WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Sept 12-25, 2014 | Volume 75, Number 21 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Deacons of the Diocese of Palm Beach form a line The casket of Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins set in and one by one congratulate Deacons Frank Bandy, Father Stephen Parkes, vicar forane of Central Deanery front of the altar at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice John Collins and Wayne Topper, the diocese’s newest during the Sept. 3 Mass of Christian Burial. (BOB North, anoints the walls of St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s deacons. (LINDA REEVES | FC) new spiritual home. (LINDA CALDWELL | FC) REDDY | FC) Wildwood 3 ordained as Venice bids church doubles deacons farewell to Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito ordained Frank Al- exander Bandy, John Howard Collins and Wayne beloved bishop in size E. Topper to the permanent diaconate Sept. 6 in a joyful ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius During a dedication and bless at his parish, pas- Loyola. The men join 97 permanent deacons who Building a Diocese out of 10 far-flung counties tor Father Peter Puntal thanked parishioners for are living and assisting in various ways through- into a cohesive Catholic community is one of the making “our dreams come true.” out the diocese. greatest legacies of Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins, “We give thanks to the Lord for this beautiful The permanent deacon formation program, first Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. church, and this is a beautiful church because you which Bishop Barbarito said was one of “the very The life of Bishop Nevins was celebrated follow- are beautiful people,” said the pastor of St. Vincent best programs … within the country,” began in ing his peaceful death at his home in Venice on de Paul Parish in Wildwood. “This is your church 2002. Forty-five men have graduated from the Aug. 26. At 82 he lived a full and productive life, that you built to honor your God.” program, been ordained and are now serving the serving the faithful as a priest, Bishop and shep- Bishop John Noonan was on hand for the Aug. local Church. herd to many. 27 event. Click on the ORLANDO DIOCESE above Click on the PALM BEACH DIOCESE for more Click on the VENICE DIOCESE above for more for more on this story. on this story. on this story. REST IN PEACE BISHOP NEVINS Advocate covering farmers and farmworkers to those in need, friend to many, pastoral leader and man with a gentle Paralyzed man smile meets the pope WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Sept. 12-25, 2014 | $1.00 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO EDITION A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL PARISH FAMILY Father Stephen Parkes, vicar forane of Central Deanery North, A young parishioner speaks to Bishop John Noonan at the dedication of the new church building at St. anoints the walls of St. Vincent de Paul Parish's new spiritual Vincent de Paul Parish Aug. 27. (PHOTOS BY LINDA CALDWELL | FC) home. Wildwood church nearly doubles in size STAFF REPORT WILDWOOD | Feelings of happiness, gratitude and joy filled the sacred space of St. Vincent de Paul Parish Aug. 27 during the dedication and blessing of the community’s new larger church. “This is a special day,” said Maryann Otradovec, who has been a parishioner since 1995. “We have been waiting for this new church for a long time. But now we are here and we are really enjoying it. It is a blessing.” For eight years, parishioners prayed, planned and raised ‘Thank you so much funds, envisioning the day when a new, larger church would be built. As they celebrated in their new home, Bishop John for making our dreams Noonan praised their efforts. come true. We give “Good people of St. Vincent’s, you have done well over these years and I encourage you to continue to grow in your faith,” thanks to the Lord for Bishop Noonan said during the Mass of dedication. “We come this beautiful church, together tonight to make this church, to make this building, a sacred and a very holy place because this is where you will and this is a beautiful encounter the Lord; this is where you will grow in your faith.” church because you St. Vincent de Paul began in 1973 as a mission of St. Law- rence Parish in Bushnell. The Sumter County parish grew are beautiful people. quickly once a church was constructed in 1994. By 2005, when then-Bishop Thomas Wenski established St. Vincent de Paul This is your church as its own parish, the community was already struggling with that you built to honor a lack of space. The previous church had enough pews and chairs to seat your God.’ 600 people. During the winter months, 150 extra chairs were added outside when seasonal residents were in town. The par- — Father Peter Puntal, Women place cloths upon the altar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wildwood during pastor. PLEASE SEE WILDWOOD, 2 the dedication and blessing of the community’s new larger church Aug. 27. Sept. 12-25, 2014 The Florida Catholic YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY 2 Jewish philanthropist receives papal honor LINDA CALDWELL me. Bishop (Noonan), thank you of the Florida Catholic staff very much. Father Ben (Berinti), Alan Ginsburg, you have done a great job with this left, shows the ORLANDO | Jewish philanthro- facility, and I am very proud to be a Benemerenti pist Alan Ginsburg was recently small part of it.” Medal, a papal awarded the Benemerenti Medal, A successful Maitland developer, honor bestowed a papal honor bestowed by Pope Ginsburg recognizes his responsi- by Pope Francis, Francis, for his vision in creating a bility to return to God the gifts God as Bishop Noonan space where Catholic and Jewish has given him. His reputation for and Allan Keen students can fulfill their spiritual philanthropy is well known and he look on. Ginsburg needs side by side while attending has donated millions of dollars for was presented the University of Central Florida. the benefit of Orlando schools, hos- the award Aug. Ginsburg funded the construction pitals, Jewish causes and more. 26 for funding construction of the Catholic Campus Ministry With an estimated 13,500 Catho- of the Catholic Center and adjacent Hillel Center, lic students on the UCF campus and Campus Ministry which opened last year. more than 6,000 Jewish students, Center and Bishop John Noonan and Allan Ginsburg said the new space was adjacent Hillel Keen, chairman emeritus of the needed for students who want to go Center on the board of directors for the Catho- to a university that will offer them University of lic Foundation of Central Florida, the opportunity to maintain their Central Florida surprised Ginsburg with the medal faith traditions. campus. (LINDA and scroll from Pope Francis during “Hopefully this is one founda- CALDWELL | FC) a private luncheon Aug. 26 at the tion that will provide a good basis Catholic Campus Ministry Center, for students going here to continue attended by about 75 family, friends their faith, to feel that they are part and colleagues. of a greater group and greater good “Today we come together to around the world,” Ginsburg said. thank Alan in a special way,” Keen The Benemerenti Medal was said. “Alan’s vision affirms what instituted by Pope Gregory XVI in history and our hearts have told 1832. It is conferred on individuals us is true — faith has the power to who are Catholic or non-Catholic unite. Faith in a world filled with and who demonstrate exceptional destructive forces has the power service to the Catholic Church, to upon civilians. Since that time, the thy of the Benemerenti Medal for proud in your hearts of what we to create, to build and to deal with society, and to the principles of love Holy See has presented this honor his service, for his love and for his have accomplished here. I am so life’s challenges.” and fidelity. The Benemerenti Med- to only 168 individuals, including humanity. very proud to be a part of it and Ginsburg, humble by nature, al is the highest honor any layper- Ginsburg. “One thing I want to say to you to- hope long beyond my time and all was overcome with emotion as son can receive from the Holy See. Earlier this year, Bishop Noonan day, Mr. Ginsburg, you are truly ap- of our times that this building will he stepped forward to accept the The medal was originally in- wrote to Pope Francis, telling him preciated and loved by the Catholic prosper and the students who go honor. Wiping away tears, he said, tended as a means to honor those of the generosity and love Gins- community for what you have done here will prosper, and we all would “Thank you. This is really a surprise who fought in service in the papal burg showed for the Church and its for us,” Bishop Noonan said. have done a good thing for the chil- for me. There are a lot of people who army. In 1926, Pope Pius XI began young people. In reply, Pope Francis “Thank you for the award,” dren of our faith and for humanity should be standing here besides bestowing the Benemerenti Medal said that Ginsburg indeed was wor- Ginsburg said. “You all should be in general.” n WILDWOOD: Sumter County parish expands as it attracts Catholics from Wildwood and The Villages FROM 1 ish attracts people from Wildwood, as well as the vast retirement com- munity of The Villages and other areas nearby. The parish would schedule nine Masses each week- end to accommodate the number of parishioners.