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The Parish - Our History |
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The Devine Center
The Processional Crucifix.
The St Julie relief
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Memories of the Founding Shepherd Father William Devine In 1973, the Liturgical Community of Tinley-Orland became God’s house for many young families who recently moved to the area. The children of those families were the seeds that grew into St. Julie Billiart Parish, and Father William Devine was chosen to shepherd St. Julie’s flock. Early in 1974, eighty members of the Liturgical Community met with Fr. Devine to choose a name for the parish. They agreed that St. Julie Billiart was an appropriate choice as St. Julie spent her life teaching religion to public school children. Our founding shepherd patiently waited months for the Cardinal to approve the name and his appointment as pastor. Finally, his appointment came and St. Julie Billiart Parish was officially established on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974. Originally, Father lived in Cornerstone Cottage which is now in Elizabeth Seton parish. He packed hosts, wine and bulletins in a briefcase and carried them to say Mass wherever he negotiated room at the time. The first Mass was held September 8, 1975 in the dining room of Royal Acres Retirement Village at 16300 S. Harlem. When more space was needed, Fr. Devine also said Mass in the basement of Amity Bank at 159th & Harlem. Our shepherd knew his flock would grow and need adequate facilities in the future, but he was challenged to design a building that would provide space for a church, CCD classrooms and social gatherings. Father visited other structures in the metro area and stretched his original plan to the limits. He ordered plaques of Our Mother Mary and Joseph the Worker rather than statues in order to close off the sanctuary when necessary and asked a Chicago pastor to design Stations of the Cross with special lighting. (These plaques are now located in the Devine Center). Members of the congregation helped Fr. Devine decide on details. Their patience and hard work were rewarded when the all-purpose church building was completed in 1977. The parish averaged six baptisms every Sunday, or about 300 per year. The CCD program flourished and Father held appreciation parties on the cottage grounds for all the teachers. He moved into the new rectory in 1977, and oversaw construction of the Activity Center in 1984. The center was subsequently named after Father Devine. Our good shepherd had met his challenges and remained pastor at St. Julie until 1987. “It was a good experience all the way,” says Fr. Devine. “When you’re starting out, everyone’s behind you, supporting you. No matter what you do, it’s right.” Even Father’s inclusion of women as lectors, commentators and Eucharistic ministers, and his innovation of girl as well as boy servers at Mass were welcome. Fr. Devine believes the seeds of a successful parish are in the youth, and they are rooted in its CCD program. He advises us to encourage our children to attend Mass. “You can see that today’s young people are not so committed to organizations, yet they are concerned with helping the needy,” says Fr. Devine. “It is up to us to point out that some organizations are dedicated to helping others, and to teach our children to work within that framework.”
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This interview was published in the parish bulletin on November 18, 2007 in commemoration of the celebration of the Anniversary of the founding of the parish.
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