About St. Clare · North Palm Beach, Florida
St. Clare Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in North Palm Beach, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach. It was the first Christian church established in northern Palm Beach County, dedicated in 1969 after growing from a 1958 mission of St. Francis of Assisi in Riviera Beach. The parish is home to St. Clare Catholic School, an active Adoration Chapel, and a stewardship-based community of faith that has served the northern Palm Beaches for more than six decades.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- St. Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas (Nick) Zrallack
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Clare is a self-described stewardship parish whose identity is rooted in its long history as the first Catholic presence in northern Palm Beach County, a strong parish school (St. Clare Catholic School), and a daily rhythm of worship — including a Perpetual-style Adoration Chapel open Monday through Friday. Active parishioners can join liturgical ministries (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Altar Servers, Multimedia), formation programs (OCIA/RCIA, CCD, Scripture study), outreach (St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life), the Santa Maria Council 4999 of the Knights of Columbus, the Women of St. Clare (CCW), the Ladies Auxiliary, and a youth ministry built around small discipleship groups. It is a fitting spiritual home for families, young adults, and longtime residents who value a tight-knit, school-centered parish on the Palm Beach Gardens/North Palm Beach border.
Mass times at St. Clare
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM
- First Fridays of the month before the 8:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 5:00 PM during Lent) in the Adoration Chapel
History of St. Clare Parish
St. Clare's history is one of missionary origins, rapid growth, and a deep-rooted identity as the first Catholic parish in northern Palm Beach County. The 1960 founding in a private home, the Food Fair storefront church, the building of St. Clare Catholic School, the 1969 dedication of the present church, the 1970 parish split that created St. Paul of the Cross and St. Ignatius of Loyola, and the long pastorate of Father William D. O'Shea together form the backbone of the parish story. The arrival of Father Nicholas Zrallack in 2023 and his installation on the feast of St. Clare in 2024 mark the parish's latest chapter.
- 1958: Mission of St. Francis of Assisi, Riviera Beach
- April 21, 1960: Established as a parish by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll
- 1960–1961: First Masses at the Lucas residence, 580 Anchorage Drive
- 1961: Permanent pastor Rev. John W. Schlinkmann appointed; 5.5 acres purchased
- 1963: School building dedicated Dec. 22 by Bishop Carroll
- 1964: St. Clare Catholic School opens (170 students; tuition $20/month)
- 1968–1969: 1,000-seat church constructed
- Aug. 18, 1969: First Mass in present church
- Sept. 13, 1969: Church dedicated by Archbishop Carroll — first Christian church in northern Palm Beach County
- Aug. 1970: Parish split; St. Paul of the Cross and St. Ignatius of Loyola created
- 1977: Parish Hall built under Fr. Neil Fleming
- 1983: Fr. William D. O'Shea appointed pastor
- 2004–05: Hurricanes Frances & Jeanne damage campus; community split across three sites
- 2023: Fr. Nicholas Zrallack appointed Parish Administrator
- Aug. 11, 2024: Fr. Zrallack installed as pastor on the feast of St. Clare of Assisi
- Jan. 29, 2026: Fr. O'Shea passes away after 40 years of pastoral leadership
Pastorate of Father William D. O'Shea (1983–2023)
Father William D. O'Shea's 40-year pastorate is the longest in parish history. Arriving in 1983 from assignments at St. Patrick, St. Mark, and Holy Rosary in Miami, he presided over a period of sustained growth, parish-school expansion, and crisis response — most notably the displacement and recovery following Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 and 2005, when the community was divided across three campuses before returning to the St. Clare campus for May 2005 graduation. Father O'Shea was remembered by the parish as a devoted pastor who served generations of families; he passed away on January 29, 2026.
- Kindergarten added (1985)
- New school library completed (1986)
- Silver Jubilee of priesthood (1987)
- Hurricane Frances & Jeanne response (2004–05)
- Three-campus displacement and return (2005)
Parish School — St. Clare Catholic School
St. Clare Catholic School opened in September 1964 with 170 students and has been a cornerstone of parish identity ever since. Originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, today the school is led by Principal Rachel Polak (a St. Clare alumna and parent of four St. Clare alumni) and Assistant Principal Patrick Hansen. The school partners closely with the parish and pastor in faith formation, academic excellence, and community life.
- Opened September 1964 (170 students; $20/month tuition)
- Originally staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine
- Florida Catholic Conference accreditation, May 1979
- Library added 1978, replaced 1986
- On-site computer lab established 1989
- Hurricane recovery and campus consolidation, 2004–2005
- Principal: Rachel Polak
- Assistant Principal: Patrick Hansen
Liturgical & Prayer Ministries
The parish's liturgical life is supported by a wide range of lay ministries. From Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to Ushers, Altar Servers, the Multimedia Ministry, and the Rosary Prayer Ministry, parishioners of all ages can serve. St. Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of television, and the parish has built a Multimedia Ministry around that legacy, training members to run liturgy slides and assist at special services such as Stations of the Cross and parish missions.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- Altar Servers
- Multimedia Ministry (liturgy slides; Stations of the Cross; missions)
- Rosary Prayer Ministry
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Engaged and Marriage Encounter
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Clare is directed by Bibi (Bebe) Mendoza, Director of Religious Education, who oversees the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, CCD religious education, youth ministry, and sacramental preparation. OCIA meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from October through the Easter Vigil. Youth Ministry gathers in small discipleship groups (Belong, Believe, Become) on Sundays after the 5:30 PM Mass.
- OCIA / RCIA — Wednesdays 7:00 PM, Media Center (Oct–Easter)
- CCD (Religious Education)
- Scripture Study
- Youth Ministry — Sundays after 5:30 PM, Parish Hall
- Confirmation preparation
- Director of Religious Education: Bibi (Bebe) Mendoza, [email protected]
Parish Organizations & Outreach
St. Clare is a stewardship parish, and its community life is shaped by a network of lay organizations. The Santa Maria Council 4999 of the Knights of Columbus (founded 1960, now 430+ members) operates a council hall on Prosperity Farms Road and runs Monday and Friday bingo nights that fund charity. The Ladies Auxiliary supports the Council through charitable work and meets monthly. The Women of St. Clare (CCW), St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Respect Life ministry round out the parish's outreach profile.
- Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council No. 4999 (11499 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens)
- K of C 4th Degree Father Andrew Doherty Assembly 0155
- Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus (2nd Wednesday, Sept.–May, 7:30 PM)
- Women of St. Clare (CCW)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (food, rent, utility assistance)
- Respect Life ministry
- Cub Scouts
Sacraments
St. Clare prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments through the parish office, the school, and its religious education programs. Infant Baptism and adult initiation are coordinated through OCIA; First Eucharist and Confirmation are prepared via the school and CCD programs; couples preparing for Matrimony participate in Engaged or Marriage Encounter; the Anointing of the Sick is available on request; Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and on First Fridays.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Holy Eucharist
- Matrimony (Engaged / Marriage Encounter)
- Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM; First Fridays)
- Anointing of the Sick
Facilities & Campus
The St. Clare campus sits on roughly 20 acres of land on Prosperity Farms Road in North Palm Beach and includes the 1,000-seat church (1969), St. Clare Catholic School (1964), the Parish Hall with stage and kitchen (1977), the rectory (originally a 1968 convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph), the Adoration Chapel, a school library, and six acres of athletic fields developed in the late 1970s. The Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council 4999 maintains its own council hall at 11499 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, adjacent to the parish footprint.
- 1,000-seat church (dedicated 1969)
- Parish Hall (1977) with stage and kitchen
- St. Clare Catholic School (1964)
- Adoration Chapel
- Rectory (former 1968 convent)
- School library and computer lab
- 6 acres of athletic fields
- Knights of Columbus Council Hall (11499 Prosperity Farms Rd.)
Visiting & Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at all liturgies and are encouraged to introduce themselves to the parish office. The parish offers a wide range of ways to get involved — from liturgical ministries and OCIA teams to outreach (St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life), parish organizations (Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Women of St. Clare), and youth and family ministries. New adorers can register for Chapel Access through the parish office and sign up for a weekly holy hour on AdorationPro.
- Office: 821 Prosperity Farms Rd., North Palm Beach, FL 33408
- Phone: (561) 622-7477
- Email: [email protected]
- DRE email: [email protected]
- Website: stclarechurch.net
- K of C Council Hall: 11499 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Joseph McLaughlin1960–1962
First pastor. Celebrated the first parish Masses at the Lucas residence, 580 Anchorage Drive (1960–1961).
- Reverend John William Schlinkmann1962–1972
Appointed permanent pastor August 3, 1961. Oversaw land purchases, built the school (dedicated 1963), opened St. Clare Catholic School (1964), and built/dedicated the present 1,000-capacity church in 1969. Reassigned April 13, 1972.
- Reverend Neil Fleming1972–1981
Third pastor. Built the current Parish Hall in 1977; oversaw school library (1978) and Florida Catholic Conference accreditation (1979).
- Reverend Ronald Brohamer1982–1983
Succeeded Father Fleming briefly before Father O'Shea's appointment.
- Reverend William D. O'Shea1983–2023
Fifth and longest-serving pastor (40 years). Arrived from assignments at St. Patrick, St. Mark, and Holy Rosary in Miami. Led the parish through major growth, the 2005 hurricanes, and its Golden Jubilee. Celebrated 25 years of priesthood in 1987. Died January 29, 2026.
- Reverend Nicholas (Nick) Zrallack2023–present
Appointed Parish Administrator July 2023; installed as pastor by Bishop Barbarito on August 11, 2024 (feast of St. Clare of Assisi). Ordained May 2, 2020; previously parochial vicar at St. Helen, Vero Beach.
- Deacon Albert WesleyLong-tenured (25 years in the diaconate celebrated June 11, 2008)
Parish deacon who served across multiple pastorates.
- Reverend John Paszko
Associate Pastor under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Joseph Angelini
Associate Pastor under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Peter Van Nguyen
Associate Pastor under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Thomas Cauley
Associate Pastor and later Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Michael Allison
Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Kevin MacGabhann
Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Thomas O'Flanagas
Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend John Pasquini
Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea.
- Reverend Giuseppe Savaia
Parochial Vicar under Father O'Shea (Golden Jubilee era).
- Reverend Marvin Borda2023–present
Assisting Priest under Father Zrallack.
- Reverend James O'Donoghue1960s
Clergy during the Schlinkmann era.
- Reverend James Petersma1960s
Clergy during the Schlinkmann era.
- Reverend Robert Palmer1960s
Clergy during the Schlinkmann era.
- Reverend Louis Coty
Clergy during parish history.
- Reverend Bradley
Clergy during parish history.
- Reverend Georges Beauregard
Clergy during parish history.
- Reverend Bonaventure Gonella
Clergy during parish history.
- Reverend Michael Tabit
Clergy during parish history.
- Reverend Clem Limberger
Clergy during parish history.