About Holy Rosary · Evansville, Indiana
Holy Rosary Catholic Church (formally, the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church) is a large Roman Catholic parish located on Evansville's east side at 1301 S. Green River Rd. Founded in 1950 by 61 charter members who petitioned Bishop Henry Grimelsman, it has grown into the second-largest parish in the Diocese of Evansville with more than 1,200 registered families and roughly 3,300 parishioners. The parish serves a bilingual community with weekly Mass in English and Spanish, runs a parish school (Holy Rosary Catholic School), and is led today by Father Bernard (Bernie) Etienne as Pastor and Father Martín Estrada as Associate Pastor.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Most Holy Rosary)
- Rector
- Rev. Bernard (Bernie) Etienne
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is the second-largest parish in the Diocese of Evansville, with a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic community of more than 1,200 families on Evansville's east side. Parishioners can worship at multiple daily and weekend Masses (including a Sunday Spanish Mass), send their children to the parish's own Catholic school and Totten Hall preschool, and grow through robust faith-formation offerings for every age — Children's Religious Education, Sacramental Preparation, OCIA, Youth Ministry for grades 6–12, and adult Bible studies and Faith with Friends small groups. Outliving its modest 1950 beginnings, the parish carries forward a strong Catholic-school tradition once staffed by Benedictine sisters, and still offers ministries for marriage enrichment, Club 55+, grief support, blood drives, the Gabriel Project, St. Vincent de Paul, and more.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00–5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00–5:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:00–4:00 PM
- Other times by appointment (call Parish Office 812-477-8923)
Parish History
Holy Rosary traces its roots to 1950, when 61 charter families petitioned Bishop Henry Grimelsman, the first Bishop of Evansville, to create a new parish on the city's growing east side. A temporary church was built that same year and a parish school opened September 8, 1953. The current permanent church was dedicated in 1975, and the original 'temporary' building was renovated in 1995 and now houses the school's computer lab, science lab, and library. Today Holy Rosary is the second-largest parish in the Diocese of Evansville, with more than 1,200 registered families and roughly 3,300 parishioners.
- Founded 1950 by 61 charter families
- Permanent church dedicated 1975
- Original 1950 building renovated 1995 into school labs/library
- Parish school opened September 8, 1953
- 2nd largest parish in the Diocese of Evansville
- 1,200+ registered families; ~3,300 parishioners
- Celebrated 70th anniversary in 2020
Founding Pastor: Monsignor Maurelius Bilskie
Monsignor Maurelius Bilskie, ordained on June 5, 1943 by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter and said his first Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Evansville on June 6, 1943, was assigned to Holy Rosary in 1950 and became its founding pastor. He led the parish for more than 30 years, was named a Prelate of Honor (Reverend Monsignor) on October 21, 1980, retired as pastor on July 1, 1982, and continued as Pastor Emeritus until March 1, 2002. He died on November 18, 2006 at age 92.
- Ordained June 5, 1943, by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter
- Founding pastor of Holy Rosary, 1950
- Named Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) Oct. 21, 1980
- Retired July 1, 1982; Pastor Emeritus until March 1, 2002
- Lived in the basement of the parish office building rather than move to the priests' residence
- Died November 18, 2006, at age 92
Pastoral Staff
Holy Rosary is led today by Father Bernard (Bernie) Etienne as Pastor and Father Martín Estrada as Associate Pastor. Father Etienne, a 1993 ordinand for the Diocese of Evansville, has been pastor since 2006 and also serves as Vicar General of the diocese. Father Estrada, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, came to the diocese in 2017 and was ordained May 25, 2019 by Bishop Siegel.
- Pastor: Rev. Bernard (Bernie) Etienne (since 2006; Vicar General since 2011)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Martín Estrada (ordained May 25, 2019)
- Director of Religious Education: Carol Ann (812-477-8923 x225)
- Stewardship Director: Christine Gilles
- Adult Formation contact: Sandra Bazaldúa ([email protected], 812-567-2525)
- Adult Formation / Bible Study: Bill Groves (812-499-3255)
Mission Statement
Holy Rosary Catholic Church describes itself as 'a faith community of disciples of Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to know, love and serve God on our pilgrim journey to the kingdom of heaven.' As disciples, parishioners embrace four obligations: lifelong learning and sharing the faith, constant prayer and worship, loving neighbor — especially the poor, sick, and stranger — and being good stewards of God's gifts.
- To learn lifelong about God's truth and share it with children and the wider community
- To constantly thank God in prayer and worship
- To demonstrate love of God by love of neighbor (poor, sick, stranger)
- To be good stewards of God's extraordinary gifts
Parish School and Preschool
Holy Rosary Catholic School, which shares the parish campus on S. Green River Rd, opened September 8, 1953 and was originally staffed entirely by Benedictine sisters from the Monastery of Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana. Today the school is staffed by lay men and women, but the Benedictine tradition of 'Prayer and Work' and the motto 'Christ is the reason for this school' remain central. The school has expanded with eight additional classrooms in 1961, a wing with gym, kindergarten rooms, and offices in 1988, and a renovated Children's Center for preschoolers in 2001. The parish also operates Totten Hall Preschool.
- School opened September 8, 1953
- Originally staffed by Benedictine sisters from Ferdinand, Indiana
- Lay staffing today; 'Christ is the reason for this school'
- Classrooms added 1961; gym/office wing 1988; Children's Center 2001
- Totten Hall Preschool on campus
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs a full formation program for every age. Children's Religious Education meets on Sundays from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM in the school classrooms for children age 5 through Grade 8, with drop-off and pick-up required each week. Sacramental Preparation includes Baptism of Children, First Reconciliation/First Communion (typically Grade 2), and Confirmation (Grades 10+, English and Spanish). Vacation Bible School welcomes children age 4 through Grade 4 each June for 4–5 days of games, worship, and learning.
- Children's Classroom Sessions — Sundays 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (age 5–Grade 8)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion (Grade 2 and older)
- Confirmation — Grades 10+, English and Spanish
- Baptism Preparation Class for Parents (English and Spanish)
- Liturgy of the Word for Children during 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Family Formation Days (open to all parish families)
- Vacation Bible School (age 4–Grade 4, one week each June)
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the parish's process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, whether unbaptized, baptized non-Catholic, or Catholic adults still needing First Communion or Confirmation. An English-language OCIA Inquiry meets Mondays at 6:30 PM; a Spanish-language Exploring Catholicism (Inquiry) session meets Wednesdays from 6:30–8:00 PM in the Parish Hall after the 6 PM Spanish Mass.
- OCIA Inquiry (English) — Mondays at 6:30 PM
- Exploring Catholicism / OCIA (Spanish) — Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM after 6 PM Mass
- Adult Confirmation available
- Contact: Carol Ann (DRE) for English; Sandra Bazaldúa for Spanish
Adult Formation and Small Groups
Adults at Holy Rosary can continue their faith formation through Bible and Topical Study Groups (using study guides, discussion, and video), Faith with Friends small groups that help participants grow in accountability, and Take-Home Bible Studies for individual or family use. Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 8:00 AM. The parish also recommends a curated set of formation resources online.
- Bible & Topical Study Groups
- Faith with Friends small groups
- Take-Home Bible Studies
- Thursday Bible Study at 8:00 AM
- Contact: Bill Groves (812-499-3255)
Youth Ministry — EMPOWERED
EMPOWERED is Holy Rosary's youth ministry for students in Grades 6–12, meeting bilingually in English and Spanish. High School EMPOWERED sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM (listed on the parish calendar), with Confirmation preparation also part of youth ministry for grades 10 and older.
- Grades 6–12
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
- Wednesdays 6:00 PM (High School EMPOWERED)
- Confirmation preparation for Grades 10+
Family Engagement
Family Engagement at Holy Rosary gathers parents and children to grow together in faith through prayer, worship, activities, and service, supplementing the Sacramental Preparation already offered. Events are publicized in the bulletin, on the parish Facebook page, via Flocknote emails/texts, and through school and religious-ed communications. The 'Children's Revival of Participation at Sunday Mass,' funded by a grant from Saint Meinrad, encourages children to take on various roles during Mass. A Family Faith Advent Day features activity stations for families to explore the season.
- Family Faith Advent Day with activity stations
- Children's Revival of Participation at Sunday Mass (Saint Meinrad grant)
- Events publicized via bulletin, Facebook, Flocknote, and school communications
Marriage and Family Life
Marriage Enrichment is a listed ministry of the parish, and Grace Marriage is offered as a formation opportunity to help couples deepen their relationship and faith together. The parish also supports young families through the Totten Hall Preschool and Children's Center on campus.
- Marriage Enrichment program
- Grace Marriage
- Totten Hall Preschool / Children's Center for younger children
Outreach, Charity, and Senior Ministry
The parish operates or hosts several outreach and fellowship ministries. The Gabriel Project meets on the second Wednesday at 9:30 AM to walk with expectant mothers in need. The local St. Vincent de Paul conference meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM (every other week) to assist those struggling in the community. The parish also hosts a regular Blood Drive, offers a Grief Support ministry, and runs Club 55+ for parishioners age 55 and beyond.
- Gabriel Project — 2nd Wednesday, 9:30 AM
- St. Vincent de Paul — Wednesdays, 6:30 PM (every other week)
- Blood Drive (listed on parish calendar)
- Grief Support
- Club 55+ for parishioners 55 and older
Women's Cursillo Groups
The parish supports two Women's Cursillo small groups — one in English and one in Spanish — providing fellowship and ongoing spiritual formation for women in the parish.
- Women's Cursillo Group (English) — Mondays at 5:00 PM
- Women's Cursillo Group (Spanish) — Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Visiting and Getting Involved
Holy Rosary welcomes new and returning Catholics. Visitors can find Mass and Reconciliation times via the floating 'Mass Times' button in the lower-left of the website. The Parish Office is at Door #12 on the north side of the building, with a call button to reach staff during office hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM). Parking is available in the front lot, the larger rear lot via Monroe Ave, the Annex lot at 1167 S. Green River Rd, or across the street at Washington Square Mall using the marked crosswalk. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic is invited to OCIA Inquiry, and anyone wanting to register their family or learn more is encouraged to reach out to the Parish Office.
- Office: Door #12 (north side), Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Phone: 812-477-8923
- Front lot, rear lot (Monroe Ave to Door #13), Annex lot, Washington Square Mall lot
- OCIA Inquiry for those becoming Catholic
- Flocknote emails/texts, bulletin, and Facebook for parish updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Maurelius Bilskie1950 – 1982 (Pastor); 1982 – 2002 (Pastor Emeritus)
Founding pastor; ordained June 1943 by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter; assigned to Holy Rosary in 1950; named Prelate of Honor (Reverend Monsignor) on Oct. 21, 1980; retired as pastor July 1, 1982; died Nov. 18, 2006, at age 92.
- Rev. Bernard (Bernie) Etienne2006 – present
Ordained June 5, 1993; alumni of Indiana University (B.S. Marketing, 1981) and St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (STB, M.Div., 1993); served as Pastor of St. Joseph, Princeton, and Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City, before Holy Rosary; also Vicar General of the Diocese of Evansville since September 2011.