About Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church · Winter Park, Florida
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Winter Park, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Orlando. Established on July 27, 1967, it has grown from a 'community on the road' of 200 families celebrating Mass at borrowed spaces into a thriving parish of more than 3,100 families served from a 1,200-seat church dedicated in 2002. Today the parish offers Mass in English and Spanish, a full faith formation program for children, an Early Learning Center and elementary school, a broad range of liturgical, spiritual and outreach ministries, and a recently completed Ministry Center opened in 2017. Its patron saints, the Apostles Peter and Paul, are honored at the parish each year on their June 29 feast day.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (the Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Derk Schudde
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando (Northern Deanery, Seminole County)
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul is one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Orlando, with daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly confession, and two scheduled Eucharistic Adoration blocks each week. Families benefit from an on-campus Early Learning Center and Catholic elementary school (infants through 1st grade), a PreK–8 Children's Faith Formation program with sacramental prep for First Communion and Confirmation, and an RCIA process for adults and children. With more than 50 active ministries — from the Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women to a Food Pantry, Ministry to the Sick, Feed the Homeless, Grief Support, Hispanic and Filipino-American Ministries, and a Charismatic Prayer Group — there are concrete ways to serve, belong, and grow in faith at every life stage.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Additional scheduled confession times listed on the parish calendar (e.g. Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM sessions)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Parish History
Sts. Peter & Paul Parish was established on July 27, 1967, and celebrated its first Mass on August 13, 1967, on the grounds of Camp San Pedro. For two years, founding Pastor Michael Troy and 200 families were a 'community on the road,' celebrating Mass at the San Pedro Center, New Hope Baptist Church and Aloma Elementary School. The parish moved into a domed recreational building on November 1, 1969 that doubled as church, rectory, offices and auditorium.
- First Mass: August 13, 1967 (Camp San Pedro)
- Domus of the dome: November 1, 1969
- First dedicated church: September 14, 1980 (Bishop Thomas Grady; Pastor John Mitzi)
- Parish Family Center dedicated March 3, 1991
- Current 1,200-seat church dedicated September 15, 2002 by Bishop Norbert Dorsey (Pastor Sean Cooney)
- New Ministry Center completed early 2017
- Today: more than 3,100 families registered
Mission, Vision & Parish Goals
The parish states that it 'nurtures the spiritual lives of our family of believers by leading and inspiring each other to be true Christian disciples.' Its published goals cover deepening spiritual life through liturgy, prayer and devotions; providing religious education and spiritual formation; ministering within the parish and wider community; reaching returning Catholics and unchurched persons; deepening stewardship of prayer, time, talent and treasure; and celebrating diversity and commonality.
- Deepen spiritual life through liturgy, personal prayer and devotions
- Provide religious education and spiritual formation
- Minister to those within the parish family and community
- Reach out to returning Catholics and unchurched persons
- Deepen stewardship of prayer, time, talent and treasure
- Celebrate our diversity and our commonality
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Derk Schudde and Parochial Vicar Rev. Rogelio Landeta, assisted by three permanent deacons — Mark Fry, Norm Levesque and German Romero. A full parish staff supports the offices of Baptisms and Marriages (Pastoral Associate Sr. Anitha Antony), Business, Bookkeeping, Communications, Liturgy, Music, Pastoral Care, Reception, Faith Formation for adults, families and children, the Hispanic Ministry, and Maintenance.
- Pastor: Rev. Derk Schudde
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Rogelio Landeta
- Deacons: Mark Fry, Norm Levesque, German Romero
- Pastoral Care / Ministry to the Sick: 407-636-4280
- Adult & Family Faith Formation: 407-636-4254
- Children's Faith Formation (PreK–8): 407-636-4290
- Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: 407-636-4288
- Parish receptionist: 407-657-6114
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Children's Faith Formation program serves children from Pre-K through 8th grade using an Our Sunday Visitor curriculum approved by the USCCB and conformed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, organized around the four pillars of the Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Christian Morality, and Christian Prayer. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation requires enrollment for at least one full year of adequate participation, plus a $50 sacramental preparation fee.
- Curriculum: Our Sunday Visitor (USCCB-approved, Catechism-based)
- Grades served: Pre-K through 8th grade
- Annual registration fee: $65 / 1 child, $75 / 2 children, $85 / 3+ children
- Sacramental prep fee: $50 per student (First Communion or Confirmation)
- RCIA for Children (age 7+): contact Maribel DeAbreu, 407-636-4290
- Adult & Family Faith Formation: 407-636-4254
- Children's Liturgy of the Word offered at Sunday Mass
Sts. Peter and Paul School & Early Learning Center
An on-site Catholic school (stspps.org), operated as a ministry of the parish, blends age-appropriate academics with faith formation and character development from infant care through 1st grade. The school partners with Sacred Heart School to provide a pathway for continued Catholic education through 8th grade. Programs include infant and toddler care (ages 6 weeks to 2 years), programs for 2- and 3-year-olds, Pre-Kindergarten (ages 4–5), and Kindergarten through 1st Grade, with optional Before and After Care.
- Infant & Toddler Care (6 weeks–2 years): $160/week (3 days or less) or $265/week (4–5 days)
- 2- & 3-Year-Olds: $135/week (3 days or less) or $220/week (4–5 days)
- Pre-Kindergarten (ages 4–5): $3,937/year
- Kindergarten–1st Grade: $7,900/year
- Hours: 8:15 AM–3:15 PM (M–F, school calendar)
- Before Care: 7:30–8:05 AM ($3/day); After Care: 3:15–5:30 PM
- Application Fee: $35; Enrollment Fee: $25; Technology Fee: $35
- Partnership with Sacred Heart School for grades through 8
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Ushers, Hospitality/Greeters, and on the Arts & Environment and Audio Visual teams. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Sunday Mass for younger children.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Readers (Lectors)
- Ushers
- Hospitality / Greeters
- Arts & Environment
- Audio Visual
- Altar Care
- Music / Choir
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
Spirituality & Prayer Groups
The parish supports a wide range of ongoing prayer, devotional and small-group opportunities, including Eucharistic Adoration twice weekly, a charismatic prayer community, Lay Carmelites, Legion of Mary, Centering Prayer, men's and general Bible studies, and a Rosary Makers ministry.
- King of Kings Charismatic Prayer Group
- Lay Carmelites
- Legion of Mary
- Centering Prayer Group
- Men's Thursday Morning Bible Study
- Catholic Scripture Study
- Rosary Makers
- Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesday evening / Thursday morning)
- Anointing of the Sick (on request)
Outreach & Social Ministries
Sts. Peter and Paul reaches beyond its walls through food, health, housing and parish-life outreach ministries that serve neighbors in need across Winter Park and the wider Diocese of Orlando community.
- Feed the Homeless
- Food Pantry
- Shepherd's Hope (free health care partnership)
- Neighborhood Network
- Ministry to the Sick (visits hospitals, nursing homes, homebound)
- Bereavement / Grief Support
- Widows and Widowers ministry
- Compass: Finances God's Way (financial stewardship formation)
- PrimeTime (senior ministry)
Parish Life & Community
Beyond liturgy and formation, the parish nurtures fellowship and shared identity through family, cultural, and service organizations that reflect its diverse 3,100+ family community.
- Council of Catholic Women
- Knights of Columbus (Council 2112)
- Hispanic Ministry
- Filipino-American Ministry
- St. John Paul II Ministry
- Men's Club
- Young Adults
- Youth Ministry
- Mommy & Me Playgroup
- Welcome Ministry
- Scouts (Troop 613 & 4613)
- Little Flower (indoor plant team)
- Third Day (campus beautification)
Sacraments at Sts. Peter and Paul
Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish office and the Faith Formation team. Baptism and Marriage inquiries are handled by Sr. Anitha Antony in the parish office; Anointing of the Sick is arranged through the Pastoral Care Director; and the RCIA process is available both for adults and for children over the age of seven. Annulment inquiries are directed to the pastor.
- Baptism: Sr. Anitha Antony, 407-657-6114
- Marriage / G.I.F.T. Marriage Prep: Sr. Anitha Anthony, 407-657-6114
- Anointing of the Sick: Pastoral Care Director, 407-636-4280
- RCIA (adults) and RCIA for Children (age 7+): Maribel DeAbreu, 407-636-4290
- Annulments: Fr. Derk Schudde, 407-657-6114
- First Communion & Confirmation: through Children's Faith Formation
Campus & Facilities
The 5300 Old Howell Branch Road campus has grown continuously since 1969 to keep pace with the parish's expanding ministries and 3,100+ families. Major facilities include the 1,200-seat church dedicated in 2002, the Parish Family Center dedicated in 1991, the Early Learning Center (converted from a 1974 social hall in 1980), the Sts. Peter and Paul School & Early Learning Center, and the New Ministry Center completed in early 2017 to house parish offices and medium-to-large ministry gatherings.
- Current church: dedicated September 15, 2002 (1,200 seats)
- Parish Family Center: dedicated March 3, 1991
- Early Learning Center: converted from 1974 social hall in 1980
- New Ministry Center: completed early 2017 (offices + ministry functions)
- Sts. Peter and Paul School & Early Learning Center (infant–1st grade)
- Original 1969 dome: demolished 2007; 1980 church: demolished 2015
Getting Involved
The parish publishes a full Ministry Contacts list and encourages parishioners to connect through more than 50 active ministries. Online giving is also available for regular weekly offerings.
- View the full Ministry Contacts list on stspp.net
- View monthly Ministry Schedules (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, etc.) online
- Online Giving program for automated weekly offerings
- Parish bulletin and calendar published on stspp.net
- Facebook: facebook.com/stspp
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Troy1967 – c. 1969
Founding pastor; led the parish during its first two 'on the road' years and into the domed recreational building in 1969.
- Rev. John Mitzi1980
Pastor when the first dedicated church building was consecrated on September 14, 1980 by Bishop Thomas Grady.
- Rev. Sean Cooney2002
Pastor at the dedication of the current 1,200-seat church on September 15, 2002; quoted in the parish history on stewardship.
- Rev. Derk Schuddepresent
Current pastor; also listed as President of the parish's Florida not-for-profit corporation.