The link below will go on the top bar of the web site.
I would like to be able to shorten the words. The word "Entities" will not fit in mobile version... One option is to have
a full list in the desktop/tablet verison, and a shortened version for mobiles. Images icons, maybe?
St. John Bosco Clinic now part of Archdiocese of Miami
MIAMI | Effective Oct. 1, 2021, St. John Bosco Clinic and the SSJ Health Foundation came under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Miami, with Catholic Charities set to oversee the management of both.
In doing so, the archdiocese will continue the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine in caring for "the dear neighbor" in need of health care. The Sisters founded the clinic in 1992 and established the SSJ Health Foundation to raise funds for its work. The clinic, staffed by volunteer physicians, serves underserved and uninsured children and adults who lack access to basic health care. Most of them are poor and undocumented.
The clinic was first located on the grounds of St. John Bosco Church in Little Havana and is now located on the property of Corpus Christi Church in Miami.
"While the early days of the clinic attended to a mostly Cuban population, the countries of origin of our patients have grown," said Berta Cabrera, who has served as executive director of both the clinic and the foundation for the past 10 years and will be retiring effective Dec. 31, 2021. "In the past years, we have seen many more patients from countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, and most recently, Venezuela — some receiving full health screenings at our clinic for the very first time in their lives."
Catholic Charities will provide management services to support the operations of the St. John Bosco Clinic and the SSJ Health Foundation effective January 1, 2022.
"We anticipate our role to be more of guidance and oversight as these two organizations have operated independently for close to 30 years," said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO of Catholic Charities.
The Archdiocese of Miami is home to over half a million Catholics in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties. Mass is celebrated in a dozen languages. We have 109 parishes and missions, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity; and 64 schools, including 14 high schools and one virtual school. The archdiocese is led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
When he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami in 1979, the Most Reverend AgustĂn Román became the first Cuban in 200 years to be appointed bishop in the United States.
Bishop Román came to South Florida after being expelled from Cuba by Fidel Castro's regime. He and 132 other Cuban priests, including Bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal (deceased former auxiliary bishop in Venezuela) were aboard the Spanish ship "Covadonga" when it sailed from Havana on Sept. 17, 1961.
Bishop Román ministered in Chile for four years before coming to Miami in 1966, where he became identified, almost immediately, with the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. His exhortations to fellow exiles to donate "kilos prietos" (tarnished pennies -- what little they could afford in those early days) over a seven-year period raised enough to pay for the construction of the Shrine on Biscayne Bay. Dedicated to Cuba's patroness, it has become a beacon for exiles from many nations, luring thousands of worshippers each year. After retirement, Bishop Román remained active at the Shrine, where he greeted visitors, taught catechesis, responded to letters from fellow Cuban exiles, answered the phone and heard confessions until the last day of his life.
He is fluent in Latin, English, and French, and holds advanced degrees in theology and human resources. He served on the U.S. Bishops' Committee for Hispanic Affairs, and was a member of the Committee on Migration and Tourism. Prior to becoming a bishop, he worked as a hospital chaplain (1968-1973); director of the Spanish-speaking Cursillo Movement (1978-1979); spiritual director of the Charismatic Movement (1977-1979); member of the committee on Popular Piety; and episcopal vicar for the Spanish-speaking people of the Archdiocese (1976 – 1984).
The son of humble Cuban peasants, Bishop Román has never forgotten his roots. His ministry in South Florida has been marked by humility, tenacity and unceasing devotion to his work. He tends to speak in parables, using stories full of everyday symbolism to illustrate his point. Yet in his quiet, unassuming way, he gets things done.
At no time was this more evident than in December, 1986, when Cuban detainees rioted in federal prisons in Atlanta and Oakdale, LA, to protest their indefinite incarceration and probable deportation to Cuba. Seeking a mediator for their negotiations with federal agents, the prisoners called on Bishop Román, who had been corresponding with many of them or their families since their arrival on the 1980 Mariel boatlift. His role in ending the crisis without loss of blood earned him recognition as ABC News' Person of the Week, "a man of compassion, gentility and commitment... a man with a strong personality and humble spirit."
When the press began calling him a hero, Bishop Roman responded with characteristic humility: "A bishop, a priest, is a servant, not a hero."
Biography
Auxiliary Bishop AgustĂn A. Román
Biography Of The Most Reverend AgustĂn Román (13:20) Spanish Version May 25, 2004
Born/Died:
May 5, 1928, San Antonio de los Banos, Havana, Cuba
April 11, 2012, Miami, Florida
Ordained:
To the priesthood, July 5,1959, for the Diocese of Matanzas, Cuba
Titular Bishop of Sertei and Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Miami, March 24,1979
Education:
Philosophy: St. Albert the Great Seminary, Matanzas, Cuba
Theology: Seminary for Foreign Missions, Montreal, Canada
Master's in Religious Studies, Barry College (now university), Miami, Florida
Master's in Human Resources, Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University), Opa-Locka, Florida
Priestly Ministry:
Diocese of Matanzas, Cuba, 1959 - 1961: Pastor of Coliseo-Lagunillas and Pedro Betancourt parishes, and spiritual director of Catholic Youth
Expelled from Cuba, September 17,1961, along with 132 fellow priests and Bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal
Diocese of Temuco, Chile, 1962 - 1966: Spiritual director and professor of the Institute of Humanities; pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, in Temuco; spiritual director of Cursillo
Archdiocese of Miami, 1966 to present:
He served as Vicar General, Consultor, member of the Archbishop's Executive Council, as well as Vicar for Hispanics from 1976 to 2003
From 1979 to 1997, he served as Executive Director of the Ministry of Pastoral Service, which includes: Hispanic movements; ministry to Haitians, Blacks and other cultural groups; ministry to families, youth, young adults, the sick, the handicapped, farmworkers, prisoners, and Respect Life
He served as director, Ministry of Persons, which includes priests, religious and laity, from 1997 to 2003
Director, Our Lady of Charity Shrine, since 1967; rector emeritus since 2003
Amor en AcciĂłn is a Catholic lay missionary community of the Archdiocese of Miami, involved in short term missions and long term projects that respond to urgent needs, currently in Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Mission
Amor en AcciĂłn works to build bridges of solidarity with communities abroad suffering poverty and oppression. We work across boundaries to share the Gospel through short-term mission travel and long term projects that respond to urgent needs.
Archbishop Emeritus of Miami John Clement Favalora
John Clement Favalora was born December 5, 1935 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana; Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans; and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, where he was ordained on December 20, 1961.
On November 3, 1994 Bishop John Favalora was appointed to succeed retiring Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy, becoming the third Archbishop of Miami. Archbishop Favalora was installed on December 20, 1994, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami.
Archbishop Favalora has spoken out on behalf of the rights of immigrants, especially Haitians. The Archbishop has and will continue to fight for the rights of Haitians that have arrived on our shorelines to get them Temporary Protective status to stay in our country.
The Archbishop was chosen in 1997 as a U.S. delegate to the Synod for America. Many of the initiatives now being taken in the Archdiocese, chief among them the emphasis on missionary activity at the parish and school levels, are in keeping with the recommendation of that synod.
Archbishop Favalora initiated the Vision 2000 endowment in 2000 with the goal of raising $75 million to secure the future of the archdiocese. Vision 2000 raised about $108 million in pledges.
In the fall of 2006, he promulgated “Fountain of Grace,” a 50-page booklet containing a basic introduction to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The booklet was created at his request, to make sure that anybody engaged in ministry in the archdiocese has a fundamental understanding of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith. “Fountain of Grace” is required reading for anyone seeking to teach, sing, lector, distribute the Eucharist, or engage in any other type of parish service in the Archdiocese of Miami.
The Archbishop has written four Pastoral letters; his first two coincided with the beginning and the end of the Jubilee Year 2000 and his last two coincided with the beginning and the end of the Archdiocese’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2008. In his last pastoral letter he wrote brief reflections on the events in the life of the Holy Family and some applications to our present day family life.
The Archbishop has supported both St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary by being a strong role model of priestly formation and by attending Mass with the seminarians. In 2009 St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami celebrated its golden jubilee with a record number of seminarians enrolled.
Biography
Born:
December 5, 1935, New Orleans, Louisiana
Only son of Felix J. Favalora and Leona M. Stevens (both deceased)
Ordained:
To the priesthood, December 20, 1961
Appointed Bishop of Alexandria, Louisiana, June 24, 1986
Consecrated Bishop of Alexandria, Louisiana, July 29, 1986
Appointed Bishop of St. Petersburg, Florida, March 7, 1989
Installed as third Bishop of St. Petersburg, May 16, 1989
Appointed Archbishop of Miami, Florida, November 3, 1994
Installed as third Archbishop of Miami, December 20, 1994
Retired as third Archbishop of Miami, April 20, 2010
Education:
St. Joseph Seminary, St. Benedict, Louisiana (1954-56)
Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana (1956-58)
Licentiate Degree in Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (1958-62)
Teacher certification for secondary school Latin and Social Studies, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana (1964-65)
Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (1965-66)
Master in Education Degree in Major School Administration; Certification for Administration and Supervision, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (1968-69)
Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sacred Theology, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana (1987)
Honorary Doctor of Letters, St. Leo College, Florida
Priestly Ministry
Assistant pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, New Orleans (1962-70)
Secretary to Archbishop, Archdiocese of New Orleans (1963-65)
Vice-Chancellor, Archdiocese of New Orleans (1963-65)
Vice-Rector, St. John Prep, New Orleans (1964-67)
Principal, St. John Prep, New Orleans (1968-71)
Director, Office of Permanent Diaconate, Archdiocese of New Orleans (1971-74)
Administrative Assistant, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans (1971-73)
Pastor, St. Angela Merici Church, Metairie, Louisiana (1973-79)
Director, Office of Vocations, Archdiocese of New Orleans (1979-81)
Rector-President, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans (1981-86)
Other duties: Ecclesiastical Notary; Pro-Synodal Judge; Dean; Vicar for Pastoral Planning; Consultor of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Past Memberships / Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Knights of the Holy Sepulchre; Knights of St. Peter Claver
Florida Catholic Conference Board of Directors
Board of Trustees: St. Leo College; St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; St. John Vianney Seminary; Florida Catholic newspaper; Catholic University of America
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry; Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse; Pro-Life Committee; Black Liturgy Subcommittee
Central Louisiana Ministerial Association; Louisiana Catholic Conference Board of Directors; Louisiana Catholic Conference Continuing Education of Clergy Committee; National State University at Alexandria Lay Advisory Committee; North American College in Rome Board of Governors; North American College Formation Committee
The coat of arms of Archbishop Wenski as Archbishop of Miami is a combination of his personal one with that of the archdiocese.
As chief shepherd of the Catholic Church in South Florida, Archbishop Thomas Wenski is responsible for the pastoral care of more than 1 million Catholics worshiping in 105 parish communities and over 34,000 students learning in 62 Catholic schools in the archdiocese.
The Office of the Archbishop has canonical and legal responsibilities associated with the administration of the Archdiocese. These are carried out at the Pastoral Center, which is located in Miami Shores. The Archbishop heads the Executive Office of the Pastoral Center and is assisted by the Chancellor for Administration, Chancellor for Canonical Affairs and the Vicar General.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski describes the priesthood as a constant state of sacrifice. Which is not to say that he regrets any of his more than 40 years in ministry.
“It’s the best work you can do,” he said. “You give yourself to God and God’s people.”
A lifetime of giving certainly has not diminished Archbishop Wenski’s sense of humor. He loves to joke (in three languages), rides a motorcycle for relaxation and has been known to puff on a cigar now and then.
Born in Lake Worth, Florida, the blond, blue-eyed son of Polish immigrants, he speaks Spanish like a Cuban, Creole like a Haitian and, ironically, only “limited” Polish. He first thought of becoming a priest as a third grader at Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth and entered St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami at age 13.
He learned Spanish from classmates there and at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, as well as by listening to Cuban radio stations and hanging out in Hialeah and Little Havana.
Ordained in 1976 by Miami’s first bishop, the late Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll, Archbishop Wenski thought he would be working with Hispanics all his life. Then he arrived at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami’s Wynwood section and found a group of 40-50 Haitians who gathered regularly for Mass and prayer.
“They filled that church with song,” he recalled.
His conviction that every group needs to be ministered to in its own language compelled him to back his words with actions. So he took a course in Creole, and when Archbishop Emeritus Edward A. McCarthy found out, Archbishop Wenski’s fate was sealed. After spending a summer in Haiti learning Creole, he spent the next 18 years working with Miami’s growing Haitian community, a role which made him concurrent pastor of three missions: one in Miami, one in Fort Lauderdale, another in Pompano – all of which he founded.
He often traveled as far away as Winter Haven, Fort Pierce and Immokalee to celebrate Mass with Haitian communities, a commute which spurred him to earn a pilot’s license. His ministry also included frequent visits to the Krome Avenue Detention Center, where newly-arrived refugees often languished for months.
“My task was to make the Church visible to the Haitians and to make the Haitians visible to the Church,” he said. “All of God’s children should feel at home in their Father’s house. The best way to make them feel at home is to speak their mother’s tongue.”
Archbishop Wenski quickly became known as an outspoken advocate for Haitians not only within the Church but in the community. The Pierre Toussaint Haitian Catholic Center, which adjoins Notre Dame d’Haiti Mission in Miami, provides day-care, English classes, legal advice and job referrals to Haitian immigrants.
As if his duties as a circuit-riding pastor were not enough, he learned desktop publishing and single-handedly put out the nation’s first Creole-language newspaper, Lavwa Katolik (The Catholic Voice). In 1993, he also earned a master’s degree in sociology from Fordham University.
The archbishop traces his strong convictions on social justice issues to his upbringing as the child of Polish immigrants and the word made famous by a Polish pope: Solidarity.
“I come from very simple stock,” he said, joking that Lake Worth is a far cry from West Palm Beach, let alone Palm Beach. His father worked with his hands, “he had callouses and sunburn” and he drank beer, not cocktails.
While the Catholic Church in the United States started out as a Church of immigrants, more and more Catholics are now middle-class suburbanites, Archbishop Wenski said. “It was easy for that newly middle-class Church not to see the newcomer who was poor. Since the Gospel is for all men and women, we have to make it present to all.”
In 1996, that meant even Cubans on the island. Despite loud objections from some in the exile community, he spearheaded a relief operation that delivered more than 150,000 pounds of food to Caritas Cuba for distribution to people left homeless by Hurricane Lily. It was the first time that Miami’s Cubans had undertaken such a humanitarian relief effort for their compatriots.
Becoming auxiliary bishop of Miami in 1997, and subsequently being named head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, allowed Archbishop Wenski to broaden his advocacy. In 2003, the committee and its Mexican counterpart published “Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope,” a first-ever joint pastoral statement urging better treatment of Mexican immigrants in the U.S. Archbishop Wenski also has traveled as far away as Korea and the Congo to study the plight of refugees. And he has been heavily involved in PROCHE, the international Partnership for Church Reconstruction in Haiti in response to the January 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake.
After being named coadjutor bishop of Orlando in 2003, and taking over as bishop in 2004, Miami’s “native son” returned to South Florida in 2010 as the archdiocese’s fourth archbishop. He quickly moved to reopen some parishes that had been closed due to the 2009 financial crisis, and launched a second archdiocesan synod in 2012. It concluded in October 2013 with a Strategic Pastoral Plan which began to be implemented in 2014.
He continues to speak out as strongly for immigrants as for the unborn, and urges Catholics to set an example of holiness in a world full of outrage and divisiveness.
As his episcopal motto, taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, states, Archbishop Wenski has “become all things to all in order to save at least some.”
“That is what I’ve tried to do,” he said. “To save souls for Christ, and hopefully in doing so, to save my own soul.”
Biography
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski
Born:
October 18, 1950, West Palm Beach.
Son of Chester S. Wenski and Louise M. (nee Zawacka) Wenski.
One younger sister, Mary Engle.
Ordained:
To the priesthood, May 15, 1976, for the Archdiocese of Miami.
Appointed Titular Bishop of Kearney and Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, June 24, 1997.
Consecrated to the episcopacy September 3, 1997.
Appointed coadjutor bishop of Orlando, July 1, 2003; succeeded Bishop Norbert Dorsey upon his retirement, Nov. 13, 2004.
Appointed Archbishop of Miami, April 20, 2010.
Installed as fourth Archbishop of Miami, June 1, 2010.
Served as Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, March 2011-June 2012.
He is the only Florida native serving as a bishop in the state.
Education:
Sacred Heart School, Lake Worth.
St. John Vianney Seminary, Miami, Associate in Arts (1963-1970).
St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Bachelor in Arts (1972); Master of Divinity (1975).
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, summer courses in Polish language and culture (1981, 1983).
Fordham University, Master of Arts in sociology (pastoral planning) (1992).
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, some Polish.
Priestly Ministry:
Parochial vicar, Corpus Christi, Miami (1976-1979).
Associate rector, St. Mary Cathedral, Miami (1981-1984).
Director, Haitian Apostolate (1985-1998); includes Pierre Toussaint Haitian Catholic Center, Miami, and circuit-riding ministry that establishes Haitian communities from Homestead in the south to Fort Pierce in the north, Immokalee in the west and Fort Lauderdale in the east.
Pastor, Notre Dame d’Haiti Mission, Miami (1985-1998); and concurrently, pastor of Divine Mercy Mission, Fort Lauderdale (1987-1997), and St. Joseph Mission, Pompano Beach (1991-1997).
Coordinator, Ministry to Cultural Groups (1990-2003).
Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami (1995-2003).
Archdiocesan director of Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Disaster Relief, Catholic Commission for Social Advocacy, and Ministry to Sexual Minorities (1996-2003).
Other appointments: Archdiocesan Committee on Popular Piety and Presbyteral Council; secretary of the Catholic Community Service Board, Catholic Child Welfare Trust Board and Catholic Family and Children’s Services; Archbishop’s representative to the Greater Miami Religious Leaders Coalition and the Board of Directors of the Florida Loan Fund.
Committees, boards:
Chair, U.S. bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty (July 2020-November 2020).
Member, U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration (chair, 2002-2004).
Consultant, U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace (chair, 2005-2008).
Member, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development (chair, 2013-2016).
Member, U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America .
Consultant, U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
Board member, Catholic Relief Services.
Board member, Catholic Leadership Institute, “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” .
Board of Directors, St. John Vianney Seminary, Miami.
Board of Trustees, St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, Boynton Beach .
Board of Directors, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Michigan.
Member, Scalabrini International Migration Network Advisory Committee .
Board member, The Catholic University of America (2009-2017) .
Chair, U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Policy (2004-2008).
Member, Governor’s Task Force on Haiti (2004-2005).
Board member, Florida Council on Homelessness (2001-2004).
Awards:
1975: Seminarian of the Year, Archdiocese of Miami.
1987: St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary’s annual award to outstanding priests, for his “apostolic zeal and multicultural openness.” He was only the third recipient of the honor and the first seminary alumnus to be so honored..
1994: Charles Whited Spirit of Excellence Award, from The Miami Herald.
1996: Father Moczygemba Award from National Polish American Priests’ Association.
2008: Outstanding Community Service Award, UCF-Global Connection Foundation.
Honorary doctorates: Barry University, Miami Shores,1997; St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida, 2004.
Episcopal Motto:
Omnia Omnibus (1 Corinthians 9:22): “I have become all things to all in order to save at least some”
The Archdiocesan News Widget is a free application you can post on your parish or school website that updates automatically every time a new story or statement is posted.
Click on any of the links below to see examples of the Archdiocesan News Widget :
Enrique Delgado, born December 26, 1955 in Lima, Peru is one of 12 siblings. All are professionals.
Delgado studied at the University of Lima where in 1986 he earned a Masters in Economics with a concentration on
Finance and Accounting. He managed a company with 150 employees, but after several years of working he discerned a
vocation to the priesthood.
Delgado decided to immigrate to the US and applied for the Archdiocese of Miami and was accepted into its seminary
programs in Miami and Boynton Beach where he graduated with honors receiving both a Masters of Theology and a
Masters of Divinity. Father Delgado was ordained June 29, 1996 for the Archdiocese of Miami in Lima, Peru. Miami
auxiliary, Agustin Roman, was the ordaining bishop.
After being assigned as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Key Biscayne from June 1996 to June 1999 and
Nativity Catholic Church in Hollywood from June 1999 to April 2003, Father Delgado was appointed pastor of St.
Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Key Largo, Florida in April of 2003.
In August of 2010, he was appointed pastor of St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Weston, Florida where he
recently completed construction of the parish’s first church building.
In December 2015, having completed his doctoral dissertation, “Building our Parish Together: An Exploration in
Participatory Leadership”, Father Delgado was awarded a PhD in practical theology from St. Thomas
University in Miami Gardens, Florida.
On Oct. 12, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Bishop-elect Delgado as Auxiliary Bishop of Miami.
Biography
The Most * Rev. Enrique Delgado
Born:
Dec. 26, 1955, in Lima, Peru
Fourth of 12 siblings
Ordained:
To the priesthood: June 29, 1996 in Lima, Peru, for the Archdiocese of Miami
To the episcopacy: Dec. 7, 2017, in Miami
Education:
Industrial engineering degree, 1982, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
Master’s in economics with specialization in accounting and finance, 1986, Universidad de Lima
Work Experience:
Industrial engineer, Lima Caucho (B.F. Goodrich), 1980-1987
Adjunct general manager, ArtesanĂas del Peru, 1987-1988
Sub-director, COFIDE, Peru’s corporation for development, 1988-1991
Priestly Ministry:
Parochial vicar, St. Agnes, Key Biscayne, July 1996-June 1999
Parochial vicar, Nativity, Hollywood, June 1999-April 2003
Administrator/pastor,St. Justin Martyr, Key Largo, April 2003-August 2010
Pastor, St. Katharine Drexel, Weston, since August 2010
Appointed Titular Bishop of Aquae Novae in Proconsulari and Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, Oct. 12, 2017
Episcopal Motto:
Omnia possum in eo qui me confortat (Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop on November 21, 2003, and ordained January 7, 2004, he oversees the archdiocese's Ministry of Pastoral Services including family life, youth, campus, prison and Respect Life ministries, as well as all the apostolic movements.
Jesus Christ is the source and purpose of the episcopal ministry, which participates in his selfless love for the Church (Eph 5:25). The eternal Son is sent by the invisible Father to reveal that he loves us to the end (in finem dilexit eos, Jn 13:1).
In this coat of arms, two hands come from above in majestic verticality, to express the gratuity of this mission by the Father which is the central fact of Christian revelation. These hands also express what is most familiar in our gestures of communication. The image echoes the prayer: "When we were lost and could not find the way to you, you loved us more than ever; Jesus … gave himself into our hands"
(Mass of Reconciliation I)
The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14). The hands express the utterly humble condescension of his divine love:
"He emptied himself … coming in human likeness … becoming obedient to death on the cross" (Phil 2:7-8). The wounds in Jesus' hands express his saving death for our salvation. These wounds are a saving place for all sinners, a place of rich mercy for all. Contemplating this mystery, Ignatius of Loyola exclaimed: "In your wounds hide me."
Jesus' wounds are glorious because they, too, participate in the resurrection of the Lord of glory. Showing forth his wounds, the Risen Lord invites the unbelieving apostle to "put your finger here and see my hands…. Do not be unbelieving, but believe"
(Jn 20:27)
In his hands he holds the earthly gifts of wheat and grapes in honor of the Creator of heaven and earth. The image also affirms the goodness of the fruits of the earth and of the work of those who till the soil. The inspiration for this comes from an ancient document called the Didache (or "Teaching of the Apostles", ch. 10): "You created all things to the glory of your name and gave men the satisfaction of food and drink for their enjoyment so that they give you thanks. But to us you gave spiritual food and drink and eternal life by your Servant."
The Eucharist is thus seen as the sacrificial banquet: "In this gift, Jesus Christ gave the Church the perennial actualization of the paschal mystery … which is included, anticipated and concentrated forever in the Eucharistic gift"
(John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 5)
The dove represents the efficacious activity of the Holy Spirit in the work of our sanctification. As St. Ephrem the Syrian states: "He called bread his living body, he filled it with himself and with his Spirit" (Homily 4 for Holy Week). The Spirit is the true source of renewal and transformation of the world.
The light blue color which serves as backdrop seeks to honor Mary, the Mother of the Lord. Her fiat ("Let it be done to me according to your word," Lk. 1:38) made possible the incarnation of the Son, and her prayerful and unique presence in the paschal mystery enables us to call her the woman Eucharistic.
The cross is a replica of the Great Cross which towers over Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine as a reminder of the humble beginnings of Christianity in this new land in 1565. The cross links the episcopal story of Bishop Estevez to the antecedents of evangelization in Florida, in which the church in Cuba played such a vital role.
Second of three children (two boys and a girl) of Adriano and Estrella Estevez; most of the family lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Ordained:
To the priesthood, May 30, 1970, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the Diocese of Matanzas, Cuba
Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Miami, February 9, 1979
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami, November 21, 2003
Consecrated to the episcopacy January 7, 2004 in Miami, Florida
Appointed Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida, April 27, 2011
Installation as Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida, June 2, 2011
Education:
Montreal University, Montreal, Canada (1970), Licentiate in Theology
Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida (1977), Master in Arts
Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (1980), Doctorate in Sacred Theology
Additional courses at: The Warren H. Deem Institute for Theological Education Management (1982); University of Creighton (seminar for spiritual directors, 2001); Institute for the Study of Human Sexuality, Chicago (2001); St. Luke Institute (psycho-sexual integration workshop, 2002)
