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With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Deacon Bob Macko. Surrounded by loved ones, Bob passed away on Saturday, September 14, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you. Thank you for your trust in me as your bishop and in our wonderful priests and ministers. Thank you for your financial support of our parishes – in the weekly collections, assisting with the mission of the Church in the second collections, and for contributing to the Catholic Sharing Appeal and local capital campaign projects. Even more than that, I appreciate your presence in our church, as well as your prayers and support for me and for my brother priests.

As Hurricane Dorian continues to cause devastation in its relentless path up the coast of the United States, we are now seeing how catastrophic this storm was – especially in the Bahamas.

Catholic Relief Services—along with local partners—is working quickly to assess immediate needs. Donations help bring relief, in the form of food, emergency shelter, and safe water, to affected families. Families affected by Hurricane Dorian urgently need your help. Donate now.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the USCCB, has issued the following statement regarding Hurricane Dorian that left seven people dead in the Bahamas and is moving closer to the southeastern United States.

Father James Grebe, who has been serving as administrator of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Pensacola since July 1, 2018, has requested to step down from his role. His term as administrator will end on August 31, 2019. After that date, Father Grebe will continue to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

Congratulations to Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, on his election as Superior General for the Josephites, the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. You can read more about the ministry and mission of the Josephites on their website, www.josephites.org.

Dcns. Daniel Dailey, Anthony DeCotis, Thomas Elsesser, Thomas Gillis, and Jonathan Ignacio have been in formation for the last five years. They were ordained on June 8, 2019 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Their assignments are as follows:

The USCCB has a new website in response to the ongoing effort to eradicate clergy sexual abuse.

Today, there was a fire inside the Co-Cathedral church in Tallahassee. The cathedra and presiders’ chairs were set on fire and are destroyed. The walls of the sanctuary are charred, and there is smoke damage. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and it went out before igniting the whole building. An investigation is underway. Thank you for your prayers.

Tallahassee, FL — Last week, a ministry to assist the formerly incarcerated opened in Tallahassee. The nonprofit ministry of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee strives to help men and women reintegrate into society after being released from prison.

New priest appointments have been released. All terms begin on July 1, 2019 unless otherwise noted.

"Greetings.  I write with great news: after an extensive search process, we have hired Ed Largaespada to be the Chief Financial Officer for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.  Ed will begin this position on June 4, 2019. He is very excited about moving to the Panhandle along with his wife, Rebeca, and three little children.  I am confident that he will fit in well with us and will support all of us in our efforts to spread the Good News and build up the local church."

Pope Francis’ Motu proprio, "Vos estis lux mundi", establishes new procedures for reporting abuse and violence, ensuring that Bishops and Religious Superiors are held accountable for their actions. It includes the obligation for clerics and religious to report abuse. Every Diocese must have a system that allows the public to submit reports easily.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2019 Spring General Assembly in Baltimore, June 11-14. Public sessions of the general assembly discussions and votes will be available via livestream at: http://www.usccb.org/live

“I, along with my brother bishops, am greatly saddened and deeply concerned over the news that another house of worship has been subjected to violence. This assault, which occurred on the last day of Passover, is the second shooting in a U.S. synagogue within six months..."

It is heartbreaking to hear about the devastating fire that is engulfing the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. We pray for any victims who may be injured or who have lost their lives. We also pray for the firefighters and first responders on the scene.

"This bill draws the public’s attention to the shameful reality that the United States is one of only seven nations worldwide that allows the barbaric practice of late-term abortion, when a child likely feels pain and might even live outside the womb with appropriate medical assistance. Such abortion procedures after the middle point of pregnancy also pose serious physical dangers to women. With the vast majority of Americans strongly supporting a ban on late-term abortions, it is time for Congress to pass this bill..."

The release of Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation today is “a wonderful summons to the Church to more vigorously invest in youth and young adults, especially those on the peripheries and those disconnected from the Church,” said the President and committee chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB).

Sacred Heart marked 50 years as Northwest Florida’s only children’s hospital by hosting a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony today for its new four-story, $85 million facility. With 126 beds, the Studer Family Children’s Hospital will increase access to specialized pediatric care and put multiple services in one convenient location at 1 Bubba Watson Drive on Ascension Sacred Heart’s Pensacola campus. Patient care at the facility is scheduled to begin in May.