Who Are You?

Are you a real Catholic Church?

Yes!  We are 100% fully Catholics of the Latin Rite, with a bishop appointed by Pope Francis.  

Are you still Anglicans?

No. While many of our members were formerly Anglicans/Episcopalians or members of other Protestant communities, we are now Roman Catholics of the Roman Rite, in full communion with Pope Francis and all other Catholics throughout the world.  However, at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI, supported and even expanded by Pope Francis, we maintain our own distinct heritage and traditions within the Church.

Are you part of the Archdiocese of Louisville?

We are part of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, which is like a diocese, but with jurisdiction over a particular set of people rather than all Catholics within a particular geographical area like a normal “territorial” diocese.  We have our own bishop and cathedral (in Texas!).   However, we and the members of the Archdiocese of Louisville are fellow Catholics with a common mission, and we cooperate closely with Archdiocesan ministries and other aspects of Catholic life in Louisville both corporately and as individuals.  In particular, our priest, Fr. Jonathan Erdman, also serves as pastor of the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Are you part of the parish of St. Francis of Assisi?

OLSJ and SFA are two distinct Catholic churches which share one campus. We have a common mission together as fellow Catholics, but we have distinct emphases – SFA on the life of the Church in its local geographical area, and OLSJ on the evangelization of non-Catholics and preserving elements of the Anglican tradition. 

Your priest is married. I thought Catholic priests couldn’t be married?

Catholic priests of the Latin Rate are expected to be celibate, including seminarians of the Ordinariate.  However, the Pope is able to give special dispensation on a case-by-case basis for former Anglican priests who are married to be ordained as Catholic priests for the Ordinariate.  Fr. Erdman is one of these, with the permission of both Pope Francis and his wife!

Holy Communion

I’m Catholic. Can I take communion and fulfill my Sunday obligation at Our Lady and St. John?

Yes. It is no different than crossing the Ohio River and receiving communion at a parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  While our liturgy looks a bit different than most other Catholic parishes, it is fully approved by the Vatican.

Coming into Full Communion with the Catholic Church

How do I become Catholic?

Please see our page on Becoming Catholic.

Do I have to be a “convert” to be part of Our Lady and St. John?

No. While our primary mission is to bring those outside into full and visible communion with the Catholic Church, “cradle” Catholics are welcome to worship with us and participate fully in the life of our church.