About St. Mark the Evangelist · Southwest Ranches, Florida
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is a thriving Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Miami located at 5601 South Flamingo Road in Southwest Ranches, Florida, in the heart of western Broward County's rural-ranch country. Founded on July 1, 1985, the parish grew from a small mission of 60 Catholics meeting in a Volunteer Fire House and today serves over 6,200 registered families through weekend Masses in English and Spanish, a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school, a faith-formation program, an active Youth Ministry, and more than 50 parish ministries. The current church building — an octagonal 1,200-seat worship center with a 107-foot bell tower and 83-foot lantern clerestory — was dedicated in May 2006 by Archbishop John C. Favalora and is known for its stained-glass windows, marble and glass materials, and a large immersion baptismal pool symbolizing the 'living water' of Christ.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Jaime H. Acevedo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
St. Mark is one of the larger and most active parishes in western Broward County, with a true sense of small-town community in the rural Southwest Ranches setting. Families find a complete Catholic life here: weekend Mass in English and Spanish, a Pre-K–8 school, a robust faith-formation and OCIA (RCIA) program, more than 50 active ministries (Knights of Columbus, Women of Grace, Emmaus retreats, DivorceCare, grief support, Respect Life, Vocation Cup, Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, etc.), and 24-hour First-Friday/First-Saturday Eucharistic Adoration. The parish also reaches beyond its own walls through outreach ministries and a signature annual Country Carnival that has bonded generations of parishioners since 1989.
Mass times at St. Mark the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:00 pm (4:00 pm per the 'I'm New Here' page) in the Church
- By appointment — call the parish office at (954) 434-3777
Adoration times
- Weekday mornings following the 8:30 am Mass until 10:00 am (Mon–Fri)
- First Friday / First Saturday — 24-hour Adoration
About St. Mark the Evangelist
St. Mark the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Miami, located at 5601 South Flamingo Road in Southwest Ranches, Florida. Founded July 1, 1985, the parish traces its roots to a small group of 60 Catholics who began gathering for Mass at the Volunteer Fire House on Hancock Road in 1984. Today it serves more than 6,200 registered families through English- and Spanish-language Masses, a Pre-K through 8 Catholic school, a faith-formation program, and more than 50 active ministries. The parish belongs to the Southwest Broward Deanery of the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Founded: July 1, 1985
- Patron: St. Mark the Evangelist (feast day April 25)
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Miami
- Deanery: Southwest Broward
- Address: 5601 S Flamingo Rd, Southwest Ranches, FL 33330
- Phone: (954) 434-3777
Parish History
The parish's history is one of remarkable growth from a fire-house mission to one of the largest parishes in western Broward County. In 1984, 60 Catholics formed a community initially called St. Ita as a mission of St. Bernadette Church in Hollywood. Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy formally established St. Mark the Evangelist in July 1985 and appointed Father William J. Hennessey as founding pastor. Mass was celebrated first at the Volunteer Fire House on Hancock Road, then at the chapel of the Schott Memorial Center, before the parish built its own Parish Center (dedicated December 2, 1990) and later its permanent 1,200-seat church (dedicated May 21, 2006). Three pastors have shaped the community. Msgr. Hennessey led from 1985 to 1995, when he was named Vicar General of the archdiocese. Msgr. Robert N. Lynch followed briefly before being named Bishop of St. Petersburg in December 1995. Father Edmond F. Whyte — later Monsignor Whyte — then led St. Mark from 1996 until his death on January 23, 2016, guiding the construction of the present-day church complex and school. Father Jaime H. Acevedo, a former Parochial Vicar of St. Mark, was appointed the parish's fourth pastor in 2016.
- 1984 — St. Ita mission formed; Mass at Volunteer Fire House
- 1985 — Parish established July 1; Fr. William J. Hennessey named founding pastor
- 1987 — Architect engaged for master plan (Parish Center, church, future school)
- 1988 — Groundbreaking for Parish Center and Education Complex
- 1989 — First 'Country Carnival' in partnership with Schott Memorial Center
- 1990 — Dec. 2 dedication of Parish Center by Archbishop McCarthy
- 1991 — Initial classroom building completed (preschool)
- 1995 — Fr. Hennessey named Vicar General; St. Mark Catholic School opens under founding principal Shirley Sandusky
- 1996 — Fr. Edmond F. Whyte assigned as pastor
- 2002 — Groundbreaking for 1,200-seat church, administration building, and bell tower
- 2006 — May 21 dedication of the new church by Archbishop Favalora and Fr. Whyte
- 2010 — Parish celebrated 25th anniversary
- 2015 — Founding principal Shirley Sandusky retires; Teresita Wardlow becomes principal
- 2016 — Msgr. Whyte dies Jan. 23; Fr. Jaime H. Acevedo named pastor
Architecture & Sacred Art
The current St. Mark church was designed with several distinctive traditions of Catholic architecture. The main worship center seats about 1,200 people and is built around an octagonal nave that mirrors the 83-foot lantern clerestory above. Arched doors and windows and a palette of glass and marble unify the interior. The 107-foot bell tower outside — housing three bells — is a visible landmark from Flamingo Road.
- Octagonal nave with 83-foot lantern clerestory
- 1,200-seat worship center, dedicated May 21, 2006
- 107-foot bell tower with three bells
- Three large stained-glass windows depicting the Nativity, Crucifixion and Ascension
- Life-size corpus of Christ suspended on the north wall, 'floating' against a coquina tile cross
- 12 clerestory apostle windows with flames of anointing (Judas's window left colorless)
- Marble baptismal immersion pool fed by a square font ('living water')
- Parish Center Chapel with Tabernacle, Chi-Rho window, vine-and-branches image, and wheat/grapes windows
- Our Lady of Carmel statuette on the grounds
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Department of Faith Formation/CCD offers ongoing faith formation and sacramental preparation for children and teens in public school and homeschool settings, from kindergarten through eighth grade (high school classes offered on a limited basis). Classes run from mid-September through the end of April on Wednesdays and Thursdays, taught by dedicated volunteers. The parish also welcomes children with special needs. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA) team prepares adults to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Director of Religious Education: Donna Villavisanis (954-434-3777 ext. 4001)
- Reconciliation & Communion Coordinator: Robin Alfonso
- Confirmation Coordinator / Registrar: Paty Valdivia
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — English, with leaders Michael & Gail Moscatello
- Catholic Scripture Study — Michele Chinault
- Spanish-language Bible Study Group
St. Mark Catholic School
St. Mark Catholic School is a parish Pre-K through 8th-grade elementary school that opened in August 1995 under founding principal Shirley R. Sandusky. The school shares the parish campus and serves 594 children today. A gable window at the school depicts a victorious Lamb surrounded by bowing angels, proclaiming the risen Christ.
- Opened August 1995 with Pre-K, Kindergarten, and one first-grade class
- Founding principal: Shirley R. Sandusky (served 22 years)
- Current principal: Teresita Wardlow (since 2015)
- Grades: Pre-K through 8th
- Web: school.stmarkparish.org
Parish Ministries & Groups
St. Mark supports more than 50 active ministries that span liturgy, formation, outreach, and fellowship. Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers (English and Spanish), and a Choir & Music Ministry with English, Spanish, and Youth Choir sections. Outreach and support ministries include the Knights of Columbus, Respect Life, Outreach to the poor, Substance Abuse Ministry, DivorceCare, Our Journey Grief Support, and Homebound Ministry. Spiritual-life and formation groups include Women of Grace / Mujeres de Gracia, Young Women of Grace, Men of St. Mark, Women of St. Mark, the Emmaus Retreat Movement, Cursillo de Cristiandad, Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, the Vocation Cup Ministry, and Natural Family Planning. The parish also runs a Gift Shop and the Stewardship Welcome Table that greets visitors at every Mass.
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Mike Pena, Deputy Grand Knight Pat Diaz
- Youth Ministry (Middle & High School) — Gus De La Fe
- Young Adult Ministry (20s & 30s) — Nicole Czubkowski
- Women of Grace / Mujeres de Gracia
- Young Women of Grace (ages 11–15) — Debbie Tedder
- Emmaus Retreat (English: Dr. Carlos & Babi Plasencia; Spanish: Rocco Iuliano, Rosa Sordo)
- DivorceCare
- Our Journey — Grief Support
- Respect Life
- Stewardship Welcome Table — Gail Coniglio
- Carnival in the Ranches — Pat Diaz
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a pastor supported by a parochial vicar, a team of deacons, and a parish-office staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Jaime H. Acevedo
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Dariel Fong
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Paul VI Karenga
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Vincent Farinato, Rev. Mr. John Lorenzo, Rev. Mr. Jose Escudero, Rev. Mr. José M. Gordillo, Rev. Mr. Jesús Tosco
- Business Manager: Stacy Whittaker
- Director of Religious Education: Donna Villavisanis
- Bulletin Coordinator: Paty Valdivia
Planning a Visit
Visitors will find the parish easy to locate thanks to its 107-foot bell tower visible from Flamingo Road. Newcomers are welcomed at the Welcome Table in the front vestibule before and after every Mass. Parking is available in three on-site lots, with overflow space shared with Archbishop McCarthy High School just to the north. Cry rooms are located at the back southeast and southwest corners of the church for families with small children.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–5:30 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm); Fri 9:00 am–3:00 pm; closed weekends
- Visitor parking: southeast, southwest, and northwest corners of campus
- Overflow parking: Archbishop McCarthy High School (north of parish)
- Welcoming: Welcome Table staffed before/after every Mass
- Children: cry rooms at the back southeast and southwest corners
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. William J. Hennessey1985–1995
Founding pastor. Established the parish from the St. Ita mission and led the construction and 1990 dedication of the Parish Center; oversaw the 1991 opening of classrooms and the 1995 launch of St. Mark Catholic School. Appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Miami in early 1995.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert N. Lynch1995
Second pastor. Brief tenure remembered for instilling personal commitment in the growing faith community. Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in December 1995.
- Rev. Msgr. Edmond F. Whyte1996–2016
Third pastor (assigned January 1996). Oversaw the 2002 groundbreaking and the May 21, 2006 dedication of the 1,200-seat church, administration building, and 107-foot bell tower. Founding supervising principal of Archbishop McCarthy High School. Elevated to Monsignor in 2013 by Pope Benedict XVI. Died January 23, 2016, in Southwest Ranches.
- Rev. Jaime H. Acevedo2016–present
Fourth pastor. Had earlier served St. Mark as a Parochial Vicar; returned from Mother of Our Redeemer Parish in northwestern Miami-Dade (where he had been administrator and then pastor since 2005) to lead St. Mark following Msgr. Whyte's death.
- Rev. Dariel Fong
Parochial Vicar currently assisting at the parish.
- Rev. Paul VI Karenga
Parochial Vicar (listed on parish bulletin/staff roster).