St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sunny Hills, Florida

The annual Blessing of the Pets will take place between Sept. 30 and October 14 at parishes and schools across the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life Month.” This year, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies.

Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida is providing disaster relief services to those impacted by Hurricane Idalia in Perry. The storm made landfall August 30 leaving behind damaged homes and thousands of people without power. Catholic Charities partnered with World Kitchen and the Florida State University Catholic Student Union to distribute hot meals from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Together, they were able to provide over 1,200 hot meals to families.

One parish in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee has sustained significant damage from Hurricane Idalia. Immaculate Conception in Perry was hit hard as the storm moved through Wednesday morning. The church sustained structural damage and multiple trees fell on the parish hall, the rectory, and the office.

On September 8, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case brought by several pro-abortion groups challenging the constitutionality of Florida's 15-week abortion ban. A restriction on abortions after 15-weeks gestation was passed by the Florida legislature and signed into law by Governor DeSantis in April 2022.