Florida Catholic | Diocese's 'silver' celebration will last a full year

Diocese’s ‘silver’ celebration will last a full year

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 08.29.08

The logo concept was the vision of Bishop Barbarito in keeping with the anniversary celebration’s Eucharistic theme. The design features the Eucharist and a chalice with the Diocese of Palm Beach crest.
Diocese of Palm Beach

The Diocese of Palm Beach, which turns 25 in October 2009, will keep the Eucharist at the heart of a yearlong jubilee celebration kicking off Oct. 24 with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

“I am very much looking forward to celebrating the anniversary,” Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, who is celebrating an anniversary of his own this month, told the Florida Catholic.

“At this stage, I have been part of the diocese’s history for five years,” he said. “Granted, five years is a very short time, but 25 years in terms of the history of the church, which goes back for 2,000 years, is in reality short, too.

“We are a young diocese. I am happy to be here for the 25th and to also have spent five years of the 25 years in the diocese.”

Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Palm Beach, which was part of the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Orlando, Oct. 24, 1984.

Bishop Barbarito was appointed by Pope John Paul II and installed as fifth bishop Aug. 28, 2003, the feast day of St. Augustine.

When Bishop Barbarito came to the 5,115-square-mile diocese with five counties five years ago, records indicated that Catholics here numbered about 224,000.

Today, according to numbers received from the diocesan chancellor’s office, the Diocese of Palm Beach is 278,674 strong. Bishop Barbarito said the population continues to grow along with other aspects.

“The City of God (as he refers to the Diocese of Palm Beach) is growing and that is because of the people,” explained Bishop Barbarito.

“The population is growing. We are growing because the people here are vibrant. They are filled with faith. They are filled with hope. They love their parishes as a family. They love their priests. There is an atmosphere of faith that I see, and it continues everywhere I go,” the bishop said. “I am really looking forward to this year. We have a lot planned, and it is centered around what is the center of our faith and that is the Eucharist.”

The theme of the diocesewide celebration is “A Eucharistic People,” and the events, programs and activities planned for the next 12 months are nonstop: an opening Mass and reception at the cathedral open to all; a Forty Hours eucharistic devotion event in each of the 53 parishes and missions; a big social with dancing; a special Mass in each of the four deaneries; youth events and a closing Mass Oct. 24, 2009, at the Convention Center in downtown West Palm Beach.

“Parishes are urged to plan their own celebrations in conjunction with our anniversary and to promote the diocesan anniversary in their bulletins and at parish events,” said Father Francis Lechiara, chairman of the anniversary committee. “Also encouraged is an ecumenical outreach to neighboring churches in the form of an open house.”

A special anniversary logo is being used on event materials and to promote activities, according to Alexis Walkenstein, diocesan director of communications. “The logo is available to all parishes.”

The logo concept was the vision of Bishop Barbarito in keeping with the anniversary celebration’s eucharistic theme. The logo features the Eucharist and a chalice with the Diocese of Palm Beach crest.

A commemorative book is also being published. The book will include information and history on the diocese’s parishes and missions, schools and other entities, along with photos.

The schools are also getting involved with their own projects.

“As part of our celebration, the schools are doing story boards,” said Franciscan Sister Joan Dawson, superintendent of schools. “The boards will include history, important points of the school, outreach and service projects.” The boards will be featured at different venues. The locations will be announced at a later date.

A major highlight coming Oct. 27 is a monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II. Father Yves François, director of the diocesan vocations office, is traveling with the precious container used to display the eucharistic Lord to parishes through Nov. 14.

“I am traveling to 16 parishes with it for adoration,” said Father François. The Florida Catholic will publish a list of the parishes as soon as arrangements are confirmed. “Pope John Paul II blessed one monstrance for each of the continents,” he explained.

The monstrance coming here is one of six blessed by the late pope. The Serra USA organization, which is dedicated to promoting vocations, is coordinating the travel arrangements.

“It has been said that healing has taken place by people who have prayed before it,” Father François said. “People have been healed. Problems have been solved. All kinds of blessings have taken place.”

People visiting the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance are asked to pray for Pope John Paul II and for his beatification; for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate program and religious life; and for the Diocese of Palm Beach and its people.

Bishop Barbarito is encouraging all to participate in the yearlong celebration, especially the young people.

There are special activities planned for the young adults and youths including a walk for charity and a festival open to all ages on Flagler in downtown West Palm Beach February 2009. Watch the Florida Catholic for details.

The bishop expressed his feeling about the new generation of the still-young Diocese of Palm Beach in an interview with the Florida Catholic.

“We are a young diocese. We are still growing. We want to encourage our young people to take hold of the church as their own.

“This is their church. It is their family. They are not only the hope of tomorrow, they are the presence of today. They are today for the church. We want to really affirm and encourage our young people in terms of the faith today.

“We have good young people. Our diocese is strong, alive, vibrant,” Bishop Barbarito continued. “It is filled with hope.”

The yearlong celebration officially begins Oct. 24 with Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral. A reception will follow. For a list of upcoming events, watch the Florida Catholic.

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