ORLANDO | Her motto, frequently spoken to inspire others is “to work is to pray.” For 64 years, Rita Billingsley, a parishioner of Ascension Parish in Melbourne, has worked and prayed tirelessly for and with women, priests and bishops of …
Seminarians learn to be healers of the heart
The family that prays together, stays together
VIERA | The family that prays together, stays together. The phrase was coined by Venerable Father Patrick Peyton, the Holy Cross priest who created The Family Theater Productions in 1947. Healed from tuberculosis after asking the Virgin Mary for that …
Assignment teaches seminarian how to be a priest
Part two of a three part series. Read part one.
ORLANDO | Imagine being invited to dinner and offered a smorgasbord of delicacies to tantalize your palate. That’s how seminarian Josué Reyes Díaz describes his summer assignment at …
Immersion project offers hands-on look at serving the needy
Part one of a three-part series.
ORLANDO | Every summer seminarians for the Diocese of Orlando receive different assignments based on their stage of formation. Over the next several weeks, Florida Catholic will follow different seminarians as they share their …
Refugee student receives scholarship
ORLANDO | By age 14, the Colombian guerillas threatened Gerardine H.’s family. Her father and brother received death threats. After a tumultuous year, living with relatives and trying to plan for their safety, her parents moved the family to Ecuador …
Military chaplains share ministry of presence
ORLANDO | The moniker of “Soldiers of Christ” is sometimes used for priests. It is especially fitting for priests who bring Christ to soldiers.
According to a report offered by the Orange County (Calif.) Catholic, fewer than 200 active-duty Catholic …
Couple hopes path of marriage leads to heaven
Bishop John Noonan will celebrate Mass for Marriage at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. During the annual Mass there will be a renewal of vows. Below is a story of one couple’s journey …
Program helps form priests to serve the poor
ORLANDO | Austin Adams and Josué Reyes Díaz arrived at Catholic Charities of Central Florida early on one cold morning. The line for food was already forming.
Both men are seminarians for the Diocese of Orlando. Adams is a parishioner …
Catholic diocesan schools give in hurricane relief efforts
ORLANDO | When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit, Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Orlando didn’t hesitate to step up and help.
Despite many of their own families dealing with storm-related challenges, students, teachers and families rallied together, finding meaningful …