About Resurrection, Church of the · Lakeland, Florida
Church of the Resurrection is a Roman Catholic parish in Lakeland, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando. The community was established in 1963 and has grown steadily in members and in faith ever since, supporting both a parish and a K-8 Catholic school on adjacent property in southern Lakeland. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), celebrating Mass in both languages each week, and is currently served by Parochial Administrator Father Angel Garcia alongside several permanent deacons and lay staff. Nourished by Word and Eucharist, the parish mission is to 'Know, Love and Serve Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.'
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- The Risen Lord (Jesus Christ, Resurrected) — parish mission: 'Nourished by Word and Eucharist, we live to Know, Love and Serve Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.'
- Rector
- Father Angel Garcia (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
Resurrection is a bilingual, multigenerational Catholic community where English- and Spanish-speaking families worship side-by-side at weekend Masses that include a 12 PM Spanish liturgy. Worship is enriched by daily Mass, Saturday Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration through parish devotions, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), an attached Catholic school (PreK-8), and dozens of lay ministries — from Emmaus retreats and Adult Bible Study to Bereavement, Widows Living Life, Women of Worship, Ministers of the Sick, and the Regenerations Thrift Shop — giving every age a real place to belong.
Mass times at Resurrection, Church of the
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:45 – 3:45 PM (Bilingual) — official parish site also lists 2:30–3:45 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 – 6:00 PM (Bilingual) — also listed as 5:00–5:45 PM
- Communal penance services with all four Lakeland churches during Advent and Lent
- Private confession available anytime by request
Adoration times
- Available anytime by request through the parish office
Welcome & Mission
Resurrection Catholic Church & School describes itself as 'a vibrant Catholic community that came together in 1963 and continues to grow every day in members and in Faith.' The parish welcomes new members of every age, and its stated mission is 'Nourished by Word and Eucharist, we live to Know, Love and Serve Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.' Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and visitors are invited to introduce themselves to an usher at any Mass.
- Founded in 1963
- Parish motto: 'Nourished by Word and Eucharist'
- Parish office: 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813
- Phone: (863) 646-3556
Our History
Established in 1963, Resurrection is one of the older Catholic parishes in Polk County, part of the cluster of Lakeland parishes in the Diocese of Orlando. Eighteen years after its founding, parish parents launched Resurrection Catholic School in 1981 as a co-operative preschool. Over the next two decades the school grew rapidly — 88 students by 1990, its first eighth-grade graduating class in 1999, and more than 500 students by 2000. The school earned national recognition as a U.S. Department of Education No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School in 2004, and the parish and school community continues to grow in members and in faith today.
- 1963: Parish established
- 1981: School founded as co-operative preschool by parish parents
- 1990: 88 students enrolled
- 1999: First 8th-grade graduating class
- 2000: Enrollment surpasses 500
- 2001: Catholic Schools for Tomorrow award
- 2004: U.S. Dept. of Education Blue Ribbon School & Outstanding School Board award
- 2013–14: 3rd-grade teacher Jennifer Jones named Diocese of Orlando Elementary Teacher of the Year
Parish Clergy & Staff
Resurrection is currently led by Parochial Administrator Father Angel Garcia, with Father Jolly Lukose assisting. The parish is also served by an unusually large team of Permanent Deacons — Deacon Jonathan Branton, Deacon Jason Bulman, Deacon Edgardo Cruz, Deacon David Vargas, Deacon George Ferraioli, Deacon Jim Spindler, and Deacon Jackeline Rivera — supporting liturgical life, Faith Formation, and outreach. Lay staff include a Youth Ministry Coordinator, Ministry Coordinator, Parish Catechetical Leader and Family Life Minister, Office Manager, Director of Music and Liturgy, Administrative Assistants, and the Parish Receptionist/Secretary.
- Fr. Angel Garcia — Parochial Administrator
- Fr. Jolly Lukose
- 7 Permanent Deacons
- Director of Music and Liturgy — Norbert Zilner
- Parish Catechetical Leader / Family Life Minister — Liliana Reyes
- Ministry Coordinator — Diane Druker
- Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Office Manager, Administrative Assistants, Receptionist
Mass & Worship Schedule
Resurrection offers a full weekly schedule of Masses in English and Spanish, with a Vigil Mass on Saturday, four Sunday Masses (including one in Spanish), and daily morning Mass Monday through Saturday. A weekly Spanish evening Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays. The parish also publishes a Holy Day schedule with Vigil and Day Masses in English, and a 7:30 PM Spanish Mass on the day itself. Reconciliation is available bilingually every Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evening, and additional communal penance services are held with all four Lakeland Catholic churches during Advent and Lent.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8 AM, 10 AM, 5 PM (English) and 12 PM (Spanish)
- Weekday: Mon–Sat 9 AM (English); Wed 6 PM (Spanish)
- Holy Days: Vigil 6 PM; Day 9 AM, 6 PM (English), 7:30 PM (Spanish)
- Confessions: Sat 2:45–3:45 PM and Wed 5–6 PM (bilingual)
- Communal Penance: Advent & Lent with the other Lakeland parishes
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Faith Formation at Resurrection is offered in both English and Spanish through the parish Faith Formation Office (863-646-3556 ext. 2132). Adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church journey through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM in English and Sundays 10:15 AM–12:00 PM in Spanish — in a communal, parish-wide process. Children older than 7 prepare for Baptism and the sacraments through catechesis held Mondays 6:15–7:45 PM, with continued formation recommended after reception.
- OCIA (English) — Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM
- OCIA / RICA (Spanish) — Sundays 10:15 AM–12:00 PM
- Catechesis for children 7+ — Mondays 6:15–7:45 PM
- Contact: Faith Formation Office, 863-646-3556 ext. 2132
Sacraments
The parish joyfully welcomes new members through Baptism, with classes required for parents and godparents. English-language Baptisms follow the 4 PM Mass on the first Saturday of each month; Spanish-language Bautizos follow the 12 PM Mass on the first Sunday. No Baptisms are scheduled during Lent except in emergencies. First Communion preparation, Anointing of the Sick (through Ministers of the Sick), and Matrimony are coordinated through the parish office. By Church law, families must be registered at Resurrection (or bring a letter from their home parish) and active members for at least three months before a Baptism is scheduled.
- Baptism — Eng: 1st Saturday after 4 PM Mass; Sp: 1st Sunday after 12 PM Mass
- Baptism class — 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM (English & Spanish)
- First Communion — contact Faith Formation Office
- Anointing of the Sick — Ministers of the Sick
- Marriage — registered parishioners; contact parish office
- 3-month registered-membership requirement for parents
Parish Ministries & Groups
Resurrection offers more than a dozen lay-led ministries designed to accompany parishioners through every stage of life — from spiritual retreats (Emmaus, offered in English and Spanish for both women and men) to ongoing formation (Adult Bible Study, Spiritual Direction), to compassionate outreach (Bereavement, Ministers of the Sick visiting the homebound, Widows Living Life, Women of Worship) and community-building bodies like the Resurrection Council. The Regenerations Thrift Shop provides both service opportunities and charitable goods for the wider community.
- Emmaus Retreats (English & Spanish; Women's & Men's)
- Adult Bible Study
- Spiritual Direction
- Bereavement Ministry
- Ministers of the Sick
- Women of Worship
- Widows Living Life
- Regenerations Thrift Shop
- Resurrection Council
Resurrection Catholic School (PreK-8)
Resurrection Catholic School is the parish's co-located elementary school, serving students from PreK through 8th grade. Founded in 1981 by parish parents as a co-operative preschool, it has grown into a PreK-8 program with more than 500 students. The school's mission is to instill the values of the Catholic faith by providing spiritual and scholastic experiences that encourage respect, compassion, service, and lifelong learning. Its campus sits at 3720 Old Highway 37, Lakeland, FL 33813 (separate from the church at 333 Terrace Way), and it is accredited by the Diocese of Orlando.
- Founded 1981 by parish parents
- Grades PreK-8
- U.S. Dept. of Education Blue Ribbon School (2004)
- Catholic Schools for Tomorrow award (2001)
- Outstanding School Board award (2004)
- School website: rcslakeland.org
- Address: 3720 Old Highway 37, Lakeland, FL 33813
Visit & Contact
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at any weekend Mass, and ushers are available to answer questions before and after liturgy. The parish office at 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813 is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at (863) 646-3556. Faith Formation inquiries — including Baptism, OCIA, First Communion, and adult formation — are routed through extension 2132.
- Parish Office: 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM – 4 PM
- Phone: (863) 646-3556
- Faith Formation ext.: 2132
- Website: rcclakeland.org
- School: 3720 Old Highway 37, Lakeland, FL 33813 (rcslakeland.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Valentine Sheedy
Pastor during the late 20th-century growth of the parish school; encouraged expansion of the elementary program.