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Apr
23
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Diocese of Orlando History
April 23, 2008 |
On June 18, 2008, the Diocese of Orlando will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. If one word were used to describe the 40 years of this region’s history, it would have to be growth!
In 1968, when the Diocese of Orlando was formed by papal decree, the region consisted of 50 parishes and served 128,000 Catholics. With the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, growth in the metropolitan Orlando area exploded, and the Diocese of Orlando became one of the fastest growing in the nation.
Today, the Diocese of Orlando has grown to 80 parishes and 10 missions, serving more than 800,000 Catholics over the nine counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter.
Thirty-seven schools serve as centers of evangelization where Catholic values are instilled and academic excellence is the standard.
Catholics in Central Florida
As a thriving and growing community of Catholic faithful, the Diocese of Orlando represents many cultural and ethnic groups, with believers of all ages, income levels and education, who are all united in the universal Catholic Church.
In addition to English, Mass is celebrated in seven foreign languages: Brazilian, Filipino, Spanish, Polish, Korean, Vietnamese and Creole. We all call Central Florida home but the Catholic Church is our spiritual home where we share God’s love, experience the Sacraments, serve the needy and encourage the disheartened.
Most of all, we come together to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, lead others to holiness and share our blessings. Catholics of the Diocese of Orlando join together as joy-filled witnesses to hope, alive in Christ.
Four Bishops in Forty Years
Four Bishops have guided the Diocese of Orlando during its nearly 40 year history, directing the remarkable growth and serving as spiritual leaders to the thousands who flock to the area and settle here to raise families and pursue careers with dreams for a sunny future in Central Florida.
Bishop William D. Borders 1968-1974
Between 1968 and 1974, Bishop Borders chartered new ground as he formed the structure necessary to organize a brand new diocese. Parish councils and education boards were created; laity participated for the first time as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist; a Sisters’ Council was formed to provide support and camaraderie to diocesan nuns; a migrant ministry was launched; and a campus ministry program commenced which received national acclaim.
Bishop Thomas J. Grady 1974-1989
Between 1974 and 1990, Bishop Grady was shepherd of the diocese during a period of even more impressive growth. Eighteen new parishes were established, a tourism ministry was born, San Pedro Spiritual Development Center was opened, and a new mission developed out of love and friendship for a sister diocese in San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic.
By 1990, the Catholic population of the diocese had grown over 76% and the number of parishes had increased by more than a third.
Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey 1990-2004
Between 1990 and 2004, Bishop Dorsey continued to add parishes and schools, as well as expand the ministry to the growing Hispanic community by establishing Spanish radio and health clinics for migrant and farm workers. During his tenure, he presided over a diocese that nearly doubled, growing from 230,000 parishioners to 400,000.
Bishop Dorsey helped complete a very special project that was begun by his predecessor Bishop Thomas Grady. This project, Bishop Grady Villas, is a residential community for adults who are developmentally disabled.
He was a leader in ecumenical efforts to unite inter-faith groups. He served as honorary chairman of the Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day program at the Jewish Community Center in Maitland in May 2003.
Bishop Dorsey appeared at an ecumenical gathering for peace and harmony after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
To honor the memories of deceased priests and recognize the sacrifices they make to serve, Bishop Dorsey established a cemetery for priests located at San Pedro Center, a lush and wooded retreat facility in Winter Park.
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski 2004-present
In July of 2003, the Holy Father appointed Thomas G. Wenski as the first Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando. On November 13, 2004, Thomas G. Wenski was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Orlando.
He is the first Florida-born bishop of the Diocese of Orlando and previously served in the Archdiocese of Miami. He brings to the Diocese a strong record of political and spiritual activism on behalf of immigrants and the poor.
What about the future?
In 2004, Bishop Wenski convoked “Starting Afresh From Christ,” the first-ever synod for the Diocese of Orlando. This synod was a coming together of Catholics from throughout Central Florida to discern their most pressing issues.
Listening sessions were held with Bishop Wenski so that he could hear from a diverse group of Catholics about their concerns and hopes for the future.
Thousands of people participated during the listening sessions and even more completed parish surveys. Twenty commissions were formed to address the most relevant issues of the Catholic Church in our diocese.
Recommendations were collected and presented to Bishop Wenski. A Diocesan Pastoral Council was formed to prioritize the recommendations and serve as advisors to the Bishop.
Bishop Wenski went to great lengths to hear from Catholics about their feelings, hopes and concerns. His legacy will no doubt bear witness to his desire to be connected with the community in this unique and wonderful way.
Some of the plans for the future revealed during the synod process include an aggressive expansion of the ministry and mission of the Catholic Church. For example, the Diocesan Pastoral Council’s Implementation Plan calls for establishing at least ten new parishes and missions over the next decade. The Schools Implementation Team Plan proposes the construction of 15 new schools in 15 years, including a regional school in Oviedo and an expansion of All Souls School in Sanford. Five new high schools are proposed over the next 15 years.
Since Bishop Wenski’s arrival in 2003, eight new parishes and missions have already been established.
Bishop Wenski has designated 2008 as the “Year of Evangelization,” which means there will be an even greater emphasis on deepening the faith of all people. Catholics currently active in parish life will hopefully experience a greater relationship with God through Eucharist and prayer that will lead to increased mission and ministry.
The Diocese of Orlando will also reach out in new and compelling ways to those who have never had the opportunity to know, love and serve the Lord.
The highlight of the Year of Evangelization will be a celebration event, the “Festival of Faith” on May 8-10, 2008, at the Orange County Convention Center South Concourse. Leading up to the feast of Pentecost, the Festival of Faith will be an outpouring of unity and joy where all Catholics are invited to energize their faith during this special event.
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The Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Hermitage was established within the Diocese of Orlando during this new millennium.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Hermitage, Brevard County, Florida, USA. I acknowledge God’s presence in our lives and God’s call to grow in Jesus Christ, commit ourselves to strengthen, promote and extend a community of Justice, Faith, Love and Peace. At present I live this mission by being a Eremitic Monk whose path is CONTEMPLATION: by the strength of the spirit, to live as continually as possible in the light of the love of God for us, made manifest in Christ.
With past memories of the early days of the Ecumenical Movement, a foreshadowing, this year’s focus on being ALIVE IN CHRIST A YEAR OF EVANGELIZATION, strengthens us in our Spiritual Journey. A Secular Franciscan, I wished for more time. Attended the opening mass and walked the Catholic Expo and Ministry Fair. Where it exploded in the colors of festival and an outpouring of Christ’s love in spreading the Good News of our FAITH. Thank you to all who had a part in bringing us one step closer in our Homeward journey. Peace and Good!