St. Ignatius of Antioch Roman Catholic Church sits on Bell Road in Antioch, a community southeast of Nashville, where it has served a growing and notably diverse population since 1976. The parish was the first to be erected in Davidson County after the Second Vatican Council, and today it brings together more than 750 families from 32 different countries under the pastoral care of Father Titus Augustine. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, faith formation is provided for every age, and a long list of ministries extends the parish's reach across the neighborhood and beyond.
From Antioch High School to Bell Road
The parish traces its roots to 1976, when its earliest Masses were celebrated in borrowed spaces: the cafeteria of Antioch High School on Blue Hole Road and Antioch United Methodist Church on Antioch Pike. For four years, the fledgling community worshipped that way until the parish moved into its permanent home at 601 Bell Road, near Ezell-Harding Christian School. Father Charlie Giacosa was the founding pastor and the driving force behind the construction of the first church building. In his homily at the first Holy Thursday Mass in the new space, he told the gathered faithful, "the Church is the people and we have all come together and moved forward since 1976." That conviction continues to shape the parish's identity.
Father Giacosa was followed in turn by Father Ed Alberts and Father John Henrick before Father Titus Augustine took up the role of pastor. Under Father Titus's leadership, the worship space and Paschal Hall have seen major structural changes, and a wide range of programs have grown. The parish also navigated the COVID-19 pandemic under his guidance, and it continues to grow as the surrounding community expands and new Catholic families arrive from across the country.
Mass in English and Spanish Every Day of the Week
St. Ignatius offers Mass every day of the week, with three weekend celebrations and a full daily schedule. The Saturday Vigil is celebrated at 5:00 pm, and three Sunday Masses follow at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 1:00 pm in Spanish. Weekday Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 9:00 am, with an additional Tuesday evening Mass at 7:00 pm in Spanish. Saturday morning Mass is celebrated at 8:00 am.
Confession is heard on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, and appointments can be made outside that window. Eucharistic Adoration fills the hours before several of the daily Masses: Monday through Thursday from 7:45 to 8:45 am, Friday from 9:30 am to noon, and Saturday from 7:00 to 7:45 am. Gather the Children sends younger worshippers out of the main church with a catechist during the 8:00 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses for a children's version of the readings, returning after the homily.
The Seven Sacraments and Sacramental Life
As a Roman Catholic parish, St. Ignatius celebrates all seven sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. Parents and godparents seeking Baptism for a child are asked to attend a preparation session before scheduling the ceremony, which is celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays during or after Mass. At least 30 days' advance notice is requested.
Children typically prepare for First Communion and First Penance during the second grade year, after a two-year formation process, while Confirmation preparation is a two-year program for those in seventh and eighth grade. Adult catechumens and candidates enter the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), a process that begins with the Period of Inquiry and culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The OCIA Director, Chris Shafer, walks inquirers through the steps of Pre-Catechumenate, Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation, and Mystagogy.
Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least four months before the ceremony. The Diocese of Nashville requires participation in marriage preparation meetings with a priest or deacon and attendance at an engaged-couple weekend. Anointing of the Sick is available to those facing serious illness, surgery under general anesthesia, or the frailties of old age; the pastor can be called to visit the home, hospital, or assisted-living facility.
Faith Formation for Children and Adults
Children's Faith Formation classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 am between the morning Masses, with instruction tailored to each grade level. The program, led by Director of Religious Education Jacob Schall, covers pre-kindergarten through seventh grade and combines Catholic teaching with reading, song, art, and play. Older children preparing for Confirmation move into the youth-level formation, and an Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) track serves children age eight and older who have not yet been baptized or received First Communion and Confirmation.
Adults have their own formation offerings. A Sunday morning Adult Faith discussion group meets from 9:15 to 10:15 am in the parish office for study and conversation. A Spanish Scripture Study gathers parents of children in Religious Education while their kids are in class, meeting in Portable II. Spiritual direction is available for those who want to deepen their personal prayer life, and the parish also offers a Spanish Scripture group and seasonal adult formation series.
Youth, Young Adults, and the Wider Parish Family
Ministering to younger parishioners is Arty Acosta, the Youth and Young Adult Minister. Fraternus, the boys' fellowship, brings together fifth through eighth graders on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Portable 2 for dinner and fellowship. High School Discipleship meets at the same time in Portable 1 for ninth through twelfth graders. Young Adults (ages 21 to 35) gather on Sundays at 3:00 pm in Portable 1 for fellowship and faith study.
Other parish groups offer community across the decades. Sisters in Christ is a women's group that meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm in the downstairs offices, building friendships rooted in faith. Young At Heart serves adults 50 and older with social outings, retreats, and an annual Christmas luncheon. Cursillo Weekend Retreats for men and women are held at Camp Marymount in Fairview, Tennessee, helping participants deepen their understanding of the Christian life and form small Christian communities.
Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Auxiliary
St. Ignatius is home to Knights of Columbus Council 8354, an active chapter for Catholic men 18 and older that combines charitable service to the parish and the wider community with spiritual growth. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, open to wives, daughters, and female relatives of members, supports the council's projects, takes part in church and spiritual events, and helps organize parish fundraisers such as the annual bake sale benefiting the new building campaign.
Prayer Groups Through the Week
Prayer life at St. Ignatius extends well beyond the scheduled Masses. A Centering Prayer group meets Friday mornings at 9:30 am in the Reconciliation Room to practice contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina. Glory of Zion gathers on Sunday nights at 7:00 pm in the Chapel for prayer, praise, and worship. The Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Chapel. A Prayer Team offers to pray with anyone who comes forward after the 8:00 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses. The Wednesday Morning Scripture Group meets from 9:30 to 10:30 am in the narthex to explore the upcoming Sunday readings, and Timbers of Calvary gathers Friday evenings in the Chapel, with a vigil from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am on the first Friday of each month.
Outreach to the Wider Community
Outreach is central to parish life. Room in the Inn provides overnight hospitality to those experiencing homelessness, and a separate team prepares and serves Room in the Inn Downtown Dinners. The Ladies of Charity Food Collection organizes annual food donations that become Christmas food baskets for families in need across the diocese. The Quilt Ministry makes and prayerfully blesses quilts for parishioners who are ill or struggling, meeting at 1:00 pm on the first Saturday of each month. Hands Helping Haiti extends the parish's mission reach overseas.
Other outreach efforts include Blood Drives on parish grounds, the Christmas Angel Tree gift program, a parish Library, ESL classes offered over Zoom, and a Social Justice Ministry that works with local organizations to advocate for basic human rights. The Bereavement Ministry supports grieving families by providing meals and helping with funeral luncheons. Vacation Bible School fills a week of summer with crafts, games, song, and faith for children ages 4 through sixth grade. Coffee and Donuts after Mass is a simple but consistent parish gathering. A Vocation Cup program invites parishioners to pray for vocations, and the parish points men discerning priesthood to the Diocese of Nashville's Vocations office.
Mother's Day Out for the Youngest Families
For families with small children, St. Ignatius runs a Mother's Day Out program directed by Sue Soda. The preschool-style program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an optional Wednesday class for some three- to five-year-olds, and is organized into eight classrooms by age, from babies through older fours. The program emphasizes play-based learning mixed with preschool enrichment, and it is so popular that some classrooms have a waitlist.
Pastoral Staff and Parish Leadership
Father Titus Augustine leads the parish as pastor and can be reached through the parish office. He is assisted by Associate Pastor Fr. Hamrick and three deacons: Doug Shafer, Bob Ochoa, and John Calzavara. The Director of Religious Education is Jacob Schall; the Music Director is Renee Thompson; the OCIA Director is Chris Shafer; the Youth and Young Adult Minister is Arty Acosta; the Mother's Day Out Director is Sue Soda. Maria Braswell serves as Office Manager and Rosemary Oye as Bookkeeper.
A Parish Pastoral Council, elected from the congregation, advises the pastor and oversees parish organizations. The council's twelve members represent the diversity of the parish, and any parishioner is welcome to reach out to a council member with questions or concerns.
What Catholics Believe Here
As a parish of the Roman Catholic Church within the Diocese of Nashville, St. Ignatius holds to the full teaching of the Church, including the seven sacraments, the authority of the Pope as successor of Peter, and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Parish teaching draws on Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and the long tradition of Catholic prayer, including the Psalms, the liturgical calendar with its seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time, and devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary.
Joining the Parish and Staying Connected
Newcomers can register online through the parish office. Weekly updates and announcements are sent by Flocknote, and the parish keeps in touch through its Facebook page and YouTube channel, where Mass and other content can be watched online. Online giving is handled through PushPay, and the parish calendar lists all upcoming events. AmazonSmile and Kroger Community Rewards (NPO #89452) also offer easy ways for parishioners to direct a portion of their regular spending back to the parish.
For first-time visitors, the parish office can be reached at (615) 367-0085, or by email through Maria Braswell. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic, returning to the faith, having a child baptized, getting married at St. Ignatius, joining a ministry, or enrolling a child in Faith Formation or Mother's Day Out is invited to contact the parish office to begin the conversation.