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2 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | Sixth-graders from 29 Catholic schools in the diocese attended Focus 11, a day of reflection focusing on who is at the center of their lives, God or the world. Meeting at Holy Family Parish in Orlando, the students heard talks about God’s love for them and His desire for their abundant life.
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2 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | Even when he dreamt of becoming a chef, working in restaurants before becoming a priest, Father Adam Marchese felt called to be a military chaplain. “When I was called to be a priest and realized I could be a military chaplain, that immediately caught my attention,” he said. Ordained in 2020 under COVID restrictions, it would be two years before Father Adam Marchese began serving in the U.S. Army in May 2023, joining the oldest and smallest military chaplaincy in the United States.
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3 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ROME | Every two years the Missionaries of Mercy meet in Rome for continuing formation in the ministry. This year it coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope. During the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, Pope Francis commissioned more than 1,000 missionaries worldwide, and commissioned other since then. In the Bull of Indiction, Pope Francis said there is an important role for the Missionaries to help to open the hearts of the penitents to hope.
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3 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | The moniker of “Soldiers of Christ” is sometimes used for priests. It is especially fitting for priests who bring Christ to soldiers. According to a report offered by the Orange County (Calif.) Catholic, fewer than 200 active-duty Catholic priests are responsible for the sacramental needs of nearly 1 million Catholic servicemembers, representing a quarter of all American soldiers worldwide.
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3 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
LAKELAND | More than 1,000 gathered at Resurrection Parish in Lakeland for the Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (PEACE) annual Nehemiah Action. The action follows the example of Neh 5:1-13, where Nehemiah gathers the “great assembly” to bring justice to his community after hearing about its economic exploitation. The organization answers the social justice call of Catholics as well as other denominations.
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4 weeks ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
FRUITLAND PARK | More than 300 students from seven different colleges gathered to encounter Christ at the Catholic Campus Ministry annual spring retreat just a few weeks ago. While the group of students mostly came from University of Central Florida, others joined from Florida Institute of Technology, Valencia and Seminole State Colleges, Rollins, Stetson University, and the University of South Florida.
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1 month ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | As we continue our journey of accompaniment with the Elect, we note they have entered the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Up until now, you may have noticed they are dismissed after the readings and homily. On the third Sunday of Lent, March 23, they celebrate the First Scrutiny. There will be a total of three Scrutinies dating back to the early Church.
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1 month ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | For those journeying to Catholicism, the road is dotted with significant landmark moments we call rites. They mark notable transitions in the path. The first one inquirers experience in the Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults (OCIA – formerly called RCIA) is the Rite of Acceptance where they become known as catechumens. Almost a year later, they receive the Rite of Sending.
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1 month ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
ORLANDO | The diocese made history March 9, 2025, as more than 800 people were chosen as “Elect.”The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe could not hold all the families and sponsors at once so two celebrations of the rite took place. Excited about the increase Bishop John Noonan said, “When you have people coming into the Church, wanting Christ in their life and to serve, that is the most joyful celebration we can have.”And thankfully the surge is not an anomaly.
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1 month ago | 
thefloridacatholic.org | Glenda Meekins
DAYTONA BEACH | One hundred fifty students, their coaches, and spectators all gathered in the Father Lopez gymnasium March 1, 2025, to clamor and cheer for their teams in the National Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon. Established in 1989 for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders, this is the first year the Diocese of Orlando Catholic schools participated, and even hosted the event for the state.
