About St. Louis · Pinecrest, Florida
St. Louis Catholic Church is a vibrant, multicultural parish in Pinecrest, Florida, established on August 30, 1963, by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll to serve the growing south Dade County community. Located at 7270 SW 120th Street and serving the Archdiocese of Miami, the parish celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and is known for its pioneering Parish Council (the first in the Archdiocese, established in 1967), its Stewardship way of life, and a broad network of more than 50 ministries serving faith formation, liturgical life, spiritual life, parish life, and pastoral outreach. Today St. Louis includes the Covenant School (pre-K2 through eighth grade) and a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Louis (King Louis IX of France)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vigues
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
St. Louis is a place where 'long before ministry is doing for, ministry is being with' — gathering parishioners to share and develop their gifts across more than 50 ministries in faith formation, liturgical, spiritual, parish, and pastoral life. The parish is genuinely multilingual, celebrating Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and sustaining vibrant communities in each language (including a robust Spanish-speaking ministry that has multiplied over four decades). With the Covenant School (pre-K2 through eighth grade), a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, an annual Community Festival that raises funds for Miami-Dade charities, and deep traditions like the Parish Council (a pioneer in the Archdiocese), Bible study, Emmaus retreats, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent de Paul-style outreach, St. Louis offers both a rooted Catholic identity and a warm, active home for new families.
Mass times at St. Louis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (in the chapel; new extended schedule)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (sign up online for available hours)
Parish History
St. Louis Parish was officially founded on August 30, 1963, by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll to serve the growing families of south Dade County, and celebrated its first Sunday Mass on September 15, 1963, in the un-air-conditioned auditorium of Palmetto Senior High with 663 young families. Over six decades it has been shaped by pioneering pastors (Fr. Fred Wass, Fr. David Russell, Fr. James Fetscher), the Archdiocese's first Parish Council (1967), the launch of Stewardship as a 'way of life' in 1977, the 1980 dedication of the permanent Worship Space, the growth of a vibrant Spanish-speaking community under Jesuit pastors beginning in 1981, and the founding of the Covenant School. Archbishop Thomas Wenski joined the community on September 10, 2023, to celebrate the 60th anniversary.
- Founded August 30, 1963, by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll
- First Sunday Mass: September 15, 1963, at Palmetto Senior High
- Temporary church dedicated August 22, 1965
- First Parish Council in the Archdiocese (1967)
- Stewardship launched 1977
- Permanent Worship Space dedicated September 27, 1980
- Fr. James Fetscher installed as fifth pastor on October 2, 1982
- 25th anniversary Mass at James L. Knight Convention Center, November 19, 1988 (~4,500 attendees)
- Pre-school opened 1992; new school building August 2001
- 60th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski, September 10, 2023
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vigues, Parochial Vicars Rev. Fr. Hector Troche and Rev. Fr. Andrew J. Vitrano-Farinato, four Deacons (Thomas Hanlon, Alex Lam, John Peremenis, and Mark Westman), and Pastor Emeritus Rev. Fr. Paul Vuturo and Vicar Emeritus Rev. Fr. Michael Kish. Lay leadership includes the Parish Office Manager/Accounting (Ma. Josefina Urain), Director of Music (Juan Salazar), Director of Religious Education (Mildred I. Ratcliffe), Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Ivar 'Alex' Jesurun), Director of Technology (David Bustamante), Communications and Funeral Director (Melissa S. Anduiza), Sacramental Coordinator (Anna Rodriguez), and Records Coordinator (Pat Ryan).
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vigues
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Fr. Hector Troche; Rev. Fr. Andrew J. Vitrano-Farinato
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Thomas Hanlon; Rev. Mr. Alex Lam; Rev. Mr. John Peremenis; Rev. Mr. Mark Westman
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Fr. Paul Vuturo (retired)
- Vicar Emeritus: Rev. Fr. Michael Kish (retired)
- Covenant School Principal: Eddy Garcia
- Stewardship and Development Director: Beatriz Wolf-Gutierrez
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program serves children from 1st through 12th grade during the school year, organized around four goals: proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, build community, lead students to worship and prayer, and motivate them to serve others. The Director of Religious Education, Mildred I. Ratcliffe, is supported by administrative assistants and a Confirmation/RCIA assistant. Adult faith formation is offered through the Catholic Bible Fellowship (Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings, with childcare in the morning), the long-running Men's Monday Morning Bible Study (the oldest ministry at St. Louis), Talleres de Oración y Vida (in both English and Spanish), and Temas Bíblicos. Confirmation preparation and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are coordinated separately, with Bryan Nieves assisting.
- Religious Education (1st–12th grades)
- Educación Religiosa Niños (1.º a 12.º grado)
- Catholic Bible Fellowship (Wed PM, Thu AM with childcare)
- Men's Monday Morning Bible Study
- Talleres de Oración y Vida (English and Spanish)
- Temas Bíblicos
- Confirmation and RCIA (Coordinator: Nieves / Bryan Nieves)
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Coordinator: Ivar 'Alex' Jesurun)
Spiritual Life & Devotions
St. Louis nurtures a deep spiritual life across English and Spanish communities. Highlights include Emmaus Retreats (and Retiros Emaús in Spanish), Life in the Spirit Seminars, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, Centering Prayer, the Cenáculo Contemplativo de la Divina Misericordia, and Disciples in Motion. The parish maintains strong devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Guard of Honor / La Guardia de Honor) and to Mary (Legion of Mary / Legión de María, Rosario de la Aurora, Caminando con María). A monthly Act of Reparation and First Friday Holy Hour keep the community rhythmically rooted in the liturgical year.
- Emmaus Retreats / Retiros Emaús
- Life in the Spirit Seminar / Seminarios de Vida en el Espíritu
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
- Centering Prayer
- Cenáculo Contemplativo de la Divina Misericordia
- Disciples in Motion
- Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart / La Guardia de Honor del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
- First Friday Holy Hour; Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
- Legion of Mary / Legión de María
- Rosario de la Aurora
- Caminando con María
- Grupo de Oración Fe y Esperanza
- La Divina Voluntad
Parish Life, Stewardship & Community
Parish life at St. Louis is built on the conviction that 'long before ministry is doing for, ministry is being with.' The Stewardship Council, New Parishioner Welcome Program, and Parish Welcome Table help integrate newcomers, while the Café con Leche ministry offers hospitality in a culturally familiar setting. The annual Saint Louis Community Festival — a three-day, two-night event with food booths, live entertainment, raffles, a Gourmet Dinner, a Spring Bazaar, a Car Show, and a Festival 5K — builds community and raises funds for Miami-Dade charities serving 'the least of these.' Men's and women's prayer breakfasts, BYOB (Bring Your Own Burdens), and the Prayer Muffin Breakfasts sustain small-group brotherhood and fellowship.
- Parish Stewardship Council
- New Parishioner Welcome Program
- Parish Welcome Table (in the narthex at every Sunday Liturgy)
- Café con Leche
- Saint Louis Community Festival (annual)
- Festival 5K (100% of proceeds to local charities)
- Prayer Muffin Breakfast (Men and Women)
- BYOB – Bring Your Own Burdens (Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.)
- Abraham y Sarah Ministerio (Spanish-speaking seniors, monthly Saturday gathering)
- Convenio y Alianza Matrimonial
- Troop 840 (Boy Scouts)
The Covenant School
St. Louis is home to the Covenant School, a pre-K2 through eighth-grade Catholic school whose roots trace back to a preschool established at the parish in 1992. The school gradually expanded and moved into its current dedicated building in August 2001, where it continues to integrate faith and learning for children from the parish and the wider south Miami-Dade community. Principal Eddy Garcia leads the school today.
- Pre-K2 through 8th grade
- Originated as a parish preschool in 1992
- Moved into new building in August 2001
- Principal: Eddy Garcia
Liturgical Life & Music
Liturgical life at St. Louis is sustained by a Music Ministry under Director of Music Juan Salazar, with choirs, cantors, and accompanists supporting the parish's English, Spanish, and Portuguese Masses. Ushers, altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and the Sacristan ministry make the liturgies possible, while the Gift Store (Jacqueline Ali, Cecilia Garcia) provides books, devotionals, and sacramentals to parishioners. Because the church itself is currently being renovated, weekend Masses (including the Saturday vigil) are celebrated in the parish Gym while daily Masses continue in the Chapel.
- Director of Music: Juan Salazar
- Choir and Music Ministry
- Ushers
- Gift Store (parish)
- Sunday Masses during church renovation: in the Gym
- Daily Masses: in the Chapel
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Sacramental preparation at St. Louis is coordinated centrally by Sacramental Coordinator Anna Rodriguez, supporting families through Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and RCIA. Reconciliation is offered on Saturday afternoons (2:45–4:15 p.m.) in the chapel, with the extended schedule noted on the website. The Convenant y Alianza Matrimonial ministry walks couples through marriage preparation, while the parish office also helps coordinate Anointing of the Sick and funeral arrangements through Communications and Funeral Director Melissa S. Anduiza.
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Confession: Saturday 2:45–4:15 p.m. in the chapel
- Convenio y Alianza Matrimonial ministry
- Sacramental Coordinator: Anna Rodriguez
- Communications and Funeral Director: Melissa S. Anduiza
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Fred Wass1963–1974
First pastor; described as 'a father and friend, gentle, fair and wise,' who built community through fellowship, planning and hard work.
- Fr. David Russell1974–1982 (approx.)
Fourth pastor; focused on evangelization, conversion of hearts, and appropriate spaces for sharing the Word; oversaw mortgage-burning for the temporary church and the 1980 dedication of the permanent Worship Space.
- Fr. James Fetscher1982–2010 (approx.)
Fifth pastor, installed by Archbishop Edward McCarthy on October 2, 1982; previously served as associate pastor 1976–1980; served the parish for twenty-eight years; the Msgr. James Fetscher Fellowship Center is named in his honor.
- Fr. Gabriel Viguescurrent
Current pastor.