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| January 7, 2009 | |||
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Diocese celebrates consecrated life
Members of religious communities gather at Mary Immaculate Parish to celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life. Religious men and women of the diocese gathered with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito for a special Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Feb. 2 at Mary Immaculate Parish in celebration of “World Day for Consecrated Life.” Pope John Paul II in 1997 instituted “World Day for Consecrated Life” to be celebrated on the feast of the Purification, Feb. 2, or on the weekend nearest to the feast. His successor Pope Benedict XVI affirms and continues this celebration each year with the eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and extends it to all dioceses around the world. The purpose of this celebration is to thank God for the call of men and women religious to follow the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. And, at the same time, it is intended to be a suitable occasion for consecrated persons to renew their commitments and rekindle the fervor, which should inspire their offerings of themselves to the Lord. According to Sister Margaret Jeanne Keller of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, episcopal delegate of religious men and women, 125 nuns, 51 priests and two religious brothers serve the Diocese of Palm Beach. Newman students deliver letters to senatorsStudents from Cardinal Newman High School, accompanied by school representatives, participated in pro-life events in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21-22 to mark the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. During their trip, the students presented letters composed by Father David Carr, school president, to the offices of all senators. The letters and visits were an attempt to urge the senators to consider supporting pro-life legislation in the 110th Congress. Later, the teens participated with thousands of others during the annual March for Life, a prayer vigil, a Mass for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and other activities. Icon stolen from Mary ImmaculateA 120-pound painting was stolen from the wall of the chapel in busy daylight hours from Mary Immaculate Parish in West Palm Beach. Church personnel discovered the missing replica of Our Lady of Czestochowa Jan. 25 when doors opened for 8 a.m. Mass. “It is about 4 by 3 feet,” said Sylwester Buczek, coordinator of religious education. “It is valued at $14,000. We are trying to get the word out. We are distributing flyers to pawn shops and asking parishes to post announcements in their bulletins.” The painting is framed in 24-karat gold and painted on wood. It was created by an artist in Poland where the original — which is also called the “Black Madonna” because Mary’s face is black from attempts to destroy it — is found. The original painting is one of the great spiritual treasures of Poland and is kept in a magnificent basilica in Czestochowa. “I come from Poland, so it even has more value to me,” said Buczek. Parishioners raised funds to buy the painting more than two years ago. When it arrived at the parish, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito blessed it in a ceremony. Buczek said the West Palm Beach Police Department is working on the case, but he’s still worried. “It is unthinkable what might happen to it.” The chapel contains a surveillance camera, but address labels were taped to the lens. Police are studying the images from the camera at this point. The parish is asking anyone with information to call 561-686-8128. Council of Catholic Women to award scholarshipsThe Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women seeks applicants for its annual scholarship award. In total, $1,000 will be awarded to three Catholic female high school seniors who expect to attend a Catholic college or university in the fall of this year. Applications are due by March 31 and are available at parish offices. Applications may also be obtained by clicking on www.pbdccw.catholicweb.com. For additional information, call Rita Bryant of the scholarship committee at 561-434-0073. Day of reflection set at seminaryThe Serra Club of South Palm Beach County is planning a “Day of Reflection” March 1 at the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, 10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, led by Father Joseph Kuczborski, chaplain. The morning begins with a 9 a.m. Mass in the St. Mary Chapel, followed by a continental breakfast. The day will include talks and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. It will end at 1 p.m. with lunch in the seminary’s cafeteria. Tickets are $20 per person and reservations are required. Call Michael Farenga at 561-703-4042 or at contact him at amfhomes@bellsouth.net.
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