St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church stands on Maple Way in the Okolona neighborhood of southern Jefferson County, just outside the Louisville metro core. The parish was founded in 1975, the same year that Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized as the first native-born American saint, and the community has been shaped by that coincidence ever since. Today the parish gathers for daily and weekend Mass, offers Catholic faith formation for children and youth, welcomes new members through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, and runs a packed schedule of ministries, outreach projects, and the famous monthly Fish Fries in the Seton gym.
The Week's Rhythm: Mass and Confession
The weekend Mass schedule at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton follows a steady pattern. Saturday vigil Mass is celebrated at 5:30 pm, and two Sunday Masses are offered at 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Thursday at 8:30 am in the main church. On the first Friday of each month, a 5:30 pm Mass is followed by Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. On the second Thursday of the month, the pastor celebrates Mass at 10:00 am in the chapel at Wesley Manor Retirement Home, with Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist continuing to bring Communion to residents throughout the month.
Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 pm, half an hour before the vigil Mass, and additional times are available by appointment with the pastor. Holy Days of Obligation are marked by Masses at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, and the parish gathers for communal Penance Services during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Families with young children will find a place prepared for them. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered for children ages four through fourth grade during the 9:00 am and 12:00 noon Sunday Masses. Children are called forward before the Liturgy of the Word and led to a separate space where the Scripture readings are presented at their level. They return to their parents before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
A Parish Born Alongside Its Patron Saint
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish was founded on November 14, 1975, in the same year that Elizabeth Ann Seton, an American convert and founder of the Sisters of Charity, was raised to the altars as a saint. The first pastor, the Reverend Joseph M. Fowler, served from 1975 to 1986, and was followed by the Reverend J. Richard Sullivan. The current church building was dedicated on July 24, 1977 by Archbishop Thomas J. McDonough in honor of the new patron.
The physical campus grew in stages. The original back building, or social hall, was dedicated on June 27, 1981. The bells on the tower were blessed on August 17, 1985. In 2002, Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly dedicated the Seton Center, a building that brought much of the parish's outreach and formation work under one roof. The Seton Center includes the parish gymnasium, the Youth Ministry Office, eight rooms used for catechesis and adult formation, and five offices.
The parish's pastoral history reflects the broader story of the Archdiocese of Louisville. In June 1995, with a shortage of priests in the region, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was clustered with St. Mary Church, and the Reverend Robert Abel became pastor of St. Mary and administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The Reverend Thomas Hommrich later led both parishes and in 2005 took on the pastorship of St. Luke as well, with the Reverend Ken Fortener as associate pastor. Since May 2021, the Reverend Albert Añover has served as pastor. The parish has also been served by a number of permanent deacons and pastoral associates, including the first permanent deacon, Jim Olrich, who was ordained in August 1976 and served until his retirement on July 31, 2021.
The Sacraments of the Church
Seven sacraments shape Catholic life at Seton, and the parish walks members through each one. The church follows the traditional Catholic arrangement of the seven sacraments as the framework for its sacramental life.
Baptism. Infant baptisms are celebrated during or after the weekend liturgies, and parents expecting a first child to be baptized attend a preparation class. Adults seeking baptism enter the church through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and are baptized at the Easter Vigil. The parish teaches that baptism frees the recipient from original and personal sin, initiates the person into the Christian community, and uses the traditional signs of water, oil, light, and a white garment.
Eucharist. The celebration of the Eucharist is the center of parish life. First Eucharist is celebrated with second graders in the spring as part of the Faith Formation program. The parish teaches the Catholic doctrine of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and the change of substance the Church calls transubstantiation.
Confirmation. Confirmation is celebrated with the OCIA participants at Easter, and eighth graders begin their preparation in the fall and are confirmed in the spring. The Bishop confers the sacrament through the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism.
Penance. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 pm and by appointment. Second graders make their First Penance in the fall as part of the Faith Formation program, and the parish also holds communal Penance Services during Advent and Lent.
Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament is available to any Catholic struggling with serious illness, old age, or surgery. Arrangements are made through the Parish Office.
Marriage. Couples planning to be married at the parish are asked to contact the pastor at least six months in advance and to enroll in the Archdiocesan preparation programs. Father Albert is happy to meet with couples to walk them through the process.
Holy Orders. Men discerning a call to the priesthood or diaconate are encouraged to speak with the pastor.
Becoming Catholic: The OCIA Journey
Adults who have never been baptized, adults baptized in another Christian tradition, and Catholics who have been away from the practice of their faith all have a place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, the process by which the Church welcomes new members, meets on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm beginning in mid-September and concludes at the Easter Vigil, when catechumens are received into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation. The parish also welcomes returning Catholics, offering dedicated materials for those who want to re-engage with the life of the Church.
For those considering the Catholic faith for the first time, the parish walks through the basics: belief in the Holy Trinity, in the goodness of creation, in the dignity of the human person, in the communion of saints, in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and in the Church as a living Body of Christ. The Catholic faith is ancient, rooted in the teachings of Christ, and continuing in vibrancy and hope.
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Children's faith formation at Seton follows the rhythm of the parish year. Classes in the Catholic faith are offered for children in grades K through 7 on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:30 am. The eighth-grade confirmation class meets during the same Sunday hour. First Penance is celebrated with second graders in the fall, and First Eucharist is celebrated with second graders in the spring.
High school youth are served through a separate Youth Ministry program with three branches:
- Evangelization brings students in grades 8 through 12 together for fellowship and friendship. Drop-in nights are held on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and other activities and outings are announced throughout the year.
- Catechesis focuses on the life and mission of Jesus and on Catholic teaching for everyday concerns. Students in grades 9 through 12 meet on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The group attends the National Catholic Youth Conference every other year.
- Service gives young people a chance to live out their faith. The program includes an annual summer mission trip with Catholic Heart Work Camp, as well as service at weekend Masses, Vacation Bible School, and the parish's annual Trunk or Treat.
Vacation Bible School brings the parish together for a summer Bible school experience for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Adult and youth volunteers (seventh grade and above) help with teaching, crafts, games, refreshments, music, and Bible story activities.
Music, Lectors, and the Liturgical Team
Music Ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is led by the Director of Music Ministry, Carol Fox, who directs adult choirs for men and women. The choirs welcome new members at any time; reading music is not required. Choir practice is held every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the church. Cantors lead the congregation in song at weekend Masses, and additional musicians are always welcome.
Beyond music, the parish draws on a wide range of liturgical ministers. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and bring Communion to the homebound and the sick, including the residents of Wesley Manor. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at liturgies, and training and workbooks are provided for both adults and high school youth who wish to serve. Ministers of the Altar, sometimes called servers or acolytes, assist the priest at Mass. Servers may be male or female, in sixth grade or older, and training is provided. Mass Coordinators ensure that everything is in place for the weekend liturgies. Ministers of Hospitality and Ushers greet visitors and parishioners at the door, hand out songbooks, help people find seats, take up the collection, and make sure everyone feels at home.
Art and Environment volunteers work year-round to provide a fitting liturgical space, from the banners and flowers in the church to the seasonal decoration of the worship area. All parishioners are welcome to share ideas and help with the work.
At the heart of the liturgical team is the Worship Committee, which oversees the implementation of prayerful and inspiring liturgical celebrations. The committee includes one representative from each of three areas: Liturgical Ministries, Art and Environment, and Music Ministries, and it reports monthly to the Parish Council.
Parish Life: Fish Fries, Seniors, and Fellowship
Fish Fries are the best-known social event at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. They are held in the Seton Center gym from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on the second Friday of the month, with the exception of June, July, August, and December. During Lent, the parish holds Fish Fries every Friday from the first Friday of Lent through the Friday before Good Friday. There is no Fish Fry on Good Friday. The events offer both inside dining and carryout, and they draw on a rotating crew of volunteers who set up, bread fish and onion rings, cook, serve, and clean up.
Seton Seniors invites all parishioners who are around 55 and older to gather for monthly fellowship. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon and enjoys potluck lunches, Day at the Races outings, trips to the Derby Dinner Playhouse, and other activities. There are no membership fees, and the bulletin carries any schedule changes.
Catholic Men's Fellowship gathers on the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 am in the church for prayer and fellowship.
During the months of May and October, the rosary is recited after morning Mass and before all weekend Masses. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays at 7:00 pm and at noon on Good Friday.
Social Concerns and Outreach
The parish's Social Concerns Committee organizes a number of ongoing outreach efforts that reach beyond the parish itself. The H.O.S.T. Society, an acronym for Helping Others Strengthen Themselves, sponsors the Christmas Help Program and runs a Community Yard Sale twice a year in the Seton gym to raise funds for sponsored projects. The Christmas Help Program provides Christmas gifts and food to families in the parish and in the surrounding 40229 zip code.
The parish belongs to M.U.S.C.L., or Ministries United for South Central Louisville, a coalition of local churches that works together on community needs, including the annual Day of Dignity. Those needing assistance can reach M.U.S.C.L. at (502) 363-9087.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton also belongs to the Okolona Ministerial Association. The Food Pantry is housed at Okolona Baptist Church, and parishioners are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to church at any time. In the fall, the Baby Bottle Boomerang benefits the Little Way Pregnancy Resource Center; parishioners take home a baby bottle, fill it with change or a check, and return it a few weeks later. The parish also sponsors regular Blood Drives.
The Bereavement Committee reaches out to families who have lost a loved one. Members send cards, visit the family at home or at the funeral home, and offer special prayers. The parish also provides a meal for the family after the funeral in the meeting room or gym, and parishioners contribute the food and help with serving and cleanup. The Good Samaritan ministry sends cards to parishioners who are ill or who have suffered a loss. Visit the Sick volunteers visit parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and at home.
The Community Yard Sale, held twice a year inside the gym, is another piece of the parish's social concerns work. Tables are available to rent, and the rental proceeds support H.O.S.T. Society projects.
Buildings and Facilities
The parish campus includes the church itself, the Seton Center, and the grounds between them. The Seton Center houses the gymnasium, the Youth Ministry Office, eight rooms used for catechesis and formation, and five offices. The gym is the hub of the monthly Fish Fries, the twice-yearly Community Yard Sale, and other parish gatherings.
The parish makes both the meeting room and the gym available for rent. The Meeting Room rents for $75 for parishioners and $150 for non-parishioners for a three-hour period and accommodates 56 people with tables and chairs or 120 with chairs only. The Gymnasium rents for $300 for parishioners and $560 for non-parishioners for a four-hour period, with additional hours available for $75 each up to a total of six. The gym holds 332 people with tables and chairs or 711 with chairs only, and renters of the gym have access to the kitchen. Special events liability insurance is required and is available through the parish for $95 if needed. The gym is also available for sports teams at $45 per hour for one-time rentals and $35 per hour for long-term use, though renters must provide their own insurance for athletic events.
Parish Leadership and Staff
The pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the Reverend Albert Añover, who can be reached at the Parish Office at (502) 969-0004, extension 205, or by email at aanover@archlou.org. The parish staff includes Cathy Houchin as Parish Secretary (extension 201, parishoffice@easeton.com), Linda Goodin as Bookkeeper (extension 202, lgoodin@easeton.com), Carol Fox as Music Minister (extension 203, carol.fox9484@gmail.com), and Jan Creed on the housekeeping team. The Parish Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor and includes the pastor, five committee chairs, and nine elected parishioners; the council meets on the third Thursday of each month.
The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Louisville and participates in the annual Catholic Services Appeal. Online giving is available through the parish's secure giving portal, and the parish shares weekly bulletins and announcements on its Facebook page.
Becoming a Parishioner
Visitors and newcomers are invited to attend any of the weekend or weekday Masses, to introduce themselves after Mass, and to fill out a registration form. New Parishioner Information Meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at 10:00 am. Registration forms are available from the parish's Document Collections and can be dropped off at the Parish Office, placed in the collection basket, emailed to parishoffice@easeton.com, faxed to (502) 969-0553, or mailed to 11501 Maple Way, Louisville, KY 40229.
For those who want to deepen their prayer life, the parish points to the Daily Readings, Catholic News and Perspectives, Simply Catholic, and the parish's bulletin as ongoing resources for the journey. The parish's commitment to a stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure is the framework by which the community shares its gifts with one another and with those in need.
What Catholics Believe
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton teaches the Catholic faith in continuity with the universal Church. The parish proclaims belief in the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and in the Paschal Mystery, the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as the central event of every liturgical celebration, most especially the Mass. The Mass is celebrated as the source and summit of Catholic life, in which the faithful are nourished by the Word and by the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The parish identifies itself as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, in union with the Bishop of Rome. The parish prays the Nicene Creed each Sunday at Mass, and it teaches the seven sacraments, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the Precepts of the Church as the framework of Catholic moral and spiritual life. The seven sacraments of the Church, instituted by and through the life of Jesus Christ, are at the center of the parish's sacramental practice.
At the heart of the parish's identity is the simple statement that shapes every page of its bulletin: Loving Christ, Loving Others. The community gathers week after week to live out that calling in Okolona and beyond, drawing on the prayers and witness of its patron saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, and on the everyday generosity of its members.