March - St. Augustine Catholic

around the diocese
Solidarity and Unity Mass Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
SCOTT Smith
Benedictine Father Cyprian Davis was this year’s
homilist for the Solidarity and Unity Mass at the
Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine.
More than 200 people representing about 15 parishes attended
this year’s Solidarity and Unity Mass honoring Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine.
Hosted by the Multi-Cultural Ministry of the Diocese of Saint
Augustine, Bishop Victor Galeone concelebrated the Mass with
Benedictine Father Cyprian Davis, the guest homilist. Father Davis is
well known for his groundbreaking and inspiring study, The History
of Black Catholics in the United States, published in 1990. He is
professor of history at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier
University, La.
Father Davis gave an inspiring homily that highlighted the history of
black Catholics from as early as the 16th century in Spanish Florida
to the black Catholic leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He called
on all present to “be bearers of the light and bearers of his peace.” He
said, “Around the table of the Lord, may we become a sign of unity and
solidarity – the Body of Christ and the sign of reconciliation.”
march for life Thousands
gather to pray for a change of hearts
Bishop Victor Galeone spoke to a crowd of about 1,000
people on Sunday, Jan. 20, for the second annual March
for Life St. Augustine. People from all over Florida and
from various faith backgrounds gathered at the Mission
Nombre de Dios to call attention to the sanctity of human life.
Sponsored by the Respect Life Committee of the Cathedral-
Basilica, the event marks the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade
decision legalizing abortion.
“It is not a question of who is in the White House or who is on
the Supreme Court,” Bishop Galeone said. “It’s about who will
change the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters. And that
is you and I, through prayer and sacrifice.”
Special
Life-long friendships formed
Anxious to try out her new scooter to go fishing, Marilyn with her
angels from the We Care Ministry of San Juan del Rio Parish: Front
row (l-r) Jim Steuben, Mike Ellison and Don Reilly. Back row (l-r) Dan
Coates, Phil White, Jim O’Meara and Father Ed Booth
SCOTT Smith
Marchers began their one-mile walk at the Mission Nombre de Dios
ending at the Plaza de la Consitucion in downtown St. Augustine.
Carrying the lead banner from the Cathedral-Basilica is: (l-r) Jordan
Shea, Mary Tholotowsky, Nicole Santoriello and Stephen Brown.
The We Care Ministry was the brainchild of two parishioners
at San Juan del Rio Parish in Jacksonville. Don Reilly and Jim
Stuebgen, concerned about the needs of people financially
strapped and in need, gathered resources and the talents of other
men in the parish to help Marilyn Fox and her grandson Danny.
Marilyn is handicapped and confined to a wheelchair and
Danny, who has cerebral palsy, is also wheelchair bound.
Something as wonderful as going to grandmas’ house was
difficult to near impossible for Danny because of the steps at her
front door.
With building materials supplied by the parish, the men built
Marilyn a ramp to her front door. It took five weeks to complete
the project, but it has greatly improved the lives of both Marilyn
and Danny. And in the process, the men formed lifelong
friendships.
St. Augustine Catholic March 2008 27