About Our Lady of Guadalupe · Fellsmere, Florida
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission is a Roman Catholic mission church in Fellsmere, Florida, in the Diocese of Palm Beach. Established in 1981 and associated with St. Sebastian Parish in Sebastian, the mission was founded primarily to serve the spiritual needs of the Hispanic and migrant farmworker community of northern Indian River County. It continues to be a bilingual (English/Spanish) worship and outreach center where the local Mexican and Central American farmworker population, along with other residents of Fellsmere and the surrounding countryside, gather for Mass, sacraments, and community programs. The mission's identity is tied closely to the devotion to the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, and it gathers especially each year on her December 12 feast.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe)
- Rector
- Father Antony Pulikal
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the natural Catholic home in Fellsmere for English- and Spanish-speaking families, especially the Hispanic and migrant farmworker community of the Indian River citrus belt. Parishioners find a deeply Marian devotional life centered on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12), bilingual weekend Masses, weekday evening worship, sacramental preparation through RCIA/OCIA, a young-adult ministry, and an active outreach tradition that grew out of the farmworker-housing mission of FCEP. The mission-style size of the community means newcomers are quickly known by name and welcomed into liturgical roles and ministries.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
About Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission is a bilingual Catholic mission church serving the rural community of Fellsmere, Florida, in the Diocese of Palm Beach. Since 1981 it has ministered primarily to the Hispanic and migrant farmworker families of Indian River County, and it remains a mission of St. Sebastian Parish in Sebastian. Worship is largely in Spanish, with one weekly Saturday Vigil in English, and the community gathers especially for the December 12 Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
History of the Mission
The mission was established in 1981 as an outreach of St. Sebastian Parish. A pivotal era began in 1999, when Father Jaime Diaz was assigned and quickly widened the mission's scope to include housing and social services for farmworkers. That work led to the founding of the Fellsmere Community Enrichment Program and the January 15, 2004 groundbreaking of Whispering Pines, a 70-unit farmworker apartment community funded by HUD HOME and USDA Rural Development. In December 2023 Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito visited to celebrate the Solemnity, bless new outdoor statues and a sign, and honor retired former pastor Father John Morrissey.
- 1981 – Mission founded under St. Sebastian Parish to serve Hispanic and migrant workers.
- 1999 – Father Jaime Diaz arrives and begins community development work.
- 2001 – Fellsmere Community Enrichment Program (FCEP) incorporated as a 501(c)(3).
- January 15, 2004 – Groundbreaking for Whispering Pines, 70 farmworker housing units.
- December 12, 2023 – Bishop Barbarito celebrates Solemnity, blesses new statues and sign, honors Fr. John Morrissey.
Mass and Liturgy
Mass is celebrated several times a week in both Spanish and English, with bilingual clergy and lay ministers. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Masses.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM (English), 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (Spanish)
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Friday: 7:00 PM (Spanish, listed in some directories)
- Holy Days: As announced
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
The mission prepares adults for full initiation into the Catholic Church through the RCIA / OCIA process, and offers faith formation in tandem with its bilingual sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Bilingual sacramental preparation
Ministries & Community Life
Lay ministry is the backbone of the mission: parishioners organize liturgical dance in honor of the Blessed Mother, host the annual Good Friday Stations of the Cross, and lead a Young Adult Ministry. The mission's outreach ethos — born from Fr. Jaime Diaz's founding of FCEP — continues through collaboration with Catholic Charities and other local partners.
- Young Adult Ministry
- Liturgical dance ministry (featuring colorful traditional dance honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe)
- Annual Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross reenactment
- Farmworker outreach continuing the FCEP tradition
- Young adult and family catechesis
Parish Feast & Devotions
The high point of the year is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, celebrated with the diocesan bishop, outdoor procession, and traditional dance. The Good Friday Stations of the Cross reenactment draws hundreds from across the county.
- December 12 – Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe (annual patronal feast)
- Good Friday – outdoor Stations of the Cross reenactment
Clergy & Staff
The mission is led by a small team of bilingual priests and lay staff, supported by volunteers from the parish and partner organizations.
- Father Antony Pulikal – Pastor
- Father Sabas Ntimia Mallya – Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Ducasse Francois – Director
- Camillo – Pastoral Associate
- Carolina Cardona – Administrative Assistant
Visit & Contact
The mission is located at 12896 County Road 512, Fellsmere, FL 32948. From I-95, take Exit 70 west about 3 miles. The parish office can be reached at (772) 571-9875 or [email protected].
- Address: 12896 County Road 512, Fellsmere, FL 32948
- Phone: (772) 571-9875
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocesan listing: diocesepb.org
- Facebook: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Jaime Diaz1999 – at least 2004
Assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in 1999; founded the Fellsmere Community Enrichment Program (FCEP) and spearheaded the Whispering Pines farmworker housing project, groundbreaking Jan. 15, 2004.
- Father John Morrissey
Retired former pastor; honored with a plaque for dedicated service at the Dec. 12, 2023 Mass with Bishop Barbarito.
- Father Ducasse Francois
Listed as Director of the mission in independent Catholic directories.
- Father Antony Pulikalas of 2023
Current pastor; presided with Bishop Barbarito at the December 12, 2023 Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe and blessing of new statues and sign.
- Father Sabas Ntimia Mallyaas of 2023
Parochial vicar; co-hosted Bishop Barbarito's visit in December 2023.