About Our Lady Queen of Heaven · La Belle, Florida
Our Lady Queen of Heaven is a bilingual Catholic parish in the heart of LaBelle, Florida, in the Diocese of Venice, serving the rural Hendry County community since 1966 and as a full parish since June 1975. The parish worships in English and Spanish and operates alongside its daughter mission, Holy Martyrs Mission, which Bishop Frank J. Dewane established on May 12, 2007. By 2020 the parish counted over 604 registered families with 452 students in Religious Education, and it continues to be a spiritual and social anchor for farmworker families and longtime residents of the LaBelle area.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven
- Rector
- Rev. Marcial I. Garcia
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
Our Lady Queen of Heaven is a bilingual parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics of the LaBelle area worship side by side, with daily Mass in two languages, a full Sunday schedule of one English and four Spanish Masses, and a Spanish-language Holy Hour with Reconciliation every Thursday and Friday evening. The parish supports 452 students in Religious Education, runs an active Pro-Life Mission, and welcomes families through its parish center and Jubilee Chapel. It is a place where newcomers can find daily Mass, weekly confession, Eucharistic adoration, and a community that reaches out to the poor and needy through generous acts of charity.
Mass times at Our Lady Queen of Heaven
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00–7:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven
- 30 minutes before weekend Masses at Our Lady Queen of Heaven
- Saturday 4:30 PM at Holy Martyrs Mission
- By appointment at the parish office
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00–8:00 PM — Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation at Our Lady Queen of Heaven
- Friday 7:00–8:00 PM — Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation at Our Lady Queen of Heaven
Parish History
Our Lady Queen of Heaven was established in 1966 as a mission church of Saint Francis Xavier Parish, first ministered by Monsignor DeVaney and Fr. Thomas Anglim. For eight years the mission worshipped in the local movie theatre before becoming a parish in June 1975 with its own dedicated facility. The parish center was constructed in 2000 with eight religious education rooms and a centralized administration office. Since 2004 membership has nearly tripled from 250 to over 604 registered families.
- Founded as a mission in 1966
- Elevated to parish status June 1975
- Parish center built in 2000 with 8 religious education rooms
- 250 registered families in 2004 → over 604 by 2020
- 452 students in Religious Education as of 2020
The Early Years
The community's first Masses were celebrated in the local movie theatre in LaBelle, with Monsignor DeVaney and Fr. Thomas Anglim traveling from Saint Francis Xavier Parish to minister to the faithful.
- Worship site: local movie theatre in LaBelle
- Founding ministers: Msgr. DeVaney and Fr. Thomas Anglim
- Mother parish: Saint Francis Xavier
Members and Facilities
The parish has grown from 250 registered families in 2004 to over 604 by 2020. A parish center constructed in 2000 houses eight religious education rooms and a centralized administration office, supporting a religious education program that serves 452 students.
- Parish center constructed in 2000
- 8 religious education rooms
- Centralized administration office
- Steady growth since 2004
Holy Martyrs Mission
On May 12, 2007, Bishop Frank J. Dewane established Holy Martyrs Mission as an outreach of Our Lady Queen of Heaven. It was first administered by Fr. Czeslaw 'Chester' Domaszewicz, then acting pastor of the parish, extending the parish's Spanish-language ministry to surrounding communities.
- Established May 12, 2007 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane
- First Administrator: Fr. Czeslaw 'Chester' Domaszewicz
- Operates alongside OLQH as a bilingual mission
Chapels and Worship Space
The main chapel seats 250 for weekday and weekend Mass. Above the main altar is a faux-stained-glass window of the Prodigal Son reuniting with his father. The Stations of the Cross windows depict actual faces of parishioners. The Jubilee Chapel at the rear adds 35 seats, for a total of seven stained-glass windows throughout the church.
- Main chapel seating: 250
- Jubilee Chapel seating: 35
- Faux-stained-glass window of the Prodigal Son above the main altar
- 7 stained-glass windows in total
- Stations of the Cross windows include faces of parishioners
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Pastor Rev. Marcial I. Garcia and Parochial Vicar Rev. Juan Carlos Sack, with Deacon Ramon Kanacheril serving as Director of Religious Education. Mrs. Liliana Santillan is the parish Administrative Assistant/Secretary, and Mrs. Noemi Perez serves as custodian.
- Rev. Marcial I. Garcia — Pastor
- Rev. Juan Carlos Sack — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ramon Kanacheril — DRE
- Mrs. Liliana Santillan — Administrative Assistant / Secretary
- Mrs. Noemi Perez — Custodian
Faith Formation
The parish runs a religious education program serving 452 students as of 2020, supported by eight dedicated religious education rooms in the parish center built in 2000. Adult faith formation aims to help the faithful grow in human and Christian maturity through Scripture, the Church's tradition, and engagement with daily life. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is provided for both children and adults.
- Children's Religious Education K–12
- Adult Faith Formation (English and Spanish)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation for children and adults
- OCIA / RCIA-style adult initiation process
Parish Mission and Outreach
The parish mission statement commits the community to proclaiming that Jesus is the Light of the world, building lives through prayer and the sacraments, placing families under the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, devoting themselves to evangelization, and serving the poor and needy through generous acts of charity. The parish also maintains an active Pro-Life Mission, and its bilingual identity reflects the makeup of the LaBelle community, including many farmworker families.
- Pro-Life Mission
- Charitable outreach to the poor and needy
- Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Evangelization and missionary discipleship
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) parish life
Visiting and Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 355 South Bridge Street, LaBelle, FL 33935. The mailing address is P.O. Box 357, LaBelle, FL 33975. Phone: (863) 675-0030; Fax: (863) 675-0756; Email: [email protected].
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Address: 355 South Bridge Street, LaBelle, FL 33935
- Mailing: P.O. Box 357, LaBelle, FL 33975
- Phone: (863) 675-0030
- Fax: (863) 675-0756
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor DeVaney1966–c.1974
Co-ministered the new mission church from Saint Francis Xavier Parish
- Fr. Thomas Anglim1966–c.1974
Co-ministered the new mission church from Saint Francis Xavier Parish
- Fr. Czeslaw 'Chester' Domaszewicz2007 (acting)
Acting Pastor of OLQH and first Administrator of Holy Martyrs Mission when it was established May 12, 2007