About St. John Neumann · Lakeland, Florida
St. John Neumann Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) parish in the Diocese of Orlando serving south Lakeland and the surrounding Mulberry area of Polk County, Florida. Established in 1988 by Bishop Thomas Grady, the parish began with 200 families and celebrated its first Mass on Thanksgiving Day 1988 at Sikes Elementary School before moving into its current church building, dedicated by Bishop Norbert Dorsey in September 1991. Today the parish is led by Fr. Juan Montoya as Parochial Administrator, supported by Deacon Edgardo Cruz and a lay staff, and offers a full sacramental life including a Faith Formation program for Pre-K through High School, a bilingual Mass schedule, and the parish devotion of weekly Holy Hour.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- St. John Neumann
- Rector
- Fr. Juan Montoya (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. John Neumann is a warm, bilingual parish where newcomers are greeted by name and where weekend worship is offered in both English and Spanish (Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM English / 5:30 PM Spanish; Sunday 8:00 AM, 9:45 AM Spanish, and 11:30 AM). Families raising children in the faith will find a Faith Formation program that serves students from Pre-K through High School, including preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and the parish gathers for a weekly Holy Hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays for Eucharistic adoration. With its stewardship call to give of time, talent and treasure, St. John Neumann offers a place for Catholics in south Lakeland and Mulberry to belong, to grow, and to serve.
Mass times at St. John Neumann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM (English)
- After daily Mass (by request)
- By appointment (English)
- Sábados 3:00–3:30 PM (Español)
- Por cita previa (Español) — llamar a la oficina de la parroquia
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 PM (Holy Hour)
- Thursdays 6:00–7:00 PM (Holy Hour)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. John Neumann Catholic Parish in Lakeland, Florida, part of the Diocese of Orlando, is a bilingual community that gathers Catholics from south Lakeland and the Mulberry area. Its published mission commits members to four pillars: COMMITTING to Christ-centered spiritual formation, education and growth through worship, prayer and the sacraments; WITNESSING to Christ's values in the community through social justice, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue; INVESTING in youth through spiritual, moral and social education; and GIVING generously of their Time, Talent and Treasure. The parish frames itself as a stewardship community and invites newcomers and visitors to register.
- Mission statement pillars: Commit, Witness, Invest, Give
- Stewardship call to give of Time, Talent and Treasure
- Bilingual community serving south Lakeland and Mulberry
- Parish registration available for newcomers and visitors
History of St. John Neumann
The parish was established on August 25, 1988 by Bishop Thomas Grady to serve Catholics in south Lakeland and Mulberry. Beginning with 200 families, the community first worshipped at Sikes Elementary School on weekends and in private homes during the week, with the very first Mass on the undeveloped property celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, 1988. The current church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Norbert Dorsey in September 1991, and an Education Center was added in August 1997. That Education Center was later dedicated on May 21, 2006 in honor of Roseann Vickers, who had served for many years as the Director of Religious Education.
- Established August 25, 1988 by Bishop Thomas Grady
- Founded with 200 charter families
- First Mass on parish property: Thanksgiving Day, 1988
- Current church dedicated September 1991 by Bishop Norbert Dorsey
- Education Center built August 1997; dedicated May 21, 2006 in honor of Roseann Vickers
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Program at St. John Neumann serves students from Pre-K through High School and prepares them for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. According to its mission statement, the program exists to help children and adults grow in knowledge of God and the Catholic Faith, prepare for and celebrate the sacraments and liturgy, and proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ — grounded in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation." Registration is open annually for the upcoming school year, and parents can text FAITH to 863-400-1442 to receive program reminders.
- Serves students from Pre-K through High School
- Sacramental prep for First Communion and Confirmation
- Program cost: $75 per student (plus $25 Confirmation retreat fee)
- Contact: Maria Centeno, Parish Catechetical Coordinator — 863-647-3400 Ext. 23, [email protected]
- Text FAITH to 863-400-1442 for reminders
Faith Formation Mission Statement
The Faith Formation Program's stated mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults to grow in their knowledge of God and the Catholic Faith, prepare for and celebrate the sacraments and liturgy of the Church, and proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The parish quotes the General Directory for Catechesis (#220): "Catechesis is a responsibility of the entire Christian community" — emphasizing that formation is the work of the whole community, not just catechists and priests.
- Rooted in Mark 16:15 — 'Go into all the world… preach the Gospel'
- Cites General Directory for Catechesis #220
- Emphasizes community-wide responsibility for catechesis
Sacraments
Parishioners seeking Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or Matrimony must be registered members of St. John Neumann for at least three months before celebrating the sacrament. The Baptism page emphasizes that Holy Baptism is "the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments." Infant Baptism covers any child up to age seven; families with older children are asked to contact the parish office. Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent.
- Baptism: infants through age 7; required Baptismal Preparation Class
- Baptism Prep — English: first Monday of the month at 6:00 PM in the Gathering Room
- Baptism Prep — Spanish: first Sunday of the month at 11:00 AM in the Gathering Room
- Godparent requirements: at least 16 years old, confirmed Catholic, practicing
- If two godparents, one must be Catholic (the other may be a Christian Witness)
- First Communion and Confirmation: through the Faith Formation Program
- Matrimony: requires 3 months of parish registration before scheduling
- Sick / home visitation available — contact the parish office
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Fr. Juan Montoya as Parochial Administrator, with Deacon Edgardo Cruz assisting in ministry. The lay staff handles parish operations, faith formation, music, communications, and facilities.
- Fr. Juan Montoya — Parochial Administrator
- Deacon Edgardo Cruz
- Beatriz Martinez — Parish Secretary
- Diane Casini — Bookkeeper
- Kimmy Amparo — Music & Liturgy Coordinator
- Maria Centeno — Parish Catechetical Coordinator
- Adriana Betancourt — Administrative Assistant to Faith Formation
- Andrea Melo — Media Editor
- Dorbi Gafaro — Custodian
Parish Communications & Digital Resources
St. John Neumann keeps parishioners connected through a website, a dedicated parish mobile app, online giving, weekly bulletins, social media, and a free subscription to FORMED — a Catholic Faith on Demand platform. The parish app delivers parish messages, weekly bulletins, daily readings, and easy access to online giving, and is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Official website: sjncc.org
- Parish App available on iOS and Android
- Online Giving through the parish
- Weekly bulletins available digitally
- FORMED — Catholic Faith on Demand (free for parishioners; sign up at signup.formed.org)
- Facebook: facebook.com/sjncclakeland/
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. John Neumann, with a simple online registration form available for those wishing to join the parish. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is closed on Fridays. Phone and fax lines remain open during those hours, and the contact form on the website allows visitors to send a message to the General Contact, Fr. Juan Montoya, Beatriz Martinez, Maria Centeno, or Andrea Melo.
- Address: 501 East Carter Rd., Lakeland, FL 33813
- Phone: (863) 647-3400
- Fax: (863) 647-0888
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (closed Fridays)
- Newcomer / visitor registration available online