About St. Martin de Porres · Jensen Beach, Florida
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Jensen Beach, Florida, on the Treasure Coast, belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach. Founded in 1973 when it was carved from the boundaries of St. Joseph Parish in Stuart, the parish has grown into a welcoming community that draws families from across Martin County. Its pastor, Rev. J. Scott Adams, leads a staff that celebrates daily Mass, runs a year-round Eucharistic Adoration chapel, and supports a wide range of ministries — from youth faith formation and a YDisciple teen group to a soup kitchen, drive-through food pantry, thrift store, Respect Life outreach, and a daily Rosary group.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- St. Martin de Porres
- Rector
- Rev. J. Scott Adams
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Martin de Porres offers a small-parish feel with the full rhythm of Catholic life: daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a year-round Eucharistic Adoration chapel with extended hours, the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday morning, and a daily Rosary group. Parishioners can get involved in YDisciple/Edge youth ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the choir and handbell choir, GriefShare bereavement support, or one of several outreach programs — the Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Thrift Store, Martin's Kids, Christ Child Project, or the Respect Life ministry that joins the local Treasure Coast March for Life each January.
Mass times at St. Martin de Porres
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Seasonally, Saturday 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Monday: After 8:30 am Daily Mass until 12:00 noon
- Thursday: After 8:30 am Daily Mass until 8:00 pm
- Friday: After 8:30 am Daily Mass until 2:45 pm
- Chapel open for private prayer: Monday–Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Chapel open for private prayer: Saturday from after Daily Mass until 5:00 pm
Parish Identity & Patron Saint
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church is named for St. Martin de Porres (1579–1639), the Dominican lay brother from Lima, Peru, who was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962 and is honored on November 3. Known for his humility, his healing work, and his tender care for the poor and sick, St. Martin de Porres is a fitting patron for a parish that centers its identity on charity and the Eucharist. As pastor Father J. Scott Adams wrote in the 50th anniversary booklet in 2023, the parish has striven to be 'a living example of God's work on earth by imitating our patron saint, St. Martin de Porres, with works of charity, prayer, compassion, care for the sick and help of the poor.'
- Patron: St. Martin de Porres, Dominican lay brother (1579–1639)
- Feast day: November 3
- Canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962
- Diocese: Diocese of Palm Beach
History
The parish was established in 1973, carved from the boundaries of St. Joseph Parish in Stuart. It was one of a series of mission parishes that grew out of St. Joseph's founding Martin County congregation. The community gathered and grew over the following decades, eventually earning a 50th anniversary celebration in November 2023 at which Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito presided and was joined by several concelebrating priests and a deacon. Throughout its history the parish has paired strong Eucharistic devotion — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and a daily Rosary — with an extensive Matthew 25:35 charitable outreach network serving the hungry and needy of Martin County.
- 1973 — Parish established, carved from St. Joseph Parish (Stuart)
- 50th anniversary Mass celebrated November 4, 2023
- Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito presided at the anniversary Mass
- Concelebrants included Father J. Scott Adams, Father Brian King, Father James Molgano, Father John O'Farrell, Msgr. Michael Carruthers, Father Martin Dunne, and Deacon James Manzi
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its pastor with the help of an assisting priest and a lay staff that covers liturgy, faith formation, music, operations, finance and buildings-and-grounds.
- Pastor — Rev. J. Scott Adams
- Assisting Clergy — Rev. David C. Downey
- Director of Family Life & Faith Formation — Greg Cannata (Ext. 117)
- Director of Sacred Music & Choral Ministry — Melanie Steinke (Ext. 127)
- Operations Manager — Nick MacLeod (Ext. 126)
- Administrative Office Specialist — Ursula Orr (Ext. 110)
- Director of Buildings and Grounds — David Bocchino
- Director of Finance & Operations (CPA) — Lorie Shekailo (Ext. 111)
- Bookkeeper — Judy Harrigan (Ext. 112)
- Maintenance / Custodial — Andy Ferry, Elizabeth Castillo, Tony Santiago
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation for children and teens is coordinated through the Family Life & Faith Formation office under Greg Cannata, a 25-year U.S. Army Infantry officer and former JROTC Senior Army Instructor. The parish runs catechesis for ages 5–18 and sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Teens are ministered to through the YDisciple / Edge youth group, a small-group Catholic teen discipleship program.
- Family Life & Faith Formation office (ages 5–18)
- First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation preparation
- YDisciple / Edge — Youth Group for Catholic Teens
- Director: Greg Cannata (Ext. 117)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by a music ministry led by Director of Sacred Music & Choral Ministry Melanie Steinke, and by lay liturgical volunteers who serve at the altar and ambo. The parish has choirs for adults and children as well as a handbell choir.
- Adult Choir
- Children's Choir
- Hand Bell Choir
- Altar Servers
- Ministry of Lector (Lectors)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (with Visitation to the Sick & Homebound)
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Art & Environment / Altar Society
Charitable Outreach — Matthew 25:35 Ministries
The largest network of ministries at the parish is the Matthew 25:35 Charitable Outreach, which takes its name from the Gospel passage, 'For I was hungry and you gave me food…' The food pantry has run for more than a decade (since at least 2011), originally out of the parish education building, and shifted to a drive-through format in the parking lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Saint Martin's Kitchen serves a free hot meal every Wednesday evening. Surrounding ministries include a thrift store, a clothing ministry, financial aid for rent and utilities, Martin's Kids, and the Christ Child Project.
- Food Pantry — Saturdays 10:00 am–12:00 noon (drive-through)
- Saint Martin's Kitchen Soup Kitchen — Wednesdays 4:00–5:30 pm
- Thrift Store
- Martin's Kids
- Christ Child Project
- Clothing Ministry
- Financial Aid Ministry (rent and utilities assistance)
- Birthline
- Breads and pastries donated by Publix Jensen Beach; Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread also support the soup kitchen
Respect Life Ministry
The parish has an active Respect Life ministry coordinated by Lynn Kiefer. Members take part in the annual Treasure Coast March for Life rally in January (parishioners Ken and Barb Dixon of St. Martin de Porres are noted participants) and hold prayerful, peaceful vigils in front of Planned Parenthood at Emerald Plaza on Wednesdays (3–5 pm) and Fridays (8–10 am). The ministry also promotes Catholic teaching on the dignity of life, including resources on physician-assisted suicide and end-of-life Catholic directives.
- Coordinator: Lynn Kiefer ([email protected])
- Treasure Coast March for Life participation (annual January rally in Port St. Lucie)
- Weekly prayerful vigil at Planned Parenthood, Emerald Plaza
- Resources on physician-assisted suicide and Catholic advance directives
Prayer, Devotions & Small Groups
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish nourishes a robust prayer life through Eucharistic Adoration, the Miraculous Medal Novena, and a Daily Rosary group. GriefShare provides a parish-based bereavement support ministry. Knights of Columbus, Knitting Angels and other small groups give parishioners regular opportunities for fellowship, service and crafts-based charity.
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel
- Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal — Saturday after 8:30 am Mass
- SMDP Daily Rosary Group
- GriefShare (bereavement support)
- Knights of Columbus
- Knitting Angels
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Couples are asked to contact the priest at least six months before a wedding for marriage preparation. Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Funeral arrangements are coordinated through the parish office; young adults discerning priesthood or religious life are invited to speak with the priests or deacon.
- Baptism — instruction and downloadable registration forms
- Penance (Reconciliation) — Saturday 9:00–10:00 am or by appointment
- First Holy Communion — religious education classes arranged through the parish office
- Confirmation — weekly parish instruction, register with the Director of Family Life & Faith Formation
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
- Matrimony — contact the priest at least six months before the wedding
- Holy Orders / Vocations — speak with a priest or deacon
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the parish office during posted hours. The church and offices share a campus at 2555 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, Florida, in Martin County on Florida's Treasure Coast. The parish can be reached by phone, fax or email, and Sunday worship is supported by an active bulletin (referenced on the website) and the parish's online presence at stmartindp.com.
- Address: 2555 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
- Phone: (772) 334-4214
- Fax: (772) 334-8627
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stmartindp.com
- Office Hours: Mon & Thu 2:00–7:00 pm; Tue/Wed/Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–3:00 pm; closed Sat/Sun
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James E. Molgano
Listed as Pastor on older parish bulletins (e.g., January 2019 and earlier); concelebrated at the 50th anniversary Mass in 2023 as Father James Molgano.
- Rev. J. Scott Adams
Current pastor; presided over the 50th anniversary liturgy in November 2023 and is listed as Pastor on the current stmartindp.com staff page.