About St. Jude Thaddeus · Cantonment, Florida
St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in Cantonment, Florida, in the western Panhandle of the state. Founded in 1945, it belongs to the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee and is closely partnered with the older St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission (founded 1921). The parish is named after St. Jude Thaddeus, the apostle traditionally invoked as the patron saint of difficult or hopeless causes. Worship includes a Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday Mass, weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a popular First Friday devotion featuring Mass followed by a holy hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- St. Jude Thaddeus (apostle and patron of difficult/hopeless causes)
- Rector
- Rev. George Thekku (Thekkekara George)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
Why belong here
St. Jude Thaddeus offers a tight-knit Catholic community in Cantonment with the full rhythm of parish life — weekend and weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before every weekend liturgy, a beloved First Friday Mass with Eucharistic Adoration, and a faith-formation program that walks children and adults through First Communion, Confirmation, and RCIA. Active lay organizations include the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Society, giving parishioners of every age a place to serve, socialize, and grow together in faith.
Mass times at St. Jude Thaddeus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM (30 minutes prior to the Vigil Mass)
- Sunday: 30 minutes prior to Mass
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday (First Friday): 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (immediately following the 5:30 PM Mass)
About St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church
St. Jude Thaddeus is a Roman Catholic parish in Cantonment, Florida, established in 1945 and belonging to the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee. The parish takes its name from St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles and the patron traditionally invoked for difficult or seemingly hopeless causes. St. Jude Thaddeus partners with the nearby St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission (founded 1921) to minister to Catholics in Cantonment and the surrounding northern Escambia County area. The parish's regular sacramental life includes a Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday Mass, weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation before each weekend liturgy.
- Founded 1945
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
- Partner parish: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission (founded 1921)
- Patron: St. Jude Thaddeus (feast day October 28)
Parish Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon. Photographs and parish news from 2013–2017 document Fr. George Thekku presiding over liturgies and Deacon McBurnett Smith assisting at First Communions, Confirmations, and parish events. The parish also benefits from visiting bishops — including Bishop Gregory Parkes (2015) and Bishop M. Holley (2017) — for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Rev. George Thekku (Thekkekara George) — Pastor
- Rev. Thomas Koyickal — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. McBurnett Smith — Deacon
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
St. Jude Thaddeus runs a Religious Education program for the children of the parish, preparing them to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The parish also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for unbaptized adults and catechumens preparing to enter the Church. Photos from the parish's website show annual First Communion classes (with children such as Jacob Leger, Carlie Miller, Kallan Powell, Alyssa and Anthony Leger, Chloe and Isabel Killebrew, and others) and Confirmations celebrated by the diocesan bishop.
- Religious Education (CCD) for children
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation (annual)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Parish Organizations & Ministries
Lay life at St. Jude Thaddeus is anchored by two of the most universal Catholic parish organizations: the Knights of Columbus, a fraternity of Catholic men in service to the parish and broader community, and the Ladies Society, which supports the spiritual and social life of the parish. Catechetical leaders Felize and Jonathan Ignacio and Mary Holley-Lewis have been documented as Religious Education teachers. The parish also gathers socially each year for a Christmas party that brings together priests, deacons, and parishioners.
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies Society
- Religious Education catechists
- Choir and liturgical music
- Parish social/fellowship events (e.g. annual Christmas Party)
Devotions & Holy Days
Beyond the weekly Mass schedule, the parish keeps several devotional traditions alive. The First Friday devotion — with an additional 5:30 PM Mass and a holy hour of Adoration — is a particular hallmark of parish life. During Lent, the Friday Mass is moved to 5:30 PM and is followed by the Stations of the Cross.
- First Friday Mass & Adoration
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Patronal feast of St. Jude Thaddeus (October 28)
Visiting the Parish
St. Jude Thaddeus is located at 303 Rocky Avenue, Cantonment, FL 32533, in an unincorporated community just north of Pensacola in Escambia County. The parish office can be reached at (850) 968-6189 or by email at [email protected]. The official parish website is hosted by the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee at http://stjude.ptdiocese.org/.
- Address: 303 Rocky Avenue, Cantonment, FL 32533
- Phone: (850) 968-6189
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stjude.ptdiocese.org/