About St. Patrick Catholic Church · Mount Dora, Florida
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish nestled on the border of Orange and Lake Counties in Mount Dora, Florida, within the Diocese of Orlando. The parish worships in a light-filled church seating 1,200 people, built in 2004 to replace the original 1973 sanctuary (now called Shepherd's Gate). Today St. Patrick serves a diverse community, including a significant Spanish-speaking population that gathers each December 11 for a vibrant celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe with mariachi and Aztec dancers. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with weekday Mass, weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith formation program for youth, an early childhood learning center, and ministries spanning music, youth, and Hispanic outreach.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Rowland Onuegbu, SDV (Parochial Administrator, 2026–)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers both English and Spanish Mass several times a week — including a Sunday Misa at 1:30 PM and a Tuesday evening Spanish Mass at 6:30 PM — alongside daily 9:00 AM Mass and regular Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays. The parish is home to a deeply engaged faith formation program (Kindergarten through high school, with RCIA/OCIA for adults), a choir program with traditional, contemporary, bell and children's choirs, an Early Childhood Learning Center, and the lively annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration on December 11 with mariachi and Aztec dancers. Confession is offered three times a week, and the parish lists a full roster of ministries including youth ministry (SPY), Hispanic ministry, music ministry, and faith formation — reflecting the multicultural, multi-generational community it describes in its own mission statement.
Mass times at St. Patrick Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM or by appointment
- Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 PM
- Fridays following 9:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Second Fridays of the month, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Parish History
St. Patrick Catholic Church was established in 1973 on land that Archbishop J.P. Hurley had purchased years earlier, when all of Florida was one diocese. Catholic families began gathering for Sunday Mass at the local Legion Hall — a bingo parlor whose heavy table was rolled in on roller skates each week to serve as an altar. The mission was formally recognized in 1971 with the appointment of Father Felix Banos as first pastor; Bishop Borders broke ground on March 19, 1972, and the Solemn Dedication was held on April 29, 1973.
- Founded April 29, 1973 (Solemn Dedication)
- Groundbreaking March 19, 1972 by Bishop Borders of Orlando
- Father Felix Banos appointed first pastor, September 1971
- Property originally purchased by Archbishop J.P. Hurley, Diocese of St. Augustine
- In 1995, Bishop Norbert Dorsey invited the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars
Building & Campus
The parish campus has grown significantly from a 400-seat original sanctuary to a current church that comfortably seats 1,200 people. The current church, completed in 2004, sits on higher ground on the campus and is described by the parish as a composition of light, with stained and clear glass creating a place of spirituality and contemplation.
- Current church built 2004 — seats 1,200
- Original 1973 church preserved as 'Shepherd's Gate' — classrooms and meeting rooms
- Parish hall dedicated in 1991, including the Early Childhood Learning Center
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers a robust faith formation program spanning Kindergarten through High School, with the OCIA process for adults exploring the Catholic faith. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation follows a two-year track.
- Youth Faith Formation, K–High School
- First Communion (end of two-year program; April 25, 2026 celebration)
- Confirmation (typically Grades 8 and 9 using Ascension Press 'Chosen')
- High School uses 'You' curriculum (Ascension Press)
- Classes meet Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM
- Becoming Catholic / OCIA for adults
Music & Liturgy
St. Patrick's active music ministry is one of the parish's distinguishing features, with multiple ensembles supporting the parish's liturgical life in English and Spanish.
- Traditional choir
- Contemporary choir
- Cantors
- Bell choir
- Children's choir
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerior Hispano)
The parish serves a significant Spanish-speaking population, largely Mexican in composition, with weekly Mass in Spanish and an annual feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Misa dominical en Español — 1:30 PM Sunday
- Misa en Español — 6:30 PM Tuesday
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — December 11, with mariachi and Aztec dancers
- Hispanic Ministry staff contact: Marisol Rodriguez, ext. 235
Early Childhood Learning Center
The parish operates a day-care program for very young children, housed in the parish hall dedicated in 1991.
- Day-care program for infants from six weeks old through pre-K
- Housed within the parish hall dedicated in 1991
- Director of Early Childhood Learning Center listed on parish staff page
Youth Ministry
St. Patrick Youth (SPY) is the parish's middle and high school youth ministry, with weekly Wednesday evening meetings.
- St. Patrick Youth (SPY) — high school youth group
- Wednesday evenings for grades 10–12 in the youth room
- Confirmation preparation integrated with youth ministry curriculum
Parish Staff & Office
The parish is administered by the Society of the Divine Word and supported by a large office and ministry staff.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Rowland Onuegbu, SDV
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Gianni Agostinelli
- Fr. Vibin Kollannur Thomas, S.D.V.
- Deacon Chuck Lee
- Deacon Jose G. Rodriguez
- Director of Early Childhood Learning Center: Mylitza Woodson
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Judi Zeller (ext. 234)
- Operations Manager: Joe Marshall (ext. 231)
- Parish Secretary: Alessandra Arruda
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Anna Wilhelm
- Youth Ministry: Anna Gazdecki / Michael Orola
- Administrative Assistant: Louise
- Communications Assistant (352) 383-2219
- Bookkeeper (ext. 228)
- Ministerior Hispano: Marisol Rodriguez (ext. 235)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, with specific sacramental preparation tracks for children and youth.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion (two-year preparation, celebrated each spring)
- Confirmation (two-year preparation, celebrated each spring)
- Marriage
- Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM, Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 PM, Fridays after 9:00 AM Mass, or by appointment)
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes new members through its online registration and is reached via the parish office phone number during regular business hours. Mass is live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 6803 Old Highway 441 S, Mount Dora, FL 32757
- Phone: (352) 383-8556
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stpatrickmtdora.org/
- Mass live-stream: https://stpatrickmtdora.org/mass-live-stream/
- Online registration: 'Join our Parish Family' link on the homepage
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Felix Banos1971–1976
First pastor of St. Patrick, appointed September 1971 as the parish was established.
- Fr. Brendan Donnelly1976–1985
- Fr. William Authenrieth1985–1986
- Fr. John Ryan1986–1995
- Fr. Emile Gentile, T.O.R.1995–2007
First Franciscan friar (Third Order Regular) to pastor the parish, invited by Bishop Norbert Dorsey in 1995.
- Fr. Robert D'Aversa, T.O.R.2007–2016
Third Order Regular Franciscan friar; oversaw 2004 era growth (and continued building of parish life).
- Fr. Anthony Aarons2016–2017
- Fr. Charles Deeney2017–2022
- Fr. Jimson Varghese, SDV2022–2023
First pastor from the Society of the Divine Word (S.D.V.) listed in the parish succession.
- Fr. Hank Sargado, SDV2023–2026
Society of the Divine Word (S.D.V.).
- Fr. Rowland Onuegbu, SDV2026–
Current Parochial Administrator, Society of the Divine Word (S.D.V.).