About Ave Maria · Ave Maria, Florida
Ave Maria Catholic Church is the spiritual heart of the planned town of Ave Maria in unincorporated Collier County, Florida — roughly 30 miles east of Naples. Founded in 2008 as a quasi-parish (oratory) by Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice, it became a full Catholic parish on January 19, 2017 when the Diocese purchased the iconic steel-framed church from Ave Maria University. It is known for its striking Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired architecture (designed by Harry Warren of Cannon Design with Tom Monaghan), a 30-foot marble Annunciation relief by Hungarian sculptor Márton Váró on the façade, and a liturgical life that includes a daily Mass schedule, a 12:30 pm Sunday Latin Extraordinary Form Mass, a 5:00 pm Spanish Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration at the Martha J. Burke Chapel, and a parish school (Ave Maria Catholic Academy, PK-12).
- Established
- 2008
- Rector
- Rev. David Mariano Vidal, PhD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
Ave Maria Parish offers an unusually full Catholic liturgical life for a parish of its size: a 1,100-seat Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired church at the literal center of a planned Catholic town, with multiple daily Masses, a weekly Extraordinary Form Latin Mass, a Spanish Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration at the Martha J. Burke Chapel across the street, and guided Monday and Friday Holy Hours with Benediction. It is paired with a parish-run PK–12 classical Catholic academy (Ave Maria Catholic Academy), strong youth and faith-formation programs (RCIA, Adult Confirmation, youth ministry), a celebrated choir that has performed at the White House, and a wide range of devotional groups (Legion of Mary, Flame of Love, Divine Will Cenacle, That Man Is You, Grupo de Emaús in Spanish, etc.). It is a good fit for families, students and faculty of Ave Maria University, and Spanish-speaking Catholics in eastern Collier County.
Mass times at Ave Maria
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
- Wednesday: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
- Friday: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
- Friday: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (during Holy Hour in the Church)
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
- Also available by appointment (call the parish office at 239-261-5555)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at the Martha J. Burke Chapel (Ave Maria University Canizaro Library, across from the church) — 24 hours, 7 days a week during the academic semester; remains open for the parish community during summer
- Monday — Guided Eucharistic Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction for children and families, 6:30 pm (September through May)
- Friday — Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament with Benediction, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (with the Sacrament of Confession available during this time)
About Ave Maria Parish
Ave Maria Catholic Church is the spiritual center of the planned town of Ave Maria, Florida — an unincorporated community in eastern Collier County, about 30 miles east of Naples. Founded in 2008 as a quasi-parish (oratory) and raised to full parish status on January 19, 2017, it serves the residents of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University, the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy / Ave Maria Catholic Academy, and the surrounding area. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Venice in Florida and is led by Pastor Rev. David Mariano Vidal, PhD, with Rev. Mark Ruckpaul as Parochial Vicar and a team of eight deacons.
History of the Parish
Conceived by Domino's founder Tom Monaghan, the town of Ave Maria was developed by the Ave Maria Development Company (Barron Collier Companies + Ave Maria Foundation) beginning in 2005 and opened in 2007; the Oratory was dedicated as a quasi-parish on March 31, 2008 by Bishop Frank Dewane after a months-long canonical dispute. The Diocese of Venice purchased the building on January 19, 2017, raising it to a full parish; Ave Maria University donated an adjacent 2.5-acre lot and Ave Maria Development donated an additional 10 acres. Father David Vidal, PhD, became the second pastor on February 1, 2021, succeeding Father Cory Mayer (parish administrator 2013, pastor from November 2015 and first installed pastor in 2017), who had succeeded the parish's founding administrator, Father Robert Tatman.
- 2008 (March 31) — Oratory dedicated as quasi-parish by Bishop Dewane; Father Robert Tatman named administrator
- 2013 — Father Cory Mayer succeeds Father Tatman as parish administrator
- November 2, 2015 — Father Mayer formally named pastor of the quasi-parish
- January 19, 2017 — Diocese of Venice purchases the Oratory from Ave Maria University; parish status conferred; Father Mayer installed as first pastor; 2.5-acre lot (AMU) and 10-acre parcel (Ave Maria Development) donated to the diocese
- August 2017 — Father David Vidal assigned as Parochial Vicar of Ave Maria
- May 2018 — Father Vidal assigned Administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle
- February 1, 2021 — Father David Vidal, PhD returns as Pastor of Ave Maria
Architecture & Design
Designed by Harry L. Warren of Cannon Design in a 'contemporary rendition of a Gothic cathedral' inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and E. Fay Jones, the church rises 104–120 feet and seats 1,100 in roughly 25,755 sq ft of space. Its distinctive exposed structural steel (more than 1,270 tons), eight flying buttresses, standing-seam roof, and Category 5 hurricane resistance make it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Southwest Florida.
- Architect — Harry L. Warren (Design Principal, Cannon Design, New York)
- Original concept sketch — Tom Monaghan (on a tablecloth at dinner with early AMU leadership)
- Structural steel — 1,270+ tons; foundation 8,100 tons poured in one day
- Interior cladding — 50,000+ sq ft of Stromberg GRG panels
- Façade sculpture — Márton Váró's 30-ft, 70-ton bas-relief of the Annunciation in Carrara marble (Cave Michelangelo)
- Stained glass — 16-ft rose window above the front doors
- Organ — Marshall & Ogletree Opus 5, a four-manual virtual pipe organ
- Capacity — 1,100 seats (originally planned for 3,300)
Parish School — Ave Maria Catholic Academy
Ave Maria Catholic Academy, established in 2007 (originally as Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School, later renamed Rhodora J. Donahue Academy in February 2009), is the parish's PK-12 school. Today it is a Catholic, co-educational, college-prep and classical school with approximately 615 students in a 50,000+ sq ft facility located near the church and the Ave Maria University campus.
- Grades PK-12, co-educational, college-prep and classical curriculum
- Operated by Ave Maria Parish in the Diocese of Venice
- ~615 students on a 50,000+ sq ft campus at 4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, FL 34142
- Phone: (239) 842-3241
Faith Formation, Youth Ministry & RCIA
The parish's Faith Formation Office coordinates RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), Adult Confirmation, children's religious education, and Youth Ministry, all under the guiding principle that parents are the primary educators of their children and full participation in parish life — especially regular Mass attendance — reinforces what is taught at home.
- Director of Religious Education — Becky Hampton ([email protected])
- Director of Youth Ministry — Martin Doman
- RCIA for adults — reception of Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Adult Confirmation program
- Registration deadline for Faith Formation programs: September 14, 2025
Parish Groups & Ministries
Ave Maria Parish hosts a wide range of devotional, formation, fellowship, and service groups — including Spanish-language ministry (Legión de María, Grupo de Emaús), men's programs (That Man Is You, Men's Gospel Study, Men's Reparation Prayer Group), women's groups (Ladies of the Little Flower), the Junior Legion of Mary, the St. Margaret of Castello special-needs ministry, Rosary Makers, the Divine Will Prayer Cenacle, the Flame of Love Prayer Cenacle, an Ave Maria Drama Group, and a homeschoolers' network.
- Junior Legion of Mary
- Legión de María (Español)
- That Man Is You!
- Men's Gospel Study Group
- Men's Reparation Prayer Group
- Ladies of the Little Flower
- Rosary Makers of Ave Maria
- St. Margaret of Castello (Special Needs)
- Grupo de Emaús (Español)
- Ave Maria Drama Group
- Divine Will Prayer Cenacle
- Flame of Love Prayer Cenacle
- Ave Maria Parish Homeschoolers
Music & Liturgy
Under Music Director Mark Haas, the parish supports about 100 volunteer musicians across three choirs (adults, children, and a Spanish choir) plus cantors, instrumentalists, and organists, drawing heavily from Ave Maria University students and local families. In December the choir was selected from more than 600 applicants nationwide to perform at the White House Holiday Open House — an honor commemorated by Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart in the Congressional Record.
- Music Director — Mark Haas
- Three choir groups (adults, children, Spanish) plus Latin singers
- Spanish choir director and organist — Jesus Alfarone
- Marshall & Ogletree Opus 5 four-manual virtual pipe organ
- Selected to perform at the White House Holiday Open House
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments: Infant/Child Baptism (Saturdays at 11:30 am or Sundays at 2:15 pm, after a required pre-baptismal class), Adult Baptism through RCIA, Confirmation (youth and adults), Eucharist, Marriage (after 6 months of active registration and 6 months' notice), Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (discernment supported through the Priestly Vocation Crucifix program).
- Baptism — infant/child on Sat 11:30 am or Sun 2:15 pm; adult through RCIA
- Confirmation — youth via Faith Formation; adults via Adult Confirmation
- Marriage — Witness to Love (under 55), Two Become One (55+), priest/deacon instruction (75+), or Catholic Marriage Prep online (military/separated)
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office
Visiting & Tours
Self-guided tours are available any time the church is open using free brochures at the entrance. During season (January–March), guided public tours are offered in association with Ave Maria Trolley Days (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 pm, ending by 3:00 pm, no reservation required). Guided private tours for groups of 20 or more can be arranged Monday–Friday at 10:00 am or 1:00 pm by calling 239-261-5555.
- Self-guided tours — free brochures at the entrance; please avoid touring within 15 minutes of Mass
- Guided public tours (seasonal) — Jan–Mar, Tues/Thurs 1:00 pm (during Ave Maria Trolley Days)
- Guided private tours — groups of 20+, Mon–Fri 10:00 am or 1:00 pm (Oct–Mar), 45–90 minutes
- Photography permitted when Mass is not being celebrated; please no food or pets
Getting Involved & Contact
Newcomers can register online via ParishSoft through the Diocese of Venice system (select 'Ave Maria Catholic Church') or by downloading registration forms from the parish website. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and can be reached at (239) 261-5555 or [email protected]. The mailing address is 5078 Pope John Paul II Blvd., Suite 107, Ave Maria, FL 34142 (the Diocese also lists 5088 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria, FL 34142).
- Parish office — (239) 261-5555 — [email protected]
- Office hours — Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Address — 5078 Pope John Paul II Blvd., Suite 107, Ave Maria, FL 34142
- Online registration — venice.parishsoftfamilysuite.com (select 'Ave Maria Catholic Church')
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert Tatman2008–2013
First administrator of the Ave Maria Oratory/quasi-parish (named by Bishop Dewane the Friday before the March 31, 2008 dedication). Former Trappist monk (5 years in an upstate New York abbey, same order as Thomas Merton); ordained in the Diocese of Venice less than four years before 2008. Previously parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist (Naples) and San Pedro (North Port). Described as 'a contemplative priest.' Served as parish administrator through 2013.
- Rev. Cory A. Mayer2013–2021
Replaced Fr. Tatman as parish administrator in 2013; named pastor of the quasi-parish on November 2, 2015. On January 19, 2017 he was officially installed by Bishop Dewane as the first pastor of the full Ave Maria Catholic Church. Launched a fundraising campaign to establish a parish center at Annunciation Circle and Pope John Paul II Blvd.
- Rev. David Mariano Vidal, PhD2021–present
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1973); ordained in La Plata, Buenos Aires on August 9, 2001. Licentiate (2012) and PhD in Philosophy (2020) from the Catholic University of America. Served as Parochial Vicar of Ave Maria (Aug 2017), then Administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven in LaBelle (May 2018), before returning as Pastor of Ave Maria on February 1, 2021.
- Rev. Mark Ruckpaulpresent
Current Parochial Vicar per the Diocese of Venice parish page.