About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Catholic parish in the Okolona/Fern Creek area of southern Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded on November 14, 1975, the parish was named for the first American-born saint, canonized just that same year. Today about 375 registered families gather for warm, welcoming Sunday liturgies and a robust schedule of faith formation, youth ministry, outreach, and devotions. The parish shares its patron's spirit of charity through a regular Sunday collection that helps local families with rent, utilities, food, medicine, and clothing, and through ministries that serve the homebound at nearby Wesley Manor.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Rev. Albert C. Añover
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a small, warm parish where nearly 1,000 parishioners are learning together to answer God's call and be better stewards of God's gifts. The parish pairs a full sacramental life — daily Mass, Saturday vigil, a Filipino Mass once a month, First Friday Exposition and Benediction, and Saturday confessions — with a deep bench of ministries for every age and stage: RCIA, faith formation K–12, Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, music ministry, a men's fellowship, the Seton Seniors group, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, altar servers, hospitality, and the parish's H.O.S.T. Society and Social Concerns Committee that help local families with rent, utilities, food, medicine, and clothing.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
- First Fridays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Holy Days — see bulletin
Adoration times
- First Friday: 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by Exposition & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
About the Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Catholic parish in the Okolona/Fern Creek area of southern Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded November 14, 1975 and named for the first American-born saint canonized that same year, the parish today serves about 375 registered families — close to 1,000 parishioners — known for warm and welcoming Sunday liturgies and a strong culture of stewardship and outreach to neighbors in need.
- Founded November 14, 1975
- Archdiocese of Louisville
- Approximately 375 registered families
- Located at 11501 Maple Way, Louisville, KY 40229
History & Pastor Succession
The parish traces its roots to 1975, when Father Joseph M. Fowler began ministering to families in the southern section of St. Rita's territory. The church building was dedicated in 1977, with the social hall (1981), bells (1985), and Seton Center (2002) added in the decades that followed. Through the years the parish has been served by ten pastors and canonical administrators, including the current pastor, Father Albert C. Añover, named in May 2021.
- Rev. Joseph M. Fowler, 1975–1986 (founding pastor)
- Rev. J. Richard Sullivan, 1986–1995
- Clustered with St. Mary, 1995–1999, under Rev. Robert Abel (administrator) and Rev. Gerald Timmel (associate)
- Rev. Thomas Hommrich, 1999–2008 (also St. Luke from 2005)
- Rev. Robert Dale Cieslik, 2008–2012
- Rev. Johnny Johnson, Canonical Administrator, 2012–2014
- Rev. Maurice Hayes, OFM Conv., 2014–2020
- Rev. T. Anthony Smith, Administrator Pro-tempore, 2020–2021
- Rev. Albert C. Añover, Pastor since May 2021
Buildings & Campus
The parish campus grew in stages from the original 1977 church to today's full Seton Center complex. The building timeline reflects a community that steadily invested in worship, formation, and fellowship space.
- Church building — dedicated July 24, 1977 by Archbishop Thomas J. McDonough
- Social hall (back building) — dedicated June 27, 1981
- Bells on the tower — dedicated August 17, 1985
- Seton Center — dedicated February 24, 2002 by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly; gymnasium, Youth Ministry Office, eight catechesis/formation rooms, five offices
- Seton Bingo Hall — original fundraising and religious-ed space; roof collapsed in 1994 and 2004, later closed
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered for every age from kindergarten through high school, plus RCIA for adults and a Vacation Bible School each summer. Director of Religious Education Sister Karla Kaelin, OSU-MSJ oversees the program, with Coordinator of Youth Ministry Sharon Lavender serving teens.
- Faith Formation K–7, Sundays 10:00–11:30 a.m.
- Grade 8 (Confirmation year), Sundays 10:00–11:30 a.m.
- Grades 9–12 Youth Ministry, alternating Sundays at 6:00 p.m.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4 through Grade 4) at 9:00 a.m. and Noon Masses
- Vacation Bible School (K–6) each summer
- RCIA for adults and inquirers, Tuesdays 7:00 p.m., mid-September through Easter Vigil
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a communal journey of study, faith-sharing, and formation, restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism and full communion in the Catholic Church. Classes meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. from mid-September through the Easter Vigil, when the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation — are celebrated.
- Pre-Catechumenate (Period of Inquiry)
- Rite of Initiation
- Catechumenate
- Rite of Election
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy
Sacraments
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments — the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), Healing (Penance, Anointing of the Sick), and Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders) — and welcomes parishioners to contact the Parish Office to begin preparation.
- Baptism — contact Parish Office
- Eucharist (First Communion) — preparation via Faith Formation
- Confirmation — Grade 8 preparation program
- Penance / Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00 p.m., First Fridays 6:00–7:00 p.m., or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Parish Office
- Marriage — contact Parish Office to begin preparation
- Holy Orders — discernment support available
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical roles invite parishioners to take an active part in Mass. The parish's Worship Committee oversees all liturgical ministries, with Art & Environment, Music Ministries, and Liturgical Ministries represented on the committee.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (incl. visits to Wesley Manor Retirement Home)
- Ministers of the Altar (Servers and Acolytes, Grade 4 through adult; training provided)
- Lectors (adults and high school youth; training and workbooks provided)
- Ministers of Hospitality and Ushers
- Mass Coordinators
- Art and Environment
- Music Ministry (Cantors and Adult Choirs; rehearsal Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
Music Ministry
Director of Music Carol Fox leads the parish's music ministry, including Adult Choirs for men and ladies. No music-reading experience is required — the director will teach you. New members are always welcome, and the choirs rehearse every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the church.
- Director of Music: Carol Fox
- Cantors and Adult Choirs
- Weekly rehearsal: Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. in church
- Musicians invited to help at Liturgies
Outreach & Social Concerns
Helping those in need is a hallmark of the parish. A regular Sunday collection helps local families with rent, utilities, food, medicine, and clothing, and the Social Concerns Committee organizes year-round outreach including the Christmas Help Program, donations to the local Food Pantry, and gifts of treasure and talent to the H.O.S.T. Society (Helping Others Strengthen Themselves).
- H.O.S.T. Society — financial and basic home-needs assistance to families
- Christmas Help Program
- Food Pantry donations
- Extraordinary Ministers visit Wesley Manor Retirement Home
- Bereavement Committee supports families after a funeral
Fellowship & Prayer Groups
Parishioners of every age and stage find community through regular fellowship and prayer gatherings, from the weekly Rosary to a senior social club and a men's fellowship.
- Rosary — every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
- Catholic Men's Fellowship — First Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in church
- Seton Seniors — fourth Thursday at 12:00 noon (potluck, outings)
- Bereavement Committee
- Parish Council — meets monthly on the third Thursday
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, parish staff, and volunteer ministry leaders, all supported by an active Parish Council.
- Pastor: Rev. Albert C. Añover
- Secretary: Cathy Houchin
- Bookkeeper: Linda Goodin
- Director of Music: Carol Fox
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Sharon Lavender
- Director of Religious Education: Sister Karla Kaelin, OSU-MSJ
- Deacon (retired): Jim Olrich (1976–2021)
Visit, Register & Stay Connected
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish invites visitors to attend daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. Monday–Thursday, the Saturday vigil at 5:30 p.m., or Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. or Noon. New Parishioner Information Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m., and registration forms are available on the parish website.
- Office phone: (502) 969-0004
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: (502) 969-0553
- Website: http://www.easeton.com/
- Facebook: facebook.com/seaspsl
- New Parishioner Information Meetings: second Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph M. Fowler1975–1986
Founding pastor; built up the new parish from the southern section of St. Rita's territory, oversaw construction of the church (dedicated 1977) and social hall.
- Rev. J. Richard Sullivan1986–1995
- Rev. Robert Abel1995–1999
Pastor of St. Mary Church and Administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton during the parishes' 'cluster' period due to priest shortage.
- Rev. Gerald Timmel1995–1999
Associate Pastor during the cluster period.
- Rev. Thomas Hommrich1999–2008
Initially Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Mary; from July 2005 also Pastor of St. Luke Parishes. Retired June 2008.
- Rev. Robert Dale Cieslik2008–2012
- Rev. Johnny Johnson2012–2014
Canonical Administrator.
- Rev. Maurice Hayes, OFM Conv.2014–2020
Retired August 2020.
- Rev. T. Anthony Smith2020–2021
Administrator Pro-tempore.
- Rev. Albert C. Añover2021–present
Named Pastor in May 2021.