About Holy Redeemer · Palm City, Florida
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is a vibrant parish in Palm City, Florida, founded in 1983 to serve the Catholic community of southern Martin County. From its modest beginnings with just 77 families and no buildings of its own, Holy Redeemer has grown into a parish of about 2,500 families, known for its landmark church — once the tallest building in Palm City — its Sacred Heart Chapel, and a wide campus that includes the main church, a multi-purpose Parish Center, and rooms for faith formation and ministry. The parish is part of the Diocese of Palm Beach and is led today by its third pastor, Reverend Martin L. Dunne III. Holy Redeemer offers daily and weekend Mass in English plus a monthly Spanish Mass, along with Adoration, Confession, RCIA/OCIA, religious education for children and teens, Youth Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and more than 30 ministries and groups.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- Holy Redeemer (the Most Holy Redeemer)
- Rector
- Rev. Martin L. Dunne III
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
Holy Redeemer is a large, active parish rooted in stewardship — giving of time, talent, and treasure — and offers daily Mass, a monthly Spanish Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Confession. It runs more than 30 ministries and groups, including a strong religious education program for children Pre-K through 8th grade, teen Confirmation and Youth Ministry, RCIA/OCIA for adults, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference for outreach to those in need, Knights of Columbus, a Women's Guild, Bible Study, music and choirs, a marriage ministry, a newly formed men's society, and bereavement, funeral, hospital and homebound ministries. With a landmark church, a separate Sacred Heart Chapel for Adoration, a multi-purpose Parish Center, and a school-age faith formation program that includes Vacation Bible School and youth mission trips, Holy Redeemer offers a Catholic home for every age and stage.
Mass times at Holy Redeemer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm (other times by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 am – 9:30 am Adoration & Benediction (Sacred Heart Chapel)
- Friday 8:30 am – 9:30 am (Sacred Heart Chapel)
- Private Prayer in the Sacred Heart Chapel, Monday–Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Parish History
Holy Redeemer was established in mid-1983 by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy of Miami, who appointed Reverend Bernard F. Powell as founding pastor effective September 1, 1983. With 77 families and no buildings, the first Masses were celebrated outdoors at the Chapman School of Seamanship, then indoors at the Palm City Civic Center and Palm City Elementary School. A Religious Education Program for 114 children with 19 volunteer teachers began September 25, 1983. The multi-purpose Parish Center was completed by Christmas 1984, and the mortgage was fully paid by March 1990. Ground was broken for the separate church on April 8, 1992, the new church was finished in time for the Christmas Eve 1992 Children's Mass, and Bishop J. Keith Symons dedicated it on Palm Sunday, April 4, 1993. By its tenth anniversary the parish had grown to more than 1,200 families, and by 2023 to about 2,500 families. Father Powell was followed by Father Martin B. Mulqueen (2000–2021) and the current pastor, Father Martin L. Dunne III (2021–present).
- Founded mid-1983 by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy
- First Masses: September 3 & 4, 1983 (outdoors, Chapman School of Seamanship)
- Religious Education began September 25, 1983
- Parish Center groundbreaking: Easter Sunday, April 22, 1984
- Joined new Diocese of Palm Beach in 1984
- Mortgage on Parish Center paid off March 1990
- Church groundbreaking: April 8, 1992
- Church completed for Christmas Eve Mass 1992
- Church dedicated Palm Sunday, April 4, 1993 by Bishop J. Keith Symons
Architectural Features
The church building, designed by architect John D. Colburn of Mathers Engineering in Stuart, Florida, has a heavy Spanish-influence exterior. The central portion is a 61-foot square that rises 46 feet above the floor, and the interior is about 14,000 square feet, seating nearly 1,000. The 70-foot-wide marble altar platform uses 16 tons of marble from Puebla, Mexico, with a massive central altar table, a large ambo, and the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament. Two stained-glass windows — each 19 by 28 feet and divided into 30 panels — frame the altar: the Window of the Redemption (the Crucifixion) and the Window of the Sacraments. Five smaller exterior windows depict the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Francis of Assisi, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church also includes a choir area, a chapel devoted to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Sacred Heart Blessed Sacrament Chapel used for Adoration. The inscription above the main entry is from Psalm 141: 'Let my prayer, O Lord, be directed as incense in thy sight.'
- Architect: John D. Colburn, Mathers Engineering, Stuart, FL
- Exterior: heavy Spanish influence, 61-foot square central section, 46 feet tall
- Altar area: 70 feet wide, raised six steps; 16 tons of Puebla, Mexico marble
- Large stained-glass windows: 19 × 28 feet, each 30 panels
- Smaller windows: Sacred Heart, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony, St. Francis, Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Baptismal Font / 'Fountain of Living Water' at the entrance
Our Staff
Holy Redeemer's pastoral team is led by Father Martin L. Dunne III, pastor, with the assistance of Deacon Emeritus Frank Gluhosky and Deacon Angel Rivera. The lay staff includes Elizabeth DeMario, Director of Liturgical Ministries (who also coordinates outreach to homebound parishioners, funeral services, and protecting children / vulnerable adults compliance); Edna Wesley, Director of Finance & Business Operations; Margaret (Garetano-)Castor, Director of Religious Education & Publicity (overseeing faith formation for children and teens, the weekly bulletin, and other publicity); and Noreen Molinari, Administrative Assistant, who staffs the reception desk and connects visitors with the right staff member.
- Rev. Martin L. Dunne III — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Frank Gluhosky — Deacon Emeritus
- Rev. Mr. Angel Rivera — Deacon
- Elizabeth DeMario — Director of Liturgical Ministries
- Edna Wesley — Director of Finance & Business Operations
- Margaret Garetano-Castor — Director of Religious Education & Publicity
- Noreen Molinari — Administrative Assistant
Children & Teen Faith Formation
Faith formation at Holy Redeemer begins in Pre-K and continues through 12th grade. The Children's Faith Formation program serves Pre-K through 8th grade and includes traditional religious education, a home-study option, sacramental preparation, and a summer Vacation Bible School. The Teen Faith Formation program serves 8th through 12th grades and includes Confirmation Preparation, Youth Ministry, summer Mission Trips, and Youth Conferences. There is also a dedicated Middle School Youth Ministry group.
- Religious Education (Pre-K – 8th)
- Home Study option
- Sacramental Preparation (First Communion)
- Vacation Bible School
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- Youth Ministry (8th – 12th)
- Confirmation Preparation
- Summer Mission Trips & Youth Conferences
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Holy Redeemer welcomes older children, teens, and adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic faith through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), still referenced on the parish site as Catholic Faith Inquiry (RCIA). Adult Confirmation classes are also offered for baptized Catholics who have not yet been confirmed. Ongoing formation for adults includes parish Bible Study, online Lenten resources, and the parish's Catholic Faith Inquiry program.
- Catholic Faith Inquiry (RCIA / OCIA)
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- Adult Bible Study
- Online Lenten Resources
- Annulment support
Sacraments
The parish website provides detailed information on the preparation process for each sacrament. Infant Baptisms are generally scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month after the last Mass, with a Pre-Baptism class required for parents and godparents. Confirmation is offered for both youth (through the teen program) and adults. First Communion preparation is offered through the religious education program. Matrimony requires at least one year's notice, a six-month preparation process, and the couple to be registered active members of the parish for at least 12 months; wedding Masses are celebrated on Saturdays between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. Funerals are coordinated with the clergy before any arrangements are made with a funeral director, and the parish explains the Church's teaching on cremation, which is permitted but not encouraged.
- Baptism (infant, child, teen, adult)
- Confirmation (youth and adult)
- First Holy Communion
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals (Vigil, Funeral Liturgy, Rite of Committal)
Our Ministries
Holy Redeemer runs more than 30 ministries and groups, organized around liturgy, formation, outreach, and fellowship. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Music & Choirs, and Altar Linen Ministry. Outreach and service include the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, Hospital & Homebound Ministry, Family2Family, Bereavement Ministry, Funeral Ministry, and the Crochet Ministry. Fellowship and formation include the Women's Guild, the new Men's Society, the Marriage Ministry, Bible Study, and Coffee & Donuts. Children's ministries include Middle School Youth Ministry, while teens are served by Youth Ministry, Confirmation preparation, and summer Mission Trips & Conferences.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Knights of Columbus
- Women's Guild
- Men's Society
- Marriage Ministry
- Family2Family
- Bereavement Ministry
- Hospital & Homebound
- Bible Study
- Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers, Altar Linen Ministry
- Music & Choirs
- Crochet Ministry
- Coffee & Donuts
Capital Campaign: Renewing Externally, Renewing Internally
At its 40th anniversary in November 2023, Holy Redeemer launched a more than $1 million capital campaign titled 'Renewing Externally, Renewing Internally.' The campaign focuses on long-needed modernization of the parish's facilities — refurbishing the 30-year-old church and 40-year-old Parish Center — to improve worship and fellowship for current parishioners and their families. Father Martin Dunne noted that the campaign, championed in part by Deacon Frank Gluhosky, is intended to bring 'sorely-needed modernization and improvements to our Parish's facilities.'
- Campaign title: 'Renewing Externally, Renewing Internally'
- Launched at 40th anniversary celebrations, November 11–12, 2023
- More than $1 million goal
- Refurbishment of the church (built 1992) and Parish Center (built 1984)
Visit, Register & Contact
New parishioners are warmly welcomed and encouraged to register with the parish so the office can keep accurate records and offer the services of an active member. Registration updates — including births, deaths, marriages, moves, or changes in phone number or email — can be sent to Elizabeth in the parish office on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with a 24/7 monitored phone line for urgent needs. The main office number is (772) 286-4590, and the church is located at the corner of SW Mapp Road and SW Murphy Road in Palm City, Florida.
- Parish address: 1454 SW Mapp Road, Palm City, FL 34990
- Phone: (772) 286-4590
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 pm (closed for lunch)
- Phone line monitored 24/7
- Registration: contact Elizabeth in the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Bernard F. Powell1983–2000 (founding pastor; later Pastor Emeritus)
Appointed by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy as founding pastor effective September 1, 1983; led the parish from 77 families with no facilities to a thriving community of more than 1,200 families and oversaw construction of the Parish Center and the new church.
- Reverend Martin B. Mulqueen2000–2021 (retirement)
Second pastor of Holy Redeemer; served the parish for 21 years before his retirement in 2021.
- Reverend Martin L. Dunne III2021–present
Third pastor; ordained in 2017; led the 40th anniversary celebrations in 2023 and the launch of the 'Renewing Externally, Renewing Internally' capital campaign.