. In 1974, Anna Britz donated two acres of land, and St. Mary's purchased three more from her. A building from Joliet Junior College was dismantled and moved to the Channahon site on Route 6. On the first Sunday in February 1975, Msgr. Seidl offered the first Mass in St. Ann Mission.
In 1976, Msgr. Joseph Wagner was appointed vicar to assist Msgr. Seidl. After Msgr. Wagner resigned, Fr. Gerold Schubert, O.F.M., became the resident priest. In June 1982, Fr. Schubert requested that the mission be raised to a full parish. That request became reality on April 8, 1990. Fr. Schubert retired in 1994, and Rev. Richard Smith was appointed pastor. The current church building was dedicated on November 4, 2000, after years of working and planning by many parishioners. Fr. Jeff Stoneberg followed in February 2002 and served until 2014, when Fr. Peter Jarosz became pastor. After Fr. Jarosz's death in April 2020, Fr. John Klein took up the role on July 1, 2020, and continues as pastor today.
The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Joliet. Its stated mission is to be a welcoming, caring, and faith-filled parish family who desires to bring one another closer to Jesus through Prayer, Involvement, and Generosity on the way to the Heavenly Father. St. Ann sits at 24500 S. Navajo Drive, Channahon, IL 60410, with the parish office open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and reachable at (815) 467-6962.
Mass on Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning
The weekend rhythm at St. Ann centers on three principal celebrations. Saturday Vigil Mass is offered at 4:00 p.m. Sunday Masses follow at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. These are the parish's gathering points, the moments when the entire St. Ann community comes together for the Eucharist.
Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish addresses common concerns directly: in summer it is not unusual to see people in sandals, shorts and a shirt, while others prefer their Sunday best. Shorts of a conservative length and respectable, conservative clothing in general are requested. Visitors are not expected to place anything in the offering and may let the collection pass them by. Children sit with their families in the pew, and non-Catholics who are unsure when to sit, stand, or kneel are encouraged simply to follow the congregation. Those not receiving Holy Communion are invited to come forward with arms crossed over their chests to receive a blessing.
Parking is available in the parish lot off Navajo Drive. A live stream of Mass is offered on the parish YouTube channel, so those unable to attend in person can still take part from home.
Weekday Mass, Adoration and Confession
Weekday life at St. Ann runs through the early morning. Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., with a Liturgy of the Word with Communion on Mondays at the same hour. The 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass is one of the quiet anchors of parish life.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered in two regular blocks. On Tuesdays, the church is open for adoration from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. On Thursdays, adoration runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., immediately following the morning Mass. Confession is heard during the Tuesday evening adoration hour from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. The sacrament is also available by appointment through the parish office.
For questions about adoration, the parish points visitors to Julie Brewers. For questions about Baptism, weddings, or to schedule a confession outside the regular times, the parish office can be reached at (815) 467-6962 ext. 0.
Hearing the Word Clearly at Every Mass
St. Ann has installed an assistive listening system in the nave called AudioFetch. The system broadcasts the church's sound over a dedicated WiFi network called StAnn_Hearing, so anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or other WiFi-enabled device can hear the spoken word of Mass clearly through earbuds, headphones, or Bluetooth-connected hearing aids. The system filters echoes and background noise for a clean, real-time signal.
To use it, visitors download the free AudioFetch app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before coming to church. On arrival at the doors between the narthex and the nave, they connect their device to the StAnn_Hearing network and open the app. The audio begins when the cantor's introduction is read at the start of Mass. Volume is controlled directly on the device. Both Apple iOS and Android devices are supported.
Becoming Catholic Through OCIA
For adults who want to join the Catholic Church, or for Catholics who have not yet received all their sacraments, St. Ann offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The process welcomes non-baptized adults who wish to be fully initiated, baptized adult Christians who wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church, and Catholics in need of the sacraments they missed. Participants are introduced to the liturgy, teachings, and life of the Catholic Church in the ancient rhythm of the OCIA.
Inquiries about OCIA are directed to Julie Brewers, who can be reached at juliebrewers@gmail.com or by leaving a message at (763) 257-3640.
Religious Education from First Grade Through Confirmation
The parish's faith formation program for children runs from first grade through Confirmation. Grades 1 through 6 meet for Religious Education classes on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at their scheduled times. Year I Confirmation preparation begins in seventh grade, and Year II continues through eighth grade, with the candidates taking part in the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass before class. Religious Education is led by Tom Uraski, the parish's RE Director and Catechetical Leader, with Kristina Schrader serving as RE Formation Assistant.
The parish also points families toward lifelong lay formation resources offered through the Diocese of Joliet, including marriage and family support and the Be Formed faith enrichment program. Adult faith formation continues through Bible Study, the Be Formed online materials, and the Women's Faith Community.
Men's Life: Knights of Columbus, Men's Club and Fishers of Men
St. Ann's men have three strong organizations of their own. The Knights of Columbus Channahon Council #12863 meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Membership is open to Catholic men eighteen and older, and the council supports the parish financially, sponsors the Baptismal Rose Program, takes part in Pro-Life activities, runs the quarterly community blood drive with Versiti, and hosts the annual Lenten Fish Fries. The Knights are active in ministries throughout the parish, encouraging members to serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers and catechists. Grand Knight David Lukasik leads the council, and Fr. John Klein serves as chaplain.
The St. Ann Men's Club brings together the registered men of the parish to support religious, charitable, and social endeavors. The club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall. For nearly thirty years the club has hosted a Golf Outing and dinner, along with pancake breakfasts, family bowling nights, and Donut Sundays. The club provides financial support to the St. Ann Youth Group, Catholic Charities and Daybreak Shelter, Morning Star Mission, the Channahon Music Boosters, the Channahon Wish Foundation, and families in need at Christmas, in addition to sponsoring various mission trips. President Tom Uraski leads the Men's Club, with Deacon Bob Duncan serving as spiritual advisor.
Fishers of Men is a third gathering, now meeting virtually on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Open to men who want to enrich their faith, the group offers a friendly study of the upcoming Sunday readings and Gospel with no preparation required. The mission is to equip men of all ages to be committed disciples of Jesus Christ and better husbands, fathers, and men in their local community. Herald Longton coordinates the group and can be reached at (815) 467-7839.
Women's Faith Community, Council of Catholic Women and Sew Helpful
St. Ann's women gather in three connected circles. The Women's Faith Community meets in person every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, with a relaxed, open atmosphere for women of all ages. The group reads and discusses the upcoming Sunday Gospel, walks through Be Formed materials from the Diocese of Joliet, and supports parish hospitality at funeral luncheons, welcome gatherings, donut Sundays, the parish picnic, and bake sales. The women also take part in the annual Easter Egg Hunt and coordinate a Holy Thursday pilgrimage to seven local churches. Joanne Wesch handles general information, and Susan Martin leads the Be Formed track.
The Council of Catholic Women acts through the National CCW and its affiliated organizations to support, empower, and educate women in spirituality, leadership, and service. Open to all women of the parish eighteen and over, the council holds monthly meetings on the second Monday of each month from August through May at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. The CCW runs a year of service, fundraising, and religious opportunities, including the Prayer Tree, the Sew Helpful ministry, dessert contributions for the Friday Fish Fries, First Communion gift assembly, a Woman of the Year award, a Catholic high school scholarship, a fall bake sale, the Advent Adopt-a-Family gift drive, and Boxes of Joy. President Betsy Devier leads the council.
Sew Helpful, a CCW ministry, brings together sewers and non-sewers alike to create handmade items for charities, mission trips, and people in need. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month from September to May in the parish hall from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and currently operates on an as-needed basis. Over five seasons, the women have sent more than 600 dresses and bracelets through missionaries to children around the world, with current projects focused on items for people living with autism, dementia, and Alzheimer's. Betsy Devier and Judi Peterson coordinate the ministry.
Music, Lectors and the Liturgical Team
The Adult Choir and Cantor program at St. Ann rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., under the direction of Tim Stacy. The choir leads the music for weekend and holy day liturgies, and the cantors carry the sung prayer of the Mass.
Around the choir, a full team of liturgical ministers serves at each celebration. Altar Servers assist the priest or deacon, arriving fifteen minutes before Mass to vest and prepare. They carry the cross, candles, and incense, and take on other tasks as needed. Training is offered through the parish, and Deacon Rich Brewers coordinates the ministry. Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass and on holy days, with Jim Prosise coordinating scheduling. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass, with their own schedule coordinated through the parish office.
Care for the Grieving, the Homebound and the Praying
Three pastoral ministries reach beyond the Sunday assembly. The Grief Ministry, led by certified grief facilitator and grief educator Mary Stith, walks with those who have lost a loved one, whether the loss is recent or long past.
The Homebound Ministry keeps St. Ann connected to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass because of illness, surgery, a stay in a healthcare center, or living alone. A deacon, priest, or home visitor will come to the home, and arrangements for confession or the anointing of the sick can be made through the parish office. For after-hours emergencies of illness or death, the main line at (815) 467-6962 ext. 8 connects callers to pastoral care.
The Prayer Tree is a circle of 135 prayer partners. When a prayer request is made, the partners gather to recite the Novena to Saint Ann, asking her to present their needs to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to lay them before the throne of Jesus. The coordinator, Carrie, receives requests at stannprayertree@gmail.com.
Reaching Out: Daybreak Shelter, Blood Drives and Football
St. Ann's outreach begins at home in Will County and reaches beyond. On the second Sunday of each month, the parish sends a team to help feed the hungry at Daybreak Shelter. Laura Morales coordinates the parish's participation.
The Knights of Columbus hosts quarterly community blood drives with Versiti. The St. Ann council has received the Versiti Beacon of Hope Award as one of the top six blood-collection organizations in the entire Chicagoland area. The Knights also support the Sunrise Center North Therapeutic Ridges program, which provides equine-assisted activities for children and adults with special needs, and partner with Minooka Community High School's R.E.A.C.H. program for students who need life-skill-based instruction.
For the parish's younger members and their families, St. Ann Football and Cheer offers tackle football and cheerleading through St. Ann Athletics.
Stewardship, Registration and the Pastor's Welcome
Online giving is offered through WeShare, allowing parishioners to set up recurring donations, change amounts, and remain anonymous if they wish. Gifts by check or cash are also received at Mass, and visitors are not expected to contribute.
Those who consider St. Ann their parish home are encouraged to register, either through the Welcome page or by submitting paper forms to the parish office. The registration form gathers information about each member of the household, sacraments already received, languages spoken at home, any disabilities or special needs, and a list of ministries the parishioner might want to join.
In his welcome message, Fr. John Klein writes, God does love you and wants to be part of your life. My hope and prayer for you is that you will experience a most Blessed encounter with the Lord and with His Holy People here at St. Ann's. Never forget this - God Wants You, God thirsts for You, God hungers for You! Fr. John is supported in pastoral ministry by Deacon Rich Brewers and Deacon Tony Leazzo. The parish staff includes Jill Walsh, parish office manager and pastor associate; Rosemary Morales, communications director and facilities manager; Karen Boyk, business manager; Tom Uraski, RE director; and Kristina Schrader, RE formation assistant.
Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, named the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet by Pope Leo XIV, is the current shepherd of the diocese. The parish's sacramental life, including Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, is offered in the regular rhythm of the Catholic Church, and a monthly bulletin and online calendar keep the parish informed of the wider life of St. Ann.