Parish History & Overview
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San Antonio Catholic Church began as a mission on September 8th, 1992. Sunday Masses were held at Victoria Estates on Rampart Boulevard in Port Charlotte. Three Hundred families registered. The need for a more permanent space for worship prompted the move to Deep Creek Commons on Sandhill Boulevard in October of 1993. We officially became a Parish on April 20, 1993. The Diocese of Venice named our Parish in memory of the first Spanish Catholic Mission built on the shores of the Peace River in 1567.
On the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, June 13, 1994, ground was broken on Rampart Boulevard to build our provisional church which seats 550, with the capability of expanding seating to 750.
This building also houses the parish office, classrooms, a kitchen and meeting and social spaces. Our present facility opened with the celebration of Mass on the Feast of St. Anthony in 1995 - a year, to the day, after breaking ground, and 800 years after St. Anthony's death. Formal dedication was held October 15, 1995.
Today, we number 1800+ families. The need for additional space is evident. A permanent church is in the planning stages. An administration/education building is also planned to be built, all on our present property, at the same time.
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| Designed to impart a calm, peaceful and
prayerful atmosphere, our provisional church, in keeping with our
heritage, is in the Mediterranean Revival Style, featuring light coral
and white masonry and stucco, rounded arches and a tile roof and floor.
At the entrance of the driveway, the Signature is comprised of two
classic arches rising from lush gardens. The larger one bears the
San Antonio logo, the smaller one provides Mass schedule information
or a timely message. Areas surrounding the building have been landscaped
with natural Florida palm trees and flowers. Behind are two lakes
which add to the scenic beauty. On each side of the building there
is a different architectural feeling, all in perfect balance. After
dark, the lighted building takes on a special radiance.
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As one enters the church, a graceful arch dominates the Narthex. Two large, oak doors are set within the windowed archway. As the doors are opened, the Nave of the church is revealed. Eight dormers raise high above the Nave giving it a feeling of spaciousness. Arched windows around the ceiling and tall, clear windows behind
.the Sanctuary enhances the natural illumination. Simple chandeliers and recessed spotlights provide special lighting effects. The ceramic tile floor draws the eye to the raised, red oak platform of the Sanctuary. Sanctuary furnishings are of red oak.
High above the sanctuary is a magnificent stained glass window depicting the history of the original San Antonio Mission founded on the banks of the Peace River in 1565. Designed exclusively for our church, the window is 10 feet in diameter and is naturally illuminated by a southern exposure. The window is dominated by a beautifully stylized, yellow cross. Prominent in the upper window is a glorious sunrise in magnificent hues of blues, violets, roses, yellows and gold. Traversing back and forth, the Peace River is highlighted in deep blue and flows downward to the San Antonio settlement. In the lower left portion of the window, there is a representation of a Calusa Indian settlement. The Mission Chapel stands the bottom and has three crosses. In front of the chapel are several Spanish Conquistadors and slightly to the left, two dark clothed figures represent the Spanish Jesuit priest and brother assigned to the mission. Other settlement buildings are seen to the left of the chapel.
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In an alcove to the right of the altar is our solid bronze Tabernacle. The antique bronze finish has a high relief sculpting of a chalice, sheaves of wheat and grapes signifying bread and wine to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
It rests atop a specially constructed plexiglass base which reflects a jeweled waterfall appearance as the light shines upon it. Other sanctuary appointments, including the Processional Cross, Pascal Candle Stand and processional Candlesticks are coordinated with the Tabernacle design.
In the alcove to the left of the altar is a statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Hand-carved Linden wood and delicately hand-painted in pastel colors, she is beautifully rendered as a young woman and stands with her head slightly owed, her right hand raised across her breast. The purity of her features and gentleness of her smile are filled with wonder and happiness; yet, there is an exquisite sacredness in her demeanor.
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Through the alcoved windows behind the
sanctuary can be seen the Memorial Prayer Garden. Lushly landscaped
with pygmy date palms, hibiscus and other Florida flora, people are
invited to walk into the garden to pray, meditate and think of their
loved ones buried there. High on the walls around the Nave are hand-woven
tapestry (below) Stations of the Cross. The yarn-dyed fabric of vibrant
deep purple has a pronounced texture. Combinations of colorful appliques
and gold embroidery |
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create simple, but dynamic representations of the Way of The Cross. The 12th Station tapestry, "Jesus dies on the Cross," has been replaced with a magnificent, hand-carved Crucifix. Jesus has just said the familiar words, "Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit." The corpus on the cross shows the body limp, having slumped forward in death.
In recent years, Pope John Paul II wrote special meditation prayers to accompany the traditional 14 Stations and added the 15th station, "Jesus, risen from the cross, glorified". Located on
the wall to the right of the Sanctuary, is a red oak cross with an inlaid bronze stripe. Hand-carved of linden wood and hand painted in softly tinted colors with gold trim is a statue of the Risen Christ set to the side of the cross, creating a three- dimensional representation of the Resurrection.
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The Nave seats 550 people in flexible seating. It can be disassembled making space available for a social event. The back walls on either side can be rotated and folded into wall receptacles to make an additional 200 seats available. When not being used for worship, these two spaces are available for other activities. Both rooms can be divided for additional meeting areas. All are accessible from the Narthex.
Two glass-enclosed walkways, galleries, lead east and west from the Narthex to an outside covered walkway. From the west gallery, there is access to two meeting rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The gallery to the east leads to four parish offices, a conference room, the sacristy and maintenance areas. The office is also accessible from the outside parking area. Restrooms are available at the end of both galleries.
The lighting system, both inside and
out, is computerized as are the 10 heating and cooling zones. There
is a highly sophisticated audio system for voice amplification,
as well as the ability to play radio, CD's and tapes. The audio
system has a zoned speaker system so that sound can be piped into
different areas as desired. The parking lot is designed to hold
250+ cars with ample parking for handicapped parishioners.
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Just off to the right of the Church, you will find the "Good Shepard Ministry
Center" building. Dedicated to the founding Pastor, Most Reverend Thomas Zedar,
and named after his long life dream of starting a Parish named "Good Shepard".
It housing the Parish office and offices for Faith Formation, Pastoral Ministry,
Health Ministry and Youth Ministry. Also located in this building
is a conference room and work room for all Church Ministries, Committees
and Organizations and Faith formation class rooms.
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