About Sacred Heart · New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando, served continuously since its founding in 1926 by the Redemptorist Fathers (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, C.Ss.R.). The parish also operates St. Gerard Mission in nearby Edgewater, FL, and runs Sacred Heart Catholic School (PreK3–8th grade), founded in 1961. Located at 998 Father Donlon Drive, Sacred Heart offers daily and Sunday Masses, the sacraments, an active faith formation program, the Knights of Columbus (Fr. Downey Council), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Community Lunch Program, and a wide range of liturgical and prayer ministries that have grown out of almost a century of Redemptorist preaching on Florida's east coast.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. John Tizio, C.Ss.R.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life on Florida's east coast: several weekend Masses, daily Mass, reconciliation before every weekend Mass, a parish school that has formed local children since 1961, and the long-standing Redemptorist tradition of parish missions and popular devotions. The community is active and lay-led — with more than twenty named ministries ranging from OCIA and faith formation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Community Lunch Program, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Prayer Shawl Ministry, a Catholic Women's Association, and a Monday-night parish Bingo — so newcomers can plug in as quickly as they like.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Gerard Mission – Saturday 4:00 PM (30 minutes before 4:30 PM Mass)
- St. Gerard Mission – Sunday 9:30 AM (30 minutes before 10:00 AM Mass)
- Sacred Heart – by appointment (call the parish office: 386-428-6426)
Parish History & Redemptorist Heritage
Sacred Heart is the oldest Redemptorist parish in Florida. After the Minorcan community of New Smyrna left in the 1770s, Catholicism in the area was nearly absent until Catholic farming families like Ferdinand and Anna Nordman settled in the late 1800s, opened their home for Sunday Mass, and helped launch the local citrus industry. A priest from St. Peter's in DeLand — 20 miles away — first rode a horse, and later a bicycle, to celebrate Mass for the out-mission established in 1887. In 1921 Archbishop Michael J. Hurley of Baltimore proposed to Bishop Patrick Barry of St. Augustine that the Redemptorists found a house in Florida. The Nordmans donated the property and the lumber for a wooden church seating just 80 people, and on December 12, 1926, Father Joseph Downey, C.Ss.R., was appointed First Superior of the new parish of Sacred Heart. The Redemptorists have staffed Sacred Heart and its mission church St. Gerard without interruption ever since. That 1926 foundation eventually grew into the Vice Province of Richmond.
- 1867 – Redemptorists first preach in Florida (St. Augustine, Jacksonville).
- 1870 – Redemptorist missions in Key West and the Dry Tortugas.
- 1887 – Out-mission established from St. Peter's, DeLand, under Fr. John O'Boyle.
- December 12, 1926 – Sacred Heart parish founded; Fr. Joseph Downey, C.Ss.R., first Superior.
- Today – Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province continue to staff the parish.
Clergy & Staff
Sacred Heart is currently served by three Redemptorist priests and one permanent deacon, supported by a small parish staff. The parish belongs to the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Orlando.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. John Tizio, C.Ss.R.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Aldrin Nunes, C.Ss.R.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Charlie Donovan, C.Ss.R.
- Deacon: Deacon Tom Meyer
- Office Manager / Bulletin Editor: Ella Copeland
- Maintenance Supervisor: Catherine Krzeminski
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The Office of Faith Formation coordinates the parish's religious education programs and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Adults wishing to become Catholic are welcomed through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Inquiry, led by Sylvia McCormick. Baptismal instruction is offered through Maria Bilodeau.
- Religious Education (Office of Faith Formation)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion / Confirmation preparation
- OCIA – Inquiry (Sylvia McCormick, 386-428-6426)
- Baptismal Instruction (Maria Bilodeau)
- Marriage preparation – contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Ministers to the Sick (Mary Ann Murray)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Sacred Heart's parish directory lists more than twenty lay-led ministries spanning liturgical service, prayer, faith study, charity, fellowship, and parish life. New parishioners are encouraged to call the contact listed for any group that interests them.
- Liturgical – Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Altar Servers, Ushers, Music/Choirs
- Prayer – Legion of Mary, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Traveling Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Cursillo
- Faith Study – Small Church Community / Bible Study (Evening, Wednesdays 7–8 PM, KofC Hall)
- Service – Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Community Lunch Program, Ministers to the Sick, Bereavement Ministry
- Organizations – Knights of Columbus (Fr. Downey Council), Catholic Women's Association
- Parish Life – Monday Night Bingo, Gardening Angels & Dream Team, "Time to Move" senior exercise (Tue/Thu 9:00 AM)
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School is a parish ministry of Sacred Heart Church, founded in 1961 and located at 1003 Turnbull St., New Smyrna Beach (a short distance from the church). It serves children in PreK3 through eighth grade, integrating the Redemptorist charism and Catholic faith and values with a STREAM-focused curriculum that includes fine and performing arts, foreign language, athletics, and service opportunities. The school is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and is staffed by Florida-DOE-certified teachers, with a closed and Raptor-screened campus partnered with the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. Mrs. Beth (Elizabeth) Labreche is principal.
- Founded 1961; grades PreK3–8
- Address: 1003 Turnbull St., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
- Phone: (386) 428-4732 · Email: [email protected]
- Principal: Mrs. Beth (Elizabeth) Labreche
- STREAM curriculum, fine & performing arts, athletics, service learning
- Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference
St. Gerard Mission, Edgewater
Sacred Heart parish operates a mission church, St. Gerard Mission, in nearby Edgewater, Florida. St. Gerard offers a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 PM and a Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM, with Reconciliation 30 minutes before each Mass.
- Saturday Vigil – 4:30 PM (Reconciliation 4:00 PM)
- Sunday – 10:00 AM (Reconciliation 9:30 AM)
- Music ministry contact: Ellen Graf, 386-689-7828
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Sacred Heart Catholic Church by phone, email, or in person at the parish office. The church livestreams Mass on its website and Facebook page, and the weekly bulletin is published online.
- Church address: 998 Father Donlon Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 729, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0729
- Phone: (386) 428-6426 · Fax: (386) 423-4088
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://sacredheartnsb.com/ (sacredheartcatholic.com)
- Facebook: facebook.com/SacredHeartCatholicNSB
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Downey, C.Ss.R.1926–
First Superior of Sacred Heart when the Redemptorists took over the new parish on December 12, 1926. The parish's Knights of Columbus council is named in his honor (Fr. Downey Council).