About St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission · Yulee, Florida
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission is a mission parish of the Diocese of St. Augustine serving the Catholic faithful in Yulee, Nassau County, Florida, and the surrounding area between the Intracoastal Waterway and Interstate 95. Officially established on May 14, 2014, after years of Masses first celebrated in 2007 at the Yulee United Methodist Church, it is one of the newest Catholic communities in northeast Florida. The mission opened its own dedicated worship space on March 17, 2016 — a 7,700-square-foot multi-purpose facility along US Highway A1A that seats 300 and is designed to expand. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish and is organized into fourteen pastoral areas, from Liturgy and Hispanic Ministry to Youth and Charities, with its own pastoral and finance councils.
- Established
- 2014
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Jhon Guarnizo
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a young, growing Catholic community with the intimate feel of a mission and the full sacramental life of a parish. It offers daily Mass Monday through Thursday, a Saturday Vigil, a Spanish Vigil Mass, and two Sunday Masses, plus Eucharistic Adoration, a daily telephone Rosary, and active ministries for families, youth, altar servers, and Hispanic parishioners. Bilingual liturgy, multiple deacons, and a vibrant Pastoral and Finance Council make it easy to get involved, register as a new parishioner, or simply walk in and be welcomed at the narthex.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 3:30 – 3:50 pm (before the 4:00 pm Vigil Mass)
- Sundays: 9:00 – 9:20 am (before the 9:45 am Family Mass)
- Saturdays (Spanish): 5:30 pm (before the 6:00 pm Spanish Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Every 1st Friday at 6:00 pm (Eucharistic Adoration)
History of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission
The mission grew out of the rapid growth of St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach, which expanded from 300 to 1,700 registered families in about thirty years. The first Mass in Yulee was offered on August 11, 2007 at the Yulee United Methodist Church, drawing about 70 people. By 2010, the Diocese of St. Augustine had purchased 15 acres along US Highway A1A in anticipation of a permanent home, and that debt was fully retired by 2014. Bishop Felipe Estévez approved the name St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission, and it was officially established on May 14, 2014. The community adopted a Pastoral Plan covering 2015–2020, formed its Finance Council in September 2014 and its Pastoral Council in January 2015, and broke ground on May 16, 2015. The new worship facility was dedicated on March 17, 2016 — the first purpose-built Catholic church in Yulee.
- First Mass in Yulee: August 11, 2007 (Yulee United Methodist Church)
- Diocese of St. Augustine purchases 15-acre site: 2010
- Mission officially established: May 14, 2014
- Groundbreaking Ceremony: May 16, 2015, presided over by Bishop Felipe Estévez
- New worship facility dedicated: March 17, 2016
Sacraments
Baptisms, weddings, anointing of the sick, funerals, and house blessings are coordinated through the parish office. The Diocese of St. Augustine requires a minimum of 8 months' notice for marriage, and Baptism requires at least three months' prior registration plus a Baptismal Preparation Class held on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am in the Quiet Room.
- Baptism: 3 months' prior registration; class 2nd Saturday, 10:00 am (Jackie Sanchez, [email protected])
- Marriage: 8 months' notice required by the Diocese of St. Augustine
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the homebound: contact the office
- Funerals: contact the office before arranging with a funeral home
- House Blessing: available on request through the office
Ministries and Parish Life
St. Francis of Assisi is organized into fourteen pastoral areas, plus its own Pastoral and Finance Councils. There is room for nearly every interest or talent — from Liturgy and Music to Men of St. Francis, Human Life & Dignity, Family and Youth, Hispanic Ministry, Charities, Building and Maintenance, Fundraising, and the digital team that runs the parish's Facebook and website. Several ministry lead positions are listed as 'open' on the parish site, with new parishioners encouraged to step in.
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council
- Liturgy, Music, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Ushers
- Religious Education (children and adults)
- Family / Youth and Men of St. Francis
- Hispanic Ministry, Human Life & Dignity, Charities
- Fundraising, Building, Events, Webmaster, Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Daniel Guindon, LCMarch 2015 – c. 2018
Appointed by Bishop Estévez as the first Administrator of the mission effective March 1, 2015; oversaw groundbreaking in 2015 and dedication of the new building in 2016.
- Rev. Slawomir (Slawek) BielasiewiczPrior pastor
Served as Pastor; listed as principal and registered agent of St. Francis Yulee Mission Corp. through at least early 2025.
- Rev. Jhon GuarnizoCurrent
Current pastor per the 2026–2027 Diocesan Directory; also serves the diocese as Vicar for Deacons.