About Notre Dame Catholic Parish · Denver, Colorado
Notre Dame Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in southwest Denver, Colorado, founded in 1957 by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr and named by its founding pastor, Father Koontz, after his favorite college football team — the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame. Located at the corner of South Sheridan Boulevard and West Evans Avenue, the parish serves the Harvey Park, Bear Creek, and east Lakewood neighborhoods with a church, school, parish offices, and a wide range of ministries. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Denver and is currently pastored by Fr. Peter Mussett, with a parochial vicar and a dedicated lay staff running its faith formation, school, and outreach programs.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Our Lady (Notre Dame / Our Lady)
- Rector
- Fr. Peter Mussett
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Notre Dame is a long-established southwest Denver parish with a 65+ year history of building community in Harvey Park, Bear Creek, and east Lakewood. Parishioners of all ages can plug into more than a dozen active ministries — from faith formation for children pre-K through high school, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and the parish school, to liturgical ministries (lectors, altar servers, cantors, sacristans, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion), prayer groups like the Militia Immaculata and the Notre Dame Prayer Vine, and outreach efforts through the Knights of Columbus, the Respect Life Ministry, and Communion for the Sick and Homebound. With daily and weekend Masses, weekday Confession and Adoration, and a friendly welcome from greeters and ushers, it is a place where Catholics can grow in faith, serve their neighbors, and belong.
Mass times at Notre Dame Catholic Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (schedule subject to change for funerals — check the parish adoration calendar)
History of Notre Dame Catholic Parish
Notre Dame Catholic Parish in southwest Denver was founded on August 14, 1957, when Archbishop Urban J. Vehr established the community on a former prairie lot at the corner of Sheridan Boulevard and Evans Avenue. The founding pastor, Father Koontz, named the parish after his favorite college football team — the Fightin' Irish — and the community has carried the name ever since. From its first public Mass celebrated at Kunsmiller Junior High School in October 1957, the parish quickly grew: a new church was built in 1958, dedicated by Archbishop Vehr on January 13, 1959, and the parish school opened in 1966. Over more than sixty years, Notre Dame has built a church, school, rectory, convent, and gymnasium — but, as its own history page notes, 'nothing it has built is more lasting and/or more important than the strong Catholic community constructed in the lives of her parishioners.'
- 1957 (Aug 14) – Archbishop Urban J. Vehr founds Notre Dame Catholic Parish
- 1957 (Oct 13) – First public parish Mass at Kunsmiller Junior High School
- 1957 (Oct 24) – Groundbreaking for parish buildings
- 1958 – First Mass in the new church (Christmas Midnight Mass)
- 1959 (Jan 13) – Archbishop Vehr dedicates Notre Dame Church
- 1966 – Notre Dame Catholic School opens
- 1968 – Father Koontz breaks ground on the rectory
- 1974 – School gymnasium built
- 1994 – Church renovation
- 2017 – Former rectory renovated into parish offices
- 2022 – 65th Anniversary celebrated with Archbishop Aquila
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently pastored by Fr. Peter Mussett, with Fr. Joe Grady serving as parochial vicar. Two deacons — Deacon Philip McNulty and Deacon Ernie Martinez — assist with liturgical and pastoral ministry. The parish is supported by a robust lay staff including Greg Caudle (Principal), Megan Dillon (Director of Mission Advancement), Evan Randolph (Head Sacristan), Lauren Droege (Parish Secretary), Laura Gillette (Pastoral Associate), Dominique Fresquez (Director of Religious Education), Marta Wozny (Bookkeeper), Kevin Harder (Director of IT), Jarett Pemberton (Finance Manager), and Dave Pierson (Maintenance).
- Pastor: Fr. Peter Mussett
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Joe Grady
- Deacon Philip McNulty
- Deacon Ernie Martinez
- Principal: Greg Caudle
- Director of Mission Advancement: Megan Dillon
- Director of Religious Education: Dominique Fresquez
- Pastoral Associate: Laura Gillette
- Parish Secretary: Lauren Droege
- Head Sacristan: Evan Randolph
- Finance Manager: Jarett Pemberton
- Bookkeeper: Marta Wozny
- Director of IT: Kevin Harder
- Maintenance: Dave Pierson
Ministries and Get Involved
Notre Dame offers a wide range of opportunities for parishioners to serve the Church and one another. Liturgical ministries include altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, cantors, accompanists, instrumentalists, and decorators for the major liturgical seasons. Hospitality and outreach are provided by greeters, ushers, Coffee and Donuts volunteers, the Knights of Columbus, and the Respect Life Ministry. Prayer groups include the Militia Immaculata (devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the spirituality of St. Maximilian Kolbe), the Notre Dame Prayer Vine, and SAND — Seniors at Notre Dame. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application, grant authorization for a background check, and complete safe environment training.
- Liturgy: Altar Servers, Lectors, EMOCs, Sacristans, Cantors, Accompanists, Instrumentalists, Decorators
- Hospitality: Greeters, Ushers, Coffee and Donuts
- Prayer: Militia Immaculata, Notre Dame Prayer Vine, SAND (Seniors 55+)
- Outreach: Knights of Columbus, Respect Life Ministry, Communion for the Sick and Homebound
- Other: Stitchers, Serra International, Photographers, Offertory Counters, Receptionists, Stuffers, Launderers, Cleaners
Faith Formation
Notre Dame's Faith Formation program serves children from pre-K through high school, as well as adults preparing to become Catholic through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Catechists and aides are needed to teach the faith to children, and OCIA sponsors walk with inquirers as they learn about and embrace the Catholic faith. The parish also runs a Bible study ministry and other adult faith formation offerings.
- Faith Formation classes for children pre-K through high school
- Adult faith formation offerings
- OCIA classes for those becoming Catholic
- Catechist and Catechist's Aide opportunities
- OCIA Sponsors program
- Women's Bible Study (see parish calendar for current schedule)
Notre Dame Catholic School
Notre Dame Catholic School has been an integral part of the parish since opening its doors in 1966. At its peak the school enrolled more than 500 students and has long been central to the parish's ministry to children and families. The school welcomes volunteers in the cafeteria, library, and classrooms, as well as weekly tutors in math and reading. The school office is located at 2175 S Zenobia St, Denver, CO 80219, and can be reached at (303) 935-3549.
- Opened 1966
- Once enrolled over 500 students
- School gymnasium added 1974
- Located at 2175 S Zenobia St, Denver, CO 80219
- Phone: (303) 935-3549
- Principal: Greg Caudle
Contact and Campus
The Notre Dame parish campus is anchored at the corner of S. Sheridan Boulevard and W. Evans Avenue. The church is located at 2190 S Sheridan Blvd, the parish (pastoral) offices at 5100 W Evans Ave, and the school at 2175 S Zenobia St. Parish office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone at (303) 935-3900, and after-hours sacramental emergencies are handled at (303) 935-3540.
- Church: 2190 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
- Pastoral Office: 5100 W Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80219 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
- School: 2175 S Zenobia St, Denver, CO 80219 (Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- Parish Phone: (303) 935-3900
- School Phone: (303) 935-3549
- Sacramental Emergency (after hours): (303) 935-3540
Sacraments and Sacramental Emergencies
Beyond regular Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules, Notre Dame offers the Anointing of the Sick by request — parishioners can call the parish office at (303) 935-3900 to request a priest. For after-hours sacramental emergencies, a dedicated line is available at (303) 935-3540, ensuring that the dying and others in urgent need can receive the sacraments at any hour.
- Anointing of the Sick by request — call (303) 935-3900
- After-Hours Sacramental Emergency — call (303) 935-3540
- Confession: Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or by appointment
- OCIA for those entering the Catholic Church
Community and Neighborhood
Notre Dame Parish has long served the families of southwest Denver — particularly the Harvey Park, Bear Creek, and east Lakewood neighborhoods — and has been recognized historically as a 'shining light on a hill' for its service to the poor, its welcome of Vietnamese refugees, and its care for the handicapped. The parish continues to invest in community renewal projects such as the redevelopment of the Pietà Plaza and ongoing evangelization efforts.
- Serves Harvey Park, Bear Creek, and east Lakewood
- Historically known for welcoming Vietnamese refugees
- Recognized for ministry to the handicapped and to the poor
- Pietà Plaza redevelopment underway as of 2022 anniversary plans
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Koontz1957 –
Founding pastor; named the parish after his favorite college football team, the Fighting Irish. Broke ground on the rectory in 1968.
- Msgr. Ed Buelt
Pastor who led the 65th anniversary celebrations in 2022 and was overseeing planning for the redevelopment of the Pietà Plaza, a Called and Gifted workshop, a ministry and stewardship fair, and an evangelization door-to-door campaign.