Cardinal Mooney established St. Albert the Great Parish on June 24, 1955, with Fr. Leo J. DePlaunty as founding pastor. The parish's first Mass was celebrated less than a month later, on July 17, in Pardee Elementary School. A permanent church, including two classrooms, was built the following year.
In September, 1956, five Marist Sisters arrived from Ireland. They soon began teaching at the parish and the school building was finished two years later. Fr. DePlaunty resigned as pastor in 1961, due to ill health, and became a chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital. Msgr. John A. Weier succeeded as second pastor and the parish grew quickly during the 1960s. In 1965, there were 1,300 families at St. Albert.
Fr. Art Fauser succeeded as the third pastor in January, 1978. Under his guidance, the church was renovated for the parish's silver anniversary.
Fr. Dan Zaleski has been pastor for over a decade. He is assisted Fr. Ben Leudtke, a popular homilist, spiritual director and conference speaker.
Cosmetic renovations have been completed in the last two years. Accent lighting was added to the sanctuary, new tile flooring was added throughout the church, etc.
An altar rail was recently installed as well; Holy Communion is distributed at the altar rail via intinction.
Tall, narrow shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus are suspended over the sanctuary.
The Holy Family is depicted on the front of the ambo; St. Joseph stands on the left end of the sanctuary with the Descent of the Holy Spirit behind him.
The baptismal font stands at the right edge of the sanctuary, surrounded by plants and the Risen Christ.
The Holy Family is depicted on the back wall of the church; the parish patron stands nearby.
The Infant of Prague, surrounded by Ten Commandments, on the back wall.
In the narthex, St. Anthony and Child Jesus stand alongside a large crucifix.
The Holy Family also stands in the vestibule.
Our Lady of Fatima and a crucifix outside the confessional.
A large set of stained-glass windows line the west side of the church.
These windows show depictions of St. John the Apostle. St. Thérèse, St. Catherine of Siena, among others..
St. Anne, with Child Mary, stands near St. Thérèse at the back of the nave.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus hangs on the front of the choir loft; geometric windows on the front facade of the church.
Daily Mass is at 8:00am Monday and Wednesday-Saturday. Adoration of the Blessed Sacramenet is available 9;00an-4:00pm on Thursdays. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:30pm preceded by Reconciliation at 3:00pm. Sunday Masses are at 9:00am and 11:00am.
More info: parish website + church history
More photos: AOD Film Services
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