Dear Friends in Christ,
These past months we have been blessed with the presence of two young men, Matthew Hawkins and Adam Marchese, who are discerning a call to Priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando. I am very grateful to them for sharing their journey with us at Annunciation Catholic Church. Perhaps you have seen them at Mass or had the opportunity to work with them in a particular ministry, but soon they will be departing to begin their studies at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.
Matthew Hawkins
Matthew is a graduate of the University of Florida, having studied Computer Engineering. He will study Pre-Theology at the Seminary, which is a two year program concentrating on pre-requisites in Philosophy so that he will be prepared to study Theology on a graduate level.
Adam will be entering St. John Vianney as an undergraduate (having completed
Adam Marchese
some course work already) and work towards a degree in Philosophy before heading to the major seminary. Once these men have completed their formation at St. John Vianney College Seminary, they will enter St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach (which produces only the finest of Priests!).
The formation program for ordination at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary will take five additional years and concentrates on the pillars of formation: human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual. Please pray for Adam and Matthew as they prepare to begin a new chapter in their discernment. They will be missed, but we look forward to their visits during holiday times.
You may have noticed that the construction of our Track and Field is well underway. The project will be phased and will include other components such as the re-configuration of the south driveway next to the Church along with relocation of handicapped parking spaces closer to the building, realignment of the connector road from the Life Center parking area to intersect closer to the Gymnasium, construction of a concession stand/restroom facility for the Track and Field, and the installation of a modular building which will function as a Youth Center and Community Room. Thank you for your generosity towards the Alive in Christ Capital Campaign which is making this project possible. I also appreciate your patience during this time of construction.
Please know that I will pray for you, your loved ones, and your intentions this week. Thank you for praying for me (and for all the Priests that serve our parish), so that we can be the Priests that our community needs and deserves. We may not see each other each day, but may we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor
