About St. Catherine of Siena · Kennesaw, Georgia
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is a Eucharistic-centered parish in Kennesaw, Georgia, part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Established June 10, 1981 and named after the 14th-century Dominican Doctor of the Church, the parish has grown into one of the most vibrant communities in northwest Georgia, offering daily Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a parish school, preschool, Chesterton Academy high school, and ministries spanning children, youth, adults, young adults, couples, and outreach to the poor through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380), Dominican Doctor of the Church
- Rector
- Rev. Neil Dhabliwala (sixth pastor, assigned 2016)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta (Northwest Metro Deanery, Cobb County)
Why belong here
St. Catherine's is a Eucharistic-centered parish offering reverent traditional liturgies (with Latin chant and Latin Marian antiphons after Communion), several daily Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel, and abundant weekly confession times. Families benefit from a parish grade school, preschool, Chesterton Academy high school, robust Children's Faith Formation and Youth Ministry (EDGE and Life Teen), while adults can engage through RCIA/OCIA, Bible studies, Marriage Ministry, the 20s & 30s group, and outreach through the active St. Vincent de Paul Society that serves the poor in the wider Kennesaw community.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00–10:00am
- Saturday: 3:00–4:00pm
- Other times by appointment — call the Parish Office at 770-428-7139
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel — guardians needed
- Wednesday Parish Holy Hour: Exposition and Benediction beginning at 6:00pm, with Rosary at 6:30pm
- First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — after the 9:00am Mass
- First Saturday Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima — after the 8:30am Mass
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Catherine's describes itself as a parish centered on the Eucharist and a life of stewardship and charity. The community is intentionally reverent and traditional in its liturgy, incorporating Latin chant parts of the Mass and Latin Marian antiphons sung after Communion. The parish maintains a strong sacramental life with several daily Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, and weekly confession opportunities, and remains active in outreach through its St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Eucharistic-centered identity
- Stewardship and charity as pillars
- Traditional liturgies with Latin chant
- Perpetual Eucharistic adoration
- Active St. Vincent de Paul Society
Parish History
Founded in 1981 by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan in response to explosive Catholic population growth in northwest Georgia, the parish began with 90 families meeting in May 1981 and celebrated its first Mass on June 13, 1981 at the Kennesaw United Methodist Church on Cherokee Street. By 1983 it was the fastest-growing parish in the Archdiocese. The current Ben King Road campus was dedicated on September 16, 1987, with subsequent buildings added through the decades — Herbert Hall, Our Lady of Grace Building, the new parish hall completed April 2019 — and continues to grow under its sixth pastor.
- Founded 1981 by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan
- Founding pastor: Fr. Leo Herbert
- First Mass: June 13, 1981
- First home: shared space at Kennesaw United Methodist on Cherokee Street
- Church/campus dedicated Sept 16, 1987
- 2019: Parish Hall completed under Fr. Neil Dhabliwala
Parish School of Religion & Children's Faith Formation
Children's Faith Formation offers Montessori-style Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for PreK4 and Kindergarten, Families of Faith family catechesis for 1st grade and up (required for two years before receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion), and a two-year Confirmation Preparation program starting in 7th grade. The schedule is designed so the whole family can attend faith formation together and then attend Sunday Mass as a family.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK4–K, Sundays)
- Families of Faith (1st grade and up, Sundays & Wednesdays)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (2nd grade, after two years)
- Confirmation Preparation (7th grade+, two years)
- Director: Joan Hennes; Assistant: Ana Muina
Youth Ministry (EDGE & Life Teen)
St. Catherine's Youth Ministry runs the EDGE program for middle school students (5th–7th grade) and Life Teen for high schoolers (8th–12th grade), meeting Sundays 5:30–7:30pm. Other offerings include High School Homework & Holy Hour on Wednesdays, the Logos High School Bible Study, middle and high school summer camps, and a Spring Retreat.
- EDGE Middle School Ministry (Sundays 5:30–7:30pm)
- Life Teen High School Ministry (Sundays 5:30–7:30pm)
- High School Homework & Holy Hour (Wednesdays)
- Logos High School Bible Study (Wednesdays 7:00–8:15pm)
- Summer camps and Spring Retreat
- Director of Teen Ministry: Desirae Darden
Adult Faith Formation (RCIA / OCIA)
Adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete their Sacraments of Initiation enter the parish through the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, which runs roughly ten months from August through the Easter Vigil. The parish also offers numerous Bible studies and catechetical programs for adults through the Adult Faith Formation office.
- OCIA / RCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- For catechumens, candidates for full communion, and Catholic adults seeking Confirmation
- Adult Bible studies and catechetical programs
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Jeremy Johnston
Marriage & Family Ministry
The Marriage Ministry supports couples at every stage — engaged, newly married, and longtime spouses — through quarterly Couples of Faith dinners, an annual Faith and Love Conference, Natural Family Planning resources, monthly Marriage Blessings, and referrals to Catholic counseling through Holy Family Counseling Center and Transfiguration Counseling. The Retrouvaille program is also promoted for struggling marriages.
- Couples of Faith — quarterly dinner & speaker series
- Faith and Love Conference (annual day-long conference)
- Natural Family Planning Ministry
- Monthly Marriage Blessings (first weekend)
- Holy Family Counseling Center and Transfiguration Counseling on-site referrals
- Retrouvaille for struggling marriages
- Director: Jeremy Johnston
Young Adults (20s & 30s Ministry)
St. Catherine's 20s & 30s Ministry gathers young adults in their twenties and thirties for fellowship, faith, and community — connecting via GroupMe, email, and Instagram. The group's patron quote, attributed to St. Joan of Arc — 'Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God. all will be well.' — captures its spirit.
- Fellowship and faith community for adults in their 20s and 30s
- Connects via GroupMe, email, and Instagram
Catholic Schools & Preschool
The parish campus hosts St. Catherine of Siena Preschool, St. Catherine of Siena Grade School (K–8), and Chesterton Academy High School (a Catholic classical curriculum). The grade school opened in August 2002 and has been served by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia since 2004. The preschool, directed by Karen Pickens, has been part of the parish for over 29 years.
- St. Catherine of Siena Preschool — Director Karen Pickens
- St. Catherine of Siena Grade School — Principal Kelly Wood (K–8)
- Chesterton Academy High School (on campus)
- Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia serving the grade school since 2004
- Catholic Metro Sports — basketball, volleyball, soccer (Athletic Director: Robert Corner)
- Dance Academy
Outreach & Charity (St. Vincent de Paul)
The parish's principal outreach to the needy is through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides food and financial assistance to those in need. Assistance is not given out at the church — those in need are directed to email St. Vincent de Paul directly.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food and financial assistance
- Contact via email through the parish office
- Parish described as 'a strong presence in our community' through outreach
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated or facilitated through the parish. Sacramental emergencies (such as anointing of the sick in danger of death) are handled through a dedicated phone line.
- Baptism — infant and adult (via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade or older)
- Confirmation (8th grade or older)
- Marriage — wedding planning & preparation
- Anointing of the Sick & Funeral scheduling
- Reconciliation (Confession) — see schedule
- Sacramental Emergency line: (678) 243-0794
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, parochial vicar, and a team of deacons, along with a large lay staff leading formation, music, finance, facilities, and school operations. Parish office hours are Monday–Friday 9:30am–3:30pm.
- Pastor: Fr. Neil Dhabliwala
- Parochial Vicar & Director of Hispanic Ministry: Fr. Juan Guerrero
- Deacons: Jim Tramonte, Brad Young, Jose Espinosa, Rafael Cintron, Hector Romero, Mark Tahsler, Miguel Echevarria
- Director of Adult Faith Formation & Marriage Ministry: Jeremy Johnston
- Director of Children's Faith Formation: Joan Hennes (Assistant: Ana Muina)
- Director of Teen Ministry: Desirae Darden
- Director of Development and Music: Charissa Saenz
- Director of Business and Finance: Mark Ryan
- Director of Facilities: Peter Dudasko
- Preschool Director: Karen Pickens
- School Principal: Kelly Wood
- Executive Assistants: Susan Bunda, Sheri Entz, Joanne Allen
- Hispanic Ministry Assistant: Paula Cadavid
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to register with the parish, join a ministry, support the Capital Campaign ('Rooted in Christ—Growing in Faith'), or contact the parish office during business hours. Masses are live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
- Parish registration available via the parish website
- Parish office: 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144 — (770) 428-7139
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:30am–3:30pm
- Capital Campaign: 'Rooted in Christ—Growing in Faith'
- Live-streamed Sunday Masses at facebook.com/stcatherinercc/videos
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Leo Herbert1981–1990
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass June 13, 1981 in shared Methodist space on Cherokee Street; led the building of the current Ben King Road campus (groundbreaking Oct 6, 1986; dedication Sept 16, 1987) and Herbert Hall.
- Rev. Fr. Terence Kane1990–1997
Second pastor; oversaw continued growth and expansion.
- Rev. Fr. James Harrison1997–2005
Third pastor; broke ground in 1998 on the Our Lady of Grace Building.
- Rev. Fr. N. Brendan Doyle2005–2009
Fourth pastor; led the church's first major renovation and the addition of the hand-carved Italian crucifix (2008); first 8th-grade graduating class from St. Catherine of Siena school in spring 2008.
- Rev. Fr. John M. Matejek2009–2016
Fifth pastor; himself a former St. Catherine's parishioner; dedicated the parish to the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 1, 2010; St. Catherine of Siena statue added to narthex in 2011.
- Rev. Fr. Neil Dhabliwala2016–present
Sixth pastor; launched a $4 million Capital Campaign; groundbreaking of parish hall in May 2018; parish hall completed April 2019.