About St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church · Altamonte Springs, Florida
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Orlando located at 861 Maitland Avenue in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Founded in 1959 by Father Hubert J. Reason, it grew from a converted nightclub on ten acres into one of Central Florida's most active parishes, with its own Catholic school (pre-K through 8), Early Learning Center, and a full program of English- and Spanish-language Masses, faith formation, and outreach. The parish also founded the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center on Lake Howell and is recognized as a Blue-Ribbon Stewardship Parish by the International Catholic Stewardship Council.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalen
- Rector
- Father Christopher Dorsey (Parochial Administrator, appointed 2025)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalen offers a bilingual Catholic home (English and Spanish Masses every weekend, plus a Spanish weekday Mass) with a large, active school community and one of the most extensive faith-formation programs in the Diocese of Orlando — children's sacramental prep, adult Confirmation/RCIA, youth and young-adult ministry, and a contemporary praise-and-worship band alongside a traditional adult choir. The parish is nationally recognized for stewardship (a Blue-Ribbon Stewardship Parish per the International Catholic Stewardship Council) and has direct ties to San Pedro Spiritual Development Center, the retreat house its founding pastor established on Lake Howell. With daily Mass, all-day Eucharistic Adoration multiple days a week, Centering Prayer, rosary groups, vibrant outreach (Habitat, Respect Life, food and family ministries) and a pastoral staff that includes four deacons, it is a place where newcomers and long-time parishioners alike can find a ministry, a devotion and a community.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (English)
- Saturday 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm (Spanish, on the parish's published schedule)
- Saturday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Spanish, per the Bishop's 2023 letter)
Adoration times
- Chapel of Our Lady open Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Divine Mercy Chapel: Tuesday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (during Ordinary Time), Tuesday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (per 2023 schedule)
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Fridays 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Parish History
Founded in 1959 by Father Hubert J. Reason in a converted nightclub on Maitland Avenue, St. Mary Magdalen was canonically erected July 23, 1959 with 95 families. Five pastors have shaped the parish since: Fr. Reason (1959–66), Fr. David Paige (1966–72), Fr. Patrick Caverly (1972–81), Fr. Paul Henry (1981–93), and Fr. Charlie Mitchell (1994–2023), the longest-serving pastor in parish history. The present sanctuary dates from 1974 (first Mass Christmas Eve) and was substantially renovated in 2003–04. The parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2008–09, was named a Blue-Ribbon Stewardship Parish by the International Catholic Stewardship Council, and was led from 2023–2025 by Fr. Edwin Cardona before Fr. Christopher Dorsey was appointed parochial administrator in 2025.
- April 5, 1959 — First Mass in the former Seminole nightclub
- July 23, 1959 — Canonically erected as a parish (95 families)
- 1961 — First school building ('Butler' structure)
- 1974 — Current church built (first Mass Christmas Eve)
- 1984 — Silver Jubilee
- 1998 — Parish Life Center built; gym added
- 2003–04 — Church renovation: new sanctuary, chapel, baptismal font, pews
- 2006 — U.S. Dept. of Education names SMM School a National Blue-Ribbon School
- 2008–09 — Golden Jubilee celebrated
- 2024 — 65th anniversary
- 2025 — Fr. Dorsey appointed parochial administrator
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Parochial Administrator Father Christopher Dorsey, with Father Duberney Rodas Grajales as Associate Pastor and Father Patrick Patton as Assisting Priest. Four deacons — Juan Cruz, Jerry Kelly, Anthony Medina and Bill O'Brien — round out the pastoral team. Day-to-day operations are supported by Director of Operations Noah Makubuya; ministry directors oversee faith formation (Kristina Blair), youth and young adults (John Mark Kaldahl), adult spirituality and sacraments (Mary Gulde), pastoral care and outreach (Missy Carvin), music and liturgy (Mark Ayers, with Brian Waldron for contemporary music and Manuel Ocampo for the Spanish Coro), and ministry development/evangelization (Melissa Findley).
- Fr. Christopher Dorsey — Parochial Administrator
- Fr. Duberney Rodas Grajales — Associate Pastor
- Fr. Patrick Patton — Assisting Priest
- Dcn. Juan Cruz, Dcn. Jerry Kelly, Dcn. Anthony Medina, Dcn. Bill O'Brien
- Lorianne Rotz — Principal, SMM School
- Nery Naya — Director, Early Learning Center / Extended Day-Care
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary Magdalen is family-based and life-span. Children's sacramental prep for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist requires at least one year of prior formation. Adult sacraments (Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation) are coordinated through Mary Gulde. The parish also runs youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, young-adult ministry, Vacation Bible School, and ongoing adult spirituality programs.
- Children's Faith Formation (CCD)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist family preparation
- Adult Sacraments (OCIA-style initiation)
- Youth Ministry (middle and high school)
- Young Adult Ministry
- Bible Explorers (Liturgy of the Word for Children) at 10 am Mass
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School & Early Learning Center
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School was founded in 1961 and serves over 500 students from pre-K through 8th grade on one of the largest Catholic-school campuses in the Diocese of Orlando. It is staffed in part by the Sisters of Notre Dame (Chardon, Ohio) and Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary (Albany, NY) alongside lay faculty. The school has been continuously accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference since 1972 and was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue-Ribbon School in 2006 — the highest federal recognition an American school can receive. The adjacent Early Learning Center is NAEYC-accredited (since 2004) and offers extended day-care.
- Founded 1961; 500+ students, PreK–8
- Sisters of Notre Dame and Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary
- Florida Catholic Conference accreditation since 1972 (re-accredited Spring 2025)
- U.S. Dept. of Education National Blue-Ribbon School (2006)
- U.S. Dept. of Education 'School of Excellence' (1985–86); 'Certificate of Merit' (1987–88)
- Early Learning Center NAEYC-accredited since 2004
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music at St. Mary Magdalen is intentionally diverse — the parish supports a traditional Adult Choir (10 am Sunday Mass), a contemporary band (12 noon and 5:30 pm Sunday Masses), and a Spanish Coro led by Manuel Ocampo for the Saturday 7 pm Spanish Vigil. Liturgical offices recruit and train lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, greeters, altar servers, and liturgy assistants. The 10 am Sunday Mass also offers interpretation for the deaf.
- Adult Choir (traditional, 10 am)
- Contemporary Band (12 noon and 5:30 pm)
- Spanish Coro (Sat 7 pm)
- Liturgy of the Word for Children (Bible Explorers / Li'l Voyagers)
- Sign-language interpretation at 10 am Sunday Mass
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond Mass and Adoration, St. Mary Magdalen offers a robust prayer life: a daily Morning Rosary Monday–Friday at 8 am, an evening rosary group on Wednesdays, Centering Prayer on Monday evenings, and a Prayer Angels email prayer chain. The parish maintains a prayer line (407-830-9042) and a free Parish App for prayer requests.
- Morning Rosary M–F 8 am
- Our Lady's Evening Rosary, Wed 7–8:30 pm
- Centering Prayer, Mon 6:30–8 pm (Parish Office)
- Prayer Angels email chain
- Prayer Line 407-830-9042
- Parish App (text APP to 8822)
Outreach & Service
The parish's Service Corner coordinates outreach through ministries such as Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life, family services, and direct service to the homeless and those in recovery. Pastoral Care reaches out to the homebound, sick, grieving and hospitalized. The parish also hosts funeral ministries and a thriving marriage ministry that began Celebrate Marriage Sunday in January 2004.
- Service Corner (Habitat, Respect Life, Family Services)
- Pastoral Care & Outreach
- Funeral Ministry
- Celebrate Marriage Sunday (monthly since 2004)
- ReThreads Thrift Store (1995–2008/09)
San Pedro Spiritual Development Center
Founded by Father Hubert Reason on Lake Howell, San Pedro Spiritual Development Center is the Diocese of Orlando's central retreat and conference facility. Originally developed by St. Mary Magdalen parishioners — including John Cassady, who designed the first fiberglass canoes marketed worldwide there — San Pedro now hosts private, group and parish retreats, conferences, and virtual offerings across 200+ acres.
- Founded by Father Hubert Reason
- 200+ acres on Lake Howell
- 48 guest rooms, five conference areas, chapel, docks
- Diocesan retreat and conference center
Getting Involved & Stewardship
Stewardship has been the official way of life at St. Mary Magdalen since 2004, recognized by the International Catholic Stewardship Council. The parish invites newcomers to register, request Mass intentions, and find a ministry that matches their gifts; the Order of St. Mary Magdalen (est. 2005) publicly honors parishioners who give extraordinary time, talent and treasure.
- Parish registration ('Become a Member')
- Mass intention requests
- Order of St. Mary Magdalen (since 2005)
- Ministry Development & Evangelization office
- Flocknote pastor's newsletter
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hubert J. Reason1959–1966
Founding pastor. Converted Catholic, native Floridian from Miami, Navy veteran of WWII, ordained 1957 at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. First Mass at the former Seminole nightclub on April 5, 1959; parish canonically erected July 23, 1959. Also the founding father of the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center on Lake Howell.
- Father David Paige1966–1972
Built 9 classrooms and school office (1966), new convent and doubled the church (1967), new rectory, library, science lab and clinic (1969). Organized the formal Religious Education / CCD program for children.
- Father Patrick Caverly1972–1981
Built the present church (first Mass Christmas Eve 1974); old church converted to social hall/offices. School accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference in 1972. Operated the Annunciation satellite mission for three years beginning 1979.
- Father Paul Henry1981–1993
Silver Jubilee celebrated in 1984. New parish offices (1986), Adult/Child Centers and meeting rooms (1987), purchased the 9-acre Annex in 1991.
- Father Charlie Mitchell1994–2023
Longest-tenured pastor (~29 years). Oversaw Parish Life Center, gym, 2003–04 church renovation, adoption of Stewardship as a way of life, NAEYC accreditation of the Early Learning Center (2004), founding of the Order of St. Mary Magdalen (2005), and the parish's Blue-Ribbon Stewardship recognition. Retired July 2023.
- Father Edwin Cardona2023–2025
Parochial Administrator appointed by Bishop Noonan effective July 1, 2023. First-generation American of Salvadoran heritage; previously at Basilica of St. Paul (Daytona Beach), St. Charles Borromeo (Orlando) and Holy Cross (Orlando). Has a special devotion to Our Lady Queen of Peace, patroness of El Salvador.
- Father Christopher Dorsey2025–present
Appointed parochial administrator by Bishop John Noonan in 2025, succeeding Father Cardona.
