I welcome you to our parish family and I hope that you will see the advantage of getting involved with the many ministries and activities that your parish has to offer. We have lively and enriching liturgies and offer a variety of social, educational and spiritual events for you to attend or get involved in. The parish has been here since
October 23, 1959 when Archbishop Hurley established it. We had masses in the Holiday Inn until the new church was built; now known as Fr. Flynn Hall. The present church was dedicated in 1984 and has been in constant use since that time. At present, the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular administer and serve the parish community, along with the wonderful help of some retired priests. We look forward to your worshipping with us and adding your talents and gifts to our wonderful faith family.
Fr. Joseph F. Connolly, TOR, Pastor OLQM
Fr. Joe was born into an Irish/French-Catholic family in Springfield, Massachusetts in August of 1941. He was educated in the parochial and public schools of the area until he entered the Franciscan TOR's in 1959. Ordained in May of 1968, he was immediately assigned to Bishop Egan Boys High School in Fairless Hills, PA where he taught for seven years and then became Principal for nine years. After this educational apostolate ended, he served as an Associate Pastor in Cinnaminson, NJ until he was transferred to Bradenton, Florida in the summer of 1994. From St. Joseph's Parish he was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs as Pastor on December 7, 1996 and still serves in this position. Fr. Joe has been a priest for over 40 happy years and enjoys the climate and the people whom God has given for him to serve.
Fr. John Mark Klaus, TOR, Parochial Vicar OLQM
Fr. John Mark Klaus, Third Order Regular Franciscan, holds degrees in music, liturgy and theology. Over the past 12 years he has worked in 5 states. Before joining the Franciscan in 1989 he was a music teacher, a full-time music director in a large parish in Pennsylvania part of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions and on the board of the National Pastoral Musicians head of the Campus Ministry division. He served as campus minister for 7 years working at two Franciscan Universities and also taught liturgy and music there. He was also the chaplain for an SFO group. He founded and directed the seminary choir at the The Washington Theological Union in Washington D. C. He was associate pastor in a parish in Fort Worth Texas and was on his province retreat ministry team and liturgy committee. He is presently Parochial Vicar at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish, Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of Venice, local regional vocation director for his province here in Florida and local minister, head of all the TOR Friars living in Florida. In his spare time he enjoys, going to concerts and plays, playing the piano and organ, going to the beach and travel.