Ocala parish helps provide refuge to Burmese families

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Oct. 19-25, 2007
OF ORLANDO
YOUR FAITH. YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMMUNITY.
No clogs:
Saint-making
pipeline
still flows
Ocala parish helps provide
refuge to Burmese families
JOHN THAVIS
JOHN A. TORRES
Catholic News Service
Florida Catholic correspondent
VATICAN CITY — When Pope
Benedict XVI was elected in 2005,
one of his first decisions was to stop
presiding over beatification ceremonies.
Many people took this as a signal
that the pope wanted to slow the
flow in the Vatican’s saint-making
pipeline. In fact, it looks like the
opposite is happening. Already in
2007, 10 people have been beatified
in 10 liturgies carried out by cardinals. That number is about to increase exponentially.
In late October, 498 Spanish martyrs of the 1930s civil war period will
be beatified in a megaceremony
in St. Peter’s Square. It’s the largest
beatification in the church’s history,
and Pope Benedict is expected to
appear for a final blessing.
Throughout the rest of the year,
many others will be elevated to the
rank of blessed, including missionaries in Brazil, an Austrian who was
decapitated for refusing to join Hitler’s army and an Italian theologian
whose works were once condemned
by the Vatican.
And already the beatification
lineup is taking shape for 2008. It
includes 188 Japanese martyrs of
the 17th century — priests, religious
and lay missionaries who were decapitated, burned at the stake or
scalded to death in a volcanic hot
spring.
Beatifications may be off the
pope’s to-do list, but they are very
much on the Vatican’s agenda these
days.
“Beatifications are still quite important. What the pope wanted to
do was highlight their meaning for
the local churches,” said Msgr. Mi-
OCALA — It didn’t matter that
one family was Buddhist and the
other was Baptist.
W hen t he pa r ish ioners at
Blessed Trinity in Ocala heard
that Catholic Charities was resettling two families that had escaped the tyranny in Myanmar,
they responded in a big way.
“We’re not trying to convert
them or anything. It’s just the
right thing to do,” said Steve
Hoesterey, director of social services at Blessed Trinity. “It’s such
a generous parWant to know ish. There has
been an amazmore about
Burma, please ing outpouring
of love.”
see Page A2.
B u r m a ,
a lso k now n
as Myanmar, is bordered to the
north by both India and China
and Thailand in the south. It has
been ruled by a military junta
for decades despite an election
in 1990 that gave power to the
winning National League for
Democracy. The government
has imprisoned numerous opponents to their power including
Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung
San Suu Kyi.
Last month Buddhist monks
led a peaceful protest against the
government. Many were imprisoned and others were gunned
down.
Since the country is closed to
outsiders, there is little else that
can be done except for prayer and
to help those fortunate enough to
escape.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter of support to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar and to the
PLEASE SEE SAINT, A8
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY JANNET WALSH
Two families of refugees from Burma (Myanmar), in Southeast Asia, recently settled in Ocala with
the help of Catholic Charities of Central Florida Inc. and Blessed Trinity Parish of Ocala. In the front
row, left to right, are Than Thai and Sai Lay. Than Thai is the cousin of Nain Kyaw, and Sai Lay is the
nephew of La Jo Paw, the heads of the household. In the back row, left to right, are La Jo Paw, with
son Lay Lay, age 5, and husband, Nain Kyaw. The two families, 11 people in all, live in apartments
facing each other.
U.S. ambassador there urging a
peaceful resolution and stability.
Bishop Thomas Wenski, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee
on International Policy, signed
both letters.
The t wo families in Ocala
managed to escape Burma years
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camp,” Hoesterey said.
One of the reasons Blessed
Trinity was chosen was because
pastor Father Pat Sheedy had
experience helping resettle Vietnamese refugees after the end of
PLEASE SEE BURMA, A2
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ago and have spent the last 10
years or so at a refugee camp in
bordering Thailand. Many of the
children who are being sponsored by Blessed Trinity were actually born at the camp.
“It’s not unusual for someone
to spend that long in a refugee
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YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
BURMA
Burma (Myanmar) at a glance
Burma, bordered to the north by
both India and China and to the
south by Thailand, is slightly smaller
than Texas. Its population is estimated at 47,373,958, according to
the World Fact Book of the Central
Intelligence Agency.
Presently, it is ruled by a military
junta responsible for cracking
down on peaceful demonstrations
of Sept. 26 and 27 by firing on
unarmed monks and imprisoning
hundreds and maybe thousands of
people. According to the Jakarta
Post of Indonesia, the relentless
crackdown on pro-democracy
protesters continues. According to
dissident groups, more than 6,000
people have been arrested since the
demonstrations. The government
said that number is 1,000. Most recently, Myanmar’s leading general,
Than Shwe, agreed to meet with
jailed opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi only if she promised to stop
promoting activities confrontational
to the government.
Florida Catholic
Oct. 19-25, 2007
American dream comes
with challenges
JOHN A. TORRES
Florida Catholic correspondent
OCALA — Life in the United
States is a dream come true for two
Burmese families who escaped
Myanmar years ago before the latest
military crackdown against a democratic movement led by Buddhist
monks.But their American dream
has not come without difficulties.
“The hardest adjustment is that
we need to learn English,” said La Jo
Paw, speaking through an interpreter. “We have never spoken or heard
English, and it is hard to comprehend what is going on around us.”
La Jo Paw is here with her hus-
band, Nain Kyaw, a son and two
other relatives.
The lack of communication skills
also makes traveling virtually impossible without a guide.
Both families, recently relocated
by Catholic Charities, spent the last
several years living in refugee camps
in Thailand. One family was settled
in Ocala in August and the other just
last month. They live in apartments
directly across from each other.
“It was very hard living in the
camp, our houses were made with
bamboos and many houses have
only two rooms — living area, and
the bedroom,” said La Jo Paw. “We
did not have mattresses or blankets.
Sometimes we had to use whatever
to make ourselves warm.”
The camps had no running water
or electricity. And while there was
enough food, a school and medical
clinic, refugees were not allowed out
of the fenced-in camps to go find jobs
and earn money.
Je Mee, patriarch of the second
family, and Than Thai, cousin of
Nain Kyaw, said they have Internet
access in Ocala and have been following the situation in Myanmar
closely through the Burmese language online newspapers. The others have been watching the developments unfold on television.
“We saw that monks and public
demonstrators have been beaten,”
said La Jo Paw. “We do not understand English, so we do not know the
detail news.”
And even though the families are
Buddhist and Baptist respectively,
they have been welcomed as family by the Catholic community at
Blessed Trinity Parish in Ocala.
“We cannot thank them enough,”
La Jo Paw said. “Words cannot describe how grateful we are. The
kindness and love we feel here is incredible. If you ask me, we are more
than comfortable. We have never
dreamed that we would live here in
U.S.A. We are so blessed. We thank
you.” ■
BURMA: Diocese wants parishes to be ready to accept refugees
AUNG SAN
SUU KYI
FROM A1
the Vietnam War.
With the present situation in
Burma and the country’s poor record regarding human rights violations, there will likely be many
more families looking for asylum
in the United States.
The Orlando Diocese wants to
encourage parishes to be ready to
accept these refugees.
“For those future refugees who
will be arriving in the diocese,
parishes can assist in resettlement by offering to sponsor a refugee family,” said Richard Logue,
program director of Immigration
and Refugee Services for the Orlando Diocese.
“Sponsorship at its basic level
is the provision of housing and a
job to live by.”
Debbie Cruz, the diocese’s resettlement program coordinator,
said she expects more families
to come through the system in
the next few months. She hopes
that central Florida Catholics are
ready to accept them.
“We want to be able to continue accepting these families,”
she said. “Parishes that are able
to have mentors showing how we
live here in the U.S. are very helpful.”
The two families living in Ocala have been provided with apartments facing each other and,
thanks to a government grant,
rent for at least three months. Parishioners have chipped in with
furniture, food, transportation
and friendship.
Both families are taking English lessons as communication
remains their main hurdle.
Aung San Suu Kyi is the 62-year-old
leader of the nonviolent movement
for human rights and democracy
and a Nobel peace laureate. She
has been under house arrest for 12
of the past 18 years without trial.
First lady Laura Bush has quietly
pushed the plight of Suu Kyi and
the need for democracy in Burma
for at least five years.
‘It is a wonderful
opportunity to ‘welcome
the stranger.’
Richard Logue
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY JANNET WALSH
Bla “Blue” Blut and Je “Jimmy” Mee, along with their children, recently settled in Ocala with the
help of Catholic Charities of Central Florida Inc. and Blessed Trinity Parish of Ocala. Their family
is one of two that came from Burma (Myanmar) in Southeast Asia. In the front row, left to right,
are Rebecca Mee, 7, Ser Nay Kaw “Kau Too” Htoo, 10, and June “John” Four, 12. Back row, left to
right, are Bla Blut, Gay Doh “Do Too” Htoo, 6, and Je “Jimmy” Mee. Both families are busy learning
English and adjusting to life in America.
“A parish can do so much to
ease the transition to a new culture,” Logue said. “Orientation to
the community, English tutoring
and just being there to answer the
many questions that arise when
families first arrive are a tremendous help to refugees who have
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experienced the loss of family,
country and a way of life.”
Hoesterey said the program
would not work without the en-
thusiasm of the parish. He mentioned two volunteers, Celeste and
Luke Reckamp with having done a
tremendous amount to help.
According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Fact
Book, only 1 percent of Burma is
Catholic. The vast majority are
Buddhist.
“We don’t care what their religion is,” Hoesterey said.
Logue echoed those sentiments
by saying it’s a great way to live out
the lessons of the Gospel.
“It is a wonderful opportunity
to ‘welcome the stranger,’” he
said. ■
Bishops of the United States
unanimously approved a Pastoral
Statement titled, “Welcoming the
Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity.” To learn more, visit http://
www.usccb.org/mrs/welcome .
shtml.
Oct. 19-25, 2007
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
www.thefloridacatholic.org
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Students, others march in
solidarity with farmworkers
LAURA DODSON
Florida Catholic correspondent
DELAND — They marched to
the beat of a bucket — a plastic
bucket used to collect 32 pounds
of tomatoes. Signs proclaimed,
“Justice Now,” “Poverty,” and on
the flip side, “Poverty” in Spanish,
“Pobreza.” A few were costumed as
a fast-food king, complete with papier-mâché heads. And there were
banners identifying “Students for
Workers,” “Honk for a Living Wage”
and a fast-food logo modified to
declare, “Exploitation King.”
Stetson University Students for
Farm Workers and the National
Farm Worker Ministry were hosts
Oct. 5 to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Florida Truth Tour,
which was traveling throughout
the state raising awareness of the
unjust wages and living conditions of Florida tomato pickers.
A 32-pound bucket of picked tomatoes brings only 40 to 50 cents
in wages, a rate that hasn’t risen
since 1978. An increase of “a penny more a pound” significantly affects the wages and lifestyle of the
pickers, bringing their income up
to poverty level, farmworkers and
their advocates say.
Amanda Price, a sophomore
major ing in molecu la r biology and psychology, was eager to
share her views. “I’m here to support the farmworkers. It’s really
crazy that such a small difference
can make such a big difference in
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY JENNIFER SURGENT
Angel Aguilar, dressed in costume, holds signs of protest along with Stetson University student Brian
Bell, center, in front of the DeLand Burger King on North Woodland Boulevard Oct. 5 in support of the
Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
their lives.”
Everyone marched in a light
drizzle — the end of a downpour
that had delayed the marchers’
demonstration — to the Burger
King restaurant less than a mile
down the street from the main
gate of Stetson University.
Students throughout Florida, including those in Catholic
schools in the Orlando Diocese,
had participated in a successful
national boycott against Taco Bell,
the fast-food consumer of the largest volume of Florida tomatoes.
Their efforts resulted in Taco Bell
and its corporate conglomerate
YUM! Brands Inc. — representing
A&W, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver and Kentucky Fried Chicken
— signing an agreement in March
2005 that included the increase in
wages paid directly to the tomato
picker, as well as corrections for
human rights violations. McDonald’s Corp. acquiesced in April
2007.
Griselda Avila, a junior majoring in international business, said,
“It’s a human right that they teach
us that people have to have global
ethics. There’s room for change
everywhere and I believe in the
cause.”
Burger King Corp. — another
major fast-food giant whose corporate headquarters are in Miami, in
close geographic proximity to the
tomato fields of Immokalee — has
steadfastly refused to participate
in the agreements. With the statewide tour of rallies, the coalition is
laying the groundwork to employ
the proven path of student boycott
again, if necessary.
Brian Bell, a junior majoring in
physics said, “Basically, I’m here
to put some faces to the people
who are working for justice.”
There were a few gray hairs
amongst the marchers. Virginia
Germino, a retired professor who
taught at the graduate school of
business at the University of VirPLEASE SEE TOUR, A13
SYNOD
‘Lay Ministry Program is essential to the vitality
of the Catholic Church in central Florida’
This is one in an occasional
series of follow-up stories on
the diocesewide synod planning
process that took place over 18
months ending in summer 2006.
TERESA LANTIGUA PETERSON
Special to the Florida Catholic
WINTER PARK — It is not
just priests and religious sisters
who are called to serve the Lord
as leaders in the church. Others
are responding to God’s call in
new and creative ways.
Each year, more people participate in the Foundations for
Lay Ministry Program to discern
their gifts for ministry and discover how their gifts correspond
to local needs. The program is
offered by the Diocese of Orlando and it offers academic,
spi r it ua l a nd
pastoral formation for anyone
who aspires to
a leadership
role in parish
ministry.
“The goal of
all pastoral ministries is to make
God present in societ y, in the
day-to-day lives of the people
we serve,” said Bishop Thomas
THOSE INVOLVED
Appreciating her talents
Valeria Fong-Kaufmann of St. John
Vianney Parish in Orlando said of
her formation: “It has helped me to
discover and appreciate my talents
and to better understand the role of an
ecclesial minister in a public ministry. I
have learned the importance of balance
in my spiritual and intellectual formation, and have come to appreciate the
teachings of the church more deeply.”
Wenski.
T he prog ra m t ra i ns leaders who serve in a wide range
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of ministries, such as pastoral
care, liturg y, fait h formation
and community life.
“We need to help ever yone
respond to the call that the Lord
has given us by offering opportunities and resources for traini ng a nd spiritual formation,”
Bishop Wenski said.
The three-year program is
housed at San Pedro Spiritual Development Center in Winter Park.
Residing on 480 acres of protected
wetland and lush Florida forest,
the facilities provide an atmosphere for prayer and renewal.
The San Pedro Center is in the
midst of a renovation and expan-
sion project that was a recommendation of the San Pedro Commission of the synod, a diocesewide
planning process that took about
18 months and wrapped up in
summer 2006.
“I believe the Foundations for
Lay Ministry Program is essential to the vitality of the Catholic Church in central Florida. So
many people have gifts to offer but
the gifts need development,” said
Father Patrick Quinn, Third Order
Regular of St. Francis, administrator of San Pedro Center. ■
Peterson is communications manager for the Diocese of Orlando.
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YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
Florida Catholic
Oct. 19-25, 2007
Sin clouds the human reason
FLORIDA
Catholic
DIOCESE OF OR�NDO
Vol. 68, No. 38
50 East Robinson St.
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407-246-4924
Some years ago, Ted Koppel of that the crisis of our age is being
“Nightline” fame addressed the played out — are the rules of life up
graduating class of an Ivy League for grabs so that each generation or
University. An observant Jew, he each culture is free to “construct”
failed to follow the rules of politi- what is “true” for them? Or is there
cal correctness and resomething — or better yet
minded the soon-to-be
Someone — beyond ourselves to whom we are acalumni that the Ten Commandments were just that
countable? As creatures,
— and not merely Ten
does not our flourishing as
Suggestions. Lest anyone
human beings depend on
say that he was trying to
our living within the design imposed by our creaimpose a religious viewpoint, it is important to
tureliness? Can we really
FROM THE
note that while the Com“have it our way” as one
BISHOP
mandments are certainly
hamburger jingle has it?
Thomas
There is a “natural law”
foundational to our Judeo-Christian religious
Wenski knowable to human reason and written on the
heritage, they are universally applicable — for
human heart. Even withthey give expression to that moral out the aid of Divine Revelation we
law that is written on the human cannot not acknowledge that there
heart. Thus, the human project, is right and wrong. In other words,
as Koppel was trying to point out we cannot not know that stealto those graduates of a prestigious ing or killing or lying or adultery
university, is not to determine what is wrong. Of course, sin clouds the
I feel or think is right and wrong but human reason — and weakens the
to live my life in conformity to ob- will. The moral life means learning
jective moral norms.
to say no to envy, anger, lust, etc.
And it is just at this intersection — for in giving in to these passions,
we will certainly transgress those
Commandments that tell us not to
steal, or kill, or commit adultery.
And since we have a fallen human
nature, and therefore we cannot
save ourselves, we do need God’s
grace if our lives are to fully conform to the moral law.
Yes, the Commandments are not
just “suggestions.” But they are more
than “prohibitions” limiting human
freedom. Too often today, freedom is
defined as doing what I want, what
I feel like. We think of freedom as
the freedom to make up the rules of
life. And so our culture speaks of the
“freedom of choice” which is supposed to trump the demands that
others might place on our freedom.
Yet, the Commandments far from
limiting human freedom make it
possible. Tiger Woods is a great golfer — not because he feels that he can
make up the rules of the game as he
goes along. His talent is freed — not
constrained — by his obeying the
rules of golf.
More than a list of “nos,” the
Commandments are also a “yes”
to human freedom and flourish-
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FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY VALETA ORLANDO
Bishop Thomas Wenski prepares to lead the Oct. 13 “Sunny Side Up” poker run, a fundraiser for Catholic
Charities of Central Florida Inc. The route began at Siemens Corp. in Orlando and ended at St. Stephen
Parish in Winter Springs. Because of his schedule, Bishop Wenski does not often get a chance to ride
his motorcycle. “I helped create this occasion so I’d have an excuse to ride,” Bishop Wenski said with a
smile. Catholic Charities plans to make this an annual event to benefit the homeless.
The Florida Catholic (ISSN 0746-4584) publishes 38 issues/year (weekly from October
through mid-May, except for the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s;
biweekly the rest of the year) for the Archdiocese of Miami and the Dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola-Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, and Venice for $20 per year
in Florida, $25 per year in the U.S., and $85 per year foreign, by The Florida Catholic
Catholic Web sites of interest:
Texts by Bishop Thomas Wenski:
www.orlandodiocese.org
The Vatican: www.vatican.va
The U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops news and daily readings:
www.usccb.org/news/index.shtml
“The New American Bible”: www.
usccb.org/nab/bible/
ing. As Pope Benedict XVI said
early last year: The Ten Commandments “are a ‘yes’ to a God who
gives meaning to life (the first
Three Commandments); a ‘yes’
to the family (the Fourth Commandment); a ‘yes’ to life (the
Fifth Commandment); a ‘yes’ to
responsible love (the Sixth Commandment); a ‘yes’ to solidarity,
to social responsibility, to justice
(the Seventh Commandment); a
‘yes’ to the truth (the Eighth Commandment); a ‘yes’ to respect for
others and for their belongings
(Ninth and Tenth Commandments)” (Jan. 8, 2006). ■
Sister Worley
recognized
for health-care
leadership
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The Florida Catholic Conference and Florida Catholic Healt hcare Execut ives
presented Sister Elizabeth
Worley, Sisters of St. Joseph,
w it h an award Oct. 12 in
recognition of her ser v ice
and leadership in Catholic
health care.
Sister Worley is the chief
operating officer and chancellor of administration for
the Diocese of Orlando.
Sister Worley ser ved in
he a lt h- c a r e ad m i n i s t r ation for Mercy Hospital and
Cat holic Hospice, bot h in
Miami. She is the recipient
of numerous awards and recognition, including the 2005
M ia m i-Dade Depa r t ment
of Health Lifetime Achievement Award.
She is also the recipient of
the Papal Cross, awarded by
Pope John Paul II, in recognition of a lifetime of faithful ser vice to the Catholic
Church. ■
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Oct. 19-25, 2007
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
www.thefloridacatholic.org
NEWSbriefs
Villas hosts
Harvest Ball Oct. 27
Bishop Grady Villas will host
its major fundraising event — the
Harvest Ball — at the Rosen Plaza
Hotel in Orlando Oct. 27. Wendy
Chioji of WESH-TV will be the host
emcee.
Bishop Thomas Wenski will deliver the invocation.
There are four levels of sponsorship, ranging from $2,000 to
$10,000. Individual tickets are
$150.
Bishop Grady Villas is a Christian-based residential center for
individuals with developmental
disabilities. The center promotes
individuality and independence
for the residents, while providing
an environment of love and kindness and a community in which
they fully belong.
Bishop Grady Villas was founded in 2003 and currently is home
to 24 residents.
For more information, contact
Andi Sell, director, at 407-892-6078
or visit http://www.orlandodiocese.org/outreach/BGV/events.
htm.
Catholic Charities
hosts Starlight
Ball Nov. 17
Catholic Charities of Central
Florida Inc. will host its third an-
nual Starlight Ball Nov. 17, 6 p.m.,
at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes,
Orlando.
Tickets are $175 per person and
table sponsorships are available.
Funds raised will benefit 10 programs.
Catholic Charities provides
social services to people in need
throughout central Florida, regardless of their religious, social
or economic background.
The agency offers a food pantry
and food banks throughout central Florida and provides counseling, immigration and refugee
resettlement services and more.
For reservations, call 1-888658-2828 or visit the Web site at
www.cflcc.org.
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To learn how to help, visit the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Web site,
www.ciw-online.org.
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APARTMENTS INC.
500 Ave. L N.W., Winter Haven, FL 33881
863-299-4481
TTY 1-800-955-8771
Offering spacious studio and
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overlooking beautiful Lake Silver!!!
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Personal tours available.
ABBEY’S
Housekeeping
Introduction Special, $60 for
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Get a free cleaning, ask us how!
Serving all of Central FL.
407-268-4435
When you become a Barry student, you join a caring,
Catholic community where you are valued as a whole person.
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We accept all Prearrangements
made at other funeral homes.
Knights of Columbus Members
386-736-0021 / 935 E. New York Ave.
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ROBYN CONSTANTINO – Owner and Licensed Funeral Director
Why United American?
Ken St. Amand 407-435-3751
[email protected]
ORL A13
Certificate in Educational Leadership –
Florida Catholic Schools (non-degree)
Our programs focus on the
adult learner and will meet
your needs as a working
professional. Classes meet
on evenings or Saturdays.
Small classes and a
low-student faculty
ratio provide you with a
personalized education.
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Service with a smile!
Barry’s Adrian Dominican School of Education offers the
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The ONLY CATHOLIC owned and
operated funeral home in DeLand.
BARRY
UNIVERSITY
Adrian Dominican School
of Education at Orlando
2000 N. Alafaya Trail, Suite 600
Orlando, Fl 32826
321-235-8408
[email protected]
www.barry.edu/orlando
FLC 7685 09/07
ginia said, “The biggest problem in
our country is the widening gap between the rich and the poor. I support the cause of the farmworkers.”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops and especially the bishops
of Florida have consistently urged
dialogue between the workers and
consumers, and greater justice.
It was a peaceful hourlong rally
of people simply marching in front
of the restaurant during the dinner
rush hour. There was the frequent
honking of horns, television and
print media were present, as well as
a single police vehicle. Success was
measurable, however, in the people
who stopped to ask for more information and chose to go somewhere
else for dinner. ■
A14
AROUND YOUR COMMUNITY
PARISH EVENTS
Sunday Afternoon
with CCTN
First Saturdays at different
parishes. Each vigil begins
with Mass, followed by rosary
procession to nearby abortion site.
Nov. 3, 9 a.m., Mass, Basilica of
St. Paul, Daytona Beach; Dec. 15
(third Saturday), 8 a.m., Mass, St.
Mary Magdalen Parish, Altamonte
Springs, with Bishop Thomas
Wenski. Contact: Respect Life
Office: 407-246-4819 or respectlife
@orlandodiocese.org.
Annual Pastoral Care
Conference: Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-4
p.m., Sts. Peter and Paul Parish,
5300 Old Howell Branch Road,
Winter Park. Theme, “Living
the Compassion of Christ as
Witnesses to Hope.” Sister Cathy
Gorman, SNDdeN, of the Office
for Farmworker Ministry, will be
the keynote speaker. Conference
topics include, “Ways of Praying,”
“Spiritual Companioning,” “Loss
of Life” and more. Fee: $25,
includes continental breakfast and
lunch. Registration is limited to
400 participants. 407-246-4880.
Retrouvaille program: Oct.
19-21, Hampton Inn, Altamonte
Springs. This is a program for
couples in troubled marriages.
Call 407-977-8136. Information is
confidential.
Catholic Charismatic
Conference: Oct. 26-28, Sheraton
Hotel, Maitland. Featured
speakers: Bishop Thomas Wenski,
Capuchin Father Art Cooney, Patti
Mansfield and more. Visit www.
orlandocharismatic.net, call 407275-1965, or e-mail doccrs@Juno.
com
Knights of Peter Claver
anniversary dinner and dance:
Nov. 3, 6:30-11 p.m., Hilton
Hotel, Altamonte Springs. Tenth
anniversary of Orlando Diocese’s
Council and Court of the Knights
of Peter Claver and Ladies
Auxiliary. Tickets: $50 per person.
Attire: semiformal. Call Deacon
Tommy Tate, 407-855-9243, or
Lady Marva Muir, 407-826-5396.
The Catholic Community
Television Network (CCTN)
PRAYER SESSIONS/
MASSES
Golf tournament: Oct. 21,
noon, Suntree Country Club, 1
Country Club Drive, Melbourne.
Proceeds benefit St. John the
Evangelist Parish’s building fund.
Donation: $85, includes golf
and dinner. Contact: office @
stjohnevangelist.com or call John
Prokopowicz, 321 637-9650.
Community Fest 2007:
Oct.19-21, St. Mary Magdalen
Parish, Altamonte Springs. “An
All-American Celebration”
features entertainment,
international food court, midway
rides and games, and super raffle.
Call: 407-831-1212.
Craft show and plant sale:
Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Sunday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish,
Deltona. Sponsored by the Council
of Catholic Women. Carol Lenhart:
386-232-4822.
Fashion show/luncheon:
Nov. 5, 11 a.m., Sheraton Orlando
North, Maitland. “Hats Off to
Fashion,” sponsored by St. Therese
of the Little Flower Circle of
Annunciation Parish. Benefits local
charities. Tickets: $25. Deadline:
Oct. 29. Call Gail, 407-445-8528, or
Nancy, 407-880-2989.
Gala: “Living in the Light,”
Nov. 9, 6-11 p.m., Magnolia
Building on Lake Mirror,
Lakeland. Proceeds benefit
St. Anthony Catholic School.
Tickets: $100, includes sevencourse dinner with fine wines,
live music and entertainment,
and silent auction. Reservations:
[email protected] or
863-858-8047.
Boutique sale: Nov. 10-11, 8
a.m.-2 p.m., Holy Family Parish
social hall, Orlando. Sponsored
by the St. Martin de Porres Circle.
Proceeds benefit missions in
Honduras and Africa. 407-8762211.
Florida Catholic
CONFERENCES/
MEETINGS/
OTHER EVENTS
The Helpers of God’s
Precious Infants prayer vigil:
CCTN
A ministry of
St. Paul’s Catholic
Church in Leesburg
Catholic programming 2-4:30 p.m.
every Sunday on WLCB-TV 45
Schedule for Sunday, October 21
2-3 p.m.
3-3:30 p.m.
3:30-4 p.m.
4-4:30 p.m.
Sunday Mass
Weekly News
The Odyssey of St. Paul
The Field Afar
Other available viewing channels
Bright House, Cox
and Prime Cable ............................ Channel 19
Direct TV .............................................. Channel 45
Comcast ............................................... Channel 17
Heathrow Cable............................. Channel 66
Decca Cable........................................ Channel 15
If you would like to donate to this ministry, our
address is 1330 Sunshine Ave., Leesburg, FL 34788
Haitian-Creole Mass: Sundays,
9 a.m., Robinswood Middle
School, 6305 Balboa Drive,
Orlando. Sponsored by St. Andrew
Parish.
Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament: Monday through
Saturday, 7:10 a.m. until start
of 8:30 a.m. Mass, and Monday
through Friday from 9 a.m. to
noon; first Sundays, noon-6
p.m., Chapel of Our Lady of the
Angels; rosary for vocations daily
following Mass, St. Brendan
Parish, 1000 Oceanshore Blvd.,
Ormond Beach. 386-441-1505.
Pray rosary for life: Third
and fifth Saturdays, 7 a.m.,
abortion facility on Lucerne
Terrace in downtown Orlando.
St. Augustine’s Respect Life
Committee invites fellow Catholics
to join them in praying the rosary.
407-699-4328.
SECULAR
COMMUNITIES
Secular Franciscan Order,
Lady Poverty Fraternity: First
and third Tuesdays, begins with
evening prayer at 7 p.m., Mary,
Mother of God Chapel, San
Pedro Spiritual Development
ORL A14
Oct. 19-25, 2007
OR�NDO DIOCESE COMMUNITY PAGE
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
The Florida Catholic welcomes calendar items of coming events for your parish or organization. Due to time required for production and mailing, we need
to receive items at least five weeks before requested publication. Send items to:
Around Your Community, Florida Catholic, P.O. Box 1800, Orlando, FL 328021800; by fax, send items marked Around Your Community to 407-246-4942; or
e-mail to, orlando@thefloridacatholic.org.
Announcements for ongoing activities will be removed after 60 days. For
continued coverage, announcements must be resubmitted.
Center, 2400 Dike Road,
Winter Park. Meeting follows.
Contact: Dan Hardester, SFO,
[email protected].
Secular Franciscan Fraternity:
Fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m., Queen
of Peace Parish hall, Ocala. Secular
Franciscans commit themselves
by promise, not vow, to live the
Gospel life of Jesus Christ in the
spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. 352854-5647 or 352-793-7071.
Secular Franciscan Order, St.
Francis Fraternity: First Sundays,
12:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi
Parish, Building B, 834 S. Orange
Blossom Trail, Apopka. Call Jeane
Fwaynos, SFO, 407-869-6716.
Secular Franciscan Fraternity,
Little Flowers of St. Francis:
Second Saturdays, following the
8:30 a.m. Mass, parish house
5, Church of the Epiphany, 201
Lafayette St., Port Orange. Peg,
386-677-7089.
Secular Franciscan Fraternity,
San Damiano: First Wednesdays,
following 9 a.m. Mass, St. Mark
Parish, Summerfield. Contact:
Kathryn Hampel, SFO, 352-7506334.
ONGOING
MEETINGS
Knights of Columbus Squires
meetings: Msgr. Bishop Circle
1400 Columbian Squires meets
third Wednesdays, 7 p.m., at the
Msgr. Bishop Knights of Columbus
Council 2112 hall, 5727 Cornelia
Ave., Orlando. Meeting is open to
boys ages 10 to 17. Contact: John
Poulos, chief counselor, 407-6782112 or visit the council’s Web site
at http://bellsouthpwp.net/g/g/
ggregg/.
Catholic War Veterans: Father
John Washington Post 1944,
second Saturdays, 10 a.m., Prince
of Peace Parish, Gold Room, 600
S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach. All
Catholic men and women who
have served honorably in the
armed forces of the United States
are invited to join. Gene Swarbrick,
386-255-3814, or e-mail fatherjohn
[email protected].
Catholic War Veterans of
Lakeland: Bishop Charles B.
McLaughlin Memorial Post 1917,
third Mondays, 6:30 p.m., St.
Joseph Parish hall, 210 W. Lemon
St., Lakeland. All Catholic men
and women who have served
honorably in the armed forces of
the United States are invited to
join. Spouses are welcome. Dinner
follows. Steve Jones, 863-688-8787,
or e-mail sirstevetheknight@earth
link.net.
SUPPORT
Support group for separated
and divorced:
• Mondays, 7 p.m., Holy
Redeemer Catholic Church,
Kissimmee. Alta, 407-201-4696.
• Mondays, Holy Cross Church,
Orlando. Cheryl, 407-858-9807.
• Blessed Trinity, Ocala. If
interested, call Barbara Saalfield,
352-629-8092.
• Third Thursdays, 7-8:30
p.m., Catholic Charities, 1801 E.
Memorial Blvd. Interfaith. 863-6867153.
Singles, separated, widowed
and divorced group: First and
third Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Holy
Name of Jesus community room,
Indialantic, 321-259-5650; first
Fridays, outside activity, and third
Fridays, 7 p.m., parish center,
Church of Our Saviour, 5301 N.
Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. 321213-6629.
Orlando Catholic Singles:
Offers spiritual, social and service
activities for the 40-plus age group.
Fran Haibach, 407-756-9322.
Support group for families
with incarcerated loved ones:
• Third Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.,
St. Mary Magdalen Parish center,
861 Maitland Ave., Altamonte
Springs. 407-695-6818 or e-mail
jeancanatsey@cfl.rr.com.
• First Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Our
Lady of Grace activity center, Room
2, 300 Malabar Road S.E., Palm Bay.
Call Dawn, 321-733-6136.
Bereavement support
groups:
• Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Holy
Redeemer Parish, 1603 N. Thacker
Ave., Kissimmee, 407-846-2033.
• Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., St.
Mary Magdalen Parish office, 861
Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs,
407-831-1212.
• First and third Fridays, 2 p.m.,
St. Anthony Catholic Church,
820 Marcum Road, Spiritual
Development Center, Lakeland.
Dianne Turner, 863-858-8047.
Same-sex support groups:
• Courage, spiritual support
groups for persons with samesex attractions striving to lead
chaste lives in accordance with the
teachings of the Roman Catholic
Church. In Ocala, 352-854-2181. In
Orlando, 407-791-3717.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
JMJ Life Center seeks
volunteers due to an expansion
of services. Opportunities exist
for experienced ultrasound
technicians, Internet/telephone
solicitation of supplies, IT support,
data entry, pickup and delivery
of donations, accounting,
fundraising, development
director, committee managers,
a handyman and a cleaning
person. Some of the positions
can be done from home on your
schedule for as little as one hour
per week. Call 407-839-0620 or
visit www.jmjlifecenter.org.
Oct. 19-25, 2007
www.thefloridacatholic.org
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
A15
FIESTA DE LA HISPANIDAD
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTOS BY VALETA ORLANDO
Hispanics from around the diocese
gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Apopka Oct. 14 to celebrate the
“Grand Diocesan Fiesta: Celebrating
Hispanic Heritage.” The celebration
began with a procession of more than
20 national flags and the Virgin Mary
patroness of each country. After the
procession, Bishop Thomas Wenski
celebrated a special Mass in Spanish.
Top left, Grupo Folklórico de
Panamá prepares to perform at
the reception following Mass.
Top right, Catholics of Argentinean
heritage process into church carrying the
flag of Argentina and the image of the
country’s patroness, Our Lady of Luján.
Bottom left, Catholics of Paraguayan
heritage process into church carrying
the flag of Paraguay and the image
of the country’s patroness, Our Lady
of Milagros (Miracles) de Caacupe.
ORL A15