AMERICA/UNITED STATES - The Diocese of Orlando celebrates the “Year of Evangelization” in commemoration of its 40th anniversary

Monday, 16 June 2008

Orlando (Agenzia Fides) - June 2008 marks the 40th year since Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Orlando (Florida). With that in mind, its current Bishop Thomas Wenski, fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando, has proclaimed 2008 as a Year of Evangelization.
Bishop Wenski says that “In these forty years, the Lord has blessed us with many graces even as we continue to grow in numbers of faithful.” Therefore, this jubilee year, “, the faithful of this local Church wish to recommit themselves to the promises of their Baptism to be holy,” reads the letter presenting the Year of Evangelization.
It continues, “on this fortieth anniversary, as a local Church, we embrace Pope John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization at the dawn of this New Millennium and recommit ourselves to the mission of the Church to present to the world Jesus Christ, ‘the same yesterday, today and forever’ as the ‘Way, Truth and Life’ who fulfills the human race’s deepest hopes.’ The Bishop also turns his attention towards the Patroness of the Diocese, Mary, the Mother of God, seeking Her intercession, “so that abundant grace and mercy may be ours in this Year of Jubilee.”
“I call the Diocese of Orlando to observe this year with gratitude for the many blessings received in these forty years and with renewed fervor in sharing with all the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ as Witnesses to Hope, Alive in Christ,” the concluding remarks of the letter say.
The Year of Evangelization officially began December 2, 2007. During these initial months, various activities have been organized and on June 18, the day of the 40th Anniversary, all the Churches of the Diocese will toll their bells at noon. A solemn Mass will be held at St. James Cathedral at 12:10pm. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/06/2008)


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