| |
Novena to the Holy Innocents - Begins December 19
|
|
| |
 Join us in praying the Novena to the Holy Innocents developed by the State Pro-Life Coordinating Committee of the Florida Catholic Conference. The Feast of the Holy Innocents is celebrated on December 28th. You may pray this novena any time of the year. However, it would be most appropriate to pray it for nine consecutive days beginning on December 19th and concluding the day before the feast. (Cf. Matthew 2:13-18)
View and print the novena |
|
|
Top
|
| |
2014 Public Policy Priority Areas Identified
|
|
| |
 The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has identified priority areas of public policy anticipated for consideration by the Florida legislature during its spring 2014 session. Listed under the headings of life and death, social concerns, education, and health care, issues are evaluated in light of Gospel values and the teachings of the Church. The FCCB takes positions on proposed public policies only after a careful and thorough analysis on the extent to which a policy protects or harms human life and dignity and the common good. Updated statistics on the Catholic Church in Florida are also included in the document.
View and print the 2014 Public Policy Issues |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Top of the Town Reception Highlights Catholic Education in Florida
|
|
| |
On December 10, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Superintendents of Catholic Schools from Florida's seven dioceses hosted a special "Top of the Town" reception on the Capitol's 22nd floor to highlight the value of Catholic schools in Florida. Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee welcomed attendees who included members of the Florida House and Senate, personnel from the Florida Department of Education, and other invited guests. Governor Rick Scott provided brief remarks. Other speakers were Adam Miller, executive director, independent education and parental choice, Florida Department of Education, and Aidan Newsome, a student from John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee.
Representing the largest system of nonpublic schools in Florida, 235 Catholic schools enroll more than 84,000 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. Florida's three state scholarship programs - Florida Tax Credit, McKay and Voluntary Prekindergarten - account for about 16 percent of total enrollment or more than 15,000 students. Catholic schools provide an estimated $434 million annual savings to Florida's State Treasury. In addition, an estimated 300,000 Catholic students are educated in Florida's public schools.
The Florida Catholic Conference Schools Executive Committee met in Tallahasee for three days of meetings. Superintendents also had the opportunity to visit individual legislators who were in town for legislative committee meetings.
View photos of the reception posted on the FCCB's Facebook page |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Brochure: Protecting Unborn Life - Now Available
|
|
| |
The Florida Catholic Conference has released its latest brochure in the Culture of Life Series. Titled Protecting Unborn Life, the publication includes the latest statistics on abortion in Florida, highlights the Unborn Victims of Life Act signed into law this past year, and compares three chemicals that harm life in the womb. Suggestions for what you can do to protect the unborn are also provided.
This brochure is available on our website in English and Spanish and may be reproduced for distribution.
View and print brochure (English) / (Spanish) |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Pope Francis Issues Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel)
|
|
| |
“Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), released by the Vatican on November 26, 2013, is Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation. Written in response to the October 2012 Synod of Bishops, the document is divided into an introduction and five chapters. Each of the five chapters delves into a subject that our Holy Father sees as instrumental, and he reiterates the Church’s view on evangelization, caring for the poor, protecting the vulnerable – especially the unborn, the sick, and the elderly – and Christian love.
Calling on all Catholics to evangelize with joy, be secure in the love God has for each of us, and have courage in the face of difficulty, Pope Francis’ first extensive piece of writing as pope, is presented with papal authority. Nonetheless, it is reflective of the simple, down-to-earth style Pope Francis has embraced during his papacy.
Read the full text of “Evangelii Gaudium”
Vatican Information Service Synthesis of the Apostolic Exhortation
Purchase “Evangelii Gaudium” from USCCB Publishing
|
|
|
Top
|
|
December 17, 2013
Follow Us On
| |
|
|
Words of Wisdom
"The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus."
Pope Francis
Evangelii Gaudium
|
|
|
Join Catholics from around the state for Catholic Days at the Capitol, March 25-26, 2014. 
