About St. Scholastica · Lecanto, Florida
St. Scholastica Catholic Church is a vibrant, spiritually alive parish in Lecanto, Florida, serving Citrus County as part of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1987 as a mission of St. Benedict's in Crystal River, it was raised to parish status in April 1991 and today offers multiple weekend Masses, daily Eucharist, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust slate of ministries. The parish worships from its current church building dedicated in January 2000 and gathers in the Father James Hoge Parish Center (completed in 2012), named for its Benedictine founding pastor.
- Established
- 1987
- Patron
- St. Scholastica of Nursia
- Rector
- Very Rev. Kenneth J. Malley, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg (Deanery: Citrus)
Why belong here
St. Scholastica is the spiritual home for Catholics across Citrus County who want a Christ-centered experience of life — worship grounded in the Eucharist, Scripture, and tradition, with daily Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and a robust faith formation program for children. Whether you are drawn to serve as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, altar server, greeter, usher, or musician — or to join the Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, or Legion of Mary — there is a meaningful way to use your gifts here. The parish is committed to outreach to the homebound, nursing home ministry, respect-life work, and a vibrant OCIA process for adults entering the Church.
Mass times at St. Scholastica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM (or by appointment)
- Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (per diocesan schedule)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM with Benediction to follow
- Monday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
History of St. Scholastica Parish
St. Scholastica began as a mission of St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Crystal River, Florida in 1987. The first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987, by founding Pastor Fr. James Hoge, O.S.B., in the multipurpose Senior Citizen Center of Citrus County on County Road 491. As the community grew, the Sunday Liturgy moved to the Knights of Columbus Hall #6168 in Lecanto on November 1, 1987, and then to the cafeteria of the newly completed Central Catholic School of Citrus County (now Saint John Paul II Catholic School) in August 1989.
- April 19, 1987: First Easter Mass at the Citrus County Senior Citizen Center
- November 1, 1987: Liturgy relocates to Knights of Columbus Hall #6168 in Lecanto
- August 1989: Masses move to Central Catholic School's multi-purpose cafeteria
- April 1991: Mission raised to St. Scholastica Parish
Building the Church and Parish Center
Ground was broken for the new St. Scholastica Church on February 13, 1999, with hundreds of parishioners and friends attending. Dedication of the new church was celebrated on January 8, 2000, by the Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Planning for a much-needed parish center began in 2001 under Rev. Richard Jankowski. A pledge drive launched in November 2005 under Rev. Michael Smith ultimately saw the project to completion in 2012, and it was named the Father James Hoge Parish Center in honor of the founding pastor.
- February 13, 1999: Groundbreaking for new church
- January 8, 2000: Church dedication by Bishop Robert N. Lynch
- 2001: Parish center planning begins
- November 2005: Parish-wide pledge drive launched
- 2012: Father James Hoge Parish Center completed
Parish Life and Volunteer Ministries
St. Scholastica relies on volunteers who use their gifts to serve the parish through ministries such as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Greeters, Ushers, and Musicians. The Church of St. Scholastica is also host to several organizations including the Knights of Columbus Council 14485, the Council of Catholic Women, and the Parish Advisory Council. The parish shares 1 Peter 4:10 as the heart of its call to stewardship: 'As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.'
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Greeters, Ushers, Musicians
- Knights of Columbus Council 14485
- Council of Catholic Women
- Parish Advisory Council
- Finance Committee
Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation
The Mission of Faith Formation at St. Scholastica is to assist parents and families in nurturing their relationships with Jesus Christ by learning about the doctrine and dogma of the Catholic Faith. Two tracks are offered for students in Grades K–8: an Online Track and a Traditional In-Person Track. All Faith Formation families are encouraged to attend the parish breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus each month, with Faith Formation children receiving breakfast free.
- Online Track and Traditional In-Person Track (Grades K–8)
- Sacrament Preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist (2nd grade) and Confirmation (8th grade)
- Sessions held the first Sunday of each month
- Coordinator: Stephanie Ragoonanan
- Sacrament prep contact: Shannon Brant ([email protected])
Music and Worship
The Music Ministry's purpose is to lead the faithful to a fuller, more complete participation in the Mass through music, and to raise voices and talents in such a way as to inspire and enrich the community's worship experience. The season runs mid-August through the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ in late spring, with weekly rehearsals and a summer recess.
- Director of Music and Worship: John Edel
- St. Scholastica Sounders – adult bell choir
- St. Scholastica Schola – traditional choir (ministers at 4 PM vigil and 9 AM Mass)
- Contemporary Ensemble led by John Edel (ministers at 6 PM vigil and 11:30 AM Mass)
- Weekly rehearsals; no prior training or fingerprinting required
Outreach, Charity, and Pastoral Care
St. Scholastica extends its care beyond the church walls through ministries that bring the Eucharist and companionship to those who cannot easily come to Mass. The Culture of Life Ministry advocates for the dignity of human life, and a Telephone Prayer Line provides spiritual support to parishioners and the wider community.
- Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound
- Nursing Home Volunteers
- Culture of Life Ministry
- Telephone Prayer Line
- Sacristans and Care of Altar Linens
- Art and Environment
Getting Involved
Anyone interested in serving in a ministry at St. Scholastica is encouraged to contact the parish office at 352-746-9422. The parish emphasizes stewardship of time and talent as a lived expression of faith, with opportunities for adults, families, and musicians of all experience levels.
- Contact parish office: (352) 746-9422 or [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday – Friday
- Volunteer pathway through ministries listed under Parish Life
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Hoge, O.S.B.April 20, 1987 – January 14, 1992
Founding pastor. Started the mission from St. Benedict's in Crystal River; celebrated first Easter Mass 1987.
- Rev. Thomas T. MorganJanuary 15, 1992 – August 31, 2000
First pastoral assignment; led parish through church ground-breaking (1999) and dedication (2000).
- Rev. Richard JankowskiSeptember 1, 2000 – June 30, 2006
Began planning phases for the parish center.
- Rev. Michael SmithJuly 1, 2006 – June 30, 2013
Oversaw parish-wide building campaign; directed completion of the Father James Hoge Parish Center in 2012.
- Rev. Robert RomaineJuly 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014
- Rev. James B. Johnson, V.F.July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2023
Served as Vicar Forane for Citrus County.
- Rev. Kenneth (Ken) Malley, V.F.June 1, 2023 – present
Current pastor; previously served as Vicar Forane for the deanery.