About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -Holy Family Church · Richmond, Indiana
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Richmond, Indiana, in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It was formed on July 1, 2016 through the merger of three historic local parishes — St. Andrew (1846), St. Mary (1859/1860), and Holy Family (1953) — and bears the name of the first native-born American to be canonized a saint, a pioneer of Catholic education. The merged parish operates from three campuses around Richmond, serves 917 families, and runs Seton Catholic Schools (Pre-K through 12th grade).
- Established
- 2016
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish offers nearly 60 ministries across three historic campuses, so there is a place for nearly every gift — liturgical service as an altar server, lector, or Communion minister; outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, food pantry, or funeral-meal team; faith formation for children, youth, and adults; and music, hospitality, or office support. As a parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, it runs Seton Catholic Schools (PK–12) rooted in Christ, gathers for daily Mass in English and a weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish, and centers its life in Eucharistic adoration and confession twice a week at the Holy Family Campus.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -Holy Family Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Roman Catholic parish in Richmond, Indiana, formed on July 1, 2016, by the merger of St. Andrew, St. Mary, and Holy Family parishes. It is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and serves 917 families. The parish takes the name of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — the first native-born American to be canonized a saint — in honor of her role as a mother, teacher, and pioneer of Catholic education in the United States. The parish lives out its mission 'as a community centered in Christ and rooted in the Eucharistic communion, journeying together in our call to be holy, constantly discerning the charisms of the Spirit, making one another disciples of Christ, seeking God's kingdom in service, stewardship, and charity.' Its Christian presence in Richmond is expressed through ministries, charities, and the Seton Catholic schools.
- Three campuses: St. Andrew (1846), St. Mary (1860), Holy Family (1953)
- Founded July 1, 2016
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- 917 families
- Patron: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (feast day January 4)
Three-Campus Parish History
The merged parish preserves the heritage of all three predecessor communities, and weekend Masses continue to be celebrated in each of their historic churches.
- St. Andrew — established 1846; second church built 1860 and later destroyed by fire; current church completed 1901; parish school built 1912.
- St. Mary — founded 1860 when English-speaking Catholics bought the old Lutheran meeting house at N. 7th and N. 'A' Streets; school built 1870; current church and rectory completed 1912; dedicated by Bishop J. Chartrand November 9, 1913.
- Holy Family — established 1953; school groundbreaking on the Feast of the Holy Family 1954, first Mass in the gym August 1954; church groundbreaking 1977, first Mass Palm Sunday 1979.
- All three merged into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on July 1, 2016.
Daily Rosary and Bible Study
Parishioners gather online for the Rosary every day at 7:30 PM on the parish Facebook page. Parish Bible Study programs run throughout the year, offered both in the evening and during the day so that more parishioners can attend. Contacts: Cheryl Kitchin (765-969-3945) and Tom Kitchin (765-969-5572).
- Daily Rosary at 7:30 PM via parish Facebook
- Bible Study offered evenings and daytime
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a lifelong process that goes beyond preparing for sacraments. Under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the parish provides formal catechesis for children age 4 through Confirmation (11th grade) in partnership with parents. The Faith Formation Commission (FFC) collaborates with the Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, and Adult Ministry commissions, meeting quarterly with Parish Catechetical Leader Vicky Roosa.
- Religious Education / CCD program for ages 4 through 11th grade
- Parish Children's Ministry
- Sacramental programming: Baptism Classes and First Communion program
- Totus Tuus and Catholic Vacation Bible School
- Youth Ministry Commission
- Young Adult Ministry Commission
- Collaboration with Seton Schools on Catholic identity and campus ministry
Sacrament Preparation
The parish prepares Catholics of every age for the sacraments of initiation and communion. First Communion is a two-year program (1st grade Pre-Communion, 2nd grade First Communion) and is celebrated the Sunday after Easter. Confirmation preparation runs during the school year. Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the wedding and includes the FOCCUS inventory, sponsor couples, Pre-Cana or Tobit Retreat in Indianapolis, and a Natural Family Planning workshop.
- Baptism: contact Fr. Sengole; mandatory prep class for parents and godparents
- First Communion: 2-year program through Seton Schools or Parish Religious Education
- Confirmation: classes during the school year
- Matrimony: contact Fr. Sengole 6+ months ahead; FOCCUS, sponsor couples, Pre-Cana/Tobit, NFP workshop
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care for the homebound and hospitalized
Liturgical Ministries
Each of the three campuses has a volunteer Sacristan who arranges the liturgical books, vestments, and furnishings, and who coordinates servers, lectors, and other Mass helpers. The three sacristans meet quarterly with Fr. Sengole. Ministry Scheduler Pro is the online tool used to schedule liturgical volunteers across all campuses.
- Sacristan — Holy Family Campus: Laurie Miller (765-962-3902 Ext. 10)
- Sacristan — St. Andrew Campus: Beth Van Der Burgt (765-993-8362)
- Sacristan — St. Mary Campus: Laura Elstro (765-259-1231)
- Cantors and Accompanists — contact Marty Van Der Burgt
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Training sessions offered throughout the year
Sharing Time and Talent: Parish Ministries
The parish lists nearly 60 ministries in which parishioners can serve. Drawing on St. Paul's image of many gifts from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), the parish invites parishioners to share their charisms for the upbuilding of the Body of Christ — whether by serving at the altar, feeding the hungry, mentoring a young person, or lending a musical or artistic gift. Contact the parish office at 765-962-3902 Ext. 1000 or email Laurie Miller to get involved.
- Liturgical: Altar Server, Lector, Communion minister
- Outreach: Food Pantry, Meals Ministry, Funeral Meal, Vincent de Paul, Transportation for the Elderly, Hospital/Homebound Communion
- Faith Formation: Catechists, Youth/Young Adult Ministry, Mentors
- Pastoral Care: Grief Ministry, Spiritual Direction, Nursing Home Mass, Prayer Chain
- Parish Life: Hospitality, Church Cleaning, School Cafeteria, Money Counting, Office Assistance, Councils/Commissions
- Talents: Music, Sewing/Carpentry, Computer Skills, Arts, Graphic Design
St. Vincent de Paul — Tri-County Good Samaritans
The parish's local Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter serves Wayne, Union, and Fayette counties, providing help to those in need without discrimination. The chapter has purchased a former laundromat at 1000 South E Street in Richmond and is renovating it into the 'Changing Lives Forever' program, with classroom space, a future commercial kitchen for cooking classes, a furniture showroom, and a library. The Furniture Ministry provides families in need with furniture and household items. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.
- Donations: checks payable to SVdP, mailed to PO Box 73, Richmond, IN 47375-0073
- Furniture Ministry for families in need
- 'Changing Lives Forever' program with future commercial kitchen and showroom
- Contact: President Tony Talbert, 765-220-1572 or [email protected]
Seton Catholic Schools
Seton Catholic Schools is the parish's integrated Pre-K through 12th-grade Catholic school system, through which the parish offers 'authentic education rooted in Christ and in spreading His Good News, raising saints for the glory of God.' The system is led by two principals and serves over 300 students across its two campuses.
- Seton Catholic Elementary (PK–6) — 801 W. Main St., Richmond — 141 students — Principal Jane Brack ([email protected]), 765-965-6956
- Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (7–12) — 233 S. 5th St., Richmond — 178 students — Principal Victor Berger ([email protected]), 765-962-5010
- Website: www.setonschools.org
- Collaborates with the Faith Formation Commission on Catholic identity and campus ministry
Parish Staff and Leadership
Day-to-day parish life is led by an Administrator with the title of Vicar Forane (VF), supported by parish office staff, a business manager, youth minister, and catechetical leader. The Parish Council is chaired by a lay parishioner.
- Administrator: Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF
- Parish Secretary: Laurie Miller
- Business Manager: Susan Shaw
- Parish Youth Minister: Kim Vournazos
- Parish Catechetical Leader / Director of Youth Ministry: Vicky Roosa
- Parish Council Chair: Jim Hunter
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is located at 240 S. 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374-5418, and can be reached at 765-962-3902 (fax 765-966-0820) or by email at [email protected]. Weekend Masses and most daily Masses are distributed across the three campuses — St. Andrew (235 S. 5th St.), St. Mary (720 N. 'A' St.), and Holy Family (815 W. Main St.) — so visitors can choose the most convenient location. Live-streamed Mass and the daily Rosary are available on the parish Facebook page.
- Parish Office: 240 S. 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374-5418
- Phone: 765-962-3902 | Fax: 765-966-0820
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.setoncatholics.org/
- Facebook: Seton Catholics (daily Rosary at 7:30 PM and live-streamed Mass)