Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

Welcome and Parish Identity

Our Lady of Grace presents itself as a flourishing, multicultural Catholic community that began with the arrival of the Servite priests in 1989 and now comprises more than 1,600 families in Palm Bay, Florida. The parish's stated mission is to comfort those with serious illness, heal the broken, and reconcile those divided by race, wealth, education and nationality, growing into 'a community of hospitality and hope.' The website extends a warm welcome to newcomers as 'your new spiritual home' and invites participation in its many ministries and social activities.

Parish History

Founded as a new parish in 1989 by Bishop Grady and staffed by the Servite Order, Our Lady of Grace worshipped in temporary facilities until breaking ground in August 1992 on ten acres facing Malabar Road SE. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated April 17, 1993, and Bishop Norbert Dorsey formally dedicated the building on June 13, 1993, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. After the Servites withdrew in late 1999, Bishop Dorsey appointed Fr. Leo Hodges in February 2000 to complete the expansion that had begun in 1998 for the now-2,000-family parish. Fr. Emmanuel Akalue was appointed pastor in August 2012, followed by Fr. Aland Jean as Parochial Vicar in June 2013, and Fr. Vilaire Philius — first as Parochial Administrator in August 2020 and then as installed pastor on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023.

• 1989 – Parish created by Bishop Grady; Servite Order contracted to staff it.
• 1990 – Parish Council forms Building and Fund Raising Committees.
• August 1992 – Ground broken on 10 acres on Malabar Road SE.
• April 17, 1993 – First Mass celebrated in the new church.
• June 13, 1993 – Church dedicated by Bishop Norbert Dorsey on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
• 1998 – Parish exceeds 2,000 families; planning begins for rectory, offices, and parish hall.
• Late 1999 – Servites withdraw from the parish.
• February 2000 – Bishop Dorsey appoints Fr. Leo Hodges as pastor.
• August 2012 – Bishop Noonan assigns Fr. Emmanuel Akalue as pastor.
• June 2013 – Fr. Aland Jean appointed Parochial Vicar.
• August 2018 – Fr. Vilaire Philius shared between Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph Parish.
• August 1, 2020 – Fr. Philius becomes Parochial Administrator during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• May 28, 2023 – Bishop John Noonan installs Fr. Vilaire Philius as pastor on Pentecost Sunday.

Clergy and Staff

The current pastor is Rev. Vilaire Philius, who has served at Our Lady of Grace since August 1, 2020 and was formally installed as pastor by Bishop John Noonan on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023. The Diocese of Orlando announcement of his installation quoted him saying, 'God has called me to be a priest and pastor of this amazing community … A pastor's heart is God's gift to his people.' Retired Holy Cross priest Fr. Tom Shea assists with the Latino community and Sunday Masses, and the parish's website provides an email contact for Faith Formation at [email protected].

• Rev. Vilaire Philius – Pastor (installed May 28, 2023)
• Fr. Tom Shea – retired Holy Cross priest assisting with the Latino community and Sunday Masses
• Karen Foley – Faith Formation contact ([email protected])

Celebrating Our Diversity

Multilingual worship is central to parish life at Our Lady of Grace. Spanish translators and French translators assist during liturgies, and a dedicated Haitian Ministry serves the Creole-speaking community, including a Haitian Choir that sings in the parish's native languages and a Haitian Prayer Group that meets Tuesdays from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Room 11 (also available by conference call at 720-843-2652, code 4312770). The Sunday schedule reflects this diversity: 9:00 AM English, 10:45 AM French/Creole, 1:00 PM Spanish, and 5:00 PM English, alongside weekday Masses in Spanish on Tuesday mornings and French/Creole on Thursday afternoons.

• Haitian Ministry / Haitian Choir / Haitian Prayer Group
• French translators and Spanish translators
• Sunday Mass in English, French/Haitian Creole, and Spanish
• Tuesday 9:00 AM Spanish Mass and Thursday 12:00 PM French/Creole Mass

Faith Formation and Sacraments

Faith Formation at Our Lady of Grace covers the whole life of the parish: the Baptismal Catechumenate prepares children of catechetical age and adults for full initiation into the Church at the Easter Vigil (recently including a young woman at the Easter Vigil and an older gentleman baptized and confirmed in July using the Rite for Exceptional Circumstances). A new program called 'Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God' is being rolled out for parents of infants and young children, designed to give parents 'an incredible encounter with Jesus and the Church' and tools to raise their child in the faith. The parish also offers ongoing Marriage Preparation, Baptism of Children (infant to 6 years old), and Sacrament of the Sick visits.

• Baptismal Catechumenate (children of catechetical age and adults)
• Baptism of Children (infant to 6 years old)
• Marriage Preparation
• Anointing / Sacrament of the Sick
• Faith Formation (contact: Karen Foley, [email protected])
• 'Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God' – new baptismal-preparation program for parents

Ministries and Outreach

Service to neighbors is at the heart of Our Lady of Grace. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society helps families struggling with rent, utilities and food, and the parish Life Center serves approximately 200 free meals every Friday. A Jail/Prisons Ministry places volunteers as the Catholic presence at the Brevard County Jail, leading Communion Services, Bible studies, and one-on-one visits, and the parish partners with Palm Bay area schools to subsidize low-income children. Other active groups include the 55-and-Up Ministry (founded 2005), a Young Adult Ministry, a Special Needs Ministry, a Bereavement Ministry, Ministry to the Sick, Loaves & Fishes, Communications/Mass media, and the annual Health Fair and fashion show fundraiser that supports Haiti hurricane relief, Catholic Charities of Central Florida, the F.T. DeGroodt Public Library, and the parish itself.

• Saint Vincent de Paul Society
• Life Center (about 200 free meals each Friday)
• Jail/Prisons Ministry at the Brevard County Jail
• School partnerships subsidizing low-income children
• 55 & Up Ministry (founded 2005)
• Young Adult Ministry
• Special Needs Ministry
• Bereavement Ministry
• Ministry to the Sick
• Loaves & Fishes
• Communications / Mass media
• Annual Health Fair and annual fashion show fundraiser

Devotional Life

Devotional opportunities include Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday Holy Hour with Adoration from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, a weekly Haitian charismatic prayer meeting with the Rosary, worship, Gospel reading and group discussion (Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 PM in Room 11, plus a conference-call option), and visits from lay Ministers to the Sick who bring ashes and holiday Communion to the homebound. The parish's founding Servite tradition and its Marian identity under the title 'Our Lady of Grace' shape the devotional tone.

• Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration – Tues/Wed/Fri 10 AM – 1 PM
• Haitian Prayer Group – Tues 7–9 PM in Room 11, also online
• Visits from Ministers to the Sick (Ashes, holidays, Communion)

Contact, Location and Visiting

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is located at 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907, phone (321) 725-3066, email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 PM) and Friday 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Orlando, whose bishop is Most Rev. John Gerald Noonan, and sits within easy reach of the surrounding Palm Bay neighborhoods along the Malabar Road corridor in southern Brevard County.

• Address: 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907
• Phone: (321) 725-3066
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (lunch 12:30–1:30 PM); Fri 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Diocese of Orlando – Bishop Most Rev. John Gerald Noonan