Florida Catholic | Diocese of Palm Beach News Briefs

September 2008

JPII Students participate in mission trip

Posted: 09.23.08

Courtesy Photo
In August, 12 students from Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton participated in a weeklong mission trip to Charleston, S.C., as part of Catholic Heart Workcamp, a youth mission group whose headquarters are in the Orlando area. The students spent the week performing service work and participating in spiritual activities, including Masses and prayer gatherings.

Students and adult chaperons from Pope John Paul II High School gather for a photograph, above, during a mission trip in Charleston last month. Shown in the front row, left to right are Jennifer Heinlein, Teresa Bui, Emily Brown, Christopher Brinkman, Kendall Scarlett, Coach Nate Robinson, John Churley and Nathan Little. In the back row from left to right are Nalline Baliram, Katie Freedman, Caroline Cook, Bianca Loreti, Sarah Brinkman and Lauren Churey.

“This was my first mission trip and I can’t wait for the next one, said Lauren Churey, a junior at Pope John Paul II. “It was so incredible helping the community with all the different projects and meeting kids my age from across the country. It was an amazing experience.”

Diane De Marco, campus minister and community service director at the school, was impressed with the camp and the school’s young mission workers. “This mission trip gave students an opportunity to volunteer in a variety of capacities,” she explained. “One day they were painting houses and planting gardens. The next day they were visiting with the elderly and playing with migrant workers’ children. The Catholic Heart Workcamp did a phenomenal job organizing volunteer assignments and mixing the students with others from across the country.”

Priest celebrates 50 years

Posted: 09.23.08

Parishioners of St. Jude in Boca Raton are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Carmelite Father Richard Francis Champigny, who entered the Carmelite order as a teen, professing his first vows Sept. 15, 1958. After earning college degrees from St. Bonaventure University, Fordham University, and Sant’ Alberto Carmelite College in Rome, Father Champigny was ordained to the priesthood July 31, 1965.

His work over the years includes serving as a Carmelite high school teacher, novice director, pastor and retreat director. He is currently a parochial vicar at St. Jude. He has served in various leadership positions and national “non-Carmelite” ministries such as Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, Charismatic Renewal and Fraternity of Priests. His service work also includes involvement in civic groups. Locally, he took on the role of president of the Kiwanis Club.

Father Champigny is known for his love of music, karaoke and his ministry work to the elderly. He visits local assisted-living facilities and retirement homes, bringing his musical talents and celebrating Mass.

Blessing of the animals

Posted: 09.23.08

St. Lucie Parish will hold a blessing of the animals Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. on the parish grounds. The blessing is in celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is Oct. 4 on the church calendar.

Born in 1181, St. Francis was known for his love of the poor and of animals. He is credited with the creation of the modern Stations of the Cross, and he founded the religious community called the Order of Friars Minor, which today is known as the Franciscans. Members of the Franciscan order serve St. Lucie and will be on hand to bless the animals. All are invited to visit the grounds near the church rotunda. Pets should be in containers. St. Lucie is at 280 S. W. Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For information, call 772-878-1215.

Special Mass to be held at St. Patrick

Posted: 09.23.08

As part of a national observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a special Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito Sept. 28, 2 p.m., at St. Patrick Parish in Palm Beach Gardens. All are welcome.

The commemoration began in 1992 and is an annual observance promoting the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The event celebrates people in recovery and those who serve them, and is a way to educate the public on substance abuse as a national health crisis and that addiction is treatable.

A reception will be held in the parish hall following the Mass. For more information, call the diocesan Office of Substance Addiction Ministry at 561-775-9527.

Day of reflection planned

Posted: 09.23.08

The Serra Club of South Palm Beach County will sponsor a day of reflection Oct. 4, beginning 9 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. The day will be led by Msgr. Leonard Badia, a retired priest from the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., who is currently serving parishes here in the Diocese of Palm Beach and is an adjunct professor at the seminary. The cost is $25 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Proceeds will benefit the seminary. Call 561-279-9393 for information.

John Carroll kicks off fundraising campaign

Posted: 09.23.08

The yearlong John Carroll High School annual giving campaign is off and running. Last year, the community campaign made the hiring of additional school educators possible, a new school bus was purchased, and the funds also helped with a new scoreboard, rubberized track for the athletic field and a wooden gymnasium floor.

Donations may be made through a variety of avenues including planned gifts, personalized scholarships and memorial gifts, as well as pledges and gifts of multiple payments. Donors receive rewards such as corporate advertising, tickets to school events, preferred football parking and other items. For a copy of the annual giving brochure, call 772-464-5200 or visit www.JohnCarrollHigh.com.

Student receives scholarship for writing

Posted: 09.23.08

Jennifer Youngblood, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Boca Raton, won a scholarship award given as part of a program of the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 11241. The council held a writing competition in which 14 students participated. Jennifer’s winning piece focused on the importance of community service. The teen, who is in her first year at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, will receive $1,350 to help with tuition.

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