Florida Catholic | Diocesan Roundup

Published: 12.07.07

Now that the holidays are over, it’s a good time to catch one’s breath — and to catch up on some of the good news that’s happening around the diocese.

So let’s get right to it.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

Right before Christmas, on Dec. 22, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Sacred Heart Parish in Pinellas Park held its annual Christmas giveaway, which included food and toys.

It has become such a staple for those who are in need that the first person showed up with a cot that morning at 4:30 a.m. in order to be first in line to pick out toys and a food basket that included turkey and dessert. The giveaway started at 1 p.m., said Larry Peterson, president of the Sacred Heart conference.

The giveaway wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without the help of Sacred Heart’s parishioners, he said.

“Without the parishioners, there’s zero, because 90 percent of the stuff we get is from the parishioners,” said Peterson.

Donations to the poor box and gifts of toys were a big help, he said. Baskets of food were distributed to 237 families and more than 500 toys were given away, he added.

More people came this Christmastime than in past years, he said, citing the economy as a factor. Even though many of the people who were there had jobs, little things — such as hours being cut or being employed at part-time jobs — made the difference in terms of needing help to get toys or food for the holidays.

“It’s a sign of the times,” Peterson said. “People are hanging on by their fingernails.”

As for the giveaway, which he defined as “a great Catholic effort,” he said it was for anyone who showed some need in the area, including those who are not Catholic.

TYPHOON ASSISTANCE

I got a call recently from Father Jude Vera, a parochial vicar from St. James the Apostle Parish in Port Richey, who wanted to tell me about the efforts he and parishioners have been making on behalf of some children in the Philippines.

A typhoon in November 2006 struck Albay, the province in the Philippines from which Father Vera hails originally. He wanted to do something to help. With the permission of the then-pastor of the parish, Father Robert Kuzmann, and the blessings of Bishop Robert N. Lynch, the parish formed an apostolate to help, calling it the Orphans of St. Jude. The new pastor, Father Mike Cormier, also approved when he got on board, Father Vera said.

Money was raised during Christmas 2006, and Father Vera traveled to Legazpi in the Philippines in May 2007 to bring tennis shoes, backpacks and school supplies. He encountered children who had been left homeless and some whose immediate family members had perished when the typhoon hit. He set up an educational fund for those orphans.

Father Vera said he’s proud of the apostolate.

“It’s important because we need to help the poor people of God,” he said, “and this is a way in which I could put the Gospel of God into action, not only during homilies, but to also translate the word of God into a meaningful apostolate.”

Father Vera recently sent a box full of gifts for Christmas for the orphans.

“The people here are so generous,” he said.

When he goes back to the Philippines this summer, he plans to hold a retreat for the orphans to feed them spiritually as well, he said.

Both the apostolate and his encounters with the orphans have made a profound impression on Father Vera.

“It has impacted me a lot,” he said. “The way I celebrate Mass. The way I deal with people. I realized that we people here in the States are so blessed because of the material things we have. If you go to the other side of the world, you can realize how truly blessed we are.”

To learn more or to help out, go to www.orphansofstjude.org.

RETIRED ORGANIST DIES AT 80

On a sad note, a parishioner who was part of the St. Joseph Parish community in Tampa for a long time died Dec. 27, 2007. Jennie LoCicero was 80 and started playing the organ at her home parish in 1942, said John Cinchett, current parish organist. He contacted the Florida Catholic to let others know about her life and dedication.

Cinchett knew LoCicero since 1988, the year that she stopped playing the organ there. He said she went to the parish school while growing up, sang in the choir with the nuns and loved music. Though she retired during the 1970s, she continued to help out with school plays. She also taught music.

“She was always just an extremely dedicated, devoted lady,” said Cinchett. “To me, she was an inspiration as an organist. She gave all of her heart and soul to her music and her students. She gave 110 percent to her church and her faith. She was the most wonderful, kind person. I thought it’s rare that you find someone who dedicates (her) life to (her) church like that. Her position as organist — that was her life. For someone to serve as organist for that many years, that’s incredible.”

As it turns out, Cinchett’s family also has a long history with the parish. His grandfather was baptized at the church. His parents were married there and LoCicero played the organ on their wedding day — as she did countless times over the years during Masses and funerals and other weddings.

He added that when he played the organ during her funeral Mass, he suddenly realized that it was the same organ she played during his parents’ wedding so many years earlier.

“The music you hear at church moves you and it makes your day,” he said. “It can make or break your day. Think of all the people who heard her music over the course of all those years.”

Return to Diocese of St. Petersburg Front Page

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

TYPHOON ASSISTANCE

RETIRED ORGANIST DIES AT 80

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