April 3 Begins Divine Mercy Devotional Young People Learn About
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WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | March 27-April 9, 2015 | Volume 76, Number 10 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Jim Fabyan, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, distributes information on Divine The renewal of vows was part of two Wedding Juniors from Melbourne Central Catholic High School Mercy Sunday as part of his mission to spread the Anniversary Masses celebrated in the Diocese of react to a comment made by Religious Teachers Filippini message. (LINDA REEVES | FC) Venice, including this one held March 7 at Epiphany Sister Shirlee Tremont during her keynote address at Cathedral in Venice. (BOB REDDY | FC) Focus 11. (LINDA CALDWELL | FC) Young people April 3 begins Couples learn about Divine Mercy demonstrate vocations devotional marital love Cecilia Pagan credits prayer and faith, as well as Love was in the air when 741 couples gathered Tom Silliker recently graduated from the Uni- the Lord’s mercy and love, for her recent success in for two Masses in the Diocese of Venice in March. versity of Central Florida, where he served as her battle with cancer. And now she feels a divine These couples were celebrating milestone wed- president of the college’s Catholic Campus Min- call to spread the message of Jesus’ merciful heart ding anniversaries, and they stood united as a tes- istry. He came to Focus 11 because he wanted to and encourage all to participate fully in the feast of tament to a commitment to each other. know where God was leading him. Divine Mercy April 12. Their combined years of marriage summed up “I want to learn how to use my gifts in the best “My sisters and brothers prayed the Divine Mer- to 38,532 years. But 10 couples married 70 years way, and I figured what better way to learn than cy chaplet for me. God gave me the graces. God or longer were individually introduced and each from people who are living out their gifts,” said has really taken over in my life,” she said. “There couple was given a rousing ovation. The com- Silliker who, was among the more than 1,900 who is so much to share about the message of Divine bined number of years of marriage for just those attended to vocations event. Mercy in my life.” couples was 791. Click on the ORLANDO DIOCESE above for Click on the PALM BEACH DIOCESE for more Click on the VENICE DIOCESE above for more more on this story. on this story. on this story. A E-edition glimpse exclusive: at the fruitful • A memorable lives of papal visit to service Naples and of nuns storm the priests pope WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | March 27-April 9, 2015 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE DAY OF RECONCILIATION: MARCH 30 H ow do you prepare your heart for confession? FYI LINDA CALDWELL of the Florida Catholic staff All Catholics are encouraged to take part in the Day of Recon- ORLANDO | In his dying on the cross, ciliation and to invite others to Jesus demonstrated his unwavering love for journey back us. As part of their Lenten journeys, Catho- to God and to lics are encouraged to be renewed in this love be transformed and to find joy in God’s mercy and forgive- by his love. ness by receiving the Sacrament of Penance. Contact a Bishop John Noonan designated Monday, local parish for March 30, as a “Day of Reconciliation.” On availability of this day, parishes throughout the diocese will the Sacrament offer the Sacrament of Penance at various of Penance (visit www.orlandodiocese.org/find-a- times. While the Sacrament is often available parish?view=map to look up parishes by ZIP code). at parishes on Saturdays and throughout the For information, including a guide on how to go to week, this additional day has been set aside confession and a list of questions from Pope Francis for the convenience of the faithful, includ- that can be used as an examination of conscience, ing those who might have been away from visit www.orlando the Church or away from the Sacrament for diocese.org/reconciliation. several months or years, and to offer an op- According to the Catechism of the Catholic portunity to celebrate the Sacrament in com- Church: “The reception of this sacrament (Penance) munion with each other. ought to be prepared for by an examination of How can Catholics prepare their heart for conscience made in the light of the word of God. a fruitful confession? Father John Giel, chan- The passages best suited to this can be found in cellor of canonical affairs and diocesan vicar the Ten Commandments, the moral catechesis of general, said the season of Lent is a time of the Gospels and the apostolic letters, such as the reflection as Catholics prepare for the death Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings” and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During (CCC 1454). these 40 days, Scripture brings an awareness of God’s overabundant love in people’s lives. said. “When we reflect upon God’s love and we At the same time, Father Giel said, the season take an in-depth look at that, when we take this of Lent offers Catholics an opportunity to re- time during these 40 days of Lent, we realize if flect on the times when they have fallen short all of this love is present to us, where have we The sacrament of penance provides an opportunity to reflect on the times we of loving God and others. been? What have we been doing?” have fallen short of loving God and others and find joy in God’s mercy and “We know that God’s love is with us this forgiveness. The Diocese of Orlando Day of Reconciliation will be held March season and we reflect upon it,” Father Giel PLEASE SEE CONFESSION, A2 30. (COUrtESY) F OCUS 11 Young people learn about vocations LINDA CALDWELL Silliker was among the more to the Lord and be open to the of the Florida Catholic staff than 1,900 Catholic school stu- possibility of becoming a priest dents, public school students or sister. We want to foster a cul- ORLANDO | Tom Silliker of and young adults who attended ture of vocations in the diocese Prince of Peace Parish in Or- Focus 11, held March 14-18 at and show that religious men and mond Beach came looking for Holy Family Parish. Sponsored women are real people, too.” answers. Recently graduated by the Diocese of Orlando Of- During this event attendees from the University of Central fice of Vocations, Focus 11 offers participated in the celebration Florida, where he served as students and young adults the of Mass with Bishop John Noon- president of the college’s Catho- opportunity to learn about reli- an and viewed exhibits from lic Campus Ministry, he wanted gious life and what God is call- various religious communities to know where God was leading ing them to do. Individual age and orders, while interacting him. groups participate on different with diocesan and religious “Where does he want me?” days. order priests, sisters, brothers Silliker said. “Where can I use “Young people are making and seminarians. The students my gifts? I want to learn how important decisions about their also participated in games that to use my gifts in the best way, lives,” said Father Jorge Torres, helped them learn about voca- and I figured what better way to director of the Diocese of Orlan- tions, while the young adults Glenda Soto reflects on God’s presence and inner peace in her life during learn than from people who are do Office of Vocations. “Our goal the young adult session of Focus 11. (LINDA CALDWELL | FC) living out their gifts.” is to encourage students to listen PLEASE SEE FOCUS, A2 March 27-April 9, 2015 Florida Catholic YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY A2 Catholics gather for retreat on prayer LAURA DODSON FYI Florida Catholic correspondent In his keynote address to the partici- pants gathered for a day of reflection MELBOURNE | When Bishop at St. Mary Parish in Rockledge, Father John Noonan presented every Eamon Tobin, pastor of Ascension Par- priest in the diocese with a tiny 64- ish, presented the following “Four Keys page book, “The Parish as a School to an Effective Relationship With God.” of Prayer” by Jesuit Father Scott 1. Having a positive image of God Traynor at the Chrism Mass last and self. year, only the Holy Spirit knew that What helps you to keep believing less than a year later more than 350 God loves you especially in the tough people would respond to the call times and when we think God is not to devote an entire day to learn- paying attention to us? ing more about prayer. “There are 2. Learning to be honest with God many ways of praying that help us about our thoughts, feelings and to grow, develop and mature in our desires. relationship with God,” said Deacon To what extent are you able to Michael Murphy of St. Mary Parish name and talk to God about your in Rockledge, who hosted the day of good and bad thoughts, feelings and Eleventh-grade students from Melbourne Central Catholic High School react to a comment made by reflection Feb. 28, titled “Prayer Is desires? Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Shirlee Tremont during her keynote address at Focus 11, March 16, Life — Life Is Prayer.” 3. Integrating prayer with daily life. at Holy Family Parish. (PHOTOS BY LINDA CALDWELL | FC) The day included a keynote ad- dress, “Keys to An Effective Prayer To what extent do you tend to Life,” by Father Eamon Tobin, pastor separate your spiritual life from the rest FOCUS A young of your life? of Ascension Parish in Melbourne.