About Sacred Heart · Warsaw, Indiana
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Warsaw, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The parish traces its origins to 1877, when the first Sacred Heart Church was dedicated on Market Street; the congregation moved to its present home on Harrison Street in 1947. Today Sacred Heart serves more than 800 families, runs Sacred Heart School (founded 1957), and offers a robust sacramental life including daily and Sunday Masses, a wide confession schedule, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a parish school. The current pastor is Father Jonathan Norton, assisted by Father Francis Mwanje, parochial vicar, together with a team of lay staff leading faith formation, youth ministry, music, and operations.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Jonathan Norton
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a parish that has grown from 30 founding families to more than 800 households, and it shows in the life it offers: daily and Sunday Masses, six scheduled confession times a week, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with First Friday/Saturday overnight adoration in the chapel, a parish school (K–6) and a religious education program serving more than 200 children. Add in OCIA/RCIA, baptism and marriage prep, youth ministry, small groups, and a parish St. Vincent de Paul conference for those needing rent or utility help, and Sacred Heart gives Catholic families in Warsaw a full, welcoming place to practice the Faith together.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
- Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- First Friday: 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM (overnight adoration; 6–7 PM in church, 7 PM–7:45 AM in chapel, code 2009)
- First Saturday: 12:00 AM – 7:45 AM (overnight adoration in chapel)
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Parish traces its roots to 1877, when the original Sacred Heart Church was dedicated on the Feast of the Sacred Heart in June of that year on Market Street in downtown Warsaw. The parish relocated to its current site on Harrison Street in 1947, and a new sanctuary on that property was dedicated in May 1987.
- 1877 — first church dedicated on Market Street
- 1947 — move to present Harrison Street location
- May 1987 — new church dedicated at Harrison Street site
- Began with 30 families; now more than 800
Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School opened in 1957 with grades 1–3 and added a grade each year until sixth grade was in place. The school expanded again in 2008–2009, adding four new classrooms in January 2009 alongside the church expansion. The school now serves preschool through sixth grade and shares the parish campus on Harrison Street.
- Founded 1957 (grades 1–3)
- Preschool through 6th grade
- Four new classrooms added January 2009
- Principal: Mike McClain
Parish Staff & Clergy
Sacred Heart is led by Father Jonathan Norton, pastor, with Father Francis Mwanje serving as parochial vicar. A team of lay staff coordinates faith formation, youth ministry, music, facilities, communications, and parish business operations.
- Father Jonathan Norton — Pastor
- Father Francis Mwanje — Parochial Vicar
- Mike McClain — School Principal
- Ida List — Director of Music/Liturgy
- Noemi Bautista — Director of Religious Education / Confirmation / Youth Ministry
- Allison Dolby — Associate Youth Minister / Bulletin / Communications Director; also Facilities Director per contact page
- Evan Lamar — Coordinator of Baptism Prep / Adult Faith Formation / Small Groups / Marriage Prep / OCIA
- Tom Ford — Receptionist / Mass Intentions
- Cathy Smith — Receptionist / Mass Intentions
- Dan Rios — Business Manager
Faith Formation & Youth
Director of Religious Education Noemi Bautista oversees the parish religious education and Confirmation program, which serves more than 200 children. Allison Dolby serves as Associate Youth Minister, and Evan Lamar coordinates OCIA (the adult Christian initiation process, sometimes still called RCIA), Adult Faith Formation, Small Groups, and Marriage Preparation.
- Religious Education & Confirmation (Noemi Bautista)
- Youth Ministry (Noemi Bautista & Allison Dolby)
- OCIA / RCIA (Evan Lamar)
- Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups (Evan Lamar)
- Marriage Preparation (Evan Lamar)
Sacraments
In addition to daily and Sunday Mass, Sacred Heart regularly celebrates the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and Reconciliation. Couples preparing for marriage, parents bringing children for Baptism, and adults seeking initiation or full communion with the Catholic Church are invited to contact the parish office to begin preparation.
- Baptism & Baptism Prep — Evan Lamar
- Marriage & Marriage Prep — Evan Lamar
- Confirmation — Religious Ed / Confirmation program
- Reconciliation — six weekly times (see above)
- Eucharist — Sunday and weekday Masses
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music are coordinated by Ida List, Director of Music/Liturgy, who supports the sung prayer of the parish at weekend Masses, holy days, and special celebrations throughout the liturgical year.
- Director of Music/Liturgy: Ida List
- Hospitality Desk available after each weekend Mass
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul
Sacred Heart hosts a local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Parishioners in Warsaw needing help with rent or utilities are invited to call the SVdP voicemail line directly at 574-385-2583 and leave a name, number, and best time to be reached.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society conference at Sacred Heart
- Rent / utility assistance hotline: 574-385-2583
Getting Involved
Newcomers and returning parishioners are invited to fill out the parish's online "Connect with Us" form or stop by the Hospitality Desk after any weekend Mass. A Promotions Request Form is also available for ministry leaders who want events advertised through parish communications (submitted at least three weeks in advance).
- Online "Connect with Us" form on the parish website
- Hospitality Desk after each weekend Mass
- Promotions Request Form (Google Form on the parish site)
Visit & Contact
Sacred Heart's church and school sit at 125 N. Harrison St., Warsaw, IN 46580. The parish/office mailing address is 124 N. Lindberg Dr., Warsaw, IN 46580. The office is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, and Tuesday 12:00 PM–3:30 PM.
- Church & School: 125 N. Harrison St., Warsaw, IN 46580
- Office: 124 N. Lindberg Dr., Warsaw, IN 46580
- Phone: 574-267-5842
- Office hours: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 9:00 AM–3:30 PM; Tue 12:00 PM–3:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Philip (Phil) DeVolder1988–1995
First tenure as pastor of Sacred Heart, Warsaw; returned later in life.
- Father Philip (Phil) DeVolder2010–2019
Second tenure; moved to residency at St. Charles Borromeo, Fort Wayne in 2019. Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Nov. 15, 2023.
- Father Jonathan Norton2019–present
Current pastor; Vicar Forane noted in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend 2023-24 Directory.