2014 DIOCESE OF ORLANDO

YOU ARE THE LIGHTOF THE WORLD

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As Catholics, we are bound by the sacred covenant between God and His people, revealed through the ages. As the Father’s Son came to live upon this earth, we are asked to follow the example of Christ; to live a life through, with, and in God.

What does this mean? We are called to share the Gospel in every moment

of our daily living. Sharing the Gospel includes an invitation to participate in the Sacraments and enkindle a deeper faith in the hearts of our youngest to our oldest through faith formation programs and other spiritual enrichment; form leaders in Christ through an understanding of service to all whom we encounter; and to harmonize our efforts to the Church’s mission of evangelization.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, I encounter your faithfulness at every visit with you and I am grateful for this blessing in the Diocese of Orlando. Today, I ask that you consider how the ministries funded through Our Catholic Appeal might assist in creating a world as Christ asks of each one of us. We are then able to open eyes and ears by revealing God’s love to the heart of His people.

Pray with me for our success. May our gifts for Our Catholic Appeal, for our people, our ministries, our future be revealed through our faithfulness and come from Christ’s unitive love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. John Noonan Bishop of Orlando

OUR MISSION AND VISIONIn Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 5, Jesus concludes

the Beatitudes by telling his disciples: “You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify our heavenly Father.”

We are called to teach and live the Light of Christ

toward Goodness, Righteousness and Truth. We

respond to this call by enkindling a deeper faith

in the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters;

forming leaders in Christ; and harmonizing ministries to the mission of the Catholic Church.

LIVING THE LIGHTThrough God’s grace and your generous gifts, we shine the light of Christ upon our Central Florida community as we…

SHARE

discipleship among 400,000 Catholics through

diocesan-wide media.

GUIDE 25 seminarians through nine years of spiritual, pastoral, intellectual and human formation.

SERVE 6.5 million meals to the poor and the hungry through Catholic Charities of Central Florida.

EMPOWER 4,500 people from underserved communities through Hope CommUnity Center.

EDUCATE 13,939 students in an atmosphere of faith.

OFFER spiritual renewal and formation to more than 15,000 people who visit San Pedro Center.

INSPIRE 1000 young people to consider a vocation to the religious life or priesthood through FOCUS 11 retreats.

WELCOME415 new Catholics at Easter.

ENKINDLING A DEEPER FAITH

Patrick trusts God to lead him, even possibly to the

priesthood.

Patrick, age 16, joined 40 other young men to learn

more about the priesthood during a Quo Vadis

retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Orlando Office of

Vocations.

“I think, if I’m a priest, it’s my job to help souls get

into Heaven. There’s nothing more important than

that. If God wants me to become a priest, that is

what I will do,” Patrick said.

During the retreat, he spent hours in prayer but also

spent time with many priests to learn about their

faith journey.

“I enjoyed talking to priests about their vocation,”

Patrick said. “I learned that we are not discerning

alone.”

Patrick also attended Focus 11, another diocesan

event that helps 11-year-old students and 11th

grade students to discover their purpose in life and

to be open to God’s call to a priestly or religious

vocation. In addition, the Diocese of Orlando offers

vocation awareness weekends that give young

people the chance to visit seminaries and convents.

“It is essential that we support these young men

and women who are discerning a call to priesthood

and religious life in their early stages of formation,”

said Father Jorge Torres, Director of Vocations.

Programs like the Quo Vadis retreat, Focus 11, and

vocation awareness weekends are made possible

through funds from Our Catholic Appeal.

“If you trust in God, you too shall live.” Sirach 15:15

LEADERS IN CHRIST

It took more than 60 years for Richard Nelson to seek God with all his heart. At age 65 he

was Baptized, Confirmed, and received his first

Communion during the Easter Vigil in 2008 at St.

Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Summerfield.

The search for God started after he accompanied his

wife, Judith, to Mass, which sparked a deep curiosity

for Christ. After many meetings with a parish deacon,

he attended formation sessions to become Catholic.

“Everything clicked and fell into place,” Nelson said.

“I fell in love with the faith. That’s where I am now,

and I’m still learning.”

Following his baptism, Richard began participating

in the celebration of daily Mass and volunteering at a

soup kitchen.

He says his conversion to Catholicism changed his

life. “It has put me more at ease, at peace with myself

and God,” he said.

Our Catholic Appeal funds the work of the Diocese

of Orlando Office of Faith Formation, which offers

training for parish staff who welcome and form new

Catholics. Their ministry is enriched so they can help

people prepare for the Sacraments and continue the

faith traditions we cherish.

The Office of Faith Formation also purchases books,

pamphlets, and other materials to help form the faith

of believers, regardless of age.

A total of 415 people were Baptized, Confirmed and

received their first Communion during the Easter Vigil

in 2013.

“Blessed are they who … seek Him with all their heart.”

Psalms 119:2

HARMONIZINGMINISTRIES

Heather Wernke is pursuing a double major in space

physics and computational mathematics at Embry-

Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

She is focused on her rigorous academics but she is also focused on the wisdom of the Lord.

She serves as secretary of the Catholic Student Union

ministry board; is an altar server at Sunday Mass; and

leads a “Why Catholic?” adult faith formation group.

“The people help me grow in my faith,” Wernke said.

“Having that support group and being a support for

others as well is important.”

Gifts to Our Catholic Appeal help Catholic campus

ministry programs across the Diocese of Orlando

to purchase liturgical supplies as well as books

and learning materials. Our Catholic Appeal also

provides funding for leadership and faith development

opportunities, such as the “Why Catholic?” program,

which helps participants to learn more about the

Catholic view on biblical justice and morality.

The Diocese of Orlando recently created a forum

for Catholic student leaders, from universities and

colleges like Embry-Riddle, to come together to convey

new ideas and help their communities thrive.

“The whole goal of Catholic campus ministry is to

have students be young disciples and be young

Catholic leaders,” said Dennis Johnson Jr., Senior

Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Orlando.

“We’re developing them to be Catholics in the world,

mature and engaged in their faith.”

“Immense is the wisdom of the LORD.”

Sirach 15:18

CORPUS CHRISTI SOCIETY

represents those faithful of the Diocese of Orlando who have generously contributed

$10,000 or more to Our Catholic Appeal 2013.

Latin for “Light of Christ,” the Lumen Christi Society

honors those Catholic friends who, through a gift of

$2,500 or more to Our Catholic Appeal, enable our

diocesan ministries to bear witness to the light that

never dims.

493 individuals and families are founding

members of the Lumen Christi Society.

LUMEN CHRISTI SOCIETY

Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

Anonymous (2)Mr. Joseph Amrhein, Sr.Selim & Huguette AyoubTimothy & Anita BehlerAlbert & Mary BergeronJoe & Carol BertMichael & Melissa BianculliKevin & Jennie BowlerHarry & Sharon BrandtMichael & Jet BroomPatrick & Beth BrownKen & Mary Pat BurkeGary & Julie BurkeyMr. Andrew P. CanezaLarry & CeCe CarrollMrs. Jean CorrMr. Nicholas DegelMs. Mary DemetreeDavid & Lynda DennisMs. Heather DonovanMrs. Maria Elena DonovanJim & Deborah DoyleMichael & Fredrika ErdmanErnest & Tina EulerMr. Clarence P. GeisMike & Pam GilardiAndrew & Linda HanniganMrs. Helene A. HarmonMr. Richard HarringtonRon & Celeste HenkelmanJerry & Peggy HilbrichEric & Diane HolmMark & Roxane Jager

Brian & Jennifer JurbalaMichael & Aimee KakosJoe & Mary Elaine KearnAllan & Linda KeenMark & Cindy KeenanJoseph & Joan KoechlerChip & Ann LandonMrs. Bernadine LanzanoRichard & Frieda LicursiMs. Annette LommerseMs. Frances LommerseMs. Jinny LommerseJohn & Carolyn LordBrian & Janet LowerMrs. Frances J. MarinoStephen & Jennifer MarkowichHarvey & Carol MasseyJames & Tara McCahillMrs. Kelly McCarthyTom & Jeanne MoranJohn & Ultima MorganLarry & Lisa MullinaxMr. Thomas J. MyersDavid & Deborah MylerCol. Joseph F. NardoDr. Michael A. Nocero, Jr.Gerry & Marilyn OgierWilliam & Jody OroszTom & Selby PrinceTerry & Jeanne QuigleyPat & Louise RaineyJose & Pearl Ramirez

Dwight & Lisa SaathoffDerrik & Susan SandbergRobert & Maureen SandersStephen & Kim SawickiMrs. Marilyn SciortinoHanscy & Sandra SeideRichard & Dolores ShantzDon & Joan StrubeDonald & Peggy StrubeRick & Marlys StrubeStephen & Cindy StrubeThomas & Nona StrubeTim & Jen Strube

Steven & Jill ThagardTom & Cairn UstlerKeith & Donna Van AllenJerry & Maria VaxmonskyStephen & Erin WallaceMs. Barbara WeitekampRoderick & Mary WhelanEdward & Maria WickeyTom Winters & Rebecca MorooseSteve & Lori ZepfRobert & Renda ZielkeVictor & Jackie Zollo

LEADING BY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

OUR 2014 GOAL: $13,200,000

Allocation of OUR CATHOLIC APPEAL

2014-2015

Prayer for OUR CATHOLIC APPEAL

O Lord, we praise you for the many gifts you

give us each day; from the moment we were a

presence in our mother’s womb to the grace-filled

rise of the sun to the blessing of Sacrament to

the night which ushers us rest.

Help us to grow in our living faith. Guide us to

serve as leaders to bring about holiness. Bring

us to share ourselves selflessly in all things in

a spirit of love of You.

In the Eucharistic banquet, You give Yourself

completely and entirely to us.

We give you our return, oh Lord, with gratitude

knowing there is no measure to the gift of the

Cross which brings us resurrection.

Faith Formation25% Catholic Schools, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, San Pedro Center, Campus Ministry

Clergy & Religious

16%

10%

10%7%

7%5%

4%

Vocations, Seminarian Education, Clergy Formation, Permanent Diaconate

Services to Parishes

Social OutreachCatholic Charities of Central Florida,

Farmworker Ministry, Bishop Grady Villas, Mission Office & Sister Diocese

Parish & Diocesan MinistriesBishop’s Office & Programs,

Liturgy & Music, Marriage Tribunal, Archives

EvangelizationAdvocacy & Justice, Buena Nueva,

Communications, Hispanic Ministry, Media Center

Stewardship & DevelopmentParish Development Services, Fundraising

State and National OutreachFees for United States Conference of Catholic

Bishops, Florida Catholic Conference

16% Construction & Maintenance, Finance Offices Human Resources, IT, Parish Accounting

Pastoral MinistriesFamily Life, Pastoral Care, Haitian Ministry,

Tourism Ministry

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY

To make your gift online, please visit:

www.cfocf.org/OCA

The

C

athol ic Foundation

of Central Florida, Inc

.

FulfillingGreat

Promise

www.cfocf.org

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