November 23, 2007 - Diocese of Orlando

FLORIDACatholic
WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG
|
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
OF ORLANDO
YOUR FAITH. YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMMUNITY.
Think pink
(and purple)
On Catholic calendar, it’s not
time for Christmas colors yet
‘As Father Ivan says, we’re not
alone. We’re surrounded by all
the saints.”
Taissa Meleshko
JANET SHELTON
Florida Catholic correspondent
ST. PETERSBURG — About this
time every year, when most everyone is immersed in red and green,
the Whapham family of Pembroke
Pines is thinking pink.
For several years now, Cheryl and
Ted Whapham have been decorating their holiday tree twice. On the
first Sunday of Advent, it is decorated in ribbons
and ornaments
INSIDE
of purple and
The Florida
pink. Then, on
Catholic’s
Christmas Eve
exclusive cutand-paste Advent morning, the
calendar, Page A8 family takes
down the pink
and decorates
the tree again — this time with the
ornaments and colors of Christmas.
“After breakfast, we take down
the Advent tree and we decorate it
with (the Christmas decorations),”
Cheryl said. “It’s the start of our
Christmas.”
The changing of the ornaments is
one of the ways the Whaphams observe Advent. They are choosing to
follow the Catholic Church’s Christmas season, which follows Advent,
doesn’t begin until Christmas Eve,
and continues to be celebrated until
the feast of the Baptism of the Lord
in mid-January.
At Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
in Daytona Beach, Father Philip
Egitto puts church teaching into action. There are no parish or school
Christmas parties during Advent.
All such events are held after Christmas Day. The church has no Christmas decoration until Christmas
Eve. People need to focus on Advent
during Advent, the pastor said.
PLEASE SEE ADVENT, A9
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY CAROL FERRAZZANO
Taissa Meleshko poses with a hand-carved, inlaid, wooden
candleholder with decorative bells made by a Ukrainian craftsman
‘Every day is Thanksgiving’ for
Ukrainian immigrant
BETTY ANN WEBER
Florida Catholic correspondent
APOPKA — Taissa Meleshko
revels in the tranquility of her
Apopka home. Tranquility —
something she longed for in her
youth.
“I remember the trenches.
We ran from the barracks and
crouched there, praying to be safe.
Bombs exploding everywhere,”
said Meleshko, 79.
The barracks were but one stop
in this woman’s World War II odys-
sey. First there was the 1939 Nazi
bombardment of Warsaw.
A Ukrainian Catholic in Poland,
Meleshko, then Taissa Osinska,
was 11 when the assault began
near her home. She and her father,
a civil engineer, stood for hours in
the cold, waiting to buy bread and
milk to share with her mother and
two younger sisters. Her father became seriously ill and, hoping to
save his life, the family accepted
an uncle’s invitation to come to the
Carpathian Mountains where the
air was fresh and food plentiful.
INSIDE: Bishop: Peace possible in Holy Land A4
Quick Reads
Classifieds
Crossword
Diocese Calendar
A6
A12
A10
A14
from the Carpathian Mountains. It is used during the Epiphany
(blessing of water), the feast of the Jordan River.
Diocese News
A2-4, 13-16
U.S. Bishops’ Meeting
A7
Year of Evangelization A16
Vatican News
A6
Scripture Readings
DVD Reviews
Movie Reviews
Florida News
ORL A1
A11
A10
A10
A5-6
“When my father died in 1940,”
she recalled in a voice echoing her
native tongue, “we were afraid of
the advancing Russian Army, so
we packed a horse and buggy and
headed for the Slovak border. But
we were turned away.”
German soldiers found them.
“They put us on a train to Austria
and a forced labor camp near Vienna. We lived in barracks and made
parts to ignite bombs. When the
factory closed, some friendly Germans steered us to the post office
barracks. Mother and I sorted mili-
tary mail. She worked at night and I
took the day shift so my sisters were
never alone. An uncle, a priest, was
with us and could celebrate Mass.
But even when he couldn’t, no one
went to sleep without a prayer.”
When the war ended and the
bombing stopped, it was permissible to go home again. “But many
had no homes to return to,” she
said, “or, like us, feared going back
to a communist country.”
Then there were moves into rePLEASE SEE MELESHKO, A13
ATTENTION POST OFFICE — PLEASE DELIVER BY NOV. 23
A2
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
Florida Catholic
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
Thanks for...
The Florida Catholic asked six students at St. Peter Catholic
School in DeLand what they are thankful for this year. Here
are their replies:
‘My family, friends and
the cold weather.’
Rhett Parslow
12, seventh grade
‘My family and
technology, like
television and video
games.’
Sofia Estavillo
8, third grade
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY YVONNE MARTINEZ
Tyler DeSando, a first-grader at St. Mary Catholic School in Rockledge, makes his contribution to the
“mini-commissary.” The items are headed to a group of adopted troops in Iraq.
Care packages to bring taste
of home to adopted troops
YVONNE MARTINEZ
Florida Catholic correspondent
RO C K L E D GE — S c ho ol s
throughout the Diocese of Orlando are making special care
packages for America’s military
men and women.
Cards, messages and care
packages are being sent from
St. Anthony Parish and School
in Lakeland. Melbourne Central Catholic is also planning to
send care packages for Christmas.
“Our kids are making Christmas cards for the troops,” said
Principal Lynn Abboud of Sacred Heart Catholic School in
New Smy rna Beach. “One of
our school mothers coordinates
care packages and she will pick
up our cards and send them
with the packages going overseas.”
At St. Mary School in Rockledge, the science lab became a
“mini-commissary,” complete
with personal hygiene essentials such as toothpaste, deodorant and shaving cream as
well as the all-American snack
favorites of Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts,
M&M’s and beef jerky. Stacked
up and ready for packaging, the
items collected by students will
be sent to Lt. Jared Jacobs and
Lt. Col Kerrye Glass, and their
respective units in Iraq.
Jacobs is a squadron pilot for
‘I want to thank them
for fighting for us. It’s
exciting to help them
out because they’re
helping us ...”
Chris O’Brien, 8
St. Mary third-grader
the VR-52 Naval Air Station in
Willow Grove, Pa. He was deployed in July on a special assignment in Fallujah, Iraq, as
the II MEF G-3 air operations
coordinator with the II Marine
Expeditionary Force. He coordinates about 200 missions per
day for ground and air support.
His wife is pregnant with twins,
and he hopes to return from his
tour of duty in time for the longawaited arrival.
Lt. Col. Glass is a 46-yearold Army veteran who is serving his second tour in Iraq. He
grew up in Brevard County and
graduated from the University
of Central Florida. He was a
principal at St. Thomas Aquinas
School in St. Cloud, before being deployed to Bosnia in 2001
where he served for one year.
He was also a dean at Bishop
Moore High School in Orlando
for six months before being redeployed to Iraq, where he runs
a 10-member military transition
team that lives with and trains
900 Iraqi troops in the 6th Battalion of the Iraqi Army.
S c ho ol P r i nc ipa l Na nc ie
Rowan spearheaded the effort
to adopt both men and their
units because she wanted to
do something special to honor
the men and women overseas.
Above and beyond the collection of food items and essentials, t hey raised more t han
$600 to purchase phone cards
for the troops. The money was
raised through a special “no
uniform” holiday where each
student paid a dollar to wear
anything red, white and blue.
Schoolchildren also brought
i n t hei r lef tover Ha l loween
candy to give to a local dentist,
who paid the children $1 per
pound of candy. “It’s wonderful,” Rowan said. “We’ve had a
great response.”
Third-grader Taisse Yang, 8,
brought in some powdered Gatorade for the units along with
the rest of her classmates, including Chris O’Brien, 8, who
were all given a list of items to
bring. “I want to thank them for
fighting for us,” O’Brien said.
“It’s exciting to help them out
because they’re helping us by
fighting for us.” Yang, who has
two cousins in Iraq, added she
also thanks all the men and
women deployed and wants
them to “be careful.” ■
ORL A2
‘Friends who always
support me.’
Sofia Mankin
11, sixth grade
‘Parents who send me to
a good school like this,
a nice house and good
friends.’
Grace Zischkau
13, eighth grade
‘My parents; they do a lot
of stuff for me. They take
me to a lot of places and
have bought (me) a lot of
things.’
Matthew Moriardy
8, second grade
‘My parents, my
principal, my friends and
my mini sport bike.’
Richard Kelly
10, fifth grade
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTOS
BY JENNIFER SURGENT
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
www.thefloridacatholic.org
A3
Black Catholic lay group celebrates its 10th
anniversary of service in Orlando Diocese
LAURA DODSON
Florida Catholic correspondent
ORLANDO — November 2007
has been a memorable month for
members of the Orlando Diocese’s
chapter of the nation’s largest black
Catholic lay organization.
Members of the Knights of Peter
Claver, St. Martin de Porres Council
352, and Ladies Auxilliary, St. Monica Court 352, gathered Nov. 3 for
a dinner and dance in Altamonte
Springs to celebrate their 10th anniversary of service in the diocese.
The next day members gathered
to celebrate their Catholic faith at
Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Parish
in Apopka.
“It’s really nice when people of
God can get together to celebrate
their service to God and their
community,” said Deacon Tommy L. Tate of St. Andrew Parish
in Orlando, one of the founders
of the local order.
November a lso ma rk s t he
98th anniversary of the founding of the national organization.
Additionally, it is National Black
Catholic History Month.
Another charter member, former Deputy Grand Knight Johnny Singleton of All Souls Parish
in Sanford, explained some of
the local history.
“Originally, we were formed in
1997 to have some camaraderie
among the members, to assist in
any way the needs of the community and to assist the priests
in the charitable works of our
church. For example, we’ve donated to the building funds at All
Souls Parish and St. Andrew Par-
WHO WAS ST. PETER C�VER?
Peter Claver was born in Verdu,
Spain, in 1580 and entered the Jesuit
novitiate in 1602. In 1610, after the
relentless urging to evangelize the
people in the Spanish possessions in
America by Alphonsus Rodriquez, a
doorkeeper at the college in Majorca
where Claver was studying, he landed in Cartagena (modern Colombia),
South America. Cartagena was at
the time the principal slave market
in the New World, where a thousand
Africans landed every month and
were sold as slaves to work the gold
mines and cultivate the land.
After his ordination in 1616, Claver
ish in Orlando, to the American
Sickle Cell Anemia Association,
to the BETA Center in Orlando
helping unwed mot hers, and
especially if somebody requests
somet hing or comes to us in
need, we step up to it.”
The Nov. 3 celebration included a presentation of the Founder’s Award to Gretchen DempsSimmons in recognition of her
“foresight in bringing Claverism
to the Diocese of Orlando.” Immediate past grand Knight and
founding member Ludlow Muir
of Holy Cross Parish in Orlando
said, “At the time, Gretchen was
employed by the diocese as program development coordinator for
Black Community Ministry and she
never stopped until she was able to
meet the requirements of 12 men
and 12 ladies to charter a council
and court. She searched and pulled
and as a result, we were chartered
as a diocesan council and court on
dedicated himself by special vow
to the service of the Africans. He
boarded the ships, offering refreshments and caring for the sick and
dying. He trained African catechists
to provide instruction prior to
administering the sacraments. Plus,
he followed his flock to the plantations, encouraging them to live as
Christians and prevailing upon the
masters to treat them humanely. At
the time of his death in 1654, more
than 300,000 souls had entered
the church through him. He was
canonized by Pope Leo XIII Jan. 15,
1888. ■
Nov. 22, 1997.”
Grand Knight William Sands of
St. Augustine Parish in Casselberry
was delighted to be able to provide
the big surprise of the evening. “It
was a thrilling experience to celebrate our 10th anniversary with
the Supreme Knight Gene A. Phillips Sr. of Texas and Supreme Lady
Geralyn Shelvin of Louisiana. They
were in Jacksonville finalizing arrangements for the 2008 National
Convention.”
In addition to congratulating
the council and court, Phillips
asked for support for vocations
to the priesthood and religious
life, specifically emphasizing
Catholic schools as one source
from which vocations come.
Sands was particularly grateful for the support the organization has had from Bishop Emeritus Norbert Dorsey, who originally endorsed the formation
of the order in the diocese, and
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY VALETA ORLANDO
Members of the Knights of Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres Council
352, and Ladies Auxilliary, St. Monica Court 352, process in to the
Cathedral of St. James in Orlando last January for the Mass honoring
Martin Luther King.
Bishop Thomas Wenski who has
not only been an avid supporter, but also “became a brother
Knight two years ago.” The organization is open to all Catholics.
Marva B. Muir, wife of Ludlow,
is the current grand Lady and is
also a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary, St. Monica Court
352. She thanked the gathered
community for their “completing
a decade of charitable services,”
but she also encouraged them for
the future.
“My brother Knights and Ladies, as we enter the threshold of
another decade, I challenge each
of you to recommit yourselves to
the preamble of our noble order
and engage a strong recruiting
campaign to grow our St. Martin
de Porres Council and St. Monica
Court,” she said.
Sands recalled, “St. Peter Claver
was all about faith. He stayed
in the poor neighborhoods and
helped people get food to eat, put
clothes on their backs and work
to support their families. We are
here to help our church, to educate our small ones, to care for our
sick and those who are down and
out. At the end of the day, we are
all brothers and ladies in love.” ■
For more information, please contact Sands at 407-260-8029 or Muir
at 407-826-5396.
What is Black Catholic History Month in the church
and who are the Knights of Peter Claver?
LAURA DODSON
Florida Catholic correspondent
ORLANDO — November was
designated as Black Catholic History Month by the National Black
Catholic Clergy Caucus July 24,
1990, recognizing the long history and proud heritage of black
Catholics in the church.
As of 2000, there were 200
million Catholics of African descent worldwide, according to
the Catholic African World Network, and November was chosen
for important dates significant to
them.
These dates include:
• Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, recognizing the many hundreds of
African martyrs in the first 300
years of the church.
• Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, remembering the many Africans
who lost their lives in the forced
ocean crossings to the New World
as slaves.
• Nov. 3, the feast of St. Martin
de Porres, the only saint of African descent in this hemisphere.
• Nov. 13, the birthdate of St.
Augustine of Hippo in A.D 354.
He was the first doctor of the
church from North Africa. His
mother, St. Monica, is best known
for praying relentlessly for her pagan husband and son.
• Nov. 20, the death of Zumbi
dos Palmares in Brazil, South
America, founder of the first republic for former African slaves.
In addition, the national order
of the Knights of Peter Claver was
founded Nov. 7, 1909, in Mobile,
Ala., by four Josephite priests and
three laymen because black men
in the South, at that time, could
not gain admission to the Knights
of Columbus.
The organization’s major goals
are to support local pastors and
bishops, to participate collectively in parish and community
activities, to promote civic improvements and to encourage lay
apostolic and Catholic action.
In 2007, there are more than
100,000 members in the order
and its ladies auxiliary in 368
chapters, representing 47 dioceses in the United States.
The order is a charter member of the International Alliance
ORL A3
of Catholic Knights and is committed to evangelization — the
primary work of its namesake,
St. Peter Claver, as well as to the
charitable works of the church
and the education, vocation and
advancement of African-Americans. ■
For more information, visit the
Web site www.nbccongress.org.
The ONLY CATHOLIC owned and
operated funeral home in DeLand.
We accept all Prearrangements
made at other funeral homes.
Knights of Columbus Members
386-736-0021 / 935 E. New York Ave.
ROBYN CONSTANTINO – Owner and Licensed Funeral Director
A4
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
FLORIDA
Catholic
DIOCESE OF OR�NDO
Vol. 69, No. 4
50 East Robinson St.
P.O. Box 1800
Orlando, FL 32802-1800
407-246-4800 Fax 407-246-4942
PUBLISHER
Bishop Thomas Wenski
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Christopher Gunty
apub@thefloridacatholic.org
407-373-0075
MANAGING EDITOR
Denise O’Toole Kelly
dotoole@thefloridacatholic.org
407-373-0075
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Carol Brinati
DIOCESAN EDITOR
Tanya Goodman
orlando@thefloridacatholic.org
407-246-4924
• SUBSCRIPTIONS, CIRCULATION:
Contact Jennifer Wright at 1-888-275-9953,
or customerservice@thefloridacatholic.org
• ADVERTISING: Contact Jane Radetsky
at 407-373-0075 or
jradetsky@thefloridacatholic.org
• CLASSIFIED ADS: Contact Paula
Heidorn at 1-888-275-9953, or
Pheidorn@thefloridacatholic.org
STATE OFFICES: 50 E. Robinson St.,
Suite G, Orlando, FL 32801-1619; P.O.
Box 4993; Orlando, FL 32802-4993; 407373-0075; Toll-free 1-888-275-9953; Fax
407-373-0087
EXECUTIVE & EDITORIAL STAFF:
Parish Services Manager: Mary St. Pierre,
mstpierre@thefloridacatholic.org
Office Manager: Pat Spencer,
pspencer@thefloridacatholic.org
Layout Editor: Ann Borowski Slade,
aborowski@thefloridacatholic.org
Projects Editor: Jean Palombo-Gonzalez,
jgonzalez@thefloridacatholic.org
ADVERTISING STAFF:
Advertising Sales Manager: Mark Caruso,
mcaruso@thefloridacatholic.org
Advertising Traffic Coordinator: Rosemary
Novak, Rnovak@thefloridacatholic.org
Send statewide news releases to
news@thefloridacatholic.org
Webmaster:
webmaster@thefloridacatholic.org
Our staff meets for prayer each work
day at 9 a.m. Send prayer intentions
to prayers@thefloridacatholic.org
All contents copyright © 2007, The Florida Catholic Inc.,
except stories and photos from Catholic News Service.
Florida Catholic
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
Jews, Christians and
Muslims living in peace
The following letter was written
jointly by an interfaith group of four
religious leaders, including Bishop
Wenski.
from all parties to reject violence
and embrace dialogue.
Prior to Israel’s incursion into
Lebanon last year in response to
provocations by Hezbollah, Israel
had won every war, but
Preparations for the
Israeli-Palestinian peace
never the peace. Peace
conference in Annapolis
in the Land holy to the
are intensifying. As relithree major monotheistic
gious leaders in the Jewreligions will not be won
ish, Christian and Muslim
by military means, but
only through a negotiated
traditions, who live in the
same community in musettlement that is built on
tual respect, we believe
realistic compromises and
FROM THE
concrete reciprocal steps
that peace between IsraeBISHOP
lis and Palestinians is posthat inspire confidence
sible. We are not alone in
Thomas and help overcome deof mutual suspicion
this hope.
Wenski cades
Last December, a group
and hostility.
of prominent national JewIsraelis and Palestinish, Christian and Muslim religious ians have a right to security and the
leaders called for renewed U.S. po- prosperity that flows from peace.
litical leadership for peace in the The security barrier built by Israel
Middle East. We join our voices to has curbed suicide attacks, but has
theirs and pray that our call for a not stopped the crude rockets fired
just peace will be heeded by policy from Gaza that terrorize Israeli cimakers and the wider public now vilians daily. This “Wall” along with
that talks between Israeli and Pales- the continued expansion of Jewish
tinian officials have resumed.
settlements in the West Bank have
The goal of the peace process is disrupted the lives and livelihoods
the creation of a two-state solution, of Palestinians and are a major
a recognized and secure Israel and threat to the viability of a future Palan independent and viable Pales- estinian state. In the long run, walls
tinian state, comprising the West and fences and rockets cannot build
Bank and Gaza, living side-by-side prosperity or peace.
Continued violence against Isin peace with each other.
Both the Israeli and the Palestin- rael emanating from the Gaza strip
ian communities have authentic and the political stalemate between
stories of suffering and legitimate Hamas and the Palestinian Authoraspirations. The logic of peace, ity make progress difficult. In adhowever, demands a commitment dition, the growing humanitarian
crisis in Gaza, where most of the
population lives on less than a dollar
WEB SITES
a day, threatens the sustainability of
Catholic Web sites of interest:
any political settlement and thus the
Texts by Bishop Thomas Wenski:
security of Israel.
www.orlandodiocese.org
In light of these realities, it is imThe Vatican: www.vatican.va
portant that Israelis and PalestinThe U.S. Conference of Catholic
ians see evidence that progress is
Bishops news and daily readings:
possible both before and after the
www.usccb.org/news/index.shtml
peace conference. This evidence
“The New American Bible”: www.
should include Palestinian steps to
usccb.org/nab/bible/
strengthen policing and improve se-
PHOTO COURTESY OF SISTER ELIZABETH WORLEY
Israeli security gate at Bethlehem.
curity and the recognition of Israel,
and Israeli steps to halt expansion of
settlements and improve freedom of
movement to help revive the shattered Palestinian economy, and the
recognition of a Palestinian state.
An effective ceasefire is indispensable. As religious leaders together
in Central Florida, we endorse the
National Interreligious Initiative for
Peace in the Middle East. While we
share a commitment to the broad
outlines of a just solution to this
conflict, we are not so naïve as to
believe that there are easy answers.
The present situation has been aggravated by many factors — not the
least of which is the lack of strong
leadership on both the Israeli and
Palestinian sides.
The seeming intractability of the
conflict does not inspire optimism.
But optimism is a “secular value,”
and hope is a “theological virtue.”
Hope keeps us from giving up in
discouragement. And hope leads us
to ask that our political leaders do
more now to make peace in the Holy
Land a priority. The United States
can and should work intensely with
both parties and the international
community, including Arab states
in the region, to push for realistic
compromises and cooperation on
final status issues. Too much is at
stake to do any less. A just resolution
of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
would have positive reverberations
in the region and around the world.
Each of our faiths prays for the peace
of Jerusalem. What has been lacking in the region is not the desire for
peace among Christians, Muslims,
or Jews. What has been lacking so far
is the political will to achieve it. ■
Rabbi Steven Engel
Senior Rabbi, Congregation of
Reform Judaism, Orlando, Florida
Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Senior Pastor, Northland —
A Church Distributed
Imam Muhammad Musri
President, Islamic Society of Central Florida
Bishop Thomas Wenski
Orlando Diocese of the Roman
Catholic Church in the U.S.
Good fences do not make for good neighbors
Religious leaders in central Florida have signed a joint letter adding
their voices to the cry for a peaceful
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
Bishop Thomas Wenski was
joined by leaders of the Jewish,
Protestant and Muslim traditions
in central Florida in a plea to policy-
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 $24 per year
in Florida, $30 per year in the U.S., and $95 per year foreign, by The Florida Catholic
makers that a just peace be sought
as talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials are set to resume in
late November in Annapolis, Md.
In August, Bishop Wenski toured
the Dehiyshe Palestinian refugee
camp in the West Bank. During
that visit, the bishop said the United
States should try to persuade Israel
to negotiate in good faith with the
Palestinians.
In particular, he believes the
Israeli separation wall and the settlements are major obstacles to a
peaceful solution.
Acknowledging the need for Israeli security, Bishop Wenski believes the wall is built in such away
Inc., 50 E. Robinson St., Suite G, Orlando, FL 32801-1619. Publisher reserves the right
to refuse advertisements contrary to paper’s policy and standards in Catholic Press
Association. The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement of businesses, services and products. Complaints regarding advertising should
be made directly to the advertiser or to your local Better Business Bureau. Readers
ORL A4
that it “does not enhance security
but ... expands control of territory.”
The wall eventually will become a
400-mile-long barrier of concrete
slabs and barbed-wire fences separating Israel from the West Bank; in
some places, it physically divides
Palestinian communities, according to Catholic News Service. ■
must exercise prudence in responding to advertising in all media. Political advertising
not accepted. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL 32862 and additional mailing
offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Florida Catholic, P.O. Box 4993,
Orlando, FL 32802-4993. Member, Catholic Press Association; subscriber to Catholic
News Service (CNS).
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
www.thefloridacatholic.org
A13
MELESHKO: Apopka woman remembers childhood in camps, gives thanks for life in Ukrainian church
FROM A1
na med “d i splac ed per son s”
camps. Single people lived in
army barracks; families, in the
privacy of a small room. Everyone shared a communal kitchen
and bathroom.
Activ ities were initiated to
keep ever yone occupied, including primary and secondary
schooling. “I hoped to work at the
United Nations one day, so I took
crash courses and was accepted
into the University of Heidelberg
(Germany), majoring in languages.”
In 1948 — in a camp in Manheim — she married Wolodymyr Decyk. In the same year the
U.S. Displaced Persons Act was
passed, allowing immigration
into this country. A Munich facility was the processing center
for paperwork, inoculations and
medical and psychological testing. And there was a quota.
“As camps closed and people
moved out, we were relocated
again and again,” she said. “It
took a year; finally we were accepted.”
C at hol ic R e l ief S e r v ic e s ,
founded by the U.S. bishops in
1945, paved the way. “On Jan. 1,
1952, we boarded a troop ship in
Bremerhaven and 10 days later —
bypassing Ellis Island — arrived
at Pier 22 in New York. For three
hours we waited on deck in the
icy wind. My husband and I were
each handed a green card and
$10. It was up to us to find work.”
Since her mother and sisters
moved to Newark, N.J., a year before, they were assured of housing. “My mother had a small
apartment over a dance studio,
took in sewing and made costumes for the dancers.
“It was sink or swim,” she said,
shrugging. “So you know what you
do? You swim! Today people talk
about their terrible childhoods.
We never thought about that. We
were just glad to be alive.”
Her college credits were not
accepted here, so she became an
inspector in the Wiss Scissor factory. Her husband, a doctor, took
hospital courses. In 1956, they
moved to Massachusetts where
he began work in the pathology
lab at Franklin County Hospital.
With five children, they moved
into an old farmhouse in Colrain.
“Beautiful country, just like the
Carpathians,” she said. “My sons
earned scholarships at Mount
Herman Prep School and graduated with honors; then to Amherst
(Massachusetts). Victor earned a
Ph.D in physics from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)
and Julian in law from Harvard
(Cambridge, Mass.).”
“All my five children did well in
school,’’ she said. “God gave them
the brains and guided them.”
When Wolodymyr Decyk suffered a stroke and died in 1978,
Matthew Meleshko, an old friend
from Ukraine read the obituary
in a Boston newspaper and came
to give condolences. Five years
later, he and Taissa married.
He wanted to move to Florida
and both shared a desire for access to a Ukrainian church and
community. Apopka filled the
bill.
Today, Ta issa Melesh ko is
volunteer secretary for St. Mary
Protectoress Ukrainian Catholic Church, a small but spiritual
place of worship. Attrition has
reduced membership to four: the
pastor, Father Ivan Kubishyn; his
sister and the Meleshkos. “But
God sends us worshippers,” she
said, “from around the states and
other countries. He must want us
to be here. As Father Ivan says,”
— she indicates the pictures lining the church walls — “we’re not
alone. We’re surrounded by all
the saints.”
Embraced by memories and
memorabilia of Ukraine in her
Apopka home, Meleshko drew a
line on a map connecting all the
nightmare camps the past won’t
let her forget.
“Bel ievers somet i mes feel
abandoned,” she said, “but something comes up. There’s no bad
thing that won’t work out as a
good thing. It’s always been God’s
will that we come here. For me,
every day is Thanksgiving.” ■
CATHOLIC ATTORNEY
D • I • R • E • C • T • O • R • Y
Steven Allender
Jerry Allender
Allender & Allender
Elder law and living trusts
Estate planning • Wills
Probate • Guardianship
719 Garden Street
Titusville, FL 32796
321-269-1511
1485 N. Atlantic Ave.
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
321-784-5238
7351 Office Park Place
Viera, FL
321-784-5238
E-mail: [email protected]
Anne-Marie L. Bowen, P.A.
Bankruptcy law
Bankruptcy may still be
an option for you.
Helping people in financial
distress find peace.
• President, Central Florida
Bankruptcy Law Association
• Former Chairman, Bankruptcy
Committee, OCBA
• Admitted to practice before the
U.S. Supreme Court
1516 E. Hillcrest St., Suite 103
Orlando, FL 32803
407-228-1300
Over 20 years experience
www.bowenbankruptcylaw.com
Robert J. Buonauro, P.A.
Florida Bar certified in
criminal trials
390 N. Orange Ave., Suite 1630
Orlando, FL 32801
407-841-1940 • Fax: 407 649-1936
E-mail: [email protected]
The hiring of a lawyer is an
important decision that should
not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide,
ask an attorney to send you
free written information about
his or her qualifications and
experience.
Andrew J Chmelir, P.A.
Attorney-at-Law
Jacobson, McClean, Chmelir
& Ferwerda
Criminal law and general practice
Orange, Seminole and
Osceola counties
351 E. State Road 434, Suite A
Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-327-8899
David E. Disney, P.A.
230 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 308
DeLand, FL 32720
386-734-5685 • Fax: 386-736-7704
E-mail: [email protected]
Adrian Gabaldon
Attorney-at-law
210 S. Main St.
Auburndale, FL 33823
863-967-3557 • 863-967-0755
E-mail: [email protected]
Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A.
• Marital and family
• Juvenile and adoptions
P.O. Box 940610
151 Lookout Place, Suite 110
Maitland, FL 32794-0610
407-599-1170 • Fax: 407-629-0900
E-mail: [email protected]
Ian L. Gilden
Ian L. Gilden, P.A.
Wills • Estates • Guardianships
151 Lookout Place, Suite 110
Maitland, FL 32751
407-645-4446 • Fax: 407-629-0090
Meghan P. Kane
Thomas G. Kane
Kane Law Firm, P.A.
Board-certified civil trial lawyer
• Personal Injury • Wrongful Death
• Accidents • Insurance Disputes
A father-daughter team committed to
helping you and your family.
Baldwin Park
919 Outer Road, Suite A
Orlando, FL 32814
407-898-9130
E-mail: [email protected]
www.KaneInjury.com
Gerard F. Keating, P.A.
318 Silver Beach Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386-252-2501 • Fax: 386-252-2330
E-mail: [email protected]
Law Offices of
Charles H. Leo
• Auto Accidents
Board Certified in
• Workers’ Compensation
• Social Security Disability
1114 E. Ridgewood Street
Orlando, FL 32803
407-839-1160 • Fax: 407-839-1838
E-mail: [email protected]
www.leotrialgroup.com
Free Consultations
Robert M. Moletteire
Board-certified civil trial lawyer
Graham, Moletteire and Torpy, P.A.
10 Suntree Place
Melbourne, FL 32940
321-253-3405 • Fax: 321-242-6121
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gmttriallaw.com
Mary A. Nardi
Nardi and Nardi, P.A.
• Marital and family law
• Custody • Child support
• Visitation • Domestic violence
Supreme Court Certified Family
Mediator
Orange and Seminole counties
924 Delaney Ave.
Orlando, FL 32806
407-426-8203
www.nardiandnardi.com
Gregg A. Page
Brian W. Bennett
Page, Eichenblatt,
Bernbaum and Bennett, P.A.
Trial Lawyers Committed to
Excellence
• Personal Injury
• Workers’ Compensation
• Medical Malpractice
Board certified in construction law
214 E. Lucerne Circle
Orlando, FL 32801
407-386-1900
E-mail:
greggpage@floridalawonline.com
bbennett@floridalawonline.com
www.floridalawonline.com
Law Office of
Rhonda E. Parnell, LLC
1265 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1249
Winter Park, FL 32792
407-478-2970 • Fax: 407-478-2972
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.attyparnell.com
Robert W. Rasch, P.A.
Employment and labor,
General corporate
201 Live Oak Lane
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
407-865-7473 • Fax: 407-865-5979
E-mail: [email protected]
Rue & Ziffra, P.A.
Personal injury attorneys
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Auto Accidents
• Workers’ Compensation
• Social Security Disability
• Medical Negligence
• Nursing Home Negligence
632 Dunlawton Ave.
Port Orange, FL 32127
386-788-7700
Toll-free: 1-800-526-4711
www.rueziffra.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Law offices of
Camfield and Santomauro
Rodd Michael Santomauro
4740 Dairy Road, Suite 101
Melbourne, FL 32904
321-953-6565 • Fax: 321-953-6557
E-mail: rms@camfieldlaw.com
Linda D. Schoonover
The Law Office of
Linda D. Schoonover, P.A.
Board Certified in
Marital and Family Law
• Estate Planning • Mediations
• Appeals • Probate
1301 S. International Pkwy.
Lake Mary, Fl 32746
407-771-2000 • Fax: 407-771-2001
www.LDSlawfirm.com
TO ADVERTISE YOUR LAW FIRM IN THE FLORIDACatholic
PLEASE CALL
Frank D. Zilaitis
Zilaitis & Curran, P.A.
Auto accidents
Personal injury
Marital/family matters
Criminal defense
1704 Airport Blvd., Suite B
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-768-1107• Fax: 321-768-1558
E-mail: [email protected]
www.zilaitiscurranlaw.com
PAULA HEIDORN AT 1-888-275-9953
ORL A13
A14
AROUND YOUR COMMUNITY
PARISH EVENTS
Healing mission: Nov.
24-28, St. John the Baptist
Parish, Dunnellon, presented by
Father Albert McPherson of the
Augustinian Healing Ministry in
Lawrence, Mass. The progression
of the mission is prayer and
supplication on Sunday; prayer
and reconciliation on Monday;
prayer and healing on Tuesday
and Wednesday.
“Work of Human Hands”
fair-trade sale: Nov. 24, 8:30
a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Nov. 25, 8:30
a.m.–2:30 p.m., Ascension Parish
ministry center, Melbourne.
Handcrafted gifts and specialty
items from skilled artisans from
17 countries. Proceeds benefit
Catholic Relief Services. Call Mary
Kay Kantz, 321-253-4504.
“A Week to Remember”:
Nov. 24-Dec. 2, St. Paul Parish,
family enrichment center,
Leesburg, ecumenical events in
recognition of World AIDS Day
2007. AIDS quilt available for
viewing throughout the week.
Nov. 27, 7 p.m., “An Evening of
Hope” musical concert starring
Father Kent Walker, with freewill donation to benefit local
HIV/AIDS organizations. Nov. 29,
7 p.m., “Reality of AIDS” panel
discussion, including a member
of the Ryan White Foundation,
medical and religious
professionals. Nov. 30, 9-11:30
a.m. and 1-3 p.m., HIV testing
by the Lake County Health
Department; 7 p.m., World AIDS
Day vigil, ecumenical prayer
service. 352-787-6354
“Celebrating God’s Gifts”:
Nov. 25-28, 7 p.m., St. Andrew
Parish, Orlando. Parish mission
with Augustinian Father James
Friedel.
25th-anniversary Mass: Dec.
2, 10:30 a.m., St. Hubert of the
Forest Mission, Astor.
First Friday fish fry dinner:
Dec. 7, 4-8 p.m., St. Anthony
Parish center, Lakeland. Cost:
$6, includes fried fish, two side
dishes, dessert and beverages.
Clam chowder, shrimp and
takeout available. Call 863-8588047.
ABBEY’S
Housekeeping
Introduction Special, $60 for
4 hours of regular cleaning. Schedule
weekly, biweekly, or one time service.
Get a free cleaning, ask us how!
Serving all of Central FL.
407-268-4435
Service with a smile!
50th-anniversary Mass: Dec.
8, 4-5:30 p.m., Good Shepherd
Parish, Orlando.
Closing 50th-anniversary
Mass: Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m., St.
Andrew Parish, Orlando. Bishop
Thomas Wenski will preside.
CONFERENCES/
MEETINGS/
OTHER EVENTS
Living will/advance
directive forum: Dec. 1, 9
a.m.-12:30 p.m., Good Shepherd
Parish, Orlando. Conducted in
English and Spanish, featuring
panel consisting of Catholic
priest, physician and attorney.
Fee: $5, materials and continental
breakfast. Call Terri Surbrook,
407-277-3939.
“Sister’s Christmas
Catechism: The Mystery of the
Magi’s Gold”: Stand-up comedy,
Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., Lake Mirror
Center Auditorium, Lakeland.
Sponsored by St. John Neumann
Parish, Lakeland. Wine tasting
and social gathering, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32, available at: St. John
Neumann Parish office, St. Joseph
Bookstore, and Santa Fe Catholic
High School, all in Lakeland. Call
863-647-3400 or 863-647-5677.
“Were Not Our Hearts
Burning Within Us ... ?” Dec.
8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Nativity Parish,
Longwood. Jack Jezreel, national
speaker and justice educator,
explores the relationship
between spirituality and justice.
Registration: 8:30 a.m. Cost:
$20, includes lunch and snacks.
R.S.V.P.: Diocese of Orlando Office
of Advocacy and Justice, 407-2464819, or e-mail: respectlife@orlan
dodiocese.org.
Rachel’s Vineyard retreat:
Dec. 7-9, Canterbury Retreat and
Conference Center, 1601 Alafaya
Trail, Oviedo. This confidential
post-abortion ministry retreat
offers a safe, nonjudgmental
environment where women
and men find healing and
reconciliation. Cost: donation
only. For more information or to
register: Karen Reilly, 321-6625097, or karenreilly57@gmail.
com. Find scheduled retreats
at www.rachelsvineyard.org or
diocesan Office of Advocacy and
Justice/Respect Life, 407-2464819, toll free 1-877-908-1212.
Christmas concert: Dec. 9,
7:30 p.m., National Shrine of
Mary, Queen of the Universe,
8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando.
Professional choir in residence
will perform a concert of sacred
music from Advent and Christmas
under the direction of Dr. William
Picher, shrine director of music
and organist and shrine brass
ensemble will lead a sing-along.
Florida Catholic
Cost: $9, adults; free for children
under 12. Tickets available at
shrine gift shop and at the
door. 407-239-6600, ext. 38, or
[email protected].
The Helpers of God’s
Precious Infants prayer vigil:
Vigil begins with Mass, followed
by rosary procession to nearby
abortion site. Dec. 15, 8 a.m.,
Mass, St. Mary Magdalen Parish,
Altamonte Springs, with Bishop
Thomas Wenski. Contact: Office
of Advocacy and Justice: 407-2464819 or respectlife@orlandodioc
ese.org.
PRAYER SESSIONS/
MASSES
“Year of Evangelization”:
Dec. 2 (First Sunday of Advent),
10:30 a.m., Cathedral of St.
James, Orlando. Bishop Thomas
Wenski will preside and read the
proclamation declaring the Year
of Evangelization.
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
Fraternity, San Damiano:
Wednesday, Dec. 12, following
9 a.m. Mass, St. Mark Parish,
Summerfield. Contact: Kathryn
Hampel, SFO, 352-750-6334.
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
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. 352-854-5647 or 352-7937071.
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
ORL A14
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 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.
Orange. Peg, 386-677-7089.
Secular Order of the
Servants of Mary (Servite),
Our Lady of Sorrows
Community: Second Fridays, 9:30
a.m., St. Timothy Parish ministry
building, Lady Lake. Secular
Servites are laypeople who
commit themselves by promise to
live the Gospel life of Jesus Christ,
and to deepen the knowledge
and acts of devotion to Mary.
Contact: Donald Siple, SOSM, 352750-4877.
ONGOING
MEETINGS
Msgr. Bishop Knights of
Columbus Council 2112:
Regular business meeting, first
Mondays, 8 p.m., at the council
hall, 5727 Cornelia Ave., Orlando.
Rosary, 7:30 p.m. Meeting is open
to all Knights who have taken
their first degree. Contact: Grand
Knight Bill Mazanec, 407-6782112.
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
fatherjohnwashington1944@yah
oo.com.
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, 863-6888787, or e-mail sirstevetheknight@
earthlink.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. 863686-7153.
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, 407-7569322.
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, 321-7336136.
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.
Building volunteers: The
diocesan Mission Office needs
volunteers to assist with its goal of
building homes in the Dominican
Republic. Several mission trips are
planned for the year. Trained and
untrained are needed. 407-2464890.
VITAS: Would you like to
befriend terminally ill patients,
provide relief for a weary
caregiver, have your pet be
a PetPal, make bereavement
calls, sew, make crafts or help
with administrative work?
407-691-4541 or e-mail central.
fl[email protected].
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
www.thefloridacatholic.org
A15
St. Matthew Parish founding member,
Cypress Gardens legend dies at home
LAURA DODSON
Florida Catholic correspondent
WINTER HAVEN — Richard
Downing “Dick” Pope Jr. was an
accomplished public figure whose
life, work and family were so significant in the community as to make
his death front-page news in local
newspapers. Still, the comments
and compliments shared by those
who knew him speak more of the
deeply spiritual font of his success.
Pope died at home around 10
p.m. Nov. 8 of pancreatic cancer,
according to those newspaper reports. He was 77.
Valeta Orlando, who was on
staff at St. Matthew Parish in Winter Haven for 15 years as director
of religious education and director of liturgy and knows the Pope
family well, said, “Dick Pope was
always extremely gracious. He was
kind and very unassuming. Someone would have to point him out to
you to know who he was. He was
always a very quiet presence, very
generous.”
Born Dec. 12, 1930, on Long Island, N.Y., Pope became a Winter
Haven resident when he was 18
months old.
In 1936, his parents, Julie and
Dick Pope Sr., founded Cypress
Gardens — 223 acres of what would
eventually showcase 8,000 varieties of plants and become Florida’s
oldest theme park. They were also
founding members of St. Matthew
Parish, donating the five acres of
land for the first church that was
built and dedicated March 6, 1977.
Responding to a request from
visiting soldiers, Pope’s mother
gathered children and friends to
create a water show at Cypress Gardens. As a young adolescent, Pope
skied in the first water show at Cypress Gardens and went on to win
national skiing championships as
well as the World Championship
in 1950.
He was an expert at barefoot
skiing, was inducted into the Waterski Hall of Fame in 1989 and the
Polk County Sports Hall of Fame
in 2000. Pope manufactured water
skis and was responsible for innovations to improve the equipment
and standards.
Pope was an avid outdoorsman.
In addition to skiing, he was a fisherman, skeet shooter, hunter and a
pilot.
As president of Cypress Gardens
from his father’s retirement in 1962
to 1985, he was well-respected as
an employer and businessman.
“Dick Pope and his family were
not just Catholics in name only. He
and his family were very much an
active presence in the parish. They
‘In God’s love he is part
of the communion which
is the church.’
Father Fred Ruse
cared very much about the life and
future of the parish. They were very
involved,” Orlando added.
In 1995, with his wife, Frances,
Pope established a scholarship
fund in the name of their deceased
son, Richard D. Pope III, to provide
tuition, books, uniform and a full
scholarship for one St. Matthew
parishioner to attend St. Joseph
Catholic School in Winter Haven.
Upon learning Pope was gravely
ill, Father Fred Ruse, former pastor of St. Matthew Parish, traveled
from the sister Diocese of San Juan
de la Maguana in the Dominican
Republic to be by Pope’s bedside.
He was there when Pope died.
During the closing of the funeral Mass Nov. 13, Father Ruse said,
“Following the words of St. Paul,
‘farewell’ is more the occasion to
‘congratulate’ God for his presence
and action in our lives, especially
as manifested in the life of Dick
Pope.”
Father Ruse continued, “Nothing will separate us from the love
of God, which is an assurance that,
even in this ‘farewell,’ we are not
entering upon the absence from
us of Dick. In God’s love he is part
of the communion which is the
church.”
In addition to his wife of 50
years, Pope is survived by daughters Julie Dantzler and Ann Wood
and their spouses Rick and Allen,
respectively, and granddaughters,
Elizabeth and Margaret Dantzler,
and Paris and Brittany Wood. ■
Tanya Goodman of the Florida
Catholic staff contributed to this
article
FLORIDA CATHOLIC PHOTO BY RANDY HALE
Father Fred Ruse, center, blesses the coffin of Richard Pope at his
funeral Nov. 8. Left, Virginia Morrow holds the vessel of holy water.
CCTN
A ministry of
St. Paul’s Catholic
Church in Leesburg
Richard Downing Pope
Sunday Afternoon
with CCTN
BE THE DIFFERENCE
The Catholic Community
Television Network (CCTN)
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
OF
CENTRAL
FLORIDA
Providing Hope-Building Opportunity
Catholic programming 2-4:30 p.m.
every Sunday on WLCB-TV 45
Schedule for Sunday, November 25
2-3 p.m.
3-3:30 p.m.
3:30-4 p.m.
4-4:30 p.m.
Sunday Mass
Vatican Weekly News
Christopher Closeup
The Field Afar
Other available viewing channels
Bright House, Cox
and Prime Cable ............................ Channel 19
Direct TV .............................................. Channel 45
DONATE YOUR CAR TO A
FAMILY WHO NEEDS IT.
Catholic Charities Automobile Resource Services (CCARS)
Comcast ............................................... Channel 17
Heathrow Cable............................. Channel 66
Decca Cable........................................ Channel 15
TAX DEDUCTION MAY APPLY
1-800-411-0714
ORL A15
If you would like to donate to this ministry, our
address is 1330 Sunshine Ave., Leesburg, FL 34788
A16 YOUR OR�NDO COMMUNITY
Florida Catholic
Nov. 23-Dec. 6, 2007
Year of Evangelization begins
The Diocese of Orlando’s Year of Evangelization officially begins Dec. 2. The year ahead includes
many celebrations of faith, including Festival of Faith, the May 8-10, 2008, celebration at the Orange
County Convention Center. Next year also marks the 40th anniversary of the diocese.
Bishop Thomas Wenski asks the faithful of the diocese to observe the year ahead with gratitude and
to share the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dec. 2 — Year of Evangelization officially
begins
Dec. 2 — First Sunday of Advent
Dec. 8 — Solemnity of Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dec. 25 — Christmas — Nativity of Our
Lord
Jan. 1, 2008 — Solemnity of Mary, Mother
of God; World Peace Day
Jan. 6 — Migration Mass (10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. James)
Jan. 6 — Solemnity of the Epiphany
Jan. 13 — Commemoration of
Martin Luther King Jr. (10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. James)
Jan. 13 — Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Jan. 18 — Morning prayer for Christian unity
(11 a.m. at Chancery)
Feb. 6 — Ash Wednesday
Feb. 10 — Rite of election (3 p.m. at National
Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe )
March 14,15 — Reconciliation Weekend
March 16 — Palm Sunday
March 19 — Chrism Mass (11 a.m. at National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe )
March 20 — Holy Thursday
March 21 — Good Friday
March 22 — Easter Vigil
March 23 — Easter Sunday
March 25 — Solemnity of the Annunciation
of the Lord
March 28 — Stations of the Resurrection
(Cathedral of St. James)
March 30 — Divine Mercy Sunday
April 13 — World Day of Prayer
for Vocations
April 19 — Ordination of transitional
deacons (11 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary)
April 20-23 — Emerging Models of
Leadership National Conference (Rosen
Plaza Hotel)
April 21 — Memorial Mass for Bishop Grady
(11 a.m. at San Pedro Center)
April 25-27 — Orlando Diocesan Council of
Catholic Women celebrate 40th anniversary
(Ocala)
May 2-10 — Diocesewide novena to pray for
successful efforts to serve the Lord, Alive in
Christ
May 4 — Ascension of Our Lord
May 8 — Festival of Faith: opening celebra-
tion of the Eucharist, multicultural procession and a celebration of our patroness,
Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of the
Church (7 p.m. at National Shrine of Mary,
Queen of the Universe )
May 9-10 — Festival of Faith: speakers, liturgies, music, Catholic film fest, expo hall and
many other activities
(Orange County Convention Center South
Concourse)
May 10 — Reception of baptized Christians
into the full communion of the Catholic
Church (5 p.m. at Orange County Convention Center South Concourse, concluding
liturgy of Festival of Faith)
May 11 — Solemnity of Pentecost
May 15 — Diocesan celebration of World
Communications Day (tentatively at Chancery courtroom)
May 17 — Lay commissioning ceremony
(12:30 p.m. at Cathedral of St. James)
May 18 — The Most Holy Trinity
For a complete calendar, visit the
Web site at www.thef loridacatholic.org
The Gift of Life:
An Oblate Gift Annuity
There has rarely been a better time to consider the many
benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity with the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
• Attractive Rates - When you compare the Oblate Gift Annuity
rates with what you might receive from a certificate of deposit or
your money market account, you will be pleasantly surprised.
The Oblates nurture the poor by easing their hunger, sheltering their
bodies, educating their minds, and inspiring their souls to receive God.
• Lifetime Benefit - An Oblate Gift Annuity is an irrevocable gift
that provides fixed income for the rest of your life.
• Payment Rates - Your payment rates are locked in at the time
your contract is completed. Your income will not fluctuate with
the economy’s highs and lows.
With your Oblate Gift Annuity, you make this mission work possible –
while safely securing a lifetime of income for yourself.
• Simple Process - The Oblates provide you with a contract that
is easy to understand. Detailed tax information is supplied at the time
of the contract and a 1099R tax statement is sent annually in January.
Please send me a one-life gift annuity proposal.
Name: _____________________________ Birthdate: ___________
Address: _______________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _______ Zip: ________
Telephone: _____________________________________________
Amount Considered: _____________________________________
E-mail: ________________________________________________
Two-life annuity rates are avilable upon request.
• Inner Satisfaction - You benefit in knowing your gift will eventually
support the ministries of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Please fill out and return the request coupon or call us at
1-800-233-6264 to request a personalized proposal.
FL 11/23/07
ORL A16
Office of Charitable Gifts
9480 North De Mazenod Drive
Belleville, Illinois 62223-1160
www.charitablegifts.org