From a Cornfield to a Catholic Home on Brookdale Road
On June 19, 1984, an eager community of roughly 300 families officially became the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in the Diocese of Joliet. The Very Rev. James Curtin, Father Jim, was installed as the founding pastor by the Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch, then bishop of the Joliet Diocese. That first weekend, June 30 and July 1, the new faith community celebrated Mass at Thayer Hill Middle School, because the building that would become the parish home was still just a 10-acre cornfield waiting to be transformed.
Ground was broken for the church at 1500 Brookdale Road on July 21, 1985, and the cornerstone was blessed on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The church was dedicated on September 13, 1986, with room for 880 worshippers, augmented by movable seating for another 120. A rectory was added, and in 1990 ground was broken on Palm Sunday for the Parish Ministry Center, dedicated July 7, 1991. The Ministry Center brought offices, meeting rooms and a gymnasium, providing the physical infrastructure for a growing congregation.
By 1994, when the parish celebrated its 10th anniversary, about 3,100 families belonged to St. Thomas. The decade brought new leadership: the Rev. Donald W. Kenny, Father Don, was installed as the second pastor on July 17, 1994. As the millennium approached, Father Don introduced a commission structure that pulled parishioners more deeply into decision-making, and by fall 1999 there were about 3,800 registered families.
The new century opened with a Millennium Meditation Garden and Labyrinth, a Meditation Park and a vivid stained glass memorial in the narthex whose nine panels trace the life of Christ, Vatican II, parish history, community service, world unity and the return of Christ. In 2000, the parish also entered into a Twinning relationship with Ste. Marie-Madeleine Parish in Duchity, Haiti, an arrangement that has sent more than 80 mission teams across the distance in the years since.
Father Don left in 2001 to pursue a long-held dream of becoming a missionary, and the Rev. Joel Fortier was installed as the third pastor on September 22, 2002. Father Joel's tenure saw the opening of All Saints Catholic Academy in 2005 (co-sponsored with St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Margaret Mary Parishes) and the launch of a Stewardship Commission dedicated to the Spirituality of Stewardship. In 2006, the parish welcomed John Angotti, an award-winning Christian rock composer and recording artist, as a guest artist-in-residence through a two-year commitment funded by parish families. The church also co-sponsored the 2008 Praise in the Park concert at the Millennium Carillon in Naperville's Riverwalk Park alongside eight other area Catholic churches.
Father Joel announced his retirement in February 2012, and the Rev. Don McLaughlin was installed as the fourth pastor on September 30, 2012. Under Father Don's leadership the parish mourned the passing of Deacon Will Worden, the parish's first deacon, and welcomed a new outdoor Mary statue and prayer area in May 2012. In October 2012, the parish bells rang at 7:00 pm to open the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI and to mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Father Don's tenure ended in 2017 when the Rev. Philip Danaher was appointed fifth pastor.
When COVID-19 hit Illinois in March 2020, public Masses and gatherings were suspended, and St. Thomas clergy and staff recorded and livestreamed liturgies to keep the community connected. Limited Mass resumed in June 2020 under strict protocols that initially capped attendance at 150 in a building that seats roughly 900. Restrictions gradually eased through 2021 and 2022. On July 1, 2022, the Rev. Peter Infanger, Father Peter, was appointed sixth pastor, succeeding Father Philip, who had announced his retirement earlier that year. In 2023 the parish mourned the loss of Father Don McLaughlin, and in spring 2024 it grieved the passing of founding pastor Father Jim Curtin on April 22. Forty years on, St. Thomas the Apostle now counts 9,167 registered members and a calendar that stretches from daily Mass to summer pet blessings.
Worship at St. Thomas: Mass, Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration
St. Thomas the Apostle offers a full rhythm of Catholic liturgy through the week. The weekend begins with the Saturday Mass of Anticipation at 4:30 pm, followed on Sunday by Masses at 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:15 am. A 6:00 pm Sunday Mass is celebrated during most of the year but is suspended during summer months. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Saturday at 8:30 am in the chapel, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and a Communion Service is celebrated each Wednesday at 6:30 am.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard every Saturday from 3:30 to 4:15 pm in the Reconciliation Room before the 4:30 pm Vigil Mass, and priests are also available by appointment during the week for those who cannot make the scheduled time. Eucharistic Adoration is offered twice a month, on the first Friday of each month from 9:00 am to noon in the chapel, and on the first Sunday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the church.
The 9:30 am Sunday Mass is livestreamed through the parish's YouTube channels, with premium audio and multiple camera angles so that those at home or in the hospital can participate in the liturgy in real time. Replays of past Masses and parish events are available anytime through the same channels. The parish livestream system was upgraded to provide a fuller worship experience online, and the partnership with YouTube makes the videos accessible worldwide.
Anyone preparing to celebrate a wedding at St. Thomas is asked to contact the parish at least six months ahead, with one year preferred. Either the bride, the groom or their parents must be registered parishioners for at least three months before a date can be set. Two weddings are scheduled on Saturdays, at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, with Friday weddings at 4:30 pm. Preparation includes an online marriage prep course or the diocesan retreat day, a Wedding Liturgy Workshop, the seven-week Alpha Marriage Course, the FOCCUS questionnaire and follow-up meetings with a sponsor couple and a priest or deacon.
Music That Makes the Liturgy Sing
Music is woven into the daily life of St. Thomas. The Voices of Faith choir leads music at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass from September through May, drawing on choral classics and contemporary pieces that lift the assembly's prayer. The choir has toured, performed musicals and oratorios, and joined concerts around the region. It has been singing since the parish was founded in 1984. The Youth Choir brings children together to develop vocal skills and basic music theory. Journey Praise, the teen worship band, leads Christian contemporary music at the Sunday 6:00 pm Mass. Six small ensembles of singers and musicians rotate through the Saturday 4:30 pm, Sunday 8:00 am and Sunday 11:15 am liturgies, and the Funeral Choir offers a compassionate musical presence at services for grieving families.
The Music and Worship Ministry invites singers, pianists, guitarists, bass players, wind and orchestral instrumentalists, percussionists and organists to join. Training is provided for those who want to grow into a role. Scott Knisley directs Music and Liturgy; Lori Culberson serves as Liturgy Associate. Many parishioners credit the music program with helping them choose St. Thomas as their parish home.
Welcoming, Accessibility and the Look of the Worship Space
St. Thomas the Apostle is committed to making the worship experience accessible to all. The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking and restrooms. Hearing assistance units are available, as are large-print song and liturgy aids. Host Greeters can help visitors connect with these resources when they arrive.
The Art and Environment Ministry designs, decorates and maintains the worship space throughout the liturgical year. Members arrange flowers, prepare seasonal décor for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, and care for altar linens, banners and candles. The group follows the liturgical calendar and the Gospel messages of each season, with some members having served for more than 20 years.
Children walking age through four are welcomed in the Sunday Nursery during the 9:30 am Mass. Drop-ins are encouraged and there is no pre-registration or fee. The nursery is located in the hallway to the left as one enters through the Gathering Area Doors (Door A).
The 6:00 pm Sunday Mass, Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass and the youth-focused Journey Praise band create a layered Sunday experience that meets families at different stages. Altar Servers, who must be in fourth grade or older and have received First Communion, assist the presider with the Cross and torches, the carrying of texts and the setting of the altar for Holy Communion. Lectors proclaim the Word of God, while Commentators offer opening remarks, announcements and the Intercessions when a deacon is not present. Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist, with training provided, and Ministers of Hospitality greet at the doors, distribute worship aids, assist with seating, monitor the collection, usher Communion and dismiss the assembly. A trained A/V team runs the sound, visual and livestream equipment.
Faith Formation from Pre-K through High School
The parish's Religious Education program has welcomed children and teens since 1985. Elementary classes for pre-K through fifth grade meet either on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:45 pm at St. Thomas or on Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:45 am at All Saints Catholic Academy, 1155 Aurora Avenue, Naperville. The curriculum follows the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (what Catholics believe, how Catholics worship, how Catholics live, how Catholics pray) using the Blest Are We series from RCL Benziger for kindergarten through fifth grade and the I Am Special series for pre-K.
Middle school faith formation covers grades 6 through 8 with classes on Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7:30 pm at St. Thomas or Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:45 am at All Saints Catholic Academy. The text is Connect! Bringing Faith to Life, correlated with the four pillars of the Catechism and supplemented with Altérations: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed. CREW, the middle school youth community, meets monthly on Sundays from 4:15 to 5:45 pm, with all CREW members then welcomed at the 6:00 pm Mass together. CREW focuses on connecting with peers, reflecting on faith, having fun and witnessing faith through service.
High school faith formation gathers teens through the Journey program, which prepares them for the Sacrament of Confirmation, most often in the sophomore year or later. The journey includes two years of preparation, retreats, mission trips, service projects and small group discussions. Outside of Confirmation preparation, teens can take part in service activities, parish events and small group projects that extend the life of faith beyond the classroom. Volunteer catechists in every program are required to complete Protecting God's Children and a background check.
All Saints Catholic Academy, located about two miles from the parish at 1155 Aurora Avenue, opened in fall 2005 as a regional Catholic school co-sponsored by St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Margaret Mary Parishes. The school began with pre-K through grade five and has since grown to serve students through grade eight, blending strong academics with Catholic formation.
The Seven Sacraments at St. Thomas
Baptism is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation and is celebrated at least twice a month at Sunday liturgies and additional weekends. Parents must be registered members of the parish and are asked to attend a one-night preparation class. Older children (age 5 and up) seeking Baptism are routed through the Religious Education Office. Adults preparing for Baptism are welcomed through OCIA.
First Eucharist and First Reconciliation are typically received in second grade, after two years of religious education. Preparation involves family involvement, faith formation classes and parish-wide celebration of the children's first reception of these sacraments.
Confirmation is offered to high school teens in the spring of their sophomore year or later through the Journey program, with two years of preparation. Adults who have been baptized and received First Communion but not Confirmation are prepared through a separate spring class series, culminating in the Adult Confirmation Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet, emphasizing the wider Church and the ministry of the bishop.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone expecting surgery, the elderly and those in danger of death. Arrangements are made through the main office. Holy Orders is celebrated through vocations to the priesthood and the permanent diaconate; those considering a vocation are referred to the Diocese of Joliet vocations office.
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA), walks inquirers through the Catholic faith with a team of catechists, sponsors and clergy. The journey typically leads to the reception of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The OCIA program is led by Chari Rosales and her team of welcoming, knowledgeable mentors.
Pastoral Care, Wellness and Prayer Support
The Pastoral Care and Wellness Department ministers to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of parishioners. Nancy Kratz, Ph.D., directs the department, supported by Jane Zimmerman, BSN, MSN, as Pastoral Care Associate. Free blood pressure checks are offered, and the parish organizes blood drives in partnership with regional providers. Ministers of Care visit the seriously ill and homebound, bringing Holy Communion and a listening presence. A Grief Support ministry accompanies parishioners through the loss of a loved one, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and prays over each shawl distributed to those in need of comfort.
Spiritual Direction is available for parishioners seeking a deeper prayer life and a trained companion to walk with them. The Behavioral Health Ministry addresses the connections between mental, physical and spiritual well-being. The Jobs Ministry, known as PATH, helps connect people seeking employment with opportunities and referrals. The parish's pastoral team also includes Ministers of Care who reach out to those hospitalized or otherwise unable to attend Mass, while a Prayer Request line invites anyone in need to ask for the prayers of the community.
Outreach and Social Justice: Care Pantry, Haiti Twinning, Harvest Sunday and Holes for Hope
Outreach and Social Justice is one of the largest ministry groupings at St. Thomas, with Peggy Goralski as director and Nicole Hankes as partner. The Care Pantry is the parish's flagship local outreach, distributing food to neighbors in need on Tuesday mornings throughout the year. Garden donations from parishioners supplement the supply.
Haiti Twinning links St. Thomas with Ste. Marie-Madeleine Parish in Duchity, Haiti, in a relationship that began in 1999. More than 80 mission teams have made the trip, supporting a school that today graduates students through high school, a school lunch program that helps children attend and succeed, and the St. Thomas Health Clinic, which provides essential medical care. The relationship is mutual: St. Thomas parishioners have learned from the resilience and deep faith of the people of Duchity, who have recently begun worshiping in their new church building.
Harvest Sunday is the parish's annual house-to-house food drive. Volunteers collect donations from neighborhood routes, sort and pack the food and distribute it to local pantries. Children help alongside adults, longtime parishioners partner with newcomers, and the day's work becomes a living expression of the Gospel call to feed the hungry.
Holes for Hope is a charity golf event that pairs a day on the course with a dinner, silent auction and social gathering. Proceeds support the parish's emergency-assistance ministry, which helps families in crisis with housing, utilities, transportation, prescriptions and food.
Other outreach initiatives include the Turkey and Ham Holiday Collections, the Inclusive Justice Initiative and its racial justice work, and a year-round Pet Supplies Collection that benefits the Naperville Area Humane Society. Advent by Candlelight offers a quiet evening of reflection for women during the busy holiday season.
Annual Traditions and Community Events
Throughout the year, St. Thomas gathers for traditions that have become touchstones of parish life. Advent by Candlelight brings women together in prayer and reflection. Lessons and Carols interweaves Scripture readings with choral anthems, hymns and carols to mark the Advent season. Pancake Sundays give parishioners a relaxed gathering over a shared meal. The Pet Blessing, held near the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, draws animal companions and their owners for a special prayer. The Celebration of the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi and the Transitus Service further mark the early October observance.
Mass in the Grass moves the liturgy outdoors each year. Parishioners bring lawn chairs and blankets to pray and share communion on the parish grounds, followed by a Ravinia-style picnic with food, live music and conversation under the open sky.
Haiti Twinning, Harvest Sunday and Holes for Hope draw the parish into service, while PrimeTime offers fellowship and programming for adults in the second half of life. Fitness, Fellowship and Faith (F3) is a men's group that meets outdoors for adaptable workouts and conversation. Alpha offers a welcoming, no-pressure environment to explore questions of faith through shared meals, talks and small group discussion. Scripture Safari is the parish's Vacation Bible School, walking children through the Bible in a fun, hands-on format each summer.
The Patron Saint, the Building and the Parish Mission
St. Thomas the Apostle is named for the apostle whose profession of faith, My Lord and my God, remains the clearest declaration of Christ's divinity in Scripture. Thomas is remembered as loyal, inquisitive, courageous and honest, including in his doubt, which gave rise to the phrase doubting Thomas. His feast day is July 3, and he is the patron saint of the blind, of craftsmen (architects, carpenters and masons), of geometricians and of theologians. Tradition holds that Thomas preached in India and was martyred by spearing on a hill near Madras, with his remains later translated to Ortona, Italy.
The church building is fronted by a statue of St. Thomas designed and executed by one of the parish's founding members, a piece that continues to embody the community's original spirit of praise and prayer. The stained glass windows in the narthex tell the story of Christ, the Church and the parish's own journey through nine vividly colored panels.
The parish mission statement captures the heart of St. Thomas: Led by the Holy Spirit, rooted in the Eucharist, St. Thomas the Apostle strives to be an inclusive servant community, to be Christ in the World, bearing the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. The parish's Founders Vision Statement adds the texture of that calling: We are challenged to accept God as the heart and center of our lives. We are the Body of Christ by our Baptism, members of one another. We believe each life is sacred, each person gifted by God. We value diversity in our midst.
Parish Leadership, Stewardship and the Path to Membership
Father Peter Infanger serves as the sixth pastor, with Father John Regan as Priest in Residence and Father Bob Colaresi as Weekend Associate. Deacons Joe Cuzzone and John Freund assist at Mass and throughout parish life. The Parish Pastoral Council, chaired by Terry Sullivan, gathers representatives from five commissions (Service and Outreach, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Parish Life, Worship, and Finance) along with at-large members Jason Durnas, Kathie Kapustka and Thomas Kennedy, working with the pastor and staff to shepherd the parish's spiritual and financial health.
Parishioners support the mission through a variety of giving options, including online giving through OSVHub, traditional church envelopes, direct debit and ACH from a bank account, gifts of appreciated stock or other investments, IRA distributions, planned gifts through wills and trusts, and membership in the St. Thomas Legacy Circle. The Finance and Business Office, led by David Schwalm, can be reached at extension 106 for questions about giving or estate planning.
Those interested in joining the parish can register online, in person at the office, or by downloading a registration form (available in English and Spanish) and mailing or bringing it to the parish. The main office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, at 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL 60563. The parish office phone number is (630) 355-8980, and the general email is mainoffice@stapostle.org.
Whoever you are, the parish's welcome message is direct: Single, Married, Separated, Divorced or Widowed. Any Race, Gay, Straight, Transgender, Young or Old. Life Seems Hopeless or Very Difficult. Looking for a Community to Support You. New to the Local Community or St. Thomas. Coming From Another Faith Tradition. Finding It Difficult to Believe. Need Renewal or Something To Believe In Again. If You Have Been Away From Church For A While. All are welcome.