Dear Friends in Christ,
This past week I visited St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach (which we pray produces only the finest of Priests!) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Seminary. Many may not be familiar with our Regional Seminary, which is owned by the seven Diocese of the State of Florida. A few unique points of interest about St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary include: it is the only major seminary located south of Washington, DC and east of New Orleans, graduates are expected to have a pastoral capability of the Spanish language, and students are enrolled from around the state as well as Dioceses outside of Florida including some countries of the Caribbean. In recent years, our parish has been assigned Priests who graduated from St. Vincent’s including; Fr. Bill Gohring (1984), myself (1998), Fr. Scott Circe (2005), Fr. Mark Wajda (2008) and Fr. Benjamin Lehnertz (2013). Thank you for your prayers for the mission and ministry of Clergy Formation, and especially for the faculty, staff and seminarians of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.
In honor of the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) we will host the Blessing of Animals on our parish campus on Saturday, October 5 at 9:30am. Weather permitting we will meet under the oak trees beside Padre Pio’s Place. Please feel free to bring your pets no matter how large or small, typical domestic or exotic! The Clergy of our parish look forward to seeing you and your pets there. I also would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming Living Rosary which will take place on Wednesday, October 9 at 7pm in the Church. Perhaps you will consider participating as a Candle Bearer or Reader as we pray the Luminous Mysteries? The Living Rosary is hosted quarterly as a way for us to honor the Blessed Mother as the patroness of our parish family. If you are concerned about the time commitment, we are usually finished within 45 minutes. I know that it will be a blessed experience for you! Please visit our website, www.annunciationorlando.org for more information.
Finally, the Fall Festival is just two weeks away on October 11, 12 and 13! Next weekend the parking lot will begin a transformation as we prepare the tents and booths. I appreciate your patience! Please invite a friend, co-worker or neighbor to the Fall Festival as together we enjoy food, fellowship and fun!
As you come before the Lord this week, please pray for the Priests, Religious Sisters and Staff of our community. Know that we will remember you, your loved ones and your intentions in our prayers. 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