Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here.

A Quick Guide to Visiting Maternity BVM

We want you to feel welcome at Maternity BVM, whether you are coming for a wedding or a funeral, visiting from out of town, or looking to find a new church. The following practical points will help the practical details get out of the way.

Where is Maternity BVM Church?

We are located at 308 E. Marsile St., in Bourbonnais Illinois. 

Restrooms

You will find 2 restrooms and a drinking fountain behind the sacristy... behind the altar. The most convenient way to access them is to use the ramp located in the front of the church on the St. Joseph (right) side of the church. Enter through the door (next to the St. Joseph Altar) and walk straight back. We ask that you accompany young children to the restroom. You are also welcome to access the restrooms through the outside entrance.  If you exit out the main doors and head into the grotto, take the sidewalk along the side of the church and enter through the side door.  There is a step up and the restrooms will be just inside the door. If you need further assistance, please ask a Minister of Hospitality and they will be happy to guide you.

Parking

We have a parking lot right outside the Church entrance. However, for most Masses, this lot fills up first. You can find additional parking directly behind the church, at the school building. This school building is where our parish Religious Education classes are held, and where parish events are often held. In addition, the area wide Bishop McNamara Catholic school holds classes here during the week for grades Pre-K through 6th grade.

The Building

The current church building was built in 1858. For more about our parish history, click here.

Families with small children

Understandably families with small children can be self-consious about their children making noise. Families should know that they are not only welcome at church, but encouraged to bring their children to Mass. To accomodate to young families, we offer a "Children's Liturgy of the Word", on most Sundays at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. This is offered for 3 year olds through 2nd grade. This is an opportunity for the children of that age group to be escorted by adults and youth leaders to St. Viator's hall (back by the restrooms), where they hear the readings and gospel in a way that young children can understand through creative storytelling and activities. The children are then escorted back into the church right before the "Our Father", and returned to their families. Children are not obligated to participate, and are welcome at any Mass during the week or on the weekends.  For further information on the Children's Liturgy of the Word, click here.

Handicapped Access

The parking lot outside the main doors of the church have several handicapped parking spots, but they fill up fast. In addition, the pews up at the front of church are handicapped accessible pews. If you need assistance getting into a pew, please ask an usher to help.

A Non-Catholic in a Catholic Church

All are welcome to join us in prayer. We do ask that our guests, and members, show respect for God's house. Catholic services, be that Sunday Mass, a Funeral, or a Wedding, can be confusing for non-Catholics, so we've put together a few helpful hints for you:

• Eating & Drinking We ask that older children and adults refrain from eating or drinking in our sanctuary. Babies and toddlers may be fed as needed of course. We also ask that you do not chew gum during Mass. 
• Posture As Catholics express our prayer in part through our posture, we stand, sit, and kneel to help us better participate in Mass. As a guest you are welcome to follow along with the posture or everyone else. If you feel uncomfortable kneeling you are welcome to sit, but please be mindful if there is someone trying to kneel in the seat behind you. 
• The Missalettes The words of the hymns, prayers, and readings for many services can be found in the  Breaking Bread book found in the pews. Some hymns are found in the green Gather hymnal also found in the pews. Hymns are organized by number and the numbers are usually posted on the Hymn boards on two front pillars of the church. Numbers marked by a Green marking before then number indicate that hymn is found in the green Gather Hymnal. On Sundays the readings are found in the Breaking Bread under the days date. This will be the first number listed on the Hymn Board. 
• Holy Communion Those of us in the Catholic Church who have received Catholic instruction and have made our first Holy Communion through the Catholic Church, will receive the Holy Eucharist Body and/or Blood, during communion. You will notice that those of us in the Catholic church who have not yet received their first Holy Communion, will also walk up to communion, and will cross our arms over our chest for a special blessing. Likewise, we invite all guests and visitors, Catholic or not, who have NOT received their First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, to come up with everyone else, and simply cross your arms over your chest when coming up during Communion to receive a special blessing.

Join our Community

A parish is a community of believers and a spiritual family that is supportive and loving. It can be a place to grow spiritually, to put your faith in action, and to use our gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.