About Santa Barbara · Hialeah, Florida
Santa Barbara Catholic Parish is a Hispanic Catholic community in west Hialeah, Florida, established in 1987 by Archbishop Edward McCarthy of Miami and currently under the pastoral care of Fr. Fernando Orejuela. The parish's life is centered on daily Mass celebrated in Spanish, robust sacramental and faith formation programs, and a devotion to its patron, St. Barbara. From its humble beginnings in a rented warehouse, Santa Barbara has grown into a vibrant parish serving Hialeah Gardens and surrounding neighborhoods within the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Established
- 1987
- Patron
- Saint Barbara
- Rector
- Fr. Fernando Orejuela, AIC
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
Santa Barbara is a warm, Spanish-speaking Catholic community where daily Mass, sacramental preparation, and devotional life are central. The parish offers faith formation for children and adults, liturgical and catechetical ministries, the Knights of Columbus, the Charismatic Renewal, the Cursillo movement, and outreach to neighbors in Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens. With its dedicated pastor, deeply rooted Hispanic devotional traditions, and welcoming spirit, Santa Barbara is a faithful place for Catholics seeking worship, formation, and service.
Mass times at Santa Barbara
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday of each month
Parish History
Santa Barbara Catholic Church was created on June 17, 1987 by Archbishop Edward McCarthy of Miami to serve west Hialeah and the new City of Hialeah Gardens. Archbishop McCarthy entrusted the parish to Father Rafael Pedroso, who with the original community rented a warehouse and converted it into a house of worship, blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Agustín Román on November 25, 1987. After 190 attended Masses on the First Sunday of Advent, the parish grew rapidly, and within a year 420 parishioners were active in liturgical and catechetical ministries.
- Founded June 17, 1987
- Archbishop Edward McCarthy, founder
- Bishop Agustín Román, blessed the original warehouse chapel (Nov 25, 1987)
- Archbishop John Favalora, dedicated the new facility (Dec 4, 2000)
- Father Rafael Pedroso, founding pastor (1987–2001)
A New Home — 2000
By late 2000, hard work and careful planning had produced a welcoming and functional new facility with a beautiful plaza. Archbishop John Favalora dedicated the new church on December 4, 2000 — the feast day of the parish's patron, Saint Barbara.
A Growing Community
As the parish grew in its early years, the Cursillo, Charismatic Renewal, and other spiritual ministries were active alongside liturgical and catechetical work. The Knights of Columbus, the Community of the Ark of the Covenant, and an annual festival became hallmarks of parish life.
- Cursillo movement
- Charismatic Renewal
- Knights of Columbus
- Community of the Ark of the Covenant
- Annual parish festival
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all of the seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist. RCIA and ongoing Faith Formation programs are offered for children and adults. The website links parishioners and visitors directly to information about Baptism, Communion, and other sacraments.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (Holy Matrimony)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- RCIA
- Faith Formation / Children's Catechesis
Devotions & Other Services
Beyond Mass and confession, the parish keeps traditional Catholic devotions close to daily life. The Holy Rosary is prayed each day before the morning Mass, and Stations of the Cross are prayed during Lent on Fridays at 7:30 PM.
- Holy Rosary: Daily before morning Mass
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays during Lent at 7:30 PM
Parish Ministries & Community Life
Santa Barbara's ministries reach across the parish family. Long-standing groups include the Knights of Columbus, the Charismatic Renewal, the Cursillo movement, and the Community of the Ark of the Covenant, alongside liturgical and catechetical ministries that involve dozens of lay volunteers. A young adults group and an annual parish festival are also part of community life.
- Liturgical ministries
- Catechetical ministries
- Cursillo movement
- Charismatic Renewal
- Knights of Columbus
- Community of the Ark of the Covenant
- Young adults group
- Annual parish festival
Clergy & Staff
Santa Barbara Catholic Parish is currently under the pastoral care of Fr. Fernando Orejuela, AIC. The parish belongs to the Northwest Dade Deanery of the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Pastor: Fr. Fernando Orejuela, AIC
Support the Parish
The parish notes that generous contributions sustain its ministries, maintain its facilities, and serve those in need in the community. An online giving option was listed by the parish as coming soon.
- Support parish ministries, facilities, and outreach
- Online giving coming soon
Visit Santa Barbara
Parishioners and visitors can find Santa Barbara Catholic Parish at 6801 W 30th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33018. The parish office phone is (305) 556-4442, with the office open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 5:00 PM; the office is closed on weekends.
- Address: 6801 W 30th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33018
- Phone: (305) 556-4442
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00–5:00 PM (closed weekends)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Rafael Pedroso1987–2001
Founding pastor; shepherded the parish from its creation by Archbishop Edward McCarthy through the construction and dedication of the new facility on December 4, 2000. Retired in 2001.