St. Benedict

About St. Benedict Catholic Church

St. Benedict Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish in Crystal River, Florida, part of the Citrus Deanery of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Often called the 'father church' of West Citrus County, the parish serves Catholics along Florida's Nature Coast with daily and weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, First Friday adoration, RCIA, and a robust outreach through Daystar Life Center. The pastor is Rev. Ryszard Stradomski (Fr. Richard), assisted by Deacon Frederick Oberst.

• Parish established: 1953 (Diocese of Saint Petersburg records)
• Catholic presence in Crystal River since 1903
• Roman-Latin Rite
• Citrus Deanery, Diocese of Saint Petersburg

Parish History

The first Mass in Crystal River was offered on March 11, 1903, by Father Benedict Roth, O.S.B., a Benedictine missionary from Saint Leo Abbey. He celebrated at the home of George Stratner, reachable only by boat, then later in a downtown store owned by the Allan family; by 1904 he had 26 Catholics on his list. The formal parish was organized in 1953. As the congregation grew, the original 'chapel on the hill' was sold in 1975 and the parish relocated three miles south to its current South Suncoast Boulevard site. The hall-chapel-parish house complex was dedicated December 28, 1981 by Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin, and the present church was dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin, the diocese's second bishop.

• 1903 — First Mass in Crystal River, offered by Fr. Benedict Roth, O.S.B.
• 1904 — 26 Catholics counted in Crystal River
• 1953 — Parish formally founded
• 1975 — Original chapel sold; parish relocates
• 1981 — Hall/chapel/parish house dedicated by Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin
• Present church dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin

Clergy and Staff

St. Benedict is served by a pastor and deacon along with a small parish staff handling administration, music, sacristy work, maintenance and bulletin publication.

• Rev. Ryszard Stradomski — Pastor (known as Fr. Richard)
• Deacon Frederick Oberst
• Marcin Malewski — Music Director
• Noreen Brown — Parish Administrator ([email protected])
• Elizabeth Suasnavar — Receptionist / Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
• Leo Nolan — Sacristan
• George Dluhy — RCIA
• Tony Moser — Maintenance
• Marie West — Maintenance

Sacraments

Parishioners preparing for the sacraments are asked to begin preparation well in advance. Parents expecting a child should contact the office about Baptism before the baby is born. Couples seeking Marriage must be registered and supporting members for at least six months and should not set a date until they have consulted a priest. Those needing the Sacrament of the Sick may request a priest to come to their home or be anointed after Mass before a hospital stay.

• Baptism — contact office for instruction, ideally before the child's birth
• Marriage — six months of registered, supporting membership required; priest consultation before setting a date
• Anointing of the Sick — available after Mass or by home visit

Faith Formation and RCIA

Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation sacraments are welcomed into the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program, coordinated by George Dluhy. The parish also hosts a Cenacle prayer group that meets in the social hall, reading from 'the book of heaven' — a small-group devotion members attend with their own tablets or phones.

• RCIA — contact George Dluhy via the parish office
• Cenacle prayer group — meets in the social hall; contact Terry Plante at (352) 613-3652

Music and Liturgy

Liturgical music at St. Benedict is directed by Music Director Marcin Malewski, who leads the parish choir in supporting the Mass schedule and seasonal celebrations.

• Music Director: Marcin Malewski
• Parish choir supports daily, Vigil and Sunday liturgies

Daystar Life Center — Parish Outreach

Daystar Life Center is a major outreach ministry of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Crystal River, founded in 1983 by Father James Hoge and members of St. Benedict Parish. It is an ecumenical, federally recognized charity that provides immediate assistance for the basic needs of the poor, homeless and struggling families with children in Citrus County. Daystar operates a Food Pantry, Thrift Store ('Helping Hands Boutique') and Social Services Office on West Gulf to Lake Highway. Each Friday it hosts 'Showered and Empowered,' offering showers, hot meals, clean clothing, case management, financial help and resources for employment and housing. In 2024 Daystar was named Citrus County's Nonprofit of the Year. Its work is supported by St. Benedict as the host church along with St. Scholastica (Lecanto), Our Lady of Grace (Beverly Hills), and other local parishes and organizations.

• Founded 1983 by Father James Hoge and St. Benedict parishioners
• Location: 6751 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
• Phone: (352) 795-8668
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–2pm (closed federal holidays and Thanksgiving week)
• Services: food pantry, clothing, financial help (rent, mortgage, utilities), case management, referrals
• 'Showered and Empowered' weekly Friday outreach for the unhoused
• Helping Hands Boutique thrift store funds the food pantry
• Partners include Citrus County Fire & Rescue, Career Source, local dental clinics, Veteran Services, NAMI
• Named Citrus County 2024 Nonprofit of the Year

Becoming a New Parishioner

Newcomers are warmly welcomed. Welcome envelopes are available in the pews; once completed, the parish office mails registration forms so that new families can be formally enrolled in the parish family of St. Benedict.

• Welcome envelopes found in the pews
• Office mails registration forms in response

Parish Mission Statement

As published in the parish bulletin: 'We, the parish family of St. Benedict, are called through our Baptism to share the mission of Jesus. Enabled by the Holy Spirit, we strive to proclaim Christ's good news by living His message of love, peace and hope. We welcome everyone to our parish community and encourage all to reach out to one another in faith, prayer and service.'

Contact and Practical Information

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, email or in person. The church sits along South Suncoast Boulevard (US-19) in Crystal River, Citrus County.

• Address: 455 S. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429
• Phone: (352) 795-4479
• Fax: (352) 795-3108
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://stbenedictcrystalriver.org/
• County: Citrus
• Deanery: Citrus