About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church · Keller, Texas
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (often shortened to SEAS) is a Roman Catholic parish in Keller, Texas, a fast-growing suburb in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Founded in 1977 and part of the Diocese of Fort Worth, the parish is home to more than 4,000 registered families, an attached PK–8th-grade classical Catholic school, a thriving religious education and OCIA (formerly RCIA) program, and a growing Hispanic ministry that celebrates a weekly Mass in Spanish. The current 1,400-seat church building was completed in 2000, and the parish recently dedicated a new Eucharistic Adoration oratory named for St. Zachary (the father of St. John the Baptist).
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Rev. James Flynn
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
SEAS is a large, active parish family with something for nearly every Catholic: a robust K–8 classical Catholic school on a 44-acre campus, year-round faith formation for children and adults (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA for those becoming Catholic, Confirmation preparation, and the Tender Lambs adaptive program), a lively music ministry, Knights of Columbus and outreach ministries, and a growing Hispanic ministry. Worship options include a Sunday Spanish Mass, daily Mass Monday–Saturday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration in the new St. Zachary Oratory, and weekly Confessions with two priests on Thursday evenings — making it easy for working families and newcomers to plug into parish life.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (2 priests available)
- Saturdays in Lent and Advent: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Adoration times
- St. Zachary Oratory — Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- St. Zachary Oratory — Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- St. Zachary Oratory — Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- St. Zachary Oratory — Thursday: CLOSED (school classes may visit)
- St. Zachary Oratory — Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Illuminate (Holy Hour with Praise and Worship) — Weekend (see bulletin)
- Additional hours available for committed adorers and substitutes
- Monthly First Saturday Holy Hour (Spanish Ministry) at 7:30 PM
Welcome to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (SEAS) is a Roman Catholic parish in Keller, Texas, in the Diocese of Fort Worth. The parish welcomes newcomers with a 'Plan Your Visit' page that explains what to expect at Mass, where to park, how to register as a member, and which ministries to plug into. Parishioners are asked to arrive about 15 minutes before Mass; a nursery is offered during the 9 AM and 11 AM Sunday Masses for children walking-age through 4 years. The office can be reached at (817) 431-3857 (Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM; Fri 8 AM–12 PM) or [email protected].
- Address: 2016 Willis Lane, Keller, TX 76248
- Office phone: (817) 431-3857
- Office email: [email protected]
- Mass livestreamed / weekend vigil at 4:00 PM & 5:30 PM
History of the Parish
Founded in 1977 as a mission parish of what is now the Diocese of Fort Worth, SEAS grew alongside the suburban boom in Keller and the Mid-Cities. The present main church was completed in 2000, the same year the parish school opened. In the mid-2020s the parish broke ground on its 'Building Community for Christ' capital campaign, completing St. Zachary Oratory and a covered walkway in 2024–2025 and now raising funds for a new Family Life Center.
- Founded 1977
- Current church building completed 2000
- School opened 2000
- St. Zachary Oratory completed 2024–2025
- Family Life Center campaign underway
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. James Flynn and assisted by Parochial Vicars Rev. Benjamin Grothouse and Rev. Babji Merugu, SAC. Rev. Msgr. E. James Hart serves as Pastor-Emeritus, and Fr. Dennis Smith is retired. A team of deacons — including Deacons Guido Serrano, Normand Etienne, Larry Sandoval, Mike Sutton, Nelson Pet, and Zachary — supports the parish's sacramental and outreach life. Pastoral directors lead key ministry areas; Oneyda Swithinbank directs Music; Scott Cook serves as Chief of Staff / Business Manager.
- Pastor: Rev. James Flynn
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Benjamin Grothouse; Rev. Babji Merugu, SAC
- Pastor-Emeritus: Msgr. E. James Hart
- Retired: Fr. Dennis Smith
- Deacons: Guido Serrano, Normand Etienne, Larry Sandoval, Mike Sutton, Nelson Pet, Zachary
- Director of Music: Oneyda Swithinbank
- Chief of Staff / Business Manager: Scott Cook
Faith Formation for Children
Children's faith formation at SEAS is rooted in classical, Montessori, and family-based approaches. The parish runs a K–5 program using the Faith and Life series by Ignatius Press, an Atrium-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for ages 3–9 (developed by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi), and Tender Lambs of Christ — an adaptive religious education class for students with special needs that meets Sunday mornings.
- K–5 Faith and Life Program (Tue 5:15 PM or Wed 6:15 PM)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium, ages 3–9)
- Tender Lambs of Christ (adaptive RE, Sundays 10:50 AM – 12:10 PM)
- Middle School and High School Youth Ministry
Adult Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Adults can continue learning through the parish OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, Adult Confirmation preparation, ongoing studies, and a free parish subscription to FORMED — an online platform with more than 4,000 Catholic studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, and e-books from the Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Knights of Columbus, and others. The parish also offers vocational discernment support.
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Adult Confirmation
- FORMED online platform (free for parishioners via parish zip code)
- Vocations discernment
Sacraments
The parish Sacramental Preparation page walks parishioners through preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Weddings, Anointing of the Sick, Confession, and OCIA. Each preparation process unpacks the theology of the sacrament as well as the practical aspects of living it out as a disciple of Christ.
- Baptism preparation
- First Communion / First Reconciliation
- Confirmation preparation
- Weddings / Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Confession
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Vocations / Holy Orders discernment
Ministries & Service Opportunities
SEAS frames stewardship as a response to baptism: every parishioner is invited to serve in liturgy, teaching, service, or prayer. The parish lists a wide menu of ministries — from choir and liturgical roles (lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, ushers) to catechist/aide teams, youth ministry, outreach (including the Knights of Columbus and a parish Outreach directorate), and a dedicated Hispanic / Spanish Ministry. The parish notes a particular volunteer need for K–5 catechists and aides, who must complete Diocesan Safe Environment requirements including a background check.
- Liturgical ministries (lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, ushers)
- Music Ministry / Choir (contact Oneyda Swithinbank)
- Catechist and Aide corps (K–5, CGS, special needs)
- Hispanic / Spanish Ministry (contact Xochitl Blanco)
- Outreach Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Nursery volunteers
Music Ministry
SEAS maintains an active music program supporting weekend and holy day liturgies. The choir welcomes new members; inquiries go to Director of Music Oneyda Swithinbank at [email protected] or the parish office (817) 431-3857.
- Director of Music: Oneyda Swithinbank
- Contact: [email protected] or (817) 431-3857
Hispanic / Spanish Ministry
The parish offers a Sunday Mass in Spanish at 1:00 PM, a First Saturday Holy Hour in Spanish at 7:30 PM, and a dedicated Spanish Ministry led by Xochitl Blanco. The ministry welcomes Spanish-speaking parishioners and visitors and is the parish's primary outreach to Keller's Hispanic Catholic community.
- Sunday Spanish Mass: 1:00 PM
- First Saturday Spanish Holy Hour: 7:30 PM
- Contact: Xochitl Blanco, [email protected], 817-623-2409 ext 503
Building Community for Christ Campaign
The parish's current capital effort, 'Building Community for Christ,' is led by Pastor Fr. Flynn. Phase 1 — the Adoration Chapel (St. Zachary Oratory) — is complete. The parish is now raising funds for Phase 2: a new Family Life Center that will serve as a welcoming hub for community life, ministry, and formation. Fr. Flynn's campaign letters invite every family to participate in the remaining ~$4 million needed.
- Phase 1: Adoration Chapel / St. Zachary Oratory — COMPLETE
- Phase 2: New Family Life Center — fundraising in progress
- Covered walkway connecting parking lot to church & school — COMPLETE
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School
Located on the same 44-acre campus at 2016 Willis Lane, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School is a classical Catholic PK–8 school that opened in 2000. It educates roughly 500+ students in a Christ-centered environment focused on Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, with rigorous academics, faith formation, sacramental life, devotions, student activities, and growth in virtue and character. The school is accredited and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
- Founded 2000
- Grades PreK–8, ~520 students
- Classical Catholic curriculum
- Member of NCEA
- Website: seascs.net
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. E. James Hart
Pastor-Emeritus (Diocese of Fort Worth parish listing)
- Fr. Dennis Smith
Long-serving priest at SEAS for nearly half his priestly ministry; retired due to health (advanced glaucoma, mobility issues) after nearly 48 years of priestly ministry; wrote a farewell 'Smith Letter' to parishioners
- Rev. James Flynn
Current Pastor