Vibrant, spiritually alive and welcoming describe St. Scholastica Parish in Lecanto, Florida.  Started as a mission out of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Crystal River, Florida in 1987, the first Mass was celebrated by founding Pastor, Fr. James Hoge, O.S.B. on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987, in the multipurpose Senior Citizen Center of Citrus County on County Road 491.  To accommodate the growth as the newly established parish quickly grew, the Sunday Liturgy was moved to the Knights of Columbus Hall #6168 in Lecanto on November 1, 1987.

Upon completion of Central Catholic School of Citrus County in August of 1989 (since renamed Saint John Paul II Catholic School), parish Masses were celebrated in the school’s multi-purpose cafeteria.  In April, 1991, St. Scholastica Mission was raised to the status of St. Scholastica Parish.  Fr. James Hoge, O.S.B., served the parish as founding pastor from April 2, 1987 to January 14, 1992.

On January 15, 1992, the Most Rev. John C. Favalora, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, appointed Rev. Thomas T. Morgan to his first pastoral assignment as spiritual leader and guide to the community of St. Scholastica.    Our parish has been blessed with the presence of many Deacons.  Other deacons who have graced our parish with their many years of service include Deacon Stephen Kurylowicz, Deacon James Leonard, Deacon Steve Sablone, Deacon Terry Knox, Deacon Leo Borkowicz and Deacon Rich Meyer.  We are grateful to each of them for serving our parish community.  Our parish was also blessed for many years by the presence of Sr. Mary Loyola Mathia, S.C. who worked selflessly for the good of the parish. 
 

BUILDING HISTORY

On February 13, 1999, ground was broken for the new St. Scholastica Church. Hundreds of parishioners and friends attended this historical ceremony.  Fr. James Johnson, Vicar Forane for Citrus County, Fr. Thomas Morgan, Pastor, Fr. James Hoge, OSB, founding pastor, and other clergy, dignitaries, and parishioners turned the earth in the area where the sanctuary would eventually be located.

Dedication for the new church took place on January 8, 2000. The Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, officiated at the blessing of the new church.
The planning phases for a much needed parish center began in 2001 under the direction of
Rev. Richard Jankowski, the third pastor of St. Scholastica Parish.  A pledge drive for the new parish center was initiated in November 2005.   Through the generosity of the parish family of St. Scholastica the funds for a new center continued to grow. Under the guidance of our fourth pastor, Fr. Michael Smith, the determination to forge ahead for a new parish center continued.   Fr. Mike was instrumental in overseeing a parish wide building campaign.  Upon completion of a successful campaign and the generosity of our many parishioners and friends, Fr. Mike worked diligently with Wheeler Construction, the Diocesan Construction Office and our parish Building Committee to see the fruition of the parish center which was completed in 2012 and named the Father James Hoge Parish Center after our founding pastor.

 
CURRENT MINISTRIES:

 
Our parish community invites you to join any of our many ministries here at St. Scholastica.  Ministries include:  Care of Altar Linens, Art and Environment, Music Ministry (Adult Choir, Bell Ringers, Contemporary Choir), Scripture Study, Faith Formation for Children, Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion (at Liturgies), Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound, Sacristans, Greeters, Readers, Ushers, Nursing Home Volunteers, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Team, Culture of Life Ministry, Sacristans, Telephone Prayer Line.   Organizations within the parish include:  Community of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary.  Committees within the parish also include Finance Committee and Parish Advisory Committee.  Call the office at 352-746-9422 for more information.
 

OUR PASTORS:

Rev. James Hoge, O.S.B.                            
Founding Pastor of St. Scholastica                                                                    Served from April 20, 1987 to January 14, 1992
Rev. Thomas Morgan                                 
Served from January 15, 1992 – August 31, 2000         
Rev. Richard Jankowski                           
Served from September 1, 2000 – June 30, 2006
Rev. Michael Smith                                   
Served from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2013
Rev. Robert Romaine                                 
Served from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
Rev. James B. Johnson, VF                       
Served from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2023
Rev. Ken Malley
June 1, 2023

Parochial Vicars:                                        
Rev. Thomas Spillet served with Rev. Michael Smith & Rev. Robert Romaine
Rev. Jose Tejada served with Rev. James B. Johnson
Rev. Bill Santhouse served with Rev. James B. Johnson and currently serves with Rev. Ken Malley.

St. Scholastica Church is a Catholic Community that strives to provide a Christ-centered experience of life for all people. Inspired by the Eucharist, Scripture, Tradition and Community, we communicate God's unconditional love through worship, prayer, education and example.
 

An Gorta Mor - The Great Hunger - (1845-1850)
In Memory of the Four Million People Ireland lost to starvation and diaspora.  Your sufferings are not forgotton.

The Celtic Cross, the symbol of Redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is set within a circle representing all of Creation.  The four points of the Cross not only refer to the wounds of Christ, but indicate the four seasonal positions of the sun.  In the center of the Celtic Cross there is generally a triangle representing the great mystery of the Trinity, as proclaimed by St. Patrick himself.

This Celtic Cross was erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1.  Citrus County Florida in January 2000.  It was erected to honor the memory of the millions of people who starved to death or were forced to leave Ireland during AN GORTA MOR.