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The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and St. Cajetan is an historic and iconic traditional Catholic church complete with beautiful statues, stained glass windows, a choir and Latin Mass. Its parishioners are a talented and diverse group. The church was originally founded in 1985 by Father Bonet, who arrived in Hernando and Weeki Wachee driving his yellow school bus. The story told is that he fell in love with the area and over a period of time developed a substantial following. The Shrine became the first traditional Catholic church in Central Florida. With the help of his parishioners, he acquired significant acreage through fundraising efforts to build his dream, a “City of Mary,” which today includes the church, rectory, cemetery, and an assisted living facility and now a school for children in surrounding communities. Though Father Bonet is no longer with us, his dream is finally being fulfilled.
The Shrine is pleased to announce that it will be opening the new school, OUR LADY OF FATIMA ACADEMY, this September. The campus sits on 28 acres of wooded land located on the church property at 10360 Atlanta Ave, a mere 15 minutes from Sugarmill Woods and other communities nearby. It is situated between Hernando and Citrus counties next to Weeki Wachee High School.
Classes will be taught by the Sisters of CMD (Congregation of the Mother of God) under the supervision of CMRI Bishop Mark A. Pivarunus. Private school youth and families are eligible for full tuition grants through government funding of the Step Up Program.
The school will not only complete Father Bonet’s dream which is shared by CMRI and its priests and sisters, but it will provide our community with an excellent alternative academic and spiritual environment for children in grades K through 12.
If you are interested in learning more about the school and enrollment this fall, please call Angel Cochran at (707) 309-0141, or the school website at ourladyoffatimaacademy.crmi.gmail.com and/or consult the church website at https://www.shrineoffatima.com. We look forward to talking to you.
