About St. Catherine · Sebring, Florida
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic parish in Sebring, Florida, serving the faithful of Highlands County since 1920 when it was first established as a mission church. Located at 820 Hickory Street in the heart of Sebring, the parish offers weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a Friday Eucharistic Adoration hour, Saturday confessions, and a large network of ministries spanning faith formation, youth outreach, social justice, and music. St. Catherine Catholic School, founded by the parish in 2008, serves over 170 students in pre-K through eighth grade across two campuses, and the parish also operates the Holy Family Youth Center and supports the Santiago Mission and Campo San Jose Retreat Center.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena
- Rector
- Very Rev. José A. González, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena is the spiritual home of more than a century of Catholic life in Highlands County and serves a richly bilingual, multicultural community with weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a Friday Holy Hour of Adoration, and Saturday confessions. The parish is paired with St. Catherine Catholic School, the Holy Family Youth Center, and mission outposts such as Santiago Mission and Campo San Jose, giving families, young people, and retirees a single hub for worship, formation, outreach, and fellowship. Its ministries span the whole parish family — OCIA/RCIA, Bible study on the Sunday Gospels, the Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, choir, lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (including those who bring Communion to the homebound), and social-justice work through St. Vincent de Paul and food-pantry volunteering.
Mass times at St. Catherine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Catherine of Siena Parish describes itself as a community called by Baptism to actively live the Catholic Faith by proclaiming the Word of God, serving God's people, and building a spirit-filled community nourished by God's Word and Sacraments. The parish's stated goal is to spread the Word of the Lord as widely as possible and to recognize that every parishioner has been put on earth by God for a purpose — to serve Him, love Him, and share His Word. The parish welcomes both longtime residents of Highlands County and seasonal visitors, with weekend Masses in English and Spanish, regular formation offerings, and an extensive ministry roster.
- Parish mission: 'We are called by Baptism to actively live our Catholic Faith…'
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) parish life and communications
- Year founded: 1920 (as a Mission); erected as a parish on March 2, 1924
Parish History
Catholic worship in Sebring predates the church building itself: in the 1910s, Jesuit priests rode from Sacred Heart in Tampa to say Mass in local homes, and the very first Mass was offered by Father Charles Lashley in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Varena. Mass was also celebrated at Kenilworth Lodge (built 1916–17) and in other family homes. In 1920 the Mission of St. Catherine of Siena was established in the (then all-Florida) Diocese of St. Augustine, with town founder George Sebring donating the lot. The first church was completed on the south side of Hickory Street in 1923–24, and the parish was formally erected on March 2, 1924 with Father Patrick O'Brien as its first resident pastor.
- First Mass: in the Varena home, by Father Charles Lashley
- Mission established: 1920
- Original church built on Hickory Street, completed late 1923/early 1924
- Parish erected: March 2, 1924
- Centennial Mass with Bishop Frank J. Dewane: March 2, 2024
Buildings & Campus
The parish campus at 820 Hickory Street has grown significantly since the 1970s. The present church replaced the original 1924 building and was dedicated November 19, 1978 under Father Jose Ruiz, with a renovation and expansion in the early 1980s. Adjacent facilities include the Bay Street rectory (1979), the Parish Hall (early 1980s), the Parish Office (2000), and the Holy Family Youth Center (2002), which is located on Highway 27 N across from Lakeshore Mall. The mailing address for the parish office is 882 Bay Street, Sebring, FL 33870.
- Current church: dedicated November 19, 1978
- Bay Street rectory: 1979
- Parish Hall: early 1980s
- Parish Office: 2000
- Holy Family Youth Center: 2002 (Highway 27 N across from Lakeshore Mall)
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Very Rev. José A. González, V.F., who has served St. Catherine since being appointed Administrator upon the death of Father Jose Ruiz in 2002, and who was named Pastor in 2005. Fr. José also serves as Director of the Campo San Jose Retreat Center and as pastor of the school. The Diocese of Venice priest directory lists him alongside other area priests serving Santiago Mission and San Jose Mission. Pastoral and parish operations are supported by a parish secretary, Director of Liturgy (Diane Sochacki), and ministry coordinators including Doroteo Rodriguez (RCIA/OCIA) and Juana Nava (Spanish-language and Hispanic ministry liaison).
- Pastor: Very Rev. José A. González, V.F.
- Email: [email protected]
- Director of Liturgy: Diane Sochacki ([email protected])
- RCIA/OCIA Coordinator: Doroteo Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Hispanic Ministry / Spanish line contact: Juana Nava ([email protected], (863) 991-0303 / office (863) 385-6762)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is described by the parish as 'a vital element of the Catholic life,' and St. Catherine offers formation opportunities for children, youth, and adults — not just for sacramental preparation. The OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, coordinated by Doroteo Rodriguez, walks inquirers and catechumens through the riches of the Catholic faith, with sessions for both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking participants. Bible Study on the Sunday Gospels meets every Tuesday at 12:30 PM in the church and uses Lectio Divina to break open the upcoming Sunday readings; no registration is required (contact Marge Rafferty at (863) 214-3312).
- OCIA / RCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — English and Spanish
- Tuesday Bible Study on the Sunday Gospels, 12:30 PM (Lectio Divina)
- Faith formation for children and youth, English and Spanish
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by a wide circle of lay volunteers. The Director of Liturgy, Diane Sochacki, oversees lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (including those who bring Communion to the homebound), the parish choirs in English and Spanish (Coro), and those who care for the altar linens. Lectors are invited to proclaim the Word of God with clear, persuasive emphasis so the faithful may hear Scripture anew at every Mass; new readers are welcome.
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (in church and to the homebound)
- Choir / Music Ministry (English and Spanish Coro)
- Altar Linens ministry
Parish Life, Outreach & Social Justice
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish sponsors ministries of service: the St. Vincent de Paul Society, food pantry volunteering, visiting the homebound, and other social-justice initiatives that flow directly from the parish's call to serve God's people. Parish life also includes the Council of Catholic Women (open to all women of the parish; meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 PM in the Holy Family Youth Center), men's groups such as the Knights of Columbus, an annual parish bazaar, and a culturally diverse calendar of fellowship events. Filipino- and Indian-language prayer groups reflect the parish's growing diversity.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Food pantry / outreach to the poor
- Council of Catholic Women
- Knights of Columbus / men's groups
- Filipino- and Indian-language prayer groups
- Annual Parish Bazaar
St. Catherine Catholic School
St. Catherine Catholic School was founded by the parish in 2008 and opened for the 2008–09 school year. The school emphasizes Catholic identity and academic excellence, serving more than 170 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade across two Sebring campuses. Its curriculum centers on STREAM — Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics — and the school offers a VPK program, after-school care, after-school tutoring, and bus transportation to sister parishes including St. Michael in Wauchula, Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, and St. James in Lake Placid (with stops at Santiago Mission and Campo San Jose). St. Catherine Catholic School is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). After-school clubs include Book Club, Art Club, Chess Club, STREAM Club, Cantor Club, and the National Junior Honor Society.
- Established 2008–09 by St. Catherine Parish
- Over 170 students, pre-K through 8th grade, two Sebring campuses
- STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math)
- Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) and NCPSA
- Principal: Steven Cullipher, M.Ed.
- Pastor: Fr. Jose Gonzalez
- Clubs: Book Club, Art Club, Chess Club, STREAM Club, Cantor Club, National Junior Honor Society
- School address: 2835 Kenilworth Blvd, Sebring, FL 33870 — phone (863) 385-7300
- Website: https://www.stcatheschool.org/
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and welcomes inquiries from registered and visiting parishioners alike. Schedules for Reconciliation (3:00–3:45 PM on Saturdays), Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony are arranged through the parish office; Anointing of the Sick and sick calls are available by contacting the rectory. Couples seeking marriage preparation are encouraged to contact the parish office well in advance. The OCIA (RCIA) process is the parish's normal path for unbaptized adults and children, as well as for baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Holy Communion (Eucharist)
- Matrimony (Marriage preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick / sick calls
- Funerals
- OCIA / RCIA for adults and children
Get Connected & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through weekly bulletins (in English and Spanish — Boletines), the parish's Flocknote email/text network (https://stcatherineofseb.flocknote.com/home), and the parish website at stcathe.org. The parish office is reachable at (863) 385-0049, with a dedicated Spanish line at (863) 385-6762. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any weekend Mass; Friday Adoration (8:30 AM–11:45 AM) is also open to the public.
- Website: https://www.stcathe.org
- Flocknote: https://stcatherineofseb.flocknote.com/home
- Weekly bulletins and Spanish Boletines online
- Parish Office: (863) 385-0049
- Spanish line: (863) 385-6762
- Address: 820 Hickory Street, Sebring, FL 33870
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick O'BrienFirst resident pastor (parish erected March 2, 1924)
First pastor; served during completion of the original church on Hickory Street.
- Father Michael ReynoldsAfter Father O'Brien
Second pastor.
- Father James Cann1937–1942
First priest many longtime parishioners recall; first to live in the new rectory built c. 1939 on the north side of Hickory Street.
- Father Charles Moore1942–1946
Lived in the Hickory Street rectory.
- Father M.J. Fogarty1946–1950
Lived in the Hickory Street rectory.
- Father Francis Dixon1950–1954
Lived in the Hickory Street rectory.
- Father Emed D. Heiring1954–1960
Moved to the old barracks house; his previous Hickory Street rectory was converted to a convent in 1955.
- Father John C. Vann1960–1965
Lived in the old barracks rectory.
- Father J. Cassidy1965–1967
Lived in the old barracks rectory.
- Father Gerald Grogan1967–1972
Lived in the old barracks rectory.
- Father Edward Schneider1972–1976
Lived in the old barracks rectory.
- Father Jose H. Ruiz1976–2002
Long-tenured pastor who oversaw the building of the new 1978 church, the 1979 Bay Street rectory, the Parish Hall in the early 1980s, a church renovation and expansion, the 2000 Parish Office, and the 2002 Holy Family Youth Center. Died in 2002.
- Father Jose A. González2002/2003–present (Pastor since 2005)
Appointed Administrator upon Father Ruiz's death in 2002, later named Pastor in 2005; previously served in the Hispanic Apostolate in Avon Park, Sebring, and Lake Placid since 1994; founded St. Catherine Catholic School in 2008.