About Holy Name of Jesus · Niceville, Florida
Holy Name of Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Niceville, Florida, located at 1200 Valparaiso Boulevard on the Florida Panhandle, within the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee. The parish serves the Niceville community and surrounding Okaloosa County area, which grew significantly with the development of nearby Eglin Air Force Base. Holy Name of Jesus offers a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses in English, regular Reconciliation, ongoing Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith formation program for children, multiple cultural ministries, and most recently a parish school — Holy Family Catholic Academy — which launched in August 2025. Under the leadership of Fr. Stephen (Steve) Voyt and Deacon Gary McBride, the parish identifies with the motto 'Encounter Faith. Engage Hope. Send Forth Love.'
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Stephen (Steve) Voyt
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus is a welcoming, working-class Catholic parish in the heart of Niceville that balances rich liturgical life with active ministry and outreach. Visitors can find daily Mass, multiple Sunday Masses including a 5 PM Saturday Vigil, regular Eucharistic Adoration, and Reconciliation every Saturday afternoon. The parish offers faith formation for children (PreK–5), cultural ministries that celebrate the diversity of the community, a parish gift shop (Mary's Place), and a vibrant Knights of Columbus council. Most importantly, Holy Name of Jesus has just launched Holy Family Catholic Academy on its campus, making it a place where families can grow together in faith from the cradle through Catholic classical education.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (in the Church)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM during Lent (March 12 – April 9; none on Holy Week Wednesday)
- By appointment — call 850-678-7813 x13 to schedule with Fr. Steve
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (in the Chapel, after the 8 AM Communion Service)
- Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (in the Chapel; Jesus is reposed 30 minutes prior to the 5 PM Saturday Vigil Mass)
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Praise, Worship & Adoration, 3rd Thursday of the month (Church)
About Holy Name of Jesus
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Niceville, Florida, situated at 1200 Valparaiso Boulevard in the heart of Okaloosa County on the Florida Panhandle. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee and serves a community with deep roots in the military and working-class families tied to nearby Eglin Air Force Base. The parish's stated mission — 'Encounter Faith. Engage Hope. Send Forth Love.' — frames a vibrant sacramental and parish life that includes multiple Sunday Masses, daily Mass, perpetual-style Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for children, cultural ministries, and a thriving Knights of Columbus council. The parish campus also houses the newly-launched Holy Family Catholic Academy.
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
- 1200 Valparaiso Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578
- Motto: Encounter Faith. Engage Hope. Send Forth Love.
Parish History
Holy Name of Jesus began as a mission of St. Mary's Parish in Fort Walton Beach, growing as Niceville and the surrounding military community expanded with Eglin Air Force Base. The parish established its home on Valparaiso Boulevard, where it has continued to grow its ministries and facilities over the decades. In 2015, Fr. Stephen Voyt was assigned as pastor, and in the years since the parish has deepened its outreach and sacramental offerings. A milestone moment came in August 2025, when Holy Family Catholic Academy opened on the parish campus, giving Niceville its first Catholic elementary school in many years and breathing new life into the parish family.
- Originally a mission of St. Mary's, Fort Walton Beach
- Grew with Eglin Air Force Base community
- Fr. Stephen Voyt appointed pastor July 2015
- Holy Family Catholic Academy opened August 2025
Holy Family Catholic Academy
Holy Family Catholic Academy (HFCA) is the parish school of Holy Name of Jesus, launched in August 2025 at 1202 Valparaiso Blvd on the parish campus. It is a diocesan Catholic classical elementary school that began with about 40 students in kindergarten through third grade and uses a curriculum that teaches Latin and intentionally limits screen-based technology. Students attend Catholic Mass in the church on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:00 AM as a core part of formation. The school is led by Principal Felisha Carnley and is currently accepting applications for PreK–4 for the 2026–2027 school year, with plans to grow to a full PreK–8 program. Fr. Stephen Voyt, as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus, serves as the canonical head of HFCA.
- Opened August 2025 with ~40 students in K–3
- Located at 1202 Valparaiso Blvd on the parish campus
- Principal: Felisha Carnley
- Catholic classical curriculum with Latin
- Students attend 8 AM Mass on Mondays and Fridays
- Plans to expand to PreK–8
Faith Formation & Children's Ministry
The Children's Ministry at Holy Name of Jesus serves families with children from PreK3 through 5th grade, offering Sunday morning faith formation classes from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM in the Religious Education Building (September through April). The program uses Gospel Weeklies, a faith formation curriculum centered on the Sunday liturgy and the family. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium for ages 3–5 is planned to reopen for the 2025–2026 year. Tanya Muscarella serves as Director of Children's Ministry.
- Director: Tanya Muscarella (850-678-7813 x15)
- Sunday classes 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
- Gospel Weeklies curriculum for PreK–4
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) ages 3–5
- Registration: $25/student with $75 family cap; scholarships available
Cultural Ministries
The parish's Cultural Ministries celebrate the diversity of the Catholic faithful at Holy Name of Jesus. As the parish notes, 'the beauty of the Catholic Church is that we are a diverse but unified church.' Two distinct cultural groups currently worship and minister within the parish, each evangelizing and celebrating its own heritage while contributing to the wider parish community. Parishioners interested in forming a new cultural ministry are invited to contact the Parish Office.
- Multiple cultural communities within the parish
- Each group evangelizes and celebrates its heritage
- Contact the Parish Office to start a new cultural ministry
Knights of Columbus
Holy Name of Jesus is home to Knights of Columbus Council 7667, also known as the Father Howard J. Lesch Council. The council is active in the parish and the wider community, and in December 2016 was honored for placing the 700th Knights of Columbus-sponsored ultrasound machine in the United States, with Fr. Steve Voyt concelebrating the dedication Mass alongside clergy from St. Mary's and Eglin Air Force Base.
- Council 7667 (Father Howard J. Lesch Council)
- Honored in 2016 for sponsoring the 700th K of C ultrasound machine
Mary's Place Parish Gift Shop
Mary's Place is the parish gift shop, located in the Administration Lobby of Holy Name of Jesus. Open weekday office hours (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM) and after weekend Masses, Mary's Place offers a variety of religious gift items appropriate for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and other gift-giving occasions. The shop carries rosaries, statues, baby gifts, and seasonal items for Advent and Christmas, and special orders can be requested through the shop's manager.
- Located in the Administration Lobby
- Hours: M–Th 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM and after weekend Masses
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation gifts
- Rosaries, statues, seasonal items
- Special orders available on request
Parish Staff and Office
The parish is led by Fr. Stephen (Steve) Voyt, pastor since July 2015, and assisted by Deacon Gary McBride. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and closed on Holy Days and major holidays. Sherri Burgess serves as the parish bookkeeper. The parish can be reached at 850-678-7813 (fax 850-678-5775) or by email at [email protected].
- Fr. Stephen (Steve) Voyt — Pastor
- Deacon Gary McBride
- Sherri Burgess — Bookkeeper (x14)
- Parish Office: 850-678-7813
- Email: [email protected]
Sacraments
Holy Name of Jesus prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and offers ongoing sacramental life. Children's Ministry covers preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, while Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the parish office. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday afternoons, with additional times during Lent and by appointment with Fr. Steve.
- Baptism (contact parish office)
- First Communion (through Children's Ministry)
- Confirmation (through Children's Ministry)
- Marriage preparation (contact parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Holy Name of Jesus. The parish office at 1200 Valparaiso Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578 is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Live-streamed Sunday Masses are available for those at home or traveling. For appointments with Fr. Steve outside of scheduled times, the parish office can be reached at 850-678-7813.
- Address: 1200 Valparaiso Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578
- Phone: 850-678-7813; Fax: 850-678-5775
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Website: holynamechurch.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/hnjniceville
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Stephen (Steve) VoytJuly 2015–present
Current pastor; previously served as associate pastor in the diocese and as Pastoral Administrator.