About St. Agatha · Miami, Florida
St. Agatha Catholic Parish is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish located in West Miami-Dade County, Florida, at 1111 SW 107th Avenue, Miami, FL 33174. Founded on June 4, 1971, and named for the Sicilian martyr St. Agatha, patron saint of nurses, firemen, and those suffering from breast cancer, the parish serves more than 4,200 registered families in a culturally diverse community that mirrors the surrounding South Florida area. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Miami (West Dade Deanery) and offers daily Masses in Spanish, weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a K-8 parish school, a Religious Education program, and a robust network of nearly fifty ministries including campus ministry at neighboring Florida International University.
- Established
- 1971
- Patron
- St. Agatha of Sicily (3rd-century Sicilian martyr; patron of nurses, firemen, and those suffering from breast cancer)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Marcos A. Somarriba, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami (West Dade Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Agatha is one of West Miami-Dade's most vibrant bilingual parishes, where English- and Spanish-speaking families worship side by side. A family can attend daily Mass in Spanish or join a weekend Mass in either language, send children to a fully accredited parish school (PK2–8) or the Religious Education/CCD program, take part in nearly fifty ministries ranging from the St. Vincent de Paul Society to small base communities in parishioners' homes, and reach out through the long-running FIU campus ministry and missions to Haiti. With more than 4,200 registered families and a Stewardship Program that keeps everything from the music ministry to the Good Samaritan outreach alive, there is a real place for everyone here.
Mass times at St. Agatha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Bilingual, in the Church)
Parish History
St. Agatha Catholic Parish was founded June 4, 1971, by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll and first worshipped at the auditorium of Miami Coral Park Senior High School. A multi-purpose building was dedicated May 6, 1978, by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy. The current church was solemnly dedicated on February 5, 2000, by Archbishop John C. Favalora, on a day the Mayor of Miami-Dade County proclaimed 'St. Agatha Catholic Church Day.' The parish rejoiced in 2004 when its fourth pastor, Fr. Felipe J. Estévez, was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, and again in 2011 when he was named Bishop of St. Augustine.
- Founded June 4, 1971
- First Masses: July 11, 1971, at Miami Coral Park Senior High School auditorium
- Multi-purpose building dedicated May 6, 1978
- Current church dedicated February 5, 2000
- Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in Tamiami Park within parish boundaries
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
Under the direction of the pastor, Very Rev. Marcos A. Somarriba, V.F., the parish is served by two parochial vicars, a retired priest in residence, and three permanent deacons, supported by a small parish-office staff.
- Rev. Luis Pavon — Vicar
- Rev. Juan De Dios Garcia Cortez — Vicar
- Rev. Father Raul Soutuyo — Retired (in residence)
- Rev. Mr. Ernesto Del Riego — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Hector Norat — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Santos Feliciano — Permanent Deacon
- Mrs. Lily Rodriguez-Vega — Business & HR Manager (Ext. 1515)
- Mrs. Pauline Richardson — Sacrament Coordinator (Ext. 1518)
- Ms. Doris Martinez — Accounting Clerk (Ext. 1514)
St. Agatha Catholic School
St. Agatha Catholic School, established in 1983 and located at 1125 SW 107th Avenue, is a fully accredited, Christ-centered Archdiocese of Miami school serving students from PK2 through 8th grade. It also offers two programs for students with special needs and has been an Archdiocesan model for exceptional student education for over twenty years. The school enrolls more than 682 students; fifty percent of its educators hold advanced degrees. Principal Mrs. Patricia S. Hernandez works closely with Fr. Marcos A. Somarriba, V.F.
- Established 1983, opened August 1984 with two kindergarten classes in the parish hall
- Groundbreaking March 1985 with Auxiliary Bishop Agustin A. Roman
- PK2 through 8th grade
- Two programs for students with special needs
- Morning care, afterschool care, enrichment, team sports, and clubs (e.g., St. Paul Campus Ministry, St. Agatha Media & News Network, Choir, Art Club)
- Dual-enrollment program with the Archdiocese of Miami for qualifying middle-school students
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Beyond the parish school, St. Agatha offers a robust Religious Education (CCD) program serving more than 800 children and 62 adults, preparing them for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation and forming them in the Catholic faith.
- Religious Education / CCD for children
- Adult faith formation (62+ adults)
- Bible Study groups
- Ecclesiastical Base Communities (Small Christian Communities meeting in homes)
Liturgy & Music
The Liturgy Commission coordinates the various liturgical ministries that make the parish's bilingual worship life possible, from the choirs to the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
- Music Ministry – choirs for Sunday and feast-day Masses
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Bilingual liturgical celebrations
Family, Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Agatha is home to ministries that walk with couples, youth, and young adults at every stage of life. The Families of Faith and family-focused ministries support marriage preparation, ongoing enrichment, and assistance for couples in difficulty. Vessels of Christ gathers young adults ages 18–35 around Scripture, song, and guest speakers.
- Couples Helping Couples (confidential support for marriages in difficulty)
- Annulment Ministry (assistance through the process)
- Vessels of Christ — young-adult group (ages 18–35)
- Bereavement Ministry (visiting parishioners who have lost a loved one)
Outreach & Charity
Service to those in need is central to the parish's identity. From its very first years, St. Agatha has organized to help the poor locally and abroad through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Mission in Haiti (collecting food and clothing), the Good Samaritan program, and Hope for the Homeless.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Mission in Haiti — food and clothing collections
- Good Samaritan program
- Hope for the Homeless (H4H Miami)
- Bereavement visits
FIU Catholic Campus Ministry
Located next to Florida International University, St. Agatha has long provided pastoral care to the university's students and faculty. The campus ministry seeks to form a community of faith that witnesses to the Risen Christ, with weekly gatherings, retreats, and outreach.
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: catholic_fiu
- Pastoral service rooted in the parish's decades-long commitment to FIU
Parish Organization & Stewardship
The parish is organized into 8 Commissions that coordinate 49 pastoral ministries and services, supported by 25 Small Base Communities. A successful Stewardship Program keeps the community active and engaged, with more than 4,200 registered families participating in the life of the parish.
- 8 Commissions and 49 ministries/services
- 25 Small Base Communities
- Stewardship Program
- Pastoral Council (advisory committee to the pastor)
Visit & Contact
The parish campus is centered at 1111 SW 107th Avenue, Miami, FL 33174, in the West Miami-Dade area near Florida International University and Tamiami Park. The rectory office can be reached at (305) 225-2481, and the main parish line at (305) 222-1500. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed Saturday and Sunday).
- Address: 1111 SW 107th Avenue, Miami, FL 33174
- Phone: (305) 225-2481 (rectory) / (305) 222-1500 (parish)
- Fax: (305) 222-1505
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://church.stagathaonline.org/
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William L. O'Dea1971–c. 1978 (officially named first pastor June 27, 1978)
Founded the parish and arranged first Masses at Miami Coral Park Senior High School auditorium starting July 11, 1971.
- Rev. Pedro Luis PérezJune 1978 – 1981
Second pastor; oversaw the dedication of the multi-purpose building on May 6, 1978.
- Rev. Armando Balado1981 – 1987
Third pastor; opened St. Agatha Catholic School in August 1984 with Sister Catherine Olguin, I.H.M., as principal.
- Rev. Felipe J. Estévez1987 – c. 2001
Fourth pastor; enlarged the school, built the current church (dedicated 2000), and developed FIU campus ministry. Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Miami on January 7, 2004; later became Bishop of St. Augustine in 2011.
- Rev. Rolando G. GarcíaJuly 1, 2001 – (succeeded by current pastor)
Fifth pastor.
- Very Rev. Marcos A. Somarriba, V.F.2001 – present
Sixth pastor; current Dean of the West Dade Deanery of the Archdiocese of Miami.