About St. Monica · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Monica Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located at 6131 N. Michigan Road on the northwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1956 under Father Paul Utz as a spinoff of 222 families from St. Michael and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes, St. Monica is one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese and intentionally bilingual (English and Spanish), with a monthly French Mass that makes it one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in central Indiana. The parish operates St. Monica Catholic School (PreK–8) and lives by the parish theme 'Immersed in Christ: One Body. One Mission.' The current pastor is Very Rev. John P. McCaslin, VF.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Very Rev. John P. McCaslin, VF
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Monica is one of the largest and most intentionally diverse parishes in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, with weekend Mass in English, Spanish, and a monthly French Mass, plus a robust Catholic school (PK–8) and a year-round religious education program on the same campus. Parishioners can grow in faith through perpetual adoration in cooperation with the West Deanery, the SPRED program for friends with developmental disabilities, OCIA for adults and children seeking initiation, youth and young adult ministry, Knights of Columbus, and an active St. Vincent de Paul conference that runs a food pantry, thrift-store support, and the Plarn mat project for the homeless. Whether you are cradle Catholic, returning after time away (ECHO ministry), or new to the faith, the parish bills itself as 'One Body. One Mission.'
Mass times at St. Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Saturday: 6:00 pm (after the 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, as needed)
- Sunday: 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
- Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday: 5:00 – 5:45 pm
- Friday: 5:00 – 5:45 pm (during Lent, except Good Friday)
- No confessions on Mondays
- Appointments may also be arranged by calling the Parish Office at 317-253-2193
Adoration times
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6:00 – 9:00 pm (with committed adorer slots)
- Third Saturday of the month: overnight 9:00 pm – 6:00 am
- 24-hour Perpetual Adoration for the West Deanery: 24/7 at the Divine Mercy Chapel, St. Michael Parish, 3360 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Very Rev. John P. McCaslin, VF (Pastor), who was assigned to St. Monica in 2019 and is currently serving a second term (since 2025); he is also dean of the Indianapolis West Deanery (since 2020). He is assisted by Rev. Ronald Mervil (Parochial Vicar) and three deacons: Robert Beyke, John McShea, and Samuel Hansen. Lay staff include Music Directors Kelsey and Trae Blanco, Director of Faith Formation Carley Haselhorst, Business Manager Barb Bacon, Administrative Assistant Linda Pitcher, Parish Secretary Julia Arciniega, and School Principal Eric Schommer.
- Pastor: Very Rev. John P. McCaslin, VF
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Ronald Mervil
- Deacons: Robert Beyke, John McShea, Samuel Hansen
- Music Directors: Kelsey Blanco & Trae Blanco
- Director of Faith Formation: Carley Haselhorst
- Business Manager: Barb Bacon; Administrative Assistant: Linda Pitcher; Parish Secretary: Julia Arciniega
- School Principal: Eric Schommer
History of St. Monica Parish
St. Monica was founded in 1956 under Father Paul Utz as a new parish carved out of 222 families from St. Michael and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes on the northwest side of Indianapolis. Its cornerstone was laid in May 1957, and the school opened that September staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis from Oldenburg. After Vatican II, the parish founded its Parish Pastoral Council in 1975. The current sanctuary, designed by Woolen, Molzan and Partners, was dedicated on December 20, 1992. A 2015 fire prompted renovations that returned a renewed altar, ambo, and Eucharistic chapel — strengthening the parish's witness to the Real Presence of Christ and its care for the sick and dying.
- 1956: Parish founded by Father Paul Utz
- May 6, 1957: Cornerstone of the first church laid
- September 1957: School opens, staffed by Sisters of St. Francis from Oldenburg; Sister Mary Jerome Schroeder, principal
- 1975: Parish Pastoral Council formed
- 1974–1983: Father Albert Ajamie serves as pastor; 25th Anniversary Homecoming Mass celebrated Aug. 22, 1982
- Dec. 20, 1992: Current sanctuary dedicated (architects: Woolen, Molzan and Partners — Kalevi Huotilainen & Kevin Huse)
- 2015: Fire damages parish property, prompting renovation of the worship space
- 2019: Father John P. McCaslin assigned as pastor
St. Monica Catholic School (PK–8)
St. Monica Catholic School shares the parish campus at 6131 N. Michigan Road. The school is accredited by the State of Indiana and by Lumen (the Archdiocese of Indianapolis's school accreditation body) and serves about 364 students from PreK through 8th grade under Principal Eric Schommer. The mission: 'a community of families united in values who celebrate differences, form lifelong learners in an academically robust environment, and engage all students and families to grow as disciples of Christ.' The vision focuses on spiritual, social-emotional, and cultural development as visible signs of God's love.
- Grades served: PreK–8
- Accreditation: State of Indiana and Lumen (Archdiocese of Indianapolis)
- 1:1 technology: iPad for K–2, Chromebook for 3–8
- High Ability & Honors program; Honors Algebra 1 & 2 high-school credits for qualifying students
- Junior High offerings: choice of band or choir, National Junior Honor Society, West Deanery Academic Competitions, dramatic interpretation of 'The Passion'
- English-language learner support via WIDA assessment (contact [email protected])
- Special-needs support services (contact [email protected])
- St. Monica School Commission advises the pastor; School Commission meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm (Aug–May)
- School phone: 317-255-7153; website: www.smsindy.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program catechizes children ages 3 through Grade 8 in the basics of the Catholic faith — Scripture, Catholic morality, prayer, and the Sacramental life — and prepares them for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Sunday School classes meet September through May with two session times. SPRED, a specialized religious-education program, welcomes children and adults with developmental disabilities. Unbaptized children ages 7–17 are prepared through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) together with adult inquirers.
- Sunday School (Ages 3 – Grade 8): Sundays during the school year, Session 1 (9:15–10:15 am) or Session 2 (11:45 am–12:45 pm)
- Reconciliation preparation begins in Grade 2; reception of First Reconciliation celebrated in the fall
- First Communion preparation in Grade 2; First Communion Liturgy celebrated on the last weekend of April
- Confirmation preparation in Grade 8 (and high school)
- SPRED (ages 6 – adult): Sundays 9:00 – 10:15 am; First Communion available on request
- OCIA for unbaptized children ages 7–17, and for adults — inquiry through Tim Bush, Pastoral Associate (317-253-2193)
Worship, Music & Prayer Life
Worship at St. Monica follows the Roman Catholic tradition and includes weekday and Sunday Mass in English, Spanish, and (once per month) French; perpetual and scheduled Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Holy Hours for peace, life, and vocations; and music under Music Directors Kelsey and Trae Blanco. The parish describes its Eucharistic devotion in terms of the Real Presence, and the renovated sanctuary provides dedicated reservations of the Blessed Sacrament and devotional space for prayer with the sick and dying.
- Music Directors: Kelsey Blanco & Trae Blanco
- Eucharistic Adoration (scheduled): Tue–Thu evenings 6:00–9:00 pm
- Overnight Adoration: 3rd Saturday of each month
- Perpetual Adoration (West Deanery): Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Michael Parish
- Holy Hours for peace, life, and vocations
- Spanish-language Apóstoles de la Doctrina catechetical program
- Live-streamed Mass via Facebook Live on Sundays
Parish Outreach, Charity & Service
St. Monica runs several ongoing outreach efforts through its Justice for Life Commission and ministry partners. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference supports clothing/household-item distribution, Thanksgiving and Christmas giving, the SVdP food pantry at 3001 E. 30th Street, the SVdP warehouse at 132 Leota St., and a Plarn project that turns donated plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless. The parish also collects for Mission 27 thrift stores via a blue donation bin in the east parking lot and welcomes volunteers of all kinds.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — pantry, warehouse, thrift store support
- Food Pantry: 3001 E. 30th St.; Warehouse: 132 Leota St.; contact Darlene Sweeney: [email protected], 317-924-5769 x 238
- Plarn Project — plastic bags crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless (no crochet experience required)
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic men's fraternal benefit society, ages 18+
- Youth Ministry service component (grades 8–12)
- Volunteer opportunities: catechists, OCIA team, Sunday School helpers, food-pantry and warehouse crews
- ECHO (Embracing Catholics Home) ministry for returning Catholics
Getting Involved
The parish website lists named contacts for nearly every ministry, making it easy to plug in. Whether you have an hour or a season of regular service, St. Monica offers catechetical roles (Sunday School, SPRED, OCIA team, Baptismal Preparation class), service and outreach roles (St. Vincent de Paul pantry, warehouse, Plarn project, food drive), fraternal fellowship (Knights of Columbus), prayer roles (committed Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament), music roles (choirs led by the Music Directors), and parish governance (Parish Pastoral Council). The festival each year is also a major volunteer opportunity.
- Sunday School catechists / classroom helpers (Sept–May)
- OCIA team — contact Tim Bush
- SPRED catechists and friends for persons with developmental disabilities
- Knights of Columbus council — contact Tim Bush
- St. Vincent de Paul volunteers — pantry, warehouse, Plarn project
- Adoration committed adorers — contact Rosa Armendariz
- Festival volunteers (sign-up on the parish website)
- Youth Ministry leaders — contact Deacon Sam Hansen
Parish Identity & Theme
The parish's stated theme is 'Immersed in Christ: One Body. One Mission.' This theme guides the Parish Pastoral Council, the parish staff, and every ministry. Under it, the parish emphasizes inclusion in the mission of Christ, spiritual growth, and shared participation as one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. St. Monica's geographic scope, ethnic diversity (English, Spanish, and French-speaking communities), and longstanding Catholic school anchor this mission in the everyday life of northwest Indianapolis.
- Parish theme: 'Immersed in Christ: One Body. One Mission.'
- Approximately 1,800–2,656 registered families
- One of the largest parishes (geographically) in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Ethnically diverse: English, Spanish, French-speaking ministries
- Parish Pastoral Council formed in 1975; today members discern for a three-year term
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Utz1956–
Founded St. Monica as a new parish formed from 222 families of St. Michael and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes; laid the cornerstone of the first church on May 6, 1957.
- Rev. Albert Ajamie1974–1983
Pastor who presided at the parish's 25th Anniversary Homecoming Mass on Aug. 22, 1982; ordained 1950, previously led the first archdiocesan liturgical commission implementing Vatican II reforms.