About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Fort Collins, Colorado
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Roman Catholic parish in south Fort Collins, Colorado, belonging to the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded in 1981, it has grown to serve around 1,500 registered families on the south side of the city, offering daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic adoration, Reconciliation, and a full range of faith-formation, youth, and outreach ministries. After nearly four decades of worshipping in a multi-purpose building, the parish celebrated the dedication of a brand-new 22,000-square-foot church in August 2020 — a long-awaited 'church on the hill' visible from miles around. The parish is named after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized as a Catholic saint.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), first native-born American saint, foundress of the Sisters of Charity
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Toledo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — weekend and daily Mass, weekday Eucharistic adoration, and regular Reconciliation — all in a brand-new sanctuary built specifically for worship. The parish's 'Opportunities Abound' ministry list is unusually broad, running from Stephen Ministry, Jail Ministry, and Respect Life outreach to a Marriage & Family Life Ministry, Elizabeth Ministry for mothers, Grief Support, Prayer Shawl, and the St. Anne Enrichment Club for younger children. Active youth groups (Middle School and High School), a strong Family Formation program, choirs and music ministry, and parish-wide events like the Lenten Fish Dinners and Northern Colorado Men's Forum make it easy to plug in.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30–7:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00–4:30 PM
- Anytime by appointment — call (970) 226-1303
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Wednesday only, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
History of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Founded in 1981, the parish spent its first Mass in Fort Collins High School before dedicating its first worship building on September 22, 1985. Additions followed — Seton Hall and the Religious Education Center were dedicated January 13, 2005 — but the heart of the parish's story is the decades-long road to a true sanctuary. After years of Mass in a multi-purpose room, and after weathering a difficult period that included a former pastor's scandal, the parish launched a Christmas 2018 capital campaign and, on August 9, 2020, dedicated a brand-new 22,000-square-foot church on the hilltop. Archbishop Samuel Aquila presided at the dedication alongside then-pastor Fr. Joseph Toledo.
- First Mass celebrated April 5, 1981, at Fort Collins High School by founding pastor Rev. Kenneth Koehler
- Original church building dedicated September 22, 1985
- Seton Hall and Religious Education Center dedicated January 13, 2005
- Initial city meeting about a new sanctuary in 2015
- Capital campaign launched Christmas 2018
- New 22,000-sq-ft church dedicated August 9, 2020, by Archbishop Samuel Aquila — an $8.9 million project
Clergy and Staff
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is led by pastor Rev. Joseph Toledo with parochial vicar Rev. Arumugam Ananda Kumar H.G.N. Four permanent deacons — Don Weiss, Rick Antinora, Rob Lanciotti, and Vernon Dobelmann — assist with liturgy, marriage prep, and parish ministry. A lay staff supports faith formation, evangelization, liturgy and music, business operations, facilities, and the pastor.
- Rev. Joseph Toledo — Pastor
- Rev. Arumugam Ananda Kumar H.G.N. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Don Weiss (ordained 2005; designs computer chips for AMD)
- Deacon Rick Antinora
- Deacon Rob Lanciotti
- Deacon Vernon Dobelmann
- Mary Peacock — Director of Evangelization & Discipleship
- Debby Gavato — Family Formation & Youth Director
- Keri Jurjovec — Family Formation & Youth Assistant
- Elizabeth Kafer — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Thomas Kinkead — Facilities & Maintenance
- Vanessa Schibler — Business Manager
- Kim Morgan — Pastor Assistant
- Terry Gile — Capital Campaign Reclamation Office / Bulletin Editor
- Mary Ann Weiss — Parish Administrative Assistant
- Carol Greene — Parish Mission Support Desk
Parish Councils and Committees
Two consultative bodies support the pastor in running the parish. The Finance Council advises on stewardship of parish resources, while the Pastoral Council helps identify pastoral priorities, encourage volunteerism, and evaluate programs. Membership terms are typically three years, with provisions for reappointment laid out in the parish handbook.
- Finance Council chaired by Mike Grell; members include Dan Gavato (Secretary), Jason Taylor, Alan Wade, Erica Hall, Vanessa Schibler (Business Manager), and Fr. Joe Toledo
- Pastoral Council members at large: Paolo and Rita Fontani, Mike Grell, Scott Peacock, Jay and Stephanie Schippers, Mike and Angie Oberlander, Nathan & Kristen Balk
- Pastoral Council Secretary: Mary Peacock
- Liturgy representative: Deacon Don Weiss
- Decorating Committee plans seasonal liturgical decor
- Councils serve the pastor in a consultative role
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at SEAS spans cradle to adulthood. Family Formation Catechists and Aides pass on the faith at every level, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children, summer programs, and special events. Adult Faith Formation offers lecture series, book studies, Bible studies, and special faith topics for adult spiritual growth, with opportunities both to participate and to share one's own gifts.
- Family Formation Catechists/Aides (all grade levels)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
- Summer programs and special events
- Adult Faith Formation: lecture series, book studies, Bible studies
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Contact: Fr. Joseph Toledo at (970) 226-1303 for Adult Faith Formation
Youth Ministry
The parish runs two weekly youth groups and a children's enrichment program. Both youth groups meet Wednesday evenings and emphasize faith, service, and friendship in a fun environment. The St. Anne Enrichment Club supplements families' faith life with enrichment activities, the lives of the saints and Doctors of the Church, and time with peers on Friday mornings.
- High School Youth Group (grades 9–12): Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Middle School Youth Group (grades 6–8): Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- St. Anne Enrichment Club: Fridays 8:45 AM–12:15 PM
- Contact: Debby Gavato, Family Formation & Youth Director — (970) 267-7463
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical ministries support the celebration of Mass and the care of the worship space. From the sanctuary to the parking lot, volunteers serve as lectors, ushers, greeters, servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, and media ministers. The Decorating Committee plans the seasonal environment of the church, while the Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Proclaimers (Lectors)
- Servers (Altar Servers)
- Ushers and Greeters
- Music Ministry (singers and instrumentalists)
- Media Ministry (computer projectors at Mass)
- Audio/Video Technical Support (liturgy and special events)
- Decorating Committee (major feast-day decor)
- Liturgy contact: Deacon Rob Lanciotti — (970) 567-4983
Outreach and Pastoral Care
SEAS has a deep bench of pastoral-care and outreach ministries. Stephen Ministry provides trained lay caregivers for people in crisis. The Grief Support Group brings the healing comfort of God to those mourning a loved one. The Meals Ministry feeds families during illness, death, or the arrival of a new baby. The Elizabeth Ministry supports women and their families during the joys, trials, and sorrows of the childbearing years.
- Stephen Ministry (50 hours of Christian caregiving training)
- Grief Support Group
- Meals Ministry
- Elizabeth Ministry (childbearing years)
- Jail Ministry (weekly visits, Bible study, Communion services)
- Respect Life Ministry (Northern Colorado, conception to natural death)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (2nd Wednesday, 1–3 PM, Room 214)
- Funeral Lunch Committee
- Rosary Team (Marian apostolate visiting seniors)
Parish Life and Community
Beyond liturgy and formation, the parish builds community through regular social events and men's and women's fellowship. The Northern Colorado Men's Forum hosts quarterly Friday-night gatherings in Seton Hall with a guest speaker and New Belgium on tap, and the parish's Lenten Fish Dinners are a beloved annual tradition.
- Northern Colorado Men's Forum (quarterly Friday nights in Seton Hall)
- Lenten Fish Dinners (Fridays in Lent)
- American Heritage Girls (faith-based scout-style programming for girls; meets various Mondays at 4 PM)
- Maintenance Assistance (volunteers for grounds and building)
- Parish Office (general inquiries) — (970) 226-1303
Office, Contact, and Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed over the lunch hour from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. The mailing address and the church itself are at 5450 South Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80525, on the hilltop in south Fort Collins where the new church is visible for miles.
- Address: 5450 South Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80525
- Main phone: (970) 226-1303
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Website: https://seas-parish.org
- Webmaster email available via the website contact page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Kenneth Koehler1981–
Founding pastor; celebrated the first parish Mass on April 5, 1981, at Fort Collins High School.
- Fr. Tim Evans
Former pastor whose departure amid a scandal disrupted parish life and delayed building plans.
- Rev. Joseph Toledo
Pastor who led the parish through the long-awaited construction and August 2020 dedication of the new church sanctuary.