About Divine Mercy Parish - St. Anthony of Padua · Saint Anthony, Indiana
Divine Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Evansville that unites two historic Dubois County congregations — St. Anthony of Padua Church in Saint Anthony, Indiana, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Schnellville — into a single parish family. The parish is currently administered by Fr. Jose Thomas with Deacon Charlie Johnson, and its Parish Catechetical Leader Janie Kempf oversees faith formation from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The community gathers for weekend Masses at both campuses (the Saturday Vigil and Sunday schedules rotate between St. Anthony and Sacred Heart depending on the season), and its days are marked by regular Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction. The parish is grounded in a strong sense of rural Catholic tradition in southern Indiana and offers a notably full roster of ministries for a parish of its size.
- Established
- 2003
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua (and, in the merged parish, also under the title of Divine Mercy)
- Rector
- Fr. Jose Thomas (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
Divine Mercy Parish is a two-campus parish family that welcomes Catholics from Saint Anthony, Schnellville, and the wider Dubois County area into an active rural community of faith. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses across both churches, an extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedule in the Sacred Heart Adoration Chapel, faith formation for grades K–12, an active high-school youth group, and dozens of ministries from the Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul Society to the Quilters, Christian Mothers, St. Anne's Sodality, and the Cemetery committee. Whether a parishioner is drawn to traditional devotions like the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to service through CARE or funeral dinners, or to forming their children in the faith, there is a long-standing group ready to welcome them.
Mass times at Divine Mercy Parish - St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM (before Mass at St. Anthony of Padua)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:25 PM (before Vigil Mass, October–March)
Adoration times
- Mondays & Tuesdays 12:00 noon – 9:00 PM in the Sacred Heart Church Adoration Chapel
- Per parish schedule: Monday 12:00 noon – 11:00 PM at Sacred Heart Parish Chapel
- Thursday 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM at Sacred Heart Parish Chapel
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 12:00 noon – 10:00 PM at Sacred Heart Parish Chapel
Welcome to Divine Mercy Parish
Divine Mercy Parish is a two-campus Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Evansville, formed in 2003 by the merger of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Saint Anthony, Indiana, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Schnellville, Indiana. The parish office is located at 4444 S Ohio Street in St. Anthony, and the parish community gathers for Mass, Adoration, faith formation, and fellowship across both campuses. The parish is led by Administrator Fr. Jose Thomas, with Deacon Charlie Johnson assisting in ministry, and a staff that includes a Parish Catechetical Leader, Secretary, and Bookkeeper.
- Parish Office: 4444 S Ohio Street, St. Anthony, IN 47575
- Parish Phone: 812-326-2777
- Pastor: Fr. Jose Thomas, Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon: Charlie Johnson ([email protected])
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Janie Kempf ([email protected])
- Secretary: Wilma Wendholt ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Karen Wendholt ([email protected])
Our Parish Office Hours
The Parish Office at 4444 S Ohio Street serves both campuses and is open Monday through Thursday with a half-day Monday and closed Fridays.
- Mondays: 8:00 AM – Noon
- Tuesdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Fridays: Closed
St. Anthony of Padua Church — Saint Anthony, IN
St. Anthony of Padua Church is the Saint Anthony campus of the parish, located at 4444 S Ohio Street. It hosts the primary Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM and a weekday Mass on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM, preceded by devotional prayers beginning at 5:15 PM.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM (October–March)
- Sunday: 10:00 AM
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM (Adoration, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Benediction begin at 5:15 PM)
- Thursday: 8:00 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church — Schnellville, IN
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church is the Schnellville campus of the parish, located at 2504 Walnut Street in Schnellville, Indiana. It hosts a Saturday Vigil Mass in the warmer months and weekday Masses throughout the year.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM (April–September)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM (Adoration, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Benediction begin at 5:15 PM)
- Friday: 8:00 AM
History of Divine Mercy Parish
Divine Mercy Parish was formed in 2003 by the merger of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Saint Anthony, Indiana, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Schnellville, Indiana. Both congregations trace their roots to Catholic pioneers in Dubois County, and their union created a single parish family that today celebrates Mass, Adoration, and the sacraments across two historic church buildings. The parish has continued to grow its youth ministry, devotional life, and outreach, and its 2013 founding of the merged G2 Youth Group marked an important step in bringing high-school-age parishioners together from both campuses.
- Parish merger: 2003
- G2 Youth Group founded: 2013 under Fr. Tim Tenbarge
Formation & Education
Divine Mercy Parish is committed to forming young Catholics in the faith from kindergarten through high school. Religious Education classes are held during the school year and are coordinated by Parish Catechetical Leader Janie Kempf.
Religious Education (K–12)
The Religious Education program at Divine Mercy Parish offers faith formation for children and teens in grades K–12 during the school year. Families interested in enrolling their children can contact Janie Kempf at extension 2.
- Grades served: K–12
- Contact: Janie Kempf, Parish Catechetical Leader
- Phone: 812-326-2777 ext. 2
- Email: [email protected]
G2 Youth Group (Grades 9–12)
The G2 Youth Group is Divine Mercy Parish's high-school youth ministry, named for Saint Maria Goretti and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saints of female and male youth. It was created in 2013 by merging the separate youth groups of St. Anthony of Padua and Sacred Heart of Jesus under the guidance of Fr. Tim Tenbarge, and it is led by Kelly Schroering, Jeff & Lindsay Verkamp, and Diane Verkamp. The group runs children's games at the Parish Picnic and a Silent Auction in November, and its main fundraiser is making and selling mock turtle soup in the Spring. Funds raised support senior scholarships, diocesan youth formations, and an annual fun outing.
- Grades: 9–12
- Founded: 2013 under Fr. Tim Tenbarge
- Supervisors: Kelly Schroering, Jeff & Lindsay Verkamp, Diane Verkamp
- Fundraisers: Parish Picnic children's games, Silent Auction, Spring mock turtle soup sale
Liturgy of the Word (Ages 3–6)
Liturgy of the Word is offered for the youngest members of the parish at the Sunday morning 10:00 AM Mass at the St. Anthony of Padua Church campus from September through May, serving children ages three to six.
- Ages served: 3–6
- Schedule: Sundays 10:00 AM (September–May)
- Location: St. Anthony of Padua Church campus
Parish Life — Commissions and Council
Divine Mercy Parish is governed by a Parish Council — the principal governing body, subject to the canonical authority of the pastor and the bishop — and supported by several commissions that oversee the various aspects of parish life. The Parish Council meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the Parish Center on the St. Anthony of Padua campus, and all parish members are welcome to attend.
- Parish Council Chairperson: Tom Brames
- Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 PM, Parish Center (St. Anthony campus)
- Catechesis & Religious Formation: Janie Kempf
- Evangelization Outreach
- Liturgy & House of Prayer: Matt Mehling
- Buildings & Grounds: Jon Hurst (St. Anthony campus), Mark Fischer (Sacred Heart campus)
- Communications: Steve Hauser (bulletin, newsletter, directory, website, Facebook)
- Finance
Sacraments
Divine Mercy Parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and supports parishioners at every stage of life, from infant Baptism through marriage, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Funeral Liturgy. The parish offers Baptismal Preparation, Marriage Preparation, and RCIA for adults seeking to enter the Church, and its Religious Education program prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation.
- Baptism — with Baptism Afghan Crocheting and Baptismal Preparation
- Marriage — Marriage Preparation ministry
- RCIA — for adults entering the Church
- First Communion and Confirmation — through Religious Education
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound Ministry
- Funeral Liturgies — with Funeral Dinners
Parish Ministries & Groups
Divine Mercy Parish invites parishioners to share their time and talents through dozens of ministries, whether by participating in Mass as a liturgical minister, supporting youth, or helping fellow parishioners in need. The Parish Involvement page lists the full current roster of ministries and groups.
- Adult Cross Bearers
- Altar Servers
- Baptism Afghan Crocheting
- Baptismal Preparation
- CARE
- Cemetery
- Choir
- Christian Mothers
- Church Cleaners
- Church Decorators
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Events
- Funeral Dinners
- Health Ministry
- Homebound Ministers
- Intercessory Prayer Line
- Knights of Columbus
- Liturgical Readers
- Marriage Preparation
- Money Counters
- Offertory Gift Bearers
- Parish Commissions
- Parish Picnic
- Pre-Mass Rosary
- Quilters
- RCIA
- Religious Education Teachers
- Sacristans
- Snow Removal
- St. Anne's Sodality
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Supper & Silent Auction
- Ushers
- Vacation Bible School
- Youth Group (G2)
- Youth Group Leaders
Parish Life — Prayer and Outreach
The parish sustains a vibrant prayer and outreach life. The Intercessory Prayer Line is staffed by Pat Fleck (812-482-5480) and Sara Betz (812-630-9720) for those in need of immediate prayers. The CARE ministry, Health Ministry, Homebound Ministers, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Funeral Dinners extend the parish's care to the sick, homebound, grieving, and those in material need.
- Intercessory Prayer Line: Pat Fleck (812-482-5480), Sara Betz (812-630-9720)
- CARE Ministry
- Health Ministry
- Homebound Ministers
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Funeral Dinners
- Christian Mothers
- St. Anne's Sodality
- Knights of Columbus
Contact Divine Mercy Parish
Parishioners and visitors can reach Divine Mercy Parish through the Parish Office in Saint Anthony.
- Address: 4444 S Ohio Street, PO Box 98, St. Anthony, IN 47575
- Phone: 812-326-2777
- Website: https://www.divinemercyduco.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Tim Tenbarge
Guided the formation of the merged G2 Youth Group in 2013 from the two former parish youth groups