About Our Church
Our Mission & Vision
By God’s grace, we proclaim Jesus and the Gospel in worship and daily practice. We steward our gifts of time, talent, and treasure for our Church and the common good in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Parish History
Saint Mary’s Parish campus is located in Byron, Illinois. The church was originally part of the Archdiocese of Chicago from the late 1890s until the establishment of the Diocese of Rockford in 1908; and was originally founded as a mission church of Saint Mary’s parish in Oregon. It currently serves the communities of Byron, Davis Junction, Egan, Holcomb, Leaf River, Lightsville, Monroe Center, Myrtle, and Stillman Valley, along with many members located in rural areas. Saint Mary’s also has a cemetery located west of the church on Blackhawk Street in Byron. In the early 1960’s Saint Peter church in Davis Junction was closed, and many of the members of that congregation joined our parish.
Parishioners, through the generous use of their time, talent, and treasure helped to provide the nucleus for the parish. In 1975, the cornerstone for the new church was dedicated. The current facility sits on the same site as the original frame church. A parish center / classroom wing was added in 1994 to provide a facility for the religious education program. These rooms are also used as meeting places by parish ministries and societies. Many active religious and social ministries make up the fabric of the parish. These serve the needs of our members from the very young to the senior citizens. Parish tithing and social outreach also provides the opportunity that allows members to join with their fellow citizens in supporting the needs of our communities.
Over the past years, the communities that comprise the parish have grown. The rural nature of the parish is slowly changing and the congregation has grown. Even as the parish grows, it cherishes its warm and welcoming attitude toward new members and vacationers as they come to the area.
Our Pastor
Father Rich
Warmest greetings and welcome from the St. Mary faith community. I’m Father Rich Rosinski and as of June 17, 2019 by the Grace of God and the will of Bishop David Malloy, Bishop of the Rockford Diocese I was named the 12th pastor of Saint Mary, Byron. I came to the community of St. Mary after being a priest of the Rockford diocese since 1991. In my years of priestly service I have been assigned to seven different parishes around our diocese and have learned much about our shared faith and the lived experience of God’s people. I am continuing my faith journey with all of you through this wonderful parish.
I grew up in our diocese living many years in Cary, IL while attending my family parish of Saints Peter and Paul. Some family still live in Cary although the rest of my siblings live a little further away: my brother and his wife in Moline, IL and my 4th sister and her husband live in Marion, Iowa. After studying at Saint Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD I was ordained by Bishop O’Neill in May 1991 and have joyfully served God’s people since then. My free time is usually balanced between my love of history and my desire to be outside in nature. I hope that you find here at Saint Mary, Byron your spiritual home and will continue to grow in God’s love. My continuous prayer is that the Lord will guide all of us as we work together to build up His Kingdom here on earth.
Peace always,
Fr. Rich Rosinski

Father Rich Rosinski
Pastor
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
St. Mary Catholic Church
226 E. Second Street
P.O. Box 1070
Byron, IL 61010
OFFICE HOURS
Mon.-Thurs.: 8am-4pm Closed 12pm -1pm
Friday: 8am-12pm (Check Parish Calendar)
PHONE
815-234-7431
FAX
815-234-2133