About Saint John Paul II · Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
St. John Paul II Catholic Church is a vibrant, family-oriented Catholic parish in the Nocatee community of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in the Diocese of St. Augustine. The parish worships daily, celebrates the Sacred Mysteries of the Faith, and encourages full, active, and conscious participation. Originally founded as a mission in 2012 and formally established as a parish on October 17, 2020, it now serves more than 1,400 registered families and offers a full range of ministries, faith formation for children and adults, and online livestream Masses for the wider community.
- Established
- 2020
- Patron
- Saint John Paul II (Pope John Paul II, formerly Karol Józef Wojtyła)
- Rector
- Rev. Rafael Lavilla
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
St. John Paul II Catholic Church is a young, family-oriented parish that worships daily and welcomes newcomers with open arms. With daily Mass, an active K-8 Family of Faith formation program, two-year Confirmation preparation, youth and teen Masses, RCIA, Knights of Columbus, and a packed calendar of ministries, it gives every age a way to grow in faith and serve. Members also enjoy the convenience of livestreamed Masses and a real sense of community in one of America's fastest-growing master-planned towns.
Mass times at Saint John Paul II
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM (in the Sacristy)
- 30 minutes before every Mass (daily and weekend)
Our Story: From Mission to Parish
St. John Paul II Catholic Church was established as a mission by Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine in 2012 to serve the fast-growing Nocatee community of Ponte Vedra Beach. The first Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Daniel Logan on July 9, 2012, in leased space at St. Francis-In-The-Field Episcopal Church. In 2015, the Davis family donated 35 acres on Valley Ridge Boulevard to the diocese, and on June 23, 2016 Bishop Estévez blessed a 12,000-square-foot parish center at 127 Stonemason Way. On October 17, 2020 the community was formally raised to parish status and Fr. Richard Pagano was installed as its first pastor. The parish now ministers to more than 1,400 registered families and is preparing to build a permanent church through the Light to the Nations Capital Campaign.
- 2010 — Mission authorized by Bishop Estévez
- July 9, 2012 — First Mass celebrated at St. Francis-In-The-Field Episcopal
- 2015 — Davis family donates 35 acres; groundbreaking August 8, 2015 ($5.5M project)
- June 23, 2016 — Bishop Estévez blesses the parish center
- May 1, 2019 — Fr. Richard Pagano arrives as administrator
- October 17, 2020 — Formally established as St. John Paul II Catholic Church; Fr. Pagano installed as inaugural pastor
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The parish offers daily Mass Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM, two Saturday Vigil Masses at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and three Sunday Masses at 8:00, 10:00, and 12:00. On Holy Days of Obligation there is a 7:00 PM vigil (except on Sundays) and Masses at 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM. The Sunday 10:00 AM Mass is livestreamed, as is the daily 8:30 AM Mass during Lent.
- Confession: Saturday 2:30–3:45 PM, plus 30 minutes before every Mass
- Livestream: Sunday 10:00 AM and Weekday 8:30 AM (during Lent)
- Office: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Clergy & Staff
Fr. Rafael Lavilla, ordained in Manila in 2005 and incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine on December 17, 2019, is the current pastor. He is assisted by Deacon Anthony (Tony) Colichio, who was ordained a permanent deacon in 2011 by Bishop Estévez and assigned to the parish in 2015. Deacon Tony holds a certification in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University and serves as chaplain to nursing homes and Catholic hospital patients.
- Rev. Rafael Lavilla — Pastor (ext. 101, [email protected])
- Deacon Anthony (Tony) Colichio — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Dominic Salamida — Family Life Coordinator; supervises youth ministry, sacramental preparation, and RCIA (ext. 104, [email protected])
- Sharon Bohres — Parish Coordinator; ministries, events, and facilities (ext. 110, [email protected])
- Joseph (Joe) Iannotti — Finance Manager ([email protected])
- Gus Carlson — Maintenance Coordinator; retired Jacksonville Sheriff's Office sergeant and UNF Police veteran
Family Faith Formation
St. John Paul II's Family Faith Formation program is directed by Dominic Salamida and serves children in public, Catholic, and homeschool families. K-6 Community Groups meet once per month as a whole family — either Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM or Sunday at 1:30 PM — with a parent meeting on the first Thursday at 7:00 PM. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion typically occurs in 2nd grade (ages 7-8), and Confirmation is a two-year program beginning in 7th grade with weekly Wednesday evening sessions for Year 1 and Sunday evening sessions for Year 2, culminating in a spring Confirmation Mass in 8th grade. A High School Ministry for grades 9-12 is in early formation stages. Families are encouraged to contact Dominic Salamida at 904-330-0153 for any unique circumstances.
- K-6 Family of Faith Community Groups (monthly Thursday 6 PM or Sunday 1:30 PM)
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation Year 1 (7th grade, Wednesday 6:30 PM)
- Confirmation Year 2 (8th grade, Sunday 6:30 PM)
- High School Ministry (9th–12th grade, in development)
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at St. John Paul II is led by Family Life Coordinator Dominic Salamida and includes teen Masses, volunteer opportunities, social activities, and ongoing sacramental preparation. The High School Ministry for grades 9–12 is in its early formation stages.
- Teen Masses organized by the youth team
- Volunteer opportunities
- Social activities for teens
- High School Ministry (9th–12th, in development)
RCIA & Sacramental Preparation
Adult initiation (RCIA), adult confirmation, baptism, and marriage preparation are coordinated through the parish staff, with Deacon Tony Colichio's longtime involvement in adult confirmation programs complementing the Sacramental Preparation overseen by Dominic Salamida.
- RCIA for adults
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Baptism preparation
Livestream & Online Ministry
St. John Paul II livestreams the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass every week and the weekday 8:30 AM Mass during Lent, allowing parishioners and visitors near and far to participate. Online ministry grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic under Fr. Richard Pagano's communications leadership, drawing followers from the U.K., Ireland, Tanzania, the Philippines, and across the United States.
- Sunday 10:00 AM Mass livestreamed every week
- Weekday 8:30 AM Mass livestreamed during Lent
- Daily devotionals, prayer videos, and pastor's notes available online
Light to the Nations Capital Campaign
Established as a parish on October 17, 2020 and entrusted with 22 acres in Northeast Florida, St. John Paul II is developing a sculpted and purposeful sanctuary of peace and faith-filled reflection. The Light to the Nations Capital Campaign invites parishioners and friends to help fund the permanent church and campus transformation.
- Parish established October 17, 2020
- 22 acres entrusted to the parish
- Goal: sculpted sanctuary of peace and faith-filled reflection
Joining the Parish & Volunteering
The parish welcomes new members and offers many ways to get involved. Registration is handled through an online form or by calling the parish office at (904) 330-0153, with new parishioners receiving an invite to create a Breeze Church Management account for event tickets, mailings, and online giving.
- Online registration form on nocateecatholic.com
- Breeze Church Management account for giving, events, and mailings
- Contact: [email protected]
Contact & Visit
St. John Paul II Catholic Church is located at 127 Stonemason Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. The parish phone is (904) 330-0153, the fax is (904) 516-4693, and the office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Appointments with Fr. Rafael Lavilla can be requested through the online form on the parish website.
- Address: 127 Stonemason Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081
- Phone: (904) 330-0153
- Fax: (904) 516-4693
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Website: nocateecatholic.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard Pagano2019–c. 2024
First pastor of St. John Paul II Catholic Church; arrived May 1, 2019 as administrator of the mission and was installed as inaugural pastor by Bishop Felipe Estévez on October 17, 2020. Led the parish through the COVID-19 pandemic with an extensive digital ministry.
- Rev. Rafael Lavilla2024–present
Current pastor. Born September 13, 1976 in Pineda, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines; ordained November 25, 2005 at Santuario De San Jose Church, Manila. Served as missionary priest in California beginning August 2008; joined the Diocese of St. Augustine February 14, 2013; incardinated December 17, 2019. Served as Parochial Vicar at St. Catherine of Siena (Orange Park), St. Paul (Jacksonville Beach), and Blessed Trinity (Jacksonville); Pastor of St. John the Baptist (Atlantic Beach) 2019–2024.