Naperville, Illinois

Parish History and Our Church

Our History

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In July of 1986, Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Joliet Diocese named Father Anthony Nugent as the founding pastor of Naperville's fifth Catholic parish.  It was left to Fr. Tony and his parishioners to name the parish.   Recognizing the family orientation of the community and the appropriateness of acknowledging the role of women and of women, the honor was bestowed on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, America's first native born saint, canonized in 1975. 

The original parish staff consisted of:

• Fr. Tony Nugent, Pastor,
• Deacon John Baluff
• Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B., Weekend Assistant
• Sr. Frances McCarron (Pastoral Associate), 
• Sr. Pat Thompson (Director of Religious Education) 
• Deacon Tom Sheridan

The first liturgy was celebrated at Scott School on July 5, 1986.  Our parish began in 1986 with 228 households.  By December of 1989, it had grown to 1,130 households.  We are still a young parish that continues to grow at a rapid rate.  ***

The first parish office was located in the College Square Shopping Center.  In May of 1987, the staff moved into the new offices and rectory located on the eleven acres of parish property on Lisson Road and along 87th Street. 

Weekend Masses were originally held at Scott Elementary School, but were moved to a larger facility in March of 1987.  Liturgies were then celebrated in Madison Junior High School.  Neighboring Catholic facilities were very accommodating for other liturgical celebrations. Liturgies were celebrated at Scott School and Madison Junior High School from 1986 through 1990. 

Additional space became necessary for large group meetings, so space was acquired in the University Commons Shopping Center in September of 1988.  This space was called the Parish Annex. 

Groundbreaking for the new church was held on September 17, 1989.  On December 18, 1990, Bishop Joseph Imesch celebrated the solemn dedication of St. Elizabeth Seton Church.  The architects was  JOHN VOOSEN.

On May 18, 1994, the Rectory was moved to Bolingbrook and the former Rectory was converted into office space. 

On June 23, 1995, Reverend Ernest R. Norbeck was appointed as Second Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish. In October of 1995, Fr. Mark became the Pastor of Assumption Parish in Coal City, IL. Fr. Jim Radek joined our parish as Asst. Pastor in February, 1996. 

On February 22, 1997, the present altar was consecrated and the Church building re-dedicated by Bishop Joseph Imesch. 

In March of 1997, our Communion of Saints mural was begun by Joliet Artist Lillian Brulc. 

On September 13, 1997, St. Elizabeth Seton's fourth permanent Deacon, Bart Federici, was  ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop Joesph Imesch at St. Raymonds Cathedral, Joliet. 

In the Spring of 1988, our stained glass windows were installed through the Lynchburg Stain Glass Company and were officially blessed by our Pastor, Fr. Ernie.  These brilliant windows reflect the glory of Almighty God in the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Also in the Spring of 1998, the Great Hall of St. Elizabeth Seton was completed. 

As of September 1998, the current  size of St. Elizabeth Seton is 2,230 families, 8,920 individuals.  We have a full time staff of nine people and a part time staff of 10 - with approximately more than 500 volunteers. 

On February 4, 2000, the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish website was established at www.rc.net/joliet/ses 

SES installed the permanent seating in March of 2000. 

During the summer of 2001, the Worship Center was closed for renovation from June 25 - August 25.  During this time, the altar platform and short wall behind the altar were rebuilt and the tabernacle was relocated into the Worship Center into the raredos. 

January 2003 changed web server and web address to www.sesnaperville.org

June 21, 2006, Rev. Thomas L. Paul was assigned as the third pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish.  Fr. Ernest Norbeck was assigned to St. Mary of Gostyn in Downers Grove at the same time.

Need info on these items:
John Baluff was ordained a priest on ----------------.
Fr. John left us in ______ to further his studies in Rome. 
Fr. Mark Jendrysik became our Asst. Pastor in June, ____. 

In _______. the new tabernacle was placed in the new Reservation Chapel off the Narthex. 
The baptismal font was built in _______. 
 
 

Our Religious Education program has grown from xxx to xxx over these years, .......... 
In 2000, there are ____ families registered at the parish of St. Elizabeth Seton.