About St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church · Summerfield, Florida
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando located in Summerfield, Florida, staffed since its founding by the Pauline Fathers (Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, OSPPE). Established on September 11, 2005, it has grown into the largest parish served by the Pauline Fathers in the United States, now counting more than 3,500 registered families. The parish offers daily Mass, a robust Sacramental and faith-formation program for adults and children, Eucharistic Adoration, and dozens of ministries spanning worship, service, and spiritual growth. Its mission is to imitate Jesus in selflessness, love, and service, deepening faith through prayer, worship, ministry, and fellowship.
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Fr. Rafal Kandora, OSPPE
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Mark the Evangelist offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM, three Sunday Masses, weekly Friday Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, the Forty Hours' Devotion, and the sacraments celebrated with care. A large Pauline-Father community leads more than thirty active ministries, from OCIA and children's faith formation to Knights of Columbus, Emmaus for men and women, Respect Life, St. Vincent de Paul, the Charismatic Prayer Group, the Music Ministry, and Small Christian Communities. For a newcomer or visitor, it is a parish where you can find both traditional Catholic worship and abundant ways to serve — and where a capital campaign is actively preparing the campus to grow with its 3,500+ families.
Mass times at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 11:00 AM (during Adoration)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (1 hour before Vigil Mass; also after the 8:00 AM Mass)
- By appointment — contact the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (begins after 8:00 AM Mass; Benediction at noon)
- First Friday Adoration: 8:00 AM Mass followed by Adoration until 12:00 PM with Benediction; Confessions at 11:00 AM
- Annual Forty Hours' Devotion (typically Sunday–Tuesday in early March; 2025: March 9–11)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Mark the Evangelist describes itself as a welcoming Catholic community striving to imitate Jesus in selflessness, love, and service. Parishioners come together to deepen their faith and support one another through prayer, worship, ministry, and fellowship. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Orlando and has been served since its founding by the Pauline Fathers and Brothers.
- Welcoming Catholic community in the Diocese of Orlando
- Mission: imitate Jesus in selflessness, love, and service
- Staffed by the Pauline Fathers and Brothers (OSPPE)
Our History
The parish was founded on September 11, 2005, when Bishop Thomas Wenski celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving and Blessing welcoming the founding Pauline priests, Father Simon Shaner and Father Sebastian Hanks. What began in a fellowship hall serving as a temporary church grew within months to 650 registered parishioners, then to more than 2,000 families. A capital campaign launched in January 2007 funded a permanent church completed by the end of 2009. Subsequent milestones include the 2014 blessing of the on-campus Pauline Fathers Parish House, the 2017 Religious Education Center, the 2019 Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and Prayer Garden, and a 2025 jubilee celebrating 20 years of parish life and 15 years since the church's consecration.
- Founded September 11, 2005, by Bishop Thomas Wenski with Fathers Simon Shaner and Sebastian Hanks, OSPPE
- First worship space was a fellowship hall
- Permanent church completed by end of 2009
- Parish House blessed by Bishop John Noonan, August 10, 2014
- Religious Education Center completed 2017
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and Prayer Garden blessed 2019
- Children's Liturgy at 10:00 AM Sunday Mass introduced 2024
- Jubilee Mass with Bishop Noonan and Father General Arnold Chrapkowski, January 26, 2025
The Pauline Community
The Order of St. Paul the First Hermit (Pauline Fathers, OSPPE) was founded in the first half of the 13th century in Hungary by Blessed Eusebius of Esztergom. The order spread through Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Austria and Bavaria and, after persecution, persevered particularly in Poland, where the Paulines continue to serve at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa. They came to America in the 1950s under Father Michael M. Zembrzuski, founding the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. St. Mark the Evangelist in Summerfield is now the largest parish staffed by the Pauline Fathers in the United States, and the parish lives a strong Marian and Eucharistic spirituality shaped by that heritage.
- Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, founded 13th century in Hungary
- American Province began in the 1950s at Doylestown, PA
- St. Mark's is the largest Pauline Fathers parish in the USA
Our Clergy & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Pauline Fathers. The pastor and Superior of the local Pauline community is Fr. Rafal Kandora, OSPPE, with Fr. Marcin Cwierz, OSPPE, serving as Parochial Vicar. Five deacons assist: Deacon Charles Webb, Deacon Lou Farinella, Deacon John Rumplasch, Deacon Kevin Mukri, and Deacon Roger Gallagher. Lay staff support Faith Formation, Music, Operations, Communications, Bookkeeping, Reception, and Maintenance.
- Pastor: Fr. Rafal Kandora, OSPPE
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Marcin Cwierz, OSPPE
- Deacons: Charles Webb, Lou Farinella, John Rumplasch, Kevin Mukri, Roger Gallagher
- Director of Children/Youth Faith Formation: Rigoberto Vega
- Music Director: Roger Grenier
- Operations Manager: Jana Rakoci-Vena
- Bookkeeper: Rich Scott
- Communications Assistant: Colin Eckel
- Receptionist: Ana Conde
- Administrative Assistants: Sarah Richey, MaryAnn Main
- Maintenance: Rob Eckel (Supervisor), Kevin Lunsford, Larry Waite
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered for both adults and children. The Adult Religious Education / Adult Faith Formation team is coordinated through the Pastor's office and staffed by facilitators and assistants, while Faith Formation for Children and Youth is directed by Rigoberto Vega. The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for those becoming Catholic, and in 2024 introduced a Children's Liturgy at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Adult Religious Education / Adult Faith Formation (Pastor-led)
- Faith Formation for Children and Youth (Director: Rigoberto Vega)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — Becoming Catholic
- Children's Liturgy at the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass (introduced 2024)
- Small Christian Communities
Worship & Liturgical Ministries
The Worship Ministry team provides the liturgical backbone of the parish, with lay faithful serving at the altar, in song, in the sacristy, and among the assembly. The Music Ministry is directed by Roger Grenier. Ushers and greeters welcome parishioners, the Decorating Ministry prepares the sanctuary for seasons and feasts, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and the Ministry to the Sick and Homebound extend Communion beyond the church walls.
- Altar Servers
- Altar Linens
- Communion Service
- Decorating Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry (Director: Roger Grenier)
- Ministry of Consolation (funerals)
- Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
- Readers
- Sacristans
- Ushers
Service, Outreach & Spiritual Growth
Beyond worship, the parish offers many ways to grow spiritually and serve others. The Respect Life and Society of St. Vincent de Paul ministries reach out locally to those in need; the Knights of Columbus lead works of charity and fraternity; Marriage Encounter supports couples; and Emmaus for Men and Emmaus for Women provide faith-shared fellowship. Men's Guild, Women's Guild, Rosary Makers, the Charismatic Prayer Group, and Men's Grief Support round out parish life.
- Respect Life
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Knights of Columbus
- Marriage Encounter
- Emmaus for Men
- Emmaus for Women
- Men's Guild
- Women's Guild
- Rosary Makers Group
- Charismatic Prayer Group
- Men's Grief Support
- Church Tours (Ministry of Service)
Sacraments
All seven Catholic sacraments are celebrated at St. Mark's: Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. Information pages are linked from the parish website under Sacraments, with appointments arranged through the Parish Office.
- Baptism
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (352) 347-9317, fax (352) 347-9749, or email [email protected]. The office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon and 1:00–4:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon. The parish sits at 7081 SE Highway 42 in Summerfield, FL 34491; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1329, Summerfield, FL 34492.
- Address: 7081 S.E. Hwy 42, Summerfield, FL 34491
- Mailing: P.O. Box 1329, Summerfield, FL 34492
- Phone: (352) 347-9317 • Fax: (352) 347-9749
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon, 1:00–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon
Online & Capital Campaign
The parish livestreams its 8:00 AM weekday Mass and 8:00 AM Sunday Mass on YouTube (youtube.com/@stmarkrcc) and Facebook (facebook.com/StMarkRCC). An active Capital Campaign — 'Building Our Future' — is preparing the campus for continued growth, supporting ministries and creating new spaces where the parish community can worship and serve.
- Livestreams on YouTube and Facebook
- Capital Campaign: Building Our Future
- Online Giving, Parish Registration, and Prayer Request available via the website
- Bulletin and Calendar posted on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Simon Shaner, OSPPE2005–
Co-founding priest assigned by the Pauline Father General in 2005 alongside Father Sebastian Hanks for the new Summerfield parish.
- Father Sebastian Hanks, OSPPE2005–; returned 2012
Co-founding priest welcomed by Bishop Wenski at the September 11, 2005 Mass of Thanksgiving and Blessing. Returned to the parish in 2012 and oversaw construction of the on-campus Pauline Fathers Parish House, blessed by Bishop Noonan in August 2014.
- Fr. Rafal Kandora, OSPPEPresent
Current pastor and Superior of the Pauline community at St. Mark the Evangelist.