About Our Lady of Light · Fort Myers, Florida
Our Lady of Light Catholic Community is a Roman Catholic parish in Fort Myers, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Venice in Florida (Central Deanery). Founded on June 13, 1990 and with its church built and dedicated in 1993, the parish serves the fast-growing southeast Lee County area from its campus at 19680 Cypress View Drive. The parish's stated mission is to 'Live Jesus' through prayer, worship, faith formation, and community service, and it offers daily and Sunday Masses, Reconciliation, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and adults, a Hispanic ministry, youth ministry, a Visitation Ministry to the homebound, and a music program led by its own director. On February 27, 2026, the parish celebrated its first Feast Day of Our Lady of Light in conjunction with a Prayer of Consecration of the parish and its people to Mary under that title — one of only six parishes in the world bearing the name Our Lady of Light.
- Established
- 1990
- Patron
- Our Lady of Light (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title 'Our Lady of Light')
- Rector
- Rev. Eric Scanlan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Light is a mid-sized, active parish in southeast Fort Myers that combines the reach of multiple Sunday Masses (including a seasonal 5 PM Mass from September through May and a livestreamed 10:30 AM Mass) with the warmth of a small enough community to know your neighbors. Families can enroll children ages 3 through grade 8 in 'Footsteps in Faith' (with a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for ages 3–5), while adults can grow through ongoing formation such as the parish's 10-part Vatican II series, small communities and groups, Formed.org access, and Sacramental Preparation for Baptism and Marriage. The parish also has a robust Visitation Ministry bringing the Eucharist to the homebound and hospitalized, a Hispanic community served with Spanish Mass on First Saturdays, weekday Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel every Monday–Friday morning, and a music program that welcomes new singers and instrumentalists.
Mass times at Our Lady of Light
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 8:30 – 9:00 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Thursday: 8:30 – 9:00 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- First Thursday of the month: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
- Saturday (May–November): 3:00 – 3:45 PM (before 4:00 PM Mass)
- Saturday (December–April): 2:00 – 2:45 PM (before 3:00 PM Mass)
- First Saturday of the month: 9:30 AM (following the 9:00 AM First Saturday Mass)
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (in the Chapel, after the 9:00 AM Mass)
- First Thursday of the month: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
About Our Lady of Light
Our Lady of Light Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, located at 19680 Cypress View Drive in southeast Fort Myers. Founded on June 13, 1990 and with its church dedicated in 1993, the parish identifies as a 'Catholic Community' that embraces the call to 'Live Jesus' through prayer, worship, faith formation, and acts of community service, guided by the Holy Spirit. The parish is part of the Diocese's Central Deanery.
- Parish founded June 13, 1990
- Church dedicated October 16, 1993
- Diocese of Venice in Florida — Central Deanery
- Mailing/physical address: 19680 Cypress View Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33967
- Main phone: (239) 267-7088
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch)
History and Patroness
Our Lady of Light was established as a parish in 1990, shortly after the Diocese of Venice was erected in 1984, and built its church over the next three years, dedicating it on October 16, 1993. The parish grew alongside the rapidly developing southeast Lee County / Estero corridor. In early 2026, newly appointed pastor Fr. Eric Scanlan researched the parish's Marian patroness and discovered that only six parishes in the world bear the name Our Lady of Light — with the others in Ohio, California, Mexico (home of the original image), the Philippines, and Brazil. On February 27, 2026, the parish celebrated its first formal Feast Day Mass and a Prayer of Consecration of the parish and its people to Mary, Our Lady of Light, attended by more than 600 faithful.
- Parish established June 13, 1990 (Diocese of Venice)
- Church built 1993; dedicated October 16, 1993
- Feast Day: February 27 — Our Lady of Light
- Consecration to Our Lady of Light: February 27, 2026 (led by Fr. Eric Scanlan)
Clergy
The parish is currently served by a pastor and a parochial vicar, along with two permanent deacons. Fr. Eric Scanlan was appointed pastor in January 2026 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane and was ordained for the Diocese of Venice; Fr. Mike Young serves as parochial vicar. Deacons Chris Lincoln and Dale Bacik assist at the parish.
- Rev. Eric Scanlan — Pastor (appointed January 2026)
- Rev. Michael Young — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Chris Lincoln — Deacon
- Dcn. Dale Bacik — Deacon
Parish Staff
Our Lady of Light's staff combines full-time clergy, formation directors, music, business and administrative personnel, and a facilities team. Lori Crawford is the Director of Faith Formation (overseeing adult sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage, adult formation programs, and the Hispanic community liaison). Debbie Vath serves as Coordinator of Faith Formation (since 2022). Peg Carroll is the Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries and leads the Visitation Ministry. Diane Lehman directs the Music Ministry, and Zoë Guerra directs Youth Ministry.
- Lori Crawford — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected], ext. 242)
- Debbie Vath — Coordinator of Faith Formation ([email protected], ext. 245)
- Peg Carroll — Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries / Visitation Ministry ([email protected], ext. 228)
- Amy Hughes — Assistant to the Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries (ext. 232)
- Diane Lehman — Music Director ([email protected], ext. 235)
- Zoë Guerra — Director of Youth Ministry ([email protected], ext. 229)
- Josh Rodriguez — Business Manager ([email protected], ext. 224)
- Suzi Wiedinger — Administrative Assistant ([email protected], ext. 222)
- Nely Juarez — Receptionist ([email protected], ext. 221)
- Leah Barton — Receptionist ([email protected])
- Ron Dam — Facility Manager ([email protected], ext. 230)
- Marco Salomon — Facility Assistant
Faith Formation for Children and Families ('Footsteps in Faith')
'Footsteps in Faith' is Our Lady of Light's family faith formation program for children ages 3 through grade 8 and their parents. Families typically meet on most Sundays or Wednesdays during the school year. While children are in their own age-level groups, parents gather separately to talk, learn, and grow in faith so they can bring faith home. The program includes a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium for ages 3–5 — a hands-on, Montessori-style environment — and traditional Faith Formation classes for grades 1–8. A new Middle School track has been added, with parents of middle schoolers invited to stay for their own adult group.
- Footsteps in Faith — ages 3 through grade 8
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — ages 3–5 (Montessori-style atrium)
- Faith Formation — grades 1–8
- Middle School track — parents and students meet in separate groups
- Meets most Sundays or Wednesdays during the school year
- Coordinator: Debbie Vath (since 2022)
Adult Faith Formation and Small Groups
The parish believes faith formation is ongoing 'from womb to tomb' and offers multiple formation opportunities for adults. Communities and Groups foster deep relationships, prayer, and spiritual growth. Recent offerings include a 10-part guided Vatican II series ('Vatican II: Salvation Historical Approach'), Formed.org access (parish-subsidized), the Institute for Catholic Studies and Formation (institute-dov.org), a Tour of the Church exploring the spiritual and architectural story of the parish, and a rolling Parish Library in the main Church lobby.
- Vatican II: Salvation Historical Approach — 10-part guided series (online)
- Formed.org — free parish access (sign in with Our Lady of Light)
- Institute for Catholic Studies and Formation (diocese partnership)
- Communities & Groups — parish small groups
- Tour of the Church (spiritual/architectural, ~90 minutes)
- Parish Library — rolling cart in the main Church lobby
- Director: Lori Crawford (Master's in Religious Education, Loyola New Orleans, 2007)
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Light is led by Zoë Guerra, who grew up in Miami active in parish life as an altar server and later a leader in youth and young adult ministry. The ministry seeks to create spaces where young people can encounter Christ and deepen their relationship with Him and His Church through formation, retreats, and community life. The parish explicitly emphasizes faith, accompaniment, and the joy of growing together as the Body of Christ.
- Director: Zoë Guerra ([email protected], ext. 229)
- Focus on formation, retreats, and community life for teens
- Middle school track integrates with Footsteps in Faith
Visitation and Pastoral Care
The Visitation Ministry brings the Eucharist and prayers of comfort to those who are hospitalized, homebound, or living in a care facility. The ministry is coordinated by Peg Carroll, who also maintains the parish's Prayer List and Military Prayer List (refreshed monthly). Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally on the first Monday of each month during the 8:30 AM Mass — except in June and August — and is also available by calling the parish emergency line for situations of death or serious illness.
- Visitation Ministry to the homebound, hospitalized, and care-facility residents
- Coordinator: Peg Carroll (ext. 228)
- Prayer List and Military Prayer List updated monthly
- Anointing of the Sick — first Monday at 8:30 AM Mass (skip June & August)
- Emergency line for death/serious illness: (239) 980-1313
- TV Mass for the homebound: Sundays 10:00 AM (WFTX Fox 4, SNN 6, WWSB ION)
Hispanic Ministry and Spanish Mass
Our Lady of Light serves its Spanish-speaking faithful with a Spanish-language Mass on the First Saturday of each month. The Director of Faith Formation also serves as a liaison with the Hispanic community, and the parish office can be reached in Spanish through the receptionist line.
- Spanish Mass — First Saturday Vigil: 6:00 PM (May–Nov) / 7:00 PM (Dec–Apr)
- Hispanic community liaison: Lori Crawford, Director of Faith Formation
- Reception/welcome line: [email protected]
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry at Our Lady of Light is led by Music Director Diane Lehman (since 2021). Her stated goal is to grow the music ministry to include everyone who loves to sing or play in praise of God; vocalists, instrumentalists, and musicians are welcome to join an ensemble. The parish supports a livestream of its 10:30 AM Sunday Mass.
- Music Director: Diane Lehman ([email protected], ext. 235)
- Welcomes vocalists, instrumentalists, and musicians
- Sunday 10:30 AM Mass livestreamed
Devotions and Special Observances
Beyond daily Mass and Adoration, the parish nurtures several Marian and devotional traditions. The First Saturday of each month is set aside as 'Our Lady's Day' with a 9:00 AM Mass followed by Reconciliation at 9:30 AM. The parish celebrates its patronal Feast Day of Our Lady of Light on February 27, and in 2026 consecrated the parish and its people to Mary under that title. The TV Mass is also publicized for homebound parishioners unable to attend in person.
- First Saturday Devotion ('Our Lady's Day') — 9:00 AM Mass + 9:30 AM Reconciliation
- Feast of Our Lady of Light — February 27
- First Thursday Holy Hour — 7:00–8:00 PM
- Communal Anointing of the Sick — first Monday (except June & August)
- TV Mass for the homebound — Sundays 10:00 AM on local channels
Parish Office, Contact, and Visit
Our Lady of Light's parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch. Visitors and parishioners can call the main line or email the welcome address for assistance. The parish is located at 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33967, in the southeast Lee County / Estero area.
- Address: 19680 Cypress View Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33967
- Main phone: (239) 267-7088
- General email: [email protected]
- Receptionist/welcome email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Website: https://www.ourladyoflight.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ololfortmyersfl
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Eric ScanlanAppointed January 2026 — present
Ordained for the Diocese of Venice; appointed pastor by Bishop Frank J. Dewane in January 2026. Led the parish's first formal Feast Day Mass and Consecration to Our Lady of Light on Feb. 27, 2026.