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Bishop Dewane reflects on the Florida Catholic’s place in your faith, your life, your communityPosted: 09.25.09 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In celebration of the Florida Catholic’s 70th year of covering your faith, your life and your community and in anticipation of the newspaper’s annual Florida Catholic Sunday campaign weekend Oct. 31–Nov. 1, Bishop Frank J. Dewane answers a few questions about why you should subscribe to your diocesan newspaper. YOUR LIFEQ: As publisher of the Florida Catholic what is it you believe the publication gives to local Catholics that they can’t get from other sources and how do you hope the faithful will use what they learn in their everyday lives? A: The Catholic faithful need a source of information on the Church, her teachings the message of the Holy Father, etc. The Florida Catholic stories provide an update regularly on these topics and on the way these teachings affect their daily lives. As our DIOCESAN newspaper, the Florida Catholic also defends, fosters, and spreads the Catholic faith and Catholic culture. An example of this can be found in stories about parish celebrations of feast days of saints, such as with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This celebration in Wauchula attracted more than 2,000 people and without the Diocesan newspaper coverage, others would never have learned about this special day, and more importantly they would never have realized the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe to an important part of our Diocese. YOUR FAITHQ: What can local Catholics learn about their faith and the Universal Church in the Florida Catholic? A: When issues are debated on a national level, it is critical that the Catholic voice be heard clearly and strongly. An opportunity is provided to present the Catholic teaching on an issue while making clear certain basic non–negotiable moral principles impacting that same issue. This is done in a way that cannot be found in the secular press. The Florida Catholic can also be a teaching vehicle by covering other international and local issues important to the Catholic culture. Reporting on Masses and events for Respect Life, genocide in Darfur, Peace and Justice issues, and for those who have been exploited, each serve to illuminate and explain how our Catholic faith communities can address these issues. The reported observation of the faith; to administer the sacraments, school activities, parish events and much more. At the beginning of the academic year, the uniqueness and celebration of the educational programs provided your community is recognized. YOUR COMMUNITYQ: How does the Florida Catholic contribute to building a sense of community among Catholics throughout the large and diverse Diocese of Venice? A: His Holiness Benedict XVI told the world media in his World Communications Day Message this year that the greatest gift they can give to the world is to share with everyone the “Good News” of a God who became man, who suffered, died and rose again to save all people. Here at the Florida Catholic and the Diocese of Venice we strive to do that. Our Holy Father added “human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: May you become its heralds! The Pope accompanies you with his prayers and his blessing.” The presence of the Florida Catholic in the Diocese is a sharing of the faith, a way to overcome isolation by bringing men and women together to become a community at every level of the Catholic Church. Celebrations and events put a spotlight on parish life and in the Diocese of Venice. At the parish level, picnics, galas, dances and special Masses commemorating anniversaries also reach to the core of what the Florida Catholic has to share. During this “Year of Celebration,” commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese of Venice, dozens of event were covered, including the opening Mass, deacon ordinations, men’s and women’s conferences, and a youth rally. Each of these stories serve as a unifying measure for all in the Diocese. n For subscription information, attend Mass at your parish the weekend of Oct. 31–Nov. 1, call toll free, 1–888–275–9953 or subscribe online HERE. Sincerely yours in Christ,
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