About Annunciation · Hollywood, Florida
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish of the Archdiocese of Miami located in the City of West Park (formerly West Hollywood), in southern Broward County, Florida — just west of I-95, between Hallandale Beach Boulevard and the Miami-Dade/Broward county line. Founded in 1959 and entrusted to the pastoral care of the Redemptorist Fathers (CSsR) under the present pastor, Fr. John Juszczak, CSsR, Ph.D., the parish is home to an accredited K3–8 elementary school (open since 1961), an active bilingual (English/Spanish) worshipping community, a perpetual Adoration Chapel by the Grotto, and a notable collection of religious art that includes full-size statues, traditional stained glass, modern faceted glass windows and a memorial window marking Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (feast of the Annunciation)
- Rector
- Fr. John Juszczak, CSsR, Ph.D. (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
Annunciation offers a small-parish feel where it's easy to be known by name, in a richly bilingual (English/Spanish) worshipping community with daily Mass, a weekly Sunday Spanish Mass, and confession before every Mass. It is a genuinely eucharistic parish — perpetual adoration runs in a chapel by the grotto six days a week — and it pairs strong devotions (Legion of Mary, bilingual Bible study with the pastor on Zoom, Our Lady of Perpetual Help novena, Divine Mercy novena, First Friday devotions, the Peñafrancia novena) with hands-on outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, and nursing-home visits. It is also a school parish: an accredited K3–8 elementary school that has educated local Catholic families since 1961, plus a vibrant CYO youth ministry (grades 6–12), CCD, and RCIA, making it a natural fit for families looking for cradle-to-teen faith formation in South Broward.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:30–5:30 PM (and upon request / by appointment; confessions also available before every Mass)
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Adoration Chapel by the Grotto)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Adoration Chapel by the Grotto)
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Adoration Chapel by the Grotto)
Parish History
Annunciation was founded in 1959 to serve the growing Catholic population of southern Broward County. Founding families came largely from Saint Stephen and Visitation parishes, and until a permanent church was built, Mass was celebrated at the Lake Forest Civic Center and then at Madonna Academy. The permanent church was dedicated in 1963, the parish school opened in 1961, and the complex has served the community continuously ever since.
- Founded 1959 — first Masses at the Lake Forest Civic Center and Madonna Academy
- Parish school opened 1961 (222 students K–4 first year; 297 students the following year)
- Permanent church structure dedicated 1963
- Fr. Michael Quilligan served as pastor for 35 years ending in 2019
- Parish entrusted to the Redemptorists (CSsR) under Fr. John Juszczak, CSsR
- Address now 'West Park, FL 33023' (West Hollywood until the city of West Park incorporated in 2004)
Mass & Worship Schedule
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:15 AM, preceded by the Liturgy of the Hours at 7:30 AM and followed by the Rosary. Saturday brings the Vigil Mass at 5:30 PM, and Sunday features two English Masses (7:30 and 11:00 AM) plus a Spanish Mass at 1:00 PM. The Rosary is prayed before every weekend Mass.
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Saturday 8:15 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 AM (English), 11:00 AM (English), 1:00 PM (Spanish)
- Confessions: Saturdays 4:30–5:30 PM and by appointment; available before every Mass
- Liturgy of the Hours: Monday–Saturday 7:30 AM
- Rosary before weekend Masses and after each weekday Mass
Devotions & Novenas
Annunciation keeps a rich devotional calendar. The bilingual Divine Mercy Novena with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is offered on the First Friday of each month. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena with healing prayer is offered in English on the last Wednesday of each month. Spanish-speaking faithful gather weekly for Cursillos de Cristiandad (Thursdays 7:30 PM in the Chapel) and the Cenáculo a la Virgen María (Thursdays 7:00 PM in front of the Church). Bilingual Stations of the Cross mark each Friday of Lent at 7:00 PM.
- Divine Mercy Novena (Bilingual) — First Friday of the month
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena (English) — Last Wednesday of the month
- Living Water Charismatic Prayer Group — Thursdays 7:00 PM in the Music Room (school gym)
- Cursillos de Cristiandad (Spanish) — Thursdays 7:30 PM, Chapel
- Cenáculo a la Virgen María — Thursdays 7:00 PM, in front of the Church
- Our Lady of Peñafrancia Novena — Wednesdays 9:30 AM
- Bilingual Stations of the Cross — Fridays of Lent 7:00 PM
Parish Staff
The parish is administered by Fr. John Juszczak, CSsR, Ph.D., with a small lay staff and dedicated volunteers handling parish office, school leadership, religious education, music, and maintenance. Staff contact information is published on the parish website.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. John Juszczak, CSsR, Ph.D. — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary: Ms. Martha Mesa — [email protected]
- Parish Maintenance: Mr. Carlos Puentes
- Director of Religious Education (CCD/RCIA): Mrs. Niolimay Mathieu — [email protected]
- Principal, Annunciation Catholic School: Mrs. Maria Jebian
- School Secretary: Ms. Betty Caprice — 954-989-8287
- English Music Minister: Mrs. Elizabeth Flocker — [email protected]
- Spanish Music Minister: Mrs. Magda Rodriguez
Annunciation Catholic School
Annunciation Catholic School is a fully accredited K3 through 8th-grade elementary school of the Archdiocese of Miami, founded by the parish in 1961 with 222 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The educational complex now includes four instructional buildings, administration offices, a school library, and a gymnasium that doubles for school activities; an additional parish center houses a computer lab, art room, music room, Spanish classroom and science lab. The school accepts Step Up For Students scholarships, now available regardless of income level.
- Founded 1961 (222 K–4 students first year; 297 by year two)
- Fully accredited K3–8 elementary school, Archdiocese of Miami
- Four instructional buildings plus library, gym, and parish center (computer lab, art, music, Spanish, science)
- Current Principal: Mrs. Maria Jebian
- School office: 954-989-8287
- Scholarships: Step Up For Students (now universal availability)
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation at Annunciation spans cradle-to-teen-and-adult catechesis. The parish runs Sunday-morning CCD classes for children grades 1–8 (September through May, 9:30–10:45 AM), sacrament-preparation tracks for First Communion, First Penance and Confirmation, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for unbaptized adults or those preparing to enter full communion with the Catholic Church. Adult Bible study is offered in English on Thursday evenings (with Fr. John via Zoom) and in Spanish on Wednesday evenings in the chapel.
- Religious Education (CCD) for Children — Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM, Sept–May
- First Communion & First Penance preparation
- Confirmation preparation every other year for teens in grades 10–12
- RCIA for adults
- Bible Study — English with Fr. John on Zoom, Thursdays 7:30 PM
- Bible Study — Spanish, Wednesdays 7:30 PM in the Chapel
Youth Ministry (CYO)
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) at Annunciation is the parish's comprehensive youth ministry for teens in grades 6–12, following the USCCB framework 'Renewing the Vision' and Pope Francis's letter 'Christus Vivit.' It gathers every Sunday evening in the Annunciation Activities Center beginning with a shared Sunday Supper and continuing with breakout sessions for middle and high school, joined by a closing common prayer. CYO also drives service projects, retreats, and the parish's sacramental-preparation track for Confirmation.
- CYO for teens grades 6–12
- Sunday Gatherings 5:00–7:00 PM in the Annunciation Activities Center (school gym)
- Sunday Supper provided by parent and parishioner volunteers
- Yearly theme tracks include 'Theology of the Body' (Y.O.U. for High School; TOB for Middle School) and the Eucharistic Revival series 'Altaration'
- Service projects: Fall Festival, Blessing Bags for the Homeless, St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving & Christmas projects, Christmas caroling, Walk for Life, yard work for neighbors, Easter Festival
- Confirmation preparation every other year (next: 2024–2025)
- Youth Minister: Ginny Clarke — [email protected] / 662-574-2720
- Registration $40 per teen / $60 per family
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners staff all the principal liturgical ministries at Mass: ushers, greeters, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (who also bring Communion to the sick and homebound), English choir, and Spanish choir. Training for lectors and Extraordinary Ministers is arranged with the pastor.
- Ushers and Greeters
- Lectors (English; training through the pastor)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (English and Spanish; serve Mass and the homebound)
- English Music Ministry / Choir — Mrs. Elizabeth Flocker
- Spanish Music Ministry / Choir — Mrs. Magda Rodriguez
Service & Outreach
Annunciation maintains a robust social-justice and outreach footprint. The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides food and direct assistance; callers needing help can leave a message at 754-551-2198 and a member will return the call. Legion of Mary groups (English Wednesday evenings, Spanish Monday evenings) pray and visit the sick. The parish actively supports Respect Life and schedules monthly visits to Peninsula Assisted Living & Memory Care on the second Friday of the month. Volunteers also organize a quarterly Yard Sale and market in the parish parking lot.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — assistance line 754-551-2198
- Legion of Mary — English (Wednesdays 5:00 PM, Chapel) and Spanish (Mondays 7:00 PM, Chapel)
- Respect Life ministry
- Nursing-home visitations — Peninsula Assisted Living & Memory Care, 2nd Friday of the month
- Quarterly Yard Sale & Market in the parish parking lot
- Fellowship Committee coordinating parish social activities
Sacraments
The parish administers all the ordinary sacraments of the Roman Rite. Baptisms are celebrated on the second Saturday of each month following a required Baptismal Preparation class. First Communion and First Penance are prepared through the CCD program. Confirmation preparation is offered every other year for teens in grades 10–12 (next sacramental year 2024–2025). Marriages require arrangements at least six months in advance. The Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites are available on call (parish office 954-989-0606). Adults who wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church are prepared through the RCIA.
- Baptism — 2nd Saturday of each month; class required; arrange at least one month in advance
- First Communion & First Penance — through CCD
- Confirmation — every other year for grades 10–12
- Marriage — six-month preparation required
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — call parish office
- RCIA — adult initiation into the Catholic Church
Art, Architecture & Sacred Treasures
Despite its low-profile exterior, Annunciation's interior is one of the most artistically rich parish churches in South Florida. The signature piece is a large faceted-glass window over the main entrance showing the Archangel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Heart-shaped wood paneling frames the altar behind the tabernacle. Full-size statues depict the Holy Family (with Joseph's staff budding when he met Mary), the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit descending on the Lord. Traditional stained-glass windows along the nave walk the worshiper through the Paschal Mystery — Gethsemane, the Scourging, the Crowning with Thorns, the Crucifixion, the Risen Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene, the Ascension, Pentecost, the Assumption of Mary borne by angels, and the Coronation. A window at the entrance commemorates the 1987 visit of Pope St. John Paul II to the Archdiocese of Miami; another window combines traditional stained glass with modern faceted glass.
- Faceted-glass Annunciation window over main entrance
- Heart-shaped wood paneling behind the altar
- Full-size statues: Holy Family, Baptism of Jesus, Holy Spirit dove
- Paschal-Mystery stained-glass cycle along the nave
- 1987 Pope John Paul II visit memorial window
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel in the bell-tower / Grotto area
Parish Governance & Councils
Pastoral and financial life of the parish is shepherded by two lay-parishioner advisory bodies alongside Fr. John. The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is involved in most activities and programs affecting the liturgical and spiritual life of Annunciation, while the Finance Council advises the pastor on financial matters of the parish and school — monitoring all income and expenses and approving the annual budgets.
- Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) — advises on liturgical and spiritual life
- Finance Council — advises the pastor on parish and school finances; approves annual budgets
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding pastor(s) of Annunciation, West Hollywood1959–c. mid-1960s
Parish established in 1959; first Masses celebrated at Lake Forest Civic Center, then Madonna Academy. Names of the founding and earliest pastors/administrators are not published online; only verified through the parish founding narrative.
- Fr. Michael QuilliganApproximately 1984 – 2019 (35 years)
Long-tenured pastor honored with a monument on the parish grounds; his pastorate ended in 2019 after 35 years of service.
- Fr. John W. Juszczak, CSsR, Ph.D.Current (appointed after Fr. Quilligan's retirement in 2019)
Redemptorist (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer). Born 1960, ordained in Poland 1988, the parish's first pastor entrusted under Redemptorist pastoral care. Priest-in-charge listed on the 2020 bulletin as 'Parochial/Administrator'.