Florida Catholic | 2008 Columns by Bishop Barbarito

An extraordinary sacred and silent moment

This column is the bishop’s homily on the occasion of the priesthood ordination of Father Elifete St. Fort, Sept. 27, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

OCTOBER 10, 2008 | Today we rejoice as we come together as a church to celebrate the sacrament of holy orders and to confer upon Deacon Elifete St. Fort the very priesthood of Jesus Christ. This is indeed a great gift for Eli, for his family and for all of us as the particular church of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Today through this gift, Eli is joined to the entire presbyterate of the Diocese of Palm Beach and becomes a servant of the people of God here in southern Florida, enfleshing the words of Jesus that were just proclaimed in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Knowing Christ Jesus

SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 | The Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians is a significant one for us to reflect upon during this Year of St. Paul. It is also significant for us as we approach our 25th year as a diocesan family in Palm Beach.

The Letter to the Philippians was one written to friends. With the exception of the Letter to the Thessalonians and the little personal note to Philemon, St. Paul began every one of his letters with a formal statement of his official position as an apostle. He did not do this in his letter to the Philippians. Of all the churches, the Church of Philippi was closest to Paul and he wrote as a friend to his friends.

Believe what you teach

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito’s homily on the occasion of the permanent diaconate ordination, Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, Sept. 6.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 | Today, eight men from various backgrounds and different areas of our diocese will be ordained to serve as permanent deacons. They have worked hard to come to this day and we rejoice with them as they undertake this new responsibility of service in their lives. The Holy Spirit has been an integral part of their discernment and preparation. He will continue to be with them in the future as he is called down upon them in a unique manner today.

Mary, Labor Day and Love

AUGUST 29, 2008 | The month of September is upon us. Labor Day is here, and we associate it with the end of summer and the start of another year with a more routine schedule for ourselves and our families. Children are back to school, vacations are pretty much over and the usual occupations that take most of our time become more obvious.

‘The Creed of the People of God’ and ‘Humanae Vitae’

AUGUST 15, 2008 | It was the summer of 1968, 40 years ago. It turned out to be a very significant one in the history of the church. It occurred during what was perhaps the height of the turbulence and uncertainties of the 60s. The Second Vatican Council had concluded its monumental work and its transforming accomplishments were already being implemented in the life of the church. However, a misunderstanding of the work and nature of the council was also prevalent as part of the general atmosphere of the 60s.

The hope of tomorrow, the promise of today

JULY 17, 2008 | During the month of June our diocese was privileged to sponsor the Steubenville Youth Conference. It was an inspiring event where more than 1,300 young people came from all over Florida and other parts of our country to be witnesses to their Catholic faith and to deepen that faith. The weekend included many talks, eucharistic adoration, confessions and a concluding Mass. The young people participated enthusiastically in these spiritual activities.

The year of St. Paul – the year of our diocese

JUNE 16, 2008 | Soon our diocese will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its foundation on Oct. 24, 1984. We will begin our celebration with Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius on Oct. 24 and continue to celebrate our 25 years of growth. Our celebration will be centered on the Eucharist. There will be four special anniversary Masses, one in each deanery, which I will be privileged to celebrate, as well as a program of Forty Hours devotion in each parish. Included among the many events for the year are a Mass and walk with our youths, a diocesan dinner dance and a concluding Mass at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, which will highlight the rich and varied ethnic diversity of our diocese. We have much to look forward to and to celebrate.

How beautiful the footsteps of those who bring good news

JUNE 6, 2008 | I am very pleased that a task force has been formed in our diocese to study our Catholic schools in a proactive manner so that we can continue to provide the best Catholic education possible. Catholic schools have been an integral part of the handing on of our faith, and we want to do all we can to preserve this tradition. We all know the challenges, economic and otherwise, which face our schools and are causing many to close around our nation. These challenges are no less present to us in southern Florida and we need to take positive action to ensure the future of our Catholic schools.

The message and the messenger

MAY 22, 2008 | The apostolic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States was an extraordinary event and it was a privilege to be part of it. His message was a powerful one, and his gentleness and loving pastoral outreach were evident in all that he said and did. The Holy Father is a man of tremendous faith and of extraordinary intellectual acumen. He communicates well by his words and by his person. There is no question that all he says comes directly from his heart. He is a man without any veneer who is not trying to impress, and that is one of the reasons he is so impressive and why his message received, and will continue to receive, attention.

Mary, Queen of the Apostles

MAY 9, 2008 | The month of May is dedicated to Our Lady. For us in the Diocese of Palm Beach this is especially significant since our patroness is Mary under her title as Queen of the Apostles. Even though Mary was not one of the Twelve Apostles, she epitomized the ministry of the apostles in every way. She is the mother of the church and the model Christian. As we look at the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, Mary’s divine Son, there is no one who cooperated more closely and intimately in the life and ministry of Christ than Our Lady herself. While we never see Mary teaching and preaching in the Gospel, her quiet role as Queen of the Apostles gave them the example of what their ministry was about.

The pope’s most-treasured words

Homily at the April 4 priesthood ordination of Father Andrew Brierley.

APRIL 18, 2008 | This past week a very interesting news analysis regarding the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States appeared in the New York Times. It was insightful as it observed that much of the media will attempt to deal with the pope’s visit through the misunderstanding of categories used for celebrities and politicians, and for a religious leader these are quite feeble. Pope Benedict’s words and actions will be carefully scrutinized for all kinds of possible meanings and agendas, as happens with all public figures. However, in a very powerful and significant statement, the analysis said of the pope, “Of all the words he speaks during his trip here, the ones that will probably go least examined are no doubt the ones he treasures most, the words of the Mass.”

‘Where I am you also may be’

APRIL 4, 2008 | In my last column, the homily for the chrism Mass at St. Ignatius Cathedral, I made reference to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz’s book, “A Life with Karol.” It is a reflection of Cardinal Dziwisz on his close 40-year relationship with the great Pope John II as his personal secretary. Perhaps one of the most moving parts of the book is the conclusion. Here Cardinal Dziwisz recalls the pope’s funeral and his final farewell to Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005, three years ago.

He stood in line with everyone else

MARCH 21, 2008 | In a few minutes, during this chrism Mass, we will bless and consecrate the oils that will be used for sacramental celebrations in our parishes during the coming year. Oil and chrism have a special meaning that signify healing, as in the sacrament of the sick; strength, as in the sacrament of confirmation; and being set apart, as in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and ordination. However, there is another significance that is a natural part of being anointed with oil which we may not too often reflect upon. The anointing reminds us of our common condition and unites us, as if to seal us, with each other.

The staff, the lily and the shamrock

MARCH 7, 2008 | In my previous column, I suggested that a good image to keep before us during the season of Lent is a depiction of the Trinity, which was commonly used as an altarpiece during the Middle Ages. Titled the “Throne of Mercy,” the painting is a vivid portrayal of God the Father holding out to the world in his outstretched arms his beloved Divine Son on a crucifix. The Holy Spirit, depicted as a dove, hovers between them as the breath of the Father. The painting speaks in a moving manner the reality that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son and the Son gave his life on a cross that we might have life through the Holy Spirit.

Christ made himself poor for you

FEBRUARY 22, 2008 | Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Lenten message this year is titled “Christ Made Himself Poor for You” (2 Cor 8:9). The message is on the practice of almsgiving and the Holy Father emphasizes that we are to give to others because God has so generously given to us. To reflect upon the love of God for us and to respond to the love is indeed the essence of all we do by prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent.

The ashes of Lent: a badge of humility

FEBRUARY 8, 2008 | This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. There is something quite unique about that day. It marks the beginning of Lent and a solemn penitential season of 40 days for the church. Yet, there is almost something mystical that surrounds the day! Churches are filled with people anxious to receive ashes and to wear that symbol throughout the day.

Life and family: an indissoluble union

JANUARY 25, 2008 | Last week, on Jan. 22, hundreds of thousands of men and women from all faiths and backgrounds marched in Washington, D.C., to the Supreme Court in prayerful protest of the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in our country. On the same day in our diocese, many planned to come together at 11 a.m. outside the Palm Beach County Courthouse to pray the rosary in solidarity with the Washington marchers. Hundreds of similar events took place around our nation to pray for an end to abortion within our country and to show support for the right to life at every stage of human existence.

Some principles for the new year

JANUARY 11, 2008 | Books constantly appear on the topic of leadership and the style of different leaders, both past and present. There is a great interest in leadership and the measures employed by great men and women in inspiring their followers. While these books are aimed at those in corporate and other political positions, they also have meaning for dealing effectively with the matters of everyday life, no matter what position one may be in. Some of the principles of leadership are good to keep before us as we begin a new year and try to abide by some resolutions we have made.

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