About St. Maria Goretti · Westfield, Indiana
St. Maria Goretti is a Roman Catholic parish in Westfield, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. Founded in 1995 as a mission of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Carmel, Indiana, and established as an independent parish on August 15, 2000, it is the only Catholic parish in Westfield and serves the northern Hamilton County suburbs north of Indianapolis. The parish operates a National Blue Ribbon elementary school (PK–8), perpetual Eucharistic adoration, and a wide network of lay ministries, and is named after St. Maria Goretti, the young Italian martyr known as 'The Little Saint of Great Mercy.'
- Established
- 1995 (mission); 2000 (independent parish)
- Patron
- St. Maria Goretti
- Rector
- Fr. Brian Dudzinski (Missionary Pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
Why belong here
St. Maria Goretti is a large, young, family-oriented parish that serves as the only Catholic parish in Westfield, with a National Blue Ribbon PK–8 school, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in its dedicated chapel, an active youth ministry serving grades 3–12, and a wide network of lay ministries for every age and stage of life — from CRHP small groups and Cursillo to a St. Vincent de Paul conference, respect-life work, scouting, sports, and music. It is a parish that explicitly describes itself as 'building the Kingdom of God … with everyone,' and offers generous daily and Sunday Mass schedules plus frequent confession times for the surrounding northern Hamilton County suburbs.
Mass times at St. Maria Goretti
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- By appointment — call (317) 867-3213 (Wednesday of Holy Week is the last scheduled Confession before Easter)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel (completed December 2018)
- Keycard access required on weekends and 6 PM–7 AM weekdays; keycards available in the Parish Office
Parish History & Founding
St. Maria Goretti grew out of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmel, Indiana, which in the early 1990s could not expand its school to keep up with the Catholic population boom in Hamilton County. Under Monsignor Duncan, OLMC leadership identified land in Westfield for a new mission. Ground was broken on July 6, 1995 (feast of St. Maria Goretti), the first Mass was celebrated December 8, 1995 in what is now the Parish Hall, the school opened in August 1996 with nearly 200 students, and on August 15, 2000 the mission became an independent parish with Fr. Kevin J. Haines as founding pastor. The current church was dedicated December 8, 2004 by Bishop William Higi; the bell tower and adoration chapel were added through the 2016 Fruitful Harvest campaign, with the chapel blessed on December 8, 2018. The parish marked 25 years as an independent parish in August 2025.
- Mission founded July 6, 1995 (groundbreaking); first Mass December 8, 1995
- Independent parish August 15, 2000; founding pastor Fr. Kevin J. Haines
- School opened August 1996 (additions 1998 and 2000); Stuart-Gadus Fieldhouse 2000
- Church groundbreaking July 26, 2003; dedication December 8, 2004 by Bishop William Higi
- 2016 Fruitful Harvest capital campaign funded bell tower and adoration chapel
- Adoration Chapel blessed December 8, 2018
- 25th anniversary celebrated August 15, 2025
Patroness: Saint Maria Goretti
St. Maria Goretti (1890–1902) is the youngest canonized saint in the Catholic Church. Born in Corinaldo, Italy, she was stabbed at age 11 while resisting Alessandro Serenelli's assault and died the next day of infection, forgiving him with the words 'I forgive Alessandro Serenelli … and I want him with me in heaven forever.' She is known as 'The Little Saint of Great Mercy,' and her witness of purity, forgiveness, and mercy is the spiritual foundation the parish community points to. Her feast day is July 6.
- Born 1890 in Corinaldo, Italy
- Died July 6, 1902 (feast day)
- Canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950
- Patron of youth, purity, and victims of assault
- Parish motto: 'The Little Saint of Great Mercy'
Church Building & Architecture
The current church was built 2003–2004 in a contemporary version of traditional Catholic design, with fan-shaped seating ensuring that the farthest pew is no more than 95 feet from the altar and no interior posts blocking sightlines. The major beams of the structure converge upward to direct the eye toward heaven. A separate Adoration Chapel (completed December 2018) and bell tower were funded through the 2016 Fruitful Harvest capital campaign and added to the campus.
- Fan-shaped seating, no posts, max 95 ft to altar
- Major beams converging toward heaven
- Bell tower (post-2018)
- Adoration Chapel blessed December 8, 2018
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (PK–8)
Founded in 1996 alongside the parish, St. Maria Goretti School is a coeducational PK–8 Catholic elementary school recognized twice as a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School (2013 and 2019). The school's mission statement reads: 'Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever-present teacher in all its classes, the model for its faculty, and the inspiration for its students.' It serves roughly 500 students (NCES reports 502, 2021–22; Private School Review reports 506) with about 32 teachers and a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. The school is accredited through NCEA.
- Founded 1996
- Grades PreK–8, ~500 students
- National Blue Ribbon School: 2013 and 2019
- Student-teacher ratio: ~16:1
- Member of National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
- Principal (current staff listing): Elizabeth Kissel; Assistant Principal Phil Smith
- School address: 17104 Spring Mill Road, Westfield, IN 46074
- School phone: (317) 896-5582
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation is offered through both the parish school and the Parish Religious Education (PRE) program for public-school and non-Catholic-private-school children ages 2 through 8th grade, with Sunday sessions at 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion takes place in 2nd grade; Confirmation begins with the FAITH prerequisite year and continues through Confirmation Formation led by Jason Hemmerling. Youth Ministry serves grades 3 through 12 and includes HOPE (7th–8th), TRUTH (high school boys), Sisterhood of Marietta Angel (girls), Temple Knights of the Holy Eucharist, and R.O.C.K. for college students.
- PRE for ages 2–8th grade; Sundays 8:30 AM & 11:30 AM
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade)
- FAITH (Confirmation prerequisite) and Confirmation Formation
- HOPE (7th–8th) Wed 7:00–8:30 PM
- TRUTH (HS boys, biweekly Sundays)
- Sisterhood of Marietta Angel (HS girls)
- Temple Knights of the Holy Eucharist
- R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to College Kids)
- Coordinator of Child Faith Formation: Tina Uhland
- Coordinator of Confirmation Formation: Jason Hemmerling
Becoming Catholic (RCIA) & Sacramental Prep
The parish runs a full RCIA process for adults seeking to join the Catholic Church, including inquiry, catechumenate, and the Easter Vigil sacraments. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Marriage is coordinated through the parish office.
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Baptism (after 4:30 PM Sat Mass and 10 AM Sun Mass)
- Confirmation, First Eucharist, Marriage preparation
- Director of Evangelization, Family Life, and Pastoral Ministries: Steve Alic
Outreach & Service
St. Maria Goretti has a strong outreach footprint centered on its St. Vincent de Paul Conference (active since 2006), which conducts home visits, distributes food through monthly grocery collections, and provides direct financial assistance primarily for housing. The parish also supports Respect Life, the Angel Employment Network, HELP Committee, the International Mission Trip, and many other service apostolates.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference (since 2006)
- FY2024–25: 265 home visits, 620 neighbors served, $181,483 in direct aid, 2,180 grocery bags distributed
- Shepherd's Gate Food Pantry
- St. Francis Ministry for the Sick
- Respect Life Ministry
- Angel Employment Network
- Our Lady of Hope Bereavement Ministry
- International Mission Trip
Music, Liturgy & Devotions
The Music Ministry supports every Sunday and weekday liturgy and provides special support for weddings, funerals, and holy days. The parish publishes a Funeral Guide Book and a recommended Funeral Mass hymn list to help families plan. Devotional life includes perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, the annual 40 Hours Devotion, Cursillo, Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), Elijah Cup (prayer for vocations), the Holy Name Society (men), and the Altar Rosary Society (women).
- Music Director (current staff)
- Funeral Guide Book and Recommended Funeral Mass Song List (downloadable)
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
- Annual 40 Hours Devotion
- Cursillo, Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP)
- Elijah Cup — Prayer for Vocations
- Altar Rosary Society (women), Holy Name Society (men)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Brian Dudzinski (Missionary Pastor), with Fr. Kevin J. Haines (founding pastor, now Senior Associate Pastor) and Fr. Mike McKinley (Senior Associate Pastor) assisting. Two deacons serve the parish, including Deacon Steve Miller. The parish office staff includes Directors of Evangelization/Family Life, Faith Formation, Music, Youth Ministry, Maintenance, Accounting, and administrative support.
- Fr. Brian Dudzinski — Missionary Pastor
- Fr. Kevin J. Haines — Senior Associate Pastor (founding pastor)
- Fr. Mike McKinley — Senior Associate Pastor
- Deacon Steve Miller
- Steve Alic — Director of Evangelization, Family Life, and Pastoral Ministries
- Tina Uhland — Coordinator of Child Faith Formation
- Jason Hemmerling — Coordinator of Confirmation Formation
- Elizabeth Kissel — School Principal
- Phil Smith — Assistant Principal
Community Life, Events & Getting Involved
Parish life is built around a wide variety of community-building activities — Italian Festival, Spring Fling, Turkey Trot 5K, Donuts & Coffee, Silver Angels (55+), Young Families Ministry, Nursery Co-op, Basic Christian Communities (small groups), Scouting, Sports Ministry, and the Helpers (donuts/refreshments). Christ Renews His Parish is highlighted by the pastor as a foundational community-building experience.
- Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekends
- Basic Christian Communities (Small Groups)
- Italian Festival, Spring Fling, Donuts & Coffee
- Silver Angels (55+) and Young Families Ministry
- Scouting and Sports Ministry
- Nursery Co-op at the 10 AM Mass
Visiting, Livestream & Practical Info
All are welcomed at Mass and at the parish. The Sunday 10:00 AM Mass is livestreamed via Facebook (no account needed to watch). Home visits for Holy Communion or Confession can be arranged by calling the parish office. The parish bulletin, Ministry Guide, and Funeral Guide Book are available online at smgonline.org. The parish office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–noon and 1–5 PM.
- Sunday 10:00 AM Mass livestreamed on Facebook
- Parish office hours: M–F 8 AM–noon and 1–5 PM
- Home visits by appointment for homebound parishioners
- Downloads: Ministry Guide, Funeral Guide Book, Recommended Funeral Mass Song List, parish bulletin
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Kevin J. HainesAugust 2000 – present (as Senior Associate Pastor after founding pastor role)
Founding pastor; led the parish from its elevation to independent status in August 2000, oversaw construction and dedication of the new church in 2004, and the Fruitful Harvest capital campaign that funded the bell tower and adoration chapel. Now serves as Senior Associate Pastor.
- Fr. Brian DudzinskiCurrent
Current Missionary Pastor of St. Maria Goretti. Previously founding pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Fishers, Indiana (2005), also in the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.
- Fr. Mike McKinleyCurrent
Senior Associate Pastor.
- Fr. Derek AaronListed on 2018 bulletin
Associate Pastor (former).
- Fr. Sean PogueListed on 2017 bulletin
Associate Pastor (former).