WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Dec. 20, 2013 - Jan. 9, 2014 | Volume 75, Number 4 Christ our savior is born Florida Catholic Christmas covers published over the years Dec. 20, 1946 Dec. 21, 2007 Dec. 24, 2004 Dec. 20, 1991 Dec. 19, 1980 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Honoring Remembering Celebrating Our Lady of Vietnamese a sister’s Guadalupe martyrs lasting legacy WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 9, 2014 | $1.00 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO EDITION he people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom T a light has shone. — Isaiah 9:1 ay the Light of the Christ Child illumine our world for all our days. Christmas blessings to you! M + Bishop John Noonan Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 9, 2014 Florida Catholic Your Orlando cOMMUNITY A2 St. Timothy Parish celebrates silver anniversary LINDA CALDWELL dens recreation hall Nov. 3, 1985. church building became evident. of the Florida Catholic staff A few months later, the mission Under the care and guidance of became St. Timothy Catholic Father Fucheck, who was named LADY LAKE | When Rosa Far- Mission. pastor Dec. 1, 1993, the current gas moved to the Villages three Founding parishioners Irene church, which seats more than years ago, she yearned to find and Harold Krauss remember the 1,200 congregants, was built in a friendly and spiritual parish humble beginnings of the par- 1994. Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey home. She prayed for guidance ish, when folding chairs served as dedicated the building Jan. 28, and ultimately found that home pews and a simple table as the al- 1996. at St. Timothy Parish. tar. Irene Krauss also recalled the Today, the parish is home to “This parish is very welcoming determination of the core group 4,300 families and offers a pleth- and spirit-filled,” Fargas said. “I of faithful in building a perma- ora of ministries. Recently, it has love the pastors, the deacons and nent place of worship. noted a surge in younger families. the people. Everyone is so happy “We worked hard to establish Reflecting on the history and and friendly. They represent the a parish in this area,” she said. “At the future of the parish, Father love of Jesus found in the parish.” the time, you had to travel miles Waters marvels at the depth of its For the past 25 years, St. Timo- to go to Mass.” existence. thy Parish has been bringing the The fortitude of the people “When I look at St. Timothy love of Jesus to Catholics of Lake paid off and Oct. 4, 1987, they Parish and think about its history, County and the Villages. The broke ground for an $800,000 it is not lost on me that the major- faithful of St. Timothy’s com- multipurpose building on a 10- ity of our parish family comes memorated the parish’s silver acre plot of land off of Route 441. here to retire,” he said. “They anniversary during the evening Eight months later, on June 26, have a very active history in Mass Dec. 1, the first Sunday of 1988, the people celebrated their building churches, schools, con- Advent. Father Bob Fucheck, who first Mass with Father Stegeman. vents, rectories and parish halls. served as the parish’s pastor for Unfortunately, Father Stege- They moved here and have con- nearly 16 years before his retire- man died October 1988, just two tinued to build and that is why we ment in 2009, served as the cel- months prior to St. Timothy Mis- have such a beautiful parish. I am ebrant in the absence of Father sion being established as a par- humbled by their generosity and Ed Waters, pastor, who was called ish. A year later, the church build- support. away from the parish. ing was dedicated Dec. 10, 1989. “When I look to the future, I see St. Timothy Parish took root The parish continued to thrive a parish growing in faith and in as Lady Lake Catholic Mission throughout the years under the membership,” he continued. “We nearly 30 years ago, at the urging leadership of Father William Kil- are now attracting young families of Father Philip Stegeman, then lion, Father Louis Dunleavy and and boast almost 100 children in Parishioners embrace during the sign of peace at St. Timothy Parish pastor of nearby St. Paul Parish Father Frank Zammit. In the ear- our Sunday faith formation pro- in Lady Lake. The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary with Mass in Leesburg. About 225 Catho- ly 1990s, the number of Catholic gram. This is the future of the Dec. 1 with longtime pastor Father Bob Fucheck, now retired. (LINDA lics celebrated the mission’s first households in the area mush- Church worldwide. This is the fu- CALDWELL | FC) Mass in the Orange Blossom Gar- roomed, and the need for a larger ture of St. Timothy Parish.” n Giant Advent wreath reminds passersby to wait LINDA CALDWELL by on this well-traveled road of the appropriate number of can- of the Florida Catholic staff the true meaning of Christmas, dles being lit every week. as they see that one more can- The next step was to create a LAKELAND | Using more dle is being lit on this outdoor space for the wreath. The troop than 60 feet of industrial-size wreath. For the second year, we cleared about a 6-foot circular PVC pipe, a couple of gallons of are hopefully going to give wit- space at the intersection of Old paint, five candelabra light bulbs ness to the community to wait; it Road 37 and Terrace Way and and five mason jars, Boy Scouts is not here yet.” planted holly bushes and poinset- in Troop 713 at the Church of the Den master Dave Skiles said tia plants around the parameter. Resurrection are hoping to shine the inspiration for the project They dug holes ranging from 3-5 a light on the true meaning of came from a simple conversation feet deep to position the candles. Christmas. with Father Viviano after Sunday After burying the cords, they Last year, the boys built a giant Mass, shortly after he arrived at spread hay inside the wreath and Advent wreath on parish grounds the parish last year. Father Vivi- added small, white Christmas as part of a service project. They ano shared a story about a fellow lights to enhance the aesthetics. re-erected the wreath Nov. 30, priest who had a similar wreath “The boys have learned a the day before the beginning of built. The conversation touched lot more about Advent and the the Advent season, to remind assistant leader Joe Mirandi who, meaning of candles because of passersby to “Wait. … It’s not here along with leader Art Stitzel, Boy Scouts from Church of the Resurrection Parish Troop 713 put this project,” Skiles said. “It has yet,” as the nearby parish mar- planned the logistics of creating the finishing touches on the larger-than-life-sized Advent wreath. inspired us. We try to help the quee stated. the wreath and turned it into a Visible to passersby on a busy Lakeland road, the wreath serves as a parish because they support us.” “We want to help the com- service project for the Scouts. reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. (LINDA CALDWELL | FC) Liam, a seventh-grader at Res- munity realize that we are in a The boys, ranging from sixth- urrection Catholic School, en- period of preparation (and) even graders to high school seniors, dles throughout the Advent sea- the candles by running light cords joyed helping create the wreath, though everyone feels as though embraced the project and eagerly son. Skiles said that the purple through the center of the pipes although he did admit that it was it is already Christmas, we are set out to create the spiritual re- and pink candles range in height and attaching them to the light difficult at times, especially when still waiting for the commemo- minder. from 8-13 feet tall. The white can- bulbs that rest upon a candle top- moving the heavy candles, but ration of Christmas,” said Father Under the direction of troop dle, which is appropriately put in per, which was a PVC cap painted the effort was worth it. Charles Viviano, pastor. “Our leaders, they treated and painted place on Christmas Eve, is 16 feet gold. A mason jar serves to protect “It is a cool reminder to every- giant outdoor Advent wreath is the PVC pipe, cutting it in varying tall. the light bulbs from the weather. body that Advent is here,” he said. meant to remind those who drive lengths to represent melting can- They fashioned the “wicks” of The lights are set to a timer, with “I really like it.” n A3 Your Orlando cOMMUNITY Florida Catholic Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 9, 2014 Parish offers alternative to ‘Black Friday’ shopping ELIZABETH WILSON Special to the Florida Catholic WINTER PARK | There were no “door busters,” limited-time offers or coupons, but St. Margaret Mary’s “Bright Friday” sale offered shop- pers something they could not find at the retail stores: gifts with a pur- pose. An alternative to the day after The faithful walk to an abortion clinic in Altamonte Springs to Thanksgiving “Black Friday” sales, pray for unborn children. (PHOTOS BY LINDA CALDWELL | FC) proceeds from the items sold during Bright Friday supported the parish’s Haiti mission and local families in need. Faithful give silent “We are glad to host this break from Black Friday madness to re- fresh Central Florida shoppers and witness to life provide meaningful gift alternatives of great hope which is the deepest LINDA CALDWELL meaning of the season,” said Father of the Florida Catholic staff Richard Walsh, pastor of the Winter Park parish.