About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · New Berlin, Wisconsin
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Roman Catholic parish in New Berlin, Wisconsin, part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The parish is named after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born Catholic saint. Located at 12700 W. Howard Avenue, the parish worships in a contemporary brick sanctuary built in 1999 that features a distinctive antiphonal seating arrangement — congregants face one another across the central aisle rather than all looking one direction — to foster a sense of communion during liturgy. The current pastor is Father Joy Thachil, SAC, and the parish is served by a team that includes a deacon, a pastoral associate, directors of liturgy and music, faith formation (children, youth, and adult), administrative services, and communications. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses in English, the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons, Eucharistic Adoration, and more than fifty ministries.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Fr. Joy Thachil, SAC
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Seton is a mid-sized suburban parish with more than fifty ministries ready to serve both the parish and the wider community, so there is a way for every age and interest to get involved. Worship centers on a contemporary sanctuary with antiphonal seating that intentionally draws the assembly into closer communion during Mass, and faith formation is offered for children (early childhood through grade 5), youth (grades 11–12 confirmation prep), and adults. The parish also livestreams Mass and weekly homilies online through its Watch page, making it accessible to those who cannot attend in person.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 – 4:30 pm
- By personal appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri), see parish schedule
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Catholic parish in New Berlin, Wisconsin, served by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The parish community worships at 12700 W. Howard Avenue and is led by Father Joy Thachil, SAC. According to the parish website, its vision is 'to be a growing community that inspires all to follow Jesus with a spirit of inclusion, compassion and service,' and it encourages parishioners to deepen their relationship with Jesus through scripture, prayer, stewardship, and ministry to others.
- Vision: a growing community that inspires all to follow Jesus with a spirit of inclusion, compassion and service.
- Mission: encouraging parishioners to deepen their relationship with Jesus through scripture, prayer, stewardship and ministry to others.
- Member of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
History of the Parish
The parish has served Catholic families in New Berlin for more than forty years. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the original church building on the Howard Avenue property was completed in 1983 and was later remodeled to match the new worship space; this rear hall still stands behind the current sanctuary. As the community grew, the need for a larger worship space became evident, and the parish broke ground on a new sanctuary on April 19, 1998. By the end of August 1998 the steel beams for the walls were in place, and the new sanctuary was dedicated on June 30, 1999. On Pentecost Weekend, May 18–19, 2024, the parish marked the 25th anniversary of the sanctuary with special Masses and a celebration in Sippel Hall.
- Original church (rear hall) completed in 1983.
- Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary: April 19, 1998.
- Sanctuary dedication: June 30, 1999.
- 25th anniversary of the sanctuary celebrated Pentecost Weekend, May 18–19, 2024.
- Architectural style: Contemporary; exterior wall material: brick.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Joy Thachil, SAC, who 'is the shepherd of the parish who carries out for the community the duties of teaching, sanctifying, and governing.' He is assisted by Deacon Dick Winkowski and a large lay staff that covers liturgy and music, faith formation for all ages, communications, facilities, finance, and administration.
- Fr. Joy Thachil, SAC — Parish Priest.
- Deacon Dick Winkowski.
- Sue Switalski — Pastoral Minister/Associate.
- Rita McGann — Director of Administrative Services.
- Hal — Director of Liturgy and Music.
- Linda Halverson — Interim Adult Formation Coordinator.
- Ann Ryan — Director of Child Ministry (Early Childhood).
- Barb Lee — Director of Child Ministry (Grades 1–5).
- Sami Taylor — Director of Youth Ministry.
- Beth Pirkey — Director of Communications.
- Tom Halverson — Facilities Manager.
- Richard Eshleman — Bookkeeper/Accountant.
- Nick Sekula — Technology Coordinator.
- Kathy Stawicki — Administrative Assistant/Ministry Coordinator.
- Denise Frank — Administrative Assistant (Parish Office).
- Tracy G — Administrative Assistant (Formation).
- Paul Sekula — Custodian.
- Roman Sikorski — Custodian.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish's Disciple Formation ministry serves children, youth, and adults. The website welcomes 'all kids, teens, and adults who are seeking a spiritually enriching environment to grow their faith' and notes that programs 'provide a foundation of faith, foster personal growth, and develop lasting friendships in our community.'
- Child Ministry for Early Childhood — Ann Ryan.
- Child Ministry for Grades 1–5 — Barb Lee.
- Youth Ministry for Grades 11–12 — Sami Taylor.
- Adult Formation — Linda Halverson (Interim Adult Formation Coordinator).
- Pastoral Associate — Sue Switalski.
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation at Seton 'seals our life of faith in Jesus' and is received only once. Preparation varies by age. Youth in grades 11 and 12 meet Sundays from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, September through April, with two to three sessions per month, a Confirmation retreat, and service projects. Adults seeking Confirmation who were baptized Catholic but never confirmed can join a roughly ten-session process leading to reception at the Easter Vigil; adults baptized in another Christian church, or unbaptized adults seeking full communion, are also welcomed through the parish's Sacramental Preparation program.
- Youth (Grades 11–12): Sundays 6:00–7:30 pm, September–April.
- Adult Sacramental Preparation: approximately ten sessions leading to Easter Vigil.
- Confirmation Mass celebration: April 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Get Involved — Ministries and Volunteering
According to the parish's 'Get To Know Us' page, Seton has 'over fifty ministries that are ready to serve both our parish and our community. Giving your time and sharing your talents allows you to grow in your own faith, while following Jesus and serving others.' The page invites new and longtime parishioners alike to be part of the church family.
- Over fifty parish and community ministries.
- Opportunities for adults, youth, and families.
- Contact the parish office to learn more or sign up.
Watch Mass and Homilies Online
Through its Watch page, the parish livestreams the Sunday 8:30 am Mass for those joining online, and publishes weekly homilies preached by Father Joy Thachil, who is identified as 'Parish Priest at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in New Berlin, Wisconsin.' The homily page links to the parish website and Facebook page for further information.
- Livestream of Sunday 8:30 am Mass.
- Weekly homilies by Fr. Joy Thachil posted online.
- Facebook page: fb.com/elizabethannsetonparish.
Visit and Contact
The parish is located at 12700 W. Howard Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151, with parish office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The parish can be reached by phone at (262) 782-6760. The mailing address and other parish-calendar information are available at mystelizabeth.com/contact and mystelizabeth.com/parish-calendar.
- Address: 12700 W. Howard Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151.
- Phone: (262) 782-6760.
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- Website: www.mystelizabeth.com.