Diocese of Palm Beach

I can’t believe it had been two weeks since I had the joy of celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 55 young people at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton. Before Mass, I had the opportunity to meet personally with each candidate, a beautiful reminder of the hope and vitality of our young Church. During my homily, I reminded them that Confirmation is not the end of their faith journey, but the beginning of a deeper commitment to Christ and His Church. I encouraged them to share their gifts through parish ministries and to remain open to God’s call, especially the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. I was grateful to be joined by Very Reverend Nestor Rodriguez, V.F., Father Junesh Xavier, Father Armando Leon, Father Peter Wojuaye, and Deacons Sandi Martinez, Oscar Rodriguez, and Matthias. My heartfelt thanks to the clergy, catechists, families, and the entire St. Joan of Arc community for preparing these young people for this special day. Congratulations to our 55 newly confirmed! May the Holy Spirit guide you and strengthen you as joyful witnesses of Christ! 🕊️🙏 – at Boca Raton, FL

Today, on the Feast of St. John Paul II, we joyfully celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the @DiocesePB! What a special blessing to commemorate the founding of our diocese on the feast day of this beloved saint, whose faith, leadership and love for the Church continue to inspire us. We began this special day with the celebration of Holy Mass in the chapel of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, followed by a festive luncheon with our Pastoral Center staff to honor this important milestone and give thanks for the many blessings of our diocesan family. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Emeritus Gerald M. Barbarito for his many years of faithful leadership and service to our diocese, and to Father Charles Notabartolo, Vicar General; Father Brian King, Rector of the Cathedral; and Father Serge Dubé, Director of Seminarians, Vocations, and the Blessed Stanley Rother Discernment House, for joining us in this joyful celebration. I am especially grateful to our dedicated Pastoral Center staff, whose commitment, faith and service help carry forward the mission of the Church each day. As we reflect on 42 years of faith, service and evangelization throughout our five-county diocese, we give thanks to God for the countless clergy, religious and lay faithful who have helped build our vibrant Catholic community. May St. John Paul II, our special patron and intercessor on this anniversary, continue to inspire us to open our hearts to Christ and courageously proclaim His Gospel. Happy 42nd Anniversary to the Diocese of Palm Beach! May God continue to bless our diocesan family for generations to come. St. John Paul II, pray for us! 🙏

On Sunday, I had the joy of returning to St. Luke Catholic Church in Palm Springs to celebrate the feast day of their beloved patron, St. Luke the Evangelist, and share in this special occasion with the parish community. St. Luke, traditionally known as the beloved physician and author of the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles, reminds us of God’s infinite mercy, compassion and love for all people. Through his writings, we encounter Jesus as the Divine Healer, who brings hope to the suffering, forgiveness to sinners and salvation to the world. I am especially grateful to Father Andrew Brierley, Pastor; Father Robinson Aza; Father Jude Ikeaja; and Deacon Sandi Martinez for their warm welcome, faithful ministry and dedication to this wonderful parish family. May St. Luke the Evangelist continue to intercede for this community, inspiring all its members to proclaim the Gospel with joy, serve others with compassion and remain faithful witnesses to Christ’s love. St. Luke the Evangelist, pray for us! 🙏

Last evening, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Friends of the Seminary Gala at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, joining fellow bishops, clergy and generous benefactors in support of the formation of our future priests. It was especially meaningful to see several wonderful supporters from the @DiocesePB in attendance, demonstrating their commitment to fostering vocations and strengthening the future of our Church. This year, the seminary welcomed more than 130 men in formation from 13 dioceses throughout the Southeast—a beautiful sign of hope for the future of the priesthood. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Very Rev. Alfredo Hernández, Rector/President, the gala organizers and all the generous benefactors who make this important mission possible. Congratulations as well to this year’s St. Vincent de Paul Award recipients, Father Dustin Feddon and Dr. Anthony Dardano, for their dedicated service to the Church and others. Please join me in praying for our seminarians as they continue their journey toward the priesthood. May God bless them and all those who generously support their formation! – at Boynton Beach, FL

As we lift our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, in prayer following the news of his lung cancer diagnosis, we do so with hearts filled with faith, hope and trust in God’s healing love. I invite all the faithful of the @DiocesePB to join me in praying for Pope Leo’s continued strength, healing and full recovery. May he find comfort in knowing that millions of Catholics throughout the world are united in prayer for him. We place our Holy Father in the loving hands of our Lord and under the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, trusting that God’s grace will sustain him each day. Holy Father, the Diocese of Palm Beach stands with you in faith, love and hope. You are in our prayers! Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him. 🙏 📸 @USCCB

Tonight, I was blessed to begin my pastoral visit to St. Anastasia Catholic Church and @StAnastasiaCS in Fort Pierce. Our first evening gave me the opportunity to spend time with Father George, Father Josh, and the dedicated parish and school staff and ministry leaders who give so generously of themselves in service to this vibrant community of faith. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen, to learn more about the many ministries of St. Anastasia, and especially to hear from the people who carry out this important work each day. From faith formation and evangelization to liturgy, outreach, Catholic education and service to others, each ministry is an expression of our shared mission to bring Christ to those we encounter. Thank you to Father George and Father Josh for their warm welcome and their dedicated priestly ministry, and to the entire St. Anastasia parish and school family for opening their doors and their hearts to me. I look forward to the days ahead as we pray together, listen to one another, and celebrate the faith that unites us as one Church. May God continue to bless St. Anastasia Catholic Church and School and all those who so faithfully serve this community. 🙏 #DioceseOfPalmBeach #StAnastasia #PastoralVisit #CatholicFaith #FortPierce

Today, on the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels, I had the privilege of celebrating our Annual @DiocesePB Blue Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. We gathered in prayer and gratitude for active and retired law enforcement officers and public safety personnel from across our five counties. I was grateful to be joined by my brother priests, including Bishop Emeritus Gerald M. Barbarito, and delighted to welcome students and educators from @NewmanCrusaders and St. Clare Catholic School. How fitting to celebrate this Mass on the Feast of the Archangels! Their witness of protection, service and faithfulness reminds us of the men and women who courageously serve and protect our communities each day. May Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael intercede for all our law enforcement officers and public safety personnel, and may God protect them and their families always. 🙏

Con profunda alegría he tenido la bendición de presidir la Procesión Eucarística por las calles del histórico San Agustín, en el marco del Encuentro Regional de Pastoral Hispana 2026, organizado por el SEPI Southeast Pastoral Institute. (@SEPIMIAMI) Ha sido verdaderamente hermoso caminar juntos detrás de Jesús Sacramentado, llevando nuestra fe por las calles de esta histórica ciudad y dando testimonio público de Aquel que es el centro de nuestra vida y de nuestra misión como Iglesia. Me alegra participar en este Encuentro junto a otros hermanos obispos de las Regiones V y XIV, sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos y religiosas, y numerosos líderes de la Pastoral Hispana provenientes de distintas diócesis del sureste de los Estados Unidos. Mi agradecimiento especial a la Sra. Olga Villar, Directora Ejecutiva del SEPI, por su invitación y por el trabajo que realiza al servicio de la formación y misión de nuestra comunidad hispana. Agradezco también de corazón a Monseñor Erik T. Pohlmeier, Obispo de la Diocese of St. Augustine, por su fraternal acogida, tanto a mí personalmente como a todos los delegados que participan en estos días de encuentro. Y envío un saludo muy especial, lleno de gratitud y orgullo, a los nueve delegados de nuestra Diócesis de Palm Beach, quienes nos han representado con tanta alegría durante estos días. Gracias por su entrega y su compromiso con la misión de nuestra Iglesia. Que Jesús Eucaristía continúe guiando nuestros pasos y haciendo de nosotros verdaderos artesanos de esperanza y constructores de comunión. ¡Que Dios los bendiga!

What a joy to be with the faith-filled community of the Basilica of Saint Edward today as we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and welcomed these young people more deeply into the life of the Church. May the Holy Spirit strengthen each of our newly confirmed, deepen their relationship with Christ and give them the courage to live and share their Catholic faith each day. I am grateful to the entire Basilica of St. Edward community, especially the families, sponsors, catechists and parishioners who have accompanied these young people on their journey of faith. Please join me in praying for our newly confirmed as they continue to grow as disciples of Christ and active members of our Church. Come, Holy Spirit! 🕊️🙏

Very happy to have been welcomed yesterday, along with other recently appointed U.S. bishops, at the Pontifical North American College by Msgr. Thomas Powers (rector), Fr. Michael, Fr. Daniel and the formation team. The NAC remains a truly impressive structure for the formation of the future American priests. It was also wonderful to encounter my young #Brooklyn brother Fr. JuneHee Lee, who is part of the formation team at the NAC: many blessings!

I just asked and received from the Holy Father a special blessing for the people of God in the #DiocesePalmBeach

What a grace to have spent time today with the Holy Father, @Pontifex, here in Rome, alongside my brother bishops participating in this formation course for newly appointed bishops. As the newly appointed Bishop of the @DiocesePB, I am especially grateful for this opportunity to learn, to listen, and to deepen my call to serve the People of God. During our two-hour encounter, the Holy Father spoke to us as a group and reminded us that, like Christ the Good Shepherd, a bishop must carry everyone in his heart. Those words are a beautiful reminder that episcopal ministry is a call to communion, accompaniment, and service—especially in a world experiencing rapid and profound change. After our time together as a group, I was also blessed to have a personal encounter with the Holy Father. I am deeply grateful for his welcome, his words, and the opportunity to share with him the joys and hopes of the Diocese of Palm Beach. I am also deeply grateful for the experience of this formation course. These days have been an extraordinary opportunity to grow in fraternity with bishops from different parts of the world, to share experiences, and to reflect together on how we can faithfully serve the Church and the people entrusted to our pastoral care. I carry these experiences with me as I continue this journey with the faithful of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Please continue to pray for me, that I may always have the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and keep all of God’s people in my heart. From Rome, I send you my blessing and my prayers. 🇻🇦🙏🏼

Muy feliz de encontrarme en Roma participando de un encuentro formativo para nuevos obispos en compañía de mis queridos hermanos dominicanos Mons. Manuel Ruiz (#StellaMaris) y Mons. Andres Amauri Rosario (#SantiagoDeLosCaballeros). Que la #VirgenDeLaAltagracia bendiga la #RepublicaDominicana!

I join my prayers with people around the world for all those affected by the devastating floods in #Nepal. I pray for the families who are mourning the loss of loved ones, for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and for everyone still waiting for news of family and friends. May the Lord be close to those who suffer and guide all those bringing help and hope to the communities affected. Please join me in praying for Nepal. © @CatholicRelief

This past Friday, I concluded my three-day parish visit to the Basilica of St. Edward in Palm Beach with the celebration of Holy Mass. A basilica is a church of special distinction and importance, designated by the Holy See as a place of particular devotion and communion with the Church. St. Edward was recently named the first and only basilica in the @DiocesePB. It was a true joy to spend these three days with the faithful and ministries of this beautiful community, listening, learning, praying, and sharing in their parish life. I am grateful to Rev. Charles Notabartolo, Vicar General; Rev. Antony Pulikal, Chancellor; and Deacon Sandy Martinez for accompanying me during these days. A very special thank you to Rev. Archimandrite Glen J. Pothier, Judicial Vicar and Rector of the Basilica, for his warm welcome and generous service. May God continue to bless the Basilica of St. Edward and its faithful community! – at Palm Beach, FL

From @CCPalmBeach Office in the @DiocesePB to #Cuba! ¡La Caridad nos une!