Dear Parishioners,

As the oldest Catholic church on the west, central coast of Florida, Sacred Heart has seen a lot of change throughout the years. Founded in 1859 as St. Louis Parish, generations who came before us witnessed the Civil War, Yellow Fever epidemics, and the Spanish-American War. Under the leadership of the Jesuits, they eventually built the grand, historical structure you see and sit in today. But you may not know that the land immediately south of our church was once owned by Sacred Heart and was the original location of Jesuit High School.  

Once Jesuit moved to its current location on Himes Ave., the Jesuits leased and eventually sold the land, and the Madison Building was developed. Over the next 60 years, Sacred Heart and the Madison Building would live side by side on this city block. But recently, the building went on the market, and over the course of the last year, Sacred Heart has taken the necessary steps to secure it.

As you can imagine, this is extremely exciting news. I don’t have to tell you that Mass attendance has grown significantly in recent months, because you see it every time you and your family attend Mass. Our parish is growing and thriving, and securing this property allows our parish mission and vision to progress in ways we have long dreamed about. 

Guided by our Franciscan values, we want to create a multifaceted and intentional space.

• A space where our parish family can gather, celebrate, and serve,
• A space for ministries to reach and serve those in need,
• A space that offers room for fellowship and community events
• A space that elevates our welcoming environment for sacramental celebrations
• And a space for quiet contemplation, green space, and reflection gardens in the heart of the city.

But that’s just the beginning. It will take time for any vision to become a reality. The Madison Building is a working professional office building, with leased office spaces that run until August of 2031. That gives us five years to discern, to dream, and to create a vibrant space that strengthens our parish life and extends Christ’s welcome to everyone we meet. We know we want to build something that we can all be proud of – something that will serve our parish now, in the not-too-distant future, and for generations to come.

I have no doubt that many of you will have questions. It’s only natural that something as momentous as this will create excitement and maybe even a little apprehension. We will do our best to answer your questions with the information we have and continue to provide more details over time as our visioning progresses.

In the meantime, we need and want to hear from you. We can’t bring any vision to life without the input of our parishioners. Every voice matters and every suggestion brings us closer to ensuring we’re serving the needs of our parish family. We’d ask that you please consider joining one of our upcoming listening sessions to share your ideas, ask your questions, and give us your feedback. Available dates and times are included on the next page.

This is our moment to work together to imagine what Sacred Heart can become.

Peace and all good,
Fr. Mike

Join One of Our Upcoming Listening Sessions

For the first time in almost a century, Sacred Heart will have the space and the opportunity to grow our downtown presence. The possibilities are endless. But what should we create? What do you dream Sacred Heart could become? What could help us bring people together, grow in faith, and serve our community even better. Come share your ideas with us at one of our upcoming Parish Vision Listening Sessions.

Reflecting on the Feast of St. Francis and the 800th Anniversary of His Passing…

Dear Parishioners,

As autumn opens before us and we gather as a faith community on this first Sunday of October, our hearts turn naturally to the great patriarch of our tradition: St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day we celebrate on October 4th. For our parish family, rooted deeply in Franciscan spirituality, this liturgical season is far more than a calendar remembrance. It is a moment of profound gratitude, self-reflection, and renewed dedication to the Gospel path laid out by the Poor Man of Assisi.

This year’s celebration carries a special historical and spiritual weight. We are currently marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s Transitus—his transition from earthly life to eternal life in 1226. Eight centuries have passed since Francis welcomed “Sister Death” on the bare ground at the Portiuncula, yet his voice, his witness, and his revolutionary spiritual vision remain as urgent and vibrant today as they were in medieval Umbria.

The Urgency of the Franciscan Charism: It is easy to romanticize St. Francis as a gentle figure who spoke to birds and calmed wild wolves. While his deep connection to all created things is a beautiful hallmark of his life, the heart of the Franciscan charism is radical, challenging, and profoundly practical. St. Francis did not set out to create a lofty theological system; he simply wanted to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise.

In our modern world—often marked by division, consumerism, loneliness, and environmental strain—the Franciscan spirit offers essential medicine for our culture:

• Radical Fraternity and Reconciliation: In a culture that frequently categorizes people into “us” and “them,” Francis insisted on calling every human being—and indeed every created creature—brother and sister. He crossed social, economic, and religious barriers, famously meeting the Sultan in the midst of the Crusades to seek peace through encounter rather than force. As a parish, our calling is to be a sanctuary of true brotherhood where all are welcomed and reconciled.

• Simplicity and Joyful Dependence: Francis recognized that an attachment to material wealth often builds walls between people and fosters fear. By embracing Lady Poverty, he discovered freedom—a joy that comes not from what we possess, but from recognizing everything as a gift from a loving God. Living Franciscan simplicity today invites us to simplify our lifestyle, practice generous stewardship, and find contentment in God’s grace.

• Care for Our Common Home: Long before ecology became a science, Francis composed the Canticle of the Creatures, praising God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Mother Earth. He saw creation as a primary revelation of God’s goodness. Today, as stewards of the Earth, the Franciscan charism urges us to treat creation not as a commodity to exploit, but as a sacred gift to protect and nurture for generations to come.
  
  
• Serving Christ in the Poor and Marginalized: Francis’ total transformation began not when he gave away his money, but when he embraced the leper—the person most rejected by his society. For Francis, to love God meant to draw near to those onthe fringes. As a Franciscan parish, our mission remains tied to serving the vulnerable, advocating for justice, and recognizing the face of Christ in every suffering neighbor.

Embracing Our Mission as a Franciscan Parish: As we mark this 800th centenary milestone, we are reminded that Franciscanism is not an artifact of history to be preserved in glass; it is a living way of being in the world. St. Francis famously heard the Lord speak from the San Damiano Cross: “Francis, go and rebuild my Church.” That mandate was not given to Francis alone—it is handed directly to us today.

How do we build up the Church in our neighborhood this October? We do so whenever we reach out to someone who is lonely, whenever we practice forgiveness in our families, whenever we choose simplicity over excess, and whenever we gather at the table of the Eucharist as true brothers and sisters.

Let us celebrate this Feast of St. Francis with renewed fervor. May the spirit of Assisi ignite our parish community, filling us with peace, humility, and the joy of the Gospel.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike