About St. Simon the Apostle · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Simon the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located on Oaklandon Road on the northeast side of Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana. Founded in 1960 and formally established in 1961 under founding pastor Fr. Earl Feltman, the parish serves approximately 1,501 families with a church that seats about 800 (the Archdiocesan directory lists a later sanctuary expansion). It runs a PK-8 Catholic school on the same campus with roughly 750 students, an active faith formation program for parish-based children, an OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for adults, and a vibrant mix of liturgical, formation, and outreach ministries. The parish is currently led by Fr. Vince Lampert, who became pastor in July 2025, with Fr. Samuel Rosko serving as Parochial Vicar.
- Established
- 1960 (established Oct. 10, 1960; formally opened 1961)
- Patron
- Saint Simon the Apostle (Simon the Zealot)
- Rector
- Rev. Vincent (Vince) Lampert
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Simon the Apostle is a 1,500-family parish on Indianapolis's northeast side where worship, formation, and service are tightly woven together. Daily and Sunday Mass are offered in a church dedicated in 2001, complemented by weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and a robust confession schedule. A parish PK-8 school (about 750 students), an OCIA process for adults, K-8 faith formation, confirmation preparation, youth ministry, Marriage Matters, and dozens of parish ministries (St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, Haiti partnership, Vacation Bible School, Royal Extravaganza, and more) make it easy for newcomers of every age and stage to plug in.
Mass times at St. Simon the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:30–8:00 AM
- Tuesday 7:30–8:00 AM and 5:30–6:00 PM
- Wednesday 7:30–8:00 AM and 5:30–6:00 PM
- Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM and 5:30–6:00 PM
- Friday 7:30–8:00 AM
- Saturday 7:30–8:00 AM and 5:00–5:30 PM
- Confession before all Masses or by appointment (317-826-6000)
- North Deanery Penance Services during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Thursday weekly Adoration in the church, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Holy Hour sign-ups via Flocknote; door code needed after hours, available from the Parish Office)
- Monday evenings 5:00–5:45 PM (Holy Hour before Monday evening events)
- Tuesday evenings 5:00–5:45 PM (Holy Hour before the 6:00 PM Mass)
- Wednesday evenings 5:00–5:45 PM (Holy Hour before the 6:00 PM Mass)
- Severe-weather policy: if the school is closed, Thursday Adoration is canceled; if severe weather forces facility closure during the day, Adoration ends at the time of the announcement
Parish History
St. Simon the Apostle was established on October 10, 1960, at 8400 Roy Road and formally opened in 1961 under founding pastor Fr. Earl Feltman. The parish grew from 550 to 1,300 families in its first decade, set the tone with a collaborative ministry model inspired by the early Church, and relocated to 8155 Oaklandon Road in 1997. A new church was dedicated by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein in December 2001; the Parish Life Center and auxiliary gymnasium were later added under Fr. Bill Marks (2008–2017).
- Established October 10, 1960 on Roy Road
- Founding pastor: Fr. Earl Feltman (1961–1977)
- Franciscan Fathers from Mount St. Francis, 1977–1982
- Moved to 8155 Oaklandon Road in 1997 (last Roy Road Mass October 5, 1997)
- Current church dedicated December 2001 by Archbishop Buechlein
- Parish Life Center and auxiliary gym built under Fr. Bill Marks
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Vincent (Vince) Lampert and Parochial Vicar Rev. Samuel Rosko, with Deacon James Wood supporting parish life. A full-time team directs Liturgy & Music (Greg Papesh), Evangelization & Adult Formation (Tim Seman), Youth Ministry and Stewardship (Eric Marasco), Religious Education (Kerry Schlimgen with Ashley Hyre), Operations (Stephen Berkemeier), and Facilities (Julie Williams).
- Pastor: Rev. Vincent Lampert
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Samuel Rosko
- Deacon: James Wood
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Greg Papesh
- Director of Evangelization & Adult Formation: Tim Seman
- Youth Minister / Stewardship: Eric Marasco
- Administrator of Religious Education: Kerry Schlimgen
- Director of Operations: Stephen Berkemeier
- Parish Secretary: Amy Zimmermann
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation serves parish-based children from PreK through 8th grade, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. 2nd graders receive catechesis for Reconciliation and Eucharist during regular Sunday morning class, supplemented by three retreats and parent sessions. 8th graders prepare for Confirmation with Sunday classes (12:00–2:00 PM) plus a retreat on a Saturday morning (9:00–11:30 AM).
- PreK–8 Sunday Faith Formation
- 2nd Grade Reconciliation & First Eucharist
- 8th Grade Confirmation (retreats Dec 12 & Jan 9)
- Parent Sacrament Sessions in the PLC
- Confirmation Class Sundays 12:00–2:00 PM
- Contact: Kerry Schlimgen, ext. 180
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) welcomes unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and Catholics seeking to complete their sacraments. The journey involves prayer, reflection, learning, and community, leading to full reception at the Easter Vigil. Inquiries begin with a no-commitment conversation.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA)
- Journey for unbaptized, other Christians, and Catholics completing sacraments
- Contact: Tim Seman, [email protected], 317-826-6000 ext. 157
OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Children
OCIC prepares children who have not received Christian initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation) for reception into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Classes run from December until Easter Vigil, with the sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated beforehand. Children must attend weekly Sunday Mass and be enrolled in Faith Formation or St. Simon School.
- For unbaptized/uncatechized children
- December through Easter Vigil
- Reconciliation before Easter
- Easter Vigil reception into the Church
- Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Infant Baptism requires a preparation session; first-time parents contact Tim Seman, while parents who have already completed prep submit the baptismal form to Amy Zimmermann. Marriage enrichment is supported by the Marriage Matters Ministry.
- Baptism — parent prep required
- Reconciliation — typically 2nd grade
- First Eucharist — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 8th grade
- Marriage & Marriage Matters Ministry
- Anointing of the Sick
St. Simon the Apostle School
St. Simon the Apostle School is a Catholic PK-8 school located on the parish campus at 8155 Oaklandon Road. The school serves about 750 students under Principal Betty Popp and is dedicated to the spiritual formation, academic rigor, and development of the whole child in a respectful, collaborative atmosphere.
- PK–8 Catholic school
- Approximately 750 students
- Principal: Betty Popp ([email protected])
- Phone: 317-826-6000 ext. 107
- Same campus as the parish: 8155 Oaklandon Road
Marriage Matters Ministry
Marriage Matters supports and enriches marriages through faith-filled connection, community, and growth. Its mission is to strengthen marriages by grounding them in Catholic teaching and providing opportunities for couples to grow spiritually and relationally; its vision is a parish where every marriage is nurtured in faith, strengthened by love, and empowered by the grace of the sacrament. Programs include the 'Marriage on Tap' summer series.
- Strengthens marriages through Catholic teaching
- Events, small groups, and resources for couples
- Marriage on Tap — relaxed summer series
- Contact: Tim Seman, 317-826-6000 ext. 157
Parish Life, Outreach & Service
Beyond worship, St. Simon runs a wide variety of parish-life and outreach ministries that build community and serve those in need locally and abroad. The Haiti partnership with St. Anne Parish extends the parish's mission internationally, while Meals for Families in Need, Funeral Meals, Saint Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, and the Prayer Chain keep the call to service close to home. The annual St. Simon Festival and Royal Extravaganza bring the parish together socially.
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Respect Life Committee
- Haiti: St. Anne Parish
- Meals for Families in Need & Funeral Meals
- Prayer Chain
- St. Simon Festival (annual, volunteer-driven)
- Royal Extravaganza
Getting Involved: Ministries & Groups
The parish encourages parishioners to share their time and talent through a comprehensive Ministry Interest Form. Liturgical roles include Lectors, Music Ministry, Greeters, Altar Servers, Children's Liturgy, and Eucharistic Ministers. Formation and parish-life groups include OCIA, Vacation Bible School, Bible Study, Cursillo, Welcome / CRHP 2.0, Men's Club, Women's Club, Goldenaires, Young Adult Ministry, Young Families Ministry, High School Ministry, T3m (Tuesday Morning Men's Ministry), Vocations Ministry, and SPRED.
- Liturgical: Lectors, Music, Greeters, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers
- Formation: OCIA, VBS, Bible Study, SPRED, Confirmation Volunteers
- Community: Men's Club, Women's Club, Goldenaires, T3m, Cursillo, CRHP 2.0
- Youth: Children's Liturgy, High School Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Young Families Ministry
Visit, Contact & Connect
Visitors are welcomed at 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236. The Parish Office can be reached at 317-826-6000 (fax 317-826-6010). The parish livestreams the 9:15 AM Sunday Mass online and shares updates through its Facebook page and Flocknote sign-ups.
- Address: 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236-8578
- Phone: 317-826-6000
- Livestream: 9:15 AM Sunday Mass
- Facebook: facebook.com/saintsimonchurchIndianapolis
- Flocknote sign-ups for Adoration and ministry communications
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Earl Feltman1961–1977
Founding pastor; established the parish on Roy Road; grew it from 550 to 1,300 families; set the collaborative 'Apostles and early church' model of shared ministry.
- Franciscan Fathers from Mount St. Francis1977–1982
Five-year program of pastoral care; returned the parish to the archdiocese in 1982.
- Rev. Msgr. Harold Knueven1982–1988
Called the community the 'Catholic Community of St. Simon the Apostle'; oversaw the 'Dare to Share' project that raised about $1.5 million to eliminate debt and burn the mortgage.
- Rev. Msgr. Mark Svarczkopf1987–1991
Pastor.
- Fr. Larry Crawford1991–1999
Last Mass celebrated on Roy Road on October 5, 1997; parish moved to 8155 Oaklandon Road during his tenure.
- Fr. Bob Sims1999–2007
New church dedicated in December 2001 by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein.
- Rev. Msgr. Paul Etienne2007–2008
Pastor.
- Fr. Bill Marks2008–2017
Parish Life Center and auxiliary gymnasium built under his direction.
- Fr. John McCaslinJuly 2017–June 2019
St. Simon graduate and 'son of the parish'; strengthened community participation across ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
- Fr. Doug Marcotte2017/2019–June 2025
From Greenfield, Indiana; home parish St. Michael's in Greenfield.
- Fr. Vince LampertJuly 2025–present
Current pastor.