About Our Lady Queen of the Apostles · Royal Palm Beach, Florida
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles (OLQA) is a Roman Catholic parish in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach. Founded in May 1988 by the diocese's first bishop, Most Reverend Thomas V. Daily, the parish began with Sunday Mass at the local Lions' Club and grew into one of the larger faith communities in Palm Beach County's western communities, now numbering more than 2,500 registered families. Its current permanent church on Crestwood Boulevard was dedicated on December 12, 2009 by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. The parish lives by the mission statement 'Strengthened by Faith, Living in Hope, Serving with Love,' offering daily Mass in English, a Saturday evening Mass in Spanish, a monthly Tagalog Mass, a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for over 200 students, active youth groups, and more than 50 ministries, groups and committees.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of the Apostles (Mary, under the title Queen of the Apostles — also the patroness of the Diocese of Palm Beach)
- Rector
- Rev. Z. Andy Rudnicki
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles is a diverse, multi-national parish of more than 2,500 families that lives out its mission — 'Strengthened by Faith, Living in Hope, Serving with Love' — through daily Mass (English), a Saturday evening Spanish Mass, a monthly Tagalog Mass and a daily Adoration Chapel. Whether you are a young family looking for PREP religious education and active middle- and high-school youth groups, a retiree interested in the Seniors Group or Homebound House Calls, or a Spanish-speaking Catholic from the Hispanic community, OLQA offers more than 50 ministries, committees and groups — including a St. Vincent de Paul Society, a contemporary band, several choirs, a gift shop and a beloved annual Christmas Festival and Village — where newcomers can quickly find a place to share their time and talent.
Mass times at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00–3:00 PM (in the Church Cry Room)
Adoration times
- The Adoration Chapel is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (older bulletins list Monday through Friday 8:30 AM–7:00 PM and Saturday 7:00 AM–4:00 PM; Adoration is closed when the parish office is closed)
Parish Overview
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach serving Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee and the surrounding western Palm Beach County communities. Since its founding in May 1988, OLQA has grown to more than 2,500 registered families and more than 50 ministries, programs and organizations. The parish lives by its mission statement: 'Strengthened by Faith, Living in Hope, Serving with Love.' Above all else, OLQA describes itself as a place of worship reflecting the ideals of sacrifice and service.
- Mission: 'Strengthened by Faith, Living in Hope, Serving with Love.'
- Founded May 1988
- Over 2,500 registered families
- More than 50 ministries, programs and organizations
- More than 200 students in Religious Education (PREP)
History of the Parish
The parish was founded in May 1988 by the first Bishop of Palm Beach, Most Reverend Thomas V. Daily. Its first pastor, Father Kevin McGabhann, began celebrating Sunday Mass at the Lions' Club in Royal Palm Beach, with weekday Masses at his residence in Loxahatchee. A site on Crestwood Boulevard was eventually purchased, and the parish grew through a series of temporary and permanent buildings over the following two decades.
- May 1988 — Parish founded by Bishop Thomas V. Daily
- September 1988 — First Sunday Masses at the Royal Palm Beach Lions' Club
- 1992 — Father Leo Armbrust appointed administrator
- July 1993 — Ground broken on the 3,600 sq. ft. Crestwood pavilion
- March 1995 (St. Joseph's Day) — Multi-celebration building blessed
- December 1994 — Ed Szpieg ordained a priest and assigned to assist
- October 1996 — Father Michael Woodcock installed as second pastor
- October 1999 — Father Michael Tschudi installed as third pastor
- July 2000 — Father Tom Skindeleski named pastor
- February 2006 — Father Z. Andy Rudnicki installed as sixth pastor
- Summer 2008 — Ground broken for the permanent church
- December 12, 2009 — New church dedicated by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito
Faith Formation (PREP)
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is OLQA's catechetical program for parish children not enrolled in a Catholic school. With more than 200 students, PREP relies on parish catechists who help form the next generation in the Catholic faith. Registration typically opens in the summer, and teacher training workshops are held each year.
- Parish Religious Education Program (PREP)
- 200+ students enrolled
- Registration begins August 1 (office hours or evening hours in Celebration Hall)
- Annual PREP teacher training workshop in late July
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
Youth Ministry
OLQA's youth ministry is described by the parish as 'extremely active,' with separate middle school and high school youth groups. A dedicated Bookkeeper/Youth Minister coordinates programming for parish teens.
- Middle School Youth Group
- High School Youth Group
- Youth Minister: Chris Winters
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Enhanced by a strong music program, OLQA parishioners participate in several choirs and a contemporary band. The parish's liturgical ministries are also thriving, with many parishioners serving at Mass.
- Director of Music Ministries: Thomas J. Marino (later Alfred Casinelli)
- Contemporary Band Director: Steve Davis
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
Hispanic / Spanish Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
A Saturday evening Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM serves the parish's Hispanic community, which is supported by an active Ministerio Hispano with its own liturgical and formation groups.
- Spanish Mass — Saturday 6:00 PM
- Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión (Alsacia: 561-512-3061)
- Sacristán (Alsacia: 561-512-3061)
- Proclamadores / Lectores (Areani: 561-319-5585)
- Coro Hispano (Nilda: 561-252-2642)
- Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos (RCIA en español)
- Bautismos (infantes) — Areani 561-319-5585
- Vírgenes Peregrinas y otros grupos devocionales
Filipino / Tagalog Ministry
In addition to its Hispanic ministry, OLQA holds a Tagalog Mass one Sunday a month for its Filipino parishioners — reflecting the parish's 'many nationalities' noted in its history.
- Monthly Tagalog Mass (one Sunday a month)
Outreach & Charity
The parish places particular emphasis on helping the poor and needy of the wider community, working through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and other outreach ministries. A Bereavement Ministry supports grieving parishioners, while a Health & Wellness Ministry and Homebound House Calls bring the parish to those who cannot easily come to church.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Bereavement Ministry
- Health & Wellness Ministry
- Homebound House Calls
- Stewardship renewal each November
Adult Formation — School of Christian Formation
OLQA's Celebration Hall is a host site for the Diocese of Palm Beach's School of Christian Formation, which offers adult formation courses in English and Spanish on topics such as Introduction to the Bible, Old Testament, Christology, Vatican II, sacraments, social justice and morality. The school began in the 1990s as an outreach to local Hispanics and is now recommended for all the faithful.
- English courses held in Celebration Hall
- Spanish-language track (Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Palm Beach)
- Topics: Introduction to the Bible, Old Testament, Christology, Vatican II, sacraments, social justice, morality
- Annual retreat and graduation Mass
- $10 registration fee; textbooks $10–$20; no one turned away for inability to pay
Parish Staff
OLQA is led by its pastor and supported by a parochial vicar, two permanent deacons, a parish staff and a facilities team. Recent bulletin directories also list a Contemporary Band Director and a Facilities Manager.
- Pastor: Rev. Z. Andy Rudnicki
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Laurent Assenga, ALCP
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Rodney Brimlow
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Bob Laquerre
- Business Manager / Stewardship: Jim Duemig (later Chris Winters)
- Director of Music Ministries: Thomas J. Marino (later Alfred Casinelli)
- Director of Religious Education: Dr. Christina Danko
- Bookkeeper / Youth Minister: Chris Winters
- Administrative Assistant / Pastor Secretary: Sharyn Garcia
- Receptionist / Office Assistant: Arline Laquerre
- Contemporary Band Director: Steve Davis
- Facilities Manager: Rick Busch
- Maintenance: Tom Schmidt, Ryan Winters, Nick DeLapi, Liliana Vargas
Sacraments
OLQA prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is provided through the PREP program, while Baptisms, weddings and Anointing of the Sick are coordinated through the parish office. Confession is offered Saturday afternoons in the Church Cry Room.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Penance / Reconciliation (Sat 2:00–3:00 PM)
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound visits
- RCIA / RICA (English and Spanish)
Events & Parish Life
Each December, OLQA holds its Annual Christmas Festival and Village, one of the major events in the Western Communities and a centerpiece of parish fellowship. The parish also runs a Gift Shop staffed by volunteers and hosts a New Parishioner Welcome Tour for those registering with the parish.
- Annual Christmas Festival and Village (December)
- Gift Shop (volunteers needed; reopens in August)
- New Parishioner Welcome Tour & Registration
- Stewardship renewal each November
- Spanish School of Christian Formation courses in Celebration Hall
Visit & Contact
OLQA is located at 100 Crestwood Blvd. S., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closing from 12:30–1:30 PM each day for lunch. From Okeechobee Boulevard, head west to Crestwood Boulevard, turn left and continue about 1 1/2 miles; the parish will be on the left.
- Address: 100 Crestwood Blvd. S., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
- Phone: (561) 798-5661
- Fax: (561) 798-5663
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: https://www.olqa.cc/
- Facebook: facebook.com/OLQACatholicChurch
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed 12:30–1:30 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Kevin McGabhann1988–1992
First pastor; celebrated first Sunday Masses at the Royal Palm Beach Lions' Club in September 1988, with weekday Masses at his residence in Loxahatchee.
- Father Leo Armbrust1992–
Appointed administrator; broke ground on the 3,600 sq. ft. Crestwood pavilion in July 1993.
- Father Ed Szpieg1994–October 1996
Ordained a priest in December 1994 after serving as a deacon in his home parish; later administered the parish until October 1996.
- Father Michael WoodcockOctober 1996–
Installed as the second pastor.
- Father Michael TschudiOctober 1999–July 2000
Installed as third pastor; began a sabbatical in July 2000.
- Father Tom SkindeleskiJuly 2000–February 2006
Built up parish structures, including Festival Hall, the priests' residence, parish office center and additional PREP class space.
- Father Z. Andy RudnickiFebruary 2006–present
Sixth pastor; led the Foundation of the Apostles capital campaign and the building of the new church, dedicated December 12, 2009.