WILDWOOD | When Leidy Rivas, director of the Culture of Life Office at Catholic Charities of Central Florida, was invited to attend the Finishing Life Faithfully seminar at St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood Nov. 24, 2025, she immediately agreed.
Rivas said the event was the fruit of a wonderful collaboration between Michael Lepore, parish Culture of Life ministry chair, and Paul Malley, president of Five Wishes with the Aging with Dignity organization. It was also an opportunity to present Lepore with the 2025 Culture of Life Award.
Inspired by the talks presented during the 2024 Culture of Life Conference in Orlando, Lepore approached pastor Father Kenny Aquino with the idea of launching a Culture of Life ministry. He then reached out to Rivas for guidance and support.
“Earlier this year he was led by the Holy Spirit to host this first-ever seminar at his parish. With Father Kenny Aquino’s support, they organized this seminar that welcomed 200 participants, a true testament to the hunger for this message,” Rivas said. “Father Aquino offered a beautiful explanation of the Sacraments of Healing and clarified the difference between Last Rites and the Anointing of the Sick. His pastoral approach, combined with joyful humor, was warmly received by all. I shared with those gathered how truly blessed they are, not only with a wonderful pastor, but with a parish community open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and committed to bringing the Gospel of Life to those who need it most.”
Rivas acknowledged Lepore’s leadership and dedication, indicating how his efforts inspired in her an even “deeper call to continue inviting, encouraging, and supporting our parish Culture of Life leaders as they carry out similar initiatives within their own communities and across our diocese.”
She honored his dedication by giving him the 2025 Culture of Life Award. “His dedication has set a powerful example for others,” she said.
Staff Report, December 04, 2025
