November 21, 2009 |
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November 2009 Father Gregory Parkes appointed vicar generalPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | Bishop Thomas Wenski is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Gregory Parkes, J.C.L., as vicar general of the Diocese of Orlando. Father Parkes assumed this role Nov. 1. He serves along with Msgr. Patrick Caverly who has served as vicar general of the Diocese of Orlando since 1992. Father Parkes was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 1999, by Bishop Norbert Dorsey. He attended the North American College in Rome from 1996 to 2000 where he earned a licentiate degree in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University. After returning to the Diocese of Orlando, Father Parkes was assigned as parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Orlando, where he served from 2000 to 2004. In addition, he was appointed Defender of the Bond and served in the Marriage Tribunal during this same period. Father Parkes will continue to serve as diocesan chancellor of canonical affairs and parochial administrator of Corpus Christi Parish in Celebration. New vicar for religiousPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | Bishop Thomas Wenski appointed Dominican Sister Rosemary Hickmann vicar for religious of the Diocese of Orlando, effective Oct. 26. She will serve as the bishop’s representative to the various religious communities, which live and minister within the diocese. Sister Hickmann will continue to serve as associate superintendent of schools. Sister Hickmann came to the Diocese of Orlando as associate superintendent of schools specializing in staff development in July 1997. Prior to this, she was director of education for the Diocese of Gary, Ind., from 1989 to 1997. Sister Hickmann served as a teacher and school administrator in several dioceses and received masters’ degrees in educational leadership and pastoral studies. Catholic Charities' Polk County regional director leavesPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | Jackie Reycraft, Polk County regional director for Catholic Charities of Central Florida Inc., is leaving to concentrate full time on completing a Ph.D. During her two years of leadership, Reycraft partnered with United Way of Central Florida and other key community agencies, implementing CCCF’s strategic plan to better serve the needy in the area. Working with director Katrina Pelham, the Agape Food Bank distributed a remarkable 4.1 million pounds of food to the hungry in the tri-county area of Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties with the assistance of 228 member agencies. In addition to the expansion of emergency food services and Lake Morton Senior Center, Reycraft has made a substantial impact on the quality and quantity of services for women, children and families including counseling, adoptions (which have tripled in number this past year), life-skills training, character development and transitional living programs for the homeless. Thanksgiving ecumenical choirPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | “Sing Praise” — the Indiana initiative which seeks to bring Christians of all backgrounds together, around the world, to worship and praise God through well-known as well as newly composed hymns and spiritual songs — has taken root in Florida. “Thanksgiving Sing Praise” will take place at St Ann Parish in Haines City on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. Dr. Cormac O’Duffy, director of music ministries, said: “Coming together creates such joy, fun and freedom. It would seem like we are doing what the Lord would want and indeed asked for of his followers, which we are today. The spin-offs seem to make it more than worthwhile, though the aim of ‘Sing Praise’ is simply to worship together. When we do that, it seems to have a chain reaction in the community of believers, giving us new insight and motivation to be all that Christ wants us to be. Imagine if this simple idea of worshipping together were to break out across America? What would be the further results? God is good.” For more information, call 863-421-3808 or e-mail cormacoduffy@gmail.com. Why Catholic? information sessions beginPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | The Diocese of Orlando will offer information sessions Dec. 3 and 4 for priests and appointed parish representatives to introduce the new evangelization and education program, Why Catholic? The Why Catholic? process of evangelization and adult faith formation from RENEW International will be the cornerstone of the synod’s evangelization efforts. For more information visit www.orlandodiocese.org and click on Why Catholic? Annual Christmas concert at basilicaPosted: 11.19.09 ORLANDO | This year, the annual Christmas concert of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe will include not only classical Advent and Christmas songs for choir, but also organ, brass and percussion music. The basilica’s annual open house will precede the concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, the “Gloria” by John Rutter will be featured, and a sing-along will conclude the festivities. “We hope the concert will make the birth of Our Lord and the magnificat of Our Lady come alive in people’s hearts through this music,” said Dr. William Picher, director of music ministries. The basilica is located at 8300 Vineland Ave. in Orlando. Tickets are $10 and will be available in advance at the Basilica Gift Shop and also at the door. For more information, call 407-239-6600, ext. 317; or e-mail music@maryqueenoftheuniverse.org. Knights choose Jalen Singleton as first ‘athlete of the month’LAURA DODSON 
COURTESY PHOTO ORLANDO | Jalen Singleton may bear the number “2” on his Bishop Moore football jersey, but Nov. 2 he was recognized as the first “athlete of the month” by the Holy Family Parish Knights of Columbus Council 11488 in Orlando. Principal Maureen Kane and Mike Malatesta, athletic director, selected Jalen, a senior at Bishop Moore, for his superior skills both on and off the field. He has played football all four years and has been a member of the basketball, track and weightlifting teams. Both agree he is a good student, teammate and has superior leadership qualities. During the Oct. 23 homecoming victory against Frostproof Middle-Senior High School, Jalen had 164 yards rushing on 17 carries. “Jalen has not only performed well on the field,” shared Malatesta, “he has been a model of consistency for the team. He works hard, and although small in stature, he makes up for all that with his heart.” The Knights council developed the program to recognize athletes of good standing in scholarship and faith — hoping other students will be inspired by their examples. Shepherd’s house for homeless women and children opensPosted: 11.03.09 ORLANDO | Catholic Charities of Central Florida Inc. will officially open new housing for homeless women and their children in east Orlando. Bishop Thomas Wenski will bless the program and resident housing known as Shepherd’s House at 5528 Charleston St., on Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m. The Shepherd’s House program has eight duplex apartments that will accommodate up to 16 mothers with children ages 8 or younger for six months, including a larger facility, Shepherd’s Common, that will act as a life-skill training facility and community center when it opens in the new year. The original program, known as Shepherd’s Promise, was established 13 years ago in 1996 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. When the program closed in 2008, Catholic Charities obtained the properties to establish a new program and continue the mission. Donations of finances, skilled labor for repair work and like-new household items (towels, sheets, Graco Pack ’N Play), clothing for women, young children and infants (including disposable diapers and formula) are needed for the Shepherd’s House Program. To donate, please call 1-888-658-2828 or 407-658-1818. Having a ballPosted: 11.03.09 
TERESA PETERSON | FC ORLANDO | Last month the diocese hosted the sixth annual Harvest Ball. The event is the major fundraiser for Bishop Grady Villas, a Christian residential group home in St. Cloud for adults (18 years and older) who are intellectually and developmentally disabled. Carol Brinati, director of communications and secretary of evangelization for the Diocese of Orlando, and Randy Means, executive director of the State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit, received the 2009 Lifetime Legacy Award during the ball. For more than 15 years, the husband-and-wife team have provided leadership for the planning, design, capital campaign and construction of the Villas. At various times, Means and Brinati each have served as chair of the board of directors Holy Redeemer School lifts prayers into the airPosted: 10.23.09 
CHARLES HODGES | FC Bishop: Proposed San Pedro expansion respects God’s creationPosted: 10.07.09 Bishop Thomas Wenski announced Sept. 30 the filing with Seminole County of a request to rezone the 470 acres encompassing San Pedro Spiritual Retreat Center in Winter Park. The request provides for future growth of the center, expansion of the existing cemetery and an age-restricted residential village. The project design respects the natural environment and will offer generous landscaped and natural buffers for perimeters; walking trails throughout the property, according to the announcement. The National Association of Home Builders says 40 percent of U.S. households will be 55 years or older by 2012. The diocese sees a growing need for safe housing and care for its aging population. If approved, the residential village will include independent-living units, assisted-living facilities, a skilled nursing facility and a town center to meet specific retail needs of the community. “It is my hope that this request fills the spiritual needs of our Catholic community and their families through the expansion of the existing cemetery and also serves the growing, senior central Florida community by providing them an opportunity to age in place through space for safe housing, social and pastoral support, and continued care,” Bishop Wenski said. RETURN TO TOP | RETURN TO DIOCESE OF ORLANDO FRONT PAGE
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