About St. Anthony the Abbot · Brooksville, Florida
St. Anthony the Abbot is a Roman Catholic parish in Brooksville, Florida, serving the Catholics of Hernando County since 1892. It belongs to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and is pastored by Rev. Paul Pecchie, with assistance from three other priests and two deacons. The parish offers a traditional liturgical life including a weekly Latin Mass on Sundays and during Advent/Lent, daily Mass, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA for adults, outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and other ministries, and a music program. It traces its origins to a Catholic mission served from San Antonio in 1892 and to the first Catholic Mass celebrated in Brooksville by Bishop Augustine Verot on Easter Sunday 1874.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Anthony the Abbot (St. Anthony the Great, Father of Monks)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Pecchie
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg (Deanery: East Pasco-Hernando)
Why belong here
St. Anthony the Abbot offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass Monday through Saturday, three Sunday Masses (including a Latin Mass at noon), Saturday confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration — rooted in 130+ years of faith in Hernando County. Parishioners of every age are cared for: Faith Formation for grades K-12 meets in Heffernan Hall, the Chosen Crew youth group (grades 9-12) brings teens together, and OCIA welcomes adults into the Church. A deep spirit of charity runs through the parish through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, the DayStar Life Center, Respect Life, Backpack, Giving Tree, Care and Martha's Ministries, plus a Ministry to the Sick and Homebound — all of which make the parish a tangible presence in Brooksville.
Mass times at St. Anthony the Abbot
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Adoration times
- Sunday 3:30 AM – Chapel (ask front desk or pastor for code)
- First Friday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Parish Identity and History
St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, located in the East Pasco-Hernando Deanery and rooted in Catholic life in Brooksville going back to 1874. The Diocese records its founding year as 1892, when the Brooksville Catholic Mission began being served from St. Anthony parish in San Antonio by Father Roman Kirchner, O.S.B. Since then the parish has moved from a frame church on Olive Street (1908) to U.S. Highway 41 (1964) to its present home at 20428 Cortez Blvd., blessed and dedicated by Bishop Charles McLaughlin on December 27, 1970.
- 1892 — Brooksville Catholic Mission served from San Antonio by Father Roman Kirchner, O.S.B.
- 1874 — Bishop Augustine Verot celebrates the first Catholic Mass in Brooksville on Easter Sunday at the Hope residence.
- 1908 — Catholic Women's Club raises funds; the first church on Olive Street is built, paid for by A. H. Hirst in memory of his son Anthony Jr.
- 1948 — Father Ignatius McCarty, O.S.B., becomes the parish's first resident priest.
- 1964 — New provisional church, school and rectory on U.S. Highway 41 dedicated on Thanksgiving Day.
- 1970 — Present church on Cortez Blvd. blessed and dedicated by Bishop Charles McLaughlin on December 27.
- 2008 — Bishop Robert Lynch appoints Father Craig Morley; he is installed as Pastor on December 14.
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by three assisting priests, two deacons, and a lay staff handling parish office, bookkeeping, faith formation, music, facilities, and outreach. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Pecchie ([email protected])
- Assisting Priests: Rev. Mikhail Kouts, Rev. Adam Galek, Rev. Dennis Kaelin
- Deacons: Manny Carreiro and Jim Riveiro
- Parish Office: Diane Lynn (ext. 104, [email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Karen Zoretic (ext. 102, [email protected])
- Receptionists: Debi, Emily, or Ana (ext. 103)
- Bookkeeper: Karen Spaziante (ext. 105, [email protected])
- Facilities: Michael Revennaugh
- Music Ministry: Kevin MacFarland ([email protected])
Mass and Liturgical Schedule
The parish offers daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM, a Vigil Mass on Saturday at 4:00 PM, and three Sunday Masses — 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and a Latin Mass at 12:00 noon. During Advent and Lent, an additional Latin Mass is offered Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM. Holy Day Masses are at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Weekend: Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil; Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 PM (Latin)
- Daily: Monday–Saturday 8:00 AM
- Tuesday 6:30 PM Latin Mass during Advent and Lent
- Holy Days: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation is offered for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with classes held in Heffernan Hall on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM. First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation requires students to be at least 7 years old, to have completed two consecutive years of Religious Education, and to maintain 80% attendance in classes and at Mass. First Reconciliation takes place during the winter and First Holy Communion is celebrated in May. A baptismal certificate is requested for the church of baptism to be notified.
- Faith Formation K-8 — 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30 PM-7:45 PM, Heffernan Hall
- Youth Group 'Chosen Crew' for grades 9-12 ([email protected])
- First Reconciliation (winter) and First Holy Communion (May)
- Contact: Diane Lynn (352-796-2096 ext. 104, [email protected])
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete their initiation into the Church. Inquiries are handled through the parish office.
- OCIA Coordinator: Diane Lynn (352-796-2096 ext. 106, [email protected])
Music Ministry
The parish Music Ministry supports the sung liturgy of the parish and welcomes participants. It is led by Music Director Kevin MacFarland.
- Music Ministry Director: Kevin MacFarland (352-699-1481, [email protected])
Outreach and Charitable Ministries
Outreach is central to parish life at St. Anthony the Abbot, with a cluster of ministries serving neighbors in need throughout Hernando County. The parish also operates the DayStar Life Center as a community resource.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (352-797-4898, [email protected])
- DayStar Life Center (352-799-5930)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Backpack Ministry
- Giving Tree Ministry
- Care Ministry
- Martha's Ministry
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference fosters love and charity through direct service and material assistance to neighbors in need in the local community. Volunteers meet with those who come seeking help, and there is a monthly collection at all Masses on the first weekend of each month. No prior experience is required; some training is provided, and new volunteers are always welcome.
- Contact: 352-797-4898 or [email protected]
- Monthly collection at all Masses on the first weekend of each month
- Volunteers welcome; some training provided
Ministry of the Sick and Homebound
The Ministry of the Sick and Homebound brings the Eucharist and pastoral care to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass in person. Coordinated through Louise Allen.
- Coordinator: Louise Allen (352-796-2096)
Sacraments
St. Anthony the Abbot prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion through the parish's Religious Education program. Adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist are welcomed through OCIA. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation. The sick and homebound are visited by the parish ministry and may request Anointing of the Sick.
- Baptism — contact Parish Office
- First Reconciliation — winter, after two years of Religious Education
- First Holy Communion — May, after two years of Religious Education
- Confirmation (typically through Faith Formation)
- Marriage — contact Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick / Visitation of the Sick — Ministry of the Sick and Homebound
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Visit and Contact
The parish is located at 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Phone: (352) 796-2096; Fax: (352) 796-7144. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The parish can also be followed on Facebook.
- Address: 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601
- Phone: (352) 796-2096
- Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Website: https://www.theabbot.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saintanthonybrooksville
Patron — St. Anthony the Abbot
The parish is named for St. Anthony the Abbot (also known as St. Anthony the Great, St. Anthony of Egypt, or the Father of Monks), a third-century Christian monk born in Egypt around 251 and revered as the father of Christian monasticism. He retired to the Egyptian desert to live in solitude, attracted disciples, and laid the foundations of community monastic life. He died on Mount Colzim on January 17, 356. The Church celebrates his memorial on January 17, and he is traditionally invoked as patron of animals, farmers, skin-disease sufferers and the poor.
- Born c. 251 in Koma, Egypt
- Died January 17, 356 on Mount Colzim
- Feast Day: January 17
- Patronage: animals, farmers, skin diseases, the poor, basket makers, brushmakers, gravediggers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Roman Kirchner, O.S.B.1892-1901
Served the Brooksville Catholic Mission from St. Anthony parish in San Antonio.
- Priests of St. Leo Abbey1902-1943
Came regularly to Brooksville to celebrate Mass; the church on Olive Street (built 1908) served the parish.
- Father James Hoge, O.S.B.1944-1948
Priest-in-Charge; began a mission in Inverness.
- Father Ignatius McCarty, O.S.B.1948-onward
First resident priest; took up residence on South Brooksville Avenue in September 1948.
- Father Edward Martineau, O.S.B.late 1950s-1963
Resident priest during the years leading up to the move to U.S. Highway 41.
- Father Claude Brubaker1964 onward
Installed as Pastor when the church and school were still on U.S. 41 North; assistant Father George Malin.
- Father James Hoge and Father Paul Romfh, O.S.B.1966
Served St. Anthony as a team from September 1966.
- Father Lawrence Kerich1973-1979
Pastor's assistants included Father Robert Lieb, Father Raymond Heinz and Father Leo Kapphahn.
- Father David Heffernan1979 onward
With assistant Father Kapphahn; built and dedicated the Parish Hall on February 23, 1982.
- Father Anthony D'Angelo1988-1992
Administrator from January 1988; oversaw 1989 renovation/rededication of the church; reassigned to St. Joan of Arc, Spring Hill, November 10, 1992.
- Father Robert Donlan1993-2008
Named Pastor June 1, 1993; appointed Dean of the Hernando Deanery and member of the Presbyteral Council.
- Father Craig Morley2008-2014
Appointed by Bishop Robert Lynch July 1, 2008; installed December 14, 2008; first parish as a pastor; promoted use of the full name 'St. Anthony the Abbot'; began ROC & Soul Youth Mass and the 'Holy Hut' youth meetings.
- Rev. Paul Pecchie2014-present
Current pastor.