About St. Rita Catholic Church · Dade City, Florida
St. Rita Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in Dade City, Florida, founded in 1912 in the heart of Pasco County's citrus-growing region. Long shepherded by Benedictine priests from nearby St. Leo Abbey, the parish came under the pastoral care of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1988 and today serves a diverse rural and agricultural community from its 14th Street campus. The current church, built in the mid-1970s, is adorned with hand-carved Italian lindenwood statuary and preserves the stained-glass windows of the original 1913 mission church.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Very Rev. Carlos J. Rojas, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Rita is a welcoming bilingual (English/Spanish) parish rooted in a small-town Dade City community that has served eastern Pasco County for more than a century. It offers daily and Sunday Mass in both languages, a Traditional Latin Mass on Sunday evenings, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Confession. Active parish groups include faith formation for children and families rooted in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a dynamic youth group (GOD IS GOOD), the Kingdom of Love Young Adult Ministry, the longstanding migrant ministry serving the area's agricultural workers, and a vibrant community of liturgical volunteers (altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, sacristans, and music ministry). The parish also shares in supporting St. Anthony Interparochial Catholic School in nearby San Antonio.
Mass times at St. Rita Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 pm (also listed as 9:00 am–12:00 pm on Thursdays in some sources)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Adoration/Adoración)
Parish History
St. Rita Parish was founded in 1912 in Dade City (Pasco County), in the center of a large citrus growing area. The original church was a gift from Mrs. Lauiger's family, erected in 1913 at 1000 South 5th Street with the first Mass celebrated on May 4, 1913. Additions followed in 1915 and 1917, including stained-glass windows imported from France. The Catholic community was shepherded for nearly 70 years by priests from St. Leo Benedictine Abbey, only five miles away — in the earliest years the monks even rode to Dade City on horseback. After the present church was built in 1974 (ground broken by Bishop Charles McLaughlin on Sept. 8, 1974), the Diocese of St. Petersburg was asked to assume pastoral care, formally taking over in 1988.
- Founded: 1912 (mission church erected 1913)
- Benedictine era: priests of St. Leo Abbey served until 1981
- Came under Diocese of St. Petersburg care: 1988
- New Administration/Religious Education building dedicated: November 1997
The Present Church Building
Construction of the current St. Rita church began in 1974 with Tampa architect Cesar P. Alfonso, A.I.A., and contractor Gude Brothers Construction Co. The new church incorporated treasured elements from the old mission: the stained-glass windows were preserved and reinstalled, linking past to present. Italian sculptor Cav. Giac. Vincenzo Mussner of Ortisei, Italy, was commissioned to create a 60-inch statue of the Risen Christ in lindenwood for the sanctuary, a complete set of 14 Stations of the Cross in lindenwood, and the altar with four apostle figures carved in chestnut. The original mission church was donated to the Women's Garden Club and still stands at 13630 5th Street as the Dade City Garden Club building; the parochial hall was sold and remains on North 21st Street.
- Architect: Cesar P. Alfonso, A.I.A. (Tampa)
- Contractor: Gude Brothers Construction Co.
- Italian lindenwood Risen Christ statue (60")
- 14 Stations of the Cross in lindenwood
- Altar with four apostle figures in chestnut
- Original stained-glass windows reinstalled
Clergy & Staff
St. Rita is currently served by Very Rev. Carlos J. Rojas, V.F., as Pastor and Dean of the East Pasco-Hernando Deanery, and Rev. Yovanny Calderon Silva as Parochial Vicar. The parish office is staffed during the week and can be reached at (352) 567-2894 or [email protected].
- Pastor: Very Rev. Carlos J. Rojas, V.F. (also Dean, East Pasco-Hernando Deanery)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Yovanny Calderon Silva
- Director of Faith Formation: Ana Muñoz (Ext. 226)
- Youth Minister & Outreach Coordinator: Patricia Rosales De Rios (Ext. 224)
Pastoral Succession
For generations, St. Rita was served by Benedictine priest-in-charge from St. Leo Abbey, several of whom later became abbots. Fr. Francis Sadlier, O.S.B. (1915–1929) became the second abbot of St. Leo. The most recent Benedictine priest-in-charge, Fr. Benedict Weigand, O.S.B. (1963–1980), oversaw construction of the present church and the founding of the migrant ministry. The transition to diocesan care under Fr. Robert Rittmeyer, O.S.B. (from 1980) led to St. Rita coming formally under the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1988.
- Fr. Augustine Feller, O.S.B. – earliest mission era (1913)
- Fr. Aloysius Dressman, O.S.B.
- Fr. Francis Sadlier, O.S.B. (1915–1929) – later Abbot of St. Leo
- Fr. John Schlicht (1929–1954)
- Fr. Ernest Schultz, O.S.B. (1954–1961)
- Fr. Andrew Metzger, O.S.B. (1961–1963)
- Fr. Benedict Weigand, O.S.B. (1963–1980)
- Fr. Robert Rittmeyer, O.S.B. (from 1980)
- Very Rev. Carlos J. Rojas, V.F. – current pastor
Faith Formation
St. Rita's Family Faith Formation Ministry is centered on the Eucharist and the Sunday liturgy, designed to help families grow spiritually together and serve the wider community. Programs include Faith Formation in the Atrium for K-5 children, rooted in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS); monthly Parent Sessions (first Sunday); and monthly Family Sessions (last Sunday). Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA) is offered for children and adults, with appointments available through the Director of Faith Formation.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium (K-5)
- Monthly Parent Sessions (first Sunday)
- Monthly Family Sessions (last Sunday)
- Sacramental Preparation for all ages
- Director: Ana Muñoz – Ext. 226
Youth Ministry – GOD IS GOOD
The parish's youth group, branded 'GOD IS GOOD,' welcomes middle and high school students and meets on Sundays after the 9:00 am (English) and 1:00 pm (Spanish) Masses. Each meeting includes prayer, games, music, food, and fellowship, with parent involvement encouraged. Activities include the Christmas Stroll in Downtown Dade City, sponsoring the Novena for the Virgin of Guadalupe, retreats at St. Leo Abbey (girls' retreat in February; boys' retreat in April), and Catholic summer camps in Georgia for both middle and high school cohorts.
- Meets Sundays after 9:00 am and 1:00 pm Masses
- Youth Minister: Patricia Rosales De Rios (Ext. 224)
- Annual retreats at St. Leo Abbey (girls Feb, boys Apr)
- Catholic summer camps in Georgia
- Rock the Universe at Universal Studios trip
- Flocknote sign-up: text STRITADC to 84576
Kingdom of Love Young Adult Ministry
St. Rita's young adult ministry welcomes all ages 18–35 for prayer, worship, faith formation, service, fellowship, and fundraising, with the mission to 'illuminate the hearts of our generation with the transformative love of Christ.'
- Open to young adults ages 18–35
- Meets every Monday 7:20–9:20 PM
Migrant Ministry & Outreach
St. Rita's migrant ministry was founded during Fr. Benedict Weigand's tenure with the help of Fr. Damien DuQuesnay, O.S.B., Benedictine sisters from Holy Name Priory, and Fr. Loran Miller. It remains an important ministry today, reflecting the agricultural, rural nature of eastern Pasco County and the citrus- and farm-worker community the parish has served for over a century.
- Founded in Fr. Benedict Weigand's era (1963–1980)
- Supported by Benedictine sisters of Holy Name Priory
- Serves agricultural and migrant workers in eastern Pasco County
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners can serve at Mass as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, ushers, sacristans, or through the Music Ministry. Volunteers are listed on the parish registration form and are always welcomed into service.
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Music Ministry
St. Anthony Interparochial Catholic School
St. Rita is one of four parishes that together support St. Anthony Interparochial Catholic School in San Antonio, Florida — alongside Sacred Heart (Dade City), St. Anthony of Padua (San Antonio), and St. Joseph (Zephyrhills). The school's history dates to 1883, and it is currently located at 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive, San Antonio, FL 33576 (352-588-3041).
- Address: 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive, San Antonio, FL 33576
- Phone: 352-588-3041
- Website: www.stanthonyschoolfl.org
- Affiliated parishes: Sacred Heart, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph (Zephyrhills), St. Rita
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the parish office, located at 14404 14th St., Dade City, FL 33523. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone at (352) 567-2894 or by email at [email protected]. Newcomers can register online through the parish website.
- Address: 14404 14th St., Dade City, FL 33523
- Phone: (352) 567-2894
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Live-streamed Mass available on Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Augustine Feller, O.S.B.Early years (mission era)
Conducted the dedicatory Mass for the original mission church in 1913 when the bishop was detained.
- Fr. Aloysius Dressman, O.S.B.
Early Benedictine priest-in-charge from St. Leo Abbey.
- Fr. Francis Sadlier, O.S.B.1915–1929
Built the parochial hall; later became the second abbot of St. Leo.
- Fr. John Schlicht1929–1954
Guided the church's continued progress.
- Fr. Ernest Schultz, O.S.B.1954–1961
Maintained residence in the rectory on North 14th Street.
- Fr. Andrew Metzger, O.S.B.1961–1963
- Fr. Benedict Weigand, O.S.B.1963–1980
Acquired the rectory, block house and three lots; founded the migrant ministry; oversaw construction of the present church; served 17 years.
- Fr. Robert Rittmeyer, O.S.B.1980–
Made priest-in-charge on Nov. 1, 1980 with Fr. Joseph Rimshaw as assistant; era when the Diocese of St. Petersburg was asked to assume pastoral care.
- Very Rev. Carlos J. Rojas, V.F.Current pastor
Also serves as Dean of the East Pasco-Hernando Deanery.