Parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s largest parish, packed the 3 p.m. Mass on Feb. 15 to say goodbye to their pastor of nearly six years. Bishop-designate Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez will be installed as the new bishop for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 24.
Joel Zacarias, an eighth grader at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Academy, said he has always looked up to Bishop-designate Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, but now feels closer to him because of something they share. Both are preparing for significant life transitions.
Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, who sculpted “Angels Unawares,” has created a memorial to honor Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator who was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University.
A Catholic advocate against the death penalty was encouraged by an annual report, released Dec. 1, that shows that 29 states either abolished the death penalty or paused executions this past year.
In a final statement before his execution Tuesday night, Florida death row inmate Michael Zack III said he made no excuses for the crimes he committed, but said he wished he could have had “a second chance, to live out my days in prison and continue to do all I can to make a difference in this world.”
Catholic aid workers are rolling up their sleeves to help tens of thousands after Tropical Storm Idalia slammed into the nation’s Southeast.
Florida lawmakers and the state’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination soon, approved a bill April 13 to ban abortions after six weeks.
There is “no question” the actions of the Parkland, Florida, school shooter “were heinous,” but “a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole is a severe and just punishment,” said Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski.
With the full picture of the widespread fallout and damages Hurricane Ian brought to southwest Florida still coming into focus, the Miami region looks on with a collective sigh of relief: What if that had hit here?
Despite being located in an inland county in southern central Florida, Hurricane Ian was slated to barrel through the area and the Peace River was getting high, so they sought shelter at Hardee Junior High School.
