Epiphany responds to Christ's call to feed the hungry

When Epiphany Catholic Church began the Alive in Christ Campaign in 2008, the economic picture was much rosier, yet the late Monsignor Paul Kamide, then pastor of Epiphany, was concerned about those families who were not so fortunate – particularly those who were lacking the most basic human needs.
 
Parishioners responded with compassion, choosing to designate their entire parish portion of campaign proceeds to the Epiphany Help Center. Now, with unemployment hovering at nearly 13% in Volusia County, that investment is helping to fight hunger and change lives in the community of Port Orange.
 
The heart of the Epiphany Help Center is the Food Pantry. Under the leadership of Fr. Michael Giglio, pastor of Epiphany Catholic Church, the Food Pantry currently distributes food to approximately 500 needy individuals and families every month.
 
For staff and volunteers, the work of the Epiphany Help Center is about serving as Jesus served. It presents an opportunity to be Christ to another person, even if it means simply being there in their time of need.
 
"A young, single mother with two children came in for her first visit. She was unemployed and felt that she had reached the point of no return," said Timmie Davidson, Coordinator for the Epiphany Help Center. "While we were preparing her food for her, she received a phone call with a job offer ... a really good job offer. We all cried together!"
 
To date, the parish has raised over $974,000, or 117% of parish goal, for Alive in Christ.

Update: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish prepares new home for pastor

Father Felicito Baybay stands in front of the new Rectory under construction at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Ocala. Construction should be completed by late August. Photo by Jim Delph.
 
There's no place like home – especially when it's a home built by love.
 
Parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Ocala have scrimped and sacrificed to buy a new home for their pastor, Fr. Felicito Baybay.
 
Fr. Baybay, who is affectionately known as Fr. Cito by his parishioners, currently lives in a mobile home that has extensive mold problems and is falling into disrepair.
 
Without borrowing any money for the construction of the rectory, the parish was able to fund the majority of the building project through the Alive in Christ Campaign, with the balance made up of proceeds from the sale of church property.
 
As of mid-July, the exterior walls and roof are already up, and the modest three-bedroom home is scheduled for completion by late August or early September.
 
"It is a testimony to the generosity of the parishioners," said Father Cito, who added that many parishioners are struggling financially but choose to donate to projects like the rectory construction or the parish food pantry "whether they have the means or not."
 
Adapted from an article by Robyn Kurth, and used by permission of The Florida Catholic.

Date set for third annual Vivos Christi Society Induction Mass

The Vivos Christi Society is now in its third year of honoring faithful Catholics who remember the Church in their will or estate plans. Bishop John Noonan will celebrate the annual Induction Mass at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 27^th in the chapel of St. James Cathedral.
 
The date selected for this year's Mass is especially appropriate because of its proximity to the Feast Day of the Vivos Christi Society Patron Saint, Therese of Lisieux, who passionately spoke of her desire to serve the Church beyond her own lifetime.
 
Planned giving, also known as charitable estate giving, is a convenient way to provide for loved ones while considering the future needs of a parish or the larger Church. Some of the simplest and most popular options, such as wills and life insurance policies, may offer significant tax advantages. Charitable gift annuities, another popular option, also provide the donor with annual income payments for life.
 
If you have already remembered your parish, a Catholic school, or another ministry of the Diocese of Orlando in your will or estate plans but have not yet been inducted into the Vivos Christi Society, Bishop Noonan would welcome the opportunity to honor you as a new member. Please contact Doris Quiñones by email at PlannedGifts@orlandodiocese.org or by phone at (407) 246-7191.

To read more about what's happening at the Diocese of Orlando, the Catholic Foundation and The Florida Catholic, links are provided in the left column.