On a quiet stretch of Seagate Drive near the Gulf of Mexico, St. William Catholic Church serves as a worship home for year-round residents, seasonal visitors, and snowbirds who winter in Naples. Part of the Diocese of Venice in southwest Florida, the parish gathers around a simple motto: Worship, Create Community, Grow, that guides everything from the Sunday schedule to its homeless outreach in nearby downtown.
Pastored by Father George Ratzmann, with parochial vicars Father Mark Schaffner, O.Carm. and Father Marco Mascia, St. William describes itself as a Christ-centered Catholic community that responds to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of God's people. Father George frames the parish in welcoming language: "Our architecture is traditional, just like our parish. We strive to be in the middle, as there is where most folks are. We are united in our common faith in Jesus Christ. We revere the past and our traditions, while at the same time are open to new ideas that are inspired by the Holy Spirit."
Masses That Anchor the Week
The parish Mass schedule is built around three daily opportunities during the week and three Sunday options. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:00 am and 12:10 pm. Saturday brings an 8:00 am Mass and the Vigil Mass at 4:30 pm. On Sunday, Mass is offered at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, and 11:00 am. The 8:00 am weekday Mass, the 8:00 am Saturday Mass, and the 9:00 am Sunday Mass are all livestreamed, so parishioners who travel or are homebound can join from anywhere.
Because Naples' population swells in the cooler months, St. William adds seasonal Masses to accommodate the influx. From November through April, a Vigil Mass is added on Saturday at 2:30 pm, and from January through April an additional Sunday Mass is celebrated at 1:00 pm.
Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the church. The Church Hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (except holidays), and the Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Adoration Chapel, Exposition, and the Tuesday Novena
St. William's Adoration Chapel is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, providing a quiet space for prayer and devotion during the workday. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in the church on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 6:30 pm and on Fridays following the 8:00 am Mass, until about 9:30 am.
Each Tuesday evening the parish gathers for the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 6:30 pm, immediately following adoration. The novena is one of the longest-running devotional rhythms in the parish.
Sacraments for Every Stage of Life
Seven sacraments shape parish life at St. William. Baptisms are celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, following the last Mass of the day. Parents requesting Baptism must be registered and active members of the parish, and both parents and godparents are required to attend a preparation class before the baby arrives.
First Communion and First Reconciliation are prepared through the parish's Sacramental Preparation program, which runs alongside the Family Faith Formation program for elementary-aged families. Children typically celebrate First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion as part of this two-year track. Reconciliation is also available any Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Confirmation preparation in the Diocese of Venice requires a minimum of two years of continual formation. Teens at St. William begin after eighth grade and participate in Confirmation classes, ongoing Youth Group, and parish activities. Confirmation classes meet the first Sunday of each month from 4:00 to 6:30 pm, followed by optional adoration from 6:30 to 7:00 pm.
Couples planning to marry at St. William are asked to contact the parish office at least six months in advance. Either the bride, the groom, or the parents of either must be registered and active parishioners for at least six months. A marriage preparation class is required, and approved wedding music and policies are available from the parish office.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to those facing serious illness or surgery. Funerals are coordinated through the parish Funeral Planning Ministry, which helps families plan the liturgical parts of the funeral and offers pre-planning workshops throughout the year.
Becoming Catholic: O.C.I.A.
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church take part in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (O.C.I.A.), the formal process of inquiry, formation, and reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Those already baptized in another Christian tradition who wish to come into full communion, as well as unbaptized adults seeking initiation, are all part of the same communal journey at St. William.
Faith Formation from Elementary Through High School
Family Faith Formation is the foundation of religious education at the parish and serves all elementary-grade families, not only those preparing for sacraments. The program meets in two settings: Sunday morning at 10:15 am and Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm in the Blessed Mother Center. A parent or guardian attends class alongside the children on the first gathering of each month. Toddlers and preschoolers are welcome to stay with their parent during sessions.
For middle school students, grades six through eight, the parish offers a Youth Group that meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Teen Room (Room 211) of the Blessed Mother Center. The program combines catechesis, fellowship, and fun, and serves as the faith-formation track for middle schoolers in place of Family Faith Formation.
High school students in grades nine through twelve gather on Sunday evenings from 4:00 to 6:00 pm for their own Youth Group. Open to all teens regardless of Confirmation status, the program includes peer and adult mentorship, retreats, rallies, and conferences. Teens preparing for Confirmation participate in this group as part of their two-year preparation.
The parish requires all youth ministry volunteers, parents, and teens themselves to participate in the Diocese of Venice Safe Environment Program, which teaches age-appropriate safety, online boundaries, and reporting procedures.
Adult Faith Formation and Small Communities
Adult Faith Formation at St. William offers a varied menu of ongoing studies and small groups. The Foundations of Faith Video Series meets every Thursday morning at 10:00 am in the Blessed Mother Center, Room 101. Contemplative Prayer gathers on Thursday mornings at 9:45 am in Room 206. An Intercessory Prayer Meeting convenes periodically in Room 103 to pray for loved ones, the Church, the nation, and the world.
The Men's Group at St. William meets on Wednesday evenings in Room 103 of the Blessed Mother Center and on Saturday mornings. All men of the parish are invited. Walking With Purpose is a women's Bible study program that connects women in various stages of life through shared study and conversation. Online learning through Franciscan at Home, in partnership with the Diocese of Venice Institute for Catholic Studies and Franciscan University of Steubenville, gives parishioners access to a wide library of on-demand courses.
Each year, the parish hosts special adult events such as a Lenten retreat, recent presentations featuring Dr. D'Ambrosio ("Dr. Italy"), and Advent and Christmas programs. Pro Ecclesia Sancta, a consecrated community, is associated with the parish and offers opportunities for formation and prayer.
Music Ministry and the Adult and Children's Choirs
Music at St. William is led by Music Ministry Director Richard Owen. The Adult Choir is a traditional four-part choral ensemble that sings at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass and at solemnities throughout the liturgical year, including Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. The choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and welcomes singers of all experience levels. The choir is actively recruiting Ministers of Song, Cantors (Leaders of Song), and instrumentalists, particularly string, woodwind, and brass players.
The Children's Choir serves young parishioners in grades one through eight and sings at the 9:00 am Mass on the first Sunday of each month. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 5:30 pm. The only requirements are a love of God, a joyful heart, and a willing spirit.
HOPE: A Parish Mission to the Homeless
The Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment (HOPE) is one of the parish's defining ministries, founded on the conviction that the homeless of Naples deserve to be seen, known, and welcomed in the name of Jesus. The ministry's mission statement reads: "In the name of Jesus, to welcome, listen and serve the Homeless, by seeking solutions to alleviate their burdens."
HOPE partners with Catholic Charities at the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center on Tamiami Trail every Tuesday to serve hot meals to those experiencing homelessness. On the last Saturday of every month, the ministry hosts Breakfast in the Park at East Naples Community Park. Over three years, the parish notes, HOPE volunteers have offered more than 40,000 acts of kindness, including hot meals, clothing, toiletries, survival gear, help with lost paperwork, and the simple gift of being seen.
The program draws its inspiration from the life and witness of St. Mother Teresa, particularly her encounter with a young priest who avoided a homeless man in Calcutta. The priest eventually bathed the man, looked into his face, and was asked, "Do you see Him now?" HOPE frames its work the same way: "In Naples, our homeless are not like those in Calcutta. They don't need bathing; they just need for us to see the Lord Jesus in them." Volunteers, donors, and prayer partners are coordinated through the parish office.
Council of Catholic Women and the Parish Gift Shop
The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) at St. William is affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women and the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. All women of the parish are invited to join. Annual dues are $25.
The CCW organizes a full calendar of community-building events: monthly luncheons from November through April, a Giving Trees campaign in November benefiting eight local charities, a Treasures and Trivia fundraiser in January, and a Toiletry Drive in March. Business meetings are held on the Monday preceding each luncheon at 1:00 pm in the Blessed Mother Center.
The Council also operates the St. William Gift Shop, located off the narthex of the church. Stocked entirely by volunteers, the gift shop is tax-free and offers sacramentals, books, Bibles, prayer aids, greeting cards, jewelry, and gifts for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, weddings, and other occasions. All net proceeds support the CCW's charitable giving and scholarships for high school and college students attending Catholic schools. Charities supported include Community Pregnancy Clinic, Providence House, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Matthew House, Sunlight Home, and the Venice Diocesan Seminarian Fund.
Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities
The parish is home to a council of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal organization known for service to parish, family, community, and those in need. St. Vincent de Paul Society, the long-running Catholic conference of charity, has a presence at St. William as well, providing direct assistance to neighbors in need. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice is a regular partner, both through the HOPE Tuesday outreach and through the wider diocesan network that the parish supports.
Bereavement, Funeral Planning, and Respite Care
The Bereavement Ministry at St. William has three branches. Arimatheans are parishioners who attend funeral Masses to pray for the deceased and support the family. The Funeral Planning Ministry helps families plan the liturgical parts of the funeral and offers pre-planning workshops throughout the year. The Grief Support Group runs two thirteen-week sessions each year, one in the fall and one in the spring, and is open to parishioners and non-parishioners alike.
Respite Care is offered to caregivers and families who need temporary support for a loved one living with illness or disability. Hospitality ministers assist with parish receptions and gatherings. Grace Notes Cards are hand-delivered to parishioners for birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant moments, accompanied by prayers.
Respect Life, Rosary Makers, and Other Parish Ministries
The Respect Life Ministry promotes the Church's teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Rosary Makers gather to craft rosaries that are distributed through the parish and its outreach partners.
Other parish groups include the Hospitality Committee, which assists at parish events, and volunteer liturgical ministries: Altar Servers (open to adults, children, and families who have made their First Communion), Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Ushers/Greeters.
Parish Building and Grounds
The traditional architecture of the church building matches the parish's stated reverence for tradition. The interior features stained glass windows and devotional statues throughout. Outside, a Rosary Garden invites quiet prayer, and a Stations of the Cross path leads the faithful through the passion of Christ. The Adoration Chapel is a dedicated space within the parish complex for prayer and Eucharistic devotion.
The Gift Shop sits off the church narthex, the Blessed Mother Center houses most parish offices and meeting spaces, and a Church Hall provides additional space for parish events.
Welcoming Newcomers and Visitors
The parish keeps a simple registration process for those who wish to call St. William home. Newcomers can register online, by phone, or in person, and a member of the staff follows up to welcome them and answer any questions. Parish information is fully bilingual, with Spanish-language versions available for all major sacraments, the Mass schedule, staff directory, and registration.
Mass is livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, and the parish bulletin, weekly newsletter ("The Saint William Weekly"), and Flocknotes text and email groups keep parishioners connected.
Getting Involved: Volunteer and Safe Environment
St. William welcomes adult volunteers in every area of parish life. Volunteers complete a multi-step process that begins with a Volunteer Inquiry form, continues through the Acknowledgement of Good Moral Character, registration in the Diocese of Venice Volgistics system, and, for those working with children and vulnerable adults, online VIRTUS training.
The parish's Safe Environment Program follows the Diocese of Venice's standards for screening, training, and accountability, and is integrated into youth ministry as well as into adult volunteer formation.
Parking, Dress, and What to Expect
Parking is available at the church parking lot, the Blessed Mother Center, Seagate Elementary School next door, and the Waterside Shops across the way. During January through April, visitors are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to find a good space.
The parish is intentionally relaxed about dress. As the parish notes, "We ask that you are mindful that you are in the presence of our Lord and to dress appropriately. In the summertime, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sandals, shorts, and a shirt. Others prefer to put on their 'Sunday Best,' and that's fine too!"
Giving and the Catholic Faith Appeal
Parishioners and visitors can support St. William in several ways. Online giving through WeShare allows one-time or recurring gifts. Offertory envelopes and the collection at Mass remain the traditional way to give. Special collections, memorial gifts, and matching gifts through employers round out the giving options.
The annual Catholic Faith Appeal (CFA) supports ministries across the Diocese of Venice, including Catholic Charities, Catholic schools, religious education, seminarian formation, Respect Life, Family Life, hospital and prison chaplaincy, and youth and young adult ministry. Surplus contributions above the parish's assessment are returned to the parish for its own charitable work.
Planned giving options include bequests, retirement asset beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, charitable trusts, and gifts of appreciated real estate or securities. The Catholic Community Foundation of SWFL partners with the parish on endowments and other long-term philanthropic goals.
Mass Enrollment Cards
For those who wish to have a Mass offered for a special intention, such as a living loved one, a deceased family member, or a personal prayer need, St. William offers Mass Enrollment Cards. The Parish Office keeps a selection of cards on hand; a $10 donation per card is suggested.
A Parish That Prays, Sings, and Serves Together
From the early weekday Mass that opens the church doors before most people are at their desks, to the Sunday 11:00 am Mass with the Adult Choir lifting the prayers, to the Tuesday evening novena and the monthly Breakfast in the Park, the rhythm of St. William Catholic Church is built around steady, faithful presence. Its traditional architecture, its bilingual reach into the Spanish-speaking community, its full cycle of sacraments, and its many small communities for men, women, families, youth, and the bereaved make it both a parish of long-standing devotion and a parish open to new ideas inspired by the Holy Spirit, exactly the middle ground Father George describes when he welcomes a visitor or a year-round resident for the first time.