About St. Ann · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Ann Catholic Church is a small but active Roman Catholic parish in Decatur Township on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana, founded in 1917 and serving about 367 households from its present home on South Mooresville Road. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is led by Administrator Very Rev. Joseph L. Newton with Parochial Vicar Rev. Liam Hosty and Deacon Joe Beauchamp. After a century on Holt Road, St. Ann moved in 2009 to a new church blessed by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, and today offers a tight-knit community with Mass in English and a Spanish-language evening devotion, plus a robust network of lay ministries organized into commissions.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. Ann (Saint Anne)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Joseph L. Newton
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Ann is a welcoming, medium-sized parish of about 367 households where nearly everyone knows each other by name, and where the parish's five commissions — Administration, Spiritual Life, Stewardship, Faith Formation, and Family Life / Social Concerns — make it easy to find a way to plug in. A bilingual flair runs through the parish, with a Spanish-language evening Rosary on Thursdays alongside the regular English schedule, and longtime ministries such as Ladies' Guild, Men's Club, Pro-Life, Giving Tree, St. Vincent de Paul, Young at Heart (55+), and a Motor Speedway Concession fundraiser give a sense of small-parish warmth and purpose.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 9:00–9:25 AM
- Thursday 9:00–9:25 AM
- Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM
- By appointment
Welcome to St. Ann Catholic Church
St. Ann Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis serving about 367 households in Decatur Township on the southwest side of Indianapolis. The parish's mission statement, published through the Archdiocese and Benevity, reads: 'We, the parish family of St. Ann Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, exist to love God and one another, to grow in our personal relationships and in our Lord, and to strengthen our community through prayer and worship … steeped in the traditional faith and Catholic heritage of our founding members, we pledge our individual talents to harmoniously work in Christ's image for the growth and betterment of our community.' Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with a Sacramental Emergency line at 317-831-4142 EXT 1.
- Mass Schedule: Saturday Anticipation 4:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM; Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Tue/Thu 9:00–9:25 AM, Sat 3:15–3:45 PM, and by appointment
- Rosary: Tue/Thu/Fri 9:00–9:30 AM, Thursday evening (Spanish) 7:00–7:30 PM, Sat 3:15–3:45 PM
- Office: 6350 S. Mooresville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46221 — (317) 821-2909 — [email protected]
Parish History — A Century on the Southwest Side (1917–2017)
St. Ann was founded in 1917 to serve Catholic families in rural Decatur Township. Through the lean years of the World Wars and Depression — when the pre-fab church of 1926 seated just 171 — pastors such as Fr. John Riedinger, Fr. Ralph S. Pfau, Fr. George B. Saum, and Fr. Victor L. Goosens shepherded the parish, built a school staffed by religious sisters, and weathered wartime shortages. Father Carl L. Wilberding's 27-year tenure (1947–1974) is the longest in parish history; under him the new school was built (groundbreaking May 8, 1949; ~$133,000), the parish outhouses were eliminated, and Fr. Wilberding shot the home movies that would later be rediscovered.
The Move to Mills and Mooresville Road (1990s–2009)
In 1991, Administrator Fr. Dan B. Donohoo negotiated a two-for-one debt-reduction with the Archdiocese, clearing roughly $240,000 of debt. A 1998 archdiocesan study explored merging with St. Joseph Parish and concluded that St. Ann should relocate to the center of Decatur Township. In 2002 a 56-acre tract at Mills and Mooresville Road became available; the parish bought it in 2003, Archbishop Buechlein approved the move in 2005, the old Holt Road church was sold in 2008, and a procession of cars drove to the new site for the Ground Breaking Ceremony on June 29, 2008. Archbishop Buechlein formally blessed the new building on September 26, 2009.
- Diamond Jubilee celebrated September 12–13, 1992 with Archbishop Buechlein
- Centennial kicked off October 8, 2016 (pitch-in dinner, DJ, bounce-house)
- Centennial closing Mass October 7, 2017 with Archbishop Thompson
Parish Staff & Pastoral Council
The parish is currently led by Administrator Very Rev. Joseph L. Newton with Parochial Vicar Rev. Liam Hosty and Deacon Joe Beauchamp. Day-to-day operations are handled by Parish Coordinator Leslie Maxwell, Bookkeeper Carrie Wiese, Coordinator of Faith Formation Lucy Castaneda, Music Ministry Coordinator (currently vacant; Monica Gilbrech serves as volunteer Music Coordinator per the parish registration form), Social Hall Coordinator Robert McKay, and Facility Custodian Alberto Castellanos. The Parish Pastoral Council is chaired by Amanda Williams with Vice Chair Leslie Maxwell and Secretary Johnathon Sturgill, and includes elected, appointed, and ex-officio members representing each of the parish's commissions.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Joseph L. Newton — [email protected]
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Liam Hosty — [email protected]
- Deacon: Joe Beauchamp — [email protected]
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Lucy Castaneda — [email protected]
- Parish Coordinator: Leslie Maxwell — [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Commission oversees religious education 'for all members of the parish from birth on' and meets every second Sunday of the month. Sunday-morning Religious Education classes for children run from September to May, 10:00–11:00 AM (after the 9:00 AM Mass), for grades K through senior year of high school, taught by volunteers; the 2024–25 fee was $50 for one child or $75 per family. Safety training is required of all adult volunteers.
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA (formerly RCIA) assists individuals on a journey into the Catholic Faith. Classes meet weekly from September to Easter on Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM in Social Hall Section 2, alternating weeks with St. Joseph. There are no fees, and guests may bring a friend. Topics include Jesus and His Followers, Saints and Sinners, the Sacraments, Sin/Forgiveness/Salvation, Mary and her Rosary, Church History, and more; lessons are based on the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults and include Mass, prayer, witness talks, lessons, and discussion.
- OCIA Schedule for 2024–25
- OCIA Registration Form
- Contact: [email protected] or 317-821-2909
Sacraments for Children
Children prepare for and receive the sacraments alongside Religious Education classes on Sunday mornings. Second graders receive First Reconciliation during Advent and First Communion in the Spring. Older children needing Baptism, First Communion, or First Reconciliation work with an instructor through the RCIC program until they are properly prepared to receive the sacraments on Holy Saturday. Confirmation is celebrated by the Archbishop. Vacation Bible School is a four-day program for children ages 4–11, with teen and adult volunteers welcome.
- First Reconciliation — 2nd grade, Advent
- First Communion — 2nd grade, Spring
- Confirmation — celebrated by the Archbishop
- RCIC — older children, weekly until Holy Saturday
- Vacation Bible School — four days, ages 4–11
Baptism Preparation
Deacon Joe Beauchamp leads baptism preparation classes on the 1st Sunday of the month at 10:00 AM and the 1st Tuesday at 5:00 PM. The class is open to all registered parents of the parish who wish to have their children baptized into the Catholic Faith; parents can also register to become parishioners at the same class. Pre-registration through the parish office is required.
Bible Discussion Group
The parish's Bible Discussion Group provides an open forum to discuss Scripture in collaboration with the Catholic faith, following the Sunday Religious Education schedule. For more information contact Lucy Castaneda at [email protected] or the parish office at 317-821-2909.
Parish Ministries & Service Organizations
St. Ann organizes its lay ministries into five commissions, each with multiple opportunities for parishioners to share their time and talent. The parish's registration form invites new members to check the Liturgical, Faith Formation, Service, Social, Fund Raising, and Building & Grounds ministries they'd like to be involved in — even a few hours are welcome.
Spiritual Life & Liturgical Ministries
The Spiritual Life Commission oversees the liturgy, Music Ministry, and the Prayer Group. Liturgical roles open to parishioners include Eucharistic Minister, Lector/Reader, Server/Acolyte, Sacristan Assistant, Greeter/Usher, and Music Ministry. The parish currently lists the Music Ministry Coordinator position as vacant, with Monica Gilbrech serving as volunteer Music Coordinator.
- Eucharistic Minister
- Lector / Reader
- Server / Acolyte
- Sacristan Assistant
- Greeter / Usher
- Music Ministry (coordinator position currently vacant)
Faith Formation, Social, Service & Stewardship Ministries
Beyond faith formation, the parish offers a rich menu of social, service, and stewardship groups. Family Life and Social Concerns groups include Ladies' Guild, Men's Club, Giving Tree, Crafty Ladies, Pro-Life, Young at Heart (55+), Book Club, Mardi Gras, and Funeral Meals. Service ministries include St. Vincent de Paul, Communion for the Homebound, and parish festival work. Fundraising includes the Parish Festival and the Motor Speedway Concession. Stewardship covers Arts & Environment, Buildings & Grounds, Gardening & Flowers, Mowing & Trimming, and Snow Removal, as well as Custodial/Maintenance.
- Ladies' Guild, Men's Club, Young at Heart (55+)
- Pro-Life, Giving Tree, Crafty Ladies, Book Club, Mardi Gras
- St. Vincent de Paul, Funeral Meals
- Parish Festival, Motor Speedway Concession
- Arts & Environment, Buildings & Grounds, Gardening & Flowers, Mowing & Trimming, Snow Removal
Anointing of the Sick & Communion for the Homebound
For Anointing of the Sick emergencies, parishioners are asked to call 317-839-4255; for non-emergencies, call the parish office at 317-821-2909 to schedule. Communion for the Homebound can also be arranged through the parish office.
Online Community — Realm & Facebook
The parish maintains an online community through Realm (onrealm.org/StAnnIndy) so members can connect outside Sunday gatherings. Members can complete a profile, add family members, and adjust privacy settings; instructions are available on the parish website. St. Ann also keeps an active Facebook page at facebook.com/stannindy, which during COVID-19 became a vital way to stream Masses when in-person attendance was restricted.
- Realm: https://onrealm.org/StAnnIndy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stannindy
- Flocknote: stannindy.flocknote.com
Archdiocese of Indianapolis & Parish Identity
St. Ann is Parish #015 of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located in Marion County. The Archdiocese directory lists 367 households and a church capacity of 405, with parish registration and sacramental records coordinated through the parish office. The Archdiocese Mini-Directory and the parish website both confirm contact details, sacramental schedules, and staff assignments.
- Parish #015, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Marion County, Decatur Township
- Founded 1917 — 367 households — church capacity 405
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Riedingerthrough June 24, 1942
Transferred by Bishop Ritter to Little Flower / St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish; paid off the parish's huge debt through Marathon Days fundraisers.
- Fr. Ralph S. PfauJune 29, 1942 – June 14, 1943
Appointed by Bishop Ritter; relieved due to ill health.
- Fr. George B. SaumJune 25, 1943 – February 11, 1945
Appointed by Bishop Ritter; later appointed pastor of St. Michael, Brookville.
- Fr. Victor L. GoosensFebruary 12, 1945 – June 18, 1947
Appointed by Archbishop Ritter; also Diocesan Director of the Propagation of Faith.
- Fr. Carl L. WilberdingJune 18, 1947 – July 1, 1974
Longest-tenured pastor; oversaw construction of new school, elimination of outhouses, and shot the parish's now-famous home movies.
- Fr. Dan B. DonohooJuly 3, 1991 – February 1996
Arrived as Administrator; negotiated the 2-for-1 debt-reduction with the Archdiocese and oversaw the 1992 Diamond Jubilee.
- Fr. Stephen GianniniFebruary 1996 – October 1997
Succeeded Fr. Donohoo; departed in October 1997.
- Fr. Glenn O'ConnorDecember 1997 – July 3, 2012
Pastor of both St. Ann and St. Joseph parishes; reassigned to St. Susanna, Plainfield; passed away March 2019.
- Rev. Harold W. Rightor II2007 – mid 2009
Associate Pastor during the new-church building project.
- Rev. Robert T. HausladenJuly 2012 – June 30, 2019
Became pastor after Fr. Glenn's reassignment; farewell Mass and reception held June 30, 2019.
- Fr. Francis JosephJuly 2019 – July 4, 2021
Came from St. Thomas More; St. Ann became a sister parish to St. Thomas More during his tenure.
- Fr. Jude Meril Sahayamafter July 2021 – June 29, 2025
Shared ministry between St. Ann and St. Thomas More; transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Theresa of Lisieux (Little Flower).
- Very Rev. Joseph L. Newtonafter June 29, 2025 – present
Current Administrator; serves St. Ann and St. Thomas More with Fr. Liam Hosty assisting.