About St. Sebastian · Sebastian, Florida
St. Sebastian Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 13075 U.S. Highway 1 in Sebastian, Florida, and is the northernmost parish in the Diocese of Palm Beach. The parish motto is 'Come to Worship, Leave to Serve,' and it has grown from the former St. William Mission (established with about 90 families in 1964) into a vibrant faith community of roughly 2,000 families, served by daily and Sunday Masses, an adoration chapel, a weekly meal ministry, Christ Renews Us retreats, and a sister mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is led by Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F. (also serving as Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Palm Beach since May 2026), with Fr. Sabas Mallya as parochial vicar, two deacons, and a full parish staff.
- Established
- 1996
- Patron
- St. Sebastian (early Christian martyr; patron of soldiers and athletes)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F. (also Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Palm Beach)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Sebastian is known for a warm, deliberate hospitality — pastor Father Pulikal and a 30-plus volunteer Greeters and Newcomers Ministry personally welcome every visitor — set in a 'come to worship, leave to serve' culture that lives out daily in its Thursday meal ministry (150–200 hot meals delivered weekly to those in need), St. Vincent de Paul outreach, Legion of Mary, Christ Renews Us retreats each fall and spring, and a robust faith-formation program that now includes the new St. Sebastian Academy preschool. With daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:30 a.m., three Sunday Masses, daily Eucharistic adoration in a dedicated chapel from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and bilingual pastoral care through its Our Lady of Guadalupe mission, the parish offers both depth of devotion and a wide door of service for newcomers, retirees, families, and seasonal residents of the Sebastian area.
Mass times at St. Sebastian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM
- Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (per Catholic directory listings)
- By special arrangement anytime (contact the Rectory)
Adoration times
- Daily Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Fridays in the Church: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Holy Hour in the Chapel: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 PM
Parish Overview & Mission
St. Sebastian Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach, located at 13075 U.S. Highway 1 in Sebastian, Florida. The parish's stated mission is 'to grow as a Faith-based Community being nourished by the Word of God and the Sacraments as we reach out in service with love and compassion.' Its motto — 'Come to Worship, Leave to Serve' — is lived out in a deliberate culture of hospitality (the pastor and a 30-plus volunteer Greeters Ministry greet every visitor before Mass) and in dozens of outreach and devotional programs. As the northernmost parish in the Diocese of Palm Beach, St. Sebastian sees itself as the 'first parish' and 'gatekeeper' of the diocese, and it now anchors a sister mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the west side of Interstate 95.
- Northernmost parish in the Diocese of Palm Beach
- Motto: 'Come to Worship, Leave to Serve'
- Sister mission: Our Lady of Guadalupe (west side of I-95)
- Pastor: Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F. (also Chancellor of the Diocese of Palm Beach)
History
The Catholic community that became St. Sebastian began as St. William Mission in 1964, when about 90 families in the Sebastian area began gathering for Mass celebrated by traveling priests of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Over the next three decades the mission grew steadily, and around 1996 it was elevated to parish status and took the name of the early Christian martyr St. Sebastian, whose traditional iconography of arrows connects with the historic Sebastian Inlet area. In January 2021 the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking its growth to more than 2,000 registered families under the long pastorate of Father John Morrissey (24 years, through July 2023). Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito then appointed Father Antony Pulikal as the new pastor in July 2023.
- 1964 — St. William Mission founded with ~90 families
- c. 1996 — elevated to parish status and named St. Sebastian
- January 2021 — 25th anniversary (silver jubilee) celebrated
- July 2023 — Father Antony Pulikal appointed pastor
- 2026 — St. Sebastian Academy preschool launches on campus
Devotions
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. Sebastian offers a robust set of weekly devotions rooted in traditional Catholic piety. The Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM in the Church, with a Rosary Cenacle on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 AM. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited Fridays at 9:45 AM, and a Patriotic Rosary is prayed on Wednesdays after Mass. These devotions are intentionally accessible, allowing parishioners to drop in around daily Mass.
- Rosary — Mon–Sat 8:00 AM (Church)
- Rosary Cenacle — Wed & Fri 10:00 AM
- Divine Mercy Chaplet — Fri 9:45 AM (Church)
- Patriotic Rosary — Wed after Mass (Church)
- Holy Hour — Tue & Thu 3:00 PM (Chapel)
Sacraments
St. Sebastian celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled for the first Sunday of the month within the 11:30 Mass, with parents required to be registered and to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 PM. First Holy Communion and Confirmation are prepared for through the Faith Formation program. The Anointing of the Sick is available by contacting the parish office, and the priests regularly visit Sebastian River Medical Center. Couples preparing for Marriage should contact the Rectory for an appointment with a priest or deacon and to begin the FOCCUS program, allowing approximately six months of preparation. Those discerning Holy Orders are encouraged to speak with the pastor, Father Antony.
- Baptism: 1st Sunday of the month at the 11:30 Mass
- First Communion & Confirmation: via Faith Formation
- Confession: Saturdays 9:00 AM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: by request; priests visit Sebastian River Medical Center
- Marriage: contact Rectory; ~6 months preparation; FOCCUS program
- Holy Orders: contact the pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is led by Mrs. Debbie Bova, Director of Faith Formation (772-589-4147). The program prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and supports adult formation through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those exploring Catholicism or preparing to come into the Church. Evening RCIA sessions allow candidates to ask questions, learn Church teaching, and reflect on their decision. Beginning in fall 2026, the parish is opening St. Sebastian Academy, a preschool on the parish campus; registration is handled by emailing [email protected].
- Director of Faith Formation: Mrs. Debbie Bova (772-589-4147)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (evening sessions)
- First Communion & Confirmation preparation
- St. Sebastian Academy preschool (fall 2026 registration)
Youth & Family Ministry
Youth Ministry is led by Theresa Guirola and is woven into the parish's family life — most visibly in the designation of the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass as the Family/Youth Mass. Children are also welcomed into the liturgical life of the parish through the Altar Server Ministry. The new St. Sebastian Academy preschool is the parish's most visible expansion of family-focused ministry for 2026.
- Youth Minister: Theresa Guirola
- Family/Youth Mass: Sunday 11:30 AM
- Altar Server Ministry (for children)
- St. Sebastian Academy preschool (opening fall 2026)
Outreach & Service
St. Sebastian's outreach is the practical expression of its 'Leave to Serve' motto. The parish meal ministry prepares and delivers 150 to 200 hot meals to the homebound and needy every Thursday of the year, run entirely by parish volunteers and supported by parishioner donations. The St. Vincent de Paul conference provides direct assistance to neighbors in need. The Legion of Mary offers a spirituality of service and evangelization, while the Newcomers Ministry and Greeters Ministry (with more than 30 volunteers) ensure that every visitor and new parishioner is personally welcomed and followed up with.
- Parish Meal Ministry — 150–200 meals every Thursday
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Legion of Mary
- Greeters Ministry (30+ volunteers)
- Newcomers Ministry
Spiritual Retreats
St. Sebastian hosts the Christ Renews Us (CRU) parish retreat program — a one-day, on-site retreat offered to every adult member of the parish (age 21+, including non-Catholic spouses). Men's and women's retreats are held on separate weekends in the fall and spring. The retreat begins Friday evening and concludes Saturday evening, with all meals provided and an informal, prayerful, scripture-based format led by a team of parishioners with a priest or deacon.
- Christ Renews Us (CRU) — one-day parish retreat
- Open to adults 21+
- Separate Fall (men) and Spring (women) weekends
- On-site at the parish; meals provided; donations welcomed
Liturgy & Music
Music and liturgical coordination are central to the parish's worship life. John Korczynski serves as Music Minister and Siri Barletta as Liturgical Coordinator. Parishioners are invited to serve in the Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Altar Server ministries; the parish currently has a particular need for ushers at the 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses.
- Music Minister: John Korczynski
- Liturgical Coordinator: Siri Barletta
- Lector Ministry
- Eucharistic Minister Ministry
- Altar Server Ministry
- Ushers Ministry (currently recruiting)
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F., who was appointed in July 2023 and in May 2026 was additionally named Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Palm Beach by Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, while remaining as pastor. Father Sabas Mallya serves as Parochial Vicar (and as pastor-in-charge of the sister mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe). Two deacons — Deacon John Herderson and Deacon Paul Giananella — assist in liturgical and pastoral ministry. The lay staff includes Sandy Sherman and Debbie Bova in the office, Marilyn Wright, Linda Graham, and Marcia McIntosh; Theresa Guirola (Youth Minister), Siri Barletta (Liturgical Coordinator), John Korczynski (Music Minister), Mark Jordan (Facilities Maintenance Supervisor), and council/commission members Steve Guess, Arnie Goodman, and Andy Rammel.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Sabas Mallya
- Deacons: John Herderson, Paul Giananella
- Music: John Korczynski
- Youth Ministry: Theresa Guirola
- Faith Formation: Mrs. Debbie Bova
- Facilities: Mark Jordan
- Office: Sandy Sherman, Marilyn Wright, Linda Graham, Marcia McIntosh
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Various mission priests (Diocese of Palm Beach)1964–c.1996
Priests from the Diocese of Palm Beach traveled to celebrate Mass for St. William Mission, the original mission congregation of about 90 families founded in 1964.
- Rev. John Morrisseyc.1999–July 2023
Pastor for 24 years; oversaw the parish's growth from its mission origins to more than 2,000 families, personally greeted parishioners before each Mass, and developed the Greeters, Newcomers, Christ Renews Us, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, and parish meal ministries. Retired in 2023.
- Very Rev. Antony Pulikal, V.F.July 2023–present
Appointed by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito in July 2023 from Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Palm Beach. Native of Kochi, Kerala, India. In May 2026 was additionally named Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Palm Beach by Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, while remaining pastor of St. Sebastian.
- Rev. Sabas Mallya2023–present (approx.)
Parochial Vicar; bilingual priest who oversees the sister mission parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the west side of Interstate 95.