About St. Joseph Catholic Church · Winter Haven, Florida
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a multicultural Catholic parish located at 532 Avenue M NW in Winter Haven, Florida, within the Diocese of Orlando. Founded in 1914 as a mission of the Jesuits in Tampa, it serves Winter Haven and the surrounding Polk County area, celebrating Mass in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Filipino for a diverse congregation. The parish hosts St. Joseph Catholic School (founded as part of its ministry) and runs faith formation, youth ministry, a food pantry through Catholic Charities, and a rich multicultural community life. Led today by Very Rev. Glenn Lopez, the parish describes itself as a place where unity and diversity are celebrated together in faith.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Rev. Glenn Lopez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a genuinely multicultural Catholic parish where Sunday Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole and Filipino — a rare richness that lets every family worship in its heart language while sharing one community. The parish combines a century-old tradition (founded 1914) with active ministries for every age: a K-8 Catholic school, faith formation and sacramental prep for First Communion, a youth ministry, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and a food pantry through Catholic Charities. Daily Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, a Saturday Vigil, and a livestream make it easy to plug in, and a welcoming pastor and multicultural community make it feel like home.
Mass times at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 – 4:00 pm in the Church (near the Statue of Mary)
- After Daily Mass (in the chapel)
- By appointment — call 863-294-3144
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – Noon (Chapel)
Parish History
St. Joseph was founded on Thanksgiving Day 1914 when Bishop Michael J. Curley traveled down from St. Augustine to bless the original building, then a Jesuit mission out of Tampa. By 1925 the congregation had outgrown the 1914 structure and a new church was built. The parish later became the mother church for Catholic life across Polk County — St. Ann's in Haines City began as its mission chapel in 1949. Today the parish grounds include the main church, the chapel, the Family Life Center, Catholic Charities, and St. Joseph Catholic School.
- First Mass: Thanksgiving Day, 1914
- Blessed by Bishop Michael J. Curley
- Second (current-era) church built 1925
- Mother parish of St. Ann, Haines City (mission since 1949)
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Joseph offers a rich weekly schedule spanning five languages. The Saturday Vigil at 4:30 pm in English is followed by a 7:30 pm Haitian Creole Mass in the chapel. Sunday Masses are 7:30 am and 11:00 am in English, 9:00 am in Vietnamese, and 1:00 pm in Spanish. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:15 am in the chapel, and on the first Friday of each month a Filipino Mass with Rosary at 6:30 pm and Mass at 7:00 pm is followed by a community potluck in Family Life Center Room 2.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm English
- Saturday: 7:30 pm Haitian Creole (chapel)
- Sunday: 7:30 & 11:00 am English; 9:00 am Vietnamese; 1:00 pm Spanish
- Monday–Saturday: 8:15 am English (chapel)
- First Friday: 6:30 pm Rosary / 7:00 pm Filipino Mass + potluck
Parish Staff
The parish is led pastorally by Very Rev. Glenn Lopez, supported by parochial vicars and a priest in residence assigned through the Diocese of Orlando. The lay staff keeps daily operations, music, faith formation, youth ministry, maintenance and reception running smoothly.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Glenn Lopez
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Sajimon Chandy, CFIC; Rev. Pydayya Yajjala; Rev. Joseph Livera, O.Carm.
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Francois Charles
- Operations Manager: John Richards
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Jitka Cinnibulk
- Maintenance Supervisor: Steven Brown
- Catechetical Leader: Jhon Daza
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Melady Roque
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Nathan Hayes
- Bereavement: Trish Ochoa
- Receptionist: Tracey Hartpence
Multicultural Communities
St. Joseph describes itself as a multicultural community that celebrates both unity and diversity. Five language communities gather around their own Sunday or Saturday Masses and ministries while sharing one parish family.
- Spanish Community — Sunday 1:00 pm Mass
- Vietnamese Community — Sunday 9:00 am Mass
- Haitian Community — Saturday 7:30 pm Mass in the chapel; Coordinators: Philosca Dorilus & Urmene Dormeus
- Filipino Community — First Friday 7:00 pm Mass; potluck after; Coordinator: Jessie Rosal
- English-speaking community — main parish body and weekday/devotional life
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish runs ongoing religious education for children and adults, sacramental preparation, and youth ministry. First Holy Communion preparation typically begins in 2nd grade; children normally need one prior year of faith formation, or two consecutive years if they have had no prior formal formation. Registration opens in July; baptismal and birth certificates are required at registration. Adult faith formation, Bible studies, retreats and workshops support lifelong learning.
- Children's Faith Formation (Coordinator: Melady Roque)
- First Communion preparation (2nd grade and up)
- Sacramental preparation: Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Adult faith formation / Bible study / retreats
- Family-based faith formation with parental involvement
- Baptism Preparation Class (English)
St. Joseph Catholic School
Located on the parish campus, St. Joseph Catholic School (SJCS) is a diocesan K-8 Catholic school 'nurturing minds, fostering faith, and inspiring excellence.' Since 2004, 47 SJCS alumni have been valedictorians or salutatorians at local Polk County high schools. The school follows USCCB Safe Environment Training, mandates background checks, and complies fully with Florida's reporting statutes for child safety.
- Mission: a diverse community of disciples empowered through rigorous, inclusive Catholic education rooted in Gospel values and service
- Vision: academic excellence through a rigorous curriculum plus active participation in the sacramental and service life of the Church
- USCCB Safe Environment Training and criminal background clearance for all staff
- 47 alumni as valedictorians or salutatorians at Polk County high schools since 2004
Youth Ministry
St. Joseph's Youth Ministry, coordinated by Nathan Hayes, gives middle and high school teens a place to grow in faith together, serve the parish, and connect with peers across the parish's many language communities.
- Coordinator: Nathan Hayes
- Faith, fellowship, and service opportunities for teens
- Connected to parish sacramental and liturgical life
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Joseph is led by Mrs. Jitka Cinnibulk, Director of Music and Liturgy, supporting the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule across the parish's English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole and Filipino communities.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Jitka Cinnibulk
- Music ministry for the multicultural Mass schedule
- Coordinates lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and altar servers
Outreach: Catholic Charities Food Pantry
The parish hosts a Catholic Charities food pantry between the Family Life Center and the chapel at 532 Avenue M NW. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and Catholic Charities can also be reached at 863-299-7983 for financial assistance.
- Food Pantry: 532 Avenue M NW, between Family Life Center and Chapel
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Financial assistance: Catholic Charities, 863-299-7983
Parish Registration & Getting Involved
New parishioners can register through the parish website, and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish invites involvement across ministries — liturgical (altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers), faith formation, youth ministry, bereavement, music, and the multicultural communities — as well as online giving for ongoing support.
- Parish Registration: online form via stjosephwh.org
- Volunteer sign-up across ministries
- Online Giving through the parish website
Visiting & Practical Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, with the office closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 pm. Parking, accessibility and facilities information is published on the 'I'm New Here' FAQ page so first-time visitors know what to expect.
- Office: 532 Avenue M NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
- Phone: 863-294-3144
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am–3:00 pm (closed noon–1:00 pm)
- Large parking lot north of church on Hwy 17 with handicap ramp behind Parish Center
- Restrooms in the Narthex (front of church) and Parish Center, with handicap and baby-changing facilities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Glenn LopezCurrent pastor
Very Reverend Glenn Lopez, named Pastor of St. Joseph, Winter Haven. Originally a Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary who was incardinated into the Diocese of Orlando in 2017 by Bishop John Noonan; previously served at St. Joseph Parish in Lakeland and Most Precious Blood in Oviedo.