About Our Lady of the Gulf · Gulf Shores, Alabama
Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Gulf Shores, Alabama, situated at 308 East 22nd Avenue just a short walk from the white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. As the first church built on Pleasure Island, the parish serves both year-round residents and the seasonal visitors who winter along the Alabama coast. It belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile and is currently shepherded by Father David Carucci. The parish's patroness is the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Gulf — the same Marian devotion that the U.S. Catholic Conference has long associated with the state of Alabama.
- Established
- 1948 (mission); 1952 (established as parish)
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Gulf
- Rector
- Father David Carucci
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Gulf offers the warmth of a small coastal parish with the full sacramental life of a Roman Catholic church — daily Mass, a Wednesday Healing Mass with Adoration and Confession, First-Friday all-day Eucharistic Adoration, a robust youth and family faith formation program (Families of Faith and OLGTeen), RCIA, Women's Bible Study, a music ministry, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the active Knights of Columbus Philip A. Lambert Council. Visitors and parishioners alike are welcomed into a community that has weathered hurricanes and grown for more than seven decades along Alabama's Gulf Coast.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Gulf
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 AM
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM (during Adoration)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Or by appointment — contact Fr. Carucci
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Adoration with Benediction at 5:00 PM, followed by Healing Mass at 5:15 PM)
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (after 8:00 AM daily Mass)
Welcome and Parish Identity
Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church describes itself as a Roman Catholic community 'Guided by our patroness, Mary, toward a perfect obedience to the Word of God.' The parish welcomes newcomers warmly, describing itself as 'a faith community' whose members are 'an integral part of our mission to grow together in faith and fellowship.' The website offers resources to help visitors and new parishioners 'feel at home' on their faith journey.
History of Our Lady of the Gulf
The parish traces its roots to 1948, when Father Philip A. Lambert began celebrating Sunday Mass in a local restaurant for the few Catholics of Gulf Shores. It was formally established as a parish in 1952 and has grown steadily through eight pastorates. The current church was dedicated in 1989, with the old church converted to Lambert Hall. Three major hurricanes — Frederick, Ivan and Katrina — have tested the parish, which credits its survival to the intercession of Our Lady of the Gulf.
- 1948: Father Lambert begins mission Mass in Romeo's restaurant
- 1952: Parish established; original church built for $19,000
- 1979: Hurricane Frederick devastates Gulf Shores; church unharmed
- 1989: Current church dedicated by Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb
- 1992: Knights of Columbus Philip A. Lambert Council chartered
- 2013: Father David Carucci becomes current pastor
Faith Formation for Children, Teens and Adults
The parish offers age-appropriate formation for every stage. Families of Faith gathers parents and children together on Sunday mornings for shared learning, discussion and prayer. OLGTeen provides middle- and high-school formation, encouraging questions and helping young people grow in their relationship with Christ. Adult formation includes RCIA for those becoming Catholic, Sacrament Preparation courses, and Women's Bible Study Groups. Wednesday evenings (September through May) combine Adoration, Confession, Healing Mass, a free community dinner, and faith formation classes.
- Families of Faith — Sunday mornings
- OLGTeen — Sunday mornings
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacrament Preparation
- Women's Bible Study Groups
- Wednesday evening formation with dinner (Sept–May)
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry invites parishioners to lend their voices 'to the great hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Triune God,' drawing on the USCCB document Sing to the Lord. The choir supports the prayers, dialogues and chants of the Mass — most especially the Eucharistic Prayer — as well as other hymns. Each week, immediately after Holy Communion, the parish gathers to honor the Blessed Mother in song, praying the Salve Regina. Those interested in serving may contact the Music Ministry Director or complete the form on the parish website.
- Supports sung Mass parts, hymns and chants
- Marian hymn (Salve Regina) after Holy Communion each week
- Open invitation to volunteer singers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Ministers of Holy Communion assist the clergy in the preparation and distribution of Holy Communion. They are appointed by the Pastor, receive training and orientation, and serve on a rotating basis according to Mass preference. Ministers are asked to arrive 15 minutes before Mass to sign in. Deacon Danny Rodgers coordinates the ministry.
- Appointed by the pastor
- Rotating schedule by Mass preference
- Coordinated by Deacon Danny Rodgers
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Father David Carucci, pastor, and served by Deacon Danny Rodgers. Lay staff support the daily operations of the parish office, faith formation, youth ministry, finances, and a current capital campaign.
- Father David Carucci — Pastor
- Deacon Danny Rodgers — (Extraordinary Ministers coordinator)
- Jose Hernandez — Youth Minister
- Jean Marzullo — Capital Campaign Coordinator
- Vivian Castano — Bookkeeper
- Suzette Taylor — Office Manager
Knights of Columbus Philip A. Lambert Council
The parish is home to the Philip A. Lambert Council of the Knights of Columbus, chartered in 1992 and named for the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf. Forty-two charter candidates received their First Degree on June 15, 1992, with Second and Third Degree Exemplifications held on August 30, 1992. The council has supported the parish community for over three decades.
- Chartered June 15, 1992
- Named for Father Philip A. Lambert, founding pastor
- Founders include District Deputy Prentiss Baughman (d. July 11, 2004) and Grand Knight Robert Nelson
Getting Involved and Staying Connected
New parishioners can register with the parish through olgal.org/join. The parish uses Flocknote for text and email updates on news, events, Mass changes, and ministry announcements; subscribers can choose the groups they wish to hear from. Live Stream Archives are available for those unable to attend in person. The parish website lists Ministries, Faith Formation, a Worship Times page, and a parish Calendar with upcoming events such as the Confirmation Mass with Archbishop Rivituso.
- Parish registration at olgal.org/join
- Flocknote parish communication (text/email)
- Live Stream Archives on the website
- Parish calendar with events like the annual Confirmation Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Philip A. Lambert1948–1971
Founder of the mission; built the original $19,000 church with a Sears catalog; first pastor of the established parish in 1952. Hall named in his memory.
- Monsignor George Royer1971–1977
Welcomed the first wave of northern seasonal visitors.
- Monsignor Joseph Adams1977–January 1981
Died in office; shepherded parish through Hurricane Frederick (1979), which left the church unharmed.
- Father Finbar "Barry" Desmond1981–October 25, 1985
Launched the building fund for a larger sanctuary and built a new CCD building for children's religious education.
- Father Anthony ZoghbyNovember 1985–June 18, 1994
Built and dedicated the current church January 28, 1989 with debt retired by dedication day; co-founded the South Baldwin Community Theater.
- Father Patrick O'ConnorJuly 1994–November 28, 2000
Came out of retirement to lead the parish; completed new rectory (1997) and the Religious Education center (1998); died suddenly in office.
- Monsignor Robert Fultonearly 2001–August 18, 2013
Replaced Lambert Hall and offices with a modern parish hall and parish office.
- Father David Carucci2013–present
Current pastor.