About St. Matthew · Lake Worth, Florida
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach located in Lake Worth (Lake Worth Beach), Florida, at 6090 Hypoluxo Road. Founded in 1992 as a new parish under founding pastor Father Clem Hammerschmitt, it today serves a culturally diverse community with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, a sacramental preparation program for children and youth (CCD/Religious Education), a vibrant Knights of Columbus council, a Council of Catholic Women, a Serra Club, a weekly Thursday Bingo fundraiser, and active outreach including the Loving Hands Ministry. The current pastor, Father Leonard Dim — a Nigerian-born priest who did his diaconate training at St. Matthew and celebrated his first Mass there — was installed on July 28, 2024, succeeding Father Hammerschmitt, who died on November 7, 2023, after leading the parish for more than 30 years.
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Matthew (the Apostle and Evangelist)
- Rector
- Father Leonard Dim
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a welcoming, diverse parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach offering weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, an active CCD religious education program from first through ninth grade, a Youth Ministry, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those exploring the Catholic faith, and a calendar of ministries that includes the Knights of Columbus Council 11669, the Council of Catholic Women, the Serra Club, the Loving Hands Ministry and a family-friendly Thursday night Bingo fundraiser. With a liturgy-centered life, an honest small-parish feel, and a current pastor who has deep roots there, St. Matthew is an easy parish to call home in the Lake Worth community.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
History of St. Matthew Parish
St. Matthew Parish was established in 1992 by the Diocese of Palm Beach, with Father Clem Hammerschmitt — already an experienced priest of the former Diocese of Miami — appointed as its founding pastor. Father Clem would lead the parish for more than 31 years, dying in office on November 7, 2023. He was succeeded by Father Leonard Dim, a Nigerian-born priest who had done his diaconate training at St. Matthew and celebrated his first thanksgiving Mass there after his May 4, 2012 ordination. Father Dim was installed as pastor by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito on July 28, 2024 — the third pastor installation in the diocese that year.
- Founded 1992
- Founding pastor: Rev. Clem Hammerschmitt (served 1992 – Nov 7, 2023)
- Current pastor: Rev. Leonard Dim (installed July 28, 2024)
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Parish Clergy & Staff
St. Matthew is led today by Father Leonard Dim. He is assisted by a team of permanent deacons and lay staff serving the parish office, faith formation and youth ministry. A special In Memoriam page on the parish website honors Father Clem Hammerschmitt's 31 years as founding pastor.
- Rev. Leonard Dim — Pastor
- Rev. Clem Hammerschmitt — Founding Pastor († Nov 7, 2023)
- Deacon Andy Plucinski
- Deacon George White
- Deacon Robert Garamella
- James Schultz & Dorothy Laudano — Parish Secretaries
- Debbie Whitlock — Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 561-966-1538)
- Suzanne McKay — Youth Ministry
Father Leonard Dim, Pastor
Father Leonard Dim was born in Amike, Imo State, Nigeria. After seminary training at Bonus Pastor/St. Mary Seminary and a Bachelor of Philosophy from Seat of Wisdom College Seminary Owerri, he completed a Diploma in Theology in Austria (where he also learned German), then earned a Master of Divinity at Washington Theological Union before relocating to Florida. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Palm Beach in 2007 at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, ordained on May 4, 2012, and served at St. Joseph (Stuart) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Boca Raton) before returning to St. Matthew. He became Parochial Administrator following Father Clem's death and was named Pastor by Bishop Barbarito effective July 1, 2024, installed July 28, 2024.
Father Clem Hammerschmitt — In Memoriam
Father Clem Hammerschmitt was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, attended Catholic grade school, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Saint Mary of the Lake College Seminary, and transferred to the Diocese of Miami to finish his studies at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary. He was ordained on May 12, 1973, and served at parishes in Boca Raton, Riviera Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach and Palm Beach before being appointed founding pastor of St. Matthew in 1992. He also served as Diocesan Moderator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and of the Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. He returned to his Heavenly Father on November 7, 2023.
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for the full sacramental life of the Church — Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — and welcomes new members through OCIA. Parents preparing for a child's Baptism must be registered and active in the parish for at least three months before a date can be confirmed; weddings require at least four months' notice to the parish office.
- Baptism — Sunday after 12:00 Noon Mass; parents must be registered/active 3 months; contact parish office 2 months in advance
- First Holy Communion — 2-year program (grades 1–2)
- Confirmation — 2-year program (grades 8–9)
- Marriage — at least 4 months' notice
- Anointing / Ministration to the Sick — for hospitalized or homebound parishioners
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (year-round inquiry)
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
St. Matthew's Religious Education program is led by Debbie Whitlock (561-966-1538, [email protected]). CCD classes run from grade 1 through grade 9, beginning the week after Labor Day in September and ending the week before Mother's Day in May. Sacramental tracks include a 2-year First Communion program (Pre-Communion in grade 1, First Communion in grade 2) and a 2-year Confirmation program (Pre-Confirmation in grade 8, Confirmation in grade 9). Adult inquiry classes are offered for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith or to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Grades 1–9 faith formation
- First Communion track: 2 years (grades 1–2)
- Confirmation track: 2 years (grades 8–9)
- Older-child Pre-Communion & Communion classes
- Adult Inquiry Classes
- All CCD volunteers are FBI-fingerprinted, background-checked, and complete "Protecting God's Children" training
Youth Ministry & OCIA
Suzanne McKay coordinates St. Matthew's Youth Ministry (561-966-8878). The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — a year-round, no-obligation journey for non-Catholics, returning Catholics, and Catholics who have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation to explore the Catholic faith alongside the parish community.
- Youth Ministry led by Suzanne McKay
- OCIA for unbaptized adults, returning Catholics, and Catholics needing Initiation sacraments
- Open invitation to inquire with the OCIA team via the parish office
Parish Organizations & Ministries
Beyond the clergy and staff, St. Matthew is sustained by an active lay community. The Knights of Columbus Council 11669 (formerly the Men's Club) meets monthly and gathers as a group for the 10:30 Mass on the second Sunday of each month. The Council of Catholic Women meets on the third Tuesday. The Serra Club, a vocations-support group, now meets in St. Matthew's Parish Hall with breakfast and a guest speaker most months on the first Saturday. The Loving Hands Ministry meets every Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM to noon in the Parish Center.
- Knights of Columbus Council 11669 — meets 7:30 PM on the second Monday; contact John Hunt, Financial Secretary (561-236-8313)
- Council of Catholic Women — 7:00 PM Mass & 7:30 PM meeting on the third Tuesday (Sept–May)
- Serra Club — breakfast meetings on the first Saturday in the Parish Hall; contact Joanne Lewis (561-818-9147)
- Loving Hands Ministry — Tuesdays 10:00 AM–12 Noon, Parish Center
- St. Matthew Men's Club — 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday in the Parish Center
St. Matthew Bingo
Every Thursday of the year, St. Matthew hosts "Ca$h Ball" Bingo in the Parish Center. Doors open at 5:30 PM and games start at 6:30 PM. Refreshments are available for purchase, and all proceeds go toward reducing the parish debt. Bingo is open to the public, but attendees must be at least 18 years old.
- Doors open: 5:30 PM | Games start: 6:30 PM
- Refreshments available for purchase
- Open to the public (18+)
- Proceeds benefit the parish debt
Parish Office, Giving & Practical Info
The parish office at 6090 Hypoluxo Road is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The parish supports electronic giving through Faith Direct eGiving and publishes a weekly bulletin online. Registration forms (English and Spanish) are available for new parishioners, and Census/Registration Forms are required so that the parish has a record of membership for sacraments, sponsorships, weddings and baptisms. There is also a Gift Shop located in the Parish Center (southwest corner).
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 noon & 1:00–4:00 PM
- Faith Direct eGiving available
- Weekly Bulletin online
- Parish Gift Shop in the Parish Center
- New Parishioner Registration Form (English & Spanish)
- Parish Center available for rental
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Clem Hammerschmitt1992 – November 7, 2023
Founding pastor; ordained for the Diocese of Miami in 1973; served as Diocesan Moderator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and of the Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Died in office on November 7, 2023.
- Rev. Leonard Dim2023 – present (Administrator from 2023; Pastor from July 1, 2024)
Nigerian-born priest ordained May 4, 2012 for the Diocese of Palm Beach; installed as pastor by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito on July 28, 2024.