About Saint Monica · Mishawaka, Indiana
St. Monica Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, located on the north side of the St. Joseph River at 222 West Mishawaka Avenue in Mishawaka, Indiana. Founded in 1915 by German Catholic families who had long petitioned for a parish on the north bank, the parish grew quickly and built its present Romanesque-style church in 1927. Today it serves more than 700 families with a full schedule of Sunday and weekday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, an active Religious Education program, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Antioch Youth Ministry, and a long roster of lay ministries including a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and a renowned parish music program.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Rev. Jason Freiburger
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Monica offers a genuine neighborhood parish experience grounded in more than a century of Catholic life on Mishawaka's north side. Families find Religious Education for grades 1–8, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, the Antioch high school youth group, and a respected parish school partnership through Mishawaka Catholic Schools. Adults can join the Rosary Society, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry ministry, Young Adult Community, Moms' Group, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the 10:30 choir, the Children's Choir, or a contemplative Praise & Worship group. With daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, an annual St. Monica Novena, and a pastor who also serves as Vicar Forane for Vicariate B of the diocese, the parish offers both deep liturgical tradition and active lay community.
Mass times at Saint Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM (with Vespers 6 PM during Advent and Lent)
- Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM until last heard
- By appointment — call the parish office at 574-255-2247
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM until last heard
- Vespers 6 PM during Advent and Lent
History of St. Monica Parish
St. Monica traces its origins to 1908, when five Mishawaka men petitioned Bishop Herman J. Alerding of the Diocese of Fort Wayne for a Catholic church on the north side of the St. Joseph River. Their efforts failed repeatedly until Father John H. Bleckmann was appointed on July 14, 1915 to form the new congregation. On September 4, 1915 the parish purchased a former Baptist church on Mishawaka Avenue, and Bishop Alerding dedicated it under the patronage of St. Monica on October 17, 1915 — initially serving 150 German immigrant families with a school already educating 120 children. Within a year the parish was bursting at the seams. In April 1916 lots were bought on the south side of Grove Street between Elizabeth and Ann streets for a chapel, school, and rectory, and Bishop Alerding dedicated the new chapel and school on May 13, 1917. Father Bleckmann died of the Spanish flu on November 26, 1918 at age 36, and Father John F. Kohl succeeded him on December 6, 1918. By 1925 the parish had grown to well over 275 families; in May 1926 ground was broken for a much larger church, which Bishop John Francis Noll dedicated on October 2, 1927 — the Romanesque building that still stands today. The 1930s brought a wave of Italian immigrants who settled in the surrounding neighborhoods and joined the parish, and Msgr. Anthony Badina (pastor 1929–1951) shepherded that growth for 22 years. The school was expanded in the 1950s and again in the 1990s. In 2011 St. Monica School merged with St. Bavo and St. Joseph Schools to form Mishawaka Catholic Schools, with the St. Monica Campus at 223 W. Grove Street now housing grades 6–8. Today the parish, pastored by Fr. Jason Freiburger, serves more than 700 families and lives out its centennial motto: 'Building our Future on the Faith of Our Past.'
- 1908 — five Mishawaka men petition Bishop Alerding for a north-side parish
- 1915 — Father Bleckmann appointed; old Baptist church purchased and dedicated Oct. 17
- 1917 — new chapel and school dedicated May 13
- 1918 — Father Bleckmann dies of Spanish flu; Father Kohl succeeds him
- 1927 — current Romanesque church dedicated by Bishop Noll on Oct. 2
- 1929–1951 — Msgr. Anthony Badina pastors through the Italian-immigrant era
- 1950s and 1990s — school expansions
- 2011 — St. Monica School merges into Mishawaka Catholic Schools
Architecture and Sacred Art
St. Monica's church is one of the only Romanesque-style Catholic churches in the entire Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. The parish describes it as 'a perfect example of what a Catholic Church building is meant to be. Built for the glory of God and to be an image of heaven.' The most striking liturgical feature is the baldacchino — a canopy over the altar meant to symbolize the wedding bed where the union of love brings forth life, applied here to the sacrifice of love made present in the cross of Christ that produces the Bread of Life.
- Romanesque architectural style
- Baldacchino (canopy) over the main altar
- Altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
- Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Shrine of the Infant of Prague
- Shrines of St. Ann, St. Christopher, St. Rocco, St. James, St. Anthony, Our Lady of Loreto, and the Pieta
St. Monica — Our Patroness
St. Monica is well known for her deep devotion to God and her unceasing prayers for the conversion of her son Augustine, who became one of the greatest Doctors of the Church. She is primarily the patron saint of mothers, especially those with wayward children or children who have left the faith, and is also patron of married women, victims of abuse and adultery, and alcoholics. Her feast day is August 27. Each year the parish gathers at 6 PM for Vespers and the St. Monica Novena from August 19 through August 27, praying for any intention — especially for wayward children.
- Feast Day: August 27
- Patron of mothers, married women, victims of abuse/adultery, alcoholics
- Annual St. Monica Novena August 19–27 at 6 PM in church
- Mother of St. Augustine of Hippo
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Monica runs Religious Education for grades 1–8, meeting twice a month on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:15 AM in the school. Families with children in non-parochial schools are required to attend. The program includes both traditional Religious Education classes and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based, sensorially rich approach to forming children in relationship with Christ. Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is coordinated through Jackie Moody, Pastoral Associate.
- Religious Education (grades 1–8) — Sundays 9:00–10:15 AM
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Level 1 (ages 3–6) and Level 2 (ages 6–9)
- Sacramental Preparation — Jackie Moody, [email protected]
- Registration open for 2025–2026 school year
- FORMED online faith formation — parish code JFRQ6E
Antioch Youth Ministry
Antioch is a community of high school teenagers seeking to live as intentional disciples of Christ. The program offers opportunities for teens to grow and live out the faith through prayer, formation, community, and service. It is led by Sydney Imus ([email protected]).
- Open to high school teens
- Four pillars: prayer, formation, community, service
- Contact: Sydney Imus, [email protected]
OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) supports those coming into the Catholic Church. The whole community is called to support candidates with prayers, conversation, and warm welcome; parishioners can also serve more directly as sponsors, presenters, or by providing meals for candidates and sponsors during weekly meetings that run from fall through Easter.
- Sponsor — walk alongside a candidate weekly, fall through Easter
- Presenter — provide catechetical/spiritual formation evenings (contact Fr. Jason)
- Provide a meal for candidates and sponsors
Young Adult Community
The Young Adult Community (ages 19–39) meets regularly for fellowship, service, and faith formation. Fellowship gatherings are held monthly on the First Sunday at noon, with a brunch in the school. The group also offers retreats, pilgrimages, and chances to engage in the wider life of the parish. Contact Christian Dennis at [email protected] for details.
- Ages 19–39
- Monthly fellowship: First Sunday at noon (brunch in the school)
- Retreats and pilgrimages
- Contact: Christian Dennis, [email protected]
Moms' Group
The St. Monica Mom's Group cultivates relationships between mothers so they can help one another grow in faith and support one another in raising the next generation of Catholic youth. The group meets every Monday at 7 PM in Columbus Hall, with book studies on the 1st and 3rd Mondays, and Rosary followed by fellowship on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Regular children's Adoration and Stations of the Cross are part of the rhythm. Mothers of all states of life are welcome.
- Mondays at 7 PM in Columbus Hall
- 1st & 3rd Mondays: book discussion
- 2nd & 4th Mondays: Rosary and fellowship
- Contact: Caitlin, [email protected]
Music Ministry
St. Monica is widely known in the diocese for its vibrant music program. The 10:30 Choir — a volunteer group of music enthusiasts and professionals — rehearses Wednesdays 7–9 PM and sings at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass and at special concerts throughout the year. The Children's Choir is open to parish children and youth, and the Praise & Worship ministry offers contemplative, contemporary music on Fourth Thursdays at 6 PM (Aug–May) and Second Sundays at 4 PM. Cantors and accompanists round out the program.
- 10:30 Choir — Wed rehearsals 7–9 PM; sings Sundays at 10:30 AM
- Children's Choir — open to parish children and youth
- Praise & Worship — 4th Thursdays 6 PM and 2nd Sundays 4 PM
- Director of Sacred Music: Jessica Roberts, [email protected]
- Praise & Worship leader: Sean Scott, [email protected]
- Praise & Worship leader: Jen Havard, [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Monica chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society provides emergency assistance to needy individuals in the community, offering both spiritual and practical support. The chapter runs a food pantry out of the parish, collects and delivers food and monetary donations, and makes home deliveries as requested by the main chapter office. They provide support year-round, with special deliveries during the holidays.
- Food pantry at the parish
- Home deliveries to needy neighbors
- Monthly collection: second Sunday of each month
- Meetings: 1st Thursday of each month at 7 PM, Sr. Pat Meeting Room
- Conference President: Leo Priemer, [email protected]
Rosary Society
The Rosary Society brings together women of faith of all ages to pray the Rosary and to plan, promote, and execute various fundraisers to support the sacramental needs of the parish. The women meet the first Tuesday of each month from September through May (no meetings in January or February).
- Open to women of all ages
- Meetings: 1st Tuesday, September–May
- Contact: Karen Baldini, 574-261-3048
Mishawaka Catholic School — St. Monica Campus
St. Monica School merged with St. Bavo and St. Joseph Schools in 2011 to form Mishawaka Catholic Schools (MCS). The St. Monica Campus, located at 223 West Grove Street next to the church, currently houses grades 6 through 8 (and preschool programming). Fr. Jason Freiburger serves as one of the three pastors overseeing MCS, alongside Fr. Chris Lapp (Executive Pastor, St. Joseph) and Fr. Peter Pacini, C.S.C. (St. Bavo).
- St. Monica Campus: 223 W. Grove St., Mishawaka, IN 46545
- Phone: 574-255-0709
- Grades served: 6–8 plus preschool
- School phone: 574-255-5554
- Formed in 2011 from merger of St. Monica, St. Bavo, and St. Joseph Schools
Clergy & Staff
St. Monica is pastored by Father Jason Freiburger, who also serves as Vicar Forane of Vicariate B (South Bend–South) of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Jackie Moody serves as Pastoral Associate. The staff also includes Katie Rohrer, Maintenance Director Mark Imus, Business Manager & SCRIP Coordinator Vicki Zmirski, and Liturgical Music Director Jessica Roberts.
- Fr. Jason Freiburger — Pastor
- Jackie Moody — Pastoral Associate, [email protected]
- Katie Rohrer
- Mark Imus — Maintenance Director, [email protected]
- Vicki Zmirski — Business Manager & SCRIP Coordinator, [email protected]
- Jessica Roberts — Liturgical Music Director, [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John H. Bleckmann1915–1918
Appointed July 14, 1915 to form the new congregation; died of Spanish flu on November 26, 1918 at age 36.
- Father John F. Kohl1918–1929
Appointed December 6, 1918; oversaw construction and 1927 dedication of the present church; died unexpectedly April 2, 1929 from complications of surgery.
- Father Anthony Badina1929–1951
Appointed August 14, 1929; served 22 years; elevated to Monsignor on October 4, 1950; retired 1951 but remained involved in the parish.
- Father Joseph Hennes1951–1954
Succeeded Msgr. Badina; fell ill and retired 1954.
- Father Jerome Bonk1932–1951 (as assistant)
Named assistant pastor in 1932; assigned in 1951 to organize the new St. Anthony Parish.
- Father Milton Bell1954–1956
Assigned in 1956 to organize Queen of Peace Parish.
- Father Leo A. Hoffman1956–1970
Elevated to Monsignor in 1964; transferred in 1970.
- Father William J. Gieranowski1970–1978
Oversaw the parish's first major renovations since construction.
- Father Thaddeus A. Kwak ('Father Ted')1978–1987
Transferred in 1987.
- Father William Sullivan1987–1999
- Father Derrick Sneyd1999–2002
- Father James Stoyle2002–2004
- Father Jeffery Largent2004–2011
- Msgr. Bruce Piechocki2011–
Installed 2011; oversaw the 2011 merger of St. Monica School with St. Bavo and St. Joseph into Mishawaka Catholic Schools.