About Annunciation Catholic Church · Altamonte Springs, Florida
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman Latin-rite parish in the Diocese of Orlando serving Altamonte Springs, Florida, and the surrounding Seminole County community. The parish was founded in March 1979 as a satellite of St. Mary Magdalen parish and became an independent parish in January 1982 under founding pastor Father Patrick J. Caverly. Its expansive campus at 1020 Montgomery Road includes the current church building (dedicated April 8, 2002), Annunciation Catholic Academy (a STREAM-certified K–8 school on the campus), a preschool, Family Life / St. Gabriel Center, gymnasium, Cultural Center, Child Care Center, and a chapel of perpetual adoration. The parish's mission statement — 'Annunciation hearts are burning to know, love and serve God by loving and serving others' — shapes a robust program of Mass, daily Eucharistic adoration, the sacraments, faith formation, youth ministry, outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and a Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Very Rev. Matthew Hawkins, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
Annunciation Catholic Church is one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Orlando and offers something for almost every stage of Catholic life: a full daily Mass schedule including a Spanish Mass on Tuesday evenings, a 5:30pm Sunday Mass interpreted in American Sign Language for the deaf, and weekend Masses live-streamed for those at home. Daily Eucharistic adoration runs Monday through Friday in the Chapel of the Angels, and confession is offered twice weekly. The parish grounds host Annunciation Catholic Academy (a STREAM-certified K–8 school), a preschool, faith formation for children and adults, an active youth ministry, a robust Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference with food outreach, Habitat for Humanity builds, Knights of Columbus Council, Council of Catholic Women, men's and women's groups, and a long-running Music Ministry — making Annunciation a true community hub for Catholic families in Altamonte Springs.
Mass times at Annunciation Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30pm–4:30pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (no RSVP needed)
- Tuesday 10:30am–11:30am (RSVP required via the parish website)
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday, 8:00am (after the 7:00am Mass) until 7:00pm in the Chapel of the Angels. Closes during the 12:15pm Mass.
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
Annunciation offers a full daily and weekend Mass schedule along with daily Eucharistic adoration and twice-weekly confession — one of the broadest liturgical schedules among Diocese of Orlando parishes. The 10:00am Sunday Mass is live-streamed, and the 5:30pm Sunday Mass is interpreted in American Sign Language for the deaf, while a Tuesday evening 7:00pm Spanish Mass serves the Spanish-speaking community. Reconciliation is available Saturdays 3:30–4:30pm (no RSVP) in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Tuesdays 10:30–11:30am (by RSVP). Adoration runs Monday through Friday from 8:00am (after the 7:00am Mass) until 7:00pm in the Chapel of the Angels, closing briefly during the 12:15pm Mass.
- Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5:00pm; Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am (live-streamed), 12:00pm, 5:30pm (ASL)
- Weekday: Monday–Friday 7:00am and 12:15pm; Saturday 8:00am
- Spanish Mass: Tuesday 7:00pm
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30–4:30pm; Tuesday 10:30am (by RSVP)
- Eucharistic Adoration: Mon–Fri 8:00am–7:00pm, Chapel of the Angels
- Marriage prep, Baptism preparation, Anointing of the Sick, Annulment advocacy
Parish History & Timeline
Founded as a satellite parish on March 25, 1979 (the Feast of the Annunciation) and recognized as an independent parish on January 20, 1982. Founding pastor Monsignor Patrick J. Caverly led the parish for more than three decades, guiding the 1982 expansion, the Project Hope building program, the founding of the parish school, and the construction of the current church dedicated in 2002. The parish timeline on the official site documents the 1991–1992 Project Hope, the 1995–1996 founding of Annunciation Catholic Academy, and the 2015+ church interior renovation.
- 1979 — founded as satellite of St. Mary Magdalen, Longwood/Altamonte Springs
- 1982 — becomes independent parish; 500-seat expansion; Family Life Center built
- 1991–1992 — Project Hope adds Cultural Center, Gymnasium, Child Care Center
- 1995–1996 — Annunciation Catholic Academy (K–8) opens
- 2001–2002 — current church building completed and dedicated April 8, 2002
- 2011 — Fr. Stephen D. Parkes becomes pastor
- 2020 — Fr. Ivan Olmo becomes pastor; Fr. Parkes installed as Bishop of Savannah
- 2015+ — interior renovation in partnership with Baker Liturgical Art
- 2025 — Fr. Matthew Hawkins, V.F., installed as pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a multi-track faith-formation program for children (Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School), a youth ministry for high-school students, and adult formation that includes RCIA/OCIA-style inquiry, weekly Bible studies such as One Bread – One Body, a Friday Morning Scripture group, and contemplative prayer groups. Mary Ann Fox serves as the parish contact for children's formation, baptismal preparation, and adult faith formation; Vicki Ridgeway leads the adult formation team. A Lay Carmelite community and Marriage Encounter support are also part of the formation landscape.
- Faith Formation for Children (Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School)
- Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
- Youth Ministry (High School)
- One Bread – One Body Scripture Group
- Friday Morning Scripture Study
- Contemplative Prayer / Lay Carmelites
- Baptismal Preparation (Mary Ann Fox)
Annunciation Catholic Academy (Parish School)
Annunciation Catholic Academy (ACA) is the parish kindergarten-through-8th-grade school, opened September 1, 1996 under founding principal Dr. Margaret E. Curran. It is fully accredited, a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), and a Florida Catholic Conference STREAM-certified school (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math). For the 2023–24 school year, ACA enrolled 521 students with 31.5 FTE classroom teachers (16.5:1 ratio). The school building is located on the parish campus at 593 Jamestown Blvd.
- K–8 Catholic school on parish campus
- Florida Catholic Conference STREAM certified
- National Catholic Education Association member
- 2023–24 enrollment: ~521 students; 16.5:1 student/teacher ratio
- Extended care program available
- Athletics, fine arts, STREAM enrichment, religion curriculum
Preschool & Child Care Center
Annunciation Catholic Preschool and Child Care Center are housed in the Cultural Center / Child Care Center building constructed during Project Hope (1991–1992), giving the parish a full cradle-to-grade-8 faith-based formation footprint on one campus.
- Preschool programs (early childhood)
- Before- and after-school care
- Co-located with the parish school
Music & Liturgy
Mark McCabe directs Music & Liturgy for Annunciation, coordinating choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists who serve weekday and Sunday Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and the parish's livestreamed Sunday Mass.
- Music Ministry led by Director Mark McCabe
- Choirs and cantors for weekend and daily Mass
- Support for holy days, weddings, funerals, and live-stream
Outreach & Charity
Pastoral Care & Outreach is one of the parish's largest ministry commissions, anchored by a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference that runs the food pantry and direct aid for neighbors in need. Additional outreach includes Habitat for Humanity builds, Food Outreach, Ministry to the Sick, Prayer Network, Bereavement Ministry, the Be An Angel Program, Holy Land Christians support, Pro-Life advocacy, Shepherd's Hope Health Center partnership, and Rainbows/Spectrum for grieving children.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (food pantry / direct aid)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Food Outreach
- Ministry to the Sick
- Bereavement Ministry / Prayer Network
- Advocacy & Justice / Pro-Life
- Shepherd's Hope Health Center support
- Rainbows / Spectrum (children's grief support)
Community Life & Parish Groups
Community Life ministries build the social fabric of the parish through organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Boy Scouts Troop 849, Cub Scouts Pack 630, Girl Scouts and Brownies, Welcome Ministry, the Italian-American Club, the 60 & Over Club, the New Journeys Widows Group, the Bridge Group, and Fellowship for Moms.
- Knights of Columbus
- Council of Catholic Women
- Boy Scouts Troop 849 / Cub Scouts Pack 630 / Girl Scouts
- Welcome Ministry, Fall Festival
- 60 & Over Club, Widows Group, Bridge Group
- Italian-American Club, Fellowship for Moms
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Annunciation prepares parishioners for every sacrament of initiation and healing. Couples are asked to contact the Parish Office at least six months before their anticipated wedding date and before finalizing venue plans. Annulment inquiries go through Jody North. Anointing of the Sick is arranged by request, and the priest on call responds to emergencies (hospital visits, last rites). The parish also nurtures vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
- Baptism (infant and RCIA-initiated adult)
- First Eucharist and Confirmation (via Faith Formation)
- Marriage preparation (6-month notice)
- Anointing of the Sick (by request; emergencies handled)
- Annulment advocacy (Jody North)
- Vocations discernment support
Facilities & Campus
The Annunciation campus at 1020 Montgomery Road includes the current church dedicated in 2002 and renovated in 2015–c.2017, the St. Gabriel Life Center (renovated Family Life Center), Cultural Center, Gymnasium, Child Care Center, Chapel of the Angels (adoration), Blessed Sacrament Chapel (reconciliation), the parish school (Annunciation Catholic Academy at 593 Jamestown Blvd.), and the Book and Gift Store. Roughly ten additional acres south of the original parcel were acquired in 1981 for parking and future development, giving the parish room to host its many ministries, school, and preschool on a single integrated campus.
- Main church (dedicated 2002, renovated 2015+)
- Chapel of the Angels (daily adoration)
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel (reconciliation)
- St. Gabriel Life Center / Family Life Center
- Cultural Center, Gymnasium, Child Care Center
- Annunciation Catholic Academy (593 Jamestown Blvd.)
- Book and Gift Store
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Council
The parish is led by pastor Very Rev. Matthew Hawkins, V.F., with parochial vicar Rev. Mark Librizzi, and three deacons — Deacon Joe Gassman, Deacon Peter Pronko, and Deacon Bryan Zornik (ordained June 8, 2024). Staff includes directors of faith formation, music/liturgy, finances/operations, communications, preschool, and school, plus an office manager, book store coordinator, and maintenance/facilities team.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Matthew Hawkins, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Mark Librizzi
- Deacons: Joe Gassman, Peter Pronko, Bryan Zornik
- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Facilities Team, and ministry commissions
Visit, Connect & Give
Newcomers and returning Catholics are welcomed at every Mass. The parish office (407-869-9472, [email protected]) is open Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:00pm and Sunday 9:00am–12:00 noon; the Book and Gift Store has extended evening and weekend hours. Mass can be watched live on the parish YouTube channel, and weekly emails, the bulletin, and the parish blog keep members connected. Online giving is available through the parish website, and stewardship opportunities include annual appeals, capital support, and parish-school tuition assistance.
- Address: 1020 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
- Phone: 407-869-9472 · [email protected]
- Live-stream: YouTube @annunciationcatholic
- Social: @annunciationorlando on Facebook and Instagram
- Online giving via parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick J. Caverly, V.G. (later Monsignor)1979 – c.2011
Founding pastor; led the parish as a satellite of St. Mary Magdalen from March 1979, became pastor of the independent parish on January 20, 1982; oversaw the 1982 expansion (500 seats + Family Life Center), Project Hope (1991–1992 Cultural Center, Gymnasium, Child Care Center), and the construction and 2002 dedication of the current church building; launched Annunciation Catholic Academy (1995–1996).
- Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.Summer 2011 – 2020
Succeeded Monsignor Caverly as pastor; oversaw the 2015+ interior renovation with Baker Liturgical Art. On September 23, 2020, he was ordained and installed as the 15th Bishop of Savannah.
- Rev. Ivan OlmoAugust 15, 2020 – 2025
Became pastor of Annunciation on August 15, 2020, succeeding Fr. Parkes.
- Very Rev. Matthew Hawkins, V.F.June 1, 2025 – present
Current pastor; installed June 1, 2025.