About Queen of Peace · Gainesville, Florida
Queen of Peace Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of St. Augustine located at 10900 SW 24th Avenue in Gainesville, Florida, serving the west side of Alachua County since its founding in 1987. The parish is a multicultural community that celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with a vibrant faith-formation program for children and youth, an on-site Catholic academy, and a Memorial Columbarium. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Alberto Esposito, a classically trained violinist ordained in 2001, Queen of Peace has built a strong identity around Stewardship as a Way of Life, daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration, and outreach to returning Catholics through programs like Landings and Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP).
- Established
- 1987
- Patron
- Our Lady, Queen of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Alberto Esposito, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
Queen of Peace offers something many parishes can't: a full weekly schedule with daily Mass (Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, plus Saturday morning), weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a Reconciliation slot every Wednesday and Saturday — making it easy to build Catholic life around the sacraments. It's also a multilingual parish, with a weekly Spanish Mass on Sundays and a monthly Portuguese Mass on the fourth Saturday, alongside English Masses including a Life Teen Sunday evening Mass. For families, there's an on-site Catholic academy (Queen of Peace Catholic Academy) and a graded Faith Formation program from PreK through youth ministry, with First Communion preparation and a 'Wee Worship' children's dismissal at Sunday Mass. Adults returning to the faith are welcomed through the Landings program, and the parish's culture of Stewardship is reinforced through the Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) retreat and ongoing Bible studies.
Mass times at Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
- By appointment (call 352-332-6279)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Main Sanctuary)
- Friday 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon (Daily Chapel)
History of Queen of Peace Parish
Queen of Peace was established in 1987 on the west side of Gainesville by the Reverend James Flannan Walsh, a Diocese of St. Augustine priest who had previously founded Holy Faith Parish in 1972. When Father Walsh's illness forced him to step back from leadership in 1992, the Reverend Jeff McGowan succeeded him and shaped the parish's enduring stewardship culture. Father Alberto Esposito — a Yale-trained violinist who was ordained in 2001 — first served Queen of Peace right out of seminary, then returned as pastor roughly eight years before his 2026 silver jubilee, ushering in a new family life center and renewed Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) and Bible study programs.
- Founded 1987 by Rev. James Flannan Walsh (also founder of Holy Faith, 1972)
- Rev. Jeff McGowan succeeded Walsh c. 1992 — 'stewardship as a way of life' identity
- Rev. Alberto Esposito first assigned to Queen of Peace June 2001; returned as pastor c. 2018
- Father Esposito celebrated 25 years in the priesthood in May 2026
Devotions
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, Queen of Peace keeps a steady rhythm of devotional practices that anchor parish life through the year.
- Saturday Rosary in the chapel, 8:00–8:20 AM, before the 8:30 AM Mass
- Stations of the Cross every Friday of Lent, immediately after the 6:00 PM Mass
- Daily scripture 'Reflections' written by Sr. Beatrice Caulson, IHM
- Vocations Corner for prayer for priestly and religious vocations
Faith Formation
Queen of Peace runs a graded faith formation program for children and youth alongside adult initiation. PreK through 5th grade classes meet Sunday mornings at 8:45 or 11:25, September through May, with supplemental First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Middle-school (6th–8th grade), youth ministry/Life Teen, and the adult RCIA process are coordinated by Sr. Beatrice Caulson, IHM.
- Faith Formation PreK–5 (Director: Lisa McQuagge)
- Wee Worship — children's dismissal at 10:00 AM English & 12:30 PM Spanish Masses (ages 3–5)
- Faith Formation 6–8 (Middle School)
- Youth Ministry / Life Teen (5:30 PM Sunday Mass)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Adult Education
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation (typically 2nd grade, after two years of religious education)
- Landings: Returning Catholics program (contacts: Sharon Harmon, Kyle De Palma)
Queen of Peace Catholic Academy
The parish operates an on-site Catholic academy, Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, at the same 10900 SW 24th Avenue address. The school frames itself as an educational community in which principal, teachers, staff, families, clergy, and parishioners work together to give students a spiritual, academic, psychological, and social foundation rooted in the Gospel and Catholic tradition. Phone: 352-332-8808; email: [email protected].
- On-site parish school serving PK–8
- Office hours 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday–Friday
- Mission: teaching and living the Gospel, fostering community, commitment to those in need
- Active parent/parishioner fundraising (e.g., new 3rd–8th grade playground campaign)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments, with First Communion normally received in 2nd grade after two years of religious education and First Reconciliation preparation done in the parish. Adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church are welcomed through RCIA, and Catholics who have been away are welcomed back through the Landings program.
- Baptism — preparation required
- First Reconciliation (First Penance)
- First Holy Communion (typically 2nd grade)
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Matrimony — preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Wed, Sat, and by appointment
- RCIA for unbaptized and uncatechized adults
Parish Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Father Alberto Esposito, V.F., and supported by a lay staff that includes a parish administrator, directors of religious education, liturgy, music, stewardship, communication, and finance. The current published staff listing reflects a long-tenured team; names below draw from the parish website and bulletins plus the 2019 Diocesan Directory entry.
- Pastor: Rev. Alberto Esposito, V.F. (ext. 112; [email protected])
- Parochial Vicar (2019): Rev. Marialal Joseph, CMI
- Parish Administrator: Glen Vassou (ext. 136)
- Office Manager: Angie Bernard
- Director of Communication: Amy Barber
- Bookkeeper / Fiscal Administrator: Mari Hamilton
- Director of Religious Education (PK–5): Lisa McQuagge (352-448-4548)
- Director of Liturgy: Edna Boyette
- Director of Religious Education / RCIA / Adult Education: Sister Beatrice Caulson, IHM
- Director of Stewardship: Erica Debes-Hartge / Erica Hartge
- Director of Music: Gary Kneal
- Youth Directors: Zachary Baird and Gwen Evans
Music and Liturgical Arts
Music is a distinctive thread in the parish's identity. Father Alberto Esposito is a classically trained violinist, and the parish's Director of Music (Gary Kneal) supports a robust liturgical music program. Father Esposito's 25th-anniversary celebration in May 2026 included a special musical program featuring 'parish favorites.'
- Director of Music: Gary Kneal
- Pastor Father Esposito — Yale-trained violinist who performs for parish events
- Music integrated into major feast-day and anniversary liturgies
Stewardship, Hospitality, and Outreach
Stewardship is described as 'a Way of Life' at Queen of Peace — a heritage traceable to Father Jeff McGowan's pastorate and continued under Father Esposito. The parish runs a Stewardship Participation program, a Hospitality After Mass Ministry, the Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) weekend, Bible studies, and the St. Anthony Gift Shop. Daily scripture reflections written by Sr. Beatrice Caulson support parishioners' interior life.
- Stewardship as a Way of Life (Director: Erica Debes-Hartge)
- Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP) spiritual renewal weekend
- Multiple Bible study groups
- Hospitality After Mass Ministry
- St. Anthony Gift Shop
- Daily scripture 'Reflections' by Sr. Beatrice Caulson, IHM
Memorial Columbarium
The parish campus includes a Memorial Columbarium where cremated remains of parishioners and their family members can be inurned. The Columbarium is featured as a distinct ministry on the parish website and is supported by parish staff.
- On-campus Memorial Columbarium
- Available to parishioners and their families
Around the Campus
The Queen of Peace campus at 10900 SW 24th Avenue includes the Main Sanctuary, the Daily Chapel, parish offices, the Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, the Memorial Columbarium, and a newer Family Life Center built during Father Esposito's pastorate. Parish bulletins reference recent campus-beautification efforts and a new mural on the property.
- Main Sanctuary and Daily Chapel
- Parish offices and Catholic Academy under one roof
- Family Life Center (built during Father Esposito's pastorate)
- Memorial Columbarium
- Campus beautification and new mural projects documented in parish bulletins
Contact, Visiting, and Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach Queen of Peace by phone at (352) 332-6279 (fax 352-331-7347) or by email at [email protected]. The Main Sanctuary is open Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and the parish office is staffed during those hours (closed for lunch). From I-75, take Archer Road (SR-24) west, turn north on Tower Road, then west on SW 24th Avenue; the church is roughly two miles down on the right.
- Address: 10900 SW 24th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32607
- Phone: (352) 332-6279; Fax: (352) 331-7347
- Email: [email protected]; Pastor: [email protected]
- Website: queenofpeaceparish.org
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM (closed for lunch)
- Driving: I-75 west on SR-24, north on Tower Rd, west on SW 24th Ave (~2 mi on right)
- Masses live-streamed from 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Sunday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Flannan Walsh1987–1992 (founder; stepped back due to illness)
Diocese of St. Augustine priest who also founded Holy Faith Parish in Gainesville in 1972; died in Gainesville in 2013.
- Rev. Jeff McGowanc. 1992–
Became lead pastor after Father Walsh's illness; remembered by Father Esposito as a mentor in Stewardship as a Way of Life.
- Rev. Alberto EspositoFirst assignment 2001; returned as Pastor c. 2018–present
Ordained 2001 by Bishop John J. Snyder; first assignment was Queen of Peace; returned as pastor roughly eight years before 2026.