About Our Lady of Lourdes · Dunedin, Florida
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family is a Catholic community of more than 5,000 parishioners in Dunedin, Florida, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (North Pinellas Deanery). Founded in 1957 by Monsignor William DuBois, the parish worships in a 1,200-seat church dedicated in 1977 on a 34-acre campus that also includes Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (PK–8), the Conmy Center, the DuBois Center, and a permanent rectory. The parish describes itself as 'a family of believers, embraced by the Father's love, nourished by Jesus in Word and Sacrament, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.' It is currently served by Father John Tapp as Pastor, Father Joshua Bertrand as Parochial Vicar, and Deacon Scott Moore, alongside a robust formation program for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. John G. Tapp
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes offers the fullness of Catholic parish life in one place: four Sunday Masses (including a 5pm Life Teen Mass), daily 9am Mass Monday–Friday, Saturday confession and Eucharistic Adoration, plus a robust Sunday Breakfast Café that funds youth faith formation. Families can send children to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (PK–8) on the same campus and continue their formation through age-appropriate programs — Little Saints (VPK), Quest Kids (K–5), EDGE (middle school), and Life Teen (high school) — as well as adult offerings like OCIA, Theology 101 with Fr. Joshua, Walking with Purpose, That Man Is You!, and the Cornerstone Scripture Study. With more than 5,000 registered families, the parish reaches outward into mission work (including a Haiti mission) while remaining rooted in Marian devotion inspired by the Lourdes shrine.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Exposition)
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Exposition)
- Monday–Friday: Quiet Prayer after 9:00 AM Mass until 4:00 PM
History of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
The parish was founded in 1957 by Monsignor William DuBois, who chose the title Our Lady of Lourdes after a European pilgrimage to the French shrine inspired by the story of St. Bernadette. Archbishop Hurley of the Diocese of St. Augustine granted permission to build on 34 acres of diocesan land in Dunedin, and the first Catholic Mass in the city was celebrated on the stage of the Palms Theater on December 8, 1957 — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The dining room of the Jersey House Hotel hosted daily Masses, CCD classes, and meetings of the rosary society, ushers club, Holy Name Society, and youth club. The original church and social hall were dedicated on December 7, 1958, for a community of 600+ parishioners. In 1968 the parish joined the newly established Diocese of St. Petersburg under Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin, and the present 1,200-seat church was dedicated on September 25, 1977. Permanent additions followed: a rectory (December 1986), the Conmy Center (April 2004), and the DuBois Center. In February 2015, Bishop Robert N. Lynch celebrated the Mass of Blessing and Dedication of the Altar after interior renovations. The parish marked its 60th anniversary on February 4, 2018, with a Confirmation Mass celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes; by then the community had grown to more than 5,000 families.
- Spring 1957 — Father DuBois receives permission to build on 34 acres
- December 8, 1957 — First Mass at Palms Theater
- December 7, 1958 — Original church and social hall dedicated
- September 1962 — School opens with 72 students in K–4
- 1965 — Five Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio arrive; school expands through Grade 8
- 1968 — Parish joins new Diocese of St. Petersburg
- September 25, 1977 — Current 1,200-seat church dedicated
- December 1986 — Permanent rectory completed
- April 2004 — Conmy Center dedicated
- February 2015 — Church interior renovated; Bishop Lynch blesses altar
- February 4, 2018 — 60th anniversary and Confirmation Mass with Bishop Parkes
Clergy & Parish Staff
Father John Tapp serves as Pastor, with Father Joshua Bertrand, STL, as Parochial Vicar, Deacon Scott Moore assisting, and Rev. William 'Bill' Santhouse in residence. The lay staff supports liturgy, faith formation, school administration, communications, business operations, and parish reception.
- Rev. John G. Tapp — Pastor
- Rev. Joshua A. Bertrand STL — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Scott Moore — Assisting/Assigned
- Rev. William 'Bill' Santhouse — In Residence
- Beth Barringer — Director, Faith Formation
- Lizzie Hackenberg — Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Evangelization
- Erica DiCeglie — Director of Music
- Wendy Orange — Faith Formation
- Mary Kibbey — Executive Secretary
- Ginny Lisle — Administrative Receptionist (W–F)
- Kathy Proefke — Administrative Receptionist (M)
- Sara Letterle — Communications
- Pete Hennessey — Information Technology
- Tanya Yunes-Pichardo — Business Manager
- Doreen Sacc — Sacristan
- Elizabeth Agresta — Principal (school)
- Andy Delgado — Assistant Principal (school)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs an age-tiered Faith Formation program that begins in preschool and continues through high school, alongside sacramental preparation in Grade 2. Children are placed in age-appropriate groups during Sunday Mass and after, with family-based sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Children's Faith Formation
Two programs serve the youngest parishioners: Little Saints for VPK3 and VPK4 children meets during the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass, while Quest Kids brings together Grades K–5 on Sundays from 10:45 AM to Noon. Catechists use hands-on activities rooted in the Sunday Gospel to help children explore who Jesus is and grow in love for the Eucharist. Registration is $60 per child or $165 per family of three or more; no child is denied formation for inability to pay.
- Little Saints — VPK3 & VPK4 (during 9:30 AM Mass)
- Quest Kids — Grades K–5, Sundays 10:45 AM – Noon
Youth Ministry (EDGE & Life Teen)
Middle-schoolers (Grades 6–8) gather on Wednesday evenings for EDGE in the Youth Room (Conmy Center), 6:00–7:30 PM, with games, teachings, small-group discussion, and prayer. Life Teen serves Grades 9–12 with a full Sunday rhythm: 4:00 PM Bible Study, 5:00 PM Life Teen Mass, and 6:00–8:00 PM Life Night (dinner included) in the Conmy Center. Retreats, camps, and outings supplement weekly meetings.
- EDGE — Grades 6–8, Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM
- Life Teen — Grades 9–12, Sundays 4 PM Bible Study · 5 PM Mass · 6–8 PM Life Night
- Retreats, camps, and special events
Adult Faith Formation
Adults can deepen their Catholic faith through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), a year-long journey open to anyone over the age of seven seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist. Bible studies and topical classes round out the offerings, including a new Theology 101 series on Faith and Revelation facilitated by Fr. Joshua Bertrand.
- OCIA: Becoming Catholic (contact Beth Barringer)
- Theology 101 with Fr. Joshua Bertrand — Wednesdays 7:00–8:15 PM, Conmy Room A
- Adult Bible Study (Ascension Press 'Life Everlasting') with Deacon Scott Moore — Sundays 10:45 AM–12 noon, Conmy Room A
- Walking with Purpose (women's Bible study) — Thursdays 7:00–8:30 PM, Conmy Center & online
- The Cornerstone Scripture Study — Wednesday mornings
- That Man Is You! — Wednesdays, coffee at 5:45 AM, meeting at 6:00 AM
Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared together in Grade 2 as a family faith journey: Reconciliation preparation begins in the Fall and concludes in December during the parish Penitential Service; First Communion preparation begins in early Spring and culminates in May. The Diocese of St. Petersburg requires one full year of catechesis for youth seeking initiation.
- First Reconciliation — Grade 2, Fall preparation, December celebration
- First Holy Communion — Grade 2, Spring preparation, May celebration
- OCIA — ongoing enrollment for adults and children over 7
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is a fully accredited PK–8 parish school sharing the Dunedin campus, providing a Christ-centered learning environment where Catholic values and teachings are integrated throughout the curriculum. The school opened in September 1962 with 72 students in K–4 and expanded through Grade 8 after the arrival of five Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio, in 1965. Religion is taught daily and classes attend weekly liturgy. Academics are complemented by art, music, technology, foreign language, physical education, and competitive athletics.
- Address: 730 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin, FL 34698
- Phone: (727) 733-3776
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.myoll.com/
- Grades: VPK/Pre-K through 8
- Principal: Elizabeth Agresta; Assistant Principal: Andy Delgado
Outreach & Parish Life
Beyond Mass and formation, Our Lady of Lourdes builds community through a Sunday Breakfast Café (September–April) whose proceeds benefit Youth Faith Formation programs, and through a mission partnership with Haiti. The parish's worship is enhanced by a dedicated Music Ministry under Director of Music Erica DiCeglie and the Life Teen band.
- Sunday Breakfast Café — September–April, school cafeteria; volunteers and cooks welcome
- Haiti Mission outreach
- Music Ministry / Life Teen band
Parish Campus & Facilities
The 34-acre campus at 750 San Salvador Drive includes the 1,200-seat main church, the DuBois Center (parish staff and administration), the Conmy Center (special events, athletics, and performing arts), the parish school, and a permanent rectory. The Conmy Center, dedicated in April 2004, coordinates everything from school sporting events and performing arts to community concerts.
- Main Church (dedicated 1977; interior renovated 2015) — seats 1,200
- DuBois Center — parish staff and administration offices
- Conmy Center — special events, athletics, performing arts
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School — 730 San Salvador Drive
- Permanent rectory — completed December 1986
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. William DuBois1957–1979
Founding Pastor; also served as founding principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Ordained in 1948; celebrated 70th anniversary of ordination in 2018.
- Father Claude Brubaker1979–1981
- Father James Larkin1981–1996
- Father Thomas Madden1996–2006
- Father Gary Dowsey2007–2022
Originally from the United Kingdom; known for participation in ecumenical events and regular interviews on Spirit FM Radio 90.5.
- Father John Tapp2022–present
Current pastor.