About St. Michael the Archangel · Hudson, Florida
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Hudson, Florida, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (Pasco County, West Pasco-Hernando Deanery). The parish community took root in 1964 as a mission station and was canonically established as an independent parish in 1971 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin. The current church was built in 1984 at a cost of $2 million and was dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin on December 1, 1985. Today the parish is served by Very Rev. James Ruhlin, V.F. (Pastor), Rev. Pius T. Mathew (Parochial Vicar), and a lay staff, offering daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments, and a wide range of liturgical, faith-formation, and outreach ministries including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ladies Sodality, Lazarus Society, Bible study, and RCIA.
- Established
- 1971 (granted parish status); mission established October 1964; church dedicated December 1, 1985
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Rev. James Ruhlin, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg (West Pasco-Hernando Deanery, Pasco County)
Why belong here
St. Michael's welcomes visitors, new residents, and returning Catholics with daily and weekend Masses, two convenient Thursday confession slots, and Friday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction. The parish runs a full sacramental and faith-formation life — RCIA, Faith Formation for youth, Bible studies, Adult Faith Formation — alongside long-standing service groups such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which provides food, utility, and prescription help), the Ladies Sodality, the Lazarus Society funeral ministry, the Rosary and Altar Societies, and a dedicated choir and music ministry. It's a community that traces its roots to 1964 and has kept the same pastor-led, volunteer-driven spirit since its first Mass of 81 faithful in a fire-department hall.
Mass times at St. Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (in the Chapel); Eucharistic Benediction begins at 3:00 PM
- First Friday: Adoration with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:30 PM followed by Benediction at 4:00 PM
Parish History
St. Michael the Archangel Parish traces its roots to a Hudson mission station founded in October 1964 by Father Michael Leap, then pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Port Richey, who saw a wave of Northern Catholics moving into the area. The first Mass — celebrated by Father Richard Kircher for 81 people in the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Hall — was followed by moves to the Oakley Building, the Hudson Community Club, the Country Club Estates Social Club, and the Jasmine Lakes Civic Association. Bishop Charles McLaughlin, first Bishop of St. Petersburg, granted the community independent parish status in 1971. The parish moved onto its own land on State Road 52 in 1972, gathered under one roof in the new Parish Center on February 2, 1975, broke ground for the present church on January 30, 1983, and dedicated the finished church on December 1, 1985.
- 1964 — Mission station founded; first Mass at Hudson Volunteer Fire Dept. Hall (81 faithful)
- 1968 — Diocese of St. Petersburg canonically established; mission moves to Country Club Estates / Jasmine Lakes
- 1971 — Granted independent parish status by Bishop Charles McLaughlin
- 1972 — Land acquired on State Road 52; Parish Center construction begins
- February 2, 1975 — Parish community worships together for the first time in one building
- January 30, 1983 — Ground-breaking and blessing of the new church site
- Late 1984 — Church completed at a cost of $2,000,000; copper cross (3,500 lb) raised by 90-ton crane
- December 1, 1985 — Church dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. James Ruhlin, V.F., who serves as Pastor, with Rev. Pius T. Mathew assisting as Parochial Vicar. Seminarian Vincent Washburn is also assigned to the parish. A lay staff and a corps of volunteers run the day-to-day operations, faith formation, music, and facilities.
- Very Rev. James Ruhlin, V.F. — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Pius T. Mathew — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Vincent Washburn — Seminarian
- Andy Gotsch — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected], 727-379-1558)
- Barbara Alvarez — Director of Ministries ([email protected])
- Deborah Rivera — Music Director ([email protected])
- Rita Gordon — Parish Administrator ([email protected])
- Julie Stalter — Executive Secretary ([email protected])
- Rich Mercado — Maintenance Supervisor ([email protected])
- Michael Garafalo — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for parish youth is led by Director Andy Gotsch. Classes for the 2026 program year begin August 16, with online registration and payment available, plus in-person registration in the Malin Center on the two prior Sundays (9:45–11:00 AM).
- Faith Formation classes begin August 16, 2026
- Online registration via the parish website
- In-person registration in the Malin Center (Sundays 9:45–11:00 AM)
- Contact: Andy Gotsch — [email protected], (727) 379-1558
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is offered for anyone exploring the Catholic faith or baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation. Classes meet Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, beginning August 18 for the new cycle. Registration is available online at saintmichaelchurch.org/rcia-registration.
- Tuesdays 7:00–8:30 PM, beginning August 18
- Open to inquirers and to baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation
- Contact: Andy Gotsch — [email protected], (727) 379-1558
Adult Faith Formation & Bible Study
The parish regularly hosts Bible Study series in Room 3, drawing on Catholic video lecture programs such as Dr. Brant Pitre's work. Recent/featured studies include 'The Origin of the Bible' (Thursdays 10:00 AM) and 'Jesus and the End Times' (Wednesdays 10:00 AM).
- Bible Study — Thursdays 10:00 AM, Room 3 (e.g., 'The Origin of the Bible' with Dr. Brant Pitre)
- Bible Study — Wednesdays 10:00 AM, Room 3 (e.g., 'Jesus and the End Times' with Dr. Brant Pitre)
- Adult Faith Formation listed as a parish ministry on saintmichaelchurch.org
Liturgical Ministries
Volunteer liturgical ministries ensure the smooth running of Masses and the prayer life of the parish. Trained parishioners serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Ushers, supported by the Music Ministry (Director Deborah Rivera) and the parish choir — one of the parish's original ministries dating to its founding era.
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Choir / Music Ministry (Deborah Rivera, Director — [email protected])
- Cleaning and Maintenance Ministry
Parish Societies & Fellowship
Long-standing parish societies and fellowship groups build community life. Several — the Rosary Society, Altar Society, Ladies' Guild, Men's Club, and original Choir — date back to the parish's earliest years. The Ladies Sodality, in particular, gathers women of all ages for fellowship, hosts the annual crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary in May, organizes parish cruises, and celebrates members' birthdays.
- Ladies Sodality — annual May crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary, parish cruises, birthday celebrations
- Ladies' Guild (one of the parish's original ministries)
- Men's Club (one of the parish's original ministries)
- Rosary Society (one of the parish's original ministries)
- Altar Society (one of the parish's original ministries)
- Prayer Groups
Outreach & Service
St. Michael's carries out the Works of Mercy through parish-based service organizations. The St. Vincent de Paul conference at 8020 State Road 52 provides direct assistance with food, utilities, and prescriptions (727-857-5818). The Lazarus Society fulfils the Spiritual Work of Mercy of praying for the dead, comforting families at funeral and Memorial Masses and reciting the Rosary at the funeral home on request.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society conference — food, utilities, prescriptions (8020 State Road 52; 727-857-5818)
- Lazarus Society — prays for the deceased; comforts families; recites Rosary at funeral home upon request
- Community Participation ministry — connect with ministries via the parish's online Volunteer Form
Youth Ministry
St. Michael's Youth Ministry, based on the USCCB's 'Renewing the Vision' framework, is open to teens in 8th through 12th grades. Discussions are rooted in Catholic teaching but teens of all backgrounds are welcome. As of the most recent parish update, the regular Youth Group is on hiatus due to low participation while the parish evaluates needs; days/events will be announced via the website and bulletin. Director of Faith Formation Andy Gotsch coordinates youth programming.
- Open to 8th–12th graders
- Built on USCCB 'Renewing the Vision' framework (advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice & service, leadership, pastoral care, prayer & worship)
- Regular Youth Group currently on hiatus; one-off youth ministry days being planned
- Contact: Andy Gotsch — [email protected], (727) 379-1558
Visiting & Getting Involved
The parish warmly welcomes visitors, those looking for a new parish home, and anyone curious about the Catholic faith. Newcomers are encouraged to register with the parish and to connect with ministries and activities through the parish's online Volunteer Form, or by contacting the main office at (727) 868-5276 or [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Masses are open to all; the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Thursday afternoons and evenings, and Eucharistic Adoration is available Fridays in the Chapel.
- Parish office: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Phone: (727) 868-5276
- Email: [email protected]
- Online Volunteer Form at www.saintmichaelchurch.org/volunteer-form
- In-person Faith Formation registration held in the Malin Center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael Leap1964 (mission founder)
Founder; former pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey, who established the mission station in Hudson in October 1964.
- Father George A. Malin1964–c. 1971+
First pastoral leader of the Hudson mission; shepherded the community through its rental-hall years, the move to Country Club Estates/Jasmine Lakes, and into independent parish status in 1971; oversaw construction of the Parish Center on State Road 52.
- Father Richard Kircher1964
Celebrated the very first Mass at the mission (81 in attendance) in the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Hall.