Jacksonville, Fla. – In preparation for Hurricane Milton’s anticipated impact, several Catholic facilities across the 17-county region of the Diocese of St. Augustine have announced temporary closures and adjustments to their operations.
Bishop Erik Pohlmeier is praying for all affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, asking for God’s protection, strength and comfort for everyone in the storm’s path. He encourages the faithful to join him in prayer for the safety of our communities, for the well-being of first responders and for a swift recovery for all those who experience loss or hardship due to these storms.
Catholic Schools: Schools will remain open today (Oct. 8) but will close for the remainder of the week. For the latest information on school closures and reopening, please visit dosaeducation.org.
Diocesan Administrative Offices: The Catholic Center and the Father Felix Varela Center in Mandarin will be closed from Wednesday through Friday.
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine: On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Mission Museum, Gift Shop and Shrine Church will close at 4 p.m. All grounds and facilities will remain closed from Wednesday through Friday. All feast day activities for Our Lady of La Leche Oct. 10-11 have been canceled.The shrine plans to reopen over the weekend, contingent on property conditions and safety assessments. During this time, visitors are encouraged to submit prayer requests online at missionandshrine.org.
Catholic Charities Inc.: Catholic Charities continues to provide support to those impacted by Hurricane Helene’s devastation, particularly in Dixie, Lafayette and Levy counties, as well as to those in our community who may be affected by Hurricane Milton. Your generous donations enable Catholic Charities to deliver essential relief, comfort and hope to those in need. 100 percent of every contribution to our disaster relief efforts directly supports those affected. To donate, visit ccbdosa.org/donate.
Catholic Churches in the Diocese of St. Augustine: Parishes will continue to offer Mass and other services as deemed appropriate by the pastor. The safety of parishioners and staff remains our top priority. Bishop Pohlmeier grants pastors the ability to dispense from the obligation to participate in Sunday Mass the weekend of Oct. 12-13if the pastor determines it unsafe for the faithful of his parish.
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The Diocese of St. Augustine encompasses 17 Northeast and Northcentral Florida counties, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. It serves about 175,000 registered Catholics in 71 parishes, missions and chapels and 39 high schools, elementary schools, early learning centers and special education schools.
