St. Brigid Parish

St. Brigid Parish: Historical Timeline

Wadsworth, Illinois


This timeline consolidates major milestones, dates, leadership, and parish initiatives.


Founding & Realignment (2022)

  • July 1, 2022 — Birth of the new parish (initially ‘Parish of Our Lady of Humility and St. Patrick), uniting Our Lady of Humility and St. Patrick under the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church initiative.


  • 2022 — Unification Committee formed to solicit input from both congregations and guide decisions for the new parish.


Identity, Worship & Communications (2022–2024)


  • 2022 — Weekend Mass schedule coordinated across both churches, ensuring coverage even with one priest available.


  • 2023 — Early January, Parish name approved: St. Brigid Parish (St. Brigid of Kildare, 5th‑century Irish abbess, patroness of Ireland alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba).


  • 2023 — Parish logo introduced: circle and cross symbolizing four guiding elements — Evangelization | Sacraments | Community | Charity


  • 2023 — Unified weekly bulletin launched, organizing parish and church news under the four elements.


  • August 2023 — Annual all‑parish picnic tradition begins on the grotto grounds at Our Lady of Humility, with outdoor Mass followed by food, games, and community time.


  • Fall 2024 — Parish participates in the Archdiocese’s Disciple Maker Index Survey; St. Brigid ranks in the top 10% of responding parishes (results to guide future parish work).


Clergy & Leadership (2011–2026)


  • May 21, 2011 — Fr. Wojciech Oleksy ordained at Holy Name Cathedral by Francis Cardinal George (studies: University of Illinois at Chicago; study and formation: Mundelein Seminary).


  • July 1, 2022 — Fr. Wojciech Oleksy named founding pastor of St. Brigid Parish (prior service: associate at St. Thomas of Villanova, St. Josaphat, St. Albert the Great; pastor/mission director at Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont).


  • July 1, 2023 — Fr. Andrew Bartosz (ordained 1991, Archdiocese of Poznań; arrived in Chicago in 2000 via International Priest Initiative; Tantur sabbatical) joins as associate pastor. In July 1, 2026 — Fr. Andrew assigned as pastor to St. Patricia Parish, Hickory Hills, IL.


  • May 2013 — Fr. Rodlin Rodrigue ordained at Mundelein Seminary; July 1, 2026 — joins St. Brigid as associate pastor (most recently at St. Raymond de Peñafort, Mount Prospect).


Faith Life & Pilgrimages (2023–2027)


  • 2023–2026 — Pilgrimages: twice to Our Lady of Champion (Door County, WI); twice to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion (St. John, IN); Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians (SE Wisconsin); Holy Name Cathedral Jubilee Mass and tour.


  • September 15–26, 2025 — Parish pilgrimage to Ireland including St. Brigid’s Cathedral (Kildare) and excursions to Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Wexford, and Waterford.


  • 2027 (Upcoming) — Parish pilgrimage to Italy including Rome and Assisi.


Stewardship & Campaigns (2026)


  • January 2026 —Parish meets its goal of $1.55 million in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s ‘Generation to Generation, Answer the Call’ Campaign (Archdiocesan goal: $300 million). This is a 5-year pledge.


Governance & Vision (Summer–Fall 2026)


  • February 2026 — Formation of the St. Brigid Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) initiated to serve as a consultative advisory body to the pastor, attentive to the voices of parish communities.


  • August 10, 2026 — Vicariate 1 presents an information meeting on PPC; Fr. Wojciech shares parish vision: ‘Unity in Christ, Renewal of Faith, Service in Charity.’


  • August 31, 2026 — Nomination deadline for PPC; submissions under review with announcements planned for Fall/Winter 2026.