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Better Know A Parish: St. Julie Billiart, Tinley Park, Illinois

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Parish name: St. Julie Billiart

Location: Tinley Park, Illinois

Date founded: 1973

Diocese: Chicago

Pastor: Father Lou Tylka

Parishioners: 2655 families

Website: http://www.stjulie.org/

What makes your parish different from other parishes?

St. Julie differentiates itself from other parishes by virtue of its liturgies. We are well-known in the diocese for having wonderful liturgies. Our music feeds the spirit and is approachable (even for those of us who cannot sing very well). The music ministry is very strong: we have an adult choir, a children’s choir, cantors, multiple instrumentalists, liturgical dancers, and a handbell choir. The church space is always beautifully decorated, according to the liturgical season. The weekly Masses are great, but we really shine during the special liturgies. Our Triduum liturgies are simply amazing. Christmas is, of course, magical. All Souls hits all the right notes. In addition, the sacramental liturgies (e.g., First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony) always draw rave reviews. The list could go on and on.

What’s the most distinguishing characteristic of your church building?

Our church building is most distinguished by its “in the round” design.  The altar and ambo are on opposite sides in the “middle” of the church, and there is seating on both sides of the “middle.” Everyone can see everyone! This aspect makes the church feel like a community. We truly gather around the table of the Lord. While most would consider this a modern design— and it is—it retains aspects of the traditional. If a person chooses to sit in one of a couple different sections, he or she will see the priest’s back during the Liturgy of the Eucharist!

Who is your most interesting parishioner, and what makes them so interesting?

Our most interesting parishioner is one of our deacons, Ed Pluchar. He truly “walks the walk” as one of Christ’s disciples. He helps light our lives through his full-time job at ComEd (the local electricity company). Aside from that full-time job, Ed (along with his wife, Sheila) is a deacon and is deeply involved with the youth of our parish. He coordinates the very important 8th-grade religious education program, which culminates with the young people being confirmed. He goes on multiple mission trips and retreats with the youth and teens. Sheila and Ed have raised five wonderful children, all of whom are deeply rooted in their faith, and they have already been blessed with grandchildren. It is always heartwarming to see the Pluchar family. Despite all of these activities that require so much of his time, Ed does plenty of woodworking to supply crosses and other carvings to various programs in the parish (couples going through marriage prep, people in Special Religious Education and First Communicants, just to name a few). One final note about Ed: He is unassuming and modest. He never boasts about everything he does for the parish and all the people whose lives he touches.

What’s the most popular event, ministry, or holiday tradition at your parish?

The most popular ongoing event at St. Julie Billiart is Donut Sunday.  Every third Sunday of the month, after 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30a.m. masses, parishioners gather in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship.  Periodically, pancake breakfasts are served in lieu of donuts.

The most popular holiday is Thanksgiving.  For one, that holiday marks the anniversary of our parish. The people who gather for mass on Thanksgiving morning truly want to celebrate and give thanks—they are not there out of obligation. In the early afternoon, we prepare and serve a large Thanksgiving meal for those who are in need.

If we asked parishioners what they love most about the parish, what would they say?

I think most parishioners would point to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and people at SJB as what they love most about the parish. We have a very diverse population: Filipino, Hispanic, Caucasian, and Eastern European, among others. We are truly a faith COMMUNITY! The number of ministries available to parishioners is impressive, and those ministries welcome new members with open arms. We have a very involved and active teen group that is constantly drawing in new, younger members. We are not a wealthy parish, but we are very generous with our time, our talent and our treasure. One of our mottos is: “A home for every heart—formed in faith, acting in hope, serving with love.” That sums us up perfectly!

To see a list of all previously featured parishes, click here.

Image: Main image courtesy of Cathryn Seitz.