About Saint Michael the Archangel · Waterloo, Indiana
Saint Michael the Archangel Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, situated among the fields and countryside of northeast Indiana. Located at 1098 County Road 39 in rural Waterloo, the parish serves surrounding communities including Auburn, Angola, Hamilton, and Butler. The community is centered on the Eucharist, offering daily and weekend Masses, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, regular confession, religious education for preschool through 12th grade, adult faith formation and Bible study, and a strong lay ministry life that includes the Knights of Columbus and the Rosary Society.
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Fr. Levi Nkwocha (installed July 8, 2023)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Michael the Archangel is a tight-knit rural Catholic community that places the Eucharist at the center of parish life and pairs a full schedule of Masses and confession with a robust calendar of formation and fellowship. Parishioners can grow in their faith through weekly Bible study (Ascension Press studies on Acts, Matthew, and the Prophets), enroll children and teens in Religious Education (Preschool through 12th grade) and the Life Teen high school program, and serve alongside lay groups such as the Knights of Columbus, the Rosary Society, and the parish Finance Council. With daily Mass options, Friday Adoration and Benediction, and easy access from Auburn, Angola, Hamilton, and Butler, it is an unusually full parish life for a country setting.
Mass times at Saint Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday — 6:00 pm
- Friday — 7:15 am before Mass (also 7:30–8:00 am per Catholic Mass Time listing)
- Saturday — 3:30–4:15 pm
- Anytime by request / by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday — Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary begin at 7:00 am, concluding with Benediction before the 8:00 am Mass
Office & Staff
The parish office and rectory share the number (260) 837-7115. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and Friday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Bulletin announcements are due in writing by Monday morning and can be emailed to [email protected]; website inquiries go to [email protected]; calendar additions go through the secretary.
- Pastor: Fr. Levi Nkwocha (installed July 8, 2023); Fr. Thomas Zehr also listed as Pastor on staff page
- Business Manager / Secretary: Tonya Buchs — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education / Youth Minister / Website Coordinator: Arica Swygart — [email protected]
- Director of OCIA, Adult Faith Formation, Safe Environment: MarySue Kriegel — [email protected]
- Music Director: Kirk Dunkelberger
- Janitor: Sabine Penland
Parish History & Cemetery
Catholic life in the Waterloo area stretches back well over a century. According to the 'History of DeKalb County Cemeteries' by Dorothy A. Ditmars (April 18, 1924), Mrs. Mary Shoudel donated one acre in April 1881 for a parish cemetery, with the express terms that burial be free to all members of the congregation and that no lots ever be sold. Her husband, John Mathias Shoudel, was the first person interred there. Other early members named in the same record include Aloysius and Elizabeth Dapp, Frank Mueller, John Mueller, and Fred Gfeller.
- Cemetery donated by Mrs. Mary Shoudel in April 1881
- Original terms: free burial for all congregation members, no lots sold
- First burial: John Mathias Shoudel
- Early members: Aloysius and Elizabeth Dapp, Frank Mueller, John Mueller, Fred Gfeller
- Cemetery is about a quarter mile west of the church, off County Road 10
Faith Formation Ministries
The parish organizes its lay ministries into five branches so that parishioners can find a way to share their gifts. Arica Swygart, Director of Religious Education, oversees the faith formation programs, while MarySue Kriegel coordinates OCIA and adult faith formation. Whether someone wants to help with religious education, support the parish financially through Scrip, beautify the grounds, maintain the cemetery, or preserve parish history, there is a committee and a named contact.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — Becoming Catholic, Coordinator: Mary Sue Kriegel
- First Communion Preparation
- Religious Education (Preschool–12th grade)
- Life Teen (high school religious education)
- Marriage Preparation
- Bible Studies / Adult Faith Formation
- Finance Council (head: Phil Schlin)
- Scrip Gift Card fundraising (Jackie Hoff)
- Grounds committee (Carl Buchs, Bill Buchs)
- Cemetery maintenance (Russ Emerick; maintenance: Bill Buch)
- Parish History committee (Jennie Blomeke)
Religious Education: Preschool through 12th Grade
Children from Preschool through 12th grade attend Religious Education classes September through April. Students learn the Catholic faith through catechetical instruction, service projects, praying the Stations of the Cross, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, praying the Rosary, and dramatizing the lives of the saints in the parish's Christmas Eve Narrative and Youth Choir programs. Dedicated catechists from the parish serve as witnesses to their faith, and the program also functions as the main channel for children's ministry communications throughout the school year.
- Class months: September–April
- Includes Preschool through 12th grade
- Activities: catechesis, service projects, Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation, Rosary, saints dramatizations
- Special events: Christmas Eve Narrative, Youth Choir
- Director: Arica Swygart ([email protected])
Adult Faith Formation & Bible Study
Faith formation is described on the parish website as 'the task of a lifetime,' and three ongoing Bible study groups are listed for Fall 2025. The parish also hosts the OCIA (formerly RCIA) journey for adults seeking to become Catholic and offers retreats and speakers throughout the year.
- Wednesday Evening: 'The Book of Acts' (Ascension Press), 7:00–8:30 pm — contact Arica, [email protected]
- Thursday Afternoon: 'Prophets: Messengers of God's People' (Ascension Press), 1:00 pm — contact Bobbie, [email protected]
- Sunday Morning: 'Matthew' (Ascension Press), 9:00–10:15 am during Religious Education
- Director: MarySue Kriegel — [email protected]
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The parish begins a new OCIA (formerly RCIA) group every autumn, meeting weekly at 9:00 am between the Sunday Masses for learning sessions. New members — adults and children alike — are brought into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion. Coordinator MarySue Kriegel welcomes inquirers to attend any Mass, prayer service, or public event, or to reach out by email ([email protected]) or phone (260-837-7115).
- Begins each autumn; weekly Sunday morning meetings at 9:00 am
- Easter Vigil reception into full Catholic membership
- Coordinator: MarySue Kriegel — [email protected]
- Office phone: (260) 837-7115
Parish Life and Devotions
St. Michael's community life includes the Knights of Columbus, the Rosary Society, a 40 Hours Devotion with Eucharistic procession, and a monthly anniversary blessing. The parish is described as 'centered around the Eucharist' and 'truly blessed by the support of so many who make our parish vibrant and full.'
- Knights of Columbus
- Rosary Society
- 40 Hours Devotion with procession
- Monthly wedding anniversary blessing at all Masses on the last weekend of every month
- Bible study groups in Acts, Matthew, and the Prophets
Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, by email, or in person at the office during posted business hours.
- Address: 1098 County Road 39, Waterloo, IN 46793
- Phone (Rectory & Office): (260) 837-7115
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–2:30 pm; Fri 8:30–11:30 am
- General email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Bulletin announcements: [email protected]
- Website inquiries: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stmichaelwaterloo.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Zehr
Listed as Pastor on the parish 'Our Parish' staff page.
- Fr. Levi NkwochaInstalled July 8, 2023
Installed as new pastor at the 4:30 pm Mass on Saturday, July 8, 2023.