About St. Catherine of Siena Parish -St. Maurice Church · Saint Maurice, Indiana
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Decatur County, Indiana, formed in December 2013 by the merger of two historic country parishes — St. Maurice (in the village of St. Maurice) and St. John the Evangelist (in Enochsburg). It belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis and serves about 309 registered families across two worship sites in rural southeastern Indiana. The parish is pastored by Rev. William (Bill) Ehalt and is supported by a Director of Religious Education, business manager, music directors, and a parish council.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena
- Rector
- Rev. William (Bill) Ehalt
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena offers the close-knit feel of a small-country Catholic community spread across two historic worship sites — the 1859-founded St. Maurice Church in the village of St. Maurice and the 1860 stone St. John the Evangelist Church in Enochsburg. Families find weekly Mass at either site, religious education from preschool through 12th grade, Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, first Friday Adoration and Confession, and a full sacramental life from baptism through anointing of the sick. With about 309 registered families, a parish council, hall rentals, two active cemeteries, and a dedicated staff and lay volunteers, it is a welcoming place to put down roots and pass on the faith.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena Parish -St. Maurice Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Friday of the month following the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass and following the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass at St. Maurice
- By appointment — call Fr. Bill Ehalt at 812-585-1229
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month — after the 8:00 AM Mass at Enochsburg until 9:30 AM
Parish Overview & Identity
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a rural Decatur County, Indiana, Catholic community of about 309 families within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Its two worship sites — St. Maurice Church in the village of St. Maurice and St. John the Evangelist in Enochsburg — together make up one merged parish formed in December 2013 and canonically established in 2014.
- Parish name: St. Catherine of Siena Parish
- Worship sites: St. Maurice Church and St. John the Evangelist Church
- Founded December 2013 (merged)
- Archdiocese: Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Parish #071)
- Number of registered families: ~309
Church History
Both worship sites carry deep 19th-century roots. St. Maurice Church dates to 1859, when two French Brothers established a college ("St. Maurice Institute"), a church, and a school; the college closed after one Brother's sudden death, but the church and school continued. Around 1900 a brick church, school, and rectory were built; the school closed in 1963, the parish remained open. St. John the Evangelist in Enochsburg was founded in 1842 on land donated by Gerhard Bohmann, with a log cabin church, then a school and rectory. While a stone church was being built in 1857–1858, three people were killed in tragic accidents; construction resumed and the first Mass in the stone church was celebrated in 1860 — and that same building is still in use. A 1867 rectory fire required rebuilding. In December 2013 the two parishes merged into today's St. Catherine of Siena.
- St. Maurice — founded 1859 by two French Brothers; brick church c. 1900; school closed 1963
- St. John the Evangelist — founded 1842; stone church first used 1860; rectory rebuilt after 1867 fire
- Merger of the two parishes effective December 1, 2013
- New parish named under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena
St. Maurice Church (village of St. Maurice)
St. Maurice Church is located in the small village of St. Maurice in Decatur County, Indiana. The buildings — a brick church, rectory, and former school (now used for meetings and religious education classes) — are clustered on North St. John Street. The site hosts one Saturday vigil Mass, one Sunday Mass, one weekday Mass, the parish's religious education classes, First Friday Adoration, and the St. Maurice Cemetery.
- Address: 1963 North St. John Street, Greensburg, IN 47240
- Hosts the Saturday 5:00 PM vigil Mass and Sunday 10:00 AM Mass
- Hosts the Wednesday 8:00 AM weekday Mass
- Site of all Wednesday-evening Religious Education classes (Grades K–12)
- St. Maurice Cemetery — contact Kelly Bedel, 812-663-4754
- St. Maurice Hall — available for rental (Kelly Bedel, 812-663-4754)
St. John the Evangelist Church (Enochsburg)
St. John the Evangelist Church is located in Enochsburg, Decatur County, and houses the parish's second worship site and main parish office. The original 1860 stone church — built after three tragic accidents halted its first construction attempt — is still in use for worship today.
- Address: 9995 East Base Road, Greensburg, IN 47240-8406
- Hosts the Sunday 8:00 AM Mass
- Hosts the Thursday and Friday 8:00 AM weekday Masses
- Site of First Friday Adoration (after 8:00 AM Mass until 9:30 AM)
- Enochsburg Hall — available for rental (Cindy Lamping, 812-212-8384)
- Enochsburg (St. John's) Cemetery — contact Dan Nobbe, 812-934-3979
Religious Education & Youth
Religious education runs from preschool through 12th grade. Preschool lessons are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month during the school year, during the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Masses (children may attend at either site). Classes for Kindergarten through Grade 12 meet on Wednesday evenings at the St. Maurice site from 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM, taught by volunteer Catechists who are encouraged to be certified through the Archdiocese's program. The curriculum includes preparation for First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, along with an All Saints Celebration, a Christmas Celebration, and end-of-year recognition of high school seniors at an Outdoor Mass. A one-week Vacation Bible School in the summer welcomes parish children and their friends from preschool through Grade 5. Youth Ministry is led by Ben Geis.
- Religious Education Director: Kelly Bedel (812-663-4754)
- Wednesday classes K–12 — St. Maurice, 6:45 PM–8:00 PM
- Preschool lessons — 1st & 3rd Sundays at both Masses
- Sacramental prep: First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation
- All Saints & Christmas celebrations; Senior recognition Outdoor Mass
- Vacation Bible School — one week in summer, Pre-K through Grade 5
- Youth Ministry contact: Ben Geis, 812-593-5235
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office; weddings require at least six months of preparation per Archdiocesan policy; the Anointing of the Sick and Communion visits to the homebound are arranged by calling Fr. Bill Ehalt. Sacramental records may be requested through the parish office.
- Baptism — scheduled via Kelly Bedel; usually after weekend Masses at either site
- First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation — prepared for via Religious Education
- Confession — First Friday weekend at St. Maurice; by appointment 812-585-1229
- Anointing of the Sick — call 812-585-1229
- Communion to the ill/aging — contact the Parish Office
- Marriage — Catholic party should be a registered parishioner; 6+ months preparation
- Records requests — Kelly Bedel, 812-663-4754
Parish Staff & Contacts
Pastoral and administrative staff serve both worship sites under Pastor Fr. William (Bill) Ehalt.
- Pastor: Rev. William (Bill) Ehalt — 812-585-1229
- Director of Religious Education (St. Maurice office): Kelly Bedel — 812-663-4754
- Business Manager (Enochsburg office): Cynthia (Cindy) Lamping — 812-934-2880; bulletin & mass requests 812-212-8384
- Music Directors: Cheryl Parmer and Nathan Nobbe
- Youth Ministry: Ben Geis — 812-593-5235
- Parish Council Chair: Nick Wallpe — 812-614-1710
- St. Maurice Cemetery: Kelly Bedel — 812-663-4754
- Enochsburg Cemetery: Dan Nobbe — 812-934-3979
- Prayer Chain: Marilles Mauer (812-614-9389), Mary Fox (812-662-0753)
- Email: [email protected]
Get Involved
Beyond Mass and sacraments, the parish offers many ways to participate in parish life — including the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Maintenance committee, Evangelization committee, Stewardship program, Music Ministry, hall rentals, and the parish's two active cemeteries (St. Maurice and St. John/Enochsburg).
- Parish Council (Nick Wallpe, 812-614-1710)
- Finance Committee
- Maintenance committee
- Evangelization
- Stewardship
- Music Ministry (Cheryl Parmer & Nathan Nobbe)
- Vacation Bible School volunteers
- Catechists (Religious Education)
- Hall rentals — St. Maurice & Enochsburg halls
New to the Area?
The parish welcomes visitors and new residents. Weekend Masses are offered at St. Maurice Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM, and at Enochsburg Sunday at 8:00 AM. Newcomers are encouraged to contact the parish office to register, learn about Religious Education for children, or arrange sacraments such as Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or Marriage.
- Visit stcatherinesparish.org for current bulletin and announcements
- Contact St. Maurice office: Kelly Bedel, 812-663-4754
- Contact Enochsburg office: Cindy Lamping, 812-934-2880
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William (Bill) Ehalt2014–present
Born March 15, 1952; ordained June 5, 1999. Served as associate pastor at Prince of Peace, Madison and Most Sorrowful Mother of God, Vevay; part-time chaplain at Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School. Became pastor of St. Elizabeth, Cambridge City in 2001; sacramental minister of St. Anne, New Castle, and St. Rose, Knightstown, in 2002 while continuing at St. Elizabeth; pastor of St. Michael, Brookville, and Holy Guardian Angels, Cedar Grove in 2005; pastor of St. Jude the Apostle, Spencer, in 2008; pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Enochsburg, St. Anne, Hamburg, and St. Maurice in 2013; administrator, then pastor, of St. Catherine of Siena in 2014.