St Jerome’s Church

St. Jerome Church is a great Church. It is small and intimate and the priest, Fr. Jozo Grbes has a lot of insightful messages in his homilies. I am proud to be associated with this parish.

I’ve been to this church for 2 Velika Gospa celebrations, a 10 year anniversary party for friends in the rented out cafeteria… there’s a perfect bar area in there too– St. Jerome’s should seriously consider doubling as a bar/​dance club on the weekends, and been to a wedding performed last moth by Father Jozo Grbe… aka, the man who ensures bingo happens at Velika Gospa.
I’ve had nothing but fun at all of their events and everyone I know who attended not only the events but the school itself has turned out pretty darn well… word up to the Rogics.

St. Jerome’s is a fantastic organization and a venerable pillar of the proud south side Croatian community. Mass is celebrated in both Croatian and English, and the church itself is beautiful. You’d see me here more often if it wasn’t such a trek! At least that is what I tell my mom.
St. Jerome’s biggest claim to fame is their annual Velika Gospa (Feast of the Assumption) celebration, which happens every August 15^th. Many consider it the Croatian equivalent of St. Patrick’s Day, and St. Jerome’s installment of the bash is regarded as one of the largest and best in the United States. The Velika Gospa lore originated in 1715 in Sinj, a Dalmatian province in Croatia. Interesting history, look it up! This legendary story is especially close to me as both of my parents were born in Sinj and my grandmother lives there to this day.
At Velika Gospa several thousand celebrate starting with a morning procession and a high mass, and then like all good Croatians, we carouse all day and into the night with plenty of slivovica (plum brandy) to our music. Roasted lamb, fried dough (fritula) and other housemade specialties are served outside and in the rectory. And, be ready to dance the kolo– it’s required for honorary Croatian status!