FLORIDA Catholic
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FLORIDAWWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | October 2011 Catholic YOUR FAITH. YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMMUNITY. OF MIAMI No matter what, ‘Towering’ the is CHURCH THERE Florida Catholic bureau editor Ana Rodriguez-Soto offers a glimpse of life in the Third World nation where there is heartbreaking need and achievement uplifting dignity. See stories, more photos, Pages 10-11. St. Thomas University marks its golden jubilee with new tower, kickoff Mass ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO you to campus,” explained Msgr. Florida Catholic staff Casale. He said the first most-often asked MIAMI GARDENS | To mark its question is, “Where is the campus?” 50th anniversary, St. Thomas Uni- The second is, “What is on that versity built itself a tower to show beautiful piece of land off the Pal- passersby on the busy Palmetto metto?” Expressway “that this is a special Both problems are now solved, place,” according to the university’s thanks to the tower that was built president, Msgr. Franklyn Casale. in six weeks and dedicated Sept. 21. “People always ask because there’s not a real big sign that draws PLEASE SEE ST. THOMAS , 15 Flanked by his priest-secretary, Father Richard Vigoa, right, Top left, Sister Jacqueline Louissaint sits in the chapel of Moulin surrounded by the school’s children. Archbishop Thomas Wenski blesses the 50th-anniversary tower Above right, students in Guichard pose for a picture; from left are Ycleff, 3, Chiglet Lhedledat, 8, and Sept. 21 on the edge of St. Thomas’ campus, clearly visible from the Vladina Josue, 7. At bottom left, Ronel Dorgile, sacristan of the chapel in Guichard, part of the parish Palmetto Expressway. (ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC) of St. Louis du Nord, sits with his son, 3-year-old Mackenley. (PHOTOS BY ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC) Life’s ‘heroes’ honored heroes have been struggling to de- anecdote with the group, about re- istry in December 2006. Hollywood Mass fend the sanctity of human life from ceiving a picture of a little boy in his “Your prayers and unrelent- womb to tomb. white Communion outfit along with ing dedication to the unborn have marks more than “This evening we gather to cel- a thank-you note from his mother helped me to keep going all these ebrate an amazing call which each for being there when she needed years and I want to thank you,” she 30 years of respect of us has received by God — to pro- support. told the volunteers. tect human life, especially the most “There are so many gifts we have The ministry’s work on behalf of life work in the vulnerable among us,” Joan Crown received, so much grace showered human life extends from offering told a loyal group of volunteers upon us, because we have respond- educational workshops on each of archdiocese gathered at Little Flower Church in ed in a positive way to this call. the life issues to reaching out to men Hollywood Sept. 23 for a Mass com- Because of these graces, we have a and women who have suffered from ANNE DIBERNARDO Joan Crown, respect life director, Florida Catholic correspondent memorating more than 30 years of deeper understanding and appre- a past abortion; from providing en- presents Father Thomas O’Dwyer respect life ministry in the archdio- ciation for this great gift of human richment programs for new parents with “Potter’s Masterpiece” as an cese. life,” said Crown, a longtime respect to putting on an annual program, acknowledgment of his steadfast HOLLYWOOD | They don’t wear Crown, archdiocesan director of life worker who succeeded Father support for the cause of human capes, but for 30 years these real life the ministry, also shared a touching Jordi Rivero as director of the min- PLEASE SEE LIFE, 6 life. (ANNE DIBERNARDO | FC) MIA 1 2 YOUR MIAMI COMMUNITY Florida Catholic October 2011 Retired Bishop Gilberto Fernandez, 76, dies ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO brother and as a bishop. You preach spiritual director of the seminary, of the Florida Catholic staff the Gospel. But the most important the year before he was named aux- thing is that you live the Gospel. You iliary bishop. MIAMI | Humble, gentle, “a true live the Sermon on the Mount.” Someone once described the Christian gentleman” — that is how Bishop John G. Noonan of Or- bishop as “a true Christian gentle- people who worked with retired Mi- lando, former auxiliary bishop of man,” Father Vallee recalled. He ami Auxiliary Bishop Gilberto Fer- the Miami Archdiocese, worked said it was the best description of a nandez will remember him. with Bishop Fernandez when then- man who was “unerringly gracious, Bishop Fernandez, 76, died Sept. Father Noonan served as rector of kind and gentle.” 30 after a long illness. St. John Vianney College Seminary. True to those traits, Bishop Fer- “He was my twin,” said Archbish- “I lived and worked with Bishop nandez really enjoyed his time at op Thomas Wenski, alluding to the Fernandez and came to know him San Pablo Church in Marathon, “a fact that both were ordained togeth- as a man of simplicity whose faith small little parish that he could run er as auxiliary bishops on Sept. 3, in God was reflected in his love for like a family,” Father Vallee said. “I 1997. “He retired due to illness less people, music and the beauty of think he would have stayed there than five years after being ordained all creation,” Bishop Noonan said. the rest of his life.” a bishop, but his long illness was a “Despite the many difficulties and Instead, his next assignment cross that he embraced and offered hardships he faced in his life he al- was at the sprawling, fast-paced St. for the Church of Miami. We trust ways saw only hope and goodness.” Kevin, where he could not be as in- that he will continue to pray for us Although Bishop Gerald M. Bar- timately involved with the parish- as we now entrust his soul to the barito of Palm Beach never had “the ioners. “He did it out of obedience,” Lord. May he rest in peace.” chance to know Bishop Fernandez Father Vallee said. Bishop Gilberto Fernandez at his episcopal ordination in 1997. (FILE Archbishop Wenski celebrated personally,” he lauded him for his Obedience also was the reason PHOTO | FC) the funeral Mass for Bishop Fer- steadfast service and faith. he accepted his nomination as aux- nandez Oct. 3 at St. Mary Cathedral, “I know of his great love for his iliary bishop. “The last thing in the priests and one religious to the trator of the cathedral, before being Miami. ministry and the people he served world Bishop Fernandez wanted Church. Two older brothers, Msgr. forced into exile in July 1967. Archbishop John C. Favalora, as well of his offering up his suf- was to be a bishop,” Father Vallee Orlando Fernandez, now deceased, Among his assignments in South archbishop emeritus of Miami, who fering during his illness,” Bishop said, noting that “it was a real curse and Father Nelson Fernandez, now Florida, he ministered to migrant ordained both Bishop Fernandez Barbarito said. “May he now enjoy for him” to have to take on the du- retired, also served as priests in farmworkers in Naranja, Home- and Archbishop Wenski to the epis- the fullness of life with the Lord he ties of archdiocesan administra- the archdiocese. Another brother, stead and Delray Beach. He served copacy, received Bishop Fernan- served so faithfully.” tion. Fausto Fernandez, served as ad- as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, dez’s body Oct. 2 at St. John Vianney Father Robert Vallee, who served Indeed, when his appointment ministrator of Marian Towers, a fa- Homestead (1978-1979); pastor of College Seminary, Miami, where a as associate pastor when Bishop as auxiliary bishop of Miami was cility for low-income seniors run by Sts. Peter and Paul, Miami (1979 to viewing took place that evening. Fernandez was pastor of St. Kevin announced on June 24, 1997, Bish- Catholic Health Services. 1988); administrator of San Pablo, When Bishop Fernandez re- Parish in Miami, remembers him op Fernandez was quoted as saying: One sister, Sister Lilia Fernan- Marathon (1988-1989); pastor of tired in 2002 he asked the people of as “one of the greatest pastors I ever “Sometimes people talk about the dez, is a member of the Sisters of St. St. Kevin, Miami (1989-1996); and South Florida “to help me with your worked with, a man of deep, deep loneliness of the priests, but when Joseph of St. Augustine who minis- spiritual director at St. John Vian- prayers, and I will help you also humility.” you are in a parish you don’t feel ters at Mercy Hospital. Another sis- ney College Seminary the year prior with mine.” At the time of his retire- Father Vallee, now a philosophy that loneliness because you are sur- ter, Teresita Fernandez, lives in the to his appointment as bishop. ment, Auxiliary Bishop Agustin Ro- professor at St. John Vianney Col- rounded by love and warmth. I nev- Miami area and another brother Bishop Fernandez accepted his man described his brother bishop lege Seminary, also worked with er thought about doing anything lives with his wife and children in appointment as auxiliary bishop as “a good example as a priest, as a Bishop Fernandez when he was else but being a parish priest. But Mexico. A third sister, Ondina, also with characteristic humility, know- man proposes and God disposes. lived in Miami and died a couple of ing, he said, “that many others That’s the situation here.” weeks before her brother. among my brother priests are bet- Born Feb.