Saint Rita of Cascia Parish was established in 1927. The Augustinian Fathers were in charge of the parish, with Father Cornelius Ford, O.S.A. (1927-1933) serving as the first pastor. During the early years of the parish, all services were conducted in the chapel of the Fox Valley High School, which was also operated by the Augustinians. In the summer of 1933, a transfer was arranged and the Augustinians moved to Rockford, taking charge of St. Thomas High School and St. Mary Parish. At the same time, the Benedictine Fathers assumed responsibility for Fox Valley High School on North Lake Street, which then became Marmion Military Academy and included boarding facilities. Father Michael A. Kissane (1933-1954), a diocesan priest, became the Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia.

In 1935, the church of St. Rita, a portable building, was dedicated. In August of 1949, six acres of property were purchased on the northern limits of the city of Aurora on North Lake Street. Two adjoining acres were purchased in June, 1955, which included a residence.

Because of the rapid growth of this section of Aurora in those years, plans had to be made immediately for expansion. In June, 1954, the Sister of Mary Immaculate of Joliet, Illinois agreed to teach in the proposed school after its construction.

When the Indian Creek Public School was vacated, the parish rented it for the school year beginning, in 1956.

At this time the property purchased by the parish on North Lake Street began to be encircled by commercial establishments. Many were of the opinion that this was not the proper area to build a parish complex. A determination was made that the location of the parish should be further to the west, more to the center of the area covered by St. Rita. As a result, property was purchased on Old Indian Trail, the location of the present parish. Two residential homes were part of the property purchased. One home was to serve as a rectory and the other home for the parish custodian.

Ground was broken in the fall of 1959 for a twelve room school, a gym-church, and a convent. St. Rita School officially opened to students in September of 1960. Dedication of all buildings took place in the spring of 1961. Later it was determined that the school needs would be better met with additional classrooms, and the school was enlarged to sixteen rooms. All of the building and accomplishments of St. Rita Parish during these years was under the leadership and inspiration of Father Thomas P. Bermingham (1954-1969). For his dedication to his parish, he was elevated to the title of Right Reverend Monsignor in January, 1964.

It was during the pastorate of Monsignor Raymond J. Wahl (1969-1 973) that the Diocese decided that the North Aurora area was increasing in population so fast that a Catholic parish should be established in that area. When this was done in 1 970, approximately three hundred families were transferred from St. Rita to the new Blessed Sacrament Parish of North Aurora.

In 1972, the residence used as a rectory for St. Rita’s priests was disposed of and a new rectory to serve the needs of the pastor and his associates was constructed adjacent to the church. At this time it was determined that a gymnasium should be built to help serve the needs of all segments of the parish. The decision was also made to remodel the gym­ church as the permanent space for worship.

After five years of study and planning together, Saint Rita of Cascia parishioners settled into their newly renovated worship space and newly added gathering space. The culmination of the project took place when Father Robert J. Willhite welcomed Bishop Thomas G. Doran for the official blessing during a Mass of Dedication on July28, 1996.

Father Willhite retired from the pastorate of Saint Rita in June 2008. He was succeeded by Father Uriel Lopez on July 1, 2008. Prior to his assignment at St. Rita’s, Fr. Lopez has been, succesively, Pastor of Saint Monica in Carpentersville, and Parochial Vicar at Saint Catherine in Dundee.

On March 13, 2009, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, DD, JCD, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockford, appointed Father Cesar Consulta Pajarillo, Jr., who was at that time Parochial Vicar in Saint John Neumann in Saint Charles, as Parochial Administrator and was canonically installed as Pastor on July 1, 2010.

Kagan, Rev. Msgr. David, et al. The Diocese of Rockford. Edition du Signe: Rockford, IL. 2008. pp. 136-137.

God has heard St. Rita’s prayers for others on countless occasions, and certainly she will gladly intercede once again, on behalf of those who pray to her now-thus continuing to prove the truth of her great name: The Saint of the Impossible!