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For a third year, Catholic Charities of Central Florida’s Refugee Resettlement Program partnered with the social work department at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to offer hands-on experience demonstrating difficulties faced by refugees. The refugee simulation on April 17th, offered a glimpse into life as a refugee. In the first station, the participant is … Continue reading “Community experiences life of as a refugee”

On April 19, 2010, the Lord called Bishop William D. Borders home to his eternal rest. Today we remember the humble, kind and courageous first bishop of the Diocese of Orlando whose Episcopal Motto was “Auscultabo Ut Serviam / I will listen, that I may serve.” Bishop Borders served the Diocese of Orlando from 1968-1974. … Continue reading “Remembering our first bishop”

How do we build better family relationships? Dr. David Thomas, an expert in the field of Catholic family life and the general editor of the RCL Benziger Family Life series shares 10 tips: Speak with each other regularly and with respect. Eat together whenever possible. Take a conscious interest in what each person does and … Continue reading “Building up family”

After her marriage ended due to domestic violence, Tracey Mahoney says she was even afraid for anyone to take her picture for fear that her abuser would see it and try to contact her again.  Now, she is helping women from abusive relationships find the healing that she found, through a ministry called Sisters of … Continue reading “Sisters of Strength group supports survivors of domestic violence”

For 51 years, St. Theresa Parish in Belleview has served the needs of its community through their soup kitchen/food pantry and social services ministries. On March 28, ground was broken on a new 3,765 square foot facility that will open by the end of September with absolutely no “down time” in service. Both the soup … Continue reading “St. Theresa’s breaks ground on soup kitchen”

On May 26, Bishop John Noonan will ordain Deacons Matthew Hawkins and Blake Britton to the Order of Priesthood at 10 a.m. at St. James Cathedral in Orlando. The two men share their vocation stories and their journey to the priesthood. Matthew Hawkins was born in Miami, but considers himself an Orlando native. His family … Continue reading “Transitional deacons prepare for Ordination”

The Second Harvest Food Bank truck rolled in and Catholic Charities staff and volunteers began to unload almost 24,000 pounds of food. It was April 3 and the tenth mobile food drop since Catholic Charities of Central Florida began to offer food through mobile drops for those in need at their Orlando location once per … Continue reading “Volunteer moved by Catholic Charities food drops”

It’s the fulfillment of a dream and will be the inspiration for many yet unimagined ideas to come. Melbourne Central High School (MCC) in Melbourne has begun construction of its state-of-the-art Dream Laboratory opening to students in the fall. “The inspiration for the Dream Lab came from focus groups who wanted the school to provide … Continue reading “Dream Lab construction starts at MCC”

19-year-old Ziesha goes to work at Lowes Distribution Center with a smile on her face, eager to meet new people and work with her team. Like many adults with developmental disabilities, the prospect of employment was uncertain for Zeisha, until participation in Project SEARCH gave her the skills and confidence she needed to succeed. Zeisha … Continue reading “Project SEARCH helps students with special needs find success”

College sophomore Kalley Koch was on vacation in Florida when she felt God inviting her to serve him in a more profound way. After months of prayer and research, she came across the website for Catholic Volunteers in Florida and knew in her heart it was where God was calling her. “The world told me … Continue reading “Catholic volunteers in Florida embark on “unexpected adventure””

St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boca Raton was filled with family and friends who came to see 13 seminarians from throughout Florida be ordained transitional deacons, including the Diocese of Orlando’s own Derek Saldanha. Each year, the bishops of the Florida dioceses alternate as presiders. As Bishop Felipe Estevez of the Diocese of St. … Continue reading “Saldanha ordained Transitional Deacon”

Pope Francis continued his catechesis on Baptism at the Wednesday General Audience on April 18, 2018 inviting parents and godparents to teach children to make the sign of the cross correctly. He said the priest and parents trace the sign of the cross on the child during the Baptismal liturgy to express “the imprint of … Continue reading “Pope Francis: ‘Sign of cross reminder of Baptism’”

Christopher J. Motz. Executive Director of the South Dakota Catholic Conference shares thoughts from the recent Catholic Rural Life conference “A Noble Vocation: Integrating Faith, Food and the Environment.” “The rural family needs to regain its rightful place at the heart of the social order.” Why? I’ve been pondering these insistent words written by Pope … Continue reading “The Return of the Rural Family”

More from the Office of Advocacy and Justice e-newsletter – April 18, 2018