St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church serves families in Southeast Orange County from its South Chickasaw Trail campus. It is known for bilingual Catholic worship, a full sacramental life, and formation that stretches from pre-K children to adults. Founded in 1987, the parish also reaches beyond its congregation through a food pantry, job assistance, care for sick and bereaved people, support for people with special needs, and weekly prison ministry.
From Temporary Halls to South Chickasaw Trail
The parish was established on May 1, 1987, as population growth in the area made a new Catholic community necessary. Founding pastor Father Robert Hoeffner bought a rectory and set up a temporary office at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. The first Masses were held in September at a VFW building on South Goldenrod Road.
As the community grew, Mass moved first to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and then to a building that now serves as a child care facility. In November 1988, the parish celebrated its first Spanish Mass. That early part of its history remains visible in the continuing rhythm of English and Spanish worship.
Construction of the parish hall on South Chickasaw Trail began in spring 1989. While it was being built, Mass was celebrated in the cafeteria at nearby Liberty Middle School. The hall, with an attached chapel and terrace, opened in 1990. Father Hernan Afanador became its first parochial vicar in 1991. An expansion in 1993 added two conference rooms and a separate pavilion for outdoor activities. Construction of a parish administration building began in 1996, and Father Phillip Nuñez III joined the pastoral team in 1997.
Father Robert Markunas became the second pastor in summer 1999 and led Catholic radio programming for the Hispanic population of metropolitan Orlando. Father Ybain Ramirez joined as parochial vicar in 2001 as planning began for a new worship building. Father J. Fernando Gil, J.C.D. became the third pastor in fall 2003. He joined Bishop Norbert Dorsey and Father Hoeffner for the groundbreaking, and Father Andrew Wojtan joined the parish in 2004. The new church was dedicated on May 14, 2005, with Bishop Thomas G. Wenski as principal celebrant.
Father Jose Muñoz became the fourth pastor in September 2005 and expanded faith formation and the breadth of parish ministry. New altar and choir platforms were built in 2014, with additional improvements to the church and hall in later years. In-person liturgies resumed on Pentecost in 2020, and the parish gradually restored its services and activities with a reduced staff. Father José Bautista became the fifth pastor in June 2021, and Father Dowglas Guevara later joined the pastoral team.
English and Spanish Mass Across the Week
The parish worships in both English and Spanish throughout the week:
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. vigil Mass in English and 6:00 p.m. vigil Mass in Spanish.
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in English, followed by 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in Spanish.
- Monday through Saturday: 8:00 a.m. Mass in English.
- Monday through Friday: 12:00 p.m. Mass in Spanish.
Every third Sunday, the 10:00 a.m. English Mass includes the youth and young adults. The Youth Ministry also meets Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Social Hall.
St. Isaac Jogues is located at 4301 S. Chickasaw Trail in Orlando. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Thursday Adoration and Weekly Confession
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. and continues through Sunday at 5:00 p.m. This extended period of prayer gives the week a quiet center between the parish's regular Masses and ministry activities.
Confessions are offered Thursday and Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The parish describes Reconciliation as an encounter with the mercy of Christ, offering God's pardon while strengthening a person's relationship with Christ and the Church.
Seven Sacraments for Family and Community Life
St. Isaac Jogues teaches that the sacraments are actions of the Holy Spirit flowing from the living Body of Christ. It recognizes seven sacraments, all instituted by Jesus: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. They strengthen and express faith and make Christ's presence tangible in the life of the Church.
Baptism in English or Spanish
Infant baptism at St. Isaac Jogues includes children up to seven years of age. Baptisms are celebrated in English and Spanish every week on Saturdays. There is no charge for the sacramental celebration, although families are encouraged to make a donation to the parish. Parents do not have to be registered members, but active participation in the parish community is encouraged because the parents and godparents share responsibility for a child's Catholic formation.
Arrangements begin at least one month before the ceremony, and the complete preparation process may take at least two months. A child being baptized at St. Isaac Jogues must have the written permission of the parents' parish when that parish is different. Parents and godparents are required to attend baptismal preparation. A recently completed class remains valid for two years.
At least one godparent is required, and no more than two may serve. A sponsor must be at least 16, have received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion, and be a practicing Catholic in good standing. When two sponsors are selected, one is a man and one is a woman. A married sponsor is expected to have a Catholic marriage. The preparation requirement helps parents and godparents understand their responsibility to help the child grow in Catholic faith.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
First Reconciliation and First Communion are intended for a person previously baptized in the Catholic Church who is at least seven years old. The parish requests at least one year of formal Catholic formation before sacramental preparation. First Reconciliation normally precedes First Communion, and First Communion is ordinarily received at the Easter Vigil Mass or during the month of May.
Preparation includes prayer, examination of conscience, and meetings with a priest and catechist. In receiving First Holy Communion, a person fasts for one hour beforehand, consuming no food or drink other than water. Reconciliation is understood as a sacramental encounter that brings consolation through Christ's forgiveness.
Confirmation and a Public Commitment
Confirmation involves being anointed with the Holy Spirit, reaffirming the promises made at Baptism, and publicly committing to a life of Catholic Christian faith and service. The parish offers a separate diocesan preparation program with an orientation and seven monthly sessions. Candidates must have been baptized, attend Mass and Reconciliation regularly, have completed at least a full year of Catholic formation, and be enrolled in eighth grade or have completed it. Active participation in PREP or Youth Ministry is expected unless the candidate attends a Catholic school. Young confirmands also attend a retreat, a rehearsal, and preparation sessions with their parents.
A Confirmation sponsor must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic who attends Mass, receives Reconciliation and Communion frequently, and models Catholic Christian values. The parish describes Confirmation attire as elegant and modest. Ladies may wear a dress or skirt no higher than the knee or dress pants with dress shoes, but not evening gowns, high slits, spaghetti straps, bare backs, bare shoulders, exposed cleavage, shorts, jeans, sports shoes, or flip-flops. Gentlemen wear formal or business attire with dress slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes; jackets and ties are optional. Sponsors, parents, and invited guests follow the same standard.
Marriage Preparation
Marriage preparation at St. Isaac Jogues is spiritual, personal, and practical. Engaged couples participate in a church-sponsored program that typically uses FOCCUS, an instrument for exploring expectations, communication, and problem-solving with a married facilitator couple. A firm wedding date is normally set at least six months in advance, followed by a meeting with the pastor or marriage coordinator. Parish registration and an ongoing practice of the faith are expected.
The music coordinator helps couples select music that reflects their preferences while following the requirements of a Catholic Mass. Outside musicians and an officiating priest or deacon who is not on the parish staff require advance approval. The parish also provides marriage counseling and spiritual counseling.
Care for the Sick and the Possibility of Holy Orders
The Anointing of the Sick is intended for people who are gravely ill, especially those in danger of death. It may be celebrated for one person or a group in a home, hospital, nursing home, or church, often within the Eucharist and preceded by Reconciliation when needed. The sacrament seeks healing of the soul and, when God wills it, of the body.
Holy Orders continues the priesthood of Christ at the episcopate, priesthood, and diaconate. The church's seven-sacramental life also includes requests for recommendations, letters concerning parish registration or godparent eligibility, and coordination of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and remembrance Masses in English, Spanish, or both.
Formation That Continues Through Every Stage
Faith formation is a lifelong process at St. Isaac Jogues. The parish describes it as a means of deepening initial conversion through catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral work. P.R.E.P., the Parish Religious Education Program, serves pre-K through eighth grade. Youth Ministry serves students in grades nine through twelve, while adults and people seeking specialized support have additional learning opportunities.
The parish's formation model includes virtual meetings, on-site classes, and opportunities for whole families to learn together. Sacramental catechesis for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is distinct from ordinary religious education. The Catechumenate prepares unbaptized people ages seven and older and Christians from other traditions who wish to become Catholic. It moves through stages toward the Easter Vigil, while baptized Catholics can resume the remaining sacraments of initiation or return to formal religious formation.
Adult formation includes a creed-centered approach that explores Catholic doctrine, mission, and teaching. Adult Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and considers all 73 books of Scripture through the Catholic Church's Magisterium, Sacred Tradition, and Catechism. Online study through FORMED.org is available with free registration. Vacation Bible School, parent resources, youthEDGE gatherings, and opportunities to serve as catechists round out the formation ministry under Director Mike Baker.
Youth and Young Adults Put Faith Into Practice
The Youth Ministry gathers students in grades nine through twelve on Sunday nights. Its three emphases are empowerment, participation, and growth. Young people are encouraged to live as disciples, share their gifts in service, deepen their Catholic identity, discover their vocation, and participate fully in the life of the Church. The Sunday gathering also gives them a peer community for faith, fellowship, and leadership.
Middle-school students can take part in EDGE Ministry through evenings of prayer, crafts, games, and shared experience. Vacation Bible School offers another setting for children to encounter biblical teaching during a church-sponsored program.
The Young Adult Ministry is intended for people ages 18 through 25. Its goals include spiritual formation, vocational discernment, evangelizing outreach, leadership development, peer community, and a clear connection to the mission of the Church. It offers a setting for questions and disagreement, along with praise, worship, and Holy hour adoration. Young adults are encouraged to become involved in the many ministries of the parish.
Children have meaningful roles as well. The Liturgy of the Word for Children helps children ages five through eight understand and participate in the readings at a level suited to them. The parish also has a children's choir. Boys and girls who have received First Communion may become altar servers after reaching fifth grade, learning the articles used at Mass and the responsibilities of assisting at the altar.
Food, Work, Sickness, and Bereavement
The parish food pantry receives, organizes, and distributes non-perishable food donated by parishioners to people needing assistance in the surrounding area. A Community Service Ministry also gathers information about organizations committed to improving the quality of life of vulnerable people. Karen Duffy leads that ministry and the Job Ministry, which is open to community members who are unemployed or underemployed and seeking full-time or part-time work.
Ministry to the Sick brings Catholic care to people in hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. The prison ministry serves inmates at the Florida Central Correctional Institute through weekly Friday evening visits that can include Mass, Communion services, and the Liturgy of the Word. Deacons Peter McCarthy and Felix Hernández participate in this outreach.
New Beginnings offers a supportive community for separated, divorced, and widowed people who want opportunities for personal healing. Bereavement Ministry reflects the Church's call for the whole community to help families through the Order of Christian Funerals. Compass Catholic Ministries provides a six-week small-group Catholic Bible study with the imprimatur of Bishop John Noonan, while the Culture of Life ministry advocates for people at every stage of life.
Funeral and remembrance services can be arranged in English, Spanish, or a bilingual format. Mass intentions may be offered for a living or deceased person, for a devotion, or by a ministry group. The intention itself has no set fee; a donation is offered freely in gratitude for graces received.
Retreats, Devotions, and Cultural Traditions
The retreat movements deepen participation in parish life. Cursillos combines a retreat with follow-up experiences of Christian community. Emmaus, known in Spanish as Emaús, seeks to deepen the faith so participants can proclaim it through service. Renovación Conyugal uses an initial workshop and follow-up encounters to strengthen and protect marriages, and Juan XXIII focuses especially on people who are distant from the Church or marginalized by society.
Spiritual-growth ministries include Formación de Padres en Fe, prayer groups, Prayer Warriors, Renovación Carismática, and Talleres de Oración y Vida. The parish also supports a senior fellowship called Generación de Oro for people age 55 and older. It combines social and religious activities with monthly luncheons.
The Women's Guild has been active since the 1990s and meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in rooms 1 and 2 of the parish hall. Its mission combines fellowship among women with service to the parish, church, and local community. Its activities include fundraising for people who need money or food, a baby shower supporting organizations that help mothers choose life, and social gatherings. The Theater Ministry carries out evangelization through performing arts, producing plays for Christmas, Holy Week, and other important parish celebrations.
St. Isaac Jogues has a broad roster of Marian and Eucharistic devotions. These include the Divine Child associated especially with the Philippines and Colombia, Divina Pastora honored in Venezuela, Our Lady of Divine Providence in Puerto Rico, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexican culture, and Our Lady of Altagracia associated with the Dominican Republic. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated with Mass on the first Saturday of each month, while the Sacred Heart of Jesus is honored on the first Friday. Other groups promote the Divine Mercy, St. Joseph, and devotion to the Virgin Mary under the title Divina Pastora.
Many Ways to Serve the Liturgy
St. Isaac Jogues has developed a complete team of lay ministers for worship. Altar servers assist at the altar, especially at Sunday and holy-day Masses. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist priests and deacons in distributing Communion, while sacristans serve as team captains among the lay ministers at Mass. Lectors proclaim the Word of God, and hospitality ministers greet people, help guests to their seats, and assist during collections.
Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists and includes a children's choir. Music Coordinator Jose Antonio Martínez leads this ministry, with Christine Rieck serving as assistant coordinator. The Art and Environment Ministry prepares the church for the liturgical seasons, feasts, First Communion, Confirmation, and harvest. St. Therese's Guild cares for sacred linens once each month.
Audiovisual Ministry works under the priest and in collaboration with clergy, liturgical ministers, and musicians to support prayer and participation at Mass and parish events. It also carries the evangelizing message through technology and social media to people who are sick, homebound, or unable to attend. The parish uses its official YouTube channel for faith formation and further communication.
A Campus for Worship, Celebration, and Service
St. Isaac Jogues began in borrowed spaces but now has a campus built for worship and community life. Event locations include the main church, chapel, Social Hall and its rooms, modular buildings, pavilion, and outdoor grounds. Parish groups and ministries reserve these spaces for conferences, devotions, retreats, fundraisers, and other gatherings, with each event subject to the pastor's approval. Audiovisual support, kitchen service, media, guest speakers, and other technical needs can also be coordinated.
A gift shop is part of the parish campus, and the social hall continues a role first established when the original parish hall opened in 1990. That history links the church's first home, its expanded facilities, and its current pattern of worship, formation, ministry, and outreach.
Stewardship and a Continuing Parish Life
St. Isaac describes stewardship as receiving God's gifts gratefully, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them lovingly in justice with others, and returning them with increase to the Lord. The parish makes online giving available for weekly support, and the stewardship tradition includes giving, volunteer service, and the responsible use of time and talent.
From bilingual Mass and Thursday adoration to children in the Liturgy of the Word, families preparing for sacraments, volunteers caring for sacred linens, and parishioners serving people in prison, St. Isaac Jogues continues a parish life centered on worship, formation, and care. Its history has moved from temporary halls to a permanent church campus, but its defining work remains the same: welcoming families, deepening faith across generations, and serving people throughout Southeast Orange County.