Msgr. Raymond James Mullins, 86, of Pensacola passed away Monday, November 24, 2014. Raymond James Mullins was born in Limerick, Ireland in the year 1928. He attended Christian Brothers Primary School and continued through secondary school at Mungret College where he studied Philosophy. He then attended St. Patrick's College Seminary in Carlow, Ireland where he studied theology and pastoral/sacramental ministry. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on June 28, 1952 at St. Patrick's College in Carlow, Ireland by Bishop Keogh. When asked where he wanted to begin his service as a priest, Fr. Mullins replied, "Wherever they need a priest." Because of the surplus of priests in Ireland, his advisor encouraged him to go to Mobile, AL, where priests were greatly needed. With the blessing of his family and the promise of buying him a banjo, which remained a family joke, Fr. Mullins accepted his first parish assignment at St. Catherine of Siena in Mobile in 1953 as an Associate Priest and continued to minister there until 1962. In 1962, Fr. Mullins worked as a street preacher for 3 months in the North Alabama Missions. He was later assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pensacola where he served until 1971. In 1968, Pensacola came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Then in 1971 Fr. Mullins was assigned as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and School on 12th and Moreno Streets in Pensacola. On December 6, 1974, Fr. Mullins was honored by Pope Paul VI with the title "Monsignor" for his outstanding service as a priest and Pastor. Msgr. Mullins served at Sacred Heart Parish in October 1975 when it was elevated to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for the newly formed Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Following a year as Rector of the newly established Cathedral, Fr. Mullins was assigned as Pastor of Little Flower Parish in 1976 and served the Myrtle Grove area of West Pensacola for 16 years. Msgr. Mullins accepted a new assignment as Pastor of St. Mary's in Fort Walton Beach in 1992. In 1999, Msgr. Mullins returned to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart as Senior Priest and served in a transitional role as Administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in West Pensacola until being assigned after a short time to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church near the campus of the University of West Florida in Pensacola in 2002. During his 62 years of Priestly Ministry and service Msgr. Mullins has served the Church in various capacities including Associate Director of Catholic Charities; Moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women of the Western Deanery; College of Consultor for the Diocese of St. Augustine from 1971 to 1975; member of the Religious Education Commission; Chairman of the Social Services Commission from 1976 to 1978 along with many other responsibilities which he assumed over the years. Msgr. Mullins was known as an energetic Pastor who was well read in history and excelled as a man of compassion and mercy. He was faithful in visiting the sick in local hospitals and nursing homes. He cried with those who were in distress and was always ready to help the poor and downtrodden. He was readily available and supportive of his brother priests who called upon him to celebrate Mass or assist with confessions. He was a faithful minister of the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he has touched over the years. He is survived by a sister, Marie Mullins; a brother, Patrick Mullins; two nieces, Mech and Noreen and a nephew, Raymond, Jr. Reception of the Body and an Evening Prayer Service will begin at 7:00pm Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Viewing will continue on Sunday evening until 9:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery where he will be interred on the Priests' Mound. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Florida, 11 North B St., Pensacola, FL 32502 or Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, 11 North B St., Pensacola, FL 32502.