About Resurrection of Our Lord · Fort Myers, Florida
Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord is a Roman Catholic parish in south Fort Myers, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Venice. Established in 1974 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin, it grew from a mission of St. Cecilia's Church into one of the largest parishes in Lee County, now serving more than 2,600 registered families. The parish offers daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses (including a Latin Mass), Eucharistic Adoration, a robust religious education program for grades 1–12, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and a wide range of parish ministries. Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, who was appointed first pastor in 1974, remains the parish's only pastor five decades later, having overseen the construction of the present church dedicated in 1983.
- Established
- 1974
- Patron
- The Resurrection of Our Lord (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, V.G., V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
Resurrection of Our Lord is a large, well-established Catholic parish with deep roots in south Fort Myers, offering three Sunday Masses (one in the extraordinary form in Latin), daily Mass, Adoration twice a month, and a full schedule of devotions including a daily Rosary and the Miraculous Medal Novena. Families will find a graded Religious Education program for grades 1–12, an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking Baptism or full communion, and ministries for every age and interest — Knights of Columbus Council #9897, Women's Guild, Men's Club, Charismatic Prayer Meeting, Rosary Makers, Men's Gospel Forum, Bereavement and Beyond, Faith Community Nurses, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. With more than 2,600 registered families and fifty years of continuous pastoral care, it is a parish where newcomers are warmly welcomed and given many ways to pray, serve, and grow.
Mass times at Resurrection of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
- Sunday: 30 minutes before each Mass (approx. 7:00, 8:00, and 10:00 AM)
- Weekdays (Monday–Friday): 20 minutes before the 8:00 AM Mass (about 7:40 AM)
- By appointment (additional times offered during Lent and Advent)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Third Wednesday of the month: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Parish History
The Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord was established in 1974 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin as a mission of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, succeeding an earlier Cypress Lake mission of St. Cecilia's Church where Fr. Stephen McNamara had been saying Mass. The parish purchased its original building and ten acres in 1977, broke ground for a new church on March 16, 1982, and dedicated the present worship space on April 10, 1983, under Bishop Thomas Larkin. On October 20, 2024, Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the parish's Golden Jubilee Mass, marking fifty years of continuous service and recognizing Msgr. McNamara as the parish's only pastor across that half-century.
- Established as a Mission: July 1974
- Established as a Parish: November 17, 1976
- Ground broken for new church: March 16, 1982
- Church dedicated: April 10, 1983, by Bishop Thomas Larkin
- Golden Jubilee Mass: October 20, 2024, with Bishop Frank J. Dewane
- Transferred from Diocese of St. Petersburg to Diocese of Venice in 1984
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, V.G., V.F., who has served continuously since 1974. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Shawn Roser, Retired Priest Fr. Chris Gardiner, and Deacons Michael Esper and Dr. David Reardon. The lay staff team includes Business Manager Melanie Arnieri, four Parish Administrative Assistants (Ruby Garcia, Dolores Shelhorse, Taire Malloy, and Lisa Dignam), Co-Directors of Faith Formation Deanna Latell, M.A. and Joanne MacPeek, M.A., Youth Ministry & OCIA Assistant Patrick Serna, MTh, Music Director and Organist Connie Kish, Sound Assistant Tracey Failla, Religious Store Manager Gaye Kane, and Maintenance lead Valente Hernandez.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, V.G., V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Shawn Roser (239-600-6746)
- Retired Priest: Fr. Chris Gardiner
- Deacons: Michael Esper, Dr. David Reardon
- Business Manager: Melanie Arnieri (239-481-5787)
- Co-Directors of Faith Formation: Deanna Latell, M.A.; Joanne MacPeek, M.A.
- Youth Ministry & OCIA Assistant: Patrick Serna, MTh
- Music Director / Organist: Connie Kish
- Administrative Assistants: Ruby Garcia, Dolores Shelhorse, Taire Malloy, Lisa Dignam
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education for grades 1–12 meets on Sundays from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM in the Parish Center, September through May, immediately following the 10:30 AM Mass. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is woven into the program. Adult Faith Formation, including preparation for adult Baptism, is coordinated by Joanne MacPeek. The parish welcomes children of all ages at Mass with their families and notes that the sound system projects into the front foyer so parents with young children can step out without missing the readings or homily.
- Grades 1–5: Deanna Latell, 239-482-6883
- Grades 6–12 (incl. sacramental prep): Patrick Serna, 239-481-5144
- Adult Faith Formation / Baptism Prep: Joanne MacPeek, 239-600-6747
- Office Assistant: Shelly Hendricks, 239-600-6745
- Class time: Sundays 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, Parish Center
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Resurrection's OCIA program welcomes adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church. Director Joanne MacPeek and Assistant Patrick Serna lead the formation, supported by the parish's catechists and clergy. Inquirers are encouraged to contact the parish to begin the process.
- Director: Joanne MacPeek, 239-560-4386
- Assistant: Patrick Serna, 239-481-5144
Outreach & Charity
The parish operates a robust outreach apostolate rooted in Catholic social teaching. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference assists both parish families in need and many transients who arrive in the Fort Myers area needing food or basic necessities; the Society is funded primarily through the Poor Boxes at the church entrances. Faith Community Nurses offer health-related support and visits to parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. Parish priests visit local hospitals weekly, and parishioners are encouraged to notify the parish office when admitted so they can be added to the visitation list.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society: 239-600-6749 (Board meets 1st Monday, 7:00 PM)
- Faith Community Nurses / Parish Nurse Ministry: 239-600-6743
- Ministry of the Sick (communion to homebound): Dolores Shelhorse, 239-481-7172
- Gift Shop / Religious Store Manager: Gaye Kane, 239-590-8057
Parish Organizations & Groups
Resurrection hosts a calendar of regular organizations that meet on the parish campus, covering men's, women's, prayer, and fellowship needs. Many of these groups are listed on the Resurrection Calendar and meet in the Parish Center throughout the year.
- Knights of Columbus Council #9897 — Catholic men's fraternal organization (contact Grand Knight Tony Martinez)
- Resurrection Men's Club — 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM, Parish Center (Sept–May)
- Women's Guild — 3rd Wednesday, 8:30 AM (Sept–May)
- Charismatic Prayer Meeting — Mondays, 9:00–11:00 AM, Parish Center
- Rosary Makers — 3rd Thursday, 9:00–11:00 AM (Oct–May)
- Men's Gospel Forum — Fridays, 8:45 AM, Parish Center
- Bereavement and Beyond Prayer & Social Group — 1st and 3rd Mondays, 10:00 AM
- Prayer Line Ministry — 239-590-8055 / [email protected]
- Prayer for Priests — Thursdays after 8:00 AM Mass, Chapel
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Beyond the sacraments celebrated at Mass, Resurrection offers Sacramental Preparation for Baptism (adult and infant, through the Adult Faith Formation office), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (grades 1–5), and Confirmation (grades 6–12). Anointing and Blessing of the Sick are available by appointment. Priests visit area hospitals weekly; parishioners should notify the parish office (239-481-7171) on admission so they are added to the visit list.
- Baptism — Adult Faith Formation: Joanne MacPeek, 239-600-6747
- First Eucharist / Reconciliation — Grades 1–5 Religious Education
- Confirmation — Grades 6–12 Religious Education
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment, 239-481-7171
- Hospital visits — weekly by parish priests; register with parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, V.G., V.F.1974–present
Appointed first pastor when the parish was established in 1974 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin. As of the parish's Golden Jubilee in October 2024, he remains the only pastor the parish has ever had, having overseen the 1983 construction and dedication of the present church. He also serves as Vicar General (V.G.) and Vicar Forane (V.F.).