Dear Parishioners and 'Friends of the Basilica'
2022 is a big year for the ‘BOLD CITY’ of Jacksonville which celebrates its 200th Anniversary. It’s also a big year for the ‘BOLD FAITH’ Catholic Community here in Jacksonville which celebrates the 175th year since the first Catholic Church in the city of Jacksonville was built!
The @FirstJaxCatholic Mission was established in 1845. In 1854 it was designated a parish and was officially named the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The Catholic Community here in Jacksonville has been Bold, Resilient and Fruitful over the last two centuries! It has withstood persecution and prejudice, disease and difficult climate, and even rebuilding the Church twice after the soldiers burned down the first Church and again after the Great Fire of Jacksonville.
Throughout all this, the community continued to flourish and gave birth to several other parishes in the area!
We are the inheritors of the faith in this first Catholic Mission and Parish in Jax and we are the generation to ensure that this community, this Church is alive in the practice of the faith and coming to worship at the Basilica for the next 100 years! We continue to have BOLD FAITH IN THE BOLD CITY.
The @FirstJaxCatholic Mission was established in 1845. In 1854 it was designated a parish and was officially named the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The Catholic Community here in Jacksonville has been Bold, Resilient and Fruitful over the last two centuries! It has withstood persecution and prejudice, disease and difficult climate, and even rebuilding the Church twice after the soldiers burned down the first Church and again after the Great Fire of Jacksonville.
Throughout all this, the community continued to flourish and gave birth to several other parishes in the area!
We are the inheritors of the faith in this first Catholic Mission and Parish in Jax and we are the generation to ensure that this community, this Church is alive in the practice of the faith and coming to worship at the Basilica for the next 100 years! We continue to have BOLD FAITH IN THE BOLD CITY.
After the appointment of Fr. Blair Gaynes in 2017, the parish began a process of ‘divine renovation’. The Holy Spirit is leading us in this process toward a full renewal and revitalization of Faith, Finances and Facilities for the purpose of His Mission.
In the past 5 years, beginning with the renewal of the Parish and Finance Councils in 2018, the strengthening of the Stewardship Committee in 2019 and renewal of the Liturgy Committee in 2021, the parish community has been able to establish a long-term plan for the renewal of both parish life and the Church.
All of this culminated in the completion of the 3 year Parish Plan in 2020, its launching on the Feast of Pentecost of 2021 and the official launch of our ‘BOLD FAITH, BOLD CITY’ Capital Campaign in 2022.
As we have increasingly engaged in the revitalization of the faith community and set firm financial foundations for the future, we are now able, alongside the ‘Friends of the Basilica’, to set ourselves to the task of building the new ‘Adoration Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary', physical repair and renovation of our Rectory / Office in 2022, repairing and restoring of our Historic Organ in 2022 through 2023 and, culminating in the full repair and restoration of the Basilica Church in 2024
In the past 5 years, beginning with the renewal of the Parish and Finance Councils in 2018, the strengthening of the Stewardship Committee in 2019 and renewal of the Liturgy Committee in 2021, the parish community has been able to establish a long-term plan for the renewal of both parish life and the Church.
All of this culminated in the completion of the 3 year Parish Plan in 2020, its launching on the Feast of Pentecost of 2021 and the official launch of our ‘BOLD FAITH, BOLD CITY’ Capital Campaign in 2022.
As we have increasingly engaged in the revitalization of the faith community and set firm financial foundations for the future, we are now able, alongside the ‘Friends of the Basilica’, to set ourselves to the task of building the new ‘Adoration Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary', physical repair and renovation of our Rectory / Office in 2022, repairing and restoring of our Historic Organ in 2022 through 2023 and, culminating in the full repair and restoration of the Basilica Church in 2024
Thank you for your prayers and gifts
BOLD FAITH - BOLD CITY
Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Historic Organ FundraisersAre you interested in attending our special event at the Florida Theatre with the amazing Irish Tenor, Emmet Cahill (of Celtic Thunder fame)? He will be joined by some very special guests and promises a beautiful joy filled evening of song and celebration.
Please fill out this form to let us know of your interest and how many people you would like to bring. As soon as tickets go on sale, you'll be among the first to know. |
Capital Campaign InformationIf you would like particular questions answered or you would like more information on any part or on the whole campaign - please fill out this form or feel free to contact Chris in the parish office by phone or email.
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