18th Annual Summer School of Theology

We have had to replace our speaker due to an unforeseen circumstance. We have found an equally engaging Augustinian to replace Fr. Gary ~ Fr. Art Purcaro.

Fr. Art Purcaro is an Augustinian priest who has spent many of his years ministering in the desert and the Andes of the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Peru (1971-2015). During some of that time, he served as a member of the General Council of the Order of St. Augustine in Rome. Fr. Art worked closely with Rev. Robert Prevost, O.S.A., now Pope Leo XIV in both Peru and in Rome.

Fr Art has been involved in the pastoral renewal program sponsored by the Better World Movement based on promoting the spirituality and ecclesiology of communion. He has taught in various formation programs and seminaries in many parts of the world. He is currently serving as Assistant Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University where he also teaches theology.

Schedule each day is 9:00 am - 3:30 pm with Mass celebrated each day prior to lunch.

Our new theme will be: "Building a Better World: A Contemporary Augustinian Perspective

A new outline is being developed.

Jotform to register

When you register, we will provide the book for the week

This is a Level III (Continuing Formation Opportunity)

Pope Leo XIV issues first encylical:

Magnifica humanitas

Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.

Presentation and Promulgation

Magnifica humanitas (the document)

Vatican News Overview

Zenit News Overview

Our Sunday Visitor Overview

“No computational system, however sophisticated, can create a heart that gives itself, or a conscience that discerns good from evil. Even when machines excel in efficiency, a human face that asks to be gazed upon remains the center of our history. This human face is the fullness toward which history is moving.” MH #233

Ministry Formation Program

Mass and Certification of graduates

On Sunday, June 14, Bishop Pohlmeier will celebrate Mass with the Ministry Formation Program Class of 2026. These 10 lay ministers will assist the Bishop in carrying out his mission in the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Picture is of their orientation in August, 2023...they have come a long way!

Amanda Beltz ~ San Jose Parish

Ashleigh Bradley ~ St. Joseph Parish/Bishop Kenny High School

Alexandra Flott ~ Resurrection Parish

John Gilmore ~ St. John the Baptist, Atlantic Beach

Lawsikia Hodges ~ St. Catherine of Siena

Joanne Jones ~Resurrection Parish

Margaret Lewis ~ St. Patrick, Gainesville

Melissa Merrit ~ St. Matthew Parish

Laurel McDonald ~St. Catherine of Siena

Lacey Skinner ~ Cathedral Basilica

The Mass is at 2:00pm in the Cathedral Basilica with a reception to follow. This event is open to the public.

Thank you, McGrath Institute and Echo 21

Our 3 Echo apprentices are finishing their service here in the Diocese of St. Augustine and moving on with their M.A. degrees in theology. We have been blessed to have Natalie Chevrel in service to Bishop Kenny High School for the past 2 years. We welcomed 2 new apprentices last summer who had been serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland. Katie Aldrich has been in service to St. Matthew Parish and School. Larissa York has been in service to San Jose Parish.

As part of our final assessments, I hosted the young women here at the Catholic Center for a Spring Day of Reflection.

The photo is: me, Katie, Natalie, and Larissa

All the best!

Neophyte Mass~ Day of Reflection

Bishop Pohlmeier, in his role as Shepherd of the Diocese, oversees all sacraments, but in particular he is to take care that the newly baptized adults, children of catechetical age, are aware of his concern for them as they are "newly planted." (OCIA 247-251)

All catechumens who were initiated at the Easter Vigil this year are invited to an afternoon of Reflection on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at San José Parish 3619 Toledo Road Jacksonville, FL 32217

Schedule:

2:00 pm Gathering in the parish hall

Reflecting on the Journey with Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier

5:00 pm Celebration of the Mass inchurch

6:30 pm Dinner and Social

Jotform to register

This invitation has been sent to all of the neophytes...please encourage them to respond to this invitation.

For your planning: There will be 3 Rites of Election celebrated in 2027:

Sunday, February 14 at 2:00 pm

Saturday, February 20 at 1:00 pm

Sunday, February 21 at 2:00 pm

If we do not need all three, we will cancel on the Saturday.

From our friends at the Tribunal: Easter is early this coming year. Therefore, the deadline to submit all, that is all paperwork for a full annulment will be July 15, 2026. Recall, this also does not mean an annulment will be automatically granted after 8 months or that it will only take 8 months. This is a best guess.

A Workshop on Marriage Law for Parish Professionals

An Introduction for parish workers, particularly those who are involved in OCIA, on the annulment process will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the St. Cahterine Room on Saturday, July 25 from 9:30 am - noon. This workshop will aid you in accompanying people through the annulment process, especially those in the OCIA, covering the following: 

~ The basics of the process

~ Key terminology

~ A look at the various types of annulments

~The timeline

$5 donation for handouts taken at the door. 

Jotform to register

Vatican II Documents

Last year, during the Year of Hope, the Office of Christian Formation held a once-a-month series on the documents of Vatican II. This was one of the suggested activities for the year. We taped each one and promised to share them. When they are all ready, they will be on the diocesan website and on the YouTube channel. We have two of them ready via YouTube and I share them below.

Bishop Pohlmeier ~ Lumen Gentium (Church) 1 hour 38 minutes

Fr. Tom Willis ~ Sacrosanctum Concilium (Liturgy) 1 hour, 42 minutes

As a happy coincidence, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to use his Wednesday audiences for catechesis on the Vatican II documents. He explained during his January 7, 2026 audience that:

“It will be important to get to know [the Second Vatican Council] again closely, and to do so not through ‘hearsay’ or interpretations that have been given, but by rereading its documents and reflecting on their content.”

You can listen to these audiences on:

Spotify

Vatican News Agency

Vatican Youtube

Faith & Freedom Family Kit from Sadlier Religion Publishing

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a faith-filled family resource from Sadlier Religion. This FREE downloadable kit helps children and families explore the Catholic story of America through engaging activities, prayer, and reflection.

Inside the kit:

• Saints & Catholic Heroes Matching Game
• Catholic History Timeline
• Patriotic Rosary Activity
• Prayers for Freedom and Our Nation
• Family faith activities

Perfect for Catholic families, parishes, schools, and summer faith formation.

Fill out the form to download your FREE Faith & Freedom Family Kit now.



Download available in English and Spanish

Get your free download

We Hold These Truths

As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the USCCB joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.

In a historic moment, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026, and invite all parishes to join in this consecration.

Consecration and Prayer Resources

Livestream of the June 11th Consecration to the Sacred Heart

YouTube to watch live

The Consecration of the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will take place in the context of a Votive Mass on June 11, in Orlando, with all the bishops gathered in Plenary Assembly. A livestream will be available on the USCCB YouTube channel.

Local Celebrations of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Local Celebrations

This resource is provided so that dioceses and parishes may unite themselves in prayer to the event of consecration done by the bishops. These local celebrations may take place on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, or on any day that a Votive Mass to the Most Sacred Heart may be celebrated.

The prayers in this resource have been adjusted to reflect that it is a celebration of the bishops having consecrated the country and is not the consecration itself. The resource includes a place to include a petition for the needs of the local community.

Reflection on the Consecration to the Sacred Heart, by Archbishop Alexander Sample

Reflection on the Sacred Heart~ Archbishop Sample

Consecration Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Prayer ~ Sacred Heart of Jesus

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Novena ~ Sacred Heart of Jesus

250 Hours of Adoration

250 Hours of Devotion

250 Works of Mercy

250 Hours of mercy

Knights of Columbus home enthronement materials

KofC enthronement materials

Pope’s Prayer Network materials

Popeprayerusa

Updated Certification Record Forms for Basic, Standard, and Continuing Formation (Level I, Level II, and Level III)

We have updated these forms to "fill-in-able" forms. This is in order help you create a more professional presentation when you submit them. Yes, many that we receive are difficult to decipher.

After May 31, only the "fill in able" forms will be accepted. Forms can be typed into, saved on your computer, and eventually printed and scanned in.

Basic (level I)

Standard (level II)

Continuing (Level III)

Requirements for Level III (Continuing Formation)

"Continuing Certification (Level III) A continuing professional development

component to help the catechist maintain his/her current level of certification. Every

three (3) years, a catechist, principal, DRE/CRE/Diocesan Formation staff member

must submit a record of thirty (30) hours of formation in the Catholic faith.

Professional continuing formation increases one’s knowledge of the Catholic Faith and

gives better skills in imparting that faith and sharing the Gospel more effectively.

Suggestions would be: workshops, online classes, Catechism Studies, approved Bible

studies"

Presenters of …

• Basic Certification theology courses must possess a B.A. in Religious

Education or Theology from an accredited Catholic institution or be graduates of

the Ministry Formation Program (MFP).

• Standard Certification courses must possess an M.A. in Religious Education

or Theology from an accredited Catholic institution.

• Continuing formation opportunities should be presented by those who

possess the same qualifications as someone who would present Basic or Standard

Certification.

Basic Certification (Level I)

Summer Offering:



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

Registration is now open:

Jotform to register

Locations so far in the next academic year:



August: St. Patrick, Jacksonville

August 8, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Faith Development and Practical Skills

August 9, 2026 noon -5:30 pm Liturgy and Sacraments and Basic Beliefs

August 22, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Scripture and Church

August 23, 2026 noon - 5:30 pm Role of the Catechist and Practical Skills

Jotform to register

Registration will open soon:

September: Holy Family School and San Jose School

September 12 and 13 at San Jose School

September 26-27 at Holy Family School

November: St. Matthew Parish

November 7 and 8

November 21 and 22

January: St. Anasatasia

January 9 and 10

January 23 and 24



June: St Patrick School, Gainesville

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

A Trusting Heart & A World Too Small: Stories of Mother Cabrini

Jun 8, 2026 8:00 PM  in  Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Description

It's Sacred Heart Month! Which means we'll be talking about one of our FAVES -- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini! Join members of the CSI Team for 59-minutes or less to gather, pray, and reflect on what this great Italian-American immigrant has meant to our Catholic faith!

Link to register