by Nancy Bannon

St. Patrick Parish may be one of the newest members of the Joliet Chamber of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce but it's been a member of the Joliet community for a long time. St. Pat's is the second oldest parish in Illinois. Irish immigrants working on the I & M Canal built the original church on top of the hill at Hickory and Jefferson Streets. Today St. Pat's is conveniently located near Joliet's City Center at 710 West Marion, one block south of the intersection of Jefferson and Raynor Avenue.

St. Pat's is a diverse community of 1,000 families. Members include everyone from fourth-generation St. Pat's families to newcomers from Asia. People of all ages and walks of life join the parish each year. Some are attracted by the school, some by the service activities, and some by the lively "Over-55 Club." Whatever the reason, they all enjoy calling St. Pat's their home. "People feel comfortable at St. Pat's. There's a strong sense of community," says Nancy Bannon, Parish Council President.

You may have noticed the St. Patrick name on floats in holiday parades or as the sponsor of one of the best-known basketball tournaments in Joliet. But at its core, St. Pat's is a gathering place for Christian activities. Mass is offered on a daily basis and there's religious education for kindergarten through eighth grade on Sundays. Members of the parish's Christian Service Commission cook and serve meals at the Daybreak Center. Parishioners organize baby diaper and formula drives to help new mothers in need. St. Pat's also distributes hundreds of food basket, not just during the holidays, but whenever people can use some extra help.

For young families, St. Patrick School is an important part of the parish. St. Pat's has almost 300 students, from preschool through eighth grade. The school offers a state-of-the-art computer lab, an automated library, special music and art programs, and before and after care programs. And of course St. Pat's athletic program is well known throughout the Joliet area. Many parents working near downtown Joliet find the location of St. Pat's ideal - easy for drop off and pick-up and for stopping in at special events during the day. Most important, however, is the Christian atmosphere in which St. Pat's students receive their education. "We are proud to serve the community through the Gospel message," says John Garvey, St. Patrick School Principal.

St. Patrick Parish is enthused about its membership in the Joliet Chamber of Commerce. "It's another opportunity for us to work with community leaders to strengthen Joliet," says Nancy Bannon, "and it's an opportunity for people to learn more about St. Pat's - we hope people will look into becoming part of the St. Pat's family."

Printed with permission of
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry Vision June 2004