About Saint Jude · Boca Raton, Florida
St. Jude Catholic Church is a Carmelite-administered Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Boca Raton, Florida, founded in June 1979. The parish sits on fifteen wooded acres off Toledo Road next to the YMCA and is known for its diverse, multi-ethnic congregation, daily and Sunday Mass schedule (including a weekly Spanish Mass), an active adoration chapel, a K-8 parish school, and a nationally recognized music ministry. In 2001 the parish was named one of the outstanding Catholic parishes in the United States by the National Catholic Reporter, which listed it among the country's top twenty-five parishes. The current pastor is Rev. John F. Horan, O. Carm., and the parish is served today by Carmelite priests and a strong team of lay ministers in liturgical, faith-formation, Hispanic, and outreach work.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- St. Jude Thaddeus (Apostle, patron of hopeless or desperate causes)
- Rector
- Rev. John F. Horan, O. Carm.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Jude offers a full Catholic life under one roof on its wooded Boca Raton campus: four Sunday Masses including a 1:00 PM Mass in Spanish, a daily 8:00 AM Mass, Saturday confessions, and an adoration chapel open roughly twelve hours a day on weekdays. Families are accompanied from baptism through First Communion, Confirmation (in a small-group discipleship model that begins in 7th grade), and into a vibrant parish school with its own preschool. A nationally recognized music ministry — Adult Choir, Junior Choir, Praise & Worship, Adult Bell Choir, and Hispanic Choir — anchors the liturgy, while ministries such as RCIA, Bible study, the Hispanic Ministry, the Edith Stein Lay Carmelites, St. Therese oil devotion, and parish outreach give every age a concrete way to belong.
Mass times at Saint Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
Our Story & History
St. Jude Parish traces its roots to June 1979, when the Archdiocese of Miami approved a new Catholic community in Boca Raton. The first pastor, Fr. Jack Totty, shepherded the parish through the land swap with Texaco, the 1983 groundbreaking on the Feast of the Assumption, and the 1984 construction crisis and bankruptcy of the original contractor. The church opened on Christmas Eve 1986, the same year the school was dedicated. The parish came under the care of the Carmelite Order in 1994 under Fr. Michael Driscoll, expanded its school and preschool in the 1990s and 2000s, and completed the Parish Family Life Center — 'The Dream' — in September 2012 under Fr. Michael Kissane, O. Carm.
- Founded June 1979 by the Archdiocese of Miami
- Groundbreaking on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1983
- First Mass celebrated Christmas Eve, 1986
- St. Jude School dedicated 1986
- Carmelites (O. Carm.) take pastoral care of the parish, 1994
- Parish Family Life Center ('The Dream') completed September 2012
Land, Name & Founding Legend
The parish was originally to be called St. Rita, in honor of the Enrico family's mother, who had donated ten acres at Powerline and Palmetto. The diocese accepted a swap with Texaco Company for fifteen secluded acres off Toledo Road next to the YMCA. In the early 1980s a local contractor developing condos offered to donate one million dollars toward building the church if Fr. Totty could raise another million for a school and name the church for his patron, St. Jude. The Enrico family agreed, and St. Rita's in Wellington eventually honored their original wish. The result is a parish sited on a wooded campus that has defined its character for over four decades.
- Original land donated by the Enrico family (to be named St. Rita)
- Final 15-acre site swapped from Texaco Company, next to the YMCA
- Contractor's $1M gift tied to the St. Jude name
- St. Rita's in Wellington named later to honor the Enrico family
The Carmelites of St. Jude
Since 1994, St. Jude has been administered by the Carmelite Order (Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, O. Carm.). The Carmelites trace their origins to hermits living on Mount Carmel more than 800 years ago near the fountain of the prophet Elijah. Their spiritual patrimony is especially tied to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; in 1251 their sixth Superior General, St. Simon Stock, is said to have received the Brown Scapular from Our Lady. The Carmelite motto is 'Be sure that one praises Mary daily.'
- Carmelites administer St. Jude since 1994
- Spiritual roots on Mount Carmel and the prophet Elijah
- Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular (1251, St. Simon Stock)
- Parish motto reference: 'Be sure that one praises Mary daily'
Rev. John F. Horan, O. Carm. — Pastor
Fr. John was born and raised on Long Island, New York. He entered Carmelite formation in 1976, professed first vows in 1979, studied theology at the Washington Theological Union, made solemn vows in 1982, and was ordained a priest in 1984. This is his third assignment in Boca Raton: he previously ministered twice at Pope John Paul II High School (now St. John Paul II Academy) and used to come to St. Jude on weekends to celebrate Mass. He returned to St. Jude as pastor in 2015. His favorite Scripture is Matthew 28:16-20 — 'I am with you always, until the end of the age.'
- Carmelite formation: 1976; first vows 1979; solemn vows 1982; ordained 1984
- Two prior assignments in Boca Raton at Pope John Paul II HS / St. John Paul II Academy
- Pastor of St. Jude since 2015
- Favorite Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Fr. Christopher Iannizzotto, O. Carm. — Parochial Vicar
Father Christopher Iannizzotto, O. Carm., is a member of the St. Elias Province of Carmelites. He was born September 15, 1971 in Brooklyn, NY, and was ordained a priest on December 20, 2008 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies from St. Thomas Aquinas College and an M.Div. from the Washington Theological Union, and previously served at St. Simon Stock – Saint Joseph Church from 2008 to 2017.
- Ordained December 20, 2008
- BA, St. Thomas Aquinas College; M.Div., Washington Theological Union
- Favorite Scripture: 2 Kings 2:9
Very Rev. Michael T. Driscoll, O. Carm. — In Residence
Born October 29, 1941 in the Bronx, NY, Fr. Michael attended St. Alberts Jr. Seminary in Middletown, NY, and was ordained on June 3, 1967 in St. Alberts Chapel. He served as Parochial Vicar at St. Jude from 1992–1994, then as the parish's fourth pastor from 1994 to 2010. After retiring as pastor, he remained very active in the St. Jude and local Catholic community.
- Ordained June 3, 1967
- Pastor of St. Jude 1994–2010
- Favorite Scripture: Luke 24:35 — 'He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.'
Music Ministry
St. Jude's music ministry is described on the parish website as 'one of the most talented and highly recognized music ministries in the area.' It is led by Music Directors Omar Gonzalez and Bernie Shanahan and includes the Adult Choir, Junior Choir, Praise and Worship Group, Adult Bell Choir, and Hispanic Choir. The Adult and Junior Choirs rehearse weekly in the church; students in grades 2 through 8 are invited to join the Junior Choir.
- Adult Choir, Junior Choir, Praise & Worship Group, Adult Bell Choir, Hispanic Choir
- Music Directors: Omar Gonzalez and Bernie Shanahan (561-392-8172)
- Weekly rehearsals in the church; Junior Choir open to grades 2–8
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Jude welcomes families for the 2026–2027 Religious Education year, with weekly Sunday classes from 10:30 to 11:45 AM. The program supports parents in raising children in the Catholic faith through Religious Education classes, family prayer, Sunday Mass, and special sacramental preparation tracks. Children in Pre-K through 6th grade are invited to Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Classes Begin: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Weekly Class Schedule: Sundays 10:30–11:45 AM
- Director: Susan Fahey Kessler — [email protected], (561) 314-1245
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:00 AM Mass (Pre-K through 6th)
Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a two-year journey that typically begins in 1st or 2nd grade. A separate Special Sacraments Program is designed for children in 3rd grade and above who have not yet received these sacraments.
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — two-year preparation
- Special Sacraments Program for older children
Confirmation & Small Group Discipleship
Beginning in 7th grade, students are invited into a relational Small Group Discipleship Ministry where Confirmation discernment takes place in small groups with dedicated mentors. The model emphasizes authentic friendship, prayer, Scripture, the discovery of gifts, and missionary discipleship.
- Begins in 7th grade
- Small groups with dedicated mentors
- Confirmation as the beginning of a lifelong discipleship journey
RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (now also known as OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is offered for those inquiring about the Catholic faith, baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist, and the unbaptized. Sacramental Classes & RCIA meet Tuesdays 5:30–7:00 PM and Wednesdays 5:30–7:00 PM.
- RCIA / OCIA for adults and children 7+ seeking initiation
- Sessions Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30–7:00 PM
Hispanic Ministry & Spanish Mass
St. Jude ministers to its Spanish-speaking parishioners through a weekly 1:00 PM Sunday Mass in Spanish, a Hispanic Choir, and parish ministries with Spanish-language leadership. The parish's Hispanic Choir director and youth/youth-choir contacts are listed in the parish bulletin.
- 1:00 PM Sunday Mass in Spanish
- Hispanic Choir and Spanish-language ministries
Devotions: St. Therese Oil & Carmelite Spirituality
The parish promotes devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux through the St. Therese Oil, which can be ordered online through the parish website. The parish also hosts the Edith Stein Lay Carmelites as part of its Carmelite spiritual family.
- Oil of St. Therese devotion — order online via the parish
- Edith Stein Lay Carmelites
St. Jude School & Preschool
St. Jude School was dedicated in 1986 and a preschool was added in 1995 under Fr. Michael Driscoll. Over the years the school grew through modular classrooms and, in 2002, the final permanent section of the school was completed. The school is part of the parish campus and shares the Family Life Center facilities.
- St. Jude School dedicated 1986
- St. Jude Preschool added 1995
- Final school wing completed 2002
Parish Family Life Center — 'The Dream'
Announced by Fr. Michael Driscoll at the parish's silver anniversary and brought to life under fifth pastor Fr. Michael Kissane, O. Carm., the Parish Family Life Center — known affectionately as 'The Dream' — broke ground in summer 2011 and was completed in September 2012. It houses parish offices, meeting rooms for expanding ministries, a banquet hall, and a kitchen to serve the needs of parishioners and school students.
- Announced at the silver anniversary by Fr. Michael Driscoll
- Groundbreaking: summer 2011
- Completed: September 2012 under Fr. Michael Kissane, O. Carm.
- Includes parish offices, ministry meeting rooms, banquet hall, kitchen
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parish offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The mailing address is 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433. The main phone line is (561) 392-8172 and email is [email protected]. The Director of Religious Education can be reached at [email protected] or (561) 314-1245.
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Address: 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433
- Phone: (561) 392-8172
- Email: [email protected]
- DRE: Susan Fahey Kessler — [email protected], (561) 314-1245
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jack Totty1979–c.1986/1988
First pastor; oversaw the founding, the land swap with Texaco, the groundbreaking in 1983, the construction crisis of 1984, and the dedication of St. Jude School. Opened the church at Christmas Eve Mass 1986.
- Fr. Daniel Barrettafter Fr. Totty's retirement (late 1980s)
Second pastor of St. Jude.
- Fr. Timothy Lynchc.1988–1994
Third pastor; assisted by Fr. Chris Allen and the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. Built the picnic pavilion and conference room (1992) and negotiated the debt-freeze agreement with the diocese.
- Very Rev. Michael T. Driscoll, O. Carm.1994–2010
Fourth pastor; began the Carmelite administration of the parish, oversaw preschool expansion (1995) and the final school addition (2002), and launched the Family Life Center initiative at the silver anniversary.
- Very Rev. Michael Kissane, O. Carm.installed October 2, 2011
Fifth pastor; installed by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. Oversaw groundbreaking (summer 2011) and completion (September 2012) of the Parish Family Life Center, 'The Dream.'
- Rev. John F. Horan, O. Carm.2015–present
Sixth pastor; Carmelite since 1976, ordained 1984; previously ministered at Pope John Paul II High School (now St. John Paul II Academy).