Divine Mercy Catholic Church

About Divine Mercy Parish

Divine Mercy Parish professes and proclaims Christ crucified, risen and alive in His Church. The parish mission is to invite all to a life of discipleship through worship, ongoing formation, merciful witness, and service, actively building the Kingdom of God here on earth while journeying toward the eternal Kingdom in Heaven. From its humble 1964 beginnings at the Barn Theater, the parish has steadily grown into a vibrant Christian community honoring Catholic tradition on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida.

Parish History

Founded in 1964 under Father Sean P. Molloy, Divine Mercy grew rapidly: school at Merritt Island Airport in a warehouse (1964), school in its own building (1965), the Dome social hall (1967), and the current pyramid church (1975). After Father Molloy's death in March 1978, the parish continued to expand, adding Mercy Center, the rectory, and the school library, and remodeling the church and school in 1989. A 1994 fire damaged the church; it was substantially renovated in 2004 as the first phase of a comprehensive site plan.

• 1964 – Parish founded with Mass at the 'Barn Theater'
• 1964 – Divine Mercy School opens in warehouse at Merritt Island Airport (185 students)
• 1965 – School building constructed
• 1967 – 'Dome' social hall built
• 1975 – Current pyramid-shaped church completed
• 1978 – Death of founding pastor Father Sean P. Molloy
• 1989 – Church and school remodeling; computer lab, science lab, conference room added
• 1994 – Fire severely damages the church
• 2002–2003 – Comprehensive site plan developed
• 2004 – Church and school renovations begin

Architecture & Campus

The most distinctive feature of Divine Mercy is its 1975 pyramid-shaped church, a golden geodesic-style landmark along North Courtenay Parkway. The adjoining Dome (1967) is a round golden geodesic building now used as the social hall. The campus also includes the parish school, the parish administration building known as 'Mercy Center', the rectory, the school library, and additional classrooms and meeting space. The parish's long-range site plan calls for replacing the old school building with a new two-story classroom and meeting facility to support sacramental programs, educational classes, and outreach ministries, and for addressing current parking constraints.

• Pyramid church (1975)
• Dome / social hall (1967)
• Mercy Center (parish administration)
• Rectory
• School library, computer lab, science lab, conference room
• Future Early Childhood Development Center and covered sports pavilion in planning

Clergy & Staff

Divine Mercy is led by Very Rev. John C. Giel, V.G., J.C.L., who joined the parish in July 2023. Father Giel — a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Stetson University and St. Meinrad Seminary — was ordained May 28, 1978 and holds advanced degrees in Canon Law. He also serves the Diocese of Orlando as Vicar General and Chancellor of Canonical Affairs. Father Plutarco 'Jojo' Opinio is Associate Pastor, and Father Michael Farrell serves as Pastor Emeritus. Deacon Jack Alexander assists the parish. A capable lay staff supports Liturgy, Music, Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Sacramental Records, Communications, Operations, and Maintenance.

• Very Rev. John C. Giel, V.G., J.C.L. — Pastor (ext. 109)
• Rev. Plutarco 'Jojo' Opinio — Associate Pastor (ext. 121)
• Rev. Michael Farrell — Pastor Emeritus
• Deacon Jack Alexander
• Carol Ponder — Director of Music & Liturgy (ext. 107)
• Carol Knouse — Operations Manager & Bereavement (ext. 119)
• Jennifer Dennis — Business Administrator (ext. 110)
• Lynne Pritts — Office Manager (ext. 120)
• Mary Stein — Liturgy & Volunteer Coordinator
• Caitlin Buckles — Communications Coordinator (ext. 111)
• Liz Carmen — Baptisms, OCIA & Sacramental Records (ext. 118)
• Danielle Cardamone — Religious Education & Youth Ministry (ext. 117)
• Doug Collins — Maintenance Manager (ext. 112)
• Dale Cicirelli — additional staff

Sacraments

Parishioners can arrange the seven Catholic sacraments through the parish office. Baptisms and adult sacramental preparation are coordinated by Liz Carmen (ext. 118). Children's First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared through the parish Religious Education program, with Confirmation normally celebrated in 8th grade. Marriages are scheduled with the parish priest; the OCIA process is the normal way unbaptized adults enter the Church and receive Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

• Baptism — contact Liz Carmen, ext. 118
• First Reconciliation & First Communion (parish Religious Education)
• Confirmation (normally 8th grade)
• Marriage — schedule with the parish priest
• Anointing of the Sick
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
• Funerals (livestreamed by arrangement)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at Divine Mercy is lifelong. Children's Religious Education classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM in the Ministry Building. Sacramental preparation sessions are held in the Youth Room on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:00 AM and are required for parents/guardians and students. Vacation Bible School welcomes children ages 4 through grade 6 for one week each June. Adult Faith Formation centers on the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), the post-Vatican II process through which unbaptized men and women enter the Catholic Church, marked by stages of study, prayer, and rites at Mass.

• Religious Education classes for children — Wednesdays 6:00–7:15 PM, Ministry Building
• Sacramental prep sessions — Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM, Youth Room
• Vacation Bible School — one week in June, ages 4–grade 6
• OCIA — adult initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
• Contact: Danielle Cardamone ([email protected], ext. 117)
• Contact: Liz Carmen for OCIA ([email protected], ext. 118)

Youth Ministry — EDGE & LifeTeen

Divine Mercy Youth Ministry aims to connect with youth in a way that fuels their passion for God, empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, draw them into responsible participation in the Catholic faith community, and foster total personal and spiritual growth. EDGE serves 7th and 8th graders on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM. LifeTeen serves 9th through 12th graders on selected Sundays with an 11:30 AM Mass followed by a meal and meeting. Confirmation preparation is integrated into these programs and is normally celebrated in 8th grade, with catch-up options for older students.

• EDGE (7th & 8th grade) — Wednesdays 6:00–7:15 PM, Youth Room
• LifeTeen (9th–12th grade) — monthly 11:30 AM Mass + meal + meeting
• Confirmation — Sunday prep sessions plus Wednesday-night emphasis
• Volunteers welcome (chaperones, core team, drivers, fund-raisers)
• Contact: Danielle Cardamone, ext. 117

St. Vincent de Paul — Outreach

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Divine Mercy has served Merritt Island and surrounding communities for more than twenty years. Volunteers provide food distribution from the parish parking lot, mobile perishable food drops in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, and limited emergency financial assistance for rent, electricity, water, medical prescriptions, and other urgent needs. The Conference has steadily grown in both volunteers and programs and now serves more than 1,200 neighbors each month.

• Food pantry distribution — 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 10:00 AM
• Mobile perishable food drops in partnership with Second Harvest
• Emergency assistance: rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, transportation
• Seasonal drives (e.g., shirts for migrant workers)
• Volunteer / donation / interview teams — contact Tom Bowler ([email protected])
• Conference President: Gary Barrows
• Donations: Poor box at church, drop-off at parish office, checks payable to 'Society of St. Vincent de Paul'

Music, Liturgy & Devotions

Liturgy at Divine Mercy is supported by a Director of Music & Liturgy and a Liturgy & Volunteer Coordinator who schedules sacristans, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and other liturgical roles. Eucharistic Adoration is offered on First Fridays and Thursday evenings; the Five First Saturdays Devotion is scheduled at 2:00 PM on parish-calendar months. Sunday Masses are livestreamed on YouTube for the homebound and those traveling.

• Director of Music & Liturgy: Carol Ponder (ext. 107)
• Liturgy & Volunteer Coordinator: Mary Stein
• First Friday Adoration: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Thursday Evening Adoration: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Five First Saturdays Devotion: 2:00 PM
• Sunday Mass livestream on YouTube

Divine Mercy Catholic School

Divine Mercy School has been part of the parish since its founding year, opening in 1964 in a warehouse at Merritt Island Airport with 185 students. The school has grown into a permanent campus including a main school building, library, computer lab, science lab, and conference room, with the church and Dome nearby. The parish's site plan envisions creation of an Early Childhood Development Center and a covered basketball/sports pavilion, as well as an eventual new two-story classroom and meeting facility.

• Founded 1964 — 185 students at Merritt Island Airport warehouse
• Permanent school building built 1965
• Library, computer lab, science lab, conference room added 1989
• School renovation begun in 2004
• Planned: Early Childhood Development Center
• Planned: covered basketball / sports pavilion
• Planned: replacement classroom and meeting facility

Contact, Hours & Location

The parish office at 1940 North Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953 is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM) and Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The church is open for prayer 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (12:00 noon on the contact page). Messages may also be sent through the parish website contact form to any of the named clergy or staff members.

• Address: 1940 North Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953
• Phone: (321) 452-5955
• Office: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Church open for prayer 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• Facebook link on parish Contact page
• Sunday Mass livestream via YouTube