For the past 50 years, the faithful of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle have been going out into the world, spreading the Good News of the Lord.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Aug. 24, 2025, as part of a daylong celebration for the Parish community. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Marciel Garcia, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, along with Father Juan Carlos Sack, Parochial Vicar.
“What a joy it is to be here today for the 50th anniversary,” Bishop Dewane said. “All those years ago, God prompted men and women to use resources – money, time and talent – to make the Parish possible. They came together and a House of the Lord was built. That labor has not gone in vain. Not only for we who are present here today – but for what this Holy place has meant over time – giving those who call this Parish home the grace to live a more profound life.”
A Parish does not happen by accident, it is built upon the “living stones,” the faithful who have gone before, those present today and those of the future, Bishop Dewane said.
“Without the ‘living stones,’ all of us put together, this Parish is nothing. You are the stones that this Church is built upon,” Bishop Dewane said. “Here Christ initiated you; here He made you doers of your faith. Go and live that life to make certain that this Parish, this Holy Catholic Church, is a beacon of light that draws all in, making those who become stronger men and women of God, placing their faith and life in Jesus Christ.”
Father Garcia thanked Bishop Dewane for celebrating the Mass and being present for the anniversary celebration. “Your being here means so much to the Parish,” Father said.
The celebration of the bilingual Mass was so significant for the community that the church was filled to capacity, and many watched a livestream in the Parish Hall, which was also full.
Following the Mass, a reception took place in the Parish Hall, which included food and fun, as well as a mariachi band.
Claudia Fernandez has lived in LaBelle her entire life and calls Our Lady Queen of Heaven her home. “It is more than my Parish, it is everything. My extended family does everything around what takes place here: baptisms, weddings, first communions, funerals, religious education, Bible study. Everything. It is wonderful to celebrate 50 years, but we are also looking forward to the next 50. It will be beautiful.”
The roots of Our Lady Queen of Heaven date to 1946 when the first Masses were celebrated by priests visiting from Fort Myers and the area was part of the Diocese of St. Augustine. In 1966, then having been reassigned to the Diocese of Miami, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Mission was established as a mission of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. Mass was celebrated in a local movie theater until 1975 when the church was built and the Parish was formally established. When the Diocese of Venice was established in 1984, Our Lady Queen of Heaven became part of the Eastern Deanery of the new Diocese.
The Parish administers nearby Holy Martyrs Mission, which was established by Bishop Dewane in 2007. The Parish and Mission currently have more than 1,200 families.
