About Good Shepherd · Evansville, Indiana
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic faith community on the northeast side of Evansville, Indiana, in the Diocese of Evansville. The parish began its work in 1955, with construction of its church and school on Stockwell Road beginning in 1958 and the facilities opening in May 1959. Good Shepherd includes both a parish church and a Catholic elementary school (one of 22 in the diocese) sharing the same campus at 2301 N Stockwell Road. The community gathers for daily and weekend Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, religious education and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), and is currently served by Very Rev. Zachary J. Etienne as pastor and Deacon Dan DeCastra.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Zachary J. Etienne
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
Good Shepherd is a long-established Catholic community on Evansville's northeast side that pairs a parish church with a Catholic elementary school on the same Stockwell Road campus. Worshippers can take advantage of daily Mass (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings/evenings), Saturday vigil and two Sunday morning Masses, weekly and monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a Reconciliation schedule including a regular third-Sunday ARISE holy hour. Families can enroll children in Good Shepherd Catholic School (which absorbed students from neighboring St. Theresa School in 2015) or the parish Religious Education program, and adults can journey through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). A parish council, youth ministry, altar servers, lectors, ushers, choir and other lay ministries give plenty of ways to plug into parish life.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:00 AM – 7:20 AM
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:20 AM
- 3rd Sunday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ARISE)
- Also available by appointment (in the Reconciliation Room)
Adoration times
- Weekly: Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM
- Monthly: 2nd Wednesday — 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (June/July/August); 8:00 AM – Noon (or 1:00 PM depending on volunteers) the rest of the year
- 3rd Sunday: 6:40 PM – 8:00 PM ARISE Holy Hour (Adoration, Reconciliation, Intercession, Scripture)
About Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Good Shepherd began its work as a Catholic faith community in 1955 on Evansville's northeast side. The parish church and school were built in 1958 and opened in May 1959. Today the parish shares a Stockwell Road campus with Good Shepherd Catholic School and serves more than 1,100 families in the Diocese of Evansville. The parish mission is to live Christ's word daily through worship, stewardship, faith formation, Catholic schools, family life and social outreach.
Parish Staff and Leadership
Good Shepherd is pastored by Very Rev. Zachary J. Etienne, who was ordained June 5, 2004 and has served as pastor of the parish since 2010; he is also Moderator of All Saints Parish, Evansville and Dean of the South Deanery of the diocese. Deacon Dan DeCastra assists at the parish and coordinates Religious Education. A Parish Council, chaired by the pastor and including elected lay members, supports discernment and governance. Dr. Anne Marie Williams serves as Council Secretary and Tim Seprodi as Finance Officer.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Zachary J. Etienne
- Deacon: Dan DeCastra (also Religious Education Coordinator)
- Parish Council Secretary: Dr. Anne Marie Williams
- Finance Officer: Tim Seprodi
- Council members (2023–2028 terms): Greg Freyberger, Natalie Kropfl, Diane Norman, Al Bragin, Sarah Ice, Mykeal Wigger, Taylor Blanchard, Cheryl Shafer, David Ubelhor
Faith Formation
The parish operates a Religious Education program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, in partnership with parents as the first teachers of the faith. Classes meet Sundays from August through April each year. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) walks inquirers through the Catholic faith from October to Easter. Confirmation preparation begins in May for tenth-grade students, with the Sacrament typically conferred in November.
- Religious Education (K–8) — contact Deacon Dan DeCastra, [email protected]
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — contact Sue Kroupa, [email protected] or 812-449-3740
- Confirmation preparation for 10th graders
- Rite of Elect celebrated during the OCIA process
Youth Ministry and Liturgical Volunteers
Good Shepherd has an active youth ministry page and welcomes young people in fifth through twelfth grades to serve at weekend Masses. Training is offered each fall or by appointment through the parish office. High-school-age volunteers can assist as adult leaders in the program.
- Youth Ministry (grades 5–12)
- Servers for Weekend Masses (altar servers training each fall)
- Adult leader opportunities for high-school-age volunteers
Other Parish Ministries
Beyond faith formation and youth work, the parish lists opportunities to serve as lectors, ushers, choir and music ministry, the Family Life Commission, faith formation teams and Summer Social Committees. Parish Council and the Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee offer ways to shape the direction of the parish.
- Lectors (volunteer)
- Ushers
- Music Ministry / Choir
- Parish Council
- Family Life Commission
- Faith Formation Teams
- Summer Social Committees
- Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Good Shepherd Catholic School is a four-star, A-rated school on a 10-acre site on Stockwell Road. It is one of 22 Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Evansville and shares its campus with the parish church. The school absorbed students from neighboring St. Theresa School when that school closed in 2015. The Little Rams Preschool program was launched in 2012 and expanded in 2019 with two learning cottages that nearly doubled enrollment.
- Located on the same 10-acre Stockwell Road campus as the parish
- One of 22 Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Evansville
- Little Rams Preschool established 2012, expanded 2019
- Linked with St. Theresa Parish; absorbed students when St. Theresa School closed in 2015
- Phone: (812) 476-4477
Sacraments
Good Shepherd prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage. Reconciliation is offered on a regular weekly schedule plus a monthly ARISE session and by appointment. The OCIA process welcomes adults into full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptism preparation
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (10th grade)
- Marriage preparation
- Reconciliation — see schedule; also by appointment
- OCIA for adults entering the Catholic Church
Parish Life, Outreach and Fundraising
Stewardship, social outreach, and family life are core pillars of the parish. The Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes host a monthly BINGO fundraiser, and the parish livestreams Mass for those at home. A long-range strategic planning committee continues to guide campus improvements.
- Stewardship commitment
- Social outreach
- Family Life Commission
- Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes monthly BINGO
- Livestream Mass on YouTube
- Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee
- Online giving via WeShare
Visit, Contact and Office Information
The parish office is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, closed for lunch daily, and closed on weekends. The church and school share the address 2301 N Stockwell Rd, Evansville, IN 47715. Parish phone is (812) 477-5405 with fax (812) 469-2907; the school phone is (812) 476-4477.
- Address: 2301 N Stockwell Rd, Evansville, IN 47715
- Parish phone: (812) 477-5405; Fax: (812) 469-2907
- School phone: (812) 476-4477
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Office closed for lunch daily and closed Sat/Sun
- Video surveillance in use on campus for safety
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Zachary J. Etienne2010–present
Ordained June 5, 2004. Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish since 2010. Also serves as Moderator of All Saints Parish, Evansville, and Dean of the South Deanery of the Diocese of Evansville. Prior assignments included St. Joseph Parish in Jasper and St. Mary Parish in Ireland.