News

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of the invites the dioceses of the United States to join in pealing their cathedral and shrine bells at 2 PM ET on Saturday, December 7.

It was with some excitement that organizers of the 24th Men’s Rally in the Diocese of Palm Beach recently announced that Father Schmitz would be the main presenter at the next event Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.

St. Joseph School in Stuart recently announced the opening of the Bongino Family Innovation Lab, made possible by a donation from the Bongino family and the support of many other families.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is moved to Monday December 9, 2024.

Five Italians have been chosen by Pope Francis to become cardinals at the Dec. 7 consistory, four of whom are under 80 years old and therefore have voting rights to elect a new pope at the next conclave.

As we prepare for the birth of Christ during Advent, it can be easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. But as calendars get filled up and preparations are made, here are four resources to help you get ready to enter into the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

American Catholic bishops are asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reject a proposed “gender identity” rule that could make faithful Catholic entities ineligible for contracts with the department.

The faithful are invited to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 23 to Friday, January 24, 2025, and encouraged to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life in post-Roe America.

On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.

During a recent Sunday Mass at Holy Family Parish in Port St. Lucie, 20 people were publicly introduced to the parish community, asking the faithful to pray for them on their spiritual journey of discernment toward the Catholic Church.

The Communications and Development Offices of the Diocese of Palm Beach recently received statewide recognition for excellence in public relations, marketing and communications.

The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple recalls – according to the apocryphal gospels, the day on which Mary, while still a child, was brought to the temple in Jerusalem to be offered to God.

On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.

We are grateful for each and every one of our generous Lumen Christi Schools Appeal Sponsors, thank you!

Time is running out for parishioners to contribute to the 2024 Diocesan Services Appeal, which funds local ministries that protect the most vulnerable in our communities. Dec. 31, 2024, will be the final day to make a difference this year in your parish and Diocese of Palm Beach.

Join us in praying for our Veterans

The final fall 40 Days for Life event Nov. 2 featured a Mass at Miracle House with Father Daniel Donohue of St. Juliana Parish

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito presided and prayed for the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach.

...The name of this Papal Basilica is the Basilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran. Christians consider the Basilica to be the mother church of all churches in the world.

In the spirit of the Gospel reading — in which Jesus says the second most important commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” — Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito visited a beloved neighbor Nov. 3, 2024, to bless a new Marian icon at St. Nicholas Melkite Catholic Church in Delray Beach.

The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women honored 31 young women Oct. 26 at a Golden Rose Mass presided by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito and followed by a luncheon at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Catholics in Indian River County rejoiced Oct. 23, 2024, along with clients and supporters of A Caring Center for Women in Vero Beach as the pregnancy resource center officially embarked on its latest initiative, offering free medical services to women, most of whom are uninsured.

Dec. 8 is typically a holy day of obligation celebrating the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, but this year the feast day lands on a Sunday in Advent. As a result, the USCCB transferred it to Monday, Dec. 9...

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has released the following statement on the defeat of Amendment 4 on Florida’s General Election ballot.

The bishops of the U.S. will gather for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. Throughout the meeting, the bishops will have opportunities for prayer and fraternal dialogue with one another. Public sessions of the assembly on November 12 and 13 will be livestreamed.

 Susan Baldwin of St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach received the 2024 Pro-life Person of the Year Award from the Diocese of Palm Beach during the 37th annual Florida Culture of Life Conference Oct. 18-19 in Orlando.

Early Wednesday morning Trump had posted a 276-219 lead in the Electoral College over Harris as well as a 5 million lead in the popular vote.

November is here, it is the Month of All Souls. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 urges us to "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

Faithful of all ages participated in the seventh annual Butterfly Release event Oct. 27, 2024, at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, sponsored by the Respect Life ministry.

Let us pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community, and may receive peace of heart from the Spirit of Consolation.

During November, the Church provides opportunities for Catholics to obtain plenary indulgences for the Holy Souls, in the hope of satisfying all of the temporal guilt for which they are suffering. The work, or act to be done, includes visiting a cemetery and praying for the Poor Souls during the 2nd to the 8th of November.

The hurricane was minor on Florida’s east coast in comparison to the destruction and deaths caused by the more than 45 tornadoes that struck the state in the afternoon and early evening. Many residents of the counties that comprise the Diocese of Palm Beach (Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Indian River) are working to get their lives back to normal.

Celebrate National Vacations Awareness Week November 3 through 9, 2024.

The solemnity of All Saints, Friday, Nov. 1, when Catholics celebrate and honor the heroes of the faith, is a holy day of obligation, meaning the faithful are required to attend Mass.

The 52-page text includes a theological reflection on the nature of synodality, which it says is the fulfillment of the reforms of Vatican II, as well as proposals for how to apply synodality to relationships, structures, and processes within the Catholic Church.

In a surprising move at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Saturday evening, Pope Francis ratified the final report, approved its immediate publication, and said he will not publish a separate postsynodal document.

The 2024-25 Lumen Christi Schools Appeal, which strives to meet the needs of the three Catholic preschools, 12 elementary schools and three high schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach, has begun under the banner of “Live the Light of Christ.”

Please join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in praying the prayer to defeat the pro-abortion amendment #4 from October 28–November 5, 2024 (Election Day)

Pope Francis' new encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus is being hailed as "a simple and powerful cure" for a fractured world, said the president of the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference -- and that sentiment was echoed by other experts on devotion to the Sacred Heart.

An annual Life March from St. Joan of Arc Parish’s Mercy Center to Sanborn Square Park in Boca Raton and back drew 100 people from surrounding communities.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito has produced a video to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Palm Beach in which he emphasizes the diverse expressions of faith, hope and love that have flourished since Oct. 24, 1984, when the first diocesan bishop was installed. In his 21 years as chief shepherd of the diocese, Bishop Barbarito says he has witnessed the vitality of the church, which exists for the celebration of the Eucharist. He prays for the protection of our patroness, Mary, Queen of the Apostles and asks God’s continued blessings on our diocese.

Former abortionist Dr. Haywood Robinson, who has been part of 40 Days for Life since its 2007 beginning in Texas, gave an inspiring talk Oct. 18 in the Family Life Center at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Members of the Council of Catholic Women lit up the hall at St. Helen Parish on Oct. 19 with their spirituality, friendship and joy. The occasion was the first Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Northern Deanery meeting for 2024-25, with the theme of “Be the Light.”

An Italian publisher announced the global release in January of "Hope," a book it described as Pope Francis' autobiography, which the pope apparently planned to have released only after his death.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito has produced a video to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Palm Beach in which he emphasizes the diverse expressions of faith, hope and love that have flourished since Oct. 24, 1984, when the first diocesan bishop was installed. To commemorate this celebration many of our schools have shared a happy anniversary message!

UNTHINKABLE, Abby Johnson's new movie exposing the abortion industry’s secrets, is showing in several Diocese of Palm Beach parishes.

Recognizing that each individual is created by God, the Diocese of Palm Beach is committed to the safety and well-being of its children and vulnerable adults and implements procedures to minimize risk and barriers and to build and foster a culture of safe environment.

A number of organizations are inviting faithful to pray for persecuted Christians throughout the month of November, as more than 365 million believers in Christ worldwide suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination, according to a 20242023 report by the advocacy group Open Doors.

Members of the Junior Legion of Mary, Our Lady of Grace praesidia, honored Mary with a “living rosary of splendor” Oct. 12, 2024, at St. Rita in Wellington. Children with their families formed a human rosary in the church, with each participant leading prayer representing one bead of the rosary.

Chairman of USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, support the bipartisan “Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency” (PROVE IT) Act of 2024

Florida’s Catholic bishops are urging residents to vote no on a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State as activists on both sides continue to funnel millions of dollars into the record-breaking campaign.

The Diocese of Palm Beach’s Office of Catholic Schools began a professional development program for new teachers Oct. 3 in the Family Life Center of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Teams from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach continue to be in the communities they serve. On Oct. 14, staff assisted victims of Hurricane Milton in Martin County, then staff and volunteers, including board members and volunteers from St. Anastasia Parish, partnered with Mustard Seed Ministries to get needed relief to residents in the Fort Pierce area.

A great opportunity for young women to grow spiritually and learn about consecrated life! Office of Vocations is sponsoring a “Come and See” event for girls 11-17 years old interested in learning about consecrated life.

Among the 14 people who will become the Catholic Church’s newest saints on Sunday is a priest whose intercession led to the miraculous healing of a man mauled by a jaguar, a woman who convinced a pope to call for a worldwide novena to the Holy Spirit, and 11 men killed in Syria for refusing to renounce their faith and convert to Islam.

Catholic Charities has activated our disaster recovery services in response to loss and damage within our 5-county diocese caused by Hurricane's Helene and Milton in October of 2024. We are utilizing staff from other programs as well as volunteers to assist people in need.

At the annual Steps for Life Mass and rosary walk Oct. 5 at Emmanuel Parish in Delray Beach, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito asked God to continue to bless the efforts of Catholic Charities and its Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care centers to reach and support women and families in distressing circumstances.

At the three weekend Masses in which he presided Oct. 5-6 — Steps for Life, then the Red Mass and Respect Life Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola — Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito made parishioners aware of the importance of their vote against Amendment 4

Sr. Idília Carneiro, the new superior general of the Sisters Hospitallers, emphasizes the Catholic Church's vital role in addressing the global mental health crisis by offering hope, fostering community, and recognizing the dignity of each person.

In welcoming the faithful to the Diocese of Palm Beach’s annual Blue Mass on the feast of the Guardian Angels Oct. 2, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito thanked police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and other emergency workers “for all that you do for us each and every day, literally putting your lives on the line in different ways. We’re very, very grateful to you. You truly are our angels.”

Donate to Hurricane Milton relief efforts; Message from the CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Palm Beach

Please join the USCCB in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them through the Novena for Mental Health

Pope Francis said he will create the new cardinals Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Due to Hurricane Milton the Pastoral Center will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Theology on Tap in Palm Beach County learned about Amendment 4 and the pro-life work of Catholic Charities from Deanna Herbst-Hoosac, Respect Life ministry director, Sept. 18 in Lake Worth Beach.

The 2024 election season is upon us and faithful citizens can use this time to form their consciences, learn about the issues, and research the candidates as they prepare to cast their ballots.

This Novena for Mental Health is an opportunity for all the People of God to join together in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them. The Novena can be prayed at any time of year. The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray this Novena in solidarity with one another from October 10 to October 18 each year.

At least 300 volunteers, mostly from the parishes of St. Clare and the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, put their energy and enthusiasm into packing 60,000 meals for those in need Sept. 28 at St. Clare’s Parish Center in North Palm Beach.

For months, pro-life speakers have been sounding the alarm about the proposal to expand abortion access in Florida through a constitutional amendment.

Governor Ron DeSantis has written a proclamation extending his support to all observing October 6, 2024, as Respect & Protect Life Sunday in Florida!

Pope Francis has called for a global day of prayer and fasting on Oct. 7 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel amid escalating violence in the region.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our hearts and prayers go out to all of those who are struggling to recover from the loss and destruction caused by this significant weather event. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach stands with our colleagues here in the State of Florida, and across our network of agencies to offer support and assistance to those who struggle to recover in the aftermath.

In a significant departure from previous synods, Pope Francis adopted the final document of the Synod on Synodality on Saturday, forgoing the traditional apostolic exhortation in favor of direct implementation of the assembly’s conclusions. The 52-page document, approved by 355 synod members in attendance, outlines substantial proposals for Church renewal.

In October we finish Ordinary Time for this Liturgical Year. This is the time that we grow and learn. What can you learn this month to grow closer to God? What can you do to help bring your family deeper in faith?

The Cathedral of St. Ignatius will host 40 hours of continuous Eucharistic adoration after the 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, Mass.

"Let us pray that the Church continue to sustain a synodal lifestyle in every way, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, communion and mission shared by priests, religious and laity." ~ Pope Francis

The cardinal-archbishop of Washington spoke to Catholic News Service in Rome while he was attending the Synod of Bishops on synodality.

 The faithful came from far and wide Sept. 16 to venerate the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) and ask for his intercession at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens.

Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. 

As the 15th Haitian Charismatic Renewal Convention for the Diocese of Palm Beach was getting started Sept. 20, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito came to help lead the rosary and ask the Virgin Mary to bless and protect the more than 1,000 Spirit-filled Catholics expected for the weekend event.

Every October the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between.

The theme of World Youth Day 2027 in South Korea (and in 2026) will be: “Take Courage! I Have Overcome the World,” taken from the Gospel of John 16:33.

Each fall Vocation Ministry has the perfect opportunity to guide parishioners in showing their priests appreciation and love. This can take various forms from a note or prayer to a more complicated reception for all parishioners. No matter the form, assuring the priests of the loving care and gratitude of the parish will stay with him long after Priesthood Sunday is over.

The bishops envision voters who are guided by their moral convictions and not their attachment to any one party or interest group. A Catholic’s engagement in politics ought to be “shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable.”

National Migration week is September 23-29, 2024. Join Pope Francis in prayer and service as we mediate on this year's theme: “God Walks with His People.”

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, is perhaps the most venerated contemporary Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, with millions of followers all over the world. Yet, when it comes to presenting the life of Saint Pio, no recent biographical documentary has been produced … until now!

The annual Blue Mass for people working in public safety is planned for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. The liturgy marks the feast of the Guardian Angels, Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, who are known as God’s protector, healer and messenger, respectively. Archangels are the patron saints of police officers and military personnel.

At Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, a Grandparents’ Ministry seeks to encourage grandparents to pass their Catholic faith on to their grandchildren with love and example, especially in an age of texting, social media and isolation.

Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach introduces Dr. Grazie Christie, M.D. as she explains the danger behind Amendment 4.

“This is the 40th anniversary for two realities. It’s the diocese and the cathedral. The cathedral is the mother church of the diocese. So, all the churches are connected to the cathedral,” he said. “In addition, the diocese is made up of a lot of parishes. We want people to come and celebrate with us because it’s not just the cathedral celebration. It’s the entire diocese celebrating.”

The second session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will open with a penitential liturgy led by Pope Francis, seeking forgiveness for various sins and focusing on conversion, particularly with a message directed toward young people.

National Migration Week is a uniquely US-based celebration that builds on the ideas put forth in WDMR and shaped accordingly to American public. In 2024 we will celebrate National Migration Week September 23-29, which culminates with WDMR that Sunday the 29th.

Pope Francis, who wanted to be a Jesuit missionary to Asia when he was younger, tells people at his general audience about his recent trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.

Are you ready to knock on doors in your community and tell your neighbors to vote NO on Amendment 4 in November? Here’s how you can get started TODAY

The excitement is mounting in Paris ahead of the Dec. 8 reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral with only a few cranes remaining on the outside of the iconic French church.

While in Tallahassee earlier this year, the bishops recorded footage for an election-year video, consisting of the New Introductory Note to the USCCB’s Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

Pope Francis has united two Welsh dioceses to create the new Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, the Vatican announced Sept. 12, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.

The 2022 canonization of St. Titus Brandsma has left an indelible mark on people in the Diocese of Palm Beach. From the terminal cancer diagnosis for a beloved priest serving in the diocese, to the countless intercessory prayers prayed to then-Blessed Titus for the priest, to his healing and the diocesan investigation that supported the miraculous nature of the healing, it’s safe to say that St. Titus and the diocese are permanently linked.

September 15th. The devotion to the Sorrowful Mother, extremely popular above all in areas around the Mediterranean, developed around the end of the 11th century.

Dion DiMucci, a pop music legend from the 1950s and 1960s, lifted spirits at an annual weekend retreat for adults with physical disabilities Aug. 2-4 at the Duncan Center in Delray Beach. He moved participants with songs and stories that described his life, his path to Christ and his Catholic faith.

On 13 September 335, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (also called the Church of the Resurrection) was dedicated. The following day, the cross that Empress Helena had discovered on 14 September 320, was venerated in a solemn ceremony.

September 15, 2024 - "Lord, when did we see you hungry" Matthew 25:37. Our theme reflects our call to missionary discipleship. As St John Paul II reminded us: The universal call to holiness is closely linked to the universal call to mission. Every member of the faithful is called to holiness and to mission. We are called to be eucharist by word and action to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our times cry out for this kind of holiness, one inflamed by the ardent determination to bring as many of our brothers and sisters as possible to Christ.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, 9999 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens, will host events that will include veneration of five St. Pio relics, rare photos of the saint and the pre-release screening of the new docudrama, “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing,”

September 12th.

"As we recall the devastating evil that occurred on September 11, 2001, we also encounter the overwhelming goodness of so many men and women who met and conquered the horrors of that day." ~ Bishop Barbarito

The pontiff warned the audience of falling into “lukewarm spiritual mediocrity,” rather than faithfully preserving the fragrance of Christ. “We [Catholics] rightly look back with gratitude on our preceding history, to the seed of faith sown here,” the pope said, praising the witnesses who had just spoken to the gathering.

James Earl Jones, a distinguished actor of stage and screen who was a convert to the Catholic faith, died Monday at age 93.

The Catholic Church celebrates today the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8 celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne.

John Carroll High School broke ground Aug. 16, 2024, for its new athletic field house that will be a hub for athletic excellence, providing students with a premier space for sports, events and activities.

“This is a little piece of heaven.” That is how one pilgrim in a group from St. Paul of the Cross Parish in North Palm Beach described the scene as clergy and laypeople filed in with the Real Presence of Jesus during the National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. Their journey to Indiana with more than 60,000 other Catholics was full of blessed moments like that.

Tammy Farr’s Catholic community began with her mother, grandmother and aunt, who made sure Tammy and her siblings were raised Catholic in Lantana, Florida. She grew up in the parish that became Holy Spirit in 1964.

Pope Francis will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.

In a joint statement late Sept. 4, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., of Atlanta, joined by the diocese’s auxiliary bishops, said, "Our hearts ache for the lives that have been so cruelly cut short by this devastating tragedy."

...As Pope Francis writes in Fratelli Tutti, we can seek “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” (no. 154). We can see ourselves as members of one family. We can seek to encounter and to grow. We can identify common values.

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September is for the cry of the Earth.

Summer break is over, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach are open for business and classrooms are bustling with activity. On some campuses, newly appointed administrators have taken their positions and are getting comfortable with their faculty, staff, students and families.

In addition to his weekly column Bishop Barbarito would like to share with you this Video Message.

Members of the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Lourdes Council 11241 donated a check for $3,400 to Birthline/Lifeline Pregnancy Care Centers July 27. The money came mostly from the sale of religious items at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Boca Raton.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, will host events that will include veneration of five St. Pio relics, rare photos of the saint and the pre-release screening of the new docudrama, “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing,” produced by the Saint Pio Foundation and EWTN. Veneration of the relics will begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day until 5:30 p.m., with Mass at 6 p.m. followed by showing of the hour-long film.

...The Catechism of the Catholic Church also teaches “the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.”

The Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, with Bishop Barbarito’s blessing, will again present to exceptional young women in our Diocese the Golden Rose Award. The deadline for submission is September 15, 2024.

Why do Catholics say certain phrases three times during Mass? These phrases are repeated at every Eucharist with expressions such as “through my fault,” “Lamb of God,” or “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The following explanation aims to help you better understand and appreciate these aspects of the holy Eucharist.

The Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist complements the Solemnity of his birth, celebrated on 24 June. John is the cousin of Jesus. He was conceived when his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were elderly.

Pope Francis on Sunday sharply denounced the Ukrainian government’s recently enacted ban on Russian Orthodox Church worship, arguing that the faithful should not be barred from worshipping as they please.

On Aug. 27, one day before the feast of her son St. Augustine, the Catholic Church honors St. Monica, whose holy example and fervent intercession led to one of the most dramatic conversions in Church history.

The Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women officially began its 2024-25 year Aug. 3, with the Council Enrichment Institute day of appreciation in the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Family Life Center. It was an opportunity to recognize and thank the council women for their steadfast service.

In a continuing effort to educate local Catholics on Amendment 4, which will be on Florida’s Nov. 5 General Election ballot, and equip them to spread the word on the extreme and deceptive abortion proposal, the Diocese of Palm Beach and its parishes are hosting informational meetings. The latest events were in Delray Beach Aug. 14 and in Vero Beach Aug. 15.

On Aug. 7, shortly before the start of the School of Christian Formation’s 2024-25 year, the program’s instructors were invited to Mass and dinner in appreciation of their work.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs has released the results of a recent diocesan survey it conducted on parishes and Hispanic/Latino ministry. The survey aligns with the launch of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and serves as a baseline for implementing it as a 10-year plan.

Pope Pius XII, having declared the dogma of the Assumption, that “the Immaculate Mother of God . . . was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory,” then established the feast of her Queenship. He set the date for the octave (8th day) after the Solemnity of the Assumption, that is, August 22nd each year.

Catholic organizations at the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) are banding together to host a forum with policymakers and leading voices on nuclear disarmament and deterrence.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has implored Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Loran Cole and commute his sentence to life without the possibility of parole, a prayer service will be held on August 29, 2024 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

The Catholic Church begins every calendar year with the World Day of Peace. In 2025 it will coincide with the celebration of the Holy Year, so Pope Francis chose a theme focused on hope and forgiveness, including the forgiveness of debt.

Join St. Anastaisa Catholic Church and School in welcoming State Representative Dana Trabulsy September 15, 2024 after the 11:30 a.m. Mass as she speaks on Amendment 4.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, will host events that will include veneration of five St. Pio relics, rare photos of the saint and the pre-release screening of the new docudrama, “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing,” produced by the Saint Pio Foundation and EWTN. Veneration of the relics will begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day until 5:30 p.m., with Mass at 6 p.m. followed by showing of the hour-long film.

St. Clare Parish marked multiple milestones during a liturgy with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito on Aug. 11. The North Palm Beach faith community celebrated the installation of Father Nick Zrallack as pastor at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on the feast of the parish’s patron, St. Clare of Assisi, which is also Father Zrallack’s birthday.

Growing up in communist Cuba, isolated from different cultures and discouraged from religious practice, learning and living the Catholic faith wasn’t easy, said Armando Garcia, coordinator of Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Palm Beach. He shared the lessons he has learned while speaking at a Theology on Tap gathering July 24 in West Palm Beach.

On Aug. 22, 1994, the life that then-Father Gerald M. Barbarito knew in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, changed forever. On that day 30 years ago, he was ordained a bishop.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul, August 15, 2024, is an eloquent sign of how not only the “soul” but also the “body” is included in the biblical observation that “God found it very good” (Gn 1:31), so much so that in the Virgin Mary, “our flesh” would be assumed into heaven.

St. Maximilian Kolbe was killed by the Nazis with a lethal injection on August 14, 80 years ago. The Catholic Church declared Kolbe Blessed in 1971 and canonized him as a martyr in 1982.

St. Lucie Parish in Port St. Lucie preempted its regular Respect Life monthly meeting July 16 to host a public forum on Amendment 4. The gathering drew attendees from 11 area Catholic parishes and three Protestant churches.

It was a day of inspirational praise and worship, spiritual growth and fellowship as women from all over the diocese attended the Called by Name, Women’s Encounter 2024 conference July 27, 2024, at St. Lucie Parish in Port St. Lucie. The theme this year was “Know Thyself.”

Twenty-five men in formation to become permanent deacons attended their annual formation retreat with their wives July 19-21, 2024, at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito marked the third installation of a pastor in the Diocese of Palm Beach for 2024 on July 28, handing the reins to Father Leonard Dim at St. Matthew Parish in Lake Worth Beach, following the November 2023 death of the founding pastor, Father Clem Hammerschmitt, who served there since 1992.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, 9999 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens, will host events that will include veneration of five St. Pio relics, rare photos of the saint and the pre-release screening of the new docudrama, “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing.”

Anyone preparing for ministry should spend time with the Bible, prayer books and theology tomes of course, but Pope Francis insists that reading literature and poetry also are essential for spiritual maturity.

In partnership with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops the Diocese of Palm Beach is working to spread awareness and information about the dangerous amendment that is being placed on the ballet this November. Many parishes and organizations are hosting informational presentations with leaders and elected officials.

Sara Johnson, statewide grassroots director for Vote No on 4 Florida, and Michele Taylor, FCCB's associate director for communications, discuss deceptive and extreme Amendment 4. This amendment on Florida's general election ballot would allow late-term abortions and jeopardize health and safety protections for women and minors. It removes doctors from the abortion decision, includes a broad "health" loophole, and eliminates parental consent.

The Vatican Press Office has published a statement addressing the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

The Catholic bishops of the United Kingdom are praying for peace amid rioting sparked by the tragic stabbing of several schoolchildren by the son of Rwandan immigrants, saying “such violence threatens the values of our society.”

The Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates the dedication of the basilicas on Mount Tabor. It originated as early as the end of the 5th century, after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) came to be celebrated. 6 August, the date set for the Feast, is 40 days prior to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, manifesting its close connection with it.

A retired FBI agent will head up the U.S. bishops' consultative safe environment body, while a clergy abuse survivor, a nursing professor and two clinical social workers are also among the board's Aug. 1 appointments.

Rayssa Leal, a 16-year-old Brazilian skateboarder competing in the Paris Olympics, used sign language to quote Scripture before winning the bronze medal in the competition.

Will you join us on Saturday, August 10th  on abortion facility AND pharmacy sidewalks across the nation?

Let us pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and the common good, taking caring of those who have lost their jobs and giving priority to the poor.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola is one of the most inspirational figures in the history of the Church. He left behind a spiritual classic in The Spiritual Exercises, helped found the Jesuits who became one of the most consequential religious orders in the Church, and left behind other writings, including an estimated 7,000 letters filled with his wisdom.

The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a 40-year-old decision that gave unelected federal agencies considerable power to interpret federal law, with significant implications for religious freedom.

When it comes to saintly grandparents, many think of Sts. Anne and Joachim, the faithful couple whose perseverance yielded the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who would give birth to Jesus Christ. However, there are numerous other saints who were grandparents and are great models of virtue as well as powerful intercessors.

The Catholic Church will celebrate World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly this Sunday, July 28. In his message for this world day, Pope Francis condemns the notion that the elderly are a burden on younger generations, calling it a form of manipulation. He emphasizes the value and dignity of the elderly, urging society to reject isolation and embrace intergenerational solidarity.

St. Clare Parish in North Palm Beach held its first youth mission trip in early July to St. John the Baptist Parish in the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Their goal was to bring the youth of St. Clare into a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ through fellowship, prayer, sacrament and service.

Any Catholic who participates in the celebration July 28 of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly can receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican announced.

On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple's faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.

Father Hilaire, who had served Sacred Heart for a year as parochial administrator, was appointed pastor, effective July 1. He was joined at the celebration by many fellow priests, along with a large number of parishioners, family members and friends.

James was one of the three Apostles who were particularly close to the Lord. He was there with the Lord and his brother, John, and Peter at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Pope Francis urges nations to observe the Olympic truce for the Paris Summer Games, encouraging a global ceasefire to promote peace and unity. He highlights the significance of the Olympic spirit for fostering harmony in today's world.

Pope Francis highlights the connection between rest and compassion, encouraging people to find moments of inner peace during a busy day in order to be more open and responsive to what is essential and to those in need.

At the end of Mass, Bishop Andrew Cozzens announced to roaring applause that the U.S. bishops are planning to hold another National Eucharistic Congress in 2033, the Year of Redemption marking 2,000 years since Jesus’ crucifixion.

President Joe Biden on Sunday said he would not seek reelection, conceding to growing calls in his party to bow out of the race after a highly criticized debate against GOP nominee Donald Trump in June.

She fulfilled the mandate of the Risen One: “Go to my brothers and tell them…. Mary Magdalen went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’ and then reported what he told her” (Jn. 20:17-18). In this way, she became, as already stated, an evangelizer, that is, a messenger who proclaims the good news of the resurrection of the Lord, or, as Rabanus Maurus and Saint Thomas Aquinas used to say, apostolorum apostola (apostle to the apostles)

June 24-28 was youth mission week for St. Lucie Parish in Port St. Lucie. It was for encouraging parish youth to perform corporal works of mercy by walking in the footsteps of Jesus and by living the Gospels by helping the less fortunate.

The Romeros have been ministering to married couples for 15 years, teaching the techniques that renew relationships and keep them strong. The retreatants have ranged from couples with just a few months of marriage under their belt to as many as 45 years.

The Catholic New Agency shares the stories of many who are attending the National Eucharistic Congress this weekend. To live stream the congress, visit EWTN.com or EWTN YouTube Channel. Seasons from the past two days are also available on EWTN YouTube Channel under latest videos.

With tears in his eyes at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass, he told parishioners, “This week, I began to think of my life and wish that my great-aunt and my mom would have been here today. But I know they’re here, not physically but in my heart."

“I began to wonder: Were all these worldly markers of success actually making me a better person? I had traded virtue for achievement and found the latter wanting,” he wrote.

“We come to you with the humility and obedience but also the confidence of children, telling a loving father of our spiritual needs,” the authors wrote. “All of us, believers and nonbelievers alike, recognize that this ancient liturgy, which inspired the work of Palestrina, Bach, and Beethoven and generations of great artists, is a magnificent achievement of civilization and part of the common cultural heritage of humanity.

Following the news of the shooting at a political rally involving former President Donald Trump, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement...

The 10th national Eucharistic Congress commences July 17, 2024! For those who won’t be able to join in Indianapolis, the conference is happy to be able to provide a live stream on their website of the main events taking place in Lucas Oil Stadium. This includes Mass each day, the Encounter Impact Session, and each day’s Revival Session. Simply visit their website July 17–21 to join in the prayer.

A group of young Catholics from St. Clare Parish in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida recently traveled to the Diocese of Raleigh. Their goal was to make a mission trip and serve those in need while also meeting new friends and exploring North Carolina.

The Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is celebrated on July 26. They are powerful intercessors for married
couples, expectant mothers, and married couples who are having difficulty conceiving, as well as people who are aging. You can pray the novena from July 17-25 in preparation for their feast day.

The routes will converge in Indianapolis on July 16 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress from July 17–21.

This optional memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was established to commemorate her apparition to Saint Simon Stock on 16 July 1251. The Book of Kings recounts that on Mount Carmel the Prophet Elijah gathered a group of men to defend the purity of the Hebrew faith and won a challenge against the priests of the pagan god Baal.

Catholic Relief Services, the international relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S., criticized funding legislation recently passed by the U.S. House as “inconsistent with American values and interests” over cuts to humanitarian funding.

July 17-21 pilgrims will gather for the First National Eucharistic Congress in 83 Years. This is a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley of Boston has called on Vatican offices to exercise pastoral prudence when deciding whether to display artwork by alleged perpetrators of abuse, including Father Marko Rupnik. The cardinal emphasized the need to show compassion for victims and Pope Francis' call to support those harmed by abuse.

The president of The Catholic University of America (CUA), Peter Kilpatrick, announced the creation of an endowed chair in honor of Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, who is also a member of CUA’s board of trustees and an alumnus.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former nuncio to the United States, has been excommunicated for schism. The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith concluded its extrajudicial penal process, saying the archbishop's public refusals "to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion with the members of the Church subject to him, and of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council are well known."

The Pontifical Academy for Life released a new booklet to aid in the public debate on end-of-life issues. The booklet, published only in Italian July 2, offers clear definitions and the Catholic Church's teaching on bioethics with the aim of clearing up confusion and fostering informed dialogue.

Asked to speak in the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary on “The Meaning of ‘Communion’ with the Heart of Jesus,” he related how the word “heart” is used in the Bible more than 1,000 times in a variety of contexts. People in biblical times had an understanding of the physical organ, Father Campbell said.

While pilgrims from throughout the United States walk four routes with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, destined for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, groups and individuals in the Diocese of Palm Beach are getting ready to join in the celebration.

The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a 40-year-old decision that gave unelected federal agencies considerable power to interpret federal law, with significant implications for religious freedom.

During a service June 22, 2024, for the committal of 100 souls, Father Gabriel Ghanoum, director of the No One Buried Alone ministry, presented a challenge to those in attendance: be nonjudgmental, especially toward the individuals whose ashes were being interred at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery.

Saint Thomas was one of the original twelve Apostles of Christ. He is upheld as an example of faith in our Lord despite his seeking of certainty and the doubts that he had.

On the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis invited the Catholic faithful — including the recently appointed metropolitan archbishops who received their blessed pallium today — to “open the doors” of the Church and follow the example of the two great apostles of Rome so that all people can know and experience the love of God.

Pope Francis blessed vestments known as “pallia” during Mass on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday, June 29.

Today, Vote No On 4 Florida formally launched its multilingual campaign to defeat Amendment 4 on the upcoming November ballot with the unveiling of new websites in both English and Spanish and the rollout of its first campaign video entitled “Not What it Seems” which exposes the deceptive nature and extreme ramifications of Amendment 4. The 2-minute video reveals that while other amendments provide clear definitions, the 34-word Amendment 4 fails to define any of its terms, including crucial words like "viability," “healthcare provider,” and "patient's health," leaving voters in the dark about its true impact.

What do St. Junipero Serra, St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, St. Maria Goretti, St. Benedict, St. Henry, St. Bonaventure, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Camillus, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Briget, St. Sharbel, St. James, Sts. Joachim and Anne, Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, St. Peter Chrysologus, and St. Ignatius of Loyola have in common?
You guessed it, they are a few of the many saints who have feast days in July. July is also the month we celebrate the birth of our nation – The United States of America! On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence officially declared our nation's freedoms. Please pray for our country as part of your celebration, God Bless America.

“The Catholic faith and Catholic hospitals unequivocally allow for procedures that are necessary to save the life of a pregnant mother in a medical emergency, even when they tragically result in the unintended loss of her preborn child,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge explained in addressing Thursday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

On June 29th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul to honor the two great apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Peter, one of the Twelve and the chief of the Apostles, the Rock upon which Christ built His Church, and Saint Paul “called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1) and Apostle to the Gentiles.

Amid ongoing efforts to expand euthanasia in Canada under the name of “medical aid in dying” (MAID), one Ottawa man says he has been offered euthanasia “multiple times” as he struggles with lifelong disabilities and chronic pain from a disease called cerebellar ataxia.

The Diocese of Palm Beach is pleased to announce the following priest appointments made by the Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach

In an upcoming episode of What the Faith, Miami? and Cuéntame Catolico — podcasts produced by the Archdiocese of Miami Office of Communications — Msgr. Garza and Mauricio Villalta, director of public relations and human resources, explained the journey of evolution and rebranding that Radio Paz has undergone over the last few years.

To assist all Catholic Charities staff to recognize human trafficking, a presentation was held June 11 in the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Family Life Center. The main speaker was PBSO Sgt. Carlos Lisboa, who works with the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force and Catholic Charities to stop this modern-day scourge.

The Diocese of Rome on Friday officially closed the diocesan phase of the investigation into the life and virtues of Chiara Corbella Petrillo, a joyful 28-year-old wife and mother who died from cancer in 2012 in Rome.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach has joined a national branding campaign to promote the life-giving and inspiring work being done to aid vulnerable populations in the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.

To help local Catholics understand Amendment 4 on Florida’s November election ballot, which would legalize full-term abortion and remove all protections for preborn children, a presentation was held on a rainy June 12 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in partnership with the Diocese of Palm Beach and Catholic Charities.

In advance of the anniversary of the Court’s landmark decision, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged the faithful to engage elected officials on life issues, and reflected on the power of the Eucharist to transform hearts and culture.

A men’s group on the campus of Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida, is equipping young men with the tools necessary to become selfless husbands and loving fathers. The St. Joseph’s Men’s Group is made up of roughly 190 men striving to emulate the group’s namesake.

The annual observance of Religious Freedom Week takes place June 22–29. It begins with the feast day of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. The theme this year is “Called to the Fullness of Dignity.”

At their annual June Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on a possible cause of beatification and canonization for Adele Brise.

"We must remain relentless in our pursuit of both equality and equity," said Bishop Joseph N. Perry, retired auxiliary bishop of Chicago and chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Racism and the USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs.

St. John Paul II called for an ecumenical discussion about the role the bishop of Rome, the pope, could play in a more united Christianity. The Vatican released an in-depth summary of the responses and proposals for moving forward from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

The framework is the fruit of an extensive listening and dialogue process with youth, young adults, and ministry leaders, with care taken to address the realities impacting youth and young adults across the United States.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered last week for their Spring Plenary Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.

After the first minute of “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist,” viewers witness a stark background with the words of the Gospel of John 6:51: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” This documentary is in theaters two more days: June 18-26, 2024.

The annual observance of Religious Freedom Week takes place June 22–29. It begins with the feast day of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. The theme this year is “Called to the Fullness of Dignity.”

The pope addressed leaders at the G7's special "outreach" session dedicated to artificial intelligence. In addition to the G7 members -- the United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain -- the forum included specially invited heads of state, including the leaders of Argentina, India and Brazil.

Pope Francis met individually with several world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in southern Italy, including with U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was the first time a pope attended the annual summit, which brings the leaders of the world's wealthiest nations together to discuss some of the most urgent current issues.

A new study has found that 69% of Mass-going Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist — a result that calls into question the accuracy of a bombshell 2019 study from Pew Research Center, which found that only a third of Catholics believe in this core tenet of the faith.

Our society increasingly tells fathers that they should have no say in the lives of their unborn children, no opportunity to choose to father their children. Our society seems to restrict the decisions regarding an unborn child solely to the discretion of the mother. In the face of false messages about fatherhood, we must respond with the truth that the role of a father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC 25)

Speaking with the Florida Catholic before his May 4 priestly ordination, Father Martin, who was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States at 3 years old, recalled growing up in his Catholic family in Stuart and Palm City, preferring to be with his friends, playing basketball. Anything but going to Mass.

Father’s Day is a beautiful day on which we celebrate our fathers, grandfathers, and the father figures in our lives. Though not officially a Christian celebration, Father’s Day is annually celebrated on the third Sunday in June and offers a time for reflection, expression of gratitude, and prayer for our fathers.

The Vatican published a 130-page study on papal primacy on Thursday containing suggestions from Orthodox and Protestant Christian communities for how the role of the bishop of Rome might look in a future “reunited Church.”

  St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach and Holy Family in Port St. Lucie honored the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 7, 2024, by making an effort to rekindle devotion to the Sacred Heart and making reparation for a world that has become lukewarm or indifferent to God’s abundant love and mercy.

Two court rulings in Florida and Texas simultaneously dealt both a victory and a setback to transgender advocates in the United States this week.

Guest commentary from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami. When the U.S. bishops convene in Louisville June 12-14 for their annual spring meeting, they will be reflecting on positioning the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) for the future.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2024 Spring Plenary Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky, June 12-14. The public sessions on June 13 and 14 will be livestreamed on the USCCB website.

Pope Francis invited cardinals, ambassadors serving at the Vatican and representatives of Rome's Jewish and Muslim communities to pray with him for peace in the same spot in the Vatican Gardens where he prayed 10 years earlier with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents.

According to Fathom Events, the film’s distributor, the movie is Fathom’s highest-grossing documentary of 2024 and is currently in second place among all documentaries released in 2024 so far. In response to popular demand, it will return to theaters nationwide on June 18–19.

Top medical groups and physicians have signed a “Doctors Protecting Children” declaration that expresses “serious concerns” about the treatment of minors who are uncomfortable with their biological sex, one advocate told EWTN News this week.

Each year the Florida Catholic honors the graduates of Catholic high schools with a listing of graduates and the valedictorian and salutatorian of the school. Our 18-page special section offers a comprehensive look of those graduates from the 12 schools of the Dioceses of Palm Beach, Orlando and Venice.

Shortly before their May 4 priestly ordination, the Florida Catholic spoke with both men about their lives, hopes and dreams for furthering the faith and serving the church. (This week is Father Dubé’s journey to the priesthood. Next week, we’ll spotlight Father Martin.) 

Pope Francis announced a new document on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, set for release in September, to mark the 350th anniversary of the first apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary signifies, first of all, the great purity and love of the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary for God.

End-of-life care is too important an issue to delay making decisions about it, said Father Dennis Gonzales at a recent Luncheon 4 Life at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Delray Beach.

Join us for the live stream of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on June 13 and 14, 2024.

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – also the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests – is celebrated on the Friday after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. This suggests to us that the Eucharist (Corpus Christi) is none other than the Heart of Jesus himself, of the One who “takes care of us” with his “heart”.

“Mindful of challenges faced by American communities and consistent with our longstanding and repeated calls for bipartisan reform of our broken immigration system, we strongly urge the President to reverse course and recommit his administration to policies that respect the human life and dignity of migrants, both within and beyond our borders.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer, delivered at the White House, Washington DC - June 6, 1944. Today is June 6, 2024 known as D-Day. According to CNN, "this year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans in attendance. Organizers are going all-out"

Speaking with participants in a Vatican conference on sustainable finance, Pope Francis urged participants to combine efficiency with ethical sustainability and highlighted the importance of addressing inequality to serve the common good.

U.S. Ambassador Joe Donnelly will leave his post at the Holy See on July 8, 2024, and return to Indiana. Laura Hochla will serve as chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

Christ's real presence in the Eucharist is a gift to be treasured, lived and shared, Pope Francis said as he celebrated the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Pope Francis has appointed two cardinals and an archbishop as new members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Let's stay united at a diocesan family this summer by sharing our experiences and joys!

Show Us Your Summer: Spread Christ's Love this Summer!

Download the Instagram stickers, and add 1, 2, or 3 stickers to your story showing us how your summer looks as you spread the Love of Christ throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach! Tag @DoPBCatholicSchools and have a blast. We are looking for the best, the cutest, and the most heart-warming stories to share.

June is here! There are many great celebrations in this month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. June 1 is the feast of St. Justin, Martyr followed by the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. "The Lord has given us bread from heaven: Let us give thanks and praise!"

The final Eucharistic holy hour in a quarterly series that began in June 2023 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. In addition, parishes in the Diocese of Palm Beach were encouraged to conduct their own holy hour at the same time the bishop is leading worshipers at the cathedral as a sign of unity. Check with your parish to see if a special holy hour is set then or at another time.

The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated on the Thursday following the solemnity of the Holy Trinity. However, for pastoral reasons, in many countries, including the United States, the celebration will not take place until this Sunday, June 2.

"The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." CCC. As we continue our years of Eucharistic Revival in the Catholic Church today holds an especially meaningful place in the Church in this time. Take time to dive deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist and give your heart over to Christ united in His body.

About 500 Hispanics and Latinos from throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach gathered as a Eucharistic family May 26, 2024, for the 36th Diocesan Encuentro at All Saints School in Jupiter. With a special emphasis on social justice, the event marked the 40th anniversary of the diocese and the National Eucharistic Revival occurring in the United States.

Speaking May 21 to the Jupiter-Palm Beach chapter of Legatus, Franciscan Sister Clare Hunter reflected on the value of manual labor and its relation to creation.

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk. 1:39-42)

The report is based on the audit findings of StoneBridge Business Partners, a specialty consulting firm headquartered in Rochester, New York, which provides forensic, internal, and compliance audit services to leading organizations nationwide. A survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) regarding allegations of abuse of minors and costs is also included as a part of the report.

The major liturgical event was a high point for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which launched the week before from California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Texas. Groups of young adults known as “perpetual pilgrims” walking the four routes with the Eucharist are tacking toward Indianapolis, where they will converge for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.’

The National Synthesis for the Interim Stage will, along with the contributions of episcopal conferences worldwide, form the basis of the work to be engaged by the Catholic Church until the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod in October 2024.

This Weekend June 1st and 2nd we Celebrate Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. To celebrate this holy day please join one of the many Eucharistic Processions in the Diocese of Palm Beach.

About 50,000 people gathered in Rome's Olympic Stadium to "kick-off" the church's first World Children's Day. Pope Francis, who established the day, said it is a "movement of boys and girls who want to build a world of peace, where we are all brothers and sisters, a world that has a future because we want to take care of the environment around us."

We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the "consubstantial Trinity". The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: "The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God." CCC #253

Mary crowned at Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence

It was a special day at Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence on May 17 as youngsters and adults honored Mary, the Mother of God, with a children’s procession and May crowning at the senior residence and nursing facility.

Women from parishes throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach gathered for camaraderie at the 38th annual Diocesan Council of Catholic Women convention May 18, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens.

"Access to safe drinkable water," Pope Francis said in his milestone 2015 ecological encyclical "Laudato Si'," "is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom told Catholic News Service that Pope Francis was "proud" of the state's efforts to halt use of capital punishment.

In the spirit of graduation season, 41 adults celebrated their completion of three years of courses in the School of Christian Formation with a bilingual Mass May 15, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Pope Francis concluded his catechesis series on vices and virtues by discussing the virtue "at the base of Christian life," humility.

The film “Eucharistic Miracles: The Heartbeat of Heaven” about Blessed Carlo Acutis and the Eucharistic miracles he studied with such devotion is showing in theaters across multiple U.S. states and the nation’s capital this weekend.

As we face the beginning of the hurricane season, we pray that we will be blessed with no major storms in our area. We also pray in thanksgiving for the safety we have experienced in past seasons.

Cardinal Tagle will celebrate the closing Mass of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress being held July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In his first in-depth interview with a U.S. broadcast network, Pope Francis addressed a wide range of topics, including the war in Ukraine, antisemitism, and U.S. immigration policy.

For centuries, men have predominantly overseen the academic domain of theology and key committees in the Church, but women have an essential role to play. Sr. M. Isabell Naumann, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, shares insights on her journey as a woman in various leadership roles within the Church.

Bishop John Noonan will ordain two transitional deacons to the Order of Priest, Saturday, May 25, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando. All are welcome either in person or via livestream on the Diocese of Orlando Facebook page and YouTube channel.

A crowd of more than 1,000 Catholics processed with the Eucharist through the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., to celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph on Saturday morning in spite of scattered rainfall throughout the event.

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church.
The theological roots of this title go back to the early Church. The Fathers of the Church often spoke of Mary as the New Eve. Just as the Woman Eve was “the mother of all the living” (Genesis 3:20), the Woman Mary was mother of all those living in Christ. In Revelation 12:17, St. John says that this Woman’s offspring are “those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.”

In an interview with “60 Minutes” airing this Sunday, Pope Francis takes aim at his “conservative critics” in the United States, reportedly saying a conservative is someone who “clings to something and does not want to see beyond that.”

Cardinal Newman High School has announced that its newly renovated academic building will be named the Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Building. The renovation, scheduled to be completed at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, signifies a transformative chapter in the school’s 63-year history.

On the Feast of Pentecost, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, gathered around the Mother of the Lord (Acts chapter 2). The feast is celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter season.

Voting is an act of conscience and should be discerned as such, panelists said at a May 14 webinar organized by the U.S. bishops' conference and other Catholic groups. Although neither the church nor its officials endorse particular candidates for public office, the bishops' teaching document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" is meant to advise Catholic voters on how to apply church teaching to the decisions they make in the ballot box.

After achieving a 25-year strategic goal in 2023 by acquiring all properties between Seventh and Eighth streets east of Olive Avenue, Rosarian Academy kicked off the public phase of its Centennial Capital Campaign May 1, with a May crowning, ribbon-cutting and blessing of the new Stockard Learning Center.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito recognized the dedicated service of five women and one man celebrating anniversaries of 25, 50, 60 and 70 years in consecrated life during a Mass May 11 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

This will be one of the largest Eucharistic pilgrimages in history. Just as crowds followed Christ throughout his earthly ministry, our nation will process with our Eucharistic Lord over 6,500 miles—through cities, along highways, and past rural towns—on his way to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.

Catholic bishops have expressed shock and promised prayers as Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico fights for his life after being shot multiple times May 15.

"Worldwide, there are countless men and women who labor on the high seas for their livelihood -- let us seek the intercession of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, that she protect and guide us."

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2024 Spring Plenary Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky, June 12-14. The public sessions on June 13 and 14 will be livestreamed on the USCCB website.

The truth is abortion hurts women. I have studied ethics for the majority of my adult life and, for me, it has always been clear that a human life begins at conception and abortion unjustly kills a human being. As I have become a father and helped raise my daughters, I have seen the way an abortion-shaped culture can impact society.

In his homily at the May 4 priestly ordination Mass, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito recalled the message of Pope Francis to Rome’s deacons becoming priests this year: “Pastoral life is not a manual, but rather a daily offering; it is not a desk job, but rather a ‘Eucharistic adventure.’”

The valedictorian and salutatorian at St. John Paul II Academy are alike in many ways. They’re both outgoing, funny, athletic, hardworking and planning to attend the University of Florida. They were also surprised to learn that they were at the top of their graduating class.

In a formal ceremony before the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis released his document proclaiming the Holy Year 2025 and explaining the features he wants it to have in order to increase people's hope.

As we celebrate Mother's Day take a moment to say a prayer for the wonderful mothers in your life!

Adding another distinguished medal to her already sizable collection, Katie Ledecky — the most decorated woman in swimming history — was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3 in a White House ceremony.

New clergy appointments for the Diocese of Palm Beach 2024-25

In 2024, the Feast of the Ascension is on Thursday, May 9, but in our dioceses it is transferred to Sunday, May 12. Click for information from EWTN.

Sometimes, change doesn’t come easy. It has taken four years for St. Luke Parish and School to begin demolition on the parish center building and start construction on a school expansion.

It is one of 12 roundtables organized throughout Rome at the second annual World Meeting on Human Fraternity — called #BeHuman — on topics ranging from education to peace-building.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will publish its new norms for the discernment of apparitions and other supernatural phenomena May 17, the Vatican press office said.

The church stands tall in the city of Sebastian, located on U.S. Highway 1. It is surrounded by natural beauty, the Intracoastal Waterway, barrier islands, a state park and wildlife refuge. St. Sebastian also has a sister mission parish on the west side of Interstate 95, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

CNS spoke to four of the pastors from the United States who participated in the international meeting of parish priests to get their input for the drafting of the working document that will guide discussions in October at the second session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality.

The Diocese of Palm Beach honors its Catholic high school graduates, particularly the valedictorians and salutatorians, with senior spotlights. In the second of three articles shining a light on excellence in Catholic education, the Florida Catholic spoke with the top seniors at John Carroll High School.

Today is National Teachers Day! At the Diocese of Palm Beach, Office of Catholic Schools we appreciate all of our teachers for their hard work educating our students and love how they express their dedication to our Catholic faith in Jesus Christ.

The annual School of Christian Formation retreat for graduating students was April 27 in the Family Life Center of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.

"I think my faith has gotten a lot stronger since starting this profession -- just given that it's dangerous and even more so than that, it's very emotionally taxing," he told Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock’s diocesan newspaper. "You can take it so personal, the outcome of a race, even when there's so many uncontrollable variables."

Sacred Heart School Honored to Announce Dr. Patricia Sheetz as Principle effective July 1, 2024.

On May 3rd, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Philip and James to honor two early disciples of Jesus, who were among the original Twelve Apostles. The St. James of this feast day is James the Less, or Lesser, who was the brother of the Apostle Jude Thaddeus; both being sons of Alphaeus and of one of the “Three Marys” at the Cross.

The bishops decried lawlessness in South Africa, addressing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government: “Mr. President and Police Minister, there is a growing impression among South Africans that criminals are freely murdering the citizens with no fear of consequences.”

"The human right to health care flows from the sanctity of human life and the dignity that belongs to all human persons, who are made in the image of God."

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, patriarch of Jerusalem, said the church is called to act slowly but steadily for peace in the Holy Land.

Join this beautiful procession lead by Bishop Barbarito to celebrate the Blessed Mother under her many titles in many different languages.

The pope's early morning touchdown by helicopter from Rome April 28 brought him first to a women's prison, then by wooden motorboat to the Basilica of St. Mary of Health, a 17th-century church built to honor Mary, invoking her protection and intercession to end a devastating plague that killed nearly one-third of the population in the 1630s.

A Philadelphia priest working in Haiti has followed through on his plans to return immediately to his longtime ministry in that nation's besieged capital after a brief visit to the U.S. for medical treatment.

An indulgence, a remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for their sins, has been a key feature of holy years for centuries. But updated norms for obtaining one are published for each holy year celebration.

Let us pray that men and women religious, and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.

The Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations summit is being held in the southern Italian region of Puglia from June 13–15 and will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

The announcement comes after President Joe Biden’s Department of Education issued a new interpretation of Title IX, which states that all prohibitions on sex discrimination will now apply to discrimination based on a person’s self-asserted “gender identity.”

The addition of “gender identity” in the Biden administration’s interpretation of anti-discrimination rules could jeopardize state laws that restrict women’s sports and women’s locker rooms to only women, according to legal scholars.

More than 460 sixth-graders and chaperones from 10 local Catholic schools visited St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary April 19 for a day of retreat. Besides enjoying the physical and spiritual riches that comprise the Boynton Beach seminary campus, it was an opportunity to take stock and reflect upon God’s plan for their lives.

Pope Francis said the most important aspect of the ongoing synod is its process of synodality and not the topics discussed during the synod.

The Diocese of Palm Beach honors its Catholic high school graduates, particularly the valedictorians and salutatorians, with senior spotlights. In the first of three articles shining a light on excellence in Catholic education, the Florida Catholic spoke with the top seniors at Cardinal Newman High School.

"Pride is a poison; it is a powerful poison: one drop of it is enough to spoil an entire life marked by goodness," the pope said.

April is child abuse prevention month. It is up to us to identify risks and protect the most vulnerable together.

U.S. archbishop has denounced the Biden administration's decision to resume deportations of Haitian migrants, given the rampant violence and instability in Haiti.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre emphasized Pope Francis' call for unity in a conversation with Catholic News Service before formally taking possession of his titular church in Rome.

A young mother will be the first to graduate from a Catholic school in North Dakota with the support of the school’s program that provides young student-mothers with child care, housing, and community. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, supporting women with unplanned pregnancies has become an even greater priority for many groups and organizations.

Resources are becoming available for Catholics wanting to prepare for the Holy Year 2025, especially those eager to brush up their prayer lives. On May 9, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Pope Francis will officially proclaim the Jubilee of 2025 with the public reading and delivery of the "Bull of Indiction" in St. Peter's Basilica.

In the spirit of Easter, a local organization of Catholic health-care workers is looking to experience a resurrection of its own. The Palm Beach Physicians Guild of the Catholic Medical Association was formed in 2016 on the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as a forum for fellowship and guidance on complex biomedical and workplace issues.

The diocesan Office of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry sponsored its Spring Professional Development Day April 10 for directors of faith formation, youth ministers, and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults leaders and team members at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens.

President Joe Biden’s Department of Education issued new regulations on Friday, April 19, that prohibit discrimination based on a person’s “gender identity.”

In honor of Earth Day and in response to the Holy Father’s message urging the faithful to take action in protecting the environment, here are five ways Catholics can celebrate Earth Day.

Meeting with the members, dressed in their scouting uniforms, at the Vatican April 13, the pope said people in modern society are "prisoners of lifestyles and behaviors that are as selfishly deaf to every appeal of common sense as they are tragically self-destructive; insensitive to the cry of a wounded earth, as well as to the voice of so many brothers and sisters unjustly marginalized and excluded from an equitable distribution of goods.

"Vocation is essentially the call to be happy, to take charge of one's life, to realize it fully and not waste it," the cardinal told the Vatican newspaper in an interview published ahead of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 21.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations is observed to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2).

“Mothers and fathers, united in marriage, are the first witnesses to love for their children. It is within the family that children are taught the faith, learn the meaning of love, and grow in virtue. This year’s study of ordinands underscores the fundamental role that families, in particularly, parents, play in building up the kingdom of God. It is through the love and support of the family that children develop into the men and women God calls them to be.”

John Carroll High School Honored to Announce Mr. Michael Bryk as Incoming Principle, effective July 1, 2024.

Jude Okeke, who was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Palm Beach during the Mass at St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton, said earlier that it was a special blessing to have his chief shepherd, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, be the ordaining prelate.

"As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 21.

As the White House responds to Iran's attack against Israel, Catholic experts said U.S. officials should seek to prevent further escalation in the region.

As the Safe Environments Office marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Loree said she is pleased to be part of the team trying to ensure the safety of children. “My heart has always been with kids. Always, always, always,” she said. “And when this program came up, it was very powerful for me because it really protects the children. It’s giving them a voice.”

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York is presently safe in Jerusalem amid Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, where air raid sirens in the late hours of April 13 alerted the country to incoming drones and missiles.

An annual baby shower drive by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is being held in April to provide new and gently used items to expectant mothers and families in need. Items are being collected at sites throughout the diocese.

At least three Easter sunrise Masses were held on south Florida beaches in the Diocese of Palm Beach March 31, 2024

Every Friday morning at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, there is a children’s Mass, but April 5 was a special occasion. It was the feast day of the parish’s patron saint and a day of student recognition, with opportunities for veneration and outdoor refreshments.

Bishop Burbidge said the task now is to communicate "Dignitas Infinita" at the pastoral level, with love and compassion as the guiding principles, during a "privileged moment" for direct preaching on difficult topics.

Church leaders have expressed concern that some passages in the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church could be deemed offensive under Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act and that “vexatious” complaints under the law are now likely.

The parish priest is the church's "point of contact and if we lose contact with our people through their priests, it disables the mission of the church," he told Catholic News Service April 10 at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he was to receive the annual Rector's Award April 11.

A declaration published by the Vatican includes a section on how "digital violence" threatens human dignity.

In his series of talks about virtues, Pope Francis today looked at "fortitude" and how it is needed today.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Peter J. Jugis, 67, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Charlotte for health reasons, and has appointed Reverend Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., as Bishop-elect of Charlotte.

The Vatican’s top doctrinal office issued a declaration on the theme of human dignity on Monday that addresses growing concerns such as gender theory, sex changes, surrogacy, and euthanasia in addition to abortion, poverty, human trafficking, and war. The declaration, titled Dignitas Infinita, which means “infinite dignity,” states that the Church highlights these concerns “with hope, confident of the power that flows from the risen Christ, who has fully revealed the integral dignity of every man and woman.”

April 9th is National Wear Blue Day in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month! Throughout scripture there is evidence that we are called to be ambassadors of hope and healing.

When the moon passes between the sun and Earth creating a total solar eclipse on April 8, many Catholics in its path will be looking skyward to observe the phenomenon from a spiritual and scientific perspective.

“The purpose of the preschool is to build a good faith foundation for young children as they grow up,” said Father Tri Pham, Holy Family’s pastor. “Our children need a good foundation in their faith and, as Jesus said to Peter, ‘On this rock, I build my church.’ The children are the ‘rock,’ the future of the church.”

At Easter Vigil Masses in parishes across the Diocese of Palm Beach on March 30, hundreds of people were formally accepted as members of the church.

In a message sent to the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference of Taiwan, April 4, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope "was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake in Taiwan."

The Heart of Priesthood is the Heart of the Priest

The great St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, spoke often of the heart. He is well known for his insight that “The heart speaks to the heart.” St. John Cardinal Newman took this phrase for his episcopal motto, as he was so influenced by St. Francis de Sales. The world today needs the human heart more than it needs anything else. The heart speaks to the heart, and in this dialogue we encounter God.

"What I find particularly spiritual in an eclipse is that we can predict precisely when it will happen -- and plan accordingly -- but we cannot predict just what it will look like or how we will react," said Brother Guy. "In that way, it reminds me how God is forever reliable but still always able to surprise us."

Catholic evangelists are handing out rosaries, asking fans if they need prayers, and inviting them to tour Detroit's historic churches as hundreds of thousands of people congregate in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL draft, which began April 25 in Cadillac Square.

Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Parsegh Baghdassarian, I.C.P.B., as Auxiliary Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the United States and Canada.

The Diocese of Palm Beach is fortunate to be the home of local organizations who offer ministry to men and women impacted by pregnancy loss from abortion or miscarriage: Parents, Grandparents, other family members, or anyone suffering trauma as the result of this loss of life.

The Vatican’s top doctrinal office next week will unveil a new declaration on the theme of human dignity, one that is expected to address a range of contemporary moral issues including gender ideology and surrogacy.

"Amendment 4 would enshrine abortion through all trimesters in our state’s constitution and eliminate all laws that even modestly aMect abortion including parental consent laws, informed consent laws, and other safety regulations that protect women seeking an abortion." - Sara Johnson, Florida Voters Against Extremism’s Statewide Grassroots Director.

Pope Francis celebrated the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at a women's prison, washing the feet of 12 inmates.

For the Whitten family of St. Bernadette Parish in Port St. Lucie, the current deanery-level series of Eucharistic holy hours has been a unifying spiritual journey. The six family members have made it a priority to attend all five of the holy hours beginning last August with their home parish.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, let us come together to sustain safe and joyful environments for our children. “It is essential that we, as a Church, be able to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics, and all those entrusted with the mission of watching over and caring for those most vulnerable.” - Pope Francis

In his Easter message, Pope Francis called for a general exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine as well as an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

All are invited to the 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, diaconate ordination Mass for Diocese of Palm Beach seminarian Jude Okeke at St. Joan of Arc Church, 370 S.W. Third St. in Boca Raton.

In a message to Catholic young people around the world, Pope Francis marked the fifth anniversary of "Christus Vivit," the document he wrote after the synod on young people.

“Despite the war and everything going on around us this year, we have once again chosen to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, as the traditional Palm Sunday procession moved through the streets of the city.

Hong Kong’s legislature has fast-tracked a controversial new law that some observers claim could see priests imprisoned if they do not reveal to the authorities certain crimes confessed during the sacrament of penance.

As the liturgies of the Triduum approached, Pope Francis sent a letter to Catholics in the Holy Land, acknowledging their suffering and praising their witness of solidarity and peace.

The parish's current youth minister is a year older than Josh, and the first year he played Jesus, in 2007, she played Veronica, who wipes the face of Jesus in the Sixth Station. She remembered the "sincerity" and "humility" he brought to the role. "This performance is so much more than a performance. It's really a prayer," she said.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace call on the faithful to renew their prayers during Holy Week for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.

St. John Paul II started the tradition in 1985 of asking different people to write the prayers and meditations on the Stations of the Cross for the annual Good Friday service at Rome's Colosseum. But the canonized Polish pope wrote them himself in the year 2000 and Pope Francis has decided to write them this year. The service is broadcast around the world.

As we prepare to enter into the most sacred days of the liturgical year, we have a prime opportunity to make up for any shortcomings that may have been part of our Lent this year. Blessedly, Holy Week offers us the chance to refocus, reflect and renew as we wind down our Lenten journeys and look ahead to the promise of Easter.

The Chrism Mass is a special celebration where the bishop consecrates the sacred oils used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and anointing of the sick. The Mass is also an occasion to honor and celebrate the dedicated service of priests who have committed their lives to serving their communities.

On March 26, 2024 the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in a case that has the potential to make a major impact in the widespread accessibility of chemical abortion (abortion pills).

Archbishop Broglio and Bishop Burbidge have announced a nationwide invitation to prayer.

Cardinal Cantalamessa, who has served as preacher of the papal household since 1980, preaches to the pope and other Vatican officials on the Fridays of Advent and Lent.

Pope Francis begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square March 24.

Russia's Catholic archbishop has echoed condemnations of a March 22 terror assault which left dozens dead and injured at a Moscow concert venue, although a bishop from war-torn Ukraine warned the atrocity should also remind Russians of what his country was suffering at their hands.

In many Eastern European countries, it’s a tradi­tion to have a basket of food blessed on Holy Saturday. This Catholic ritual has been cherished for centuries among many families. It has now been ad­opted by people of all ethnic backgrounds who enjoy this richly symbolic custom.

We ask that you mark your calendars for the Diocese of Palm Beach Chrism Mass on March 26th, 11am - 1pm at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. All should witness this Catholic Mass as you will understand how oil is a significant part of our faith and what it means to be part of "the anointed".

Women from the Diocese of Palm Beach and beyond attended the 13th annual Catholic Women of Faith, Women of Action conference March 16, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Parish in Royal Palm Beach.

The workshop will explore what it means to be a disciple of the Eucharistic Lord and learn how to do so in a way that “breathes with both lungs” — that is, through the traditions of both the Christian East and West.

Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop William Callahan, O.F.M., Conv. of Diocese of La Crosse; Appoints Bishop Gerard Battersby as Successor

Five U.S. priests will travel to Rome in April to share their experiences of parish life with the ongoing Synod of Bishops on synodality. The group — selected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as part of a 300-member worldwide delegation — also will speak with Pope Francis during the April 28-May 2 meeting.

Six women from 22 to 33 years old attended the first diocesan Women’s Come & See vocational discernment weekend March 1-3 in Delray Beach.

On March 6, 2024, the first Cenacles of Love: Jesus and Mary prayer conference at Emmanuel Parish in Delray Beach featured parishioner and group founder Patti Schwartz, former national Hispanic director of the Flame of Love nationwide prayer group, who is presently a Catholic radio host evangelizing through media.

A musical progression is defined as “a passage or movement from one note or chord to another.” In many ways, the music program at St. Ann School is a progression, starting with students in pre-K 3 and 4 learning song structure (verses, refrains) and later grades experiencing choral singing and instrument use, all the way up the scale to middle school and beyond.

On March 18, the Roman Catholic Church honors St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a fourth-century bishop and Doctor of the Church whose writings are still regarded as masterful expressions of Christian faith.

The arrival of St. Patrick's Day always spotlights Irish culture, music, dance and language. Catholics, too, are involved in Irish cultural efforts on both sides of the Atlantic, and some say Irish culture continues to be a foundation for Catholic evangelization amid the trappings of secular celebration.

The images of St. Patrick often portray him with a cross in one hand and a clover in the other. That is why the clover is now a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, which falls on March 17, the day of his death in 461 at Saul.

A letter announcing the retirement of Br. Dan Aubin, President of St. John Paul II Academy effective June 30, 2025. And congratulations to Ed Bernot who will be appointed as the next president at St. John Paul II Academy, effective July 1, 2025.

The October assembly of the Synod of Bishops will focus on "How to be a synodal Church in mission?" while 10 study groups will explore the theological, pastoral and canonical aspects of some of the thorniest questions raised during the synod listening sessions and discussed at the first synod assembly last October.

Pope Francis said the path to virtue is achieved by fully living out one's own vocation.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering a March 10-18 novena to the foster father of Jesus, ahead of the saint's March 19 feast day.

Each person’s life is a unique gift and has immeasurable value from the moment of conception, and it is for that precise reason that the Catholic Church cannot condone procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) that result in a loss of life at a massive scale.

In dioceses throughout the United States, many Knights of Columbus councils host fish dinners at parishes during Lent. At Holy Family in Port St. Lucie, members of Knights of Columbus Father Omer H. Brauner Council 12159 kicked off their Lenten fish fry on Feb. 16, with the conclusion set for Friday, March 22.  

President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address March 7, calling for the protection of democracy in the U.S. and overseas, providing further military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, expanded abortion access, and for bipartisan cooperation on immigration policy. A rebuttal by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., was met with lackluster reviews, including from fellow Republicans.

Their routes — a combined 6,500 miles — will converge eight weeks later in Indianapolis for the July 17 opening of the five-day congress in Lucas Oil Stadium. Along the way, the pilgrims will go through small towns, large cities and rural countryside, mostly on foot, with the Eucharist carried in a monstrance designed particularly for this unprecedented event.

Even with children younger than a year old, there is no time like the present to begin teaching them the Catholic faith. A program to catechize young children has been adopted at four parishes in the Diocese of Palm Beach.

In different times and places and "each in her own distinct way," the 10 women "gave proof through initiatives of charity, education and prayer, of how the 'feminine genius' can uniquely reflect God's holiness in the midst of our world," the pope's text said. And "because the Church is herself a woman -- a daughter, a bride and a mother," he wrote, "who better than women can reveal her face?"

A grassroots team has come together to stop the extreme abortion amendment pushing for placement on the 2024 ballot.

The Catholic Committee on Scouting in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, has announced the creation of the Venerable Father Augustine Tolton Activity Patch, which honors the first recognized Black priest in the U.S.

Ramona Treviño knows the difference that sidewalk counselors and 40 Days for Life can make in separating women and men from organizations such as Planned Parenthood. She spoke Feb. 13, 2024, about the impact that one praying woman had on her life.

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation announces the publication of a new agreed statement entitled, "The Pastoral Care of Mixed Marriages: Neither Yours nor Mine – but Ours."

Catholic theologian and professor Jennifer Newsome Martin is honored — but won’t deny that she’s also pretty excited — to have been recently named the next director of the University of Notre Dame’s internationally renowned de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture.

"The witness of the Basilian Sisters is reflected in their being “present to someone who is truly suffering,” Father Wall said, showing that “we are more than what is happening to us … and (to) stand up with courage against the powers of darkness.”

The 34th annual Black Cultural Awareness Celebration and Mass was a joyous occasion Feb. 23, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Riviera Beach. The theme for the day was “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps 116:9).

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito celebrated Mass Feb. 16 and gave out awards to teachers in Catholic schools who have served at least 20 years in the Diocese of Palm Beach as of the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year. St. Peter Parish and All Saints School hosted the event.

Orbiting the sun nearly 1 million miles from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope is reshaping the way scientists understand the universe and its origins, a number of astronomers said at a Vatican-sponsored meeting.

As we express our sorrow to God this Lent for the ways that our lives do not reflect his plan for us, it can be important to make sure our “I’m sorrys” have all the components of sincere remorse. Researchers note that good apologies involve three ingredients: empathy, restitution and objective criteria.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the innovative religious formation method for children as young as 3 years old, began in February at St. Clare Parish in North Palm Beach. The learning environment, called an atrium, is set up in the former choir loft inside St. Clare Church.

The 13th annual Catholic Women of Faith, Women of Action Conference, is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Parish, 100 Crestwood Blvd. S. in Royal Palm Beach.

"This is a good Lenten resolution: cultivating a welcoming outlook, becoming 'seekers of light,' seekers of the light of Jesus, both in prayer and in people," he told visitors in St. Peter's Square before praying the Angelus with them Feb. 25.

“The Passion of Christ,” to be performed at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. Second St. in Fort Pierce began in 2006 in the St. Anastasia parish center. For the 18th time, members of St. Anastasia Parish and San Juan Diego Hispanic Pastoral Center are preparing to stage their popular Passion play that has grown from one performance during Lent to embody a ministry with more than 100 in the cast and crew.

The Catholic tradition of venerating relics is not worship but a way to honor and draw near to the saints and to petition for their prayers since they are with God. The arm of the apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, which is on a United States tour, is being brought to two parishes in the diocese: Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Jude, 21689 Toledo Road in Boca Raton; and Monday, Feb. 26, at St. Peter, 1701 Indian Creek Parkway, Jupiter.

February 22nd, 2024 - the Feast of The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle.

Father Mark-Mary Ames of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal had an atypical Ash Wednesday this year after celebrating an early morning Mass for actors Jonathan Roumie and Mark Wahlberg.

Theologians, canon lawyers and other experts will be asked to study a variety of questions raised at the synod on synodality last October, and members of the synod will have a two-day retreat before the second assembly begins this fall.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna warned of schism as German bishops want to keep to their reform course despite the latest letter from Rome, which halted the vote on the statutes of a Synodal Committee.

The key to the spiritual life, indeed to life in general, is to live in the present moment, which oftentimes seems so ordinary. This is a very good practice to concentrate upon during this season of Lent. To live in the past or to live in the future is to live in a graceless moment. While it is important to look to the past and to the future, God gives us His grace for today.

At his weekly general audiences, Pope Francis has been looking at the "capital sins" or vices that tempt people. Today he focused on "acedia," which is often translated as "sloth" but is much more than being lazy.

The 41-day period of Lent into which we will enter on Valentine’s Day is truly a time of conversion and freedom, as we pause to listen to God speaking to us in a particular way. The usual rhythm of the Church’s life changes. She retreats from the ordinary cycle of liturgical readings and celebrations. The joyful Glorias and Alleluias are not sung and proclaimed. The color purple is generally worn for the celebration of Mass. The liturgical readings are intensely focused, and more time is set aside for acts of penance and the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The theme for this year’s celebration of National Marriage Week is “Love Beyond Words,” which recalls the self-sacrificing love in marriage that is rooted in the wedding promises that the couple makes in matrimony.

Initially, people fasted all 40 days of Lent. They ate one meal a day and only an amount of food that would sustain survival. But the church taught, and people believed (then as now), that fasting is not about what we eat, it is about changing hearts, interior conversion, reconciliation with God and others. It’s about living in an austere way, giving from our abundance to the poor.

Some 329 Catholics of all ages arrived by the busload to attend Catholic Days at the Capitol Feb. 6-7, 2024, in Tallahassee. Organized by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the lobbying arm of Florida’s bishops, the annual event offers participants many opportunities, including seeing the legislative process in action and putting their faith and civic responsibility into action.

Fort Pierce- John Carroll High School, in the Diocese of Palm Beach, would like to announce that JCHS president, Rev. Thomas E. Barrett, will be stepping down from his role at the school in June 2024, and will certainly be missed. The diocese is grateful for Father Barrett’s outstanding leadership and faith-filled dedication to the school. Additionally, based on the recommendations of Gary Gelo, the Superintendent of Schools, and Father Barrett, Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito has appointed alumna Corey (Collins) Heroux as President effective July 1, 2024.

So essential is the life of consecrated persons to the Church that St. Pope John Paul II rooted consecrated life in the very life of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In his apostolic exhortation, Vita Consecrata, he explained how a consecrated person, living the Gospel in the most radical manner, proclaims, “what the Father, through the Son and in the Spirit, brings about by His love, His goodness and His beauty.”

“During our tough times, we never dreamed we’d share our story. We never thought we’d be on that stage telling our story. We never thought we’d be involved in leadership in this organization. We became local leaders, then regional leaders, and then served on the international marketing committee and now this,”

Pope Francis' Lenten message was released today at the Vatican. It focuses on God's call to leave behind the bonds of slavery and embark on a journey toward new life.

In preparation for the celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life by the Catholic Church on February 2, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations (CCLV) commissioned a study on newly professed men and women religious through the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

 World Day for Consecrated Life, which is marked Feb. 2 and tied to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, was established by St. John Paul II in 1997. The special day of recognition will be celebrated in parishes Feb. 3-4 honoring those who have made commitments to consecrated life.

The USCCB Synod Team is happy to share these upcoming webinars as we continue through the Interim Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod.

This is an important week for our Catholic schools as we celebrate their importance in the life of the Church and in our Diocese. Certainly, we can refer to our Catholic schools as “the dream that makes you dream.” We are fully committed to our Catholic schools within the Diocese of Palm Beach as a priority in terms of the life of faith and education which they give to our young people. We live in a world where we see that wolves need to be turned into lambs, and it is only our faith that can realize this dream.

Pope Francis said in a new interview that he will never tire of calling for peace, especially to political leaders: "stop the bombs and missiles now, end hostile stances" everywhere.

Get ready to mark your calendars for an unforgettable Catholic Schools Week experience! Our Diocese of Catholic Schools has an incredible lineup of daily activities and themes that will leave you feeling inspired and rejuvenated. With our theme of "United in Faith and Community," you'll witness firsthand how we foster not only academic excellence but also spiritual and moral growth in our students. Come join us on this journey with the Lord, and discover the magic that happens when faith and education blend seamlessly together. Stay tuned for an unforgettable week ahead!

“The taking of the life of an unborn child, the disruption that that causes to families, the lack of respect for the gift of life is something that we pray for,” he said. “We’re making progress, but we haven’t made enough progress by any means in our country today, so we continue to pray and do all that we can to show our respect for the life of an unborn child.”

Wednesday Feb 21, 2024 Luncheons4Life with Open Hearts for Orphans at the Cathedral St Ignatius, PBG

Please join in praying a novena for the Florida Supreme Court oral arguments concerning the validity of the abortion amendment language from January 30 - February 7. Our petition is for the abortion amendment to legalize abortion up until birth in Florida is rejected.

Pope Francis officially opened the Year of Prayer after Mass for the church's celebration of Sunday of the Word of God. The Year of Prayer is about preparing the groundwork so the Holy Year can spiritually enrich the life of the church and of the people of God, and become a concrete sign of hope for the world, said the head of the Vatican office in charge of coordinating the Holy Year.

FEBUARY 2ND, 2024 - In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world.

The right to life of an unborn child is neither a federal nor state issue as it is a fundamental right given to us by God in accord with a very purpose for which our great nation was founded. Our country came into existence on the foundation, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, that the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is granted to all persons by God Himself. There is no legal authority that can authorize abortion as there is no legal authority which can authorize the taking of an innocent life for any reason.

Join St. Patrick Catholic Church in their Parish Lenten Mission with Fr. Simeon Gallahger, OFM. Cap. on February 5-8, 2024.

AIM, which stands for Achieve, Inspire and Motivate, welcomes individuals with physical disabilities and those who may be experiencing more limited mobility due to aging.

"A healthy society can only continue to flourish if based on a consistent recognition of the rights of each individual, especially the weakest and most defenseless. With this in mind, we remain committed to pursuing full legal protection of preborn children and continue to support efforts to offer practical assistance and accompaniment to women and their families experiencing difficulties during pregnancy and beyond. We invite all people of good will to join us in these endeavors."

The Jupiter-Palm Beach Chapter of Legatus celebrated its fifth anniversary of chartering with an Advent social and 2023 award presentations Dec. 19, 2023, at the Pelican Club in Jupiter.

Please join us for fun in the park on Saturday, March 9th for Washington vs. Houston!

At the beginning of a new year, it is well to reflect upon those qualities which were at the core of Pope Benedict’s life. Indeed, they are myriad, but I would like to reflect upon them in the words of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians when he urges us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks” (5:17-18). Prayer, joy and gratitude sum up the life and legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.

Each January thousands of people gather in Washington, D.C. to uphold the dignity of all human life and pray for an end to abortion. Nearly fifty years after the Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in Roe v. Wade, the court overturned the 1973 decision by giving individual states the power to regulate abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As Catholics across the country gather again this year in Washington for the March for Life, they are also invited to observe a nationwide prayer vigil January 18-19 to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.

On January 21, 2024, in observance of the Sunday of the Word of God, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through a grant from the American Bible Society, will offer a “Sunday Seminar Series” of four videos about Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church. These videos, available in English and Spanish, will feature some of the bishops and biblical scholars and will be accompanied by discussion/reflection questions.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was a champion of civil rights. Dr. King used the Word of God to effect change of hearts and minds. Given the issues of migration, antisemitism and racial and religious discrimination touching our communities, we are reminded that the work of bringing people together in mutual recognition and cooperation is never really done. The Catholic Church is committed to this endeavor and willingly clasps hands and hearts with all others of like mind, faith, and hope.

Fr. Clem Hammerschmitt One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) Catholic High School Scholarship Award for the academic year 2024-2025. PBDCCW has been offering scholarships to outstanding young Catholic women for over fifteen years. Three scholarships are awarded each year to one young lady from each of the three Deaneries within the Diocese of Palm Beach who is planning to attend a Catholic High School in the Fall of 2024 as an incoming freshman.

“The Declaration issued today by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) articulated a distinction between liturgical (sacramental) blessings, and pastoral blessings, which may be given to persons who desire God’s loving grace in their lives. The Church’s teaching on marriage has not changed, and this declaration affirms that, while also making an effort to accompany people through the imparting of pastoral blessings because each of us needs God’s healing love and mercy in our lives.”

It is interesting to note that, on the same week that Pope Francis delivered his message on artificial intelligence, he spoke at his Wednesday audience on a new cycle of catechesis he will give on the theme of Vices and Virtues. His introductory presentation was on the theme of “Safeguarding the Heart.” As we reflect upon the matter of artificial intelligence, it is well to do so in the context of what Pope Francis spoke about in his audience. He refers to the account of Adam and Eve, who were forbidden by God to eat of a certain tree in the Garden of Eden. The pope explains that the prohibition was not to forbid humanity the use of reason but as a measure of wisdom. Pope Francis explains, “The story tells us God establishes the progenitors as lords and guardians of creation but wants to preserve them from the presumption of omnipotence, of making themselves masters of good and evil, which is a temptation — a bad temptation, even now. This is the most dangerous pitfall for the human heart.”

The Mass and the Birth of Christ are also intimately associated because of their simplicity. We approach the crèche in faith because of the wonder of God, who became present in our human nature. We can never get too comfortable with this reality, and its simplicity only enhances the mystery. The same is true of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not an event at which we are entertained but the mystery in which we enter into the very life of Christ Himself in the most humble manner — through the transformation of simple bread and wine into His Body and Blood. St. Francis of Assisi had a great devotion to the Mass and to the Eucharist, which caused Him to cry before them just as he cried before the crèche. We need that faith within our lives as Catholics.

The Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Palm Beach is pleased to announce that Charles S. Stembler has been appointed by Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach, as the next President of Cardinal Newman High School.

Diocese of Palm Beach, Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach County offers his 2023 Christmas Message to all.

Advent is a time of anticipation. We are looking forward to celebrating the birth of the Lord. We are also looking forward to the Lord’s coming into our lives each day and ultimately to the coming of His Kingdom. Anticipation is based on the virtue of hope. We need to believe that tomorrow will always be better than today and that something greater is going to happen to us. The joy of looking forward to Christmas is a good and holy anticipation. Christ’s birth brings us a joy as it reminds us of God’s infinite love and mercy for us as individuals. Christ’s birth celebrates that He became one of us and that He dwells among us now — not only when He came to this earth and not only when we are with Him in heaven — but now at each and every moment.

Join Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 4:00 in the afternoon as he celebrates the joyous occasion of the Christmas Mass.

The message of Christ has not changed, and it is only the teaching of Christ that helps us to address the problems and needs of society as well as those of our own lives. Mary was keenly aware of this. With her gaze fixed completely on God, she was able to cope with the many challenges and difficulties she encountered, especially those which came to her as the mother of the Lord. With her gaze fixed on Christ, the Church has handed on the Gospel of Christ for 2,000 years in times that have revealed the difficulties and needs of humanity in new contexts. The unchanging Gospel always answers these difficulties and needs.

Thank you to our sponsors yesterday on Giving Tuesday for their generosity and love. This year, we are blessed to have the Frank & Vera Ferola Charitable Foundation, Inc., generously offer to match donations on Giving Tuesday up to $25,000!

November 24, 2023
Faith looks upon the cross of Jesus Christ and sees the King. The Gospel of St. John especially portrays Jesus as King as He reigns upon the cross. It is from the cross that He extends His arms over the world in an embrace of love. It is from this cross that blood and water flow upon the world from His wounded heart that we might be redeemed. As we look around the world and find war, so much strife and discord, division within our own nation, it is only God’s mercy extended to all which gives meaning and purpose. God’s power is revealed in His mercy. This is what we celebrate on the Solemnity of Christ the King, and it is for this that we are most grateful as we celebrate Thanksgiving.

“This truly is a vibrant, faith-filled community for which we give thanks,” the bishop said in his homily. “And as this morning we break ground for a new family life center, which will be used in order to continue to build up and strengthen this parish, what’s so important is our getting together, our supporting each other.”

As we dive into the season of giving this month, let’s explore how the very action of giving can lead to a more altruistic life, improve our mood and even makes us happy.

The celebration of Thanksgiving gives us reason to reflect upon gratitude and to cultivate it more within our lives. It is a virtue of which St. Paul constantly speaks and asks us to cultivate as exemplified in his words, “Dedicate yourself to thankfulness. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:14-17). We have much for which we should be thankful, and we should give praise to God for it. May our thankfulness help us to realize more and more our dependency upon God, whom we praise for the gift of life.

Gratitude is about more than taking a second to say “Thanks.” Gratitude shows true appreciation. This Thanksgiving, we have some ideas for how you can give gratitude.

Students preparing for the sacrament of confirmation at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Delray Beach created posters with an All Saints’ Day theme that represent the saints they have selected for their confirmation names. After all Masses Oct. 29, the students — many dressed as their saints —  gathered in the parish’s Kellaghan Hall to tell others about the heroic lives led by their saints.

November 10, 2023
Our Lord Himself was well aware of the dignity of working with the land as well as with the sacrifices that go with it. That is evident in the many parables He tells about farmers who often face significant difficulties. These parables include the sower who goes out to plant his seed and loses most of it, the landowner who leases out his land and is taken advantage of, and the parable in which a man plants his field only to have an enemy disrupt his work. In all of these parables, the one who works with the land always overcomes the obstacles and brings about a greater harvest.