November 21, 2009 |
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Walkers pound pavement for fun(ds)Proceeds from the Youth in Action event will benefit Catholic Charities after-school programs. Posted: 02.12.09 
LINDA REEVES | FC WEST PALM BEACH | Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, dressed in a yellow T-shirt and priest’s collar, crossed the finish line with an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 others running and walking in solidarity, faith and service during the first diocesan Youth in Action event. “I like to walk,” he told the Florida Catholic when asked how he was holding up after 3.11 miles of steady strolling Feb. 8 along Flagler Drive and the scenic Intracoastal Waterway with Father Brian King, episcopal secretary, at his side. “It is all wonderful,” he said about the walk and other activities drawing together youngsters and adults from the 53 parishes and missions and 21 schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach. The day’s activities began before the sun was up for volunteers from parishes and schools across the diocese. In the matter of hours, crews working in unison transformed the Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach into a gathering place with refreshments and a worship space for an early morning Mass with Bishop Barbarito presiding. “Everyone was so well-organized,” said Tom Lawlor of the diocesan prison ministry office, there early to help crews that began working at 5 a.m.  LINDA REEVES | FC More than 800 walkers pre-registered for the event but the remainder of the 1,500 shirts purchased for handouts went quickly as last-minute participants showed up for the day’s activities. As of Friday Feb. 6, according to walk officials, more than $26,000 was collected, but that figure was destined to grow when final tally is completed. Funds will benefit Catholic Charities after-school programs that serve the youngsters of low-income families in areas including Belle Glade, Pahokee, Okeechobee, Riviera Beach and Fort Pierce. “I like being out here and walking to help kids,” said Mary Keeney, 12, gathered with more than 100 others from All Saints School in Jupiter. The walk is part of the yearlong 25th anniversary celebration of the diocese, themed “A Eucharistic People.” During the Mass, Bishop Barbarito thanked all for working so hard, and he thanked all for coming together to participate and to celebrate 25 years as a diocese. “We come together to show that we are a family, and that family is the Catholic Church,” he said. “We walk this morning as a witness to Jesus Christ. We walk as a family.” Bernadette Shalhoub, event chair, was on hand and acknowledged for her significant role. She came up with the walk idea five years ago. “I have thought about getting our youth to do a race/walk on Flagler. I had spoken to several of my friends and they all seemed to think it was a great idea,” she said. When she ran the idea by Dottie Carson, the walk took off at a steady pace. Carson, a parishioner and catechist at St. Juliana Parish, also received honors. “She donated her time and expertise to this event,” said Anthony Marchica, diocesan director of the office of catechetical leadership and youth ministry, which helped organize the event. “It is she who has directed the work of the committee and worked with the city to organize and coordinate everything. She has been involved in every aspect from T-shirts, to promotional materials, rallies, legalities, etc.” Carson spoke to the Florida Catholic. “I feel relieved that we have been able to serve God in this fashion,” she said. “His children deserve such an event – to experience each other, to work together for a cause, being kids helping kids – and the joy of the celebration of the Mass by Bishop Barbarito in an outside venue, all together with no separation of parish or school or county or economic status among them. ... We hope the world is watching, or at least the rest of the diocese.” The walk was followed by pizza, fellowship and music. Willy Guardiola of Christian on a Mission ministry and the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola helped with the event music. He summed the day up in a few words: “What a long but phenomenal and productive day.”
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