St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish sits at 2200 W. Republic Road on the south side of Springfield, Missouri, where it has served a steadily growing community since Bishop Bernard F. Law established it on June 5, 1981, with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton chosen as patroness. What began with two hundred households split off from St. Agnes and Immaculate Conception parishes has grown into the largest congregation in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, sustained by more than one hundred affiliated ministries, organizations, and small groups. The parish motto, drawn from Psalm 25, reads "Remember your mercy, O Lord." Reverend Thomas P. Kiefer, who became the parish's pastor in June 2021, leads a staff that includes a pastoral minister, a youth minister, a director of sacred music, a director of religious education, an elementary school principal, and parish support personnel. The parish's stated mission is to provide opportunities for worship, ministry, and proclaiming the Gospel; to provide education and support for the spiritual growth of every parish member; and to build a local community of faith that fosters family life, justice, and peace.
Mass Schedule and the Liturgical Week
Mass is celebrated in the church every day of the week. The Saturday Vigil is at 4:30 PM. Sundays include a 7:00 AM Mass, a 9:00 AM Mass, and an 11:15 AM Mass, with the 9:00 AM Mass livestreamed. Weekday Masses include two morning Masses most days and a single evening Mass on Wednesdays: 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM Monday through Friday, plus 6:00 PM Wednesday evening. Six of those weekday and Sunday Masses are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel: Sunday 9:00 AM, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM (with Wednesday's 6:00 PM in place of its morning Mass).
Reconciliation is offered Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the church, with appointments available by calling the parish office. The Rosary is prayed Monday through Friday at 6:00 AM and on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM. Eucharistic Adoration fills the Day Chapel each Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A seven-stop building expansion completed in 2003 added the worship space, classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, offices, a prayer garden, and a labyrinth; renovations to the chapel, roof, church, and rectory followed in 2020. A new SEAS Pavilion was blessed in November by Bishop Rice.
Reaching Parishioners in Six Languages
One of the parish's clearest marks of hospitality is its multilingual digital reach. Parish information is available in English, Spanish, German, Russian, Filipino, and Vietnamese, with all materials translated. Spanish-speaking families receive a full bulletin, calendar, school information, baptismal and sacramental preparation, youth ministry descriptions, OCIA details, retreat listings, and a parish registration form. Russian-speaking, Filipino, Vietnamese, and German families receive parallel translations with staff listings, history, and ministry descriptions. The parish also produces bilingual signage for events like the Blessing of Pets, the PCCW Fall Bazaar, voting-day operations, the Veterans Day brunch, and the visit of the relics of St. Jude the Apostle.
From Skateland to a Diocesan Anchor
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born out of rapid residential growth in southern Springfield. In its first months, Saturday evening Mass was celebrated in the Carmelite chapel of St. Anne, Sunday liturgies took place at Skateland on South Campbell Avenue, and daily Mass was said in the rectory chapel on West Swan Avenue. In the fall of 1982, Father Michael McDevitt was appointed the first pastor and a multipurpose building was constructed and dedicated in December of that year, serving the parish for nine years. A new church was completed and dedicated on December 1, 1991. Father Fergus Monaghan became pastor in August 1993. Under Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy, who arrived in August 2004 and pastored for seventeen years, the parish opened its elementary school in 2005 and, in 2011 and 2012, expanded the school, PSR classrooms, an Adult Education Room, and the O'Reilly Youth Center. The 2020 projects restored the chapel and roof and renovated the rectory. Father Kiefer, who previously pastored Immaculate Conception in Springfield, also serves as Judicial Vicar of the diocese and handed the day-to-day leadership of Immaculate Conception to Msgr. Reidy when he took up his role at SEAS.
Music That Frames the Liturgy
SEAS Music Ministry, led by Director of Sacred Music Melinda Arnold, describes itself as a community of long-time volunteers and talented individuals committed to enhancing the liturgical experience through the power of music. The St. Cecilia Adult Choir leads congregational singing at Sunday Masses, holy days, and special liturgies, rehearsing weekly through the academic year and twice a month in the summer, and welcomes instrumentalists. The Choristers program draws students in third through twelfth grade from many schools to rehearse weekly and contribute to scheduled Masses. Cantors and small ensemble singers lead the assembly with accompanist support, and the ministry is actively recruiting additional accompanists (piano skill preferred, organ not required). Musicians interested in joining can reach Melinda Arnold at the parish office.
Faith Formation from Pre-K through Confirmation
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides catechetical instruction for young people attending public schools and helps prepare them for first sacraments. PSR classes for Junior Pre-K (four-year-olds), Kindergarten through Confirmation Year One, and Confirmation Year Two meet Sundays from 10:10 to 11:10 AM; Confirmation Year Two is also offered on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 PM. Sacramental preparation is integrated into the second-grade year for First Reconciliation and First Communion (with special classes available for older children) and into a two-year Confirmation program open to students in seventh grade and older. Tuition is structured with early-bird, on-time, and family-maximum options, with online payment available and forms submitted to the parish office. Catechist assistants, hall monitors, and substitutes are welcomed for both Sunday and Wednesday sessions.
SEAS Elementary School, founded in 2005 and part of the Springfield Catholic School System, serves preschool through eighth grade with religion, English, mathematics, social studies, science, computer skills, music, physical education, Spanish, and art. The school is accredited by the National Federation of Nonpublic Schools State Accrediting Associations and is led by Principal Stephany Vesely. Families interested in admissions, tours, or employment can reach the school office at 417-887-6056, with volunteer opportunities (reading with children, lunchroom and recess help, classroom assistance) requiring a background check and VIRTUS training.
Wednesday Nights in the O'Reilly Gym
SEAS Youth Group gathers every Wednesday night at the O'Reilly Gym and SEAS Youth Room under Youth Minister Becca Mercer, who joined SEAS from a Dallas-area church where she directed student ministries discipleship. Wednesday nights typically include fun games, praise and worship, and teaching in small groups. Middle School meets 5:30 to 6:30 PM, followed by a shared social and snack time from 6:35 to 6:55 PM that brings middle and high schoolers together. High School meets 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The middle-school program is called ROC and the high-school program CREED, with a separate Cruncheon gathering for students in third through fifth grade on third Fridays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM (pizza included), and a bimonthly Open Gym night on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for students in sixth through twelfth grade.
The youth ministry operates alongside American Heritage Girls Troop 1118, a Christ-centered program for girls aged 5 to 18 that meets on the second and fourth Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and Boy Scouts of America Troop 239, which meets every Tuesday from August through July, with Cub Scout Pack 239 welcoming K through fifth graders. Students and families can subscribe to SEAS Flocknote for text and email updates on retreats and special events, including the Steubenville youth conferences, the diocesan youth conference, and summer trips.
Pastoral Care and Spiritual Enrichment
Spiritual enrichment at SEAS takes many forms. Eucharistic Adoration fills Mondays, and a Nursery is available during the 9:00 and 11:15 AM Sunday Masses in the SEAS School Pre-K classroom. A cry area, just inside the entrance to the right, gives parents a quiet spot with young children during Mass. Stephen Ministry trains and supervises parish volunteers to walk alongside parishioners going through difficult times in a confidential, free, one-on-one relationship. Small Faith-Sharing Groups gather in fall, Lent, and for special programs, and the Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study meets Tuesdays from September through April. Discipleship Quad is a support group for growing in faith, the Beginning Experience offers support for the divorced, widowed, or separated, and Weigh and Pray meets Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:30 AM for weight-loss support that pairs accountability with prayer. The Praise & Worship Prayer Group meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM and includes rosary, praise, and teaching. SEAS Supper Club organizes potluck groups for fellowship, and a Prayer Chain prays for those in need through the parish office.
The Annual Priesthood Sunday prayer of the parish names Father Kiefer by name, thanking God for his priestly ministry and asking for strength, wisdom, and renewed grace. The parish offers a Building Map for new and returning parishioners to find their way around.
Women's Guilds, Service, and Friendship
Four women's groups carry much of the parish's social and fundraising life. The Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) supports the parish through service, leadership, and fundraising; runs the annual Fall Bazaar; reaches out to nursing homes; and supports St. Jude's Ranch, with the board meeting on the second Thursday at 10:00 AM and the general meeting the same day at 6:00 PM. St. Bernadette's Guild focuses on spiritual growth and community support, meeting monthly on the second Thursday at 1:00 PM and hosting events like luncheons, BUNCO, and charity drives. St. Francis Guild engages in service projects such as blood drives, St. Vincent de Paul, and Harvest Home, and meets on the third Thursday at 6:30 PM. Catholic Moms Group is a multi-parish gathering focused on faith and family with Bible studies on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM.
The PCCW's most visible project is the Fall Bazaar, which fills the parish hall with more than fifty vendors selling wood carvings, Christmas decorations, jewelry, hand-made soaps, baked goods, and a cake sale, with proceeds supporting the SEAS Building Fund, seminarians, and other charitable efforts.
Men's Club, Knights, and the Way of the Father
SEAS Men's Club brings men 21 and over together for fellowship, service, and spiritual growth. It meets on the first Saturday for 8:30 AM Mass and breakfast, and on the third Thursday for a 7:00 PM rosary, dinner, and meeting. Annual fundraisers include a fireworks tent and Christmas tree sales, with PCCW partnering on holiday turkey and ham orders. That Man is You!, a Catholic men's leadership program with videos and small-group discussion, meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 AM. The Knights of Columbus gather on the second Tuesday at 6:30 PM for the rosary and 7:00 PM for the meeting, and run the Tootsie Roll Drive supporting Special Olympics and the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Developmental Center.
Outreach, Recovery, and Neighbors in Need
St. Vincent de Paul Society manages the SEAS food pantry, which is open every Wednesday, with USDA distribution on the second Wednesday, and offers groceries as well as financial assistance for rent and utilities. Stephen Ministry sends trained, confidential volunteers to walk one-on-one with parishioners facing crisis, while Avenues of Care provides short-term, behind-the-scenes help such as meals and transportation. Comforts from the Heart Quilters craft quilts distributed to twenty-four agencies, meeting the second and fourth Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Holy Sews Ministry sews burial clothing for infants lost during gestational weeks 16 to 25, supporting grieving families, and welcomes volunteers for sewing and other tasks. Rosary Makers make and repair rosaries for missions and groups every Tuesday from 10:00 AM to noon, while the Tight Knit Group meets Wednesdays at noon for knitting and fellowship. Funeral Dinners are casseroles organized by volunteers for parish funerals, and Cards for the Homebound keeps shut-in parishioners connected to parish life through handwritten notes. Sacred Heart Cold Weather Shelter provides overnight shelter to homeless men on the coldest nights, and the parish recruits volunteers for meal service and overnight shifts. Facility and landscaping volunteers care for the parish garden and indoor spaces.
Recovery is part of parish life as well. Alcoholics Anonymous meets multiple times weekly, with Al-Anon for those affected by someone else's alcoholism meeting Sundays at 8:00 PM, and Gamblers Anonymous meeting weekly, Mondays at SEAS and Thursdays at The Venues Church. AA meetings are open to anyone seeking help, and the parish keeps its space available for these gatherings year-round.
Kids, Scouts, and the 55+ Group
Beyond the parish school and PSR, SEAS hosts American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts of America Troop 239, and Cub Scout Pack 239, all of which combine faith, service, leadership, and outdoor adventure for young men and women.
The SEAS Seniors' Group 55+ meets the spiritual and social needs of parishioners aged fifty-five and older. A monthly Senior Mass and Breakfast is celebrated on the first Friday at 8:30 AM. Occasional day trips, a summer picnic, and holiday parties fill out the social calendar, with new ideas always welcome from members.
Becoming Catholic and Welcoming New Parishioners
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks inquirers through the Catholic faith and prepares them to receive the sacraments of initiation. OCIA sessions meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM from August through May, with babysitting available. The New Parishioner Orientation, hosted by the parish Welcoming Committee, meets every third Sunday after the 11:15 AM Mass in the Gathering Area and SEAS Cafe for a building tour, staff introductions, and a question-and-answer breakfast.
Baptismal Preparation for first-time parents includes a class on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM (register with Greg Bolda the Friday before) and a registration form, with godparents required to be confirmed, practicing Catholics at least sixteen years old. Marriage preparation seminars are offered through the diocesan family life office, and the parish proclaims its readiness to celebrate the other sacraments of Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, and to walk with couples through marriage preparation and families through funeral planning.
A Parish Council and Pastoral Leadership
The Pastoral Council gathers every third Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Parish Office Conference Room, with meetings open to all parishioners. The council is led by President Ken Lance, Vice-President Jacob Sexton, and Secretary Tracie Ahrens, with elected and ex-officio members including Father Kiefer, councilors-at-large, two youth representatives, and representatives from SEAS School. Special agenda items may be submitted in writing to the council president at least ten days ahead.
Parish life is supported by an Office Manager, a Finance Manager, a Director of Parish Development, a Facility Manager, and a Safe Environment Coordinator. All adults working with children and youth complete diocesan Safe Environment training, agree to the diocesan Code of Conduct, and undergo a background check, under a program that has served more than 4,700 individuals across the diocese. The parish promotes both the National Eucharistic Revival and the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi (January 2026 through January 2027), with local pilgrimage sites at St. Francis of Assisi in Nixa and the St. Francis Chapels in Cape Girardeau and Mountain View. Members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish pray, serve, study, and break bread together across more than a hundred ministries, all centered on the Eucharist celebrated daily at the altar on West Republic Road.