Bishop Felipe Estévez announced Wednesday that two priests of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Fathers Michael Houle and James Boddie Jr., have been bestowed with the papal honor of “Chaplain to His Holiness” by Pope Francis and given the title “monsignor.”
“Monsignor” is a title bestowed on a priest who has distinguished himself by many years of exceptional service to the church. It is an honorary title and does not affect the priest’s duties or ministerial assignment.
“As St. Paul once said, recognition of any good deed of one of our brothers enhances the body of Christ,” said the bishop. “This local church is joyful for this recognition by the Holy Father of two exemplary priests who have shown such dedication to God’s people.”
Houle is the pastor of St. Paul Parish in Jacksonville Beach and the episcopal vicar for development and finance for the diocese. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Paul Tanner on May 19, 1979, at St. Patrick Parish in Jacksonville, his home parish.
Since then, he has served the faithful all over the diocese, including as assistant pastor at Assumption and Holy Family parishes; interim pastor at Mary, Queen of Heaven and Blessed Trinity parishes and pastor of Holy Rosary Parish.
For many years, Houle assisted the pastors at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach.
He also served as associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Jacksonville and served as president of Bishop Kenny High School from 1989 to 2015.
He attended Holy Rosary Catholic School for grades 1-6. When St. Patrick Catholic School opened, he attended the school for seventh and eighth grades before attending Bishop Kenny High School, where he graduated in 1971.
“This is certainly a great honor, and I am humbled by this announcement,” he said. “In my 42 years of priesthood, I have had the good fortune to serve the diocese in several capacities and a number of parishes. I’ve had the good fortune to work with bishops Paul Tanner, John J. Snyder, Victor Galeone and especially Bishop Felipe Estévez during his time as ordinary of the diocese.”
Boddie has served in several leadership positions for the diocese and nationally, including as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Jacksonville, coordinator of the Priest Personnel Board since 2016, a member of the College of Consultors, a member on the National Advisory Council of Catholic Bishops from 2016 to 2020, chaplain to the Morning Star School, spiritual advisor of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the diocese.
He was ordained by Bishop Paul Tanner on May 28, 1978, at his home parish of St. Pius V in Jacksonville. He is the first African-American priest ordained for the diocese and the first from any diocese in Florida to enter a Florida seminary.
Boddie also served as associate pastor at St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville, and St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Orange Park. He was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Green Cove Springs, in 1982 and served there until 1994 before Bishop Snyder appointed him pastor of St. Pius V Parish in time for their 75th anniversary.
He attended St. Pius V Catholic School for six years and three years at Susie E. Talbert School before attending Bishop Kenny High School, where he graduated in 1970.
“I always wanted to be a priest, to celebrate the Eucharist and be with God’s people,” he said. “I never imagined that I would be named a monsignor after all these years. I’m so honored by this title, and I’m grateful to Bishop Estevez for his support and confidence in my ministry as a priest of the diocese.”
Bishop Estévez will join the parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church, where Msgr. Boddie is pastor, in celebration of the Holy Father’s announcement. The bishop will be the principal celebrant at Mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 20.
On Sunday, June 27, Bishop Estévez will join Msgr. Houle at St. Paul Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach, where he is the pastor, for Mass at 10 a.m.
The Diocese of St. Augustine encompasses 17 North Florida counties serving more than 150,000 registered Catholics in 67 parishes, missions and chapels. There are 186 priests serving in the Diocese of St. Augustine, and nine priests are monsignors.
