St. Joseph Parish
Springfield, IL
St. Joseph Parish Office Staff
Rev. Msgr. Thomas P Holinga - Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Thomas Paul Holinga, V.F. was born on August 13, 1948, and ordained a priest on May 25, 1974. Following his ordination, he served as an assistant pastor at St. Peter Church in Quincy (1974-1978), St. Anthony Church in Effingham (1978), Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton (1978-1979), and Little Flower Church in Springfield (1979-1985). Father Holinga directed the Office for Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois from 1984 to 1988. In 1985, he served as Parochial Administrator of Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield and of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. He was named pastor of St. Mary in Greenview in 1985 and served there until 1987. From 1985 until 2002 Father Holinga served as pastor of St. Peter Church in Petersburg and from 1989 until 2001 was the Diocese of Springfield's Vicar General and the Director for Clergy Personnel. He was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Springfield in 2002, and later in that same year was awarded the Papal Honor of Chaplain to His Holiness ("Monsignor"). In 2005, Monsignor Holinga was named Dean of the Springfield Deanery.
You can email him at tholinga@stjoseph.dio.org.
Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U. - Pastoral Assistant; Parish School of Religion Director
Coming Soon: A short biography of Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.
You can email her at: mebackes@stjoseph.dio.org.
Sr. Brendan Jacoby, O.S.U. - R.C.I.A. Director
Sr. Brendan Jacoby, an Ursuline sister and native of Springfield, joined the Parish Staff in the summer of 2005 as Director of RCIA. For twenty three years she taught in secondary schools sponsored by the Ursuline Order. She has also worked in parish ministry for nine years and prior to coming to St. Joseph she served in ministry to the sisters of her religious community for eight years. She is a graduate of The College of New Rochelle (New York) and The University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio). She makes her home with the Ursuline Community of Springfield on Laverna Road.
You can email her at bjacoby@stjoseph.dio.org.
Mr. Paul Johnson - Music Director
Paul H. Johnson is the dirctor of music at St. Joseph Church, in Springfield, IL and has held the position for over 31 years. He is the organist/pianist at the 3 weekend liturgies and coordinates the Youth and Adult Choirs and works with instrumentalists. He also prepares and trains cantors for the parish liturgies. Paul began his musical preparation very early and at the age of 6 was playing for children's church services at Redeemer Lutheran in Peoria, IL. Under the direction of his mother as his initial teacher, Paul continued his studies under Carroll Green of Peoria and then came to Springfield College in Illinois to study under Mr. Raymond Keldermans. He was one of the youngest members of the American Guild of Organists (A.G.O.) of the Peoria Chapter. Besides the organ as his performance instrument, Paul studied and performed on the carillion for several years under Mr. Keldermans. Paul also was an initial member of the "Singing Y'ers," a boys choir founded by Mr. Henry Charles from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL and was a member for several years as a singer then as their accompanist. In 1974, Mr. Johnson attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL and studied organ performane and church music under Dr. David Gehrenbeck. Before acquiring the position at St. Joseph Church, he was the organist at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, IL for 2 years. In July of 1974, Mr. Johnson was hired as Director of Music at St. Joseph Church. For the past 30+ years, Paul has been involved as an accompanist in theater productions and also has given several organ recitals. He has served as a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and also a member of the Music SubCommittee. His involvement in church music extends most of his lifetime. He has been composing for the past sevveral years and much of what he composes is sung at the parish liturgies. He spends time recording and enjoys improvising on the piano. He is currently a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians along with the parish. Besides his love for music, Paul has other "loves" in his life and they include 3 children and 2 grandchildren and traveling to Delaware as often as time permits to visit part of his family. His passion for music is "wedded" with his passion and love for life and wanting to share that love and passion with the people around him and those he works with, of all ages. If there is one song that gives "light" to this passion it would have to be "How Can I Keep From Singing!"
You can email him at pianobar2@aol.com.
Mrs. JoLynn Adams - Coordinator of Ministries and Service; Parish Secretary
Coming Soon: A short biography of Mrs. Adams.
You can email her at jadams@stjoseph.dio.org.
Mrs. Pam Johnson - Parish bookkeeper
Pam Johnson has been the bookkeeper for St. Joseph Parish for 10 years now. She is married to Patrick Johnson and most recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. Both of their children graduated from St. Joseph Grade School (Kate in 2000 and Michael in 2004). Pam has an Associates Degree in Accounting and prior to coming to St. Joseph was employed by First National Bank (now US Bank) in the Corporate Trust Department. Her hobbies include reading and gardening.
You can email her at pljohnson@stjoseph.dio.org.