About Our Lady of Mercy · Boca Grande, Florida
Our Lady of Mercy is a small Roman Catholic parish located on Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, Florida, in the Diocese of Venice. The parish describes itself as 'a small parish with a little church and a big mission: to make Christ known and loved, to spread the Gospel message, and to advance in the life of discipleship within the community of Catholic faith and worship.' The congregation reflects Boca Grande's character as a predominantly retired community with a highly seasonal population, and it welcomes the many winter residents and visitors who worship there. The historic chapel, donated in 1950 by Mrs. Gertrude Hill Gavin and designed by the noted architect F. Burrell Hoffman, remains the spiritual heart of the parish today.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of Mercy
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony R. Hewitt
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
Our Lady of Mercy is a warm, intimate parish where worshippers become part of a tight-knit island community. The parish offers weekday and weekend Mass in a beautiful, historic chapel, a full sacramental life (Baptism, First Eucharist, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation by appointment), and a wide range of ministries — from liturgical roles like lector, altar server, and Eucharistic minister, to Bible studies, a Social Committee, a Single-Divorced-Widowed group, and outreach through the St. Francis of Assisi food pantry in nearby Grove City. Seasonal residents can even participate via Zoom in the Thursday Men's Bible Study, making it easy to stay connected year-round.
Mass times at Our Lady of Mercy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call the parish office at (941) 964-2254 or email [email protected]
Parish History
The Catholic presence on Gasparilla Island long predates the present chapel. Before the Boca Grande Causeway was built, priests would arrive by boat each winter to celebrate Sunday Mass in the Boca Grande Hotel and at the Gasparilla Inn. After the bridge opened, Catholic worship on the island was served by priests commuting from Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Grove City. The chapel was built in 1950 through the generosity of Mrs. Gertrude Hill Gavin and designed by the noted architect F. Burrell Hoffman. It was dedicated by the then-Bishop of St. Augustine, Archbishop Joseph Hurley. The Mission of Our Lady of Mercy was raised to the status of a Parish on October 3, 1988, with Father Jerome Carosella as its first pastor.
- Chapel built 1950; gift of Mrs. Gertrude Hill Gavin
- Architect: F. Burrell Hoffman (also designed Villa Vizcaya in Miami)
- Dedicated by Archbishop Joseph Hurley, then Bishop of St. Augustine
- First resident priest assigned in 1984 (Fr. Jerome Carosella)
- Elevated from Mission to Parish on October 3, 1988
Our Building — The Historic Chapel
The Our Lady of Mercy chapel is a small church of spare Italian Renaissance / Mediterranean Revival style. Six Royal Palm trees, planted after the building was completed, lead from the Park Avenue gate to the antique Spanish-oak front door, which is framed by an arch of coral keystone. The interior features a vaulted ceiling above the altar, a small bell tower, and a panel of religious artwork dating to the 1400s. The chapel has weathered major hurricanes — Charley in 2004 and Irma in 2017 — with the Royal Palms still standing today.
- Style: Italian Renaissance / Mediterranean Revival
- Architect: F. Burrell Hoffman
- Six Royal Palm trees at the entrance
- Spanish-oak front door with coral-keystone arch
- Vaulted ceiling and small bell tower
- Interior artwork panel dating to the 1400s
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all of the major sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment (typically Saturdays at 11:30 am). First Holy Eucharist is prepared in the parish; non-parishioner children may receive the sacrament here provided their home parish has prepared them. Marriage preparation must begin at least six months in advance; non-parishioner couples may marry at OLM only if parents or grandparents are Boca Grande residents who have been parishioners for at least one year, and the parish does not host destination weddings. The Anointing of the Sick is offered after the Vigil Mass on the first Saturday of each month and by appointment.
- Baptism — by appointment
- Reconciliation (Penance) — by appointment
- First Holy Eucharist
- Marriage — six-month preparation required
- Anointing of the Sick — 1st Saturday after Vigil Mass
- Funeral Planning — by contacting the parish office
- Mass Intentions — available by request
Ministries & Liturgical Roles
Parishioners serve the parish through a range of liturgical roles at Mass. Training is provided for new altar servers and lectors, and all roles are scheduled on a rotating basis.
- Altar Servers (youth and adults)
- Weekday and Weekend Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Ushers / Ministers of Hospitality
- Collection Stewards
Spiritual Life & Adult Formation
Beyond the Sunday liturgy, Our Lady of Mercy nurtures ongoing spiritual formation through Bible studies and devotional prayer. The Rosary is recited after weekday Mass. Two weekly Bible studies give parishioners a chance to learn, share, and pray together over the readings for the following weekend — with the Thursday Men's Bible Study offered both in-person and via Zoom so seasonal residents can join from anywhere.
- Women's Bible Study — Tuesdays at 8:30 am
- Men's Bible Study — Thursdays at 9:00 am (in person and via Zoom)
- Rosary after weekday Mass
- Adult Education — led by Fr. Anthony Hewitt
Community Life
A small but active Social Committee plans and coordinates parish gatherings in the Parish Life Center (PLC), supported by Parish Life Center Volunteers who assist with events, AV, and kitchen responsibilities. A Maintenance Committee oversees care of parish buildings and grounds. A Single-Divorced-Widowed (SDW) group offers fellowship and support for parishioners in those life circumstances.
- Social Committee
- Parish Life Center Volunteers
- Maintenance Committee
- Single-Divorced-Widowed (SDW) group
Service & Outreach
Outreach at Our Lady of Mercy centers on collecting food donations from parishioners and delivering them to the food pantry at St. Francis of Assisi in nearby Grove City — a tangible expression of the parish's wider mission on the mainland side of the causeway.
- Food Pantry Volunteer (delivers donations to St. Francis of Assisi food pantry in Grove City)
Stewardship & Giving
Our Lady of Mercy is supported by the generosity of its parishioners and seasonal visitors. Stewardship giving sustains the parish's ministry and worship. The parish also accepts planned gifts through estate plans, wills, and trusts, as well as direct donations of stocks and securities. Volunteers assist with fundraising, development, communications, outreach, and promotion.
- Stewardship giving
- Planned giving through wills, trusts, and estate plans
- Donations of stocks and securities accepted
- Volunteer fundraising, development, communications, and outreach
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jerome A. Carosella1988–2023
First pastor of the parish when it was elevated from mission status on October 3, 1988. Had been the island's first resident priest since 1984 while still pastor of St. Martha's in Sarasota. Served the parish for 35 years.
- Rev. Anthony R. Hewitt2023–present
Second pastor of Our Lady of Mercy; succeeded Father Carosella in 2023.