St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -St. Andrew Church

Who We Are: Five Chapters of One Parish

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, formed on July 1, 2016 through the merger of three Richmond parishes — St. Andrew (1846), St. Mary (1859), and Holy Family (1953). The parish's Mission Statement reads: 'As committed Christians of the Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, Indiana, we are 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.' A poll of parishioners selected the patron name, honoring St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born Catholic saint and pioneer of Catholic parochial education — fitting because the merged parish continues to operate two parish schools already bearing her name.

• St. Andrew Parish established 1846 — first church dedicated that year; second built 1860, destroyed by fire; current church completed 1901; parish school built 1912.
• St. Mary Parish founded 1860 — English-speaking Catholics bought the old Lutheran meeting house at N. 7th & N. 'A' Street; parish school built 1870; current church and rectory completed 1912, dedicated by Bishop J. Chartrand Nov. 9, 1913.
• Holy Family Parish established 1953 — school building groundbreaking on the Feast of the Holy Family 1954; first Mass celebrated in the gym August 1954; new church groundbreaking 1977, first Mass Palm Sunday 1979.
• 1980s — the three parishes began working in unison.
• 1995 — one priest assigned to head all three parishes as the Richmond Catholic Community.
• July 1, 2016 — official merger forming St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

Our Parish Patron: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The parish is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), an American saint who was a mother and teacher and a pioneer of Catholic education in the United States. Her name was chosen for the new merged parish to honor the two parish schools already bearing her name — Seton Catholic Elementary and Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School. Her feast day is January 4.

Seton Catholic Schools

Seton Catholic Schools is the parish's largest ministry and primary means of evangelization. According to parish administrator Fr. Sengole Gnanaraj, about 40% of the high-school students are not Catholic — many have little or no prior exposure to Christianity. The schools serve as a daily mission field, exposing children to God through Mass, daily prayer, confession opportunities, and service projects.

• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary (PK–6) — 801 W. Main St., Richmond — 141 students — Principal: Jane Brack ([email protected]) — 765-962-5010 East / 765-962-4877 West
• Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (7–12) — 233 S. 5th St., Richmond — 178 students — Principal: Victor Berger ([email protected]) — 765-965-6956
• Schools website: https://www.setonschools.org/
• Admissions process and $75 non-refundable application fee
• Two sons of the parish were ordained priests in 2022–2023

Faith Formation

The Faith Formation Commission oversees lifelong catechesis for children, youth, and adults under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, partnering with parents and collaborating with the parish school. The Parish Catechetical Leader is Vicky Roosa. Faith Formation is described as 'equipping people to live as disciples of Jesus' across every stage of life — not just preparation for sacraments.

• Religious Education program (CCD)
• Parish Children's Ministry (Totus Tuus, Catholic Vacation Bible School)
• Sacramental programming — Baptism Classes, First Communion (two-year program)
• Confirmation preparation
• Youth Ministry
• Young Adult Ministry
• Adult Ministries

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation together constitute the 'sacraments of Christian initiation,' whose unity the parish safeguards. Parents wishing to baptize a child must attend a one-time preparation class with a godparent. First Communion is celebrated the Sunday after Easter through a two-year parish program, with Sunday-morning classes at Seton Catholic High School.

• Baptism — call 765-962-3902 to schedule a class and appointment with Fr. Sengole
• First Holy Communion — 1st grade Pre-Communion; 2nd grade First Communion; Sundays 11:15 AM–12:15 PM at Seton Catholic High School, 233 S. 5th St.
• Confirmation — essential rite of anointing with sacred chrism; imprinting an indelible character
• Other sacraments available — contact the parish office

Parish Ministries & Time & Talent

The parish lists nearly 60 different ministries, organized into liturgical, faith-formation, charity, and service categories. Sharing time and talent is a core stewardship value, and the parish uses Ministry Scheduler Pro to coordinate liturgical volunteers such as altar servers, lectors, hospitality, and Communion ministers. Beth Van Der Burgt coordinates liturgical ministry scheduling.

• Liturgical: Altar Server, Lector, Communion Minister, Church Cleaning
• Formation: Catechists/Teachers, Mentors to Young People, Spiritual Direction
• Charity: Food Pantry, Meals Ministry, Funeral Meal, St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Pastoral Care: Grief Ministry, Homebound Communion, Hospital Visits, Nursing Home Mass
• Service: Transportation for the Elderly, School Cafeteria, Office Assistance, Money Counting
• Prayer: Adoration/Intercession/Prayer Chain, Magnificat distribution
• Other: Hospitality Ministry, Councils/Commissions, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Graphic Design

Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul & Charity

The parish is an active partner in the Tri-County Good Samaritan St. Vincent de Paul conference, alongside members from St. Gabriel in Connersville and St. Bridget of Ireland in Liberty. According to Fr. Sengole, the conference runs a furniture ministry, offers the 'Changing Lives Forever' program, and is opening a building to expand into cooking and budgeting classes. The parish also donates annually to the Wayne County Trusteeship to help care for the homeless and hungry throughout Wayne County.

• Tri-County Good Samaritan St. Vincent de Paul conference (furniture ministry, Changing Lives Forever, cooking & budgeting classes)
• Annual donations to Wayne County Trusteeship
• Food Pantry, Meals Ministry, Funeral Meal Ministry

Staff & Leadership

Parish leadership includes an Administrator/Pastor, parish staff, school principals, and a Parish Council. Fr. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF, has served as Administrator/Pastor since July 2019 and was appointed Dean of the Connersville Deanery effective July 1, 2021. He previously pastored St. Pius and St. Michael in Perry County and holds a post-graduate degree in Theology from the Angelicum, Rome, through Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He was an attorney in India before coming to the United States.

• Administrator/Pastor — Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF
• Parish Secretary — Laurie Miller ([email protected])
• Business Manager — Susan Shaw
• Parish Youth Minister — Kim Vournazos
• Parish Catechetical Leader / Director of Youth Ministry — Vicky Roosa
• Parish Council Chair — Jim Hunter
• Liturgical Ministry Scheduler — Beth Van Der Burgt
• Seton Catholic Elementary Principal — Jane Brack
• Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School Principal — Victor Berger