Ministry Formation Information Session via Zoom

We are still receiving requests for additional information nights from people discerning the MFP. We have scheduled a Zoom opportunity for Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. Anyone wanting to attend in person may also come to the Catholic Center (11625 Old St. Augustine Road) that evening.

Please share this information. Anyone interested should RSVP to Ann's Email to receive the Zoom link and the handouts for the session.

Closing of the Catechetical Year Gathering

The Catechetical Leader Closing Celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 12. By popular demand, we will return to the Hilltop Restaurant in Orange Park for our gathering. We will start at 11:30 am.

This year, we have a bit of a different menu. You should choose your selection on the Jotform when you register.

Chicken Florentine Served over Pasta with Asparagus

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce Served with Seasoned Rice and Asparagus

Jotform to register

Pleased to announce this Conference on Inclusive Formation

This conference is being offered in a fully bilingual format. Register NOW!

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.

Jotform to register

Rites of Election, 2027

Our diocese continues to experience significant growth in those seeking to become Catholic, with four full Rites of Election celebrated at the Cathedral this year. With this blessing comes the need for stronger accompaniment and a move away from a “one size fits all” approach toward what the Church envisions for the OCIA process. Beginning in 2027, only catechumens will be presented at the Rite of Election. Those already baptized may be received into the Church without receiving many of these rites that are meant for the catechumens. The Rite of Election book will now be used only to record the signatures of the Elect (catechumens)

Two Zoom meetings are scheduled, one on May 4 at 9:30 am and the other on May 5 at 6:30 pm. All coordinators must attend one of these. Pastors always welcome as we work toward welcoming people at wherever they are at on their faith journey,

Link for May 4

Link for May 5

Letter sent to pastors and published on Pastoral Briefings:

ROE English

ROE Spanish

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.

18th Annual Summer School of Theology (newly updated)

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 carious formation programs and seminaries in many parts of the world. He is currently serving as Assistant Viced 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 This is being updated to reflect this change. It will be updated next week.

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

This is a Level III (Continuing Formation Opportunity)

Catechetical Sunday, September 20, 2026

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bring good news to the poor”

Lk 4:18; cf. Is 61:1

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bring good news to the poor” (Lk 4:18; cf. Is 61:1) reveals Jesus’ mission and identity. Anointed by the Holy Spirit, he is sent to bring hope, healing, and freedom—especially to the poor, the brokenhearted, and the forgotten.

This passage shows that the Messiah comes not with power or status, but with compassion, restoring dignity and proclaiming God’s mercy. It also becomes a model for the Church, us, which is called to continue Christ’s work by sharing the Good News and caring for those most in need.

Materials are posted on the USCCB website:

Certificate (English)

Certificate (Spanish)

Posters and Prayer Cards also available for 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.

Consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parishes around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart.

We Hold These Truths

Family Prayers for the Sacraments

Two years ago, I created these. The Confirmation one was originally part of the preparation with parents at the parish where I served as the DRE. I dusted that one off and revamped the format for it to be used in church prior to the celebration of the sacrament. Frequently, parents do not know how to pray for their children in those moments prior to the celebration. These are meant to be one tool for that.

First Communion Prayer (Daughter)

First Communion Day Prayer (Daughter) Spanish

First Communion Day Prayer (Son)

First Communion Day Prayer (Son) Spanish

Confirmation Day Prayer (Daughter)

Confirmation Day Prayer (Daughter) Spanish

Confirmation Day Prayer (Son)

Confirmation Day Prayer (Son) Spanish

Youth Confirmation

Please find attached the Administering Confirmation document as a reminder for you on the basic details of not only the preparation of the youth, but also the timing for the letters to bishop, the question of a Confirmation name, as well as details for the Mass.

Administering Confirmation 2026

Administering Confirmation (Spanish) 2026

Gender Accompaniment series from the McGrath Institute

Developed by McGrath Institute for Church Life Professor Abigail Favale, Ph.D., bestselling author of The Genesis of Gender, The Gender Accompaniment Project is a ten-part series featuring the stories of Christians who experience a sense of discordance with their gender.

Blending personal testimonies with thoughtful commentary from experts in theology, psychology, and medicine, The Gender Accompaniment Project illuminates forms of accompaniment rooted in Christian anthropology and models how to speak about gender with both compassion and depth.

You can watch the trailer to get a good idea of the series. You can access the series on: spotify, Apple Podcats, or Youtube. See link below.

Gender Accompaniment Project

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)

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



June: St Patrick School, Gainesville

Still looking for September and November locations

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

Comprehensive Catechesis for Teens within Confirmation Preparation ~ Webinar

This resource has been redone.

Michael Amodei

April 21, 2026 

3:00 PM ET

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is more than a checklist—it’s an opportunity to both ground and renew teens in the core teachings of the Faith. From the Trinity and Christology to Scripture, the Sacraments, morality, social justice, and vocation, this process invites young people to encounter the richness of Catholic teaching while opening themselves to the grace of the sacrament.

This session explores practical ways to integrate substantive catechesis with meaningful formation, helping teens move from passive participation to active, committed discipleship.

Drawing on the newly revised Send Out Your Spirit program, author Michael Amodei demonstrates how Confirmation preparation can be both structured and transformative. By engaging parents, sponsors, catechists, priests, and the wider parish community, this approach fosters an apprenticeship in the entire Christian life.

Go to this Webinar