Florida Catholic | Diocese of Palm Beach News Briefs

April Briefs

May 2008

Longtime Cardinal Newman coach retires

Posted: 05.23.08

Samuel Budnyk, athletic director of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, will retire in June after nearly 50 years of coaching youngsters.

Budnyk began his career in 1959 as a teacher and first coach at St. Ann High School in West Palm Beach, where he served for one year. The high school became Cardinal Newman High School in 1961, with Budnyk in charge of athletics. At Cardinal Newman, Budnyk served as head football coach for 44 years and as head coach for boys and girls track, softball, boys basketball, boys and girls golf, and freshman baseball. He retired from coaching in May 2004, but continued to serve as athletic director.

In 1967, Budnyk coached the first integrated football game in Palm Beach County when Cardinal Newman faced JFK High School at Cooley Stadium in West Palm Beach. He coached Theonrade Hawkins, the first African-American to receive a full football scholarship to the University of Florida in 1973. He coached the first girl to run in a Palm Beach County track meet in 1975.

He guided many eventual National Football League players, including John Carney (Chargers, Saints, Jaguars), Craig Erickson (Buccaneers, Colts, Dolphins), Chris T. Jones (Eagles, Raiders) and Abram Elam (Cowboys, Jets). Budnyk has sent more than 150 football players to Division I colleges on scholarships, and presently has two former players in the NFL.

Children gather in song

Posted: 05.23.08

Lisa Bucheck, music minister at St. Peter parish and music teacher at St. Clare, demonstrates the art of guitar strumming during a music event at St. Peter parish. Children attended from parishes throughout the dicoese.
Courtesy Photo

Nearly 90 children gathered at St. Peter Church in Jupiter April 19 to sing, worship and brush up on their musical skills during a children’s choir festival.

The annual event is held to gather young singers and choir directors and celebrate music. “On the day of the festival, all the choirs come together for rehearsal time and workshop time, and then put on a final worship concert,” said Janet Perez, children’s choir director and cantor at St. Paul of the Cross in North Palm Beach about the event, organized in conjunction with Tom Tiehel, music director at St. Peter.

“I choose the music and workshops months in advance,” she said.

This year’s event drew children from parishes and schools across the central Diocese of Palm Beach, including St. Clare, Holy Name of Jesus and All Saints schools, and St. Edward, St. Peter, St. Paul of the Cross, St. John the Evangelist and St. Patrick parishes.

The day included rehearsals and workshops focused on sign language, spiritual dance, hand bells, drama, drumming, guitar and art. The day ended with a concert under the direction of Marie Jo Thum, composer and director of music at St. John the Evangelist Parish.

“The concert truly revealed the joy of music ministry,” Perez told the Florida Catholic.

Vocations Office wants to talk

Posted: 05.23.08

The diocesan Office of Vocations publishes a newsletter called “Let’s Talk Vocations.” According to office director Father Yves François, the newsletter is designed for young people of the dioceses who are thinking about the priesthood, and will also be useful for anyone thinking about pursuing priestly vocations or religious life. The newsletter will include inspirational and informative messages, information on office programs and activities, and testimonies written by seminarians.

To obtain a newsletter, call 561-775-9552.

Festival draws hundreds to honor Blessed Mother

Posted: 05.23.08

May is traditionally recognized as the month to honor the Blessed Mother and the time when the Diocese of Palm Beach holds its annual Marian Rosary Festival dedicated to Our Lady.

This year’s event May 4, themed “Mother of Mercy,” drew hundreds to the grounds of Emmanuel Parish in Delray Beach where the festival was held for the second consecutive year. Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito presided and crowned a statue of the Virgin Mary. The day also included a procession featuring people with roots tied to different countries around the world, and close to 30 different icons of Mary. The event closed with entertainment and food.

RIGHT: Children dressed in blue and red silk process with the Our Lady of LaVang image during the Marian Rosary Festival.
MARGUERITE INSOLIA | FC

Newman band plays music to the ears

Posted: 05.09.08

Cardinal Newman High School Band in West Palm Beach returned home from a trip in April to the “Festivals of Music Competition” in Boston toting trophies. The band, competing against 93 other bands and students from around the country, took the title “Overall Grand Champions.” The wind ensemble won the highest possible rating and first place in its category. The ensemble was even invited by festival directors to perform at the awards ceremony, which is considered a great honor. The jazz band walked away with a first-place title and a superior rating. The percussion ensemble took an excellent rating, as did Cardinal Newman’s dance team.

The high school will hold its “Spring Festival of Music” May 15, 7 p.m., at the Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach Community College in Lake Worth. Advance tickets are $7 per person, or $10 per person at the door. For more information, call 561-683-6266, ext. 1049, or e-mail tlepore@cardinalnewman.com

Knights accepting scholarship applications

Posted: 05.09.08

The Knights of Columbus Council 11241 of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish seeks candidates for the organization’s annual scholarship award program. Eighth-graders registered at Pope John Paul II High School for the class of 2012, are eligible. The scholarship is based on service to the community, and applicants must submit a typewritten essay describing the type of service completed, number of service hours performed, the reasons for performing the acts and how the works affect the student’s life. At the top of the essay candidates must include full name, address, phone number and current school information.

A dinner to benefit the scholarship program is planned for May 10, beginning 5:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes, 22094 Lyons Road in Boca Raton. At this time, all essays must be submitted. Selection will be announced July 1.

“I think it is so important to our Catholic community that we encourage and help students continue their Catholic education,” said Barbara A. Harbin, director of admissions at Pope John Paul II High School. “Catholic schools have been vital to passing on the faith to the next generation. It is vital that we work hard to make this education affordable and available to our Catholic students. I am extremely grateful to the Knights, and I look forward to other councils and organizations helping in similar ways.”

John Carroll High School wins Envirothon title, again

Posted: 05.09.08

John Carroll High School is the first school to win the state Envirothon title three years in a row. The team of Kyle Collins, Eric Zaluzec, Danny Irizarry, Victoria Delaporte and Taylor Tench competed in the 2008 state Envirothon competition April 12 and won first place overall. The team placed first in the aquatics, forestry and soil categories, and second place in the wildlife category to earn its first-place overall standing.

The competition is aimed at teaching students to be more environmentally conscious. This year’s special topic was based on the impact humans have on natural resources due to recreation. Students talked to experts, performed research and studied data to prepare for the competition.

Next up, the team, which includes two first-year competitors, will compete at the University of Northern Arizona this summer, hoping to place in the top 10.

RETURN TO TOP | RETURN TO DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH FRONT PAGE

Longtime Cardinal Newman coach retires

Children gather in song

Vocations Office wants to talk

Festival draws hundreds to honor Blessed Mother

Newman band plays music to the ears

Knights accepting scholarship applications

John Carroll High School wins Envirothon title, again

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