About Saint Teresa of Calcutta · Fairdale, Kentucky
Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Fairdale, Kentucky, in the southern end of the Louisville metro area, serving northern Bullitt County and the Fairdale neighborhood. The parish was formed in October 2008 from the merger of Saint Jerome Parish (Fairdale, est. 1953) and Saint Mary Parish (Hillview, est. 1968) and takes its name and mission from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), adopting her motto, "We do small things with great love." Today roughly 225 registered families gather for worship, faith formation, and an unusually active outreach to the poor through a food pantry, Dare to Care food distribution, St. Vincent de Paul ministry, St. Teresa's Kitchen meals, AA support, and seasonal help for neighbors in need. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Saint Teresa of Kolkata / Mother Teresa)
- Rector
- Rev. Benni Pengiparambil, CMI
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Parishioners themselves describe Blessed Teresa of Calcutta as "FAMILY" — a close-knit community that worships together and works shoulder-to-shoulder to feed the poor. The parish welcomes families through weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, K–12 religious education, youth ministry, RCIA, and Vacation Bible School, and it lives out the example of its patroness Mother Teresa with a remarkably busy outreach: a parish food pantry (Tues./Thurs. mornings, plus weekdays with ID), Dare to Care food distribution, Christmas baskets, the St. Teresa's Kitchen meal ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, Alcoholics Anonymous, Senior Sage luncheons, and parish softball and basketball. Newcomers looking for a parish that combines traditional Catholic worship with hands-on service to its neighbors will feel at home here.
Mass times at Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before Saturday Vigil Mass
- 30 minutes before Sunday Mass
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (times listed in parish bulletin; check weekly bulletin for current schedule)
Parish Identity & Mission
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Louisville serving the Fairdale neighborhood of southern Jefferson County and northern Bullitt County. Its mission statement names the parish as "dedicated to serving the areas of Northern Bullitt County and Fairdale, Kentucky," committed to good stewardship of God-given gifts, to worshiping God in Word and Sacrament, and to following Mother Teresa's example of caring for the poor in great need. The website's signature line — "We do small things with great love" — is taken directly from Saint Teresa of Calcutta herself and reflects how parishioners describe their community: as a family that loves and works together.
- Patron: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
- Motto: "We do small things with great love."
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville
- Formed: October 2008 (merger of Saint Jerome, Fairdale + Saint Mary, Hillview)
- Registered families: ~225
- Parish registration: 223 (per Archdiocese directory)
History
The parish was created in October 2008 by the merger of two long-established South End parishes: Saint Jerome (Fairdale, 1953) and Saint Mary (Hillview, 1968). Saint Jerome's first church was designed by a parishioner on wrapping paper and built by the men of the parish, opening at Easter 1955; the parish also ran a school (1956–1991) staffed by the Sisters of Loretto and later the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Saint Mary was founded in 1968 by Archbishop Thomas J. McDonough and grew under the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Ursulines; in 1996 its St. Vincent de Paul Society became a hub for tornado relief in Central Kentucky. Saint Mary was clustered first with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1995–2005) and then with Saint Jerome (June 2005), setting the stage for the 2008 merger into what is now Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
- Saint Jerome founded July 1953 by Archbishop John A. Floersh; first pastor Fr. Martin J. Moore
- Saint Jerome school opened November 1956; closed 1991
- Present Saint Jerome church and gym dedicated 1969 by Archbishop McDonough; church rededicated 2002
- Saint Mary established June 15, 1968 by Archbishop McDonough; founding pastor Fr. Kenneth Kamber
- Saint Mary first Mass in its own building: Christmas Midnight Mass 1969; blessed April 1970
- 1996 Saint Vincent de Paul Society responded to Central Kentucky tornadoes
- Saint Mary child development center opened 2001, closed 2006
- Saint Mary clustered with Saint Jerome June 2005
- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta established October 2008
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Benni Pengiparambil, CMI, a Carmelite of Mary Immaculate priest from Kerala, India, appointed pastor effective June 17 by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz; he had previously served as associate pastor at Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. He succeeds Fr. Maurice C. Hayes, OFM Conv. Two permanent deacons assist: Dcn. Joseph F. Moore and Dcn. Nicholas G. Dachille.
- Pastor: Fr. Benni Pengiparambil, CMI
- Deacon: Joseph F. Moore
- Deacon: Nicholas G. Dachille
- Music Director: Sr. Norma Lenenberger
- Director of Religious Education (DRE) / K–5 Formation Coordinator & Pastoral Assistant: Theresa Watson
- Youth Formation Ministry Coordinator: LeAnn Wade
- Youth Ministry contact: Steve Wilson
- Office Manager: Cheryl Butler (also listed as Carol Payne in some bulletins)
- Secretary: Cathy Houchin
- Maintenance: Kenny Crowe / Paul Bryant
- Choir Director: Joey Huber (per Archdiocese directory)
- Finance: Steve Walker (per Archdiocese directory)
- Sacramental Moderator: Rev. Louis J. Meiman (per Archdiocese directory)
- Pastoral Administrator (Archdiocese listing): Deacon Lucio Caruso
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program serves children from kindergarten through Grade 12, meeting Wednesday evenings beginning in early September. Parents gather in church for a kickoff meeting with the pastor and DRE before children move to classrooms. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is woven into the RE program, with registration nights held in August. A Vacation Bible School is offered each summer (recent themes have included St. Joseph and the Catholic Faith).
- DRE: Theresa Watson
- RE registration: held in August (e.g., Wed., Aug. 18 & 25, 6:00–8:00 p.m.)
- RE classes begin the Wednesday after Labor Day (e.g., Wed., Sept. 8) at 6:30 p.m.
- Sacramental preparation: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Vacation Bible School
Youth Ministry
A Youth Ministry program supports middle-school and high-school young people of the parish. A Youth Formation Ministry Coordinator (LeAnn Wade) and additional youth ministry contacts (Steve Wilson; Emilia Agrinsoni Malave in a recent bulletin) staff the program. The annual parish calendar also features a Living Rosary each October in which local Catholic-school students participate.
- Youth Formation Ministry Coordinator: LeAnn Wade
- Youth Ministry contacts: Steve Wilson; Emilia Agrinsoni Malave
- Annual Living Rosary (October) with students from local Catholic schools
RCIA & Adult Formation
The parish invites anyone interested in becoming Catholic to contact the parish office for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Adult faith formation opportunities are also listed among the parish's ongoing ministries.
- RCIA — contact the parish office (502-363-9929)
- Adult Formation opportunities listed on the parish's About page
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Saint Teresa of Calcutta is led by Music Director Sr. Norma Lenenberger and Choir Director Joey Huber, supported by a parish choir. The parish also maintains a corps of liturgical ministers — lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and ushers — to support weekend and weekday Masses, Adoration, and other devotions.
- Music Director: Sr. Norma Lenenberger
- Choir Director: Joey Huber
- Parish Choir
- Liturgical ministers: lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers
Outreach & Charity
Outreach to the poor is central to the parish's identity and follows directly from its patroness. Outreach Ministry hours are Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and the parish Food Pantry distributes food on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and weekdays with a picture ID. The parish partners with Dare to Care for ongoing food distribution and provides Christmas baskets for neighbors in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is active, and during the COVID-19 pandemic the parish launched St. Teresa's Kitchen, handing out roughly 150 meals at its first drive-through meal in August 2020 and planning to grow into a regular monthly meal ministry for the city's south end. The parish also hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a monthly "Senior Sage" luncheon for seniors.
- Outreach Ministry: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.–12:00 noon
- Food Pantry: Tues. & Thurs., 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon (and weekdays with picture ID)
- Dare to Care food distribution
- Christmas baskets
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- St. Teresa's Kitchen (meal ministry, launched August 2020)
- Alcoholics Anonymous (weekly/seasonal)
- Senior Sage monthly luncheon
- Softball league and young-adult basketball
Parish Life & Social Events
Beyond worship and outreach, the parish gathers socially through a Social Life Committee that plans the Summer Picnic, the Lenten Fish Fry, and other parish-wide events. The parish motto "We do small things with great love" is on display in the everyday texture of parish life, from funeral reception support to seasonal celebrations.
- Summer Picnic
- Lenten Fish Fry
- Social Life Committee
- Knights of Columbus (parish council referenced in parish materials)
- Funeral reception support ministry
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist takes place within the Religious Education program (Wednesday evenings, September through spring). Marriage preparation is arranged through the parish office. Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral sacraments are available by request through the parish office, and a Homebound ministry brings communion and pastoral visits to those unable to attend Mass.
- Baptism — by arrangement through the parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — RE-based preparation
- Confirmation — RE / Youth Ministry preparation
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
- RCIA
- Homebound visits — contact the parish office
Visiting & Contact Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The mailing address is 903 Fairdale Road, Fairdale, KY 40118-9731. Phone (502) 363-9929; fax (502) 363-9960; email [email protected]. The official website is hosted on Weebly, and the parish's official Facebook page is "Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Life."
- Address: 903 Fairdale Road, Fairdale, KY 40118-9731
- Phone: (502) 363-9929
- Fax: (502) 363-9960
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon.–Fri., 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Website: http://teresaofcalcuttafairdale.weebly.com/
- Facebook: Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Life (https://www.facebook.com/p/Saint-Teresa-of-Calcutta-Parish-Life-100064803940025/)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Maurice C. Hayes, OFM Conv.
Predecessor pastor; served until Fr. Benni's appointment in June (effective June 17).
- Rev. Benni Pengiparambil, CMIeffective June 17, appointed by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
Carmelite of Mary Immaculate; born in Kuttikad, Kerala, India; ordained Jan. 1, 2000; previously associate pastor at St. Teresa of Calcutta / St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.