About St. Katharine Drexel · Cape Coral, Florida
St. Katharine Drexel Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in southwest Cape Coral, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Venice. Founded on June 13, 1990, the parish is named for St. Katharine Drexel (1858–1955), the Philadelphia heiress-turned-religious sister who founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The parish serves its community through daily and weekend Mass, a perpetual adoration chapel, an extensive faith formation program for children and adults, a broad ministry network spanning prayer, learning, and service, and an associated Catholic school. Its mission statement describes the community as 'baptized in Christ, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and nourished through the sacraments and God's word,' committed to becoming 'intentional disciples' who build the Kingdom of God.
- Established
- 1990
- Patron
- St. Katharine Drexel (1858–1955), Philadelphia heiress, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists; canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000
- Rector
- Rev. Ricky Varner
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice (in Florida)
Why belong here
St. Katharine Drexel is a welcoming, Christ-centered family in southwest Cape Coral that grounds its life in the Eucharist and the sacraments. The parish combines a robust liturgical life — three Sunday Masses, a daily 9:00am Mass, and a perpetual adoration chapel — with deep formation opportunities for every age, including a Catholic school, a Faith Formation program for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, adult OCIA, Alpha groups, Bible study, and the Legion of Mary. A wide network of lay ministries — from Music Ministry and Altar Servers to a Holy Spirit Prayer Group, a Children's Rosary, and outreach for the homebound — gives newcomers practical ways to grow in holiness and serve their neighbors.
Mass times at St. Katharine Drexel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday — After 9:00am Mass
- Saturday — After 9:00am Mass
- Saturday — 3:00pm to 4:00pm
- First Friday of the Month — After 9:00am Mass
- First Saturday of the Month — After 9:00am Mass
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration — Available 24/7 (request an access code from the Parish Office)
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Katharine Drexel Parish articulates a clear mission and vision statement published in every weekly bulletin. The mission reads: 'We, the family of Saint Katharine Drexel, baptized in Christ, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and nourished through the sacraments and God's word, strive to become intentional disciples of Christ who are committed to prayer, learning, and service, to build the Kingdom of God.' The vision describes the parish as 'a welcoming, Christ-centered family, nourished through the sacraments, and chosen, anointed, and sent by the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness and build the Kingdom of God.' These two statements frame the parish's three 'pillars' — Prayer, Learning, and Service — under which every ministry is organized.
History of the Parish
The parish was established on June 13, 1990, by the Diocese of Venice during a period of rapid Catholic growth in Southwest Florida. The first church building was completed in 1995; an expansion followed in 2003, and the present worship space was formally dedicated on November 13, 2004. The community was named for St. Katharine Drexel, the Philadelphia heiress who in 1891 founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to serve Native American and African American communities. She was beatified in 1988 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000 — the second U.S.-born saint and the first U.S.-born citizen so recognized.
- Parish founded: June 13, 1990
- First church building constructed: 1995
- Church expansion: 2003
- Current worship space dedicated: November 13, 2004
- Patron: St. Katharine Drexel, canonized October 1, 2000
Mass and Sacraments Schedule
The parish celebrates one daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 9:00am, a Saturday Vigil at 4:00pm, and three Sunday Masses at 8:30am, 10:30am, and 12:30pm. Confessions are heard on Wednesdays after the 9:00am Mass, on Saturdays after the 9:00am Mass, and again from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday afternoons, with additional times on First Fridays and First Saturdays of the month after the 9:00am Mass.
- Weekday Mass — Monday–Saturday at 9:00am
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00pm
- Sunday Masses — 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm
- Confessions: Wednesdays after 9:00am Mass
- Confessions: Saturdays after 9:00am Mass and 3:00–4:00pm
- Confessions: First Friday after 9:00am Mass
- Confessions: First Saturday after 9:00am Mass
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Father Ricky Varner as pastor and Father Manoj Francis, M.C.B.S. (Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament), as Parochial Vicar. A lay staff supports operations, faith formation, music, youth ministry, and facilities. Each staff member can be reached through the parish office with the extension numbers published in the weekly bulletin.
- Pastor: Father Ricky Varner (ext. 8, [email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Father Manoj Francis, M.C.B.S. (ext. 8, [email protected])
- Administrative Assistants: Alba Gibbons (ext. 8, [email protected]); Jason Bleers (ext. 8, [email protected])
- Business Manager: Frank Newcomb (ext. 6, [email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Rose Marie Talbot-Babey (ext. 4, [email protected])
- Religious Education Assistant: Monica Evenson (ext. 4, [email protected])
- Director of Music: Jonathan Barney (ext. 7, [email protected])
- Director of Youth: Aileen Vasquez (ext. 3, [email protected])
- Maintenance: Ernie Sierocinski (ext. 5, [email protected])
- Housekeeping: Gilma Avalos ([email protected]); Martha Mendoza ([email protected])
Parish Councils
Two lay leadership bodies assist the pastor in guiding parish life, finance, and mission. Members are listed in the weekly bulletin.
- Finance Council: Victor Balaj, Peter Barrett Sr., Tom Feig, Kathy Scott, Ed Puisis, Phaedra Weiler, James DelRocini, Carson Black
- Jeremiah Team: Father Ricky Varner, Timothy Altieri, Peter Barrett, Ken Caserio, Renee Marazon, Anne McCormick, Jason Bleers
Ministries — Pillar of Prayer
The first of the parish's three ministry pillars is Prayer. It includes liturgical ministries (Altar Servers, Arts and Environment, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the parish and homebound, Greeters, Lectors, Music Ministry, and the Prayer Team) as well as a wide range of prayer groups and devotions.
- Adoration Chapel Adorer — Parish Office, (239) 283-9501
- Altar Servers — Rose Talbot-Babey, (239) 283-0525 (application required)
- Arts and Environment — Donna Frys, (239) 540-7568
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Homebound — Jan Feig, [email protected]
- Hospitality (Greeters) — to be determined
- Minister of the Word (Lector) — Laura Furderer, (239) 691-2233
- Prayer Team Ministry — Renee Marazon, [email protected]
- Music Ministry — Jonathan Barney, [email protected]
Prayer Groups and Devotions
A variety of ongoing prayer groups meet under the Pillar of Prayer, spanning daily, family, and young-adult spirituality.
- Children's Rosary — Cathy Kavanaugh, [email protected]
- Daily Rosary — Parish Office, (239) 283-9501
- Holy Spirit Prayer Group — Dr. John Gresham, [email protected]
- Intercessory Prayer Network — Parish Office, (239) 283-9501
- Legion of Mary — JoAnn Piacente, (239) 258-0666
- Young Adult Rosary — Anthony Rivera, [email protected]
Ministries — Pillar of Learning
The parish's second pillar is Learning, focused on adult faith formation and Scripture study. Groups meet on a regular basis throughout the year.
- Alpha and Alpha Connect Groups — Dr. John Gresham, [email protected]
- Bible Study — Russ Summerton, (239) 728-1912
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation is directed by Rose Marie Talbot-Babey ([email protected]), with Monica Evenson assisting. The office can be reached at (239) 283-0525. The program prepares children, teens, and adults for the sacraments of initiation. Sacramental preparation requirements are listed in the bulletin and on the parish website.
- First Communion (Holy Eucharist) — 2-year program starting in 1st grade
- First Reconciliation — preparation begins in 2nd grade, parent involvement required
- Confirmation — 2-year preparation beginning in 9th grade
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for adults seeking sacraments
- Director of Religious Education: Rose Marie Talbot-Babey, [email protected], 239-283-0525
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with detailed preparation requirements for each. Sacramental records and scheduling are coordinated by the Faith Formation office and the parish office.
- Baptism — scheduled after completion of a pre-baptismal class; contact Faith Formation at 239-283-0525
- Holy Eucharist (First Communion) — 2-year preparation beginning in 1st grade
- Reconciliation — preparation begins in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 2-year preparation from 9th grade; adults join OCIA
- Anointing of the Sick — offered after Mass or by appointment, including home and hospital visits; call 239-283-9501
- Matrimony — 9 months of preparation required; begin by calling the parish office
- Holy Orders — contact the Diocese of Venice Vocations Office at 941-486-4720
Music Ministry and Liturgy
Liturgical music is directed by Jonathan Barney, the parish's Director of Music, who can be reached at [email protected] or extension 7. The Music Ministry recruits and trains cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists to support the parish's weekend and daily Masses, holy days, funerals, weddings, and the perpetual adoration chapel.
- Director of Music: Jonathan Barney (ext. 7, [email protected])
- Supports daily Mass, weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and adoration
Youth Ministry
Aileen Vasquez serves as the parish's Director of Youth, reachable at [email protected] or extension 3. The youth ministry program supports middle-school and high-school aged parishioners, supplementing the 2-year Confirmation preparation that begins in 9th grade.
- Director of Youth: Aileen Vasquez (ext. 3, [email protected])
- Confirmation preparation begins in 9th grade and lasts 2 years
Parish Registration and Parishioner Life
The parish actively invites new members to register as parishioners, explaining that registered status is required to receive sponsor letters for sacraments. Registration can be completed online at drexelcc.org/im-new/registration, in person at the Help Desk in the Narthex after Mass, or by visiting the parish office. The parish also uses Flocknote to keep members connected, accessible at drexelcc.flocknote.com or by texting DREXELCC to 84576. Parishioners are encouraged to use offertory envelopes — even empty ones — to record attendance and participation.
- Online registration: drexelcc.org/im-new/registration
- In-person: Help Desk in the Narthex after Mass, or the parish office
- Flocknote: drexelcc.flocknote.com — text DREXELCC to 84576
- Parish uses FORMED.org for on-demand faith content
Visiting and Accessibility
The church is located at 1922 SW 20th Avenue, Cape Coral, FL 33991, on the right side of 20th Avenue across from the Trafalgar Woods gated community. The worship space is equipped with a hearing loop for those with hearing aids. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm.
- From I-75 Exit #143: west on Pine Island Road (CR 78) for 15 miles
- Left on 20th Avenue (first left after Chiquita Blvd.)
- Hearing loop installed in the worship space
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School
The parish community is served by an affiliated Catholic school — St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School — which operates under the parish's spiritual umbrella. The school maintains its own communications and identity, and its presence reinforces the parish's commitment to faith formation of the youngest members of the community.
- St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School is associated with the parish
- School maintains its own Facebook presence (facebook.com/SKDSchool)