About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Saint Charles, Missouri
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, located at 2 Seton Court in St. Charles, Missouri. Canonically erected on May 29, 1975 by John Cardinal Carberry, the parish was named for the first native-born American saint, canonized by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975 — the very day its founding parishioners gathered on the future parish grounds for an outdoor Mass and groundbreaking. The parish serves the southwest corner of St. Charles and eastern St. Peters, and its mission is to proclaim and live the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, sacraments, education, formation, outreach, service and stewardship.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas Vordtriede
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers a full Catholic life: a strong sacramental schedule with multiple daily Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration from Tuesday morning through Thursday evening, regular Reconciliation before every Mass, and devotions like the Mother of Perpetual Help devotion on Tuesday mornings. Parishioners grow in faith through the Seton Regional Catholic School (a three-parish regional school for K–8), religious education/PSR programs, and an active ministry life including the Apostolic Works Ministry that provides emergency aid to neighbors in need. Its mission — to proclaim the Gospel through worship, sacraments, education, formation, outreach, service and stewardship, in the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton — is lived out across generations of St. Charles County families.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 6:45–7:15 am and 7:45–8:10 am
- Saturday: 7:45–8:10 am and 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:15 am, and 11:00 am
- By appointment — contact the rectory
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 9:00 am through Thursday 9:00 pm
History of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Canonically erected on May 29, 1975 by Archbishop John Cardinal Carberry with Father John Hickel as founding pastor, the parish grew out of the late-1960s demographic shift into St. Charles County. Named in anticipation of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the community first worshipped at Saint Andrew's Cinema before construction of a temporary church/school was completed in 1976. The permanent church was dedicated in 1991 by Archbishop John May, including a 24-hour adoration chapel, and was renovated and rededicated by Archbishop Robert Carlson in 2011 with the addition of a vestibule, bell tower, and elevator.
- May 29, 1975 — parish canonically erected by Cardinal Carberry
- September 14, 1975 — outdoor Mass and groundbreaking on the future parish grounds, the same day Mother Seton was canonized in Rome
- 1976 — regional school opens; Cardinal Carberry blesses new buildings that fall
- 1981 — current rectory built on parish grounds
- 1989 — parish agrees a larger permanent church is needed
- 1991 — church dedicated by Archbishop John May, with 24-hour Blessed Sacrament adoration chapel
- 2010–2011 — church renovation (vestibule, bell tower, elevator) and rededication by Archbishop Robert Carlson
- September 2017 — regional school renamed Seton Regional Catholic School when St. Peter Parish joins
Mission & Patron
The parish mission is to proclaim and live the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, sacraments, education, formation, outreach, service and the responsible stewardship of God's gifts. In the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton — the first native-born American saint, canonized September 14, 1975 — the parish strives to create a legacy of faith with a special love for the Eucharist, welcoming all to 'be children of the Church.' Mother Seton's feast day is January 4, the anniversary of her death in 1821.
- Patron: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821)
- Feast day: January 4
- First American-born saint; canonized by Pope Paul VI
- Foundress of the Sisters of Charity; pioneer of Catholic parochial education in the U.S.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor, an associate pastor, a retired priest, and two deacons (one active, one retired).
- Rev. Thomas Vordtriede — Pastor
- Rev. Stephen Schumacher — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Msgr. Donald Schramm — Retired
- Deacon Manolo Rivera — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Philip King — Retired Deacon
Seton Regional Catholic School (K–8)
Seton Regional Catholic School is the parish's regional elementary school, originally founded in 1976 as St. Elizabeth/St. Robert Regional Catholic School in partnership with St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. In September 2017, St. Peter Parish joined as a third partner parish and the school was renamed Seton Regional Catholic School. Located at 1 Seton Court, the school offers K–8 instruction with religion, art, computer, music K–8, physical education, Spanish, learning support and a middle-school science program, plus athletics, band, choir and student council.
- Originally St. Elizabeth/St. Robert Regional Catholic School (opened 1976)
- Renamed Seton Regional Catholic School in September 2017
- Three partner parishes: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Peter
- Athletic Association — soccer, volleyball, basketball, T-ball, softball, baseball
- CCSB Band program (Grades 4–8) with Duchesne High School
- Cross Country program for middle-school students
- Home & School Association
Religious Education / Parish School of Religion (PSR)
Seton Regional Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious education and faith formation to children of registered parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Peter, and St. Robert Bellarmine parishes in grades K–8 who attend public or non-Catholic schools.
- Seton Regional PSR (K–8)
- Coordinator of Religious Education (parish staff)
- Shared program across the three partner parishes
Outreach & Apostolic Works Ministry (AWM)
Founded in the parish's early years, the Apostolic Works Ministry responds to the financial needs of both parishioners and non-parishioners. Over the decades its reach has grown as a means of providing emergency assistance to all in the area with mortgages, rent, food, utilities and medical expenses.
- Emergency financial assistance (mortgage, rent, food, utilities, medical)
- Aids parishioners and non-parishioners in the surrounding community
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Hickel1975–
Founding pastor; canonically erected the parish with Cardinal Carberry on May 29, 1975, oversaw groundbreaking the day Mother Seton was canonized (Sept. 14, 1975), opened the regional school in 1976, and guided rapid parish growth.