About Saint William Church · Naples, Florida
Saint William Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Naples, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Venice. Founded on October 2, 1973 and named for St. William of Vercelli (1085–1142), the 12th-century founder of the Montevergine congregation, the parish first gathered for Mass at Seagate Elementary School and grew rapidly alongside the booming North Naples community. The current worship space, rebuilt in 2012 under Pastor Father George Ratzmann and dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on December 23, 2012, anchors a two-parish campus that today serves more than 3,200 families. Saint William offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, year-round Eucharistic adoration in a dedicated chapel, weekly confession, OCIA/RCIA, and a robust calendar of family, youth, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- St. William of Vercelli (1085–1142), hermit and founder of the Congregation of Montevergine (the Williamites), declared patron of Irpinia by Pope Pius XII in 1942
- Rector
- Rev. George Ratzmann (Pastor since 2008)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
Saint William is a large, well-established parish of more than 3,200 families in North Naples whose entire physical plant is comparatively new — the 2012 church, the 2022 Blessed Mother Center, and a 2023 Adoration Chapel — making it unusually well-equipped for liturgy, formation, and community life. Daily Mass is offered twice Monday through Friday, with year-round Eucharistic adoration in a dedicated chapel and weekly Saturday confession. Lifelong formation is a clear priority: an OCIA process for adults, Family Faith Formation for elementary-aged children and parents, separate middle-school and high-school youth programs, Confirmation preparation, Vacation Bible School, an active Knights of Columbus council, a Council of Catholic Women, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment) ministry together give newcomers — seasonal residents and year-round families alike — multiple, concrete ways to plug in.
Mass times at Saint William Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (in the church)
- Additional reconciliation opportunities offered during Advent and Lent (times published in the parish bulletin)
- By appointment with a parish priest
Adoration times
- Adoration in the Church: Tuesday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM (followed by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena); Friday after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Adoration Chapel: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (permanently installed 2023)
Parish History & Cultural Heritage
Saint William Parish was canonically erected on October 2, 1973 by then-Auxiliary Bishop John J. Nevins of Miami, who appointed Father Dominick O'Dwyer as founding pastor and named the new parish for St. William of Vercelli. The first Mass was celebrated at Seagate Elementary School on October 7, 1973. The parish grew from 616 families in 1974 to 980 families by December 1977, when the Seagate Drive site was approved; groundbreaking for the first church took place on August 12, 1979, and that building was dedicated by Bishop Nevins on November 30, 1980. In 1982 the adjacent former Seagate Baptist Church property was purchased and became the Ministry Center. Under successive pastors (Father O'Dwyer 1973–1982, Father Neil Flemming, Father John Rourke in 1992, Father Joseph Stearns in 1995, and Father George Ratzmann in 2008), the parish expanded to more than 3,200 families, prompting the 2012 reconstruction of the sanctuary and the 2022 dedication of the Blessed Mother Center. A year-long 50th-anniversary celebration culminated in an Anniversary Mass on October 6, 2024.
- Founded October 2, 1973; first Mass October 7, 1973 at Seagate Elementary School
- Named for St. William of Vercelli (feast day June 25)
- Original church dedicated November 30, 1980 by Auxiliary Bishop John J. Nevins of Miami
- Rebuilt church dedicated December 23, 2012 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane
- Blessed Mother / Parish Life Center dedicated 2022 by Bishop Dewane
- Adoration Chapel added 2023
- 50th anniversary celebrated 2023–2024, Anniversary Mass October 6, 2024
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a multi-tiered formation program coordinated by Director of Family Faith Formation Emily Perry and Youth Minister Linda Giacalone. Family Faith Formation serves elementary-aged children and their parents (one parent attends class alongside the children). Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a separate track. Middle-school youth (grades 6–8) meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in Teen Room #211 of the Blessed Mother Center, while the high-school Youth Group (grades 9–12) gathers Sunday evenings from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Confirmation follows the Diocese of Venice's two-year preparation cycle. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes inquirers, catechumens, and candidates throughout the year, and Adult Faith Formation offers ongoing opportunities for continuing catechesis. An annual Vacation Bible School runs each summer.
- Family Faith Formation (elementary + parent track)
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion Preparation
- Middle School Youth Group — Wed 6:00–7:30 PM, Teen Room #211
- High School Youth Group — Sun 4:00–6:00 PM
- Confirmation Preparation (Diocese of Venice two-year program)
- OCIA / RCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Faith Formation
- Vacation Bible School (annual)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond liturgy and formation, Saint William sustains a wide network of lay ministries and charitable works. Spiritual and parish-life groups include the Knights of Columbus (Father Gehan Council), the Council of Catholic Women, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. William Conference). Outreach to the wider community is centered on HOPE — the Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment — which addresses homelessness and poverty in the Naples area. Liturgical ministries (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Greeters, and Altar Servers) are supported by a music ministry and chancel choir accompanied by the rebuilt Colby organ.
- Knights of Columbus — Father Gehan Council
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. William Conference)
- HOPE — Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment
- Liturgical Ministries: Lectors, EMHC, Ushers, Greeters, Altar Servers
- Music Ministry / Chancel Choir
Sacraments
Saint William prepares parishioners for and administers the seven Catholic sacraments. OCIA prepares unbaptized adults and catechumens for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; infant Baptism and marriage preparation are coordinated through the parish office. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared through the Family Faith Formation program, and Confirmation through the Diocese of Venice's two-year parish-based program. Reconciliation is heard Saturday mornings and at additional Advent/Lent times. The Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment, and the parish supports families through funerals and bereavement ministry.
- Baptism (infant and adult via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion
- Confirmation (two-year Diocesan preparation)
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Matrimony / Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals and Bereavement Ministry
Devotions
The parish nourishes devotional life through weekly and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and a long-standing Marian devotion. The Tuesday evening hour runs from 6:00 to 6:30 PM with Adoration in the church, immediately followed at 6:30 PM by the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena. Friday Adoration in the church follows the 8:00 AM Mass. Adoration is also continuous in the chapel on weekdays.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Tuesday 6:30 PM
- Tuesday Adoration in church — 6:00–6:30 PM
- Friday Adoration in church — after 8:00 AM Mass
- Adoration Chapel — Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Buildings, Campus & Music
The Saint William campus occupies two parcels diagonally across Seagate Drive from one another. The 2012 church and adjacent Church Hall on the south side are the spiritual and social hub. The Blessed Mother Center (a.k.a. Parish Life Center, dedicated 2022) on the north side contains the parish offices, Faith Formation classrooms, the Teen Room (#211), and other gathering spaces. During the 2012 reconstruction the church's pipe organ was completely removed, redesigned, and reinstalled by R. A. Colby Inc. with a custom two-tone carved console and digital additions to support the chancel choir; the instrument was revoiced for both liturgical and concert use.
- St. William Church & Church Hall (reconstructed 2012)
- Blessed Mother / Parish Life Center (dedicated 2022)
- Adoration Chapel (added 2023)
- R. A. Colby pipe organ with custom console, re-installed 2012
Clergy & Staff
Saint William is staffed by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and two deacons, supported by lay ministers and administrative staff. Rev. George Ratzmann has served as pastor since 2008; he is assisted by Rev. Marco Mascia (Parochial Vicar) and Rev. Mark Schaffner, O.Carm. (Parochial Vicar). Deacons Edward O'Connell and James Jenkins assist with liturgy and ministries. Linda Giacalone serves as Youth Minister and Emily Perry as Director of Family Faith Formation.
- Rev. George Ratzmann — Pastor
- Rev. Marco Mascia — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mark Schaffner, O.Carm. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Edward O'Connell
- Deacon James Jenkins
- Linda Giacalone — Youth Minister
- Emily Perry — Director of Family Faith Formation
Visiting Saint William
The church is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM (closed on holidays). The Adoration Chapel is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The parish office at the Blessed Mother Center, 750 Seagate Drive, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The parish phone line is (239) 261-4883 and the general inbox is [email protected]. Livestreamed Masses are broadcast from the parish website on Sundays at 9:00 AM and weekdays at 8:00 AM.
- Church Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Adoration Chapel Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: (239) 261-4883 | [email protected]
- Livestreamed Masses: Sun 9:00 AM and weekday 8:00 AM
Getting Involved
Saint William encourages newcomers — both year-round residents and seasonal visitors — to register as parishioners and to consider volunteering. Formation, outreach, and liturgical programs all rely on volunteers, who must complete the Diocese of Venice's Safe Environment Training. Sign-ups and contact information for each ministry are listed on the parish website, and the 'My Saint William' (Flocknote) platform keeps parishioners connected via email and messaging.
- Parish registration via saintwilliam.org
- Volunteer opportunities in faith formation, youth, outreach, and liturgy
- Diocese of Venice Safe Environment Training required for volunteers
- My Saint William / Flocknote for parish communication
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Dominick O'Dwyer1973–1982
Founding pastor; named to the newly erected parish on October 2, 1973. Served nine years; by his departure the parish had grown from 616 to ~1,800 families.
- Rev. Neil Flemming1982–c. 1992
Succeeded Father O'Dwyer; oversaw continued growth of the parish through the 1980s.
- Rev. John Rourkec. 1992–1995
Third pastor of Saint William; transitioned leadership to Father Stearns in 1995.
- Rev. Joseph Stearns1995–2008
Thirteen-year pastorate; during his tenure the parish grew to 3,200 families.
- Rev. George Ratzmann2008–present
Current pastor; led the demolition and reconstruction of the sanctuary (dedicated Dec. 23, 2012), construction of the Blessed Mother/Parish Life Center (dedicated 2022), and addition of the Adoration Chapel (2023).