A Parish on Paige Place, East of The Villages
St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church sits on Paige Place in Lady Lake, Florida, on the east side of the retirement community known as The Villages, just north of Spanish Springs Town Square. With five Sunday Masses, a 130-voice choir that has sung at the Vatican for two popes, a Deaf Ministry that interprets the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass in American Sign Language, and a large food pantry that has transitioned into the St. Timothy Outreach Ministry, St. Timothy has grown into one of the busiest parishes in the Diocese of Orlando. The parish invites Catholics, returning Catholics, and inquirers into a community shaped by reverence for the sacraments, by service to the poor, and by music that has reached as far as Rome.
From a Mission in Orange Blossom Gardens to Today's Parish
St. Timothy began as the Lady Lake Catholic Mission. On October 15, 1985, an estimated crowd of 225 gathered at the Club House in Orange Blossom Gardens for a meeting led by Father Philip Stegeman, then pastor of St. Paul's in Leesburg. The first Mass was celebrated on November 3, 1985, at 8:00 AM in the recreation hall of the gardens. In early 1986 the mission was renamed St. Timothy Catholic Mission, and on Sunday, October 4, 1987, ground was broken for an $800,000 multi-purpose building. Father Stegeman celebrated the first Mass in that building on June 26, 1988; he died unexpectedly, and his funeral Mass was held there on October 7, 1988.
Father William Killion was appointed the first pastor on December 1, 1988, when St. Timothy became a parish, and the church building was dedicated on December 10, 1989. Father Louis Dunleavy served as the second pastor from November 1992 until his death on October 13, 1993. Father Robert V. Fucheck became the third pastor on December 1, 1993. As Catholic households grew to 1,600 families crowding the five weekend Masses, ground was broken on November 23, 1994, for a larger church, which Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey dedicated on Sunday, January 28, 1996. Father Fucheck retired in June 2009 and Bishop Thomas Wenski appointed Father Ed Waters as pastor. In 2011 a new Last Supper Adoration Chapel was established on the north side of the ministry building. Father Ralph DuWell, who had served as Parochial Vicar at St. Timothy from 2007 to 2010, was appointed pastor by Bishop John Noonan in October 2022.
Today the parish is led by Very Reverend Scott M. Circe, V.F., as pastor, with Reverend Martin Joseph as Parochial Vicar and Reverend Glen Paul Baptiste assisting as a part-time priest. Retired priests Father Robert V. Fucheck and Father Peter Mitchell remain connected to the parish, and four deacons serve the community: Deacon Robert Basye, Deacon Dennis Wuebbels, Deacon William Castellane, and Deacon Ron L'Huillier (retired).
Mass, Reconciliation, and Livestream
Daily Mass is offered Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM. The weekend schedule begins with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. On Sunday, Mass is celebrated at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:45 PM, and 5:00 PM. On Holy Days of Obligation, Vigil Masses are offered at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, with Day Masses at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 11:00 AM.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard on Tuesday following the 8:00 AM Mass and on Saturday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. For those unable to attend in person, Mass is livestreamed Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM and Sunday at 9:00 AM, with additional recorded Masses and event videos available on Facebook and YouTube.
St. Timothy Outreach Ministry: The Food Pantry and Beyond
Recently the parish's former St. Vincent de Paul Society transitioned into the St. Timothy Outreach Ministry, with the same mission of bringing Christ's hope and love into the homes of the needy. The Outreach Ministry is housed in Building D at 1351 Paige Place and can be reached at (352) 753-1455.
The food pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Households may receive food assistance based on family size twice a month, with emergency help available as needed. Current needs include shelf-stable milk, Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni, cooking oil, spaghetti sauce and pasta, canned beef stew or beef ravioli, laundry detergent, dish soap, and diapers of all sizes. Items can be dropped off inside the church at the designated bins or at the office during office hours. The pantry's Backpack Program benefits local schools.
Beyond food, Vincentian case managers help neighbors in the defined service area with rent, utilities, car costs, and medical charges, as well as clothing, household furniture, and transportation. A thrift truck visits on the last Thursday of each month from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The ministry also takes part in Voice of the Poor advocacy, the Thanksgiving gift-card program, and the Christmas Giving Tree.
A Choir That Has Sung for Two Popes
The St. Timothy Choir numbers around 130 men and women from around the world, all now living in The Villages. Under the direction of Maestro Bill Doherty, the General Director of the Central Florida Lyric Opera Company and the Villages Lyric Opera and Orchestra, the choir sings at the 9:00 AM Mass every Sunday and on special occasions throughout the year. The choir has performed up to six formal concerts each year for the parish and has sung for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome. The choir has traveled to Jerusalem for the world premiere of Maestro Doherty's "Messa di Requiem" and has performed at other Florida churches and concert halls.
New choir members are welcomed every Wednesday at 3:00 PM in the church. The active cantor program has more than 30 cantors, and a 14-member handbell choir rehearses Wednesdays at 12:30 PM and rings at one Mass each month on a rotating basis, using three octaves of Malmark handbells and chimes.
Other liturgical ministries include Altar Servers (with both youth and adult servers), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Sacristans, Ushers, and the Altar Care and Linens ministries.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
St. Timothy's Faith Formation program welcomes children from age three through twelfth grade, with classes meeting on Sundays from 10:10 AM to 11:30 AM in the Ministry Building classrooms. Two years of formation are required before a child receives First Reconciliation (typically age seven) and First Eucharist (typically in second grade), and two years of catechetical preparation and a community-service experience are encouraged before Confirmation (typically in eighth grade). Registration is free, and families are encouraged to attend the 9:00 AM Children's Mass before class. Adult and youth volunteers are always welcome.
Vacation Bible School runs in late June at the Parish Hall for preschool through grade five. The week includes Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts built around a theme that helps children grow as peacemakers. The youth ministry for high school students, STYM, meets Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM.
Adult Faith Formation
Adults can join Bible Study on Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, or the Life Recovery 12-Step Bible Study on Fridays at 9:30 AM in Rooms 2 and 3. A Small Christian Community (SCC) of eight to ten people meets weekly or monthly in a member's home to discuss the upcoming Sunday scriptures, share prayer, and build friendship. The parish also offers A Hot Cup of Catholic discussions, Coffee and A Movie on the second Monday of each month at 1:00 PM in the Parish Hall, a Spiritual Book Club, and the Foundational Study and Morning of Grace programs for women.
The Catholic Toolbox is a six-week series designed for those new to the faith, returning to the faith, or wanting a clearer explanation of Catholic teaching. A Recovering from Divorce group walks participants through healing and hope, and a 33 Days to Morning Glory Marian consecration preparation meets over six weeks, ending with consecration on a Marian feast day. Men are invited to a Men's Ministry with Fr. Pete for mornings of fellowship and prayer. The parish provides free access to FORMED.org for online Catholic video, audio, and e-book resources.
Pastoral Care: Visiting the Sick and Grieving Together
The Bereavement Ministry offers visits and prayer to those who have lost a loved one, assists with planning the funeral liturgy, and hosts a twice-monthly Grief Support gathering. Ministry to the Sick brings pastoral visits and Holy Communion to those who are hospitalized, in nursing homes or assisted living, or confined to their homes. Ministers are trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion through the Diocese of Orlando and serve in The Villages Regional Hospital and a number of Lake County care facilities. Knights of Columbus Council 10034 meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM in the Ministry Building, with a Corporate Communion on the third Wednesday at 8:30 AM; Queen of the Rosary Assembly 2722 meets on the second Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
Spiritual Life: Prayer Groups and Marian Devotion
The Legion of Mary meets every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Ministry Building for about ninety minutes of prayer and discussion, with visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities on Thursday mornings. The Servants of Mary is a community of women religious and lay associates. The Marian Movement of Priests Prayer Cenacle gathers for consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Charismatic Prayer Group meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM in Rooms 5 and 6.
A Cancer Support Group meets the first Wednesday of the month in Room 3 of the Ministry Building and is open to all patients, survivors, caregivers, and friends. AA and Al-Anon meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
Becoming Catholic, Returning Catholics, and the Sacraments
Through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the parish walks inquirers and catechumens through the teachings of the Church and prepares them to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. Separate sessions are available for children and youth. Dr. Anna-Marie Wright, the Director of Pastoral Life, meets with anyone wanting to talk confidentially about returning to the Church after time away and is the main point of contact for adult faith formation.
The parish prepares couples for the Sacrament of Marriage at least four months ahead of the wedding, including a pre-marriage enrichment or Engaged Encounter retreat, meetings with the Director of Faith Formation, and a recent baptismal certificate. Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick are available through the parish office.
A Parish Life of Crafts, Coffee, and the Women's Guild
Hospitality volunteers serve coffee, tea, bagels with cream cheese, and bakery items every Sunday after the 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM Masses. Karing Krafters meets every Tuesday at 9:00 AM in the Parish Hall to knit, crochet, sew, and craft items like walker bags, lap robes, fidget blankets, shawls, hats, scarves, mittens, baby items, and Christmas stockings for overseas military. The St. Timothy Women's Guild gathers on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May at 12:30 PM in the Parish Hall for themed luncheons, fundraising, and fellowship. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, a fraternal and service organization for Irish-born Catholics and those of Irish descent, meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 PM in Rooms 1 and 2.
The Gift Shop stocks crucifixes, rosaries, plaques, figurines, books, missals, Bibles, and items for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. The parish also has a Rosary Makers ministry, and the Welcome Committee hosts periodic potluck suppers for new and existing parishioners.
Deaf Ministry
The Deaf Ministry provides weekly American Sign Language interpretation at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, as well as for Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, funeral Masses, and OCIA preparation. One of the interpreters also serves as a Minister of Holy Communion and a Minister to the Sick, visiting Deaf parishioners in the hospital and at home. Signing for Children classes are offered after Faith Formation on Sundays for children in grades one through twelve who want to learn sign language and serve the hearing-impaired community.
Visiting St. Timothy
St. Timothy is at 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159. Ample parking is available, with one entry from southbound US Highway 27/441 and two entries on Paige Place. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and on Friday from 8:30 AM to noon. The phone number is (352) 753-0989, with fax (352) 753-9602. New parishioners are encouraged to register online.
For those with hearing loss, the church uses Loop technology for compatible hearing aids; Loop headsets are available from ushers with a sign-out. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass has ASL interpreters, with usher assistance for the best seating.
Online giving is available through Vanco Faith Giving, and the parish also participates in the Diocese of Orlando's Our Catholic Appeal. St. Timothy is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Orlando, served by a dedicated staff and a community of believers from parishes around the world.