Ordination of Father Charles Bemis Brings Joy to the Diocese
By Kathleen Bagg
Joy filled the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on June 7 as Charles Bemis stepped into a new role – a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine. With family, friends and fellow clergy surrounding him, Bemis was ordained by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier in a celebration that blended centuries-old tradition with heartfelt emotion.
The ordination brought together Catholics from across the diocese, many of whom had followed Bemis’ journey through seminary and ministry. The ordination marked the culmination of years of discernment and preparation as he officially entered the priesthood through the laying on of hands, prayer and the sacrament of holy orders.
“Feed my sheep,” Bishop Pohlmeier said in his homily, referencing Christ’s words to Peter and the Gospel selected for the occasion. “At the heart of your promise of obedience, at the heart of what it means to surrender your will to God, is obedience to this command.”
The bishop emphasized that obedience to Christ begins by listening to the one who gives the command. “You will never fulfill this promise of obedience if you are not committed to listening to the Lord who sends you,” he said. “You will feed the lambs of Christ by offering them the sacraments. But it must also be with compassion.”
He reminded Father Bemis that the greatest hunger of humanity is the hunger for love. “If your ministry does not reflect the love of Christ, it will not nourish them,” Bishop Pohlmeier said.
Father Bemis lay prostrate before the altar during the Litany of the Saints, a sign of humility and surrender. Bishop Pohlmeier then laid hands on him and prayed the prayer of ordination, calling down the Holy Spirit and conferring the sacrament.
Father Bemis was vested by Father Remek Blaszkowski, and his brother, Father Andy Blaszkowski. After vesting, his hands were anointed with sacred chrism and he was presented with a paten and chalice – symbols of his Eucharistic ministry.
More than 50 priests and 20 deacons from across the diocese and seminary communities participated in the liturgy. Concelebrants included Bishop Emeritus Felipe Estévez, Father Jason Trull, vicar general, and Father Clay Ludwig, director of vocations.
Father Bemis completed his undergraduate seminary studies at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and earned his Master of Divinity from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach.
He will begin his first priestly assignment on July 1, as parochial vicar at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Ponte Vedra Beach, where he served during his diaconate year.
A native of the diocese, Father Bemis grew up in Middleburg and attended St. Luke Parish, where his earliest memories of feeling called to the priesthood began. “I saw the joy priests had on the altar,” he recalled. “At that age, I didn’t understand the theology or anything, but I knew I wanted that kind of joy.”
Over time, other interests took over. He remained involved as an altar server, lector and youth ministry member, but focused on a possible career in sports journalism. In high school, that calling returned unexpectedly after a powerful experience during a Steubenville youth retreat and a surprising encounter with a priest who asked, unprompted, if he was discerning a vocation.
During Holy Week in 2016, he returned to adoration and found clarity. “I was in the chapel and prayed, ‘If this is your will, let it be done,’” he said. “I felt the burden lift.”
On Easter morning that year, he attended Mass celebrated by Father Remek and Father Andy Blaszkowski – who would later vest him at his ordination. Seeing their joyful witness helped him say yes to the next step. “Now I understood,” he said.
With their support, he traveled to Miami to begin seminary. “Father Remek told me, ‘You’re not being ordained tomorrow, you’re just opening the door. If God wants you to be a priest, he’ll let you know,’” Bemis recalled.
In his homily, Bishop Pohlmeier also spoke about the priest’s role as intercessor and teacher. “Bring the people who come to you before God,” he said. “When the Lord who speaks to you is also able to speak through you, you will fulfill the command to teach – not just in a way that conveys knowledge but in a way that inspires hearts.”
Father Bemis celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 8, at St. Luke Parish in Middleburg, joined by family, friends and many parishioners from his early faith journey.
During his seminary formation, he served in a variety of ministries, including youth outreach, hospital chaplaincy and work with the poor – experiences that deepened his call to serve others with compassion.
As incense rose and the cathedral bells rang out, the ordination Mass concluded with hope and joy for the future.
“Ordinations are a gift not only to the man being ordained but to the whole Church,” Bishop Pohlmeier said. “Through the priesthood, Christ continues to shepherd his people.”
As Father Charles Bemis begins his priestly ministry, the people of the Diocese of St. Augustine rejoice in the gift of a new shepherd called to serve and feed the sheep.
Click here to listen to Bishop Erik Pohlmeier’s ordination homily.
