About Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God · North Port, Florida
Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church — affectionately known as St. Mary's — is a Byzantine (Eastern-rite) Catholic mission parish in North Port, Florida, serving the faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma, Ohio. It is the spiritual and cultural heart of the local Ukrainian community on Florida's Gulf Coast, celebrated for its distinctive golden domes, bilingual liturgies (Ukrainian on Sundays, English on Saturdays and weekdays), and a vibrant Ukrainian Cultural Center and Kitchen. The parish welcomes all Catholics to fulfill their Sunday obligation and receive Holy Eucharist in the Ukrainian Byzantine tradition.
- Established
- 1984 (parish formally established by Bishop Robert M. Moskal; church building blessed in 1993)
- Patron
- The Most Holy Mother of God (Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Dmytro Kasiyan
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma (Ohio) — a Byzantine (Eastern-rite) Catholic eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, erected by Pope John Paul II in 1983 and covering Ukrainian churches across Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. The parish is geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida.
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, warm Byzantine Catholic community that combines deep liturgical tradition with active cultural and charitable life. Parishioners worship in the Ukrainian Divine Liturgy on Sundays, can attend English liturgies on Saturdays and weekdays, sing in the parish choir, support the Sisterhood, raise funds for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, gather over traditional Ukrainian meals at the parish kitchen, and pass the faith to children through the parish catechism program. It is one of the few Ukrainian Catholic churches on Florida's Gulf Coast and welcomes all Catholics to fulfill their Sunday obligation and receive Holy Eucharist.
Mass times at Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church
Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church — affectionately called St. Mary's — is a Byzantine (Eastern-rite) Catholic mission parish at 1078 N Biscayne Drive, North Port, Florida. The parish belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, and welcomes all Catholics who wish to worship in the Ukrainian Byzantine tradition and fulfill their Sunday obligation. It is one of only a handful of Ukrainian Catholic parishes serving Florida's Gulf Coast and serves as both a spiritual home and cultural anchor for the local Ukrainian-American community.
- Affectionately known as St. Mary's
- Byzantine (Eastern-rite) Catholic mission parish
- Member of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma
- Located at 1078 N Biscayne Drive, North Port, FL 34287
Parish History
The parish was formally established in 1984 by Bishop Robert M. Moskal, the first bishop of the newly erected Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma. The present church — famous locally for its golden domes — was blessed in 1993. The community's roots, however, go back to 1975, when Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox settlers founded the ecumenical St. Andrew's Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center ('Oseredok') and shared liturgies on alternating Sundays. In December 2006, Bishop Moskal made only his third-ever pastoral visit, leading a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, blessing the new Icons of Ukrainian Martyrs in the entryway, and consecrating the new parish rectory.
- 1975 — St. Andrew's Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center ('Oseredok') founded
- 1983 — Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat erected by Pope John Paul II
- 1984 — Parish formally established by Bishop Robert M. Moskal
- 1993 — Church building blessed
- 2006 — Icons of Ukrainian Martyrs installed; new rectory consecrated
- 2022 — Parish steps up humanitarian aid for war-affected Ukraine
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's is currently shepherded by Rev. Dmytro Kasiyan. He succeeded Fr. Vasyl Petriv in 2022. Two Pastor Emeriti are honored by the community: Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk and Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Matthew Berko (of St. Petersburg). Earlier pastor Fr. Severyn Kovalyshin, who assisted Bishop Moskal during the December 2006 episcopal visit, was a formative figure in the parish's catechetical life.
- Rev. Dmytro Kasiyan — Pastor (2022–present)
- Rev. Vasyl Petriv — Pastor (2015–2022)
- Rev. Severyn Kovalyshin — earlier pastor
- Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk — Pastor Emeritus
- Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Matthew Berko — Pastor Emeritus
Ukrainian Kitchen (Кухня)
The parish runs a beloved Ukrainian Kitchen that serves traditional take-out foods and hosts Friday Ukrainian dinners for the wider North Port community. Sales of these homemade foods help fund parish activities and, since 2022, humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Take-out staples on the menu include borsch, pyrohy (potato and cabbage varenyky), holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), and kovbasa (smoked sausage).
- Borsch — 1 pint ($6)
- Pyrohy — Potato, 1 dozen ($12)
- Pyrohy — Cabbage, 1 dozen ($12)
- Stuffed cabbage (holubtsi) — 1 dozen ($25)
- Kovbasa — 1.5 lbs ($12)
- Friday Ukrainian dinners for the community
- Information line: 941-423-2427 or 941-426-7931
Parish Ministries & Community Life
St. Mary's combines active liturgical service with vibrant Ukrainian cultural and charitable life. The parish choir is renowned for its singing at Pontifical and festive liturgies; the Sisterhood organizes women of the parish in service and fundraising; catechism classes form the next generation in faith, language, and culture; and the adjacent Ukrainian Cultural Center hosts cultural presentations and community events. The parish also runs an active humanitarian-aid program for Ukraine.
- Parish choir — featured at Pontifical Divine Liturgies
- Sisterhood (women's parish organization)
- Catechism / religious education for children
- Ukrainian Cultural Center (Український Культурний Центр) — adjacent to the church
- Humanitarian aid fundraising for Ukraine
Sacraments & Faith Formation
All Catholics in good standing are welcomed to receive Holy Eucharist at St. Mary's. The parish runs a formal catechism program that, in its earliest years, was directed by Halyna Kovalyshin and included Ukrainian-language recitation and instruction. Other sacraments are arranged through the pastor by contacting the rectory.
- Holy Eucharist (Divine Liturgy) — open to all Catholics
- Catechism classes for children
- Other sacraments by appointment through the rectory
Visiting & Contact
Visitors and parishioners are encouraged to call the rectory for current office hours. The parish maintains an open-door welcome to anyone wishing to worship in the Ukrainian Byzantine tradition.
- Rectory: (941) 426-7931
- Address: 1078 N Biscayne Drive, North Port, FL 34287
- Website: http://www.uccnp.org/
- Ukrainian Kitchen info line: 941-423-2427
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Dmytro Kasiyan2022–present
Current pastor; appointed to succeed Fr. Petriv in 2022.
- Rev. Vasyl Petriv2015–2022
Served during the early years of the war in Ukraine; led the parish's humanitarian relief efforts. His wife Luba Petriv assisted in parish life. Emergency cell (440) 292-7102 has been published for parishioners.
- Rev. Severyn Kovalyshin
Assisted Bishop Moskal at the December 2006 Pontifical Divine Liturgy; his wife Halyna Kovalyshin directed the parish's first catechism class.
- Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk
Pastor Emeritus; attended the 2006 episcopal visit.
- Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Matthew Berko
Pastor Emeritus; based in St. Petersburg; attended the 2006 episcopal visit.