About Us

About Parish

Parish History
Our parish began as a mission founded by Father Michael Devaney, O.M.I. on March 10, 1979. Our first Pastor, Father Walter J. Dockerill, was appointed on July 1, 1980, to guide our faith community and celebrate the first Mass as “Saint Rita Catholic Church.” For the first few years, we celebrated Mass in the Lions Club in Royal Palm Beach until our Parish Center was completed on Thanksgiving Day 1983.
Outgrowing the Parish Center after a few years, our Church building was constructed and dedicated on September 20, 1992, where Mass is still celebrated today.
Father Dockerill guided our parishioners for many years and retired in 2002. Our second pastor, Father Donald Munro was appointed as our new pastor in July 2002 and continued to shepherd our parish while looking to the future. He worked feverishly to tap into the time, talent and treasure of our faith community and was instrumental in promoting the building of a new Family Life Center to replace the existing Parish Hall.
Father Munro retired from the Priesthood on December 2019. It was then that the Bishop Gerald Barbarito appointed Father Mario Castañeda to shepherd our Parish. Father Mario continued in our vison to welcome all to our parish community and was instrumental in getting the “shovel in the ground” with the construction of our new Family Life Center beginning under his leadership. At the present time, we are eagerly awaiting the opening of this building where we can come together to promote faith, hope and love within our parish community.

Our Vision and Mission

Our Mission Statement
To bring the community to Christ by building trust, serving others, and creating a sense of family and friendship through the worship and praise of God, all in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in union with the whole Catholic Church, Mary, all the angels and saints, especially Saint Rita.
Our Vision
Be a Friend, Make a Friend, Bring a Friend To Christ

Pastoral Staff

Rev. Mario Castañeda

Father Mario takes very seriously his role that was entrusted in him when he became Pastor of our Parish on January 1, 2020. He is committed to shepherd, lead and serve our faith-filled community in all ways possible. The spiritual well being of all the parishioners is of utmost importance to him. Father Mario is a very kind and compassionate man who is very approachable and cares for each of us as if we were his own children. We are so blessed to have Father Mario as our spiritual leader.

Rev. Daniel Donohue

Father Daniel joined our Pastoral Staff as our Parochial Vicar on July 1, 2025. Although he is new to our parish, he immediately embraced our parish community in a very spiritual and welcoming manner. Although not raised Roman Catholic, he had a profound and enduring conversion experience at fourteen and entered the Catholic Church. He explored religious life for many years even as he pursued his master’s degree and began teaching at a high school level. Following the advice of his spiritual director, he entered priestly formation in 2018. He was ordained in May of 2022 and after serving at St. Juliana Catholic Church, Bishop Barbarito assigned him to our parish. He is very happy to be at St. Rita’s and looks forward to walking with each one of you on this journey of faith.

Deacon Joe O’Connell

Deacon Joe makes himself available to our parish on a daily basis. He is always willing to help out in any way possible and is an advocate for those seeking annulments. Deacon Joe is also the Spiritual Facilitator of our RCIA programs which educates and welcomes new members into our church life. Additionally, he is one of our Faith Formation Facilitators as well as assists with our many youth groups. He assists at our Masses, and celebrates the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony.

Deacon Jim Meyer

Deacon Jim began serving as a Deacon at our parish in 2000 and after many years of commitment to our parish community and an eagerness to serve all, he retired in 2019. However, even in his retirement he continues to serve our parish community in many ways including serving at Mass on a regular basis and assisting with Baptisms. He also helps with many of our funerals and with Committal Services on a daily basis at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery. Prior to his retirement, he was the Chaplin at many of our local hospitals. He is very friendly and welcoming with all those in our parish community.

Deacon Jose Ortiz

Deacon Jose leads our Hispanic community in many church-life events and services. He assists with Baptisms, Weddings, as well as funerals as he embraces our vibrant Hispanic Community. He acts as the Spiritual director for the Spanish RCIA.

Contact Information

Church Phone Numbers
Parish Office Phone Number: (561) 793-8544
Parish Office Fax Number: (561) 793-4082
Faith Information Phone Number: (561) 795-4321

Faith Formation Fax Number: 561-793-4082

Parish Staff