About St. Francis of Assisi · Muncie, Indiana
St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Newman Center is a Roman Catholic parish in Muncie, Indiana, serving the Muncie community since 1972 and the students of Ball State University. The parish was founded out of the Newman Apostolate on the Ball State campus and today serves more than 400 families, Ball State faculty and staff, and over 2,000 Catholic students. Since August 2020 it has been part of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate, which unites it with St. Lawrence and St. Mary parishes under the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Eric Underwood
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a friendly parish that welcomes longtime Muncie Catholics, Ball State students and faculty, and visitors alike. It offers Sunday and daily Mass in a traditional yet lively setting, weekly Eucharistic Adoration during the Ball State school year, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation by appointment and before weekend Masses. A range of lay ministries (music, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, RCIA, religious education, homebound and funeral ministry, and the St. Francis Associates) gives parishioners meaningful ways to serve, and Cardinal Catholic campus ministry with FOCUS missionaries keeps the parish a spiritual home for college students.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 11:30 AM–11:50 AM (St. Lawrence)
- Saturday 3:45 PM–4:45 PM (St. Francis)
- Friday during Adoration
- By appointment — call the church office
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM–7:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi (when Ball State is in session)
- Mon–Fri 6:00 AM–8:00 PM at the Pastorate Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia Ave.)
- Saturday 6:00 AM–3:00 PM at the Pastorate Adoration Chapel
- Sunday 12:00 PM–6:00 PM at the Pastorate Adoration Chapel (4:00–6:00 designated Family Friendly)
History of St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Newman Center grew out of the Newman Apostolate at Ball State University and was dedicated in 1972 by founding pastor Father James Bates together with then-Bishop Raymond Gallagher of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. Located at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue, it has served thousands of Ball State alumni over five decades and is now beginning to serve a third generation of students. In August 2020 the parish was united with neighboring parishes St. Lawrence and St. Mary to form the Muncie Catholic Pastorate, sharing clergy and resources while continuing to offer its own Masses and parish life. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in October 2022 with a Mass of Thanksgiving concelebrated by current pastor Father Eric Underwood and former pastor Father John Kiefer, alongside other priests who had served St. Francis through the years.
- Founded 1972 by Father James Bates and Bishop Raymond Gallagher
- Grew out of the Newman Apostolate at Ball State University
- Joined the Muncie Catholic Pastorate in August 2020
- Celebrated 50th anniversary with Mass of Thanksgiving and Oktoberfest on Oct. 15, 2022
Muncie Catholic Pastorate
Since August 2020 St. Francis of Assisi has been one of three parishes in the Muncie Catholic Pastorate, a collaborative grouping within the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. The other parishes are St. Lawrence (820 E. Charles St.) and St. Mary (2300 W. Jackson St.). Together they share pastoral leadership, faith-formation programs, and the pastorate Adoration Chapel at 100 N. Celia Ave., while each parish keeps its own worship schedule and parish identity. St. Michael Catholic School (2301 W. Gilbert) serves children preschool through 8th grade for the whole pastorate.
- St. Francis of Assisi — 1200 W. Riverside — (765) 288-6180
- St. Lawrence — 820 E. Charles St. — (765) 288-9223
- St. Mary — 2300 W. Jackson St. — (765) 288-5308
- St. Michael Catholic School — 2301 W. Gilbert — (765) 288-5878
- Pastorate Adoration Chapel — 100 N. Celia Ave.
Clergy and Staff
Father Eric Underwood, a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana ordained in 2006, serves as pastor of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate including St. Francis of Assisi. He previously served in Kokomo, Fishers, Peru, and Lafayette. Father James Bates was the founding pastor in 1972, and Father John Kiefer is identified as a former pastor of St. Francis. Parish staff and a team of lay ministers support the parish office and day-to-day operations.
- Rev. Eric Underwood — current pastor
- Rev. John Kiefer — former pastor
- Rev. James Bates — founding pastor (1972)
Ministries
Parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi can serve in a wide range of liturgical and pastoral ministries, from proclaiming the Word as a Lector to bringing Holy Communion to the homebound. The Music Ministry supports four weekend Masses with varied styles, from a traditional choir to a more contemporary sound.
- Cardinal Catholic (Ball State campus ministry)
- FOCUS missionaries
- Music Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- RCIA
- Religious Education
- Homebound Ministry
- Funeral Ministry
- St. Francis Associates
- Liturgy Committee
Sacraments and Faith Formation
Beyond the Mass and Reconciliation, St. Francis of Assisi prepares adults and children for the sacraments of initiation and walks with families through faith formation. The Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion to parishioners who cannot attend Mass, and the Funeral Ministry provides reception support for grieving families free of charge as a parish outreach.
- RCIA — process for adults becoming Catholic
- Religious Education for school-age children
- Homebound Communion visits
- Funeral Ministry reception support
Campus Ministry at Ball State
As the parish and Newman Center for Ball State University, St. Francis of Assisi is the spiritual home for more than 2,000 Catholic students on campus. Cardinal Catholic campus ministry coordinates worship, retreats, Bible studies, and service opportunities, while FOCUS missionaries maintain a year-round presence offering spiritual growth events and outreach.
- Cardinal Catholic campus ministry
- FOCUS missionaries on campus
- Weekly Bible studies (including High School Guys and Gals Summer Bible Study)
- Retreats and social gatherings for Ball State students
Parish Traditions and Annual Events
Several beloved traditions have marked life at St. Francis for decades. The parish celebrates the feast of its patron with Mass followed by a dessert pitch-in and the Blessing of the Animals in the Newman House courtyard, and each fall the community gathers for an Oktoberfest with a traditional German dinner, live music, and games.
- Blessing of the Animals (annually around Oct. 4)
- Oktoberfest celebration (annually in October)
- Feast of St. Francis Mass and dessert pitch-in
- Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Bates1972–
Founding pastor; dedicated the parish and Newman Center with Bishop Raymond Gallagher in 1972.
- Rev. John Kiefer
Former pastor who returned to concelebrate the 50th anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving in 2022.
- Rev. Eric Underwood2020–
First pastor of the newly formed Muncie Catholic Pastorate; previously assigned in Kokomo, Fishers, Peru and Lafayette.