Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando is a Roman Catholic diocese
in Florida
. It was established on June 18, 1968. Prior to that the Central Florida area was part of the Diocese of St. Augustine
. Today the diocese encompasses nine counties including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter, a total of about 9611 mi2. In 2010, the diocese contained 81 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools. St. James Cathedral serves as the seat of the diocese. Within the diocese are two of America's minor basilica
s, Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
, a basilica which ministers to Catholic tourists, and St. Paul's in Daytona Beach.
In 2011, the population of the diocese was estimated at about 400,923 Catholics. There are 208 priests, 87 religious nuns, and 181 permanent deacons. Twenty-six men are studying for the priesthood.
The current Bishop
is John Gerard Noonan
. He took over effective October 24, 2010, having served previously as an Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, after the previous Bishop of Orlando, Thomas Wenski
, was promoted to Archbishop of Miami
.
The diocese operated the San Pedro Center for the benefit of over 10,000 retreatants during 2008.
Diocese administration contains the following organizations: Office of Communication, Office of Advocacy and Justice, Office of Hispanic Ministry, Office of Family Life and Pastoral Care, Campus Ministry, Office of Finance and Accounting, Office of Human Resources, Buena Nueva FM 104.1, El Clarin, The Florida Catholic
, IT, Media Center, Youth/Young Adults, Catholic Charities of Central Florida (including Pathways to Care), Bishop Grady Villas, Tourism Ministries, Mission Office, Propagation of the Faithm and Farmworker Ministry.
The diocese raised $10 million from its parishes in 2007 to support its ministries.
In the diocese, 1,000 people were prepared and entered the church in 2008.
Over 900 people are trained to minister to the sick as of 2007.
The diocese has a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. Missioners built two churches and one community center. The medical mission helped 2,000 patients in 2007.
The diocese has an Apostleship of the Sea ministry at the Stella Maris Center in Port Canaveral, Florida for the benefit of seafarers.
Within the diocese more than 29,000 young students are educated in religion by 4,069 catechists and religious educators.
The Superintendent of Schools was Henry Fortier.
In 2011, there were 14,500 students in the 38 schools in the diocesan school system. This includes 32 elementary schools, 5 high schools and one special education school.
In 2008, the National Catholic Educational Association
recognized the diocesan school board as "outstanding", the only diocesan board to be so recognized. At the same time, the Father Lopez Catholic High School Board was simultaneously recognized as outstanding; also the only school board to be so designated.
In 2009-2010, the diocesan schools received more than $1 million in Title I and Title II funds through the federal government.
Brevard County
Lake County
Marion County
Orange County
Osceola County
Polk County
Seminole County
Volusia County
, explored Florida in 1539. The Timucua
and the Ais
Indians around Cape Canaveral were hostile to the Spaniards and allowed no mission centers.
Florida was first part of the Church of Havana, Cuba
, as early as 1606. Bishops of Santiago de Cuba
ministered to Catholics in Florida until 1763, when England acquired Florida from Spain. The first mass migration to the New World took place when hundreds of Catholics from Minorca
settled in New Smyrna in 1768. They were members there of San Pedro Church until they abandoned that Atlantic coastal site in 1777 and moved north to St. Augustine. Cuban bishops resumed control after Florida was returned to Spain in 1783.
In 1858, Bishop Augustin Verot
became Vicar Apostolic of part of Georgia and all of Florida. He became Bishop of Savannah in 1861 and remained Vicar Apostolic of Florida.
In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine, including all of Florida, was formed with Verot its first bishop.
The Diocese of Orlando was established on June 18, 1968. Prior to that time, Central Florida was part of the Diocese of St. Augustine. At its formation, the new diocese consisted of fifty parishes and served 128,000 Catholics. Because of the growth of the Orlando metropolitan area, engendered by the opening of Disney World and other tourist destinations, the diocese became one of the fastest growing ones in the nation. It 2007 it included 73 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools spread over the nine counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter. It serves a population of approximately 350,000 Catholics. The patroness of the Diocese of Orlando is Mary, the Mother of God
.
Orlando’s first bishop was William D. Borders who was installed on June 14, 1968. Border’s achievements included establishing parish councils, parish education boards, participation of the laity as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, a Sisters’ Council, a migrant ministry apostolate staffed by full-time personnel, and a campus ministry program which was acclaimed nationally. Diocesan Catholic communities became integrated in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Thomas J. Grady was installed as bishop on December 16, 1974. He ran the diocese during a period of growth. He established eighteen new parishes, a tourism ministry, San Pedro Center (a centrally-located spiritual life center), and a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. He also encouraged the greater participation of women in the work of the Church. At the end of his tenure in 1990, the Catholic population of the diocese had grown over 76% and the number of parishes had increased by more than a third.
When the Diocese of Orlando was founded, St. Charles Borromeo Church in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando was designated the diocesan Cathedral. On October 1, 1976, the cathedral was destroyed by an electrical fire. On March 25, 1977, St. James Church in downtown Orlando became the new Cathedral.
Norbert M. Dorsey, was installed as bishop on May 25, 1990. The diocese added parishes and schools, as well as expanded the ministry to the growing Hispanic community through establishing Radio Paz and health clinics for migrant and farm workers. Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
was established as a church, built in the midst of the tourist area, for visitors to attend Mass and pray. Bishop Grady Villas, which opened on January 1, 2004, was constructed as a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A cemetery at San Pedro Retreat Center for priests of the diocese was established.
On July 1, 2003, Pope John Paul II
appointed Thomas G. Wenski
as Coadjutor Bishop
of the Diocese of Orlando. On November 13, 2004, Bishop Wenski succeeded Bishop Dorsey, becoming the fourth Bishop of Orlando.
From 2004-10, six new parishes and two missions were created. A capital and endowment campaign raised $100 million. Two diocesan churches were raised to the status of minor basilica
s. The Spanish language radio station Buena Nueva FM was started along with the Spanish language newspaper, El Clarin.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
held their spring convocation in the diocese in 2008.
On April 20, 2010, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami by Pope Benedict XVI
. On June 3, 2010, the College of Consultor
s met and elected Father Richard Walsh, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park, as the Diocesan Administrator, who served in that capacity until the new bishop was appointed in October.
On October 23, 2010, Benedict XVI appointed Bishop John Gerard Noonan
, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Orlando.
The past bishop
s of the diocese are:
There are 93 parishes in the Diocese of Orlando.
Parishes include:
Newspaper is published 38 times a year. Diocesan circulation is 40,200, the highest in the Eccesiastical Province of Miami
.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was established on June 18, 1968. Prior to that the Central Florida area was part of the Diocese of St. Augustine
Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine
The Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine is a diocese of the Catholic Church's Latin Church in the U.S. state of Florida. Part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami, it covers much of North Florida, including the cities of St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Gainesville. The bishop's seat is the...
. Today the diocese encompasses nine counties including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter, a total of about 9611 mi2. In 2010, the diocese contained 81 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools. St. James Cathedral serves as the seat of the diocese. Within the diocese are two of America's minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
s, Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
The National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is located in Orlando, Florida at 8300 Vineland Avenue. It was built to service the large number of Catholic tourists who visit the attractions in the Greater Orlando area...
, a basilica which ministers to Catholic tourists, and St. Paul's in Daytona Beach.
In 2011, the population of the diocese was estimated at about 400,923 Catholics. There are 208 priests, 87 religious nuns, and 181 permanent deacons. Twenty-six men are studying for the priesthood.
The current Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
is John Gerard Noonan
John Gerard Noonan
Bishop John Gerard Noonan is the fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.Since the 1970s he has lived in Florida except for when he earned a master's degree in education at Boston College....
. He took over effective October 24, 2010, having served previously as an Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, after the previous Bishop of Orlando, Thomas Wenski
Thomas Wenski
Thomas Gerard Wenski is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently Archbishop of Miami, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on April 20, 2010 and installed on June 1, 2010...
, was promoted to Archbishop of Miami
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami
The Archdiocese of Miami is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America. Its ecclesiastic territory includes Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties in the U.S. state of Florida. The archdiocese is the metropolitan see for the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami,...
.
Administration
For administrative purposes, the diocese has five deaneries centered in the following towns:- Eastern Deanery (Volusia County) - Daytona Beach
- Southern Deanery (Brevard County) – Melbourne. In 2009, there were approximately 80,000 Catholics in Brevard.
- Northern Deanery (Marion, Sumter, and Lake Counties) – The Villages
- Western Deanery (Polk County) – Lakeland
- Central Deanery (Osceola, Orange, Seminole Counties) – Orlando
The diocese operated the San Pedro Center for the benefit of over 10,000 retreatants during 2008.
Diocese administration contains the following organizations: Office of Communication, Office of Advocacy and Justice, Office of Hispanic Ministry, Office of Family Life and Pastoral Care, Campus Ministry, Office of Finance and Accounting, Office of Human Resources, Buena Nueva FM 104.1, El Clarin, The Florida Catholic
Florida Catholic
The Florida Catholic newspaper is the official news organization for six of the seven dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami. Based in Orlando, FL, the newspaper publishes, 26 times a year, editions that include local, state, national and international Catholic news...
, IT, Media Center, Youth/Young Adults, Catholic Charities of Central Florida (including Pathways to Care), Bishop Grady Villas, Tourism Ministries, Mission Office, Propagation of the Faithm and Farmworker Ministry.
The diocese raised $10 million from its parishes in 2007 to support its ministries.
Ministries
1,342 couples participated in the marriage program under the Family Life Office in 2007.In the diocese, 1,000 people were prepared and entered the church in 2008.
Over 900 people are trained to minister to the sick as of 2007.
The diocese has a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. Missioners built two churches and one community center. The medical mission helped 2,000 patients in 2007.
The diocese has an Apostleship of the Sea ministry at the Stella Maris Center in Port Canaveral, Florida for the benefit of seafarers.
Catholic Charities
In 2007, Catholic Charities gave food and financial assistance to 23,000 families; helped over 290 refugee families and 4,000 people with immigration issues; and visited 2,000 prisoners. Pathways to Care assisted 290 homeless people with medical and shelter.Other diocesan ministries
- Council of Catholic Women. In 2008, there were 32 such parish groups in the diocese.in 2007, they donated $240,759 to charitable causes and recorded an estimated 130,615 volunteer hours.
Education
In 2007 there were 12,116 elementary, and 2,687 high school students enrolled in the Diocesan Catholic schools. There were 816 elementary and 221 high school teachers in the Catholic School District.Within the diocese more than 29,000 young students are educated in religion by 4,069 catechists and religious educators.
The Superintendent of Schools was Henry Fortier.
In 2011, there were 14,500 students in the 38 schools in the diocesan school system. This includes 32 elementary schools, 5 high schools and one special education school.
In 2008, the National Catholic Educational Association
National Catholic Educational Association
The National Catholic Educational Association is a private professional educational association of over 200,000 educators in Catholic schools, universities, and religious education programs...
recognized the diocesan school board as "outstanding", the only diocesan board to be so recognized. At the same time, the Father Lopez Catholic High School Board was simultaneously recognized as outstanding; also the only school board to be so designated.
In 2009-2010, the diocesan schools received more than $1 million in Title I and Title II funds through the federal government.
Secondary schools
The average tuition at diocesan high schools for 2007-8 was $7,476 annually. The average annual cost to educate each student was $10,297. There are five secondary schools:- Bishop Moore High SchoolBishop Moore High SchoolBishop Moore Catholic High School is a private Roman Catholic high school in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, Florida. It remains the only Catholic high school in Greater Orlando. It is located within the Diocese of Orlando. The school was built in 1954 and was named after Bishop John...
, Orlando - Father Lopez Catholic High SchoolFather Lopez Catholic High SchoolFather Lopez Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando. 265 students are enrolled.- History :...
, Daytona Beach - Melbourne Central Catholic High SchoolMelbourne Central Catholic High SchoolMelbourne Central Catholic is an American private, Roman Catholic, coed high school located in Melbourne, in Brevard County, Florida. It was a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1991. MCC has had 100% of their graduates enroll in college and 85 percent on average have received Bright Futures...
, Melbourne - Santa Fe Catholic High SchoolSanta Fe Catholic High School (Lakeland, Florida)Santa Fe Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Lakeland, Florida. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando. There are 236 students.-History:...
, Lakeland - Trinity Catholic High SchoolTrinity Catholic High School (Florida)Trinity Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory day school in Ocala, Florida, operated by the Christian Brothers. Located in the Diocese of Orlando, Trinity Catholic is the first and only Catholic high school in metropolitan Ocala....
, Ocala
Elementary schools
The average tuition for diocesan elementary schools in 2007-8 was $4,162. The actual average cost of educating each student was $5,610. The Diocese of Orlando had 32 elementary schools in 2011. Since 1985, 18 of those have been awarded the designation of National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.Brevard County
- Ascension Catholic School, MelbourneMelbourne, FloridaMelbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
, 2003 and 1985 National Blue Ribbon School - Divine Mercy Catholic School, Merritt IslandMerritt Island, FloridaMerritt Island is a census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east coast of the state on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2000 census, the population was 36,090. It is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School - Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School, IndialanticIndialantic, FloridaIndialantic is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The name is a portmanteau derived from the town's location between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean....
, 2003 and 2000 National Blue Ribbon School - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, MelbourneMelbourne, FloridaMelbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
- Our Saviour Catholic School, Cocoa BeachCocoa Beach, FloridaCocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,482 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2008, the city had a population of 11,920...
, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Joseph Parish School, Palm BayPalm Bay, FloridaPalm Bay is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county...
, 2006 and 1993 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Mary Catholic School, RockledgeRockledge, FloridaRockledge is the oldest city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,170 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau is 24,747. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical...
, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Teresa Catholic School, TitusvilleTitusville, FloridaTitusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
Lake County
- St. Paul Catholic School, LeesburgLeesburg, FloridaLeesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....
Marion County
- Blessed Trinity Catholic School, OcalaOcala, FloridaOcala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
Orange County
- Good Shepherd Catholic School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2000 National Blue Ribbon School - Holy Family Catholic School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Andrew Catholic School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2009 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2007 National Blue Ribbon School - St. James Cathedral School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2005 National Blue Ribbon School - St. John Vianney Catholic School, OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 2005 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Margaret Mary Catholic School, Winter ParkWinter Park, FloridaWinter Park is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School
Osceola County
- Holy Redeemer Catholic School, KissimmeeKissimmee, FloridaKissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, St. CloudSt. Cloud, FloridaSt. Cloud is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population was 35,183 at the 2010 census. St. Cloud is closely associated with the adjacent city of Kissimmee and its proximity to Orlando area theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Seaworld.St...
Polk County
- Resurrection Catholic School, LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Anthony Catholic School, LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
- St. Joseph Catholic Academy, LakelandLakeland, FloridaLakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
- St. Joseph Catholic School, Winter HavenWinter Haven, FloridaWinter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
Seminole County
- All Souls Catholic School, SanfordSanford, FloridaSanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School - Annunciation Catholic Academy, Altamonte SpringsAltamonte Springs, FloridaAltamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida, which had a population of 41,496 at the 2010 census. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States...
, 2003 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School, Altamonte SpringsAltamonte Springs, FloridaAltamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida, which had a population of 41,496 at the 2010 census. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States...
, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School
Volusia County
- Basilica School of St. Paul, Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
- Lourdes Academy, Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School - Sacred Heart Catholic School, New Smyrna BeachNew Smyrna Beach, FloridaNew Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
, 2008 National Blue Ribbon School - St. Brendan Catholic School, Ormond BeachOrmond Beach, FloridaOrmond Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 36,301 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 37,929. Ormond Beach is the northern neighbor of Daytona Beach and is home to Tomoka State Park.-History:Ormond Beach was...
- St. Peter Catholic School, DeLandDeLand, FloridaDeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
History
Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto (explorer)
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who, while leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States, was the first European documented to have crossed the Mississippi River....
, explored Florida in 1539. The Timucua
Timucua
The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...
and the Ais
Ais (tribe)
The Ais, or Ays were a tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the Atlantic Coast of Florida. They ranged from present day Cape Canaveral to the St. Lucie Inlet, in the present day counties of Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and northernmost Martin...
Indians around Cape Canaveral were hostile to the Spaniards and allowed no mission centers.
Florida was first part of the Church of Havana, Cuba
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Cristóbal de la Habana
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Cristobal de la Habana is one of three Catholic Archdioceses in Cuba.-History:Erected originally as Santiago de Cuba, this Latin Rite or Roman Rite diocese was erected as the Diocese of Santiago de Cuba on 10 September 1787 by Pope Pius VI...
, as early as 1606. Bishops of Santiago de Cuba
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba is a Metropolitan Archdiocese, responsible for the dioceses of Guantánamo-Baracoa, Holguín and Santisimo Salvador de Bayamo y Manzanillo....
ministered to Catholics in Florida until 1763, when England acquired Florida from Spain. The first mass migration to the New World took place when hundreds of Catholics from Minorca
Minorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
settled in New Smyrna in 1768. They were members there of San Pedro Church until they abandoned that Atlantic coastal site in 1777 and moved north to St. Augustine. Cuban bishops resumed control after Florida was returned to Spain in 1783.
In 1858, Bishop Augustin Verot
Augustin Verot
Bishop Augustin Verot was the third Bishop of Diocese of Savannah, and the first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine....
became Vicar Apostolic of part of Georgia and all of Florida. He became Bishop of Savannah in 1861 and remained Vicar Apostolic of Florida.
In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine, including all of Florida, was formed with Verot its first bishop.
The Diocese of Orlando was established on June 18, 1968. Prior to that time, Central Florida was part of the Diocese of St. Augustine. At its formation, the new diocese consisted of fifty parishes and served 128,000 Catholics. Because of the growth of the Orlando metropolitan area, engendered by the opening of Disney World and other tourist destinations, the diocese became one of the fastest growing ones in the nation. It 2007 it included 73 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools spread over the nine counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter. It serves a population of approximately 350,000 Catholics. The patroness of the Diocese of Orlando is Mary, the Mother of God
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
.
Orlando’s first bishop was William D. Borders who was installed on June 14, 1968. Border’s achievements included establishing parish councils, parish education boards, participation of the laity as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, a Sisters’ Council, a migrant ministry apostolate staffed by full-time personnel, and a campus ministry program which was acclaimed nationally. Diocesan Catholic communities became integrated in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Thomas J. Grady was installed as bishop on December 16, 1974. He ran the diocese during a period of growth. He established eighteen new parishes, a tourism ministry, San Pedro Center (a centrally-located spiritual life center), and a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. He also encouraged the greater participation of women in the work of the Church. At the end of his tenure in 1990, the Catholic population of the diocese had grown over 76% and the number of parishes had increased by more than a third.
When the Diocese of Orlando was founded, St. Charles Borromeo Church in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando was designated the diocesan Cathedral. On October 1, 1976, the cathedral was destroyed by an electrical fire. On March 25, 1977, St. James Church in downtown Orlando became the new Cathedral.
Norbert M. Dorsey, was installed as bishop on May 25, 1990. The diocese added parishes and schools, as well as expanded the ministry to the growing Hispanic community through establishing Radio Paz and health clinics for migrant and farm workers. Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
The National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is located in Orlando, Florida at 8300 Vineland Avenue. It was built to service the large number of Catholic tourists who visit the attractions in the Greater Orlando area...
was established as a church, built in the midst of the tourist area, for visitors to attend Mass and pray. Bishop Grady Villas, which opened on January 1, 2004, was constructed as a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A cemetery at San Pedro Retreat Center for priests of the diocese was established.
On July 1, 2003, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
appointed Thomas G. Wenski
Thomas Wenski
Thomas Gerard Wenski is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently Archbishop of Miami, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on April 20, 2010 and installed on June 1, 2010...
as Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of the Diocese of Orlando. On November 13, 2004, Bishop Wenski succeeded Bishop Dorsey, becoming the fourth Bishop of Orlando.
From 2004-10, six new parishes and two missions were created. A capital and endowment campaign raised $100 million. Two diocesan churches were raised to the status of minor basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
s. The Spanish language radio station Buena Nueva FM was started along with the Spanish language newspaper, El Clarin.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
held their spring convocation in the diocese in 2008.
On April 20, 2010, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. On June 3, 2010, the College of Consultor
Consultor
A consultor is one who gives counsel, i.e. a counselor.In the Catholic Church, it is a specific title for various advisory positions:*in the Roman Curia, a consultor is a specially appointed expert who may be called upon for advice desired by a department...
s met and elected Father Richard Walsh, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park, as the Diocesan Administrator, who served in that capacity until the new bishop was appointed in October.
On October 23, 2010, Benedict XVI appointed Bishop John Gerard Noonan
John Gerard Noonan
Bishop John Gerard Noonan is the fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.Since the 1970s he has lived in Florida except for when he earned a master's degree in education at Boston College....
, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Orlando.
The past bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of the diocese are:
- William Donald BordersWilliam Donald BordersWilliam Donald Borders was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the 13th Archbishop of Baltimore from 1974 to 1989, having previously served as the first Bishop of Orlando from 1968 to 1974...
(1968–1974) - Thomas Joseph GradyThomas Joseph GradyThomas Joseph Grady was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the second Bishop of Orlando from 1974 to 1989, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1967 to 1974.-Biography:Thomas Grady was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of a...
(1974–1989) - Norbert Mary Leonard James Dorsey (1990–2004)
- Thomas Gerard WenskiThomas WenskiThomas Gerard Wenski is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently Archbishop of Miami, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on April 20, 2010 and installed on June 1, 2010...
(2004–2010) - John Gerard NoonanJohn Gerard NoonanBishop John Gerard Noonan is the fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.Since the 1970s he has lived in Florida except for when he earned a master's degree in education at Boston College....
2010–current
Parishes
Parishes include:
- Corpus Cristi, CelebrationCelebration, FloridaCelebration is a census-designated place and a master-planned community in Osceola County, Florida, United States, located near Walt Disney World Resort and originally developed by The Walt Disney Company...
- 920 registered families; average attendance 1,700 each weekend.
- St. Philip Phan van Minh, Orlando - a language parish for people of Vietnam descent
- Most Precious Blood, Oviedo - 1,900 registered families; 2,200 average weekend attendance
- St. Mark the Evangelist, Summerfield - 2,067 families registered.
- St. Faustina - 700 registered families, over 500 attending each weekend.
- St. Mary, Rockledge. A parish of 1400 families, pastor Fr. Nicholas King. In 2002 the congregation opened an ultra modern church designed by architect Michael GravesMichael GravesMichael Graves is an American architect. Identified as one of The New York Five, Graves has become a household name with his designs for domestic products sold at Target stores in the United States....
. The church is set up in such a way as to show the journey of life towards Christ that one makes.
Other
St. Jude Maronite Church is in Orlando and Catholic, but subject to the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic Church).Media
The diocese owns the Spanish-language radio station Buena Nueva FM 104.1 Sub-Carrier which reaches eight counties of the nine comprising the diocese. It is broadcast on the internet.Newspaper
A localized version of the Florida CatholicFlorida Catholic
The Florida Catholic newspaper is the official news organization for six of the seven dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami. Based in Orlando, FL, the newspaper publishes, 26 times a year, editions that include local, state, national and international Catholic news...
Newspaper is published 38 times a year. Diocesan circulation is 40,200, the highest in the Eccesiastical Province of Miami
Roman Catholic Eccesiastical Province of Miami
The Ecclesiastical Province of Miami is a Catholic ecclesiastical province covering the U.S. state of Florida. Its metropolitan bishop is the Archbishop of Miami, head of the Archdiocese of Miami. The province additionally includes the suffragan dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach,...
.
See also
- Mary, Queen of the Universe ShrineMary, Queen of the Universe ShrineThe National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is located in Orlando, Florida at 8300 Vineland Avenue. It was built to service the large number of Catholic tourists who visit the attractions in the Greater Orlando area...
, a ministry to Catholic tourists visiting the Greater Orlando region.