About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Shreveport, Louisiana
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Shreveport located in southeast Shreveport, Louisiana. Established in August 1984, the parish takes its name from the first native-born American saint, who founded the Sisters of Charity and opened the first American Catholic parish school and orphanage. Today the parish is led by Very Rev. Msgr. Rothell Price and offers three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, an active PSR and youth ministry, and a strong tradition of hospitality that traces back to its earliest days meeting in an LSUS auditorium.
- Established
- 1984
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Very Rev. Msgr. Rothell Price
- Diocese
- Diocese of Shreveport (Western Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers three Sunday Masses, a daily Monday–Friday Mass, and a robust weekly Eucharistic Adoration hour every Friday with Benediction in the Burleigh Center Chapel, giving parishioners many ways to anchor their week in the sacraments. The parish runs a full PSR program for K–12, an active youth ministry for grades 6–12, an ANCHORED young-adult group (ages 18–39), adult Bible studies, OCIA for those becoming Catholic, and ongoing ministry to residents of The Glen, The Oaks of Louisiana, Montclair Park and Azalea Estates. Its tradition of hospitality — born in its early days without a permanent building — continues through parish-wide fellowship, ministries for every age and stage, and a pastor honored by the Pope and the Bishop of Shreveport.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM (anticipated-Mass time)
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
- Half hour before Friday Masses for 15 minutes
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration, with Benediction at 3:00 PM, in the Burleigh Center Chapel
Parish History
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was formed in August 1984 as the Catholic community in southeast Shreveport. The parish held its first Mass in October 1984 in the auditorium of LSU-Shreveport under founding pastor Rev. Calvin 'Butch' Burleigh, and the 100 founding families built traditions of hospitality and covered-dish fellowship that continue today. In March 1986 the parish purchased 10 acres of land — including a pecan orchard — and in 1987 it dedicated the Family Life Center, with its sanctuary, religious-education classrooms and parish offices. The high altar and stained-glass windows were salvaged from the former St. Vincent Academy chapel and restored by parishioners.
Faith Formation
Faith formation for every age is a stated priority of the parish. Children and teens are served through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) and Youth Ministry, while adults gather for Bible studies, book studies and OCIA.
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The Sunday religious-education program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is called PSR and serves children from Kindergarten through 12th grade, meeting Sundays from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Sacramental preparation is built into the curriculum: First Communion in 2nd grade, with Confirmation prepared over the 7th and 8th grade years.
- Grades served: K through 12
- Time: Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM
- First Communion preparation: 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation: Confirmation Year 1 & 2 (7th & 8th grade)
- Volunteer catechists lead an approved curriculum
Youth Ministry (SEAS Youth)
SEAS Youth ministers to young people in grades 6 through 12 through monthly meetings, youth Masses, social activities and service projects. Summer programming includes a biweekly Theology of the Body for Teens book study, Vacation Bible School, rosary-making nights, movie nights, a diocesan youth day and an art-and-dinner evening — all in the church's youth room.
- Grades 6–12
- Wednesday evening meetings during the school year
- Monthly youth Masses with readers, ushers, musicians, altar servers and Eucharistic ministers
- Theology of the Body for Teens book study
- Vacation Bible School and diocesan youth day
- Contact: Mrs. Rose at the church office (318) 798-1887 x113, [email protected]
Young Adult Ministry — ANCHORED
ANCHORED is the parish's young-adult community for ages 18 to 39, meeting every Friday at 6:30 PM in the Burleigh Center. The group combines faith formation, prayer, service and social activities, with lay leadership currently provided by Trey and Courtenay Dean.
- Ages: 18–39
- When: Fridays, 6:30 PM
- Where: Burleigh Center
- Contacts: Trey Dean (318) 834-2695; Courtenay Dean (318) 230-4729, [email protected]
Adult Studies
Three ongoing adult formation opportunities are offered during the week, all open to anyone wanting to learn or live the faith more deeply.
- Breaking Open the Word — weekly Scripture study led by Michael Himel, Sundays 9:30 AM in the Burleigh Center library
- Parish Book Study — led by Michelle Brown, Sundays 9:30 AM in Room A of the Burleigh Center; a different book is chosen 3–4 times per year
- Sisterhood Bible Study — women's group, Wednesdays 9:30 AM in Room A of the Burleigh Center
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Adults interested in full communion with the Catholic Church are welcomed into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA), which walks inquirers through discernment, formation, and reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. All inquiries are welcome.
- OCIA / RCIA inquiry year
- Contact the parish office (318-798-1887) or pastor to sign up
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Couples must contact a priest at least six months before setting a wedding date, and those preparing for Confirmation or First Communion do so through PSR. Reconciliation is offered regularly each week and by appointment.
- Baptism — contact a priest to schedule
- First Communion — 2nd grade PSR, typically on Divine Mercy Sunday
- Confirmation — PSR Confirmation Year 1 & 2 (7th–8th grade), celebrated with the Bishop's visit
- Reconciliation — see Mass & Reconciliation Schedule
- Matrimony — 6-month priest contact, classes and retreat required
- Anointing of the Sick — contact a priest or the parish office
Liturgical Ministries & Parish Councils
The parish's liturgical life is shaped by a Liturgy Committee that includes the ordained presiders, deacons, the Director of Music Ministries, community members with specialized knowledge of liturgy, and representatives of the many liturgical ministries that serve Sunday Mass. The Pastoral Council and other parish councils assist in pastoral planning and the day-to-day life of the community.
- Liturgy Committee — chaired by the pastor with Deacon Mike Whitehead among its members
- Liturgical ministries — readers, ushers, musicians, altar servers and Eucharistic ministers
- Pastoral Council and strategic planning
Outreach & Care
In addition to its OCIA, youth, young-adult and adult-formation programs, the parish reaches beyond its campus to residents of area nursing homes and assisted-living facilities within parish boundaries. The presider schedule for these liturgies and Communion visits is included each month on the reverse side of the parish Mass schedule.
- The Glen
- The Oaks of Louisiana
- Montclair Park
- Azalea Estates
Visiting & Joining the Parish
Newcomers and visitors are greeted by the parish's longstanding tradition of hospitality — born during its founding years without a permanent building. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and staff are available to help with registration, sacraments and general questions.
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Office closed on Holy Days of Obligation
- Nursery available during 8:15 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses (ages 3+)
- Inquirers welcome to OCIA at any time
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Calvin "Butch" Burleigh1984–1990
Founding pastor; died in office May 1990; parish's 1997 activities building named Burleigh Center in his memory.
- Rev. David Richter1990–1995
- Rev. LaVerne "Pike" Thomas1995–2005
Tenure marked by major parish growth; Burleigh Center, additional religious-education classrooms, and library building added; sanctuary remodeled.
- Rev. Philip F. Michiels2005–2017
Oversaw growth in ministry to children and adults; liturgy seen as source and summit.
- Rev. Timothy C. Hurd2017–2019
- Rev. Mark Watson2019–2020
Sixth pastor; developed strategic plan with the Pastoral Council.
- Very Rev. Msgr. Rothell Price2021–present
Assigned October 2020; in December 2022 Pope Francis named him a Chaplain of His Holiness, making him the first African-American monsignor in the Diocese of Shreveport.