About St. Timothy Catholic Church · Lady Lake, Florida
St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando located in Lady Lake, Florida, on the east side of The Villages near Spanish Springs Town Square. Established in 1985 as the Lady Lake Catholic Mission, it grew rapidly from a congregation meeting in a recreation hall to one of the larger parishes serving the retirement communities of central Florida. Today it offers multiple daily and weekend Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and outreach conference, robust faith formation for children and adults, and a wide array of lay ministries and devotional groups.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- St. Timothy
- Rector
- Very Reverend Ralph DuWell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Timothy offers a deeply rooted Catholic community with the spiritual and social resources of a large, well-established parish — multiple daily and weekend Masses with livestream options, a dedicated Perpetual Adoration Chapel (the Last Supper Adoration Chapel), a robust Sacrament schedule, and a thriving St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and household-assistance conference that serves neighbors in need. Parishioners of every age can plug into faith formation (PreK3 through 8th grade, plus Confirmation and adult programs), devotional groups like the Legion of Mary, Charismatic Prayer Group, and Rosary Makers, social organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild, and Karing Krafters, and ministries of consolation including Grief Support and Cancer Support. Its location on Paige Place, adjacent to The Villages, makes it a convenient spiritual home for both year-round residents and the many seasonal visitors to central Florida.
Mass times at St. Timothy Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: Following the 8:00 AM Mass (approximately 9:15 AM) until 9:30 AM (in Parish Hall Classrooms during the AC replacement project)
- Saturday: 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM (in Parish Hall Classrooms during the AC replacement project)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM (in Parish Hall Classrooms during the AC replacement project)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Last Supper Adoration Chapel (cards providing access available from the Church Office)
History of St. Timothy Parish
St. Timothy traces its origins to a foundational meeting at the Orange Blossom Gardens Club House on October 15, 1985, where roughly 225 people gathered to organize the Lady Lake Catholic Mission under Father Philip Stegeman. The community grew rapidly, was renamed St. Timothy Catholic Mission in early 1986, and built an $800,000 multi-purpose building dedicated in stages through 1988–1989. It became an official parish on December 1, 1988 under its first pastor, Father William Killion.
- Oct 15, 1985 — founding meeting at Orange Blossom Gardens Club House, led by Father Philip Stegeman of St. Paul's, Leesburg
- Nov 3, 1985 — first Mass celebrated at 8:00 AM in the OBG Recreation Hall
- Early 1986 — renamed St. Timothy Catholic Mission
- Oct 4, 1987 — groundbreaking for $800,000 multi-purpose building
- June 26, 1988 — first Mass in the new building celebrated by Father Stegeman
- Oct 7, 1988 — Father Stegeman's funeral Mass in the building he built
- Dec 1, 1988 — Father William Killion appointed first pastor; St. Timothy becomes a parish
- Dec 10, 1989 — dedication of the original church building
Building the Current Church (1994–1996)
Catholic households in the area swelled to roughly 1,600 families by the early 1990s, overwhelming the original multi-purpose structure and its five weekend Masses. Under Father Robert V. Fucheck, the parish broke ground for a much larger church on November 23, 1994. The new St. Timothy Catholic Church was dedicated on Sunday, January 28, 1996, with the Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, C.P.S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando, presiding.
- Nov 23, 1994 — groundbreaking for the new church
- Jan 28, 1996 — dedication of St. Timothy Catholic Church by Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, C.P.S.T.D.
Pastoral Succession
Six priests have led St. Timothy as pastor over four decades, plus an interim administrator. The parish website's 'About Us' page provides the most complete published succession, and is supplemented with the parish staff page that lists retired clergy still in residence.
- Father Philip Stegeman — founding priest (1985–1988)
- Father William Killion — first pastor (1988–1992)
- Father Louis Dunleavy — second pastor (Nov 1992 – Oct 13, 1993; died in office)
- Father Francis X. Zammit — administrator during transition (Dec 1992 – Dec 1, 1993)
- Father Robert V. Fucheck — third pastor (Dec 1, 1993 – June 2009; retired)
- Father Ed Waters — fourth pastor (June 2009 – October 2022; transferred)
- Father Ralph DuWell — current pastor (October 2022 – present)
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Very Rev. Ralph DuWell (Pastor) and Rev. Thomas Pringle (Parochial Vicar), with Rev. Glen Paul Baptiste assisting. The active diaconate includes Deacons Robert Basye, William Castellane, and Dennis Wuebbels, with five additional retired deacons still listed on the parish roster. Parish staff oversee administration, faith formation, music, AV, facilities, and maintenance.
- Administration: Cecilia Wetzel (Business Manager); Judy Nye, Janine Cobar, Anne Yohn (Administrative Assistants); Pat Schaefer (Coordinator of Volunteers)
- Faith Formation: Veronica 'Nikki' Timmons (Director of Children/Youth Faith Formation); Dr. Anna-Marie Wright (Director of Adult Faith Formation)
- Music Ministry: Bill Doherty (Director of Music / Maestro)
- AV: Robert Laseter (AV Coordinator); Harrison Myers (AV Tech); Gabriel Doyle (AV Tech / Office Asst)
- Maintenance: Bill Renz (Facilities Manager); Billy Neske, David Iannarino, Doug Durkie, Nelson Rivero, Donald Keim, Tony Overstreet, Gary Mailhot (Maintenance Specialists)
- Gift Shop: (352) 350-8037
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Timothy celebrates two weekday Masses Monday–Friday (7:15 AM and 8:30 AM), one Saturday Mass (8:30 AM), three Saturday Vigil Masses (2:00, 4:00, 6:00 PM), and multiple Sunday Masses. Reconciliation is heard Tuesday after the 8:00 AM Mass and on Saturday afternoons, with appointments available on request. The parish livestreams Mass daily on Facebook, YouTube, and its website.
- Weekday Masses Mon–Fri: 7:15 AM and 8:30 AM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM (livestreamed)
- Saturday Vigil: 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 (livestreamed), 11:00 AM, 12:45 PM, 5:00 PM
- Holy Day Vigil: 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM; Holy Day: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM
- Confessions: Tuesday after 8:00 AM Mass; Saturday 1:00–1:45 PM and 3:00–3:45 PM; or by appointment
- Perpetual Adoration in the Last Supper Chapel (access cards from Church Office)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Timothy operates a multi-tiered Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults. Children ages three through 5th grade meet Sunday mornings at 10:10 AM, middle-school students (6th–8th) meet Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM, and sacramental preparation is offered in addition to regular faith formation. Adult Faith Formation includes women's studies, Eucharistic preparation, grief support, 12-step recovery, and fellowship events. Twenty-one parishioners were confirmed by Bishop Noonan on March 23, 2025.
- Children (PreK3 – 5th grade): Sundays 10:10 AM, Ministry Building classrooms
- Middle School (6th–8th grade): Sundays 6:00 PM
- First Reconciliation preparation — 2nd grade and older (2 years catechesis required)
- First Holy Communion preparation — 2nd grade and older
- Confirmation preparation — youth and adult (grades 9+ for adults)
- Adult programs: 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, Women of Grace, Grief Support, Coffee & A Movie, Life Recovery 12-Step Bible Study
- Vacation Bible School offered annually
- Formed online adult faith formation platform promoted
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Lay ministry is the heartbeat of St. Timothy. The parish lists dozens of ministries on its Ministries page, anchored by a robust Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference that runs the parish food pantry, household financial assistance, Backpack Program, monthly thrift-store donation truck, and Christmas Giving Tree. Devotional groups include the Legion of Mary, Charismatic Prayer Group, Rosary Makers, and the Marion Movement of Priests Cenacle. Fraternal and social organizations include the Knights of Columbus and the Women's Guild.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — food pantry (Tu/Th 9 AM–Noon, 1–3 PM; Sat 9 AM–Noon); household assistance; Backpack Program feeding ~70 students weekly; Christmas Giving Tree; Thrift Store Pickup last Thursday of month 7–11 AM
- Knights of Columbus — annual 25-Week Club charity drawing; Ladies Auxiliary
- Women's Guild — monthly fellowship events, annual Christmas Santa brunch
- Karing Krafters — Tuesdays 9–11 AM, Parish Hall
- Legion of Mary — Mondays 10:00 AM, Room 7; Thursday visitations
- Charismatic Prayer Group — Wednesdays 9:30 AM, Rooms 5 & 6
- Grief Support — 2nd & 4th Thursday, 9:30 AM, Rooms 1 & 2
- Cancer Support Ministry, Life Recovery 12-Step Bible Study, Rosary Makers
Music Ministry & Liturgy
The Music Ministry, under Director of Music Maestro Bill Doherty, leads congregational singing at weekend and holy day Masses and produces the parish's widely-attended annual Christmas concerts that blend classical and contemporary holiday music. The choir and cantors also rehearse weekly and accompany major liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
- Director of Music: Bill Doherty (Maestro)
- Choir and Cantor rehearsal schedule posted in the bulletin
- Annual Christmas Concert — featuring Choir plus special guests
- Livestream Mass audio/video coordinated with AV Ministry
Parish Facilities
St. Timothy's campus includes the main church (dedicated 1996), the Parish Hall (currently hosting Mass and Reconciliation during the 2026 AC replacement project), the Ministry Building with classrooms and meeting rooms (Rooms 1–7), the Last Supper Perpetual Adoration Chapel (north side of the ministry building, established 2011), the enlarged St. Vincent de Paul Society building, and the Gift Shop. Ample parking is accessible from southbound US Hwy 27/441 and from Paige Place.
- Main church — dedicated Jan 28, 1996
- Parish Hall — temporary home for Masses and Reconciliation June 8 – mid-July 2026
- Ministry Building — classrooms for faith formation and ministry meetings
- Last Supper Adoration Chapel — perpetual adoration, established 2011
- St. Vincent de Paul Society building — enlarged under Father Ed Waters
- Gift Shop — (352) 350-8037; cash/checks only
- Parking: ample; accessible from US Hwy 27/441 southbound or Paige Place
Visitor & Practical Information
St. Timothy welcomes visitors and seasonal parishioners to its campus on Paige Place in Lady Lake, just north of Spanish Springs Town Square on the east side of The Villages. The parish publishes a detailed Visitor Information page with directions, parking notes, FAQ, food pantry details, and links to Mass livestreams for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159
- Phone: 352-753-0989 • Fax: 352-753-9602
- Office Hours (per homepage): Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–3:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–Noon
- Office Hours (per bulletin): Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Food Pantry: Tue/Thu 9 AM–Noon & 1–3 PM; Sat 9 AM–Noon; phone (352) 753-1455
- Livestream: sttimothycc.com, Facebook, and YouTube
Diocese of Orlando & Governance
St. Timothy is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando, currently led by Bishop John Noonan, who appointed Father Ralph DuWell as pastor in October 2022. The parish acknowledges Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Noonan on its Parish Staff page, and the diocese covers the nine-county central Florida region that includes Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Marion counties. The parish operates with a Pastoral Council chaired by Ann Forrester as of the November 2024 bulletin.
- Diocese: Diocese of Orlando
- Bishop: Most Reverend John Noonan
- Pope acknowledged on staff page: Pope Leo XIV
- Pastoral Council chaired by Ann Forrester (2024)
- Parish within the Lake/Sumter/Marion tri-county area originally served
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Philip Stegeman1985–1988
Pastor of St. Paul's in Leesburg who organized the founding meeting on Oct 15, 1985; celebrated the first Mass on Nov 3, 1985; oversaw groundbreaking for the multi-purpose building in 1987 and celebrated its first Mass on June 26, 1988; died suddenly in October 1988 and his funeral Mass was offered in the new building on Oct 7, 1988.
- Father William Killion1988–1992
Appointed December 1, 1988, as the parish's first pastor at the moment St. Timothy became a parish; the original church building was dedicated on December 10, 1989.
- Father Louis DunleavyNovember 1992 – October 13, 1993
Second pastor; died in office on October 13, 1993.
- Father Francis X. ZammitDecember 1992 – December 1, 1993
Served as parish administrator during Father Dunleavy's illness and the transition until Father Fucheck's appointment.
- Father Robert V. FucheckDecember 1, 1993 – June 2009
Third pastor; oversaw the groundbreaking (Nov 23, 1994) and dedication (Jan 28, 1996) of the current church. Retired in June 2009.
- Father Ed WatersJune 2009 – October 2022
Appointed by Bishop Thomas Wenski; oversaw the enlargement of the St. Vincent de Paul building and establishment of the Last Supper Adoration Chapel in 2011. Transferred out of the Diocese of Orlando in October 2022.
- Father Ralph DuWellOctober 2022 – present
Appointed by Bishop John Noonan; had previously served as Parochial Vicar at St. Timothy from 2007 to 2010.
- Rev. Thomas Pringlecurrent
Current Parochial Vicar.
- Rev. Paul C. Joseph CMIpast Parochial Vicar (circa 2022–2024 bulletins)
Listed as Parochial Vicar on the 2024 parish bulletins.
- Rev. Leo Pererapast
Hospital Ministry priest (listed in 2023 bulletin).