From a teen encountering Christ at summer camp to a rural parish creating a more accessible path for prayer, the impact of this year’s Catholic Foundation grants is taking shape across the Diocese of St. Augustine.

In all, $205,000 in funding is supporting 26 projects in parishes, schools and ministries – each one aimed at strengthening faith, forming disciples and expanding the Church’s mission.

As it approaches its 40th year, the Catholic Foundation continues to invest in evangelization, community outreach and parish life – priorities set by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier.

“Foundation grants are a direct, tangible expression of faith in action,” said Patty DiSandro, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “Every grant strengthens parishes, Catholic schools and ministries as they carry out the Church’s mission to bring more souls to Christ.”

At Epiphany Parish in Lake City, that impact is unfolding over time. A previous grant made it possible to install new indoor and outdoor Stations of the Cross. This year, funding will provide a walkway through the outdoor stations, making the space more accessible for parishioners and visitors to walk with Christ’s passion and enter more deeply into prayer.

“Our small-town parish in this rural part of the diocese is dependent upon grants to be able to make improvements of any kind,” said Father Robert Hoffman, pastor. “The Catholic Foundation has been instrumental for us at Epiphany and at our mission in Branford.”

Projects that strengthen the spiritual life of a parish often have a broader impact.

“Making the church and its campus much more attractive has helped our evangelization efforts by giving us a better place to invite others,” he said.

Across the diocese, several grants this year focus on forming parishioners who can share their faith and invite others into it.

At St. Luke Parish in Middleburg, a $11,000 grant is supporting the formation of parish leaders who will integrate evangelization into parish life. The goal is to create a ripple effect, where those formed in discipleship accompany and guide others.

A similar effort is underway at Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish in Jacksonville, where a $15,000 grant is supporting a three-year formation program that trains parishioners to pray for others, share their faith and invite people into a relationship with Christ and the Church.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shift from maintaining parish life to actively growing it.

For young people, the impact often begins with an experience.

At St. Michael Parish in Fernandina Beach, a $5,000 grant will allow teens to participate in Camp Covecrest and the Life Teen Leadership Conference – opportunities designed to help them encounter Christ through the sacraments, authentic community and intentional discipleship.

The funding also provides assistance to students who might otherwise be unable to attend and supports leadership training for teens already active in parish ministry. These experiences help young people take ownership of their faith and begin to see themselves as leaders within the Church.

At the diocesan level, a $3,000 grant is supporting a missionary team of young adults who lead retreats and serve parishes, Catholic schools and campus ministries. The program focuses on forming these young missionaries through prayer, leadership development and spiritual formation, while equipping them to lead retreat experiences that foster growth and vocational discernment in others.

Together, these efforts are forming the next generation not only to remain in the Church, but to help lead it.

In Starke, St. Edward Parish is using its $7,015 grant to build a Holy Family Prayer Garden as part of its 85th anniversary celebration. The project includes Stations of the Cross, a crucifix, a statue of the Holy Family, a lighted pathway and seating areas – all constructed by parishioners themselves.

“This will help us build community, especially during this special year,” said parishioner Karen Moore.

Once completed, the garden will serve as a place for individual prayer, parish gatherings and year-round faith formation. It reflects a common theme among this year’s grants: creating spaces where people can encounter Christ and one another.

Other grants are helping remove barriers for families.

At Epiphany Catholic School, funding supports transportation and after-school care, making Catholic education accessible to students across a wide rural area.

“Without transportation, most of our students would be unable to attend,” said principal Rita Klenk.

Across the diocese, these projects may look different – a walkway for prayer, a retreat, a leadership program, a garden – but they share the same purpose: helping people encounter Christ, grow in faith and invite others to do the same.

To learn more about the Catholic Foundation, its grant program and how you can support the Church’s mission across North Florida, visit cf.dosafl.com.