Tucked into the corner where Staples Mill Drive meets Argyle Forest Boulevard on Jacksonville's west side, Mary, Queen of Heaven Catholic Church looks after the spiritual needs of a sprawling suburban parish that has grown up around the Oakleaf and Argyle neighborhoods since 1988. The parish belongs to the Diocese of St. Augustine and gathers its members in weekend Masses offered in both English and Spanish, in a faith formation program that runs from toddler-age atrium work through Confirmation, and in a wide network of lay ministries led by a pastor, two deacons, and a deep bench of volunteers.
From a Polish American Club to a Purpose-Built Church: The Parish Story
On May 13, 1988, Bishop John J. Snyder of the Diocese of St. Augustine wrote to Father Frank Haryasz, instructing him to establish a new parish to serve the Argyle Forest area of Jacksonville. Twenty-two people gathered at the Polish American Club for the first formation meeting on September 14, 1988, and four days later the parish celebrated its very first Mass in the Terrace Room of the Best Western Hotel on State Road 17 in Orange Park. Thirty-nine people began the church that day; two of them, Sara and Michael Creech, are still members of the parish today.
Mike Leahy, the first deacon assigned to the parish, assisted at Mass for the first time on September 25, 1988, and continued in that role until 1996. By October 16, 1988, the worshiping community had outgrown the Best Western and moved into the Nice House of Music (now a NAPA Auto Parts) on Wells Road in Orange Park. A committee of parishioners picked out a name and sent it to Bishop Snyder, who on October 31, 1988, formally approved the parish name Mary, Queen of Heaven.
Kathleen Marie Drop was named the parish's first Director of Religious Education in September 1989, a position she still holds. The growing community purchased 13.5 acres at the corner of what is now Argyle Forest Boulevard and Staples Mill Drive in February 1990, and on December 30, 1990, Father Frank celebrated an outdoor Mass on the cleared, palmetto-studded property. Bishop Snyder broke ground for the Religious and Social Hall (now called Haryasz Hall) on January 10, 1993, and dedicated it ten months later on October 31, 1993. Two years earlier, the Sisters of St. Joseph had donated a wood-carved set of Stations of the Cross and a Living Christ statue that had come from their convent in St. Augustine. Father Frank also rescued ten stained glass windows, believed to come from the Franz Mayer company of Germany, from an antique shop; today those windows are considered works of art inside the parish.
A Knights of Columbus Council was chartered in the parish in 1995 and is still active. In 2001, the extension of Argyle Forest Boulevard around the property and the lengthening of Staples Mill Drive transformed the parish's identity from the "little church in the woods" into the "little church on the corner." Bishop Snyder celebrated Mass with the parish community on January 10, 1993.
Father Frank resigned in 1995 due to health concerns, and Monsignor R. Joseph James was appointed pastor on May 10, 1996. After Monsignor James died suddenly on May 6, 2003, Father Caesar Russo became the third pastor on July 1, 2003, followed on July 1, 2008, by Father Denis O'Shaughnessy. Father Denis launched a Capital Campaign on November 21, 2010. He celebrated the groundbreaking for a new purpose-built church on January 31, 2015, with Bishop Estevez dedicating the completed building on January 17, 2016.
Father Philip Timlin took over on July 1, 2019, and on his reassignment in July 2025, Father Lawrence Peck was named the parish's sixth pastor. More recent milestones include a change of the Saturday Vigil Mass time to 4:30 p.m. in August 2025 and the addition in February 2026 of two Spanish weekday Masses (Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m.) and one Spanish Sunday Mass at 1:00 p.m., responding to the growth of the local Hispanic community.
A Bilingual Schedule of Masses, Confession, and Adoration
Mary, Queen of Heaven welcomes worshipers in English and Spanish every day of the week. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (Vigil), and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in English, with a 1:00 p.m. Mass in Spanish. The weekday schedule includes a Monday evening Mass at 6:30 p.m. in English; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning Masses at 8:30 a.m. in English; Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in Spanish; and a First Saturday Mass at 9:00 a.m. in English.
Confession is heard on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. in English, on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in Spanish, and on the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in English, as well as by appointment. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament fills the church on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Faith Formation from the Atrium through Confirmation
The parish's faith formation program begins before first grade. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-style method for children ages 3 to 6, is offered in a dedicated Level 1 Atrium inside the parish, where trained catechists guide the children through prayer and discovery. Religious Education classes are available for students in first grade through Confirmation who do not attend Catholic schools, with catechists helping young people grow in faith and a deeper awareness of Catholic values and beliefs. The Diocese of St. Augustine requires a minimum of two consecutive years of Religious Education before the reception of any sacrament.
Sacramental preparation includes classes for First Reconciliation and First Communion (normally around second grade), as well as Confirmation. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) prepares unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion for full reception into the Church. OCIA for children of catechetical age runs as a two-year process in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Deacon Paul Testa coordinates OCIA inquiries.
The church's sacramental life also includes the celebration of Baptism, Marriage, the Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, each accompanied by supporting Scripture and references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Youth Ministry with St. Luke Parish
Youth ministry is shared with St. Luke Parish in Middleburg, and the two parishes share a youth minister, Rudie Perry. She works with each parish individually and brings the teens together for larger events such as the Diocesan Youth Conference, summer gatherings, retreats, and missions. The ministry aims at helping young people become true disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer, instruction, small groups, Eucharistic Adoration, participation in the Mass, and service. A Core Team of adult mentors drawn from across the parish supports the program and is open to anyone who prayerfully feels called to engage.
Walking with Purpose and Adult Formation
Walking with Purpose is a women's Bible study offered on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. or Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Each study runs its own course, and participants pay only for the study book, generally around $40. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex a few weeks before each session begins.
Parish Ministries
The parish runs more than two dozen ministries organized under three broad headings. Liturgical ministries include Adoration, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Greeters, Music, Readers, Sacristans, and Ushers. Parish ministries include Consolation, El Grupo Carismático, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (who take Communion to the homebound), a Prayer Group, Religious Education Teachers, Respect Life, and Youth Ministry. Service ministries include the Altar Linen Care Ministry, Finance Council, Pastoral Advisory Council, Parish Grounds Cleanup Volunteers, Stewardship Committee, Sulzbacher Group, Volunteer Housekeeping Program, Web Team, and Welcoming Committee. Social ministries are anchored by the Council of Catholic Women, Hospitality, and the Knights of Columbus.
Altar Linen Care and Hospitality
The Altar Linen Care Ministry launders the altar linens that protect the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist. Volunteers are assigned on a rotating schedule, generally once a month, and take the linens home to wash after the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass or pick them up Monday morning. Ushers serve as the first point of contact for visitors, helping with seating, distributing worship aids, taking up the collection, assisting during Communion, and supporting anyone with special needs.
Council of Catholic Women
Open to Catholic women over 16, the Council of Catholic Women supports the parish and the pastor through Spirituality, Service, and Leadership. The CCW meets the first Saturday of the month from September through June in Haryasz Hall, beginning at 10:00 a.m. after the 9:00 a.m. First Saturday Mass, and is led by President Anitra Ott along with Vice Presidents Debra Daily and Phyllis Kaminska, Treasurer Candi DeLuca, and Secretary Connie Melvin.
Knights of Columbus Council 11668
Mary, Queen of Heaven Council 11668 unites Catholic men from age 18 and up to serve the church and their families through charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The council meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall and runs Faith in Action programs (Holy Hour, Rosary, Sacramental Gifts, Icon Program), family activities (Consecration to the Holy Family, Food for Families, Keep Christ in Christmas), community efforts (Coats for Kids, Youth Soccer and Free Throw Challenge), and life initiatives such as the Novena for Life, March for Life, Silver Rose, and a diaper drive for Pregnancy Support Centers. Grand Knight Ed Sullivan and Deputy Grand Knight Richard Williams lead the council.
Respect Life Ministry
The Respect Life Ministry supports the Church's teaching that life is sacred from conception to natural death. Members partner with the local Women's Help Center, diocesan programs, and the USCCB to provide pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, prenatal and well-woman care, baby supplies, diapers, and parenting education, and to support post-abortion healing through Rachel's Vineyard retreats. The ministry leads the Rosary for the Unborn with the Council of Catholic Women on the first Saturday of each month after the 9:00 a.m. Mass, runs a Spiritual Adoption Program that runs from October to June, and takes part in the annual Life Chain along Blanding Boulevard each October.
Consolation Ministry
The Consolation Ministry meets with grieving families at the loss of a loved one to gather information for the parish registry, plan the funeral liturgy, and coordinate a reception. Members also help parishioners pre-plan their funerals so that the responsibility does not fall entirely on surviving family members. Contact Linda Moore (904) 826-9937 or Genia Ziparo (904) 923-6657.
Pastoral Leadership and Councils
Father Lawrence Peck serves as the sixth pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven, supported by Deacons Paul Testa and David Williams. The parish team also includes Director of Religious Education Kathleen Marie Drop (in the role since 1989), DRE Assistant Holly De Francesco, Music Director Lisa Moser, Stewardship Coordinator Cheri Forster, and Youth Minister Rudie Perry.
The Pastoral Advisory Council (PAC) meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall to advise the pastor on long-range planning, evangelization, and the alignment of parish activities with the parish's mission. The Finance Council, chaired by Mark Seidl with Parish Business Manager Bill Cole, meets every other month in the evening for about 90 minutes, oversees revenue projections and the annual budget, advises on capital expenditures, and conducts surprise audits of cash handling.
What Visitors Can Expect
Mary, Queen of Heaven sits at 9401 Staples Mill Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32244, with two parking lots connected by a road behind Haryasz Hall. The parish welcomes visitors in dress ranging from casual to "Sunday best"; the only guidelines are conservative-length shorts and generally respectful, modest clothing. Worship aids with the order of Mass, the postures, and the words of each prayer are in each pew; an usher will gladly bring one if none is in yours.
Non-Catholics are warmly welcomed but asked not to receive Communion; those who do not receive are invited to come forward with arms crossed for a special blessing. Visitors are not expected to place anything in the collection. Children's Missals in English and Spanish are kept on a bookcase in the Narthex for use during Mass and are asked to be returned afterward. Masses are broadcast on the parish YouTube channel at MQOHJax.
Stewardship and Giving
The parish describes itself as a Eucharist-centered, giving-focused community striving to know, love, and serve God, neighbor, and church while faithfully learning and living out His Word. Stewardship is framed as intentional discipleship with three traditional pillars: Time (prayer), Talent (sharing God-given skills), and Treasure (sharing resources). Online giving is available through the Our Sunday Visitor portal, with one-time or recurring gifts drawn from a bank account, debit card, or credit card. Planned Giving, through bequests, trusts, and endowments administered by the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of St. Augustine, offers a way to leave a lasting legacy for the parish.
Registration forms, the parish bulletin, calendar, and announcements are available online, and parishioners can sign up for parish email updates through FlockNote. Jacksonville Memory Gardens partners with the parish to support the bulletin.