Nominations are Open for the 10th Annual Sr. Celinie Catechetical Awards

Sr. Marie Celinie Joubert, SSJ, was one of the original 8 religious sisters who came to Florida at the request of Bishop Agustine Verot. Her ministry extended not only to the original mission of educating the African American population in St. Augustine but to some of the early outposts in Fernandina Beach as well as to Jacksonville’s north side. Her mission was to teach African American students first in St. Augustine, then at St. Catherine School on Main Street in Jacksonville. Over the years, this school moved often and eventually became the location we know today, St. Pius V (1921). Sr. Celinie and two other Sisters also went north to found St. Michael School in Fernandina Beach. When the yellow fever epidemic struck while the Sisters were on retreat in St. Augustine, they returned to visit and care for the sick in Fernandina. Sr. Celinie died on September 22, 1877, while tending to the needs of the victims of yellow fever.  

Nominations of suitable candidates will be accepted from pastors, Directors of Religious Education, and Catholic School principals for this annual award for Excellence in Forming the Faithful.



The full letter of introduction to the award as well as the nomination form can be found below:

Letter of Explanation to pastors, DRES, and principals

Nomination Form

Discover Your Path to Service, Leadership, and Faith Formation ~ the Diocesan Ministry Formation Program

The Diocesan Lay Ministry Program (MFP) is a path for those who desire to be recognized leaders in faith formation in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Now entering its 35th year, the MFP has formed several hundred of the faithful for service to the mission of Jesus Christ.

As we begin our initial recruitment for suitable candidates for the Class of 2029, we invite pastors and current leaders to help us look for these individuals and to invite them to at last learn about the benefits of commissioned lay ministry. if we are planning for the current and future mission of the Church, we need capable and formed people to lead the way.

The MFP Office is hosting 6 information sessions across the diocese for people to learn more about the program, its benefits, its requirements, and to begin a period of discernment for this upcoming year that begins in August.

Sessions will be held:

March 3 at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

March 24 at Sacred Heart, Fleming Island 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

A RSVP is very helpful, but not absolutely necessary. Please share.

Email Ann at Lay Ministry Email

Pleased to announce this Conference on Inclusive Formation

In partnership with the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities (NCPD) and the Catholic Foundation, the Office of Christian Formation will be hosting this bilingual opportunity for all who work in formation and education in the Diocese of St. Augustine.

There will be 4 workshops offered in both Spanish and English. The Spanish workshops are partially sponsored through a Lilly Grant.

You will be able to sign up for 1, 2, 3, or 4 workshops. Lunch will be provided for those who sign up for the entire 2 days.

this is an excellent opportunity. Registration will open this coming week.

~Resources for Lent ~

General

Small Group Reflection Guide for Lent 2026 (free)

The Archdiocese of Seattle created a new Lent 2026 five-week small group reflection guide, which includes this year's Lenten Scripture readings, reflections from Pope Leo XIV from Dilexi te, On the Love for the Poor, prayers and reflection questions. Use this for your family or faith group. 

Guide in English

Guide in Spanish

Stations of the Cross

Throughout our history, Christians have longed to literally walk in the footsteps of Christ. The shrines of the holy places in and around Jerusalem have drawn pilgrims inspired by the life and death of Christ.

Not everyone is able to travel to the Holy Land. Since the Middle Ages, churches and chapels began putting up images devoted to the passion of Christ. By the 15th century, the Franciscans had developed a devotion they called "stations." The word means a place where people stand still or gather. Even though the term implies something "stationary" the service includes the movement of pilgrims following the footsteps of Christ. It took a while to fix the number and the names of the stations, but in 1731 Pope Clement XII established the 14 we know today.

 A few helpful (and free) online resources:

Creighton Online Ministries Stations of the Cross ~ a variety of options, including audio versions

Busted Halo Virtual Stations of the Cross

Discerning Hearts ~ in the tradition of St Francis of Assisi Podcasts

Youth and Families

Cross Catholic Activity Booklet for Lent 2026 free downloadable activity book. This is new on this list.

Diocese of Des Moines ~ Living Lent Activities for the whole family, available in Spanish and English.

Adult Confirmation

The next celebration of adult Confirmation will be celebrated by Bishop Pohlmeier in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on Pentecost Sunday, May 24 at 2:00 pm. 

This celebration is for Catholics who are baptized and received First Communion in their youth but for whatever reason were not confirmed.  Formation sessions should start now and these begin with the verification of current sacramental status.

Completed, typed registrations are due 6 week prior to the celebration. All information, including correct spelling of names, must be provided!

Our Diocesan Eucharistic Encounter event will be held March 6 and 7, 2026 in two locations. On Friday night, we will be at Queen of Peace in Gainesville. On Saturday, we will be at St. Joseph Parish in Jacksonville. This Eucharistic Encounter will have at its heart an evangelization focus, particularly in how it the Eucharist draws us closer to Christ.

Our keynote speaker for both days will be Julianne Stanz. She will be joined by our other main speakers, Fr. Stephen Gadberry and Dr. Gerardo Salazar. This is a Level III opportunity.

You're Invited to Participate. . .

NCCL Study on Family Faith Formation

There has been a tremendous growth in new parish initiatives in family faith formation over the past five years. Many parishes across the country are adopting a family catechetical model where the entire family gathers to learn together. There is an emerging movement towards engaging the whole family in learning together.

To learn more about what parishes are doing in family faith formation NCCL is conducting a national study to identify how parishes are implementing family faith formation in their parish communities. The survey explores how parishes practice parent and family formation, what programs and activities they offer, and, if they conduct a catechetical program for the whole family, when do they gather and what themes do they address. 

NCCL will produce a report of the findings and follow-up with parishes to develop profiles of parish family faith formation that will be available to all parishes. 

Our hope is to develop a network of parishes engaged in catechetical programming with the whole family (or are planning to do so) so they we may connect with each other for mutual support and resource sharing. 

We really appreciate your help in this project. It will only take 10 minutes to complete the survey. Click on the button below to go to SurveyMonkey. Please respond by March 25. 

Thank You!

  Roberto

NCCL Executive Director

Family Formation Survey

Bishop Pohmeier announces Pilgrimage Sites for the Year of St. Francis of Assisi

Basic Certification (Level I)

Summer Offering:



Catholic School Special~ St. Paul, Jacksonville Beach, June 15 -18, 2026

Registration is now open:

Jotform to register

Dates and locations for next year are in the works. If you location would like to host, please contact Erin at Erin's Email We ae obligated to cover the 17,000 square miles of the diocese, so...

Standard certification is achieved either through courses through the McGrath Institute (STEP) or through the University of Dayton (VLCFF).

Standard Certification Options

STEP through the McGrath Institute

STEP Camino Courses Comprehensive list for the year.

VLCFF through the University of Dayton

VLCFF Calendar

Boston College, Clough School of Theology and Ministry online courses

CSTM offers many quality short courses that are very suitable for Level III. They are reasonably priced and very current in focus. In general, they are 3- 6 week offerings.

Here are some of the upcoming offerings:

Faithful Unity Amid Polarization

Mar 4, 2026 - Mar 24, 2026 3 - week, $30

John in Holy Week and Easter

Mar 4, 2026 - Mar 24, 2026 3- week, $30

The Gift of Prayer

Mar 11, 2026 - Apr 21, 2026 6-week, $60

And there is more...

BC/CSTM online courses