Diocese of

Palm Beach

E-Newsletter

February 2015

A Thank You Message
from
Most Reverend Gerald Barbarito

As we begin the season of Lent, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all of the wonderful priests, deacons, religious, lay faithful and students of the Diocese for all of your prayers and support during my recovery from recent surgery. While I would like to thank you each personally for your expressions of prayers, I can only do so in a general but sincere manner.

I am doing very well and I know that is the case thanks to your most powerful and treasured prayers. I assure you of mine, especially in the Masses I celebrate for you. I am blessed to be the Bishop of this wonderful Diocese of Palm Beach and always to experience your faith, hope and love. I look forward to returning to my full schedule as soon as possible.

A Blessed Lent to all.

Bishop Barbarito

Bishop Barbarito Invites the Faithful to Respond to
a Second Vatican Consultation

Bishop Barbarito invites priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful in the Diocese of Palm Beach to participate in an important consultation being conducted by the Vatican. The Vatican consultation is called a Lineamenta and is being conducted in preparation for the Synod of Bishops who will meet October 4-25, 2015, to review and discuss the topic, The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World. This consultation is not a public opinion poll but is intended to be a prayerful reflection and response to the challenges facing family life.

The consultation document is available in English on the diocesan website at www.diocesepb.org Look for it on the bottom right of the home page. A hard copy PDF of the consultation document is available on the website.

The faithful are asked to complete the consultation document online or to mail a completed one to the Pastoral Center no later than Monday, March 2, 2015 at the following address:

Office of the Bishop

Diocese of Palm Beach

Post Office Box 109650

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-9650

If you have questions about this consultation, contact Dianne Laubert in the diocesan Office of Communications via phone at 561-775-9529 or via e-mail

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Milestone Marriages to be Celebrated at

Annual Anniversary Masses

The 31st Annual Anniversary Masses for Married Couples will be held on two dates this month -- on Saturday, February 14 at Holy Spirit Church in Lantana and on Saturday, February 21 at St. Lucie Church in Port St. Lucie. Couples who will be celebrating 25, 40, 50 or more years of marriage during the year 2015 will be recognized. Each Mass will start at 10:30 a.m.

There will be cake, coffee & punch at a reception following the each Mass. This is a nice celebration for all couples, families (especially those with different generations) as well as our faith community to attend.

An Opportunity to Make Your Marriage Stronger

Each year from February 7 to 14 we celebrate the gift of marriage during National Marriage Week. This observance includes celebrating World Marriage Sunday on February 8 and of course Valentine's Day on February 14. National Marriage Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the gift of marriage. As part of a collaborative campaign, National Marriage Week is designed to strengthen individual marriages, reduce the divorce rate, and build a stronger marriage culture, which in turn helps curtail poverty and benefits children.

The diocese's Office of Marriage Family suggests taking this opportunity to strengthen the beautiful gift of Love and Life in your sacrament of marriage. To help, here are some ideas:

Make a Virtual Retreat

Make a free, 7-day virtual retreat from the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule at ForYourMarriage.org, a marriage initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Visit the website for great resources and tools to enhance your relationship.

Take the 5 Love Languages Quiz - It's Free!

Dr. Gary Chapman's best-selling book, The 5 Love Languages, explains the different ways in which we give and expect to receive love. As a couple, you may be very much in love, but not expressing that love in a way that truly fulfills and builds up your spouse. Click here to take the 5 Love Languages quiz for free!

Plan to Make an Actual Retreat - May 1-3, 2015

Marriages flourish because of the efforts by each of you. Take time with your spouse to reflect and to nurture the spiritual life of your commitment by participating in a married couples retreat at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach. Click here for more information.

Even after National Marriage Week, there are other resources

available to strengthen your marriage. View the sites below :

Celebrate World Marriage Day

View For Your Marriage Website

Complete Challenge #4 in this Month's

"The Family Fully Alive" Newsletter

The February edition of The Family Fully Alive newsletter focuses on Discipleship Challenge #4 - Making your home a Catholic home, and the meaning of the question "Did you know you are created for Communion?"

Available in English and Spanish, each month the newsletter features a Catholic Family Discipleship Challenge and a brief summary of what Catholics believe about human purpose, marriage and the family. Look for this newsletter each month as a parish bulletin insert or on the diocesan website to discover simple ways for your family to Keep it Catholic! You can read the issue at www.diocesepb.org/newsletters

The Family Fully Alive newsletter is a new initiative begun last fall by the diocesan DPB Office of Marriage & Family Life. It is designed as a simple, monthly bulletin for families to encourage them to Keep it Catholic. The underlying message supports the theme of the upcoming World Meeting of Families scheduled for September 22-27, 2015 in Philadelphia: Love is Our Mission- The Family Fully Alive.

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Upcoming Diocesan Events

Below is a list of some diocesan events taking place this month and next. For more information on any event, please visit the diocesan online Events Calendar

New Session Begins Soon for School of Christian Formation - Week of February 23

The diocesan School of Christian Formation will begin its second session of its 2015 spring classes the week of February 23. Many different classes and programs are offered on different days of the week for adult Catholics who wish to learn more about the rich tradition of their faith. Classes, available in English and Spanish, provide introductions to the major topics and historical periods of the Catholic faith. This is a great opportunity to deepen your faith as we are still celebrating the Year of Faith.

For more information, call 561-775-9544 and view the class schedule on the diocesan website

Prayer Vigil
February 26

Our faithful community is asked to gather starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola for a prayer vigil to end the use of death penalty. The prayer vigil will begin a half-hour before the scheduled execution for death row inmate Jerry Correll. In January Governor Rick Scott signed Correll's death warrant, the 22nd warrant the governor has signed while in office.

Catholic Charities Respect Life Office in partnership with the Diocese of Palm Beach and Pax Christi will host the prayer service starting in the Chapel, and process outside where a silent vigil in front of the Cathedral from 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.

Workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of the Word (Lector)

February 28

The diocesan Office of Liturgy will holds its second Spring Workshop for Ministers of the Word on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. - Noon (12:00 p.m.) at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens. The last day to register is Thursday, January 26. Those wishing to attend should call your parish office as they will be taking reservations and registering all participants with the diocesan Liturgy Office.

March

Annual National Catholic Sisters Week

March 8-15

The first annual National Catholic Sisters Week will be celebrated around the nation and world, in conjunction with Women's History Month. The week provides the opportunity to promote the contributions that women religious have made to American society both in the past and in the present. In August 2013, the Hilton Foundation awarded St. Catherine University a three-year $3.3 Million grant to launch this observance.

You are invited to "Get involved" by hosting an event, coordinating a service day, meeting a sister for lunch, or dedicating a prayer to sisters around the globe. For those creative-minded, National Catholic Sisters Week suggests producing a Sister "shout out" (a media presentation utilizing one word to describe a sister) and sending it to them to place on their website and on YouTube. Please visit www.nationalcatholicsistersweek.org to see examples and to learn more.

New Session Begins: DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide - Starts March 10

7:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, PBG

Do you know anyone who is separated or divorced and needs support? The Office of Marriage & Family Life is pleased to announce a new session of The Catholic's DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide, a ministry for men and women who have suffered from a civil divorce. This 12-week program features weekly 30-minute DVD segments covering topics such as anger, guilt, forgiveness, money, co-parenting, the ex-spouse, annulment, sexuality, spirituality, finding peace, and more. Whether you are recently separated or were divorced ten days ago or ten years ago, the program can offer valuable insight for you.

The program will be offered on Tuesday evenings beginning March 10. Please call John Baudhuin at 561-632-2689 or Kim Kinggard at 561-818-4728 for more information and to register.

Diocese Announces Partners Giving Society

A Family of Faith in Service to Others

This year the Diocese of Palm Beach is excited to announce a new opportunity within the Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA). The DSA Partners Society is a new leadership giving society that recognizes and invites all parishioners who have been blessed with the means to do so to give at a leadership level. A DSA Partner is someone who prayerfully makes a gift in support of the DSA of $1,000 or more or sacrificially gives 1% of their household income. Donors can become members of the Circle of Faith, Circle of Hope, Circle of Charity, or Circle of Joy through their increased generosity. More information is detailed in the 2015 DSA brochure (available in English or Spanish) or visit dsa.diocesepb.org

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View our DSA Video

Preparing for Lent

Lent begins next Wednesday, February 28 on Ash Wednesday. Lent is 40 days of prayer, fasting and giving.

In his Lenten message for 2015, Pope Francis asks us to "make our hearts firm" (Jas 5:8) and to be "merciful, attentive and generous." Embrace his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need. Be attentive to the Lenten call to prayer; be generous with your time and treasure. At the end of this article is a link to Pope Francis' full Lenten Message.

In the Diocese of Palm Beach, our parishes will distribute ashes during special Masses. Please check in your parish bulletin or contact your Church for the times, or view our online Parish Directory to find a Church near you.

At the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, the distribution of ashes will take place at the following times:
6:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., Noon (12 p.m.), 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Spanish Mass)

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Read Pope Francis' Lenten Message

Preparing for Lent - Resources

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl

Support the Long-Sleeve Relief Drive

On Ash Wednesday, the Florida Catholic Newspaper's will begin its 9th Annual Long-Sleeve Relief (LSR) Drive to collect clean, USED or NEW cotton shirts.* The drive will begin on February 18 and ends on April 2, Holy Thursday.

Each year during the Lenten season the Florida Catholic Newspaper invites you to make a difference in the lives of our poor brothers and sisters in Christ by taking an active role in the relief drive. Collected shirts are given to farmworker associations across Florida to protect our brothers and sisters in the fields from the sun and other elements as they gather the food we put on our table. Shirts are given to associations in Fellsmere, Pahokee, and others.

How you can participate:

Collect clean used or new long-sleeve men's and women's cotton shirts (100 percent cotton preferred; smaller sizes especially).
Arrange for delivery of the shirts to the closest specified collection/distribution sites.
Call drop-off site to set up a time when shirts can be delivered.
If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to the Florida Catholic and mail to:

LSR

PO Box 4993

Orlando, FL 32802-4993

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View the LSF Flier and Find Drop Off Locations

If you are participating in LSR, please contact Susan Chronowski with your name and/or the name of your organization at: schronowski@thefloridacatholic.org or 321-527-3116 or toll free 1-888-275-9953.

A Successful Caritas Dei Bishop's Gala!

2015 Caritas Dei Bishop's Gala:
Cathie and Andrew Fanjul, Chairmen
Raysa and Alfonso Fanjul, Co-Chairmen

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is pleased to announce the success of its 4th Annual Caritas Dei Bishop's Gala. This year's fundraising event raised more than $600,000 for the second year in a row to benefit the agency's 12 programs and ministries. More than 350 people attended the event held on January 29 The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.

Serving as the Caritas Dei Gala Chairmen were Cathie and Andres Fanjul of Palm Beach and Raysa and Alfy Fanjul of Palm Beach. Kim and Ray Celedinas of Palm Beach were Honorary Chairmen.

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Rachel's Vineyard Retreat Planned This Month

Struggling After an Abortion? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Both men and women can experience the healing love of Jesus Christ during this healing retreat to be held Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, at Casa San Carlos Retreat Center in Delray Beach.

This retreat offers an opportunity to deeply enter into the grieving process and identify the ways your abortion(s) may have affected you or a loved one. Discussions, spiritual exercises, prayer and reflection combined with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Memorial Service honoring your child and a beautiful Mass, will help to heal the wounds of your past. Participation is strictly confidential and offers a beautiful opportunity to experience God's love, forgiveness and tender compassion.

Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call Donna Gardner, Coordinator of Healing Ministries, Catholic Charities Office of Respect Life, at 561-602-4778 or email her at isaiah61@bellsouth.net. All calls and emails are CONFIDENTIAL.

For more information on Rachel's Vineyard, view our web page

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View More Events on the Catholic Charities' Calendar

View the website of Catholic Charities

Events Around the Diocese

There are always opportunities for prayer and fellowship at our parishes, schools and other entities. Below are just a few of this month's upcoming events. For more information on any events listed below, please visit the diocesan online Events Calendar or call the phone number listed for each event.

Annual Mardi Gras Carnival at St. Clare Catholic School - Feb. 12 to 15

Times vary each day

Location: St. Clare Church in North Palm Beach

Phone: 561-622-7171

50th Parish Anniversary Celebration and Mass - Feb. 15

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Sacred Heart Church in Okeechobee

Phone: 863-763-3727

In this great and blessed occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Okeechobee, parish pastor Rev. Yves Francois is inviting every priest in the diocese and everyone who would like to participate in the official Anniversary Mass celebration. Sacred Heart is the diocese's only parish in Okeechobee county. This is the perfect occasion to visit this parish for the first time, or to visit once again. The parish is just a little over an hour away from the Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gardens.

"Music at St. Patrick" - PULSE Chamber Music - Feb. 15

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens

Phone: 561-626-8626

Tony Melendez Concert - Feb. 15

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, Palm Beach Gardens

Interfaith Gleaning Event - Feb. 16

Starting at 8 a.m. (estimate)

Location: Delray Beach

Phone: 561-233-9009

Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection & Ash Wednesday Night of Reflection - Feb. 18

Location: Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach

Phone: 561-626-1300

48th Annual St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Festival - Feb. 20 to 22

Times vary each day

Location: St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach

Phone: 561-276-6892

Afraid- The Gospel of Mark - Feb. 20

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: St. Joseph Church in Stuart

Phone: 772-287-2737

Charismatic Retreat - Feb. 20 - Feb. 22

Time: Starts 5 p.m. on Feb. 20 and ends at noon on Feb. 22

Location: Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach

Phone:561-626-1300

Carmelite Spirituality Workshop - Feb. 21

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: St. Jude Church in Boca Raton

Phone: 561-622-2418

Lenten Converence - Peace & Confidence in the Midst of the Storm - Feb. 21 at 9:15 a.m.

Location: St. John of the Cross Church in Vero Beach

Phone: 772-713-7177 or 772-231-4778

Tony Melendez in Concert - Feb. 21
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Location: St. Peter Church in Jupiter

Phone: 561-575-0837

Paul Todd Concert & Prime Rib Dinner - Feb. 22

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: St. Matthew Church in Boynton Beach

Phone:561-966-8878

Young Adults Meeting (New Parish Ministry) - Feb. 25

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Peter Catholic Church

Phone: 561-775-0837

Lenten Taiz� Prayer Service - Feb. 25

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens

Phone: 561-626-8626

Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy - Feb. 27

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: St. Martin de Porres Church in Jensen Beach

Phone: 772-334-4214

Florida State Divine Mercy Conference - Feb. 28

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: St. Lucie Church in Port St. Lucie

Phone: 772-343-9475

For more information any of the above events, please call the number listed or read more on each on our online Events Calendar

When is Your Next Event?

The Office of Communications is looking for 2015 events. Please consider submitting your 2015 parish, school and ministry events - Fish Fry, Lenten events, special Masses/adorations, fundraisers, concerts, etc. - using the Events Calendar on the diocese's website.

Information submitted is automatically sent to the Office of Communications and the Florida Catholic for inclusion on the diocesan website, in the newspaper and for thoughtful consideration for additional inclusion in E-News Communications and parish bulletin announcements.

Anyone checking out the Events Calendar section on the website will see your event. To submit, just visit www.diocesepb.org/eventsubmit

Where to Find the Diocese's Weekly Mass on TV

The Diocese of Palm Beach's weekly Sunday morning Mass for the homebound no longer airs on ION TV. It airs on Estrella TV - West Palm Beach and at a new time: 9 a.m. -9:30 a.m.

Estrella TV can be found on:

Comcast on Channels 208 & 616
AT&T/U-Verse* on Channel 3024
Hometown Cable Plus on Channel 197
Estrella's over-the-air channel or digital antenna Channel 25.2
Estrella does not air on DirectTV or Dish.

Estrella TV is a Spanish-language American TV station with both English and Spanish-speaking viewers. The Diocese of Palm Beach continues to air its broadcast in English.

The diocese asks those who have loved ones who are homebound or may minister in hospitals and nursing homes to please share this important program change with those you visit.

If you have questions about the change, please contact the diocese's Office of Communications at 561-775-9529 or visit our diocesan TV Mass web page.

*Special notice for U-Verse customers: the instructions provided above may be different for you. You may wish to purchase a low-cost Digital Antenna to watch the televised Mass. Please contact the Office of Communications should you need assistance.

Keep Informed!

In every issue of the Florida Catholic newspaper, you will find good news of our ministries and Church from around our diocese, state, nation and world.
For $26 a year, you can receive 24 issues sent to your home. Or enjoy reading the paper on your tablet or PC. This e-edition subscription is also affordable at $20 a year. AND it includes three editions (Orlando, Venice and Palm Beach dioceses) for the price of one! Visit www.thefloridacatholic.org, or call toll free 1-888-275-9953.

View great stories of our faith and stories of those in our diocese.

Click here to view the latest issue of the Florida Catholic newspaper

Women's Conference in March to Feature Journalist, Mom and Author

All women invited to hear her story

Colleen Campbell Clark will be the featured guest speaker at the Women's Conference in March.

Want a day of faith and fellowship with other women in our diocese? Join us at the 6^th Annual Catholic Women of Faith, Women of Action Conference to be held Saturday, March 7 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius in Palm Beach Gardens. This inspiring day of worship titled Bless Me ~ Heal Me ~ Saint Me ~ will provide you with many opportunities to grow in your prayer life, faith and service.

Our conference speaker will be Colleen Carroll Campbell which many know from EWTN television and radio shows. She is an author, print and broadcast journalist and former presidential speechwriter.

Other conference highlights will include praise & worship, confession, rosary, Mass, and music with H.O.P.E. Ministry Music. Registration/check-in will be held from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.; Conference doors will open at 9 a.m.

Please mark your calendars now to attend. Registration cost is $30 (if received before 2/21/15; $35 thereafter)

View/Print Event Flier and Registration

Remember to share information with your family, friends and other women you know!

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Find conference information on the websites of Palm Beach Diocese Council of Catholic Women at www.pbdccw.catholicweb.com and the diocesan Events Calendar at www.diocesepb.org/womensconference

In Your Community -- 2015 Upcoming Events

Save the Date!

Mark your Calendar for these

Diocese of Palm Beach Events in 2015:

For more information on any events listed below, please visit the diocesan online Events Calendar at
www.diocesepb.org/events

or call the phone number listed for each event.

March 3: The Difference is Love Luncheon, a Fund Raiser Lourdes-Noreen McKeen Residence

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: The Beach Club

Phone: 561-655-8544 ext. 3018

March 4 - Day of Reflection

Time; 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center

Phone: 561-626-1300

March 6- 8: St. Rita's Annual "2015" Church Festival

Time: Varies per day

Location: St. Rita Church in Wellington

Phone: 561-818-8000

March 6- Catholic Homeschoolers on the Treasure Coast March Meeting

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: St. Mark the Evangelist in Ft. Pierce

Phone: 772-337-1530

March 9 - 11 - Lenten Mission featuring John Michael Talbot

Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location: Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in Royal Palm Beach

Phone: 561-798-5661

March 11 - Parenting with Passion

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location: St. Jude School in Boca Raton

Phone: 561- 392-9160

March 14 - St. Clare CCW Spring Flea Market

Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: St. Clare Church North Palm Beach

Phone: 561-622-7477

March 19 - Joe-Paddy Festival

Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location: St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach

Phone: 561-732-4424

Looking for 2015 Events

Don't forget to submit your 2015 & 2016 parish, school and ministry events using the Events Calendar on the diocese's website. Information submitted is automatically sent to the Office of Communications and the Florida Catholic for inclusion on the diocesan website, in the newspaper and for thoughtful consideration for inclusion in E-News Communications and parish bulletin announcements.

To submit, just visit www.diocesepb.org/eventsubmit Remember - submitted events are automatically received by the Florida Catholic and the Communications Office and anyone checking out the Events Calendar section on the website will see your event.