Welcoming 952 People as they Journey to Easter
March 3rd, 2025By Erin McGeever In addition to the three disciplines of Lent—prayer, almsgiving and fasting—Lent is also a privileged time of final preparation for those entering the Catholic Church at Easter. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which persons of catechetical age (7 and older) complete their full initiation into […]
Father William C. Mooney, dedicated pastor dies at 84
February 27th, 2025Father William C. Mooney, a devoted priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine and the last of the Irish missionary pastors to serve in the diocese, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. He was 84. Born May 2, 1940, in County Sligo, Ireland, to Dominic and Mary Mooney, he was one of 15 children, all preceding […]
Father William “Bill” Kelly, longtime Jacksonville Beach pastor, dies at 90
February 27th, 2025Father William “Bill” Kelly, a beloved Catholic priest whose ministry spanned more than half a century in Florida, died Feb. 25, 2025. Father Kelly was best known as the pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach for nearly 40 years, where he oversaw tremendous growth and became a cherished leader in the community. Born in Castlerea, Ireland, […]
Sisters of St. Joseph Mark 160 years in Florida
February 26th, 2025By Linda Reeves of Florida Catholic Media Called to service, eight young sisters clad in black habits sailed across the Atlantic to America during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War not knowing the challenges they would face, but leaving it in God’s hands, and as it turns out, they made it through and did […]
Pope Francis Shows ‘Further Slight Improvement’
February 26th, 2025Bishop Pohlmeier Calls for Continued Prayer By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ condition has shown “further slight improvement” over the past 24 hours, according to the Vatican’s evening medical bulletin on Feb. 26. The statement noted that the “mild renal insufficiency” previously observed “has receded,” and a CT scan performed on […]
Pope in good spirits; Vatican to host rosary for him in St. Peter’s Square
February 24th, 2025By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The morning after Pope Francis’ doctors said that he remained in “critical” condition and showed initial signs of renal insufficiency, the Vatican press office said the pope was in “good spirits” and continuing his treatment. The press office also announced that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican […]
Catholic Charities Layoffs Follow Federal Funding Freeze
February 21st, 2025By Kathleen Bagg JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Catholic Charities Bureau has been forced to halt its refugee resettlement services due to the federal government’s recent suspension of refugee arrivals and frozen reimbursements for services already provided. The funding freeze, resulting from an executive order on immigration issued Jan. 20, has left the program without more than $600,000 […]
Honoring St. Peter’s Mission – and Praying for Pope Francis’ Healing
February 21st, 2025By Erin McGeever Did You Know? On February 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. This feast isn’t about a physical chair but rather what it represents—the authority given by Jesus to St. Peter, which has been passed down through the popes for over 2,000 years. The word “chair” […]
Bishop Pohlmeier Explains the Basis for the USCCB Lawsuit
February 20th, 2025The USCCB has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s suspension of funding for refugee assistance programs. For decades, the Church has partnered with the government to help legally admitted refugees resettle in the U.S. The sudden loss of funding disrupts this mission and withholds payment for work already completed under federal agreements. It’s important […]
Celebrating the Jubilee of Deacons in Parishes, February 21-23
February 20th, 2025The Permanent Deacon By Deacon David Yazdiya The Book of Acts, chapter 6, records the beginning of the diaconate. The diaconate was established because the Apostles needed more time for prayer and the ministry of the word. The original deacons were chosen for their dedication to the Church and their faith in Christ. Stephen, the […]
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