Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

History of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

Immaculate Heart of Mary was erected as a new parish of the Diocese of Orlando on June 15, 1983 by Bishop Thomas J. Grady, with Father Sean Shine as founding pastor. The community's first home was the Silver Springs Shores Community Center for Sunday Masses, with weekday Masses said in the rectory. The parish's first building was dedicated on January 12, 1986, followed by the Marian Center (Feb. 23, 1992), the current church (March 25, 1996) — both dedicated by Bishop Norbert Dorsey — and the outdoor Marian Grotto in 1998. Father Shine retired in 2000, beginning the line of successors that has brought IHM to its current pastor, Father Jarek Sztybel (appointed January 24, 2026).

Parish Campus

The Immaculate Heart of Mary campus sits on S.E. Maricamp Road (CR 464) in Candler, on the southeast side of Ocala. Key structures include the current church (dedicated 1996), the Marian Center (dedicated 1992; offices + seven classrooms + kitchen + youth room), and the outdoor Immaculate Heart of Mary Grotto (constructed 1998). The original 1986 multipurpose building still anchors parish hall functions. The Office Chapel inside the Marian Center/office complex hosts the daily all-day Private Adoration.

• Current church — dedicated March 25, 1996
• Marian Center — dedicated February 23, 1992
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Grotto — constructed 1998
• Original 1986 church/social hall — dedicated January 12, 1986

New Parishioners

Immaculate Heart of Mary welcomes new parishioners, returning Catholics, and those new to the area. Registration can be completed online via an electronic form hosted on the parish website, or by downloading a PDF registration form. The parish frames itself as 'a Parish of Love' whose life and faith are centered on the Eucharist.

• Online (electronic form) registration
• Printable PDF registration form available on the website

Ministries & Faith Formation

Faith formation takes place in the seven classrooms of the Marian Center and includes children's ministry, a youth-group program that meets in the Marian Center's dedicated youth room, and ongoing adult faith and community-service opportunities. The parish website lists a full calendar of recurring parish events and fellowship gatherings alongside its weekly Mass and Adoration schedule.

• Faith Formation / Religious Education
• Children's Ministry
• Youth Group (Marian Center)
• Community Service outreach
• Adoration volunteers

Parish Staff & Clergy

Immaculate Heart of Mary is currently shepherded by Father Jarek Sztybel, appointed by the bishop as pastor on January 24, 2026. He succeeds Father Stephen Ejike Nduka Ogonwa (Fr. Seno), who served as Parochial Administrator from July 1, 2017. The full pastoral succession since the parish's 1983 founding has been: Father Sean Shine (1983–2000), Father Steven Philips (2000–2005), Father Felicito Baybay (2005–2014), Father Joseph Bui (2014–2017, Parochial Administrator), Father Seno (2017–2026), and Father Jarek Sztybel (2026–present).

• Father Jarek Sztybel — current Pastor
• Father Stephen Ejike Nduka Ogonwa (Fr. Seno) — recent Parochial Administrator
• Father Joseph Bui — former Parochial Administrator
• Father Felicito Baybay — former Pastor
• Father Steven Philips — former Pastor
• Father Sean Shine — founding Pastor

Contact & Location

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is located at 10670 S.E. Maricamp Road (CR 464), Candler, FL 32111, in southeast Marion County near the Silver Springs Shores area east of Ocala. The parish office can be reached by phone at (352) 687-4031. The official website is http://www.ihmcatholicchurch.com/ and the parish maintains a presence on Facebook for event updates and announcements.

• Address: 10670 S.E. Maricamp Rd (CR 464), Candler, FL 32111
• Phone: (352) 687-4031
• Diocese: Diocese of Orlando