About SS. Francis & Clare of Assisi · Greenwood, Indiana
SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish located in Greenwood, Indiana, in Johnson County, serving the Center Grove area south of Indianapolis. Founded in 1993 and belonging to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the parish combines a worship community of roughly 1,700 families with a parish school (PK-8) and an Early Childhood Ministry (ECM) that welcomes children from six weeks old through eighth grade. Its mission statement reads: 'We the parishioners of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish, joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in the Center Grove area by living His mission of mercy, hope and salvation.' The parish is known for its strong sacramental life, vibrant youth ministry, an on-campus Harvest Food Pantry that serves hundreds of local families each month, and a Resurrection Garden columbarium.
- Established
- 1993
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. Robeson, BA, MEd, PhD, MDiv
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi offers a full Catholic life in one place: weekend and daily Mass with a half-dozen Sunday services, perpetual-style adoration on Wednesdays, Saturday-morning confessions, and an active OCIA (formerly RCIA) process. The parish grounds host a PK-8 Catholic school plus an Early Childhood Ministry caring for children from six weeks old, giving young families a true cradle-to-graduation Catholic formation. Outreach is concrete and visible — the parish-built Harvest Food Pantry now serves more than 100 families a month in Johnson and Morgan Counties, and there are dozens of ministries across Worship, Care, Community, Outreach, and Athletics where new parishioners can plug in.
Mass times at SS. Francis & Clare of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:30 am – 10:00 am in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (excluding Holy Saturday)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday Adoration (held in the Church; previously in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel) — perpetual-style with scheduled adorers
- First Friday Adoration (when not falling on Good Friday)
- Holy Thursday Adoration after the 7 pm Mass until 11 pm, closed with Night Prayer
Parish Identity & Mission
SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi is a 1993-founded Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located in Greenwood, Indiana, in Johnson County. The parish serves the Center Grove area south of Indianapolis. The parish's published mission statement reads: 'We the parishioners of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish, joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in the Center Grove area by living His mission of mercy, hope and salvation.' The parish combines worship, faith formation, Catholic schooling, early-childhood care, a food pantry, and a columbarium on a single campus, and continues a custom dating to the early Church of using sacred art to teach the faith.
- Founded 1993 (Johnson County)
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Parish #022
- 1,680 families; church capacity 830
- Center Grove area mission focus
History
Founded in 1993 to serve the growing Center Grove area, the parish grew steadily through its first quarter-century. Key milestones include the 2012 opening of the Harvest Food Pantry, the 2014 build of a free-standing pantry building blessed by Bishop Christopher Coyne, the 2015 opening of the Early Childhood Learning Center (later the Early Childhood Ministry), and the 2018 25th Anniversary celebrated with Archbishop Charles Tobin. The parish launched 'Walking in Christ's Footsteps' stewardship in 2017 and established four endowment funds (Parish, School, Resurrection Garden, and Harvest Food Pantry).
- 1993: Parish founded
- Feb 25, 2012: Harvest Food Pantry opens (18 families on day one)
- 2014: Free-standing pantry built; Bishop Coyne blesses it
- 2015: Early Childhood Learning Center opens (renamed Early Childhood Ministry)
- 2017: 'Walking in Christ's Footsteps' stewardship; first Taizé Prayer Service
- 2018: 25th Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Charles Tobin
- 2019: Stained-glass Resurrection Garden doors installed; 109 youth attend NCYC
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Rev. Robert J. Robeson, BA, MEd, PhD, MDiv, Parochial Vicar Rev. Isaac Siefker, and Deacon Ron Pirau (who maintains a Twitter feed @DcnRonPirau and a blog 'Deacon Ron's Ramblings'). The parish office team includes a Business Manager (Charles Wills), Bookkeeper (Jody Peak), Accounting Assistant (Bob Kocher), Parish Secretary (Maura Frazier), Music Director (Nicholas Pearson), Pastoral Associate (Monica Robinson), Director of Catechesis and Evangelization (Collin Byers), Part-time Assistant for Catechesis (Jill McCollam), Part-time Assistant for Confirmation (Regan Loeffler), Resurrection Garden Coordinator (Joy Burianek), Facilities Manager (Nick Trulock), Marketing & Development Director (Jordan Trieste), Communications Coordinator (Jodi Hazard), and Technology Coordinator (Michael Pawlik).
- Pastor: Rev. Robert J. Robeson, BA, MEd, PhD, MDiv
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Isaac Siefker
- Deacon: Ronald Pirau
- Business Manager: Charles Wills
- Music Director: Nicholas Pearson
- Director of Catechesis & Evangelization: Collin Byers
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a comprehensive formation program for all ages. Sunday Religious Education meets mid-September through early May, with Preschool classes during the 8:30 am Sunday Mass and Kindergarten through High School sessions from 9:45 to 11:15 am. Children's Ministry welcomes Preschool through 5th grade; Middle School Youth Ministry serves grades 6–8; and High School Youth Ministry serves grades 9–12 through discussions, retreats, service, and social events rooted in Christ. Sacramental prep tracks include First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
- Sunday Religious Education (Preschool–5th grade)
- Children's Ministry (Preschool–5th grade)
- Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adult formation at SSFC includes Bible study groups and other ongoing faith-building opportunities, with the aim of helping adults connect Scripture and Tradition to everyday life. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA — formerly RCIA) provides instruction and catechesis for adults seeking to become members of the Catholic Church. Inquiries are directed to Father Giannini. In 2019, 12 people came into the Church through RCIA/Bridges at the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Bible study groups
- Adult faith enrichment programs
- Marriage preparation
Saints Francis & Clare Catholic School
Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi School is a PK-8 Catholic school with about 508 students. Its stated mission: 'Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School, we believe each child is gifted by God and possesses unique talents. Our job is to identify those gifts and nurture students to become global citizens and leaders of character who show integrity, courage, and compassion.' The school consistently receives an 'A' rating from the State of Indiana and integrates 'Faith in Action' (FIA) service days focused on the Corporal Works of Mercy. The school leadership team includes Principal Rebecca Stone, Assistant Principal Matt Goddard, and Director of Early Childhood Ministry Matt English.
- PK-8 Catholic school (508 students)
- Principal: Rebecca Stone
- Assistant Principal: Matt Goddard
- Faith in Action (FIA) service days — Corporal Works of Mercy
- Consistent 'A' rating from the State of Indiana
Early Childhood Ministry (ECM)
The Early Childhood Ministry (ECM) — originally the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) opened September 8, 2015 and dedicated September 20, 2015 — provides faith-based care and education for infants from 6 weeks old through age 5. The ECM building was renamed from 'Center' to 'Ministry' to pursue state accreditation. In its first year the ECLC was so popular that kindergarten classes had to remain in the Assisi Center for the 2015–16 school year.
- Infant care from 6 weeks old
- Pre-K and Kindergarten programs
- Director of ECM: Matt English
- Renamed from ECLC to ECM for state accreditation
Outreach & Harvest Food Pantry
The Outreach Ministry coordinates the parish's service to those beyond the parish boundaries, including the annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution (which assisted 255 families in one recent year). The crown jewel of outreach is the Harvest Food Pantry, which opened February 25, 2012 and now serves more than 100 families (330+ individuals) per month in Johnson and Morgan Counties. The pantry is staffed by parish volunteers and stocked largely through parish donations, school food drives, and Outreach funds. In 2019 a $100,000 Catholic Relief Services grant added a freezer and refrigerator, allowing the pantry to offer meat, eggs, and milk. Open hours: 2nd and 4th Saturdays 9:00 am–noon; 2nd Wednesday 10:00 am–noon; 4th Monday 5:00–7:00 pm.
- Opened Feb 25, 2012 (served 18 families day one)
- Now serves 100+ families / 330+ individuals per month
- Free-standing building blessed by Bishop Coyne (2014)
- 2nd & 4th Saturday, 2nd Wednesday, 4th Monday schedule
- Annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution (255 families in one year)
- $100,000 Catholic Relief Services grant (2019)
Worship, Music & Sacred Art
SSFC draws on the ancient tradition of sacred art as catechesis. The worship space features a Blessed Sacrament Chapel used for weekday Reconciliation and a Resurrection Garden entryway with etched-glass doors bearing a San Damiano cross flanked by stained-glass angels with musical instruments (installed 2019). The small windows behind the altar and in the chapel were replaced with geometric stained glass the same year. The Music Ministry, led by Nicholas Pearson, supports the parish's liturgical life. Visitors are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the sacred art and request a printed 'Tour of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi' booklet from the Information Lobby.
- Music Director: Nicholas Pearson
- San Damiano cross etched-glass entryway (2019)
- Geometric stained glass in altar and chapel windows (2019)
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel
- Sacred-art tours available on request
Resurrection Garden (Columbarium)
The Resurrection Garden is the parish columbarium and a ministry unto itself. Joy Burianek serves as Resurrection Garden Coordinator. The Garden is supported by a dedicated Resurrection Garden Endowment established in 2017, and its beautiful entryway with stained-glass angel panels was installed in 2019.
- Parish columbarium
- Coordinator: Joy Burianek
- Resurrection Garden Endowment Fund (est. 2017)
Care, Community & Athletic Ministries
Beyond worship and formation, SSFC offers fellowship and service through Care Ministry (bereavement support, funeral meals, pastoral care), Community Ministry (Men's Club, Women's Club, J.O.Y. — Just Older Youth), and Athletic Ministry. The Athletic Ministry sponsors youth sports and formed its first wrestling team, and combined with Our Lady of the Greenwood and St. Rose of Lima to launch the 'Johnson County Knights Football' youth football league.
- Care Ministry (bereavement, pastoral care)
- Men's Club
- Women's Club
- J.O.Y. — Just Older Youth
- Athletic Ministry — wrestling
- Johnson County Knights Football (joint with OLG and St. Rose of Lima)
Getting Involved & Welcome
Newcomers are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Desk in the church narthex before or after weekend Masses, where trained volunteers can answer questions or direct them to the right contact. The parish also offers a Parish Library in the Information Lobby. Volunteer opportunities are organized through the Ministries portal of the website, including the Harvest Food Pantry, Sort & Stock events (Wednesdays 10:00 am–noon), CYO awards, and the annual Ministry Fair (first held 2015).
- Welcome Desk in the church narthex
- Parish Library in the Information Lobby
- Annual Ministry Fair
- Sort & Stock volunteer events (Wednesdays)
- Harvest Food Pantry volunteer sign-ups
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Steve Jarrell1993 (founding)
SSFC's first priest; returned to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary Mass in 2018.
- Father Tim Wyciskalla2015–2017
Served as Associate Pastor (joined July 2015); left in 2017 to study canon law in Rome.
- Very Rev. Stephen W. Giannini, V.F., MA, MS, MDiv2015–2020s
Became pastor on July 1, 2015; also pastor of St. Martin of Tours, Martinsville, and Dean of the Indianapolis South Deanery; ordained June 5, 1993.
- Father James Brockmeier2017
Joined as Associate Pastor in July 2017.
- Father Anto Peterraj2012
Associate Priest assigned in 2012; joined from India.
- Rev. Robert J. Robeson, BA, MEd, PhD, MDiv
Current pastor per the parish website clergy page.