Holy Apostles Church
Welcome to
Holy Apostles Church
Come see what's new at the Old Catholic Church
The Old Catholic Church is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Within the Catholic Religion, there are different denominations such as the Old Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church or Latin Rite, the Orthodox Catholic Church and others.
What has become known, over the centuries, as ‘Old Catholic’ has existed since AD. 730 and has been an autonomous Church by Papal Decree since 1145, later ratified by the Lateran Council of 1215; it is, therefore, part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is fully Catholic but not Roman.
"The perfect Church, for imperfect people"
Every day, more people leave the Catholic faith as they feel marginalized, discriminated against, judged and insignificant, from a church that excludes them for being imperfect
or because they have made mistakes.
We provide a legitimate and valid Catholic alternative, our motto is,
"The perfect Church, for imperfect people",
following the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and imitating
the primitive Church from Apostolic times,
where the very same disciples of Jesus,
were called to serve God, as He created them,
fathers to their children,
husbands to their wives
and heads of families
worthy of emulating by their communities,
celebrating the Eucharist around the table in the intimacy of their homes and congregations.
Our Church is a perfect fit for the Catholic who wishes to regain or maintain their faith, without having to leave the catholic religion, or resorting to other religions where they must change their spiritual essence. In our Church, we adhere more to the word of God and the Gospel of Christ, which calls us to His love and mercy, and where He waits to be reconciled with all; not based in institutional laws that judged and marginalize people for being human and imperfect, diminishing any sign of hope for a new beginning, denying an opportunity for learning, reconciliation and salvation.
Our Church is ideal for those who have been away from the beauty of Catholicism or have been prevented from participating fully in the life and the sacraments of the Church.
The exceptions that we offer are:
"Open Communion" - Communion is offered to, and encouraged to be received by, all Believing Christians.
"General Absolution" - During the Penitential Rite of Mass, a moment is taken to confess sins communally and personally to God, then the Priest grants General Absolution, or one may choose to confess to a Priest in person.
"Sacraments" - May be administered outside the confines of the Church.
"Holy Orders" - Are open to Men and Women, Married and Single. Another question often asked is, how can a priest be married? Clerical celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine.
"Holy Matrimony" - Is offered to those who have been previously married, without pre-condition. No Roman Catholic Church Annulment is required. We believe that marriage is a Sacrament, but divorce and remarriage are realities. We do not believe that divorce is the "unforgivable sin," nor do we believe that divorce should bar anyone from the ministry and the Sacraments of the church.
We believe that abortion and euthanasia is the taking of human life, however we also are aware of the loving and forgiving nature of God.
Holy Apostles Church - Pastor
Most Reverend Steve Harris, D.D., D. Min. serves Holy Apostles Church as Pastor and the Diocese of Florida as Bishop. He has been part of the Pinellas County community for over 38 years as a funeral director.
At Holy Apostles, as with most Old Catholic churches, our ordained members work in regular jobs, much like St. Paul did, who supported himself as a tent maker through out his ministry as an Apostle. The benefit of this is two-fold–it keeps them “real”, living and working like everyone else, and it provides an income so that the parish does not have significant financial responsibilities of supporting a pastor and family, which allows contributions to be used for ministries and church upkeep.
Holy Apostles Church
Old Catholic Church
Mission Statement
We, the faith community of the Holy Apostles Church, Old Catholic Church, will proclaim the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. We will accomplish this through our profession of faith, while gathering around the table of the Lord’s Word and Sacrament. It is our desire, with the help of the Lord and through our fellowship, to develop a true sense of community, recognizing our One True Head, and adhering to the Great Command to “Love God and one another as ourselves.” Constantly aware of our unity in Christ through our baptism, and our diversity through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we acknowledge that all God’s people are treasures in earthen vessels.
COMMUNITY: We will use all the charisms that God has endowed this community to form one body without division and with equal concern for all (1Corinthians 12). As God’s chosen instruments, we will be gentle and humble with each other, deferring to one another through love.
SERVICE: We will strive to heal the broken hearted, comfort the sorrowful, and minister to all who have been neglected. We will search for the lost sheep and guide them back to the fold, (“I am the Good Shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father. For these sheep I will give my life”. John 10:14-15) while proclaiming the kingdom through our faith and love.
HOSPITALITY: We will open our hearts and our doors to offer Christian fellowship with God’s people, especially the poor of Yahweh – those who are truly seeking the Lord, the lowly, the outcasts, and the unchurched who are being crushed under the weight of their cross.
FAITH: We acknowledge One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, and One God and Father of us all (Ephesians 4:5). We are committed to stand firm, praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14 & 18). We will be content knowing that the Lord, Our Savior, is with us, that He lives in us and that He is the only way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
We pray that the Great and Mighty King, Christ Jesus Our Lord, will guide His Church as we remain His humble servants, always proclaiming to the world the Glory of God the Father and that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! (Philippians 2:11)
To learn more about the about the rich history and truth of the Independent Old Catholic Church, click the link below.
Our Values
We begin each Mass with this special prayer.
God’s Promise
God’s Means of Restoration
2 Chron 7:13-14
“If… I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain,
or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if
I send pestilence among My people, and My people
who are called by My name, humble themselves
and pray, and seek My face and turn from their
wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Our Response
By Bishop William Nicolaro
Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus,
your Son, our Lord. We are your people whom you
knew before you formed us in the womb and called
us by name. We humble ourselves before you as we
pray, turning from our wicked ways, because we
are seeking your face. Please pardon our sins, as
you hear our prayers, turn your face towards our
Country, revive us and heal our land, the United
States of America that we may become and remain
one nation under your sovereign rule. And we ask
This in Jesus’ holy name. Amen
Service Schedule
Come Worship with Us!
Sunday Mass 10:00 am
Tuesday December 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Advent Penance Service
Tuesday December 24th at 9:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Mass
First Sunday of the Month please bring non-perishable food items to donate to Dunedin Cares.
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Bible Study: New schedule to be announced soon.
The Most Reverend Steven M. Harris, Bishop of the Diocese of Florida
Independent Old Catholic Church
A Brief History of the Independent Old Catholic Church
The Old Catholic churches are independent catholic, orthodox, and apostolic churches that trace their individual histories back to the Early Church and directly to the apostles themselves.
Old Catholics have their origins in the Roman Catholic Church of the Netherlands beginning in the seventh century. The Diocese of Utrecht became an Archiepiscopal See (under jurisdiction of a bishop) in 1145 when Pope Eugene III and the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III gave it the right to elect its successors to the See. This meant that the Archbishop of Utrecht was free to consecrate bishops without permission or approval from the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).
Following the First Vatican Council in 1870, considerable dissent grew among Catholics, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, over the newly-proclaimed dogma of papal infallibility. These dissenters could not accept the proposition that the Bishop of Rome was infallible. As a result, many formed independent communities that came to be known as Old Catholics because they sought to adhere to the beliefs and practices of the Early Church of the post-Apostolic era. The Old Catholic communities appealed to the Archbishop of Utrecht who consecrated the first bishops for these communities. Eventually, under the leadership of the Church of Holland, these Old Catholic communities joined together to form the Utrecht Union of Churches.
The Old Catholic Church in the United States has evolved from a centralized administration to a local and regional model of administration with self-governing dioceses. In 1908, Gerard Gul, Archbishop of Utrecht (who traces his apostolic succession back to St. Peter in the See of Rome), consecrated Arnold Harris Matthew as Old Catholic Bishop of Great Britain. Through his efforts the Old Catholic Church spread to United States and Canada.
In 1991, Bishop Maurice D. McCormick (who traces his apostolic succession back to Archbishop Arnold Harris Matthew) organized the Independent Old Catholic Church (IOCC). Today, the IOCC has clergy (deacons, priests and bishops) in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Cuba and Africa. The IOCC continues to grow and serve the Lord. It is presently led by Archbishop George H.W. LeMesurier of Ottawa, Canada.
The IOCC Statement of Beliefs
1. We believe that Jesus is the Christ and our personal Savior.
2. We believe in the Holy Trinity.
3. We believe in the inerrancy and divine inspiration of Holy Scripture.
4. We believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
5. We believe in the three historic creeds of the Church: The Nicene, Apostles’ and Athanasia Creeds.
6. We appreciate the wisdom and guidance of the doctrines of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
7. We appreciate the wisdom and guidance of the Early Church Fathers.
8. We believe in the seven Sacraments of the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, Matrimony and Holy Orders.
9. We believe that the Bread and Wine become the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
10. We believe that receiving the Eucharist is open to all Christian believers.
11. We believe that all Holy Orders are open to both men and women, married or single.
12. We believe celibacy of those in Holy Orders is a personal decision.
13. We hold valid Apostolic Succession.
14. We believe in the sanctity of marriage, however we believe that Jesus is merciful and those who have been divorced and/or remarried are offered the sacraments of the Church.
15. We believe that contraception is a personal decision.
16. We believe that abortion and euthanasia is the taking of human life.
For more information about the Florida Diocese of the I.O.C.C click the link below.
Honoring Our Heritage
"In Loving Memory of" BISHOP BILL NICOLARO
It was in the spring of 1996 that Deacon Bill made the decision to follow his life-long calling, and made plans to become ordained in the Catholic Charismatic Church.
The Solemn Blessing & Dedication of Holy Apostles Church was held on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at 7 PM.
In the Spring of 2006 Bishop Angelo received notification from Patriarch Andre II that he had been elevated to Archbishop.
In the summer of 2013, the Lord called our beloved founder home. His work completed on this earth, he left his legacy of faith and love to his community to carry on.
IN MEMORIAM
On Tuesday July 16, 2024 our beloved Bishop Emeritus The Most Rev. Richard M. White passed from this life to his eternal home in heaven. I am sure he was greeted with the words we all long to hear, "welcome home my good and faithful servant". His legacy will live on in the Priests and Bishops of the IOCC that knew him as a friend and a mentor. Saints of God come to his aid, come and greet him angles of the Lord. Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High.
Quote
“There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and One God and Father of us all, Who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph. 4:5
"The secret to happiness is J O Y.
Jesus first,
Others second,
Yourself last."
Contact Us
Holy Apostles Church
1605 Pinehurst Rd, Dunedin, FL 34698, USA
(727) 734-2035