October 2008
Election novena is alive and very well in Miami
Posted: 10.29.08
DANIEL SOÑÉ | FC
SOUTHWEST RANCHES | People have been gathering every evening at 8 p.m. since Oct 27 in the church’s Rosary Garden of Our Lady to pray for the elections. Participants — young children, teenagers and parents — light candles and pray the Novena for Faithful Citizenship and the rosary.
“We are praying for life, marriage and the family,” said the vigil’s organizer, Bonnie Cangelosi. “I am hoping that the children will remember this and take this into their prayer lives.”
Below, Lourdes Del–Calvo prays with nearly 40 other people at Saint Mark Catholic Church Oct. 28.
DANIEL SOÑÉ | FC
Voting lessons
Posted: 10.24.08
DANIEL SOÑÉ | FC
MIAMI | Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School third grader, Steven Mendoza, reviews his selections on his sample ballot.
Organized by the school’s social studies teacher, Jose Velazquez, students in third through eighth grade at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School had the opportunity to experience voting Oct. 21, using different ballots but the same scanners used in Miami–Dade polling precincts. “Experiences like this help reinforce the importance of their civic duties. So, when they grow up they will be well–formed in that area,” Velazquez said.
Below, Third–grader, Francisco Beron–Vera, drops his sample ballot into a box as he and other students get a closer look at the official voting machines for this election.
DANIEL SOÑÉ | FC
Archdiocesan museum of history opens
Posted: 10.14.08
ANA RODRIGUEZ–SOTO | FC
MIAMI GARDENS | Archbishop John C. Favalora stands next to the papal bull establishing the Archdiocese of Miami in 1968 during his pre–dedication tour of the Archbishop John C. Favalora Archives and Museum at St. Thomas University Oct. 2. The museum, located on the second floor of the university’s main library, is now the official repository and archive for the archdiocese’s historical records, memorabilia and photographs. Pedro Figueredo, a St. Thomas University professor who has spent most of the past year collecting the materials and designing the museum exhibit, said the university will encourage children to visit the museum so that they can learn about their Catholic roots.
Celebrating the ‘green’
Posted: 10.08.08
MARLENE QUARONI | FC
SOUTHWEST RANCHES | Shirley Sandusky, principal of St. Mark School, reacts to getting “slimed” by Father Edmond Whyte, St. Mark’s pastor. Father Whyte promised to let himself be “slimed” if students met their third annual walk–a–thon goal of $28,000. In fact, they raised $30,000, said Sandusky, so Father Whyte, a native of Ireland, submitted to “wearin’ the green” at a school assembly Sept. 19. “Father Whyte has been a priest for 45 years. He has a big heart and always makes good on his promises,” said Sandusky.
Dedicated musicians play at dedication and blessing
Posted: 10.08.08
DANIEL SOÑÉ | FC
FORT LAUDERDALE | Left to right, flute players Victoria Dennis, Alex Deakins and Lauren Fruy, members of The Maverick Sound, play “Rock & Roll All Night” by KISS for Archbishop John C. Favalora after the dedication Mass and blessing of Archbishop McCarthy High School’s new performing arts center Oct. 1. The multi purpose, 24,230 square foot facility is home to an auditorium with seating for 1450, a dining room that seats 580, a theater–size stage with understage storage, state of the art lighting and sound, and a catering kitchen.
Bienes Center for the Arts at St. Thomas High is dedicated
Posted: 10.08.08
MARLENE QUARONI | FC
FORT LAUDERDALE | Archbishop John C. Favalora walks through the atrium of the Bienes Center for the Arts at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale while blessing the building Sept. 24. Faculty, students and founding donors, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bienes, Mr. and Mrs. Damon DeSantis and Mr. and Mrs. Manny Velar were present for the dedication.
MARLENE QUARONI | FC
FORT LAUDERDALE | The Bienes Center for the Arts at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale is a 30,000–square–foot building featuring a black box theater with seating for 270 for stage and film productions, both student and professional. The theater is set to open with a student production of “Cinderella” in October. In addition, the facility has a rehearsal studio and multipurpose founder’s room for receptions and meetings.
‘Seek First the Kingdom of God’
Posted: 10.01.08
ANA RODRIGUEZ–SOTO | FC
MIAMI | Dora Calero kisses the ring of Archbishop John C. Favalora as she receives her Primum Regnum Dei medal during solemn vespers service at St. Mary Cathedral Sept. 28. The archbishop conferred the medal, the archdiocese’s highest award, to 174 south Florida Catholics “who have especially witnessed to the faith and served the local parish.” See: Average Catholics, extraordinary service for the complete story and additional photographs.