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Understanding the Catholic Church
The word "catholic" means "universal," in the sense of "according to the totality" or "in keeping with the whole." The Church is catholic in a double sense:
First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. "Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church." In her, subsists the fullness of Christ's body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him "the fullness of the means of salvation" which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession.
The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be so until the day of the Parousia. Catechism of the Catholic Church #830
Bishops
What is a bishop?
A bishop is the highest order of the three degrees of Holy Orders; a bishop is normally ordained to teach, sanctify and to govern a diocese or local church.
What does it mean to say the Catholic Church is “apostolic”?
The Church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles, who were chosen by Christ himself. The entire community of Christians received the Apostles’ proclamation of the Gospel and so the Church in her entirety is called “apostolic.” A bishop is a successor of the Apostles.
What does a bishop do?
Each bishop works in his particular diocese or territory in a priestly shepherding and teaching role. He possesses the fullness of the priesthood and so is the principal celebrant of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, by which the Church grows in holiness and union with Christ. He is also the chief shepherd of the diocese and so is responsible for compassionate and loving governance of the people entrusted to him. And he is the chief teacher of his diocese, responsible for authentic proclamation of the Gospel.
Who is the Pope?
The pope is the successor of St. Peter, who was chosen by Christ to lead the Apostles. The pope serves as the Bishop of Rome and as the visible and juridical head of the Catholic Church.
Source: United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Current Information and Map of the Diocese of Orlando
The Diocese of Orlando has 80 parishes and 12 missions that serve over 400,000 Catholics through the administration of the Sacraments, the sharing of the Word of God and through the many and varied diocesan ministries. The ministry of this Diocese touches every city and town in nine counties, encompassing 9,611.11 square miles.
The Diocese of Orlando seeks to build the Kingdom of God through the efforts of dedicated clergy, lay leaders and countless people who generously share their time, talent and treasure in wonderful abundance with those in need.
History of the Diocese of Orlando
A TIME FOR GROWTH
The Diocese of Orlando celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008. Forty years of growing our Catholic community with new churches, new schools and religious formation. Forty years of leading others to a new experience of holiness and greater knowledge of God. Forty years of sharing our blessings and selflessly giving to all those in need. Forty years of Faith! Click here (hyper text to history below) for the history of the Diocese of Orlando.
To watch a DVD about the history of the Diocese of Orlando, click here.
THE EARLY YEARS
There is a long history of Catholicism in Florida that precedes the formation of the Diocese of Orlando. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers searching for untold riches in the new world found the Florida peninsula, which they claimed for Spanish royalty. They worked to form missions and build churches to celebrate and practice their devout Catholic faith.
In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine was formed and, for nearly a century, presided over the entire state of Florida.
Joseph Patrick Hurley was Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Augustine, beginning in 1940. He predicted the future of Florida Catholic growth and initiated a comprehensive plan of real estate procurement for parishes.
In 1958, as the population started to increase around Miami, the southern half of Florida became its own Catholic territory, the Diocese of Miami.
Ten years later, population numbers justified another split and the central part of Florida became the Diocese of Orlando on June 18, 1968.
FOUR BISHOPS
Four Bishops have guided the Diocese of Orlando during its 40 year history, directing the remarkable growth and serving as spiritual leaders to the thousands who flock to the area.
BISHOP WILLIAM BORDERS
Between 1968 and 1974, Bishop William Borders chartered new ground as he formed the structure necessary to organize a brand new diocese. Parish councils and education boards were created. There was the first ever participation of laity as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. A Sisters’ Council was formed to provide support and camaraderie to diocesan nuns. A migrant ministry was launched and a campus ministry program commenced which received national acclaim.
BISHOP THOMAS GRADY
Between 1974 and 1990, Bishop Thomas Grady was shepherd of the diocese during a period of impressive growth. Eighteen new parishes were established and a tourism ministry was born.
In 1975, Bishop Grady recognized the need to minister to the tourist population and named the pastor of Orlando’s Holy Family parish, Father Joseph Harte, to become the area’s first tourist minister. In 1979 plans were well under way for the place of worship which would be named under the patronage of Mary, Queen of the Universe. On December 8, 1984, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, ground was broken for the first phase of construction. Within two years, the initial facility was completed.
Bishop Grady also oversaw the establishment of San Pedro Spiritual Development Center, a place of prayer and renewal for Catholics. It is a place apart from the noise and demands of daily life and a perfect space for those seeking time to deepen and enhance their relationship with God.
Bishop Grady displayed concern for all people inside and outside the boundaries of our diocese. In 1983 he established a Mission Office to forge a relationship with a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic.
BISHOP NORBERT DORSEY
Between 1990 and 2004, Bishop Norbert Dorsey continued to add parishes and schools, as well as expand the ministry to the growing Hispanic community by establishing Spanish radio and health clinics for migrant and farm workers. During his tenure, he presided over a diocese that nearly doubled, growing from 230,000 parishioners to 400,000.
Bishop Dorsey initiated a very special project to provide a safe and caring environment for adults who are intellectually and developmentally disabled.
Bishop Grady Villas residential community sits on eleven acres of Florida’s natural habitat nestled in St. Cloud. The project took about 10 years from vision to reality and is named after Bishop Thomas Grady, who authored a prayer and mission statement for the organization, as well as helped with the design of the complex.
To honor the memories of deceased priests and recognizing the sacrifices they make to serve, Bishop Dorsey established a cemetery for priests located at San Pedro Center.
A remarkable event planned under Bishop Dorsey’s leadership was a diocesan wide Confirmation held at the Orlando Arena in 1996. Eleven thousand people gathered together for this special celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. On this memorable day, Catholics came together from near and far to show their unity and passion for their faith.
In 2001, under Bishop Dorsey’s direction, the historic post office on Robinson Street in downtown Orlando was purchased to house the growing Chancery offices. The diocese had previously owned that property and it was the site of Orlando’s first Catholic school. The property was sold due to financial necessity during the Depression. The 2001 purchase placed Diocesan offices right next door to the Cathedral of St. James.
BISHOP THOMAS WENSKI
In July of 2003, the Holy Father appointed Thomas Wenski as the first Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando. Between November 13, 2004 and June 1, 2010, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski served as bishop of the Diocese of Orlando.
Bishop Wenski was the first Florida-born bishop of the Diocese of Orlando and previously served in the Archdiocese of Miami. He brought to the Diocese a strong record of social justice and spiritual advocacy on behalf of immigrants and the poor.
In 2004, Bishop Wenski convoked the first-ever synod for the Diocese of Orlando. The synod was a coming together of Catholics from throughout Central Florida to discern their most pressing issues.
Listening sessions were held with Bishop Wenski so that he could hear from a diverse group of Catholics about their concerns and hopes for the future.
Bishop Wenski designated 2008 as the “Year of Evangelization,” putting a greater emphasis on deepening the faith of all people.
The highlight of the Year of Evangelization was a celebration event, the “Festival of Faith” held May 8-10.
On April 20th, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the fourth Archbishop of Miami and Metropolitan of the Province of Miami (which includes the seven dioceses of the State of Florida).
He was installed as Archbishop in Miami on June 1, 2010.
In addition to English, Bishop Wenski speaks Haitian Creole and Spanish fluently and preaches and celebrates Mass regularly in both languages.
BISHOP JOHN NOONAN
Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of the Most Reverend John Noonan as bishop of the Diocese of Orlando effective October 23, 2010.
Bishop Noonan was ordained to the episcopacy on August 24, 2005 at the Cathedral of St. Mary,
Bishop Noonan succeeds Most Reverend Thomas Wenski who led the Diocese of Orlando between November 13, 2004 and June 1, 2010.
Bishop Noonan was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Orlando on December 16, 2010 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
In August of 2010, Bishop Noonan accompanied over 60 young adults, clergy, seminarians and others to Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day. On January 2, 2011, Bishop Noonan established the Our Lady of Fatima Haitian Mission in Orlando. Bishop Noonan and Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami blessed the new mission and hundreds of Haitians attended the celebration. The new mission was a long time prayer of this community that desired their own spiritual home. The Mass will be celebrated there daily in Creole or French, both native languages of Haiti.
CATHOLICS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
As a thriving and growing community of Catholic faithful, the Diocese of Orlando represents many cultural and ethnic groups, believers of all ages, income levels and education. But they all are united in the universal Catholic Church.
Catholics call Central Florida home but the Catholic Church is their spiritual home where they share God’s love, experience the sacraments, serve the needy and encourage the distressed. Most of all, Catholics come together for Mass to meet our Savior at the table of the Lord, grow in our relationship with Christ, lead others to holiness and share our blessings. In addition to English, Mass is celebrated in seven foreign languages: Portuguese, Filipino, Spanish, Polish, Korean, Vietnamese and Creole.
