Our Lady Queen of Martyrs

Welcome & About Our Parish

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church is a faith community in the Whitfield area of Sarasota, Florida, cared for by Diocesan priests of the Diocese of Venice. The parish describes itself as a family called by baptism to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone regardless of race, color, or creed, with a sacramental life that 'touches each person from birth to death' and a charity that 'reaches out to all members of God's family.' Pastor Fr. John Hoang welcomes newcomers, inviting them to introduce themselves to him or Fr. Paul after any Mass and to register through the parish office.

Parish History

The parish's story begins with Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley's December 20, 1957 request that Fr. Joseph F. Daly research the feasibility of a Catholic presence in northern Sarasota or southern Manatee County. Fr. Leonard Duncan was assigned in September 1959 to establish the 'Whitfield area Catholic Mission' on 13 acres at Pennsylvania Avenue and Magellan Drive; he celebrated the first Mass on October 11, 1959, at the Holiday Yacht Club. Archbishop Hurley officially named the parish 'Our Lady Queen of Martyrs' on October 23, 1959. The temporary church was first used on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961. Successive pastors — Frs. Honnen, Moran, McHugh, and Flynn — enlarged and stabilized the community until Fr. Martin Flynn's death on November 23, 1991. Frs. Zeder, Flemming, and then Fr. Joseph F. Connolly, TOR, followed; Fr. Connolly led for 24 years until January 16, 2021. Fr. John Hoang became administrator in March 2021 and was installed as eighth pastor on March 19, 2023.

• 1959 — Parish established and named by Archbishop Hurley
• 1961 (Easter Sunday, April 2) — First Mass in the provisional church
• 1964–1968 — Parish school (grades 1–4) opens and later closes
• October 14, 1984 — Current church dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin
• 1985 — Original provisional church renovated into Flynn Hall
• October 25, 1984 — OLQM transferred to the new Diocese of Venice
• December 7, 1996 — Fr. Joseph F. Connolly, TOR begins 24-year pastorate
• March 19, 2023 — Fr. John Hoang installed as 8th pastor

Clergy, Staff & Office

The parish is served by two priests and two deacons, supported by an administrative assistant, business manager, faith formation coordinator, director of music, musician, and maintenance staff. Office hours and contact information are available through the parish office phone line.

• Fr. John Hoang — Pastor ([email protected])
• Fr. Paul D'Angelo — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
• Deacon Bill Doerr ([email protected])
• Deacon Bob ([email protected])
• Leslie Duff — Business Manager ([email protected])
• Donna Hrycyk — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
• Phil Coit — Coordinator of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Edita Urbon — Director of Music
• Tom Lelyo — Musician
• Joann Deserio, CRE — listed contact for sacramental preparation and Faith Formation
• Cuong Nguyen — Maintenance ([email protected])

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish's Religious Education program provides formal faith formation from kindergarten through 12th grade during the school year, running sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation alongside the regular curriculum. Children from both public and Catholic schools are welcome. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) leads adults and older youth through the Catholic faith, culminating in full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Seasonal adult enrichment opportunities and adult Confirmation preparation are also offered. Joann Deserio (CRE) and the Coordinator of Religious Education, Phil Coit, can be reached at [email protected].

• Children's Faith Formation (K–12)
• First Reconciliation preparation
• First Holy Communion preparation
• Youth Confirmation preparation
• Adult Confirmation
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
• Seasonal adult faith enrichment

Sacraments

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic sacraments. The parish's 'Sacraments of the Catholic Church' page quotes the Catechism and gives clear next steps for every sacrament, including contact information and timelines.

• Baptism — class first Monday of each month; Baptisms on the first and third Sundays after the 10:00 am Mass
• Reconciliation — Tuesday after 8:00 am Mass; Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm; First Saturday during the Holy Hour; by appointment
• Eucharist / First Holy Communion — preparation through Religious Education (children) or OCIA (adults)
• Confirmation — youth program through Faith Formation; adult program available
• Anointing of the Sick — for those seriously ill or elderly; contact the parish office or emergency line
• Marriage — contact Fr. John at least six months in advance
• Holy Orders — referrals to Fr. Shawn Roser, Diocese of Venice Vocation Director (941-484-9543, [email protected])

Music Ministry

Music ministry enriches every liturgy at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. The Adult Choir sings for the Sunday liturgy and rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm, with cantors and song leaders always in need of new voices. The Children's Choir, for ages 5–14, meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm and sings for the Christmas concert, the 5:00 pm Christmas Mass, and other special liturgies. Director of Music Edita Urbon invites parishioners of any experience level to join.

• Adult Choir — Thursday rehearsals 7:00 pm
• Children's Choir (ages 5–14) — Wednesday 6:00 pm
• Cantors / song leaders
• Director of Music: Edita Urbon (941-755-1826)

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs operates an active St. Vincent de Paul Conference as part of the Manasota District Council (12 churches in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Venice). With 10 members and 6 associated members, all volunteers, the conference supports a non-perishable food pantry and helps individuals with overdue utility bills (gas, electric, water) — payments are made directly to the utility companies and never in cash to the applicant. Funding comes from parish poor boxes, quarterly envelope collections, and memorial donations. The SVDP phone line (941-567-4827) takes same-day appointments on Thursdays, 9–10 am. Fr. John Hoang serves as Council Spiritual Advisor.

• Helps with overdue gas, electric, and water bills (final disconnect notice only)
• Maintains a non-perishable food pantry
• Members serve a 12-month / three-time assistance limit
• Phone for Thursday 9–10 am appointments: 941-567-4827
• Spiritual Advisor: Fr. John Hoang

Homebound Ministry

The Homebound Ministry reaches parishioners who can no longer attend Mass in person. Volunteers bring Communion, fellowship, and pastoral care to the elderly, ill, and homebound, helping them stay connected to the parish family. A downloadable pamphlet with full details is available from the parish website.

• Communion visits to the homebound
• Pastoral outreach to elderly and ill parishioners
• Volunteer opportunities — contact the parish office

Getting Involved & Contact

Newcomers are warmly welcomed to introduce themselves to Fr. John or Fr. Paul after any Mass and to register through the parish office. The parish encourages parishioners to share their time and talent by joining one of the many ministries, volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul or the Homebound Ministry, singing in one of the choirs, helping with faith formation, or participating in the Holy Hour and First Saturday Devotions.

• Parish office phone: (941) 755-1826
• Email: [email protected]
• Faith Formation email: [email protected]
• Pastor email: [email protected]
• Fax: (941) 753-1654
• Diocese of Venice parish listing (6600 Pennsylvania Ave, Sarasota, FL 34243)