My pastoral visits to the parishes of our Diocese continue with great enthusiasm and gratitude. On May 19, 20 and 22, I had the privilege of conducting my pastoral visit to St. Clare Parish and School in North Palm Beach, a vibrant Catholic community whose history reflects both remarkable growth and enduring fidelity to the Gospel.
St. Clare began in the late 1950s as a mission of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Riviera Beach. As the community grew and its pastoral life flourished, Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll elevated the mission to parish status on April 21, 1960. In August 1961, Father John W. Schlinkmann was appointed as its first pastor. Since then, St. Clare has remained a steadfast Catholic presence in North Palm Beach, serving generations of faithful with dedication and zeal.
One cannot speak of the history of St. Clare without recognizing the extraordinary contribution of Father William O’Shea. Appointed pastor in 1983 — before the Diocese of Palm Beach was established in 1984 — Father O’Shea faithfully shepherded the parish until 2023, completing four decades of generous and selfless pastoral service. His leadership left a profound and lasting mark upon the parish community. Even today, parishioners continue to speak of him with deep affection, gratitude and respect.
The current pastor, Father Nicholas Zrallack, is a young priest blessed with exceptional leadership, intellectual gifts, pastoral zeal and a deep spiritual life. Father Zrallack is originally from Fort Pierce and attended St. Anastasia Parish and School. He’s also a graduate of John Carroll High School. Father Zrallack is a specialist in education, having taught in the public school system of St. Lucie County, where he also served as curriculum director prior entering the seminary. Assisting him is Father Marvin Borda (originally from the Philippines), who serves as parochial vicar. Together, they lead a parish apostolate firmly rooted in sacramental life, prayer, evangelization and personal accompaniment of the faithful.
St. Clare Parish offers a rich variety of ministries and programs that foster spiritual growth, community engagement and service. Among them are the Women’s Bible Program, Infant of Prague Devotion, Book Club, Religious Education Program, Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, Multimedia Ministry, Welcome Committee, Homebound Ministry, Rosary Group and the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry. The latter remains especially active in serving those in need and maintains close collaboration with the broader Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The crown jewel of parish life is undoubtedly St. Clare School, a true center of human, intellectual and Christian formation. The school opened its doors in August 1964 under the leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine. Its first principal was Sister John Kevin, S.S.J. Today, the school is led by Principal Rachel Polak and Assistant Principal Patrick Hansen.
With nearly 400 students and more than 40 faculty and staff members, St. Clare School continues to provide an outstanding educational experience. Its teachers are highly qualified and deeply committed to their vocation as educators. The students themselves are joyful, enthusiastic learners who demonstrate a vibrant faith and a genuine love for their school community.
One program that particularly impressed me during my visit was the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a beautiful approach to Christian formation rooted in the Montessori method and designed primarily for younger children between the ages of 4 and 5. This program introduces children to the mysteries of the faith in a manner that is both engaging and profoundly spiritual.
The school is currently undertaking an ambitious capital campaign to fund the construction of a new athletic center, an early learning facility, and significant improvements to the school’s windows and infrastructure. An executive committee has been established to oversee the campaign and coordinate these efforts under the leadership of the pastor and principal.
What struck me most during my visit was the spirit that permeates every aspect of school life. The students are loving, talented and full of promise. They learn, grow and pray in an environment that is welcoming, joyful, safe and exceptionally well maintained. It is evident that faculty, staff, parents and parish leaders share a common commitment to providing the very best formation for the next generation.
Both St. Clare Parish and St. Clare School stand as exemplary models of vitality, organization, hard work and pastoral effectiveness. Together, they embody the mission of the Church in a particularly inspiring way. I wholeheartedly congratulate this remarkable parish and school family, which undoubtedly ranks among the strongest and most vibrant ministries of our beloved Diocese of Palm Beach.
May God continue to bless the clergy, religious, educators, staff, volunteers, families and students of St. Clare, and may this flourishing community continue to bear abundant fruit for the kingdom of God for many years to come.
Bishop Manuel welcomes comments and reflections from readers: bishopofpalmbeach@diocesepb.org
