A Parish Rooted in the Benedictine Tradition
St. Benedict Cathedral sits on the east side of Evansville, Indiana, where Lincoln Avenue meets the parish campus. From this corner of the city the parish has welcomed Catholic families since 1912 and, since April 11, 1999, has served as the third cathedral of the Diocese of Evansville. The community is shaped by its Benedictine heritage: pastoral care from the beginning was given by Benedictine monks of St. Meinrad Abbey, and the parish school has been staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand, Indiana, for more than a century.
The parish describes itself as a community that believes, celebrates, and lives the mystery of God's love. The prayer and work of a Benedictine community are joined here: more than forty different ministries give parishioners ways to serve, to pray, and to belong. Hospitality, peace, and the search for Christ in every guest are the marks by which the parish invites others to take part in its life.
The Cathedral Building and the Campus
The current church was completed in 1928 and was dedicated on March 18, 1928, by Abbot Athanasius Schmidt, OSB. Designed in the Lombard-Basilica style, the building is known for ceilings that rise sixty-five feet, a baldachin over the altar, and a seating capacity of more than nine hundred people. After the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the baldachin was moved forward about twenty-five feet, the former high altar was dismantled, and a new altar was created to match the renewed liturgy.
The campus around the cathedral has grown in three major phases. The oldest building, now called St. Meinrad Hall, was begun in 1913 and originally housed almost every function of the parish: church, classrooms, convent, and cafeteria. St. Scholastica Hall was completed in 1953 and added an auditorium, cafeteria, and gymnasium. The newest addition, St. Benedict Hall, opened in 2004 and brought the administrative offices, additional classrooms, a library, computer and science labs, and parish meeting rooms. Together these three connected buildings enclose the school campus in one structure with updated security and monitoring, and a planned passage will one day link the school with the cathedral itself.
Two of Evansville's bishops were ordained and installed at St. Benedict's before it became a cathedral: Francis R. Shea in 1970 and Gerald A. Gettelfinger on April 11, 1989. Holy Trinity Parish served as the Pro-cathedral from 1965 until St. Benedict's was consecrated as the cathedral of the Diocese of Evansville in 1999.
Mass, Reconciliation, and the Liturgical Calendar
Mass is offered every day of the week. On Saturdays the Vigil Mass begins at 4:30 pm. Two Sunday Masses are celebrated, at 8:00 am and 10:30 am. From Monday through Saturday the daily Mass is offered at 9:00 am. Mass is also livestreamed through the parish's Facebook page, allowing those who cannot attend in person to follow along or to watch recent services afterward.
Reconciliation is heard Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 8:55 am (after the morning's preparation time). On Saturdays confessions are also heard from 9:30 am to 10:00 am and again from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm, before the Vigil Mass. Every Monday afternoon a priest hears confessions from 5:00 pm to 5:40 pm, and appointments can be made by calling the parish office at 812-425-3369, extension 0.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, the Immaculate Conception on December 8, Ash Wednesday, and other holy days all have their own published schedules with multiple Masses. The Nativity of the Lord is celebrated with the Vigil Mass on December 24, a Midnight Mass, and a Mass on Christmas morning. Holy Week includes a 7:00 pm Mass on Holy Thursday, a Good Friday service, a 7:00 pm burial service, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, with Easter Sunday Masses at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
Worship at St. Benedict's is rooted in the Roman Missal and follows the traditional posture of a Catholic cathedral. Visitors who are unfamiliar with the Liturgy will find worship aids in each pew that contain the order of Mass, the postures, and the words to the prayers. The parish asks that non-Catholics who do not receive communion come forward with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing.
Eucharistic Adoration: The Quiet Center of the Parish
One of the defining rhythms of St. Benedict Cathedral is its near-continuous schedule of Eucharistic Adoration. The adoration chapel, located within the cathedral building, is open Monday from 8:00 am to noon. From noon to 6:00 pm on Mondays the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the main sanctuary itself, with confessions heard from 5:00 to 5:45 pm and Benediction at 5:50 pm. Tuesday through Friday the chapel is open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Times outside those posted hours are available with an access code, which can be requested through Lisa Roth.
Adorers typically commit to a weekly holy hour so that the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended. The Women of Prayer First Monday Rosary gathers on the first Monday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm to pray the rosary together for the intentions of those present. Adorers speak of the chapel as a place where ordinary struggles are reframed by the simple practice of sitting in the presence of Christ.
Becoming Catholic and the Sacraments of Initiation
Adults preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church meet weekly on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:00 am through a process the parish simply calls Becoming Catholic. The program is led by Deacon Pete Barry, Director of Discipleship, along with Deacon David Rice, Sister Pat McGuire, OSB, and Audra Douglas. Sessions include study, prayer, and conversation, with a sponsor walking alongside each inquirer. The parish makes clear that inquiry is welcome even from those who are unsure, who are already baptized in another Christian tradition, who have been away from the Church for years, or whose spouses do not share their interest.
For children, sacramental preparation is built into the school year. Second-grade students at St. Benedict Cathedral School prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist during their second-grade year, with preparatory sessions beginning in late January. Children not enrolled in the school can make arrangements through Pete Barry at the parish office. The parish also celebrates infant baptism and offers a separate baptism information form for those wishing to schedule a baptism during one of the weekend Masses.
Confirmation has been moved to the freshman and sophomore years of high school under Bishop Joseph Siegel's decree lowering the age of reception in the Diocese of Evansville. At St. Benedict Cathedral, the preparation program begins in late August and meets on Sundays from noon to 1:30 pm in the Woodward Center, with candidates, parents, and sponsors taking part in several sessions together. The bishop celebrates the sacrament at a 2:00 pm Mass in October.
Music and the Liturgical Arts
Music at the cathedral is led by Jeremy Korba, Director of Music, and Jennifer Korba, Choir Director. The Cathedral Parish Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the cathedral and sings every other week, typically at the 10:30 am Sunday Mass. Membership is open to anyone in eighth grade or older, and reading music is helpful but not required, making the choir a natural fit for families. Cantors sing at the weekend Masses, and proficient musicians on keyboard and other instruments accompany the assembly as needed for weddings and funerals. Instrumentalists and vocalists of high school age and up are encouraged to inquire.
The sacristan ministry prepares the sanctuary for weekend Masses by setting out hosts, chalices, and everything needed for the liturgy. Mass servers, lectors, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion round out the liturgical ministries, with most lay volunteers serving once a month or so through the parish's Ministry Scheduler Pro system.
St. Benedict Cathedral School: Preschool through Eighth Grade
Just across the parish campus at 530 S Harlan Avenue, St. Benedict Cathedral School educates children from preschool through eighth grade. The school shares the cathedral's Benedictine roots: the Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand staffed it from its founding in 1913 and have served continuously for more than 105 years, with Sister Judy Dewig still on the faculty as learning specialist. The mascot, the Ravens, nods to this heritage.
The school is recognized by the State of Indiana as a Four-Star School and holds an A grade on state performance measures. Recent statistics place it among the top performers in Vanderburgh County, including a 100 percent IREAD-3 pass rate and strong ILEARN results in both math and English language arts. The Algebra End of Course Assessment has been passed at 100 percent since 2009. Each year a team of students competes in the Indiana Academic Superbowl, sponsored by Purdue University and the Indiana Association of School Principals, in math, English, science, social studies, and an interdisciplinary category.
Curriculum follows Indiana State standards with daily instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, and religion. Art, music, technology, health, and physical education are taught weekly. Religion classes are designed to help students build a relationship with God: fifth graders study the seven sacraments, sixth graders work through the Old Testament, seventh graders take up the New Testament and the early Church, and eighth graders examine Church history and vocations. Students attend weekly school Mass and serve in liturgical ministries, and second graders receive First Reconciliation and First Communion during their sacramental year.
Extracurricular life is broad. Athletics include team sports in the gym, and academics include Speech Team and academic teams. Scouting is supported as a parish ministry. Middle school students can take part in band, ukulele, or handbell ensembles, and there are clubs for the arts, piano, book club, SWAG, and youth group. After-school care is offered from 2:35 to 5:45 pm for preschool through eighth-grade students, with a snack, playground and gym time, and supervised study.
The principal is Megan Orandi, supported by Dean of Students Bart Burke, who also directs after-school care, and a full staff of certified teachers, most holding bachelor's or master's degrees. The school is accredited by the Indiana Department of Education and AdvancEd, and its counseling lab works with the University of Evansville, Deaconess Medical Staff, and other community partners to broaden students' exposure to careers. Military families are especially welcomed on the campus.
The Wide Reach of Parish Ministries
The parish counts more than forty ministries that invite parishioners to share time, talent, and treasure. Some are devoted to prayer and worship, such as adoration, the choir, cantors, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, and servers. Others form small communities of study and mutual support.
Faith formation for adults takes several shapes. The Alpha and Omega Bible Study meets on Thursday evenings from 5:45 to 7:45 pm in the Woodward Center, led by Missy Brundick McNabb with a master's in theology from St. Meinrad Seminary. The Women's Bible Study follows the Walking with Purpose program on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Faith, Fellowship, and Food offers a small-group experience of shared meals and conversation. The Morning Moms Prayer Group meets twice a month with babysitting available.
Service to neighbors is woven through several ministries. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society visits families in need in their homes and meets on Monday evenings at the Parish Center to distribute assistance. The Food Ministry prepares and serves meals for parish events. Cookie Disciples bake on request for parish gatherings. The Funeral Luncheon Ministry provides meals following funerals of parishioners. Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds beds for local children who do not have one. Habitat for Humanity volunteers help construct homes for low-income families. Hallmark Ministry sends encouraging notes to homebound seniors. CAJE (Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment) meets every other month to support those most in need in the wider Evansville community.
Hospitality is also a ministry. Mass Greeters arrive fifteen minutes before weekend Masses to welcome people at the door. Campus Hosts and Ushers assist with seating and the collection. The Tour Ministry offers monthly tours of the cathedral after weekend Masses, and recorded Church Tour Videos showcase four key areas of the building. The Evangelization Committee discerns and executes ways to proclaim the Gospel beyond the parish. The Cookie Disciples, Heavenly Dusters, and Maintenance Volunteers keep the church and grounds in shape.
Marriage preparation is supported by Sponsor Couples, who meet several times with engaged couples to walk through the topics of a healthy Catholic marriage. Couples marrying at the cathedral begin with an Initial Inquiry Form, work with Father Alex on the date, and complete a workshop on Natural Family Planning offered through the Diocese of Evansville. Visiting Ministry sends volunteers every two or three months to parishioners who cannot attend Mass. Communion to the Homebound and Nursing Homes brings the Eucharist each week to those unable to be present.
For younger adults, the University of Evansville Ministry provides college students with food and a place to belong. The Knights of Columbus, a fraternity of Catholic men, works to build up the Church and serve the broader community. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts meet on the campus with the support of parish volunteers.
Youth Ministry, called Blaze of Benedict, is led by Catherine Shockley and Pete Barry. It offers young people a place to belong and a community where they can grow in their relationship with the Lord. The parish also runs Faith Formation for children, assisting the Director of Discipleship in providing opportunities for parishioners of all ages.
Worship Aids, Sacraments, and Sacramentals
Beyond the Sunday and weekday schedule, the parish celebrates the sacraments and sacramentals with care and planning. Weddings at the cathedral are guided by a Wedding Handbook and a Wedding Checklist available online. Baptisms for children under the age of reason are scheduled during Mass, and parents complete a Baptism Information Form to begin the process. For adults and children over the age of reason, entry into the Church follows the Becoming Catholic process.
The parish also coordinates a Society of the Sacred Heart, in which enrolled individuals and groups are remembered at a monthly Mass for twelve months. Enrollment folders are available in the pamphlet racks in the church, and the suggested donation is twenty-five dollars.
For funerals, the parish offers a Funeral Planner and a Funeral Luncheon Ministry that prepares and serves meals for bereaved families. A Prayer Chain links parishioners who add particular intentions to their daily prayers.
Building for Mission: A Capital Campaign with a Plan
In March 2025, St. Benedict Cathedral crossed a $6 million milestone in its Building for Mission Capital Campaign. The campaign was launched with several priorities, and the first was debt elimination: an $818,000 repayment to the Diocese was paid in full, marking the first time in fifteen years the parish has not carried a debt on its books. The campaign estimates this will redirect roughly $160,000 per year toward ministries and operational advancement.
The second priority was a $336,000 replacement of the St. Benedict Hall rooftop HVAC unit, installed at the end of May and operational in June. The third, a $335,040 installation of new air handlers on the gymnasium, was completed at the beginning of July, bringing heating and cooling to a gym that had never been climate controlled, to the benefit of student athletes, adult pickleball players, and the fans who come to cheer. Finally, work is underway to renovate the former doctor's office at the corner of Willow and Lincoln into a new parish center with handicap-accessible meeting rooms, designed to accommodate the parish's growing staff.
Stewardship, Giving, and Legacy Gifts
The parish practices what it calls Stewardship as a way of life: TIME in prayer every day, TALENT in service to strengthen the community, and TREASURE to sustain and grow the mission. Online giving is handled through Flocknote, with Sunday giving, special collections, and the Catholic Ministries Appeal all flowing through one platform. The parish also participates in the Scholarship Granting Organization, through which Indiana residents can give to students at the parish school and receive a state tax credit for half of their donation.
For those who wish to give beyond their lifetimes, the St. Benedict Cathedral Legacy Society recognizes anyone who has remembered the parish in a will or other planned gift. Endowment funds, charitable gift annuities, retirement plan beneficiaries, and insurance policy designations are all accepted, with minimum gifts of $5,000 to start a new endowment and $1,000 to add to an existing one.
A Parish Looking Forward
St. Benedict Cathedral traces more than a century of Catholic life on the east side of Evansville and continues to grow as the seat of the Diocese of Evansville. The Benedictine call to prayer and work shapes the rhythm of the parish: daily Mass, perpetual adoration, a choir that rehearses Thursday nights, a school where children learn to be lifelong disciples, and a network of ministries that reaches into homes, hospitals, and the wider community. Visitors are welcomed to share in that rhythm, whether for a Saturday Vigil Mass, a weekday visit to the adoration chapel, or a conversation about becoming Catholic. The parish's invitation is the same one it has offered since 1912: take part in the life of a community that seeks peace in its own heart and in the world around it, as faithful disciples of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.