WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Aug. 23-Sept. 12, 2013 | Volume 74, Number 20 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE ‘Love of neighbor’ called motivation for Knights’ commitment to charity These Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Mary have been helping at Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers since Led by members of the Knights of Columbus, Father June. Pictured from left are Sister Sol Angel Diaz, Sister Tomasz Bochnak, St. Joan of Arc Parish parochial vicar, Rosemary Le and Sister Myra Luntok. (BOB REDDY | FC) Kindergarten and first-grade students at Good processes with the Eucharist moments before the Shepherd Catholic School in Orlando eagerly begin a “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibit opened to new school year. (LINDA CALDWELL | FC) the public Aug. 9. The exhibit was hosted by Knights Council 13051 and the Columbiettes. (LINDA REEVES | FC) Religious sisters Office of Schools Eucharistic join diocese to takes on three miracles on serve needy major projects There is a great sense of excitement these days display in Boca at Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers since a Providing more than 14,000 students attend- group of three Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immac- ing Orlando diocesan Catholic schools the best Jose Hernandez said it is a real surprise some ulate have taken up residence and are working education in a safe environment is at the forefront Catholics take so little notice of the greatest of all closely with the largely Hispanic Parish. of Henry Fortier’s vision as superintendent of miracles that takes place every single day at Mass- The order is an international missionary con- schools. This year, the central office staff, school es around the world. gregation based in Colombia and committed to faculties and administrations are undertaking He and fellow parishioners and parish leaders serving the poorest and neediest in the world, three major projects to bring this vision to life: hosting a recent exhibit at St. Joan of Arc Parish with approximately 700 sisters worldwide. The continued professional development on the Com- hoped to impress on people the phenomenon and religious order was approached by Bishop Frank mon Core State Standards, a standards-based re- bring a greater sense of respect and appreciation J. Dewane who saw a need for their specialized port card, and a centralized information system. to the mysteries of the Eucharist. missionary work at the Fort Myers parish. 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. Knights ‘Mystery’ Assembly recommit priest at of and are Missouri religious motivated accident sisters to do scene gather in works of identified Orlando charity WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Aug. 23-Sept. 12, 2013 | $1.00 Catholic FLORIDAYOUR FAITH. YOUR LIFE. YOUR COMMUNITY. OF ORLANDO People walk around a destroyed Protestant church in Mallawi, Egypt, Aug. 17. Violence erupted periodically, especially in the impoverished south, but the attacks on churches and Christian properties in the last week were the worst in years. (CNS | REUTERS) Egypt’s Catholic leaders: Army is fighting terrorism Students at St. Teresa Catholic School in Titusville pray during the first day of school Aug. 13. (PAM STIMPSON | FC) CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY | Speaking on behalf of Catholics in Egypt, Coptic Catholic Patri- arch Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak said the violence New school year begins and unrest in his country are “not a politi- cal struggle between different factions, but Why are more parents choosing Catholic education? a war against terrorism.” In an Aug. 18 statement, the patriarch said the country’s Catholics strongly sup- JON ARGUELLO for quality Catholic education vide their children — sixth- and of Father Lopez Catholic High port “all state institutions, particularly the Special to the Florida Catholic increases in the area. Parents seventh-graders at Good Shep- School in Daytona Beach and a armed forces and the police for all their ef- cite faith formation and strong herd Catholic School in Orlando, parent of a graduate and a junior forts in protecting our homeland.” ORLANDO | Car lines, new academics as the major reasons and a freshman at Bishop Moore at the school. “In addition to the The violence in Egypt began at dawn uniforms and fresh school sup- for enrolling their children in Catholic High School in Orlando strong academic standards and Aug. 14 when the Egyptian military and plies were all part of the scen- Catholic school. — with the same opportunity. spirituality, a Catholic education police used bulldozers and tear gas to clear ery as thousands of students “I spent my entire academic “The integration of commu- feeds the mind, body and soul of out camps of people protesting the ouster throughout the Diocese of Or- life in Catholic school from pre- nity, faith and high academic our children. I am also touched of President Mohammed Morsi in early lando returned to school after K to college,” said Presmil Mas- standards are norms of a Catho- by how the faculty and admin- July. Morsi was supported by the Muslim the summer break. Classes be- son, who has three children at lic education,” Bell said. “In ad- istration embrace the students. Brotherhood, which wants Egypt to have gan Aug. 13 at each of the 42 di- Holy Redeemer Catholic School dition, the schools encourage My children are well grounded an Islamic-inspired government. ocesan educational institutions, in Kissimmee. “It’s a sacrifice my stewardship, living your faith because of their experiences in In addition to the fighting at the camps, including five early childhood parents made for me that paid and developing strong morals, Catholic schools. ” mobs began attacking Christian churches, educational facilities, five high off academically, and I wanted to all of which are important to us. It isn’t only Catholic school schools and convents, claiming the Chris- schools and one special-educa- provide that same sacrifice and It builds a strong foundation.” alumni, however, who are push- tians supported Morsi’s ouster. Yet there tion school. benefit for my children.” “There wasn’t even a question ing enrollment up. also were reports of Muslims forming cor- Bucking a national trend, Cindy Bell said her husband is that we would send our chil- “My husband and I are both school enrollment in the Diocese a product of Catholic education, dren to Catholic schools,” said PLEASE SEE EGYPT, 11 of Orlando is rising as demand which seeded their desire to pro- Colleen Carrozza, an alumna PLEASE SEE SCHOOLS, 2 Aug. 23-Sept. 12, 2013 The Florida Catholic Your Orlando cOMMUNITY 2 DO YOU HAVE EYE PROBLEMS? 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(LINDA CALDWELL | FC) SCHOOLS: ‘The very best education ... in a Christ-centered environment’ FROM 1 his classroom. “I feel as if people will look out for your children more in this environment.” products of the public school “I wanted my daughter to learn system, but we wanted some- in a Catholic environment,” said thing more for our children,” Jennifer Teeter, who moved with said Yomaira Tapia, who has her family from Ohio less than a son at Holy Redeemer. “We a year ago. “I like the commu- wanted to provide them with the nity environment that St. Mary advantage of a more holistic edu- Magdalen offers. Everyone is cation and a setting where they so friendly and welcoming. My are surrounded by children who daughter feels at home here.” share their faith.” “The benefits to a Catholic ed- Throughout the diocese, ucation cannot be measured nor Catholic schools have been fo- can you place a specific value on cused on providing a quality it,” Fortier said. “What is the val- education where Christianity is ue of forming students as faith- integrated. Henry Fortier, super- filled leaders who know Christ intendent of the diocesan Office personally? Can there be a value of Schools, said that difference placed on developing an eternal and the challenging curriculum relationship with our Creator in a Christ-filled environment and help to give a sense of mean- sets these schools apart. ing and purpose to all the knowl- “Catholic schools are differ- edge and skills we help develop? ent from all other forms of edu- Catholic education is invaluable cation,” Fortier said. “Catholic and reaches beyond the current schools educate the entire child. moment into eternity.” That spiritual formation that That’s a sentiment many par- takes place every day, in every ents with children enrolled in a subject, by every member of the Central Florida Catholic school school community is what sets share. us apart from public government “It’s important for me that my schools. Academic excellence children are challenged to learn can be measured; however, the and live the lessons of service and spiritual formation cannot be so compassion in addition to strong easily measured.” academics,” said Isabel Estupi- Parents dropping their kin- gan, a mother of an eighth-grader dergartners off for the first day at Holy Redeemer and a junior at of school at St.