Events

Conferral of Diocesan and Papal Honors

November 4, 2018
As the Diocese of Orlando’s 50^thanniversary jubilee year comes to a close, parishes throughout the diocese joined in midday prayer at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe Nov. 4 to reflect upon the Year of the Eucharist and give thanks for God’s gracious gifts. Commemorating the occasion, Bishop John Noonan celebrated God’s blessings by distributing the diocesan honor, the Mary, Mother of God Medal, and Papal honors approved by Pope Francis.

 

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Red Mass

October 17, 2018
“The Red Mass is one of those moments where we should all remind ourselves, as judges and lawyers, that faith is essential to everything we do,” said Arthur Bryant Applegate, this year’s Catholic Lawyers Guild of Central Florida St. Thomas More award recipient. Bishop John Noonan celebrated Red Mass at St. James Cathedral Oct. 17 to pray for judges, attorneys, and all members of the legal profession.

 

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Gift of Sacred Mystery

September 8, 2018
More than 1,000 faithful gathered to listen to three very different speakers share insights regarding the Eucharist at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Sept. 8, 2018. As part of the Diocese of Orlando 50th anniversary jubilee, honoring the Year of the Eucharist, The Gift of Sacred Mystery delved into the Eucharist as gift, as sacred and as mysterious encounter.

 

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Interfaith Prayer Service

June 18, 2018
Bishop John Noonan and religious leaders during the Interfaith Prayer Service for the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Orlando June 18.

 

 

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50th Anniversary Mass

June 18, 2018
Bishop John Noonan, priests, deacons, and the faithful of the Diocese of Orlando celebrate the Eucharist for the 50th anniversary of the diocese June 18.

 

 

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Diaconate Ordination

June 9, 2018
Bishop Noonan ordained eight men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Orlando. The new deacons are: Louis Bartos, Jr. of Sacred Heart Parish, New Smyrna; Thomas Cuff of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Winter Park; Mark Fry, of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Winter Park; Hector Fabio Isaza Zapata of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Deltona; Anthony Medina Cruz of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Altamonte Springs; Wilmar Rojas Clavijo of St. Joseph/St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish, Orlando; Edward Struttmann of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Indialantic; and Wilfrid Tilus of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Kissimmee.

 

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Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession

June 3, 2018
More than 1,000 people processed to various altars of repose to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Each altar was uniquely adorned to reflect the culture it represented. Music and traditions of various ethnic communities in the diocese were highlighted, as all came together as the body of Christ.

 

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Mass for an End to Storms

June 1, 2018
During the Mass for an End to Storms, Bishop Noonan reminded us of our call to care for ourselves and our neighbors – “As we begin the hurricane season, let us be mindful of our own safety and the safety of others.” Pray with us for protection from the dangers of wind, fire and flood – that those in need of safe haven be led to helping hands and open hearts.

 

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Chrism Mass

March 28, 2018
Bishop Noonan blessed the oils used in church celebrations throughout the year: The oil of the sick, an oil of healing (used in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick) and the Oil of Catechumens, an oil of faith building (used to anoint those preparing for Baptism, both infants and adults), as well as the consecration of the Sacred Chrism (used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders). After the Mass, priests took the blessed oils back to their parishes to be used in Sacraments and other celebrations throughout the year.

 

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Night Fever

March 16, 2018
The Young Adult ministry from St. James Cathedral and four other parishes joined to become street evangelizers during Night Fever, March 16, in downtown Orlando.

 

 

 

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Florida Eucharistic Congress

March 16/17, 2018
Sponsored by the Diocese of St. Augustine, the Florida Eucharistic Congress was a celebration of the Eucharist with Living Stations of the Cross, Procession and Adoration. Featuring keynote speaker, Fr. Larry Richards, the event offered a variety of sessions for youth, adults and Spanish speakers.

 

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Rite of Election

February 19, 2018
Sixty-two parishes, basilicas and missions were represented in the journey to be initiated in the Catholic Church. They were invited to sign a book and were presented to Bishop John Noonan. “This is part of your journey,” explained Bishop Noonan. “From this day now until celebration of the Easter sacrament, you will be called the elect of God.”

 

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Men’s RiseUp Conference

Feb 17, 2018
More than 600 men from around Florida recently attended the third annual RiseUp Catholic Men’s Conference at Holy Family Parish where they were inspired to become the men God created them to be.

 

 

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Ministry Formation Conference

Feb 3, 2018
Through humor and personal anecdotes, keynote speaker, Father Ivan Olmo, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Rockledge stressed, “If you’re going to be missionary disciples, you have to know who you are… it’s personal. It’s intimate. Who are you really?” He noted, “If you don’t know who you are, you don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know what you’re doing. You are beloved children of God,” he added. “You need to understand that. You need to believe it. You need to live that.”

 

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White Mass

Feb 3, 2018
Medical and compassionate care professionals throughout the Diocese of Orlando celebrated the diocese’s annual White Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Indialantic. The White Mass recognizes the ministry of those who protect life and care for the ill and dying, such as physicians, nurses, compassionate care ministers, ministers of consolation, chaplains, mental health workers and all in the medical profession. Bishop Noonan thanked the men and women who serve the sick and poor, extending a blessing to the faithful who care for God’s people with compassion.

 

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Dedication of St. Rose of Lima’s new church

Jan 28, 2018
The small mission that started out of St. Ann’s Parish in Haines City in 1993, has grown to almost 1,300 faithful families.

 

 

 

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Prayer Service for Christian Unity

Jan 23, 2018
“The ecumenical goal of the Catholic Church has always been carried out in fulfillment of the Lord’s prayer to the Father: ‘Ut unum sint’ – Let them be one,” Director of Ecumenism for the Diocese of Orlando, Father Martin Nguyen said. “On a human level, so often, we let ourselves stay focused on what separates us, what distinguishes us from others. While each Christian tradition is unique in its own practice, we share so much richness in the one faith in Jesus Christ.”

 

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Dedication St John the Evangelist

Jan 20, 2018
The new worship space holds 1,100 people, but the community came out in such numbers that the parish life center provided overflow seating while the events in the church were live-streamed to video screens. A relic of Blessed Moreau as well as one of St. André Bessette, the first Holy Cross saint, was installed in the altar which Bishop Noonan anointed with chrism. The walls of the church were anointed. The altar, the church and the community were censed as prayer rising to the Lord.

 

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Migration Mass

Jan 7, 2018
In his homily, Bishop Noonan shared “There is a deep concern that we are losing our Catholic identity, our relationship to one another. When we politicize others based on race, color, or where they are from. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must seek for justice. Sometimes laws are not just, they are complicated. But you must listen to your heart, be aware, and ask our officials to make it fair and just, so that we can truly make our country good.”