To know God, to love Him, to serve Him. St. Jude Catholic Parish is a place where God's presence is made visible through spiritual formation, community life, service and stewardship.

Our Staff

St Jude History

1973

Deltona Corporation developed Marion Oaks. The Catholics in the area had to travel about 15 miles every Sunday to attend Mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleview or to Blessed Trinity in downtown Ocala. 

1981-1982

The Diocese of Orlando obtained a 5.7 acre church-designated site on Marion Oaks Drive from Deltona. Catholic families in the community formed a Building Committee and funds raised to erect a multi-purpose building to be used for the celebration of Mass and social events. 

April 1982

Groundbreaking. 

1983

In August, Bishop Thomas J. Grady blessed the new building and celebrated the first Mass. St. Jude Catholic Community became a mission of St. Theresa under the leadership of Rev. James MacLoughlin and Masses were celebrated once per week on Saturdays at 7:30 pm. 

1985-1987

Growth continued and requests were sent to Bishop Grady expressing the desire to become a parish. As a result, on December 8, 1985, St. Jude was established as a parish by Bishop Grady and a few weeks later he appointed Rev. Domingo Gonzalez as Administrator. The CCD Program began in 1986. In April of 1987, Rev. Gonzalez was officially appointed as our first Pastor. The Mass schedule was set for 5:30 pm on Saturdays, 9:00 am on Sundays and noon in Spanish. 

1988

In February, Santos Santiago was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate and continues in service to the parish. 

1989

In May, Rev. Gonzalez was transferred. The Mass schedule was changed to 5:00 pm on Saturdays plus three Masses on Sundays at 8:00, 9:30 and noon in Spanish. The first St. Jude Thrift shop opened in Freeman Plaza on CR 484. 

1991-1993

The Parish Council determined there was a need for a parish hall with classrooms for children's religious education and more room for social events. Again, town meetings were held to determine the design for the hall and a house to house fund drive began in November of 1991 and the 'Tree of Life' was installed to commemorate those donating $2,000. In August of 1992, Bishop Norbert Dorsey celebrated Mass and then presided at groundbreaking ceremonies.

Actual construction began in November 1992 and was completed in June of 1993 with dedication following the Confirmation Mass by Bishop Dorsey. Stained glass windows and pews were installed in the multi-purpose building which was then designated as a Church. Rev. Anthony Palmese became our third Pastor. 

2003

Mass schedule again revised to Saturday at 4:00 pm, Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 am, Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm and a Creole Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of each month. Thrift shop moved to Marion Crossing Mall on CR 484 for a little over two years until the lease expired. The Parish center was dedicated in honor to Nick & Rita Lauer, and the Sanctuary area was dedicated to honor Fred & Ted Bigl by Rev. Palmese for their dedication and service to the St. Jude Parish community. 

2005

In October, Rev. Vicente Panaligan was appointed as Parochial Vicar to assist Rev. Anthony Palmese.

2007

Started using the Parish Center as the "Church" in March due to influx of new parishioners. Old church is now the Parish Hall. In August, Rev. Panaligan was transferred and Rev. Rodolfo Ramon was appointed as the Parochial Vicar. 

2009

Rev. Palmese retired in May and Rev. Lemier Guillaume was appointed June 1st as Parochial Administrator. Rev. Ramon was transferred effective June 1st. Rev. Guillaume established the Creole Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

2010

Rev. Guillaume was reassigned and Rev. Palmese was Administrator for three months. On September 1st - Rev. Barthelemy Garcon, S.M.M. was appointed Parochial Administrator.

2020

Rev. Barthelemy Garcon was transferred to St. Andrew’s in Orlando and Rev. Raúl Valdez was appointed Administrator of the parish.

St. Jude Catholic Parish

Evangelizing the cultures is the main challenge for the Church. The Church needs to be flexible, to know the different groups and entities that form the local community and then teach the values of the Gospel through that culture. We are a diverse community, close to 50% Caucasian, close to 46% Latino and the rest are Caribbean, Haitian and Filipino.

It is very interesting to have to deal with diversity. The challenge is to build a family of faith from the different cultures, respecting every single culture, but bringing us together as members of the same family, regardless of the culture, education, wealth, or social status, where we can trust each other and be happy to be here with others as a Christian family.

God is the Father and we are brothers and sisters, and we are educated as Mary our Mother.

Historial Memory