About St. John Neumann · Miami, Florida
St. John Neumann Catholic Parish is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in the Kendall neighborhood of Miami, Florida, belonging to the South Dade Deanery of the Archdiocese of Miami. Founded on June 25, 1980, the parish is currently led by Fr. José N. Alfaro and serves roughly 2,800 weekly attendees across six weekend Masses (five English and one Spanish) and two daily weekday Masses. The community pairs a robust Catholic school (PreK3–8) with an extensive CCD program serving more than 530 families, and pursues the pastoral vision of 'Overcrowding Heaven' through evangelization, discipleship, formation, and outreach to migrants, refugees, and the homeless.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- St. John Neumann
- Rector
- Fr. José N. Alfaro
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami (South Dade Deanery)
Why belong here
St. John Neumann is a parish that explicitly builds its life around four commitments: Evangelize, Offer Community, Make Disciples, and Serve. With six weekend Masses (including a Spanish Mass), a 24/7 Perpetual Adoration Chapel, a thriving PreK3–8 Catholic school, a CCD program reaching over 530 families, and outreach to migrant workers, refugees, couples struggling with infertility, those affected by abortion, the unemployed, the bereaved, and the homeless (200+ meals/month to Miami Rescue Mission), it offers something for every stage of family life under one roof.
Mass times at St. John Neumann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24/7) — Become an Adorer sign-ups available
About St. John Neumann Catholic Parish
St. John Neumann is a Roman Catholic parish in the Kendall area of Miami, in the South Dade Deanery of the Archdiocese of Miami. Founded June 25, 1980, the parish today averages roughly 2,800 weekly attendees across six Sunday/Saturday Masses (five English, one Spanish) and two weekday Masses, and grounds its life in four movements: Evangelize, Offer Community, Make Disciples, and Serve. The parish's stated vision is to 'Overcrowd Heaven' by bringing the love of Jesus to all.
- Founded June 25, 1980
- 12125 SW 107th Avenue, Miami, FL 33176
- Part of the Archdiocese of Miami (South Dade Deanery)
- Vision: Overcrowd Heaven
- Four pillars: Evangelize, Offer Community, Make Disciples, Serve
Patron — St. John Neumann
The parish takes its name from St. John Neumann (1811–1860), a 19th-century missionary, bishop, and educator. Born in Europe, he came to the United States to minister to immigrants and eventually became the Bishop of Philadelphia, where he expanded parish life and established one of the first Catholic school systems in the country. He is remembered for his humility, tireless pastoral care, and deep Eucharistic devotion — fitting inspiration for a parish whose ministries and school are central to its identity.
- Bishop of Philadelphia
- Founded one of the first Catholic school systems in the U.S.
- Modeled missionary service to immigrants
- Patron of Catholic education
Parish History & Architecture
St. John Neumann was canonically founded June 25, 1980. Its first liturgy took place at Killian High School, with Saturday vigil Masses hosted at Concordia Lutheran Church until parish facilities were ready. Ground was broken on a worship building in 1981; that initial structure served the parish from 1982 until 1996, when the current permanent church was dedicated. The present sanctuary, whose design was led by the parish's second pastor, Fr. David Russell, has been recognized internationally and was designed so that 'every inch of our space draws us closer to our heritage' and 'deeper into the heart of God.'
- Founded June 25, 1980
- First liturgy at Killian High School; vigil Masses at Concordia Lutheran
- First church served 1982–1996
- Permanent church dedicated 1996
- Award-winning sanctuary design led by Fr. David Russell
Clergy & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Fr. José N. Alfaro (Pastor), who in 2023 marked his 20th anniversary of priesthood. He is assisted by two parochial vicars, Fr. Nicholas Toledo and Fr. Carlos Luzardo, four deacons, and a seminarian from the 2025–2026 formation year. The pastoral team also includes a Director of Formation & Mission (John Fernandez), a Director of Operations (Bernie Torra), an Accountant, two Coordinators of Religious Education, a CCD Administrative Assistant, a Music Director, a Communications Coordinator, secretarial staff, and maintenance personnel — many roles are bilingual English/Spanish.
- Fr. José N. Alfaro — Pastor
- Fr. Nicholas Toledo — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Carlos Luzardo — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Jorge Escobar, Deacon Felipe Gomez, Deacon José Naranjo, Deacon Louis Phang Sang
- Andres Papa — SJN Seminarian 25'-26'
- John Fernandez — Director of Formation & Mission
- Bernie Torra — Director of Operations
- Justin Yglesias — Music Director
- Damis Gonzalez & Alex Sardiñas — Coordinators of Religious Education
- Alexa Yglesias — Communications Coordinator
Pastor History
Although only one predecessor is publicly named, the parish identifies Fr. David Russell as its second pastor (appointed May 1985, retired October 2002). Russell arrived from the faculty of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, and before that had served as pastor of St. Louis in Pinecrest and as founding administrator of St. Maurice Parish in Dania Beach. He also chaired the Archdiocesan Art and Architecture Committee and led the design of the parish's current sanctuary.
- Fr. David Russell — second pastor, May 1985 – October 2002
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation at St. John Neumann follows the standard Archdiocese of Miami pathways. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are two-year programs normally beginning in 1st grade; Confirmation is a two-year program normally beginning in 8th grade. The Office of Religious Education coordinates CCD classes, with most CCD classes now offered on Sundays so families can attend Mass together either before or after class. In 2023 the parish celebrated 119 Baptisms, 114 First Reconciliations/Communions, 121 Confirmations, and 16 Marriages.
- Baptism preparation
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion (2-year program, normally begins 1st grade)
- Confirmation (2-year program, normally begins 8th grade)
- Marriage preparation (16 weddings in 2023)
- Family Mass attendance expected for all CCD families
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's Office of Religious Education ('We are here to proclaim Jesus Christ as our Savior') serves children from PreK4 through Confirmation age. Most CCD classes were moved to Sundays so parents and students can attend Mass together. Two Coordinators of Religious Education and a CCD Administrative Assistant staff the program, and in 2023 it partnered with 530 families.
- PreK4 through Confirmation
- Most CCD classes on Sundays
- Children's Liturgy of the Word offered at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Masses
- Nursery service available
- 530 families served (2023)
St. John Neumann Preparatory School
Established in 1981, the parish's school (Saint John Neumann Preparatory School) is a state-of-the-art Catholic school offering Pre-Kindergarten 3 through eighth grade. It features a sophisticated computer lab and an extensive library, plus a strong athletic program. In 2023 it served 352 students across 227 families; students and parents together contributed more than 9,900 service hours to the broader community.
- Founded 1981
- Pre-K 3 through 8th grade
- Computer lab, library, and athletic program
- 352 students / 227 families (2023)
- 9,900+ community service hours (2023)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
The parish organizes its ministries under four headings — Discipleship, Service, Evangelization, and Liturgical — and invites newcomers to 'Get Connected' by emailing a ministry lead directly from the parish website. Outreach ministries include collecting and distributing goods to migrant workers and refugees, supporting couples struggling with infertility, post-abortion healing support, and ministries for those who have lost their jobs or lost loved ones. The parish operates a Book Store and its homeless ministry provides more than 200 meals per month to the Miami Rescue Mission.
- Discipleship, Service, Evangelization, Liturgical ministry tracks
- Migrant worker & refugee assistance
- Infertility support / post-abortion healing / bereavement / job-loss ministries
- Parish Book Store
- Homeless ministry (200+ meals/month to Miami Rescue Mission)
- ABCD campaign
- Youth group, 'Mass and Mimosas,' Eucharistic Procession
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David RussellMay 1985 – October 2002
Second pastor of St. John Neumann; previously founding administrator of St. Maurice Parish (Dania Beach, 1970) and pastor of St. Louis, Pinecrest (1974); faculty at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; member and chair of the Archdiocesan Art and Architecture Committee; led design of the current award-winning church.