Diocese of Palm Beach
Joy of the Family
E-Newsletter
May 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May is here, and it is a month filled with celebration. This month we focus on Mary, the Mother of our Lord with these important Marian Feast days: May 13-Our Lady of Fatima; May 24-The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and May 31-The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On May 16, we celebrate the feast of the Ascension, Jesus's bodily ascent into heaven after His resurrection. He opens the gates of heaven for all of us. The Ascension gives us Hope because we are reminded that Christ sits at His father's right hand, interceding on our behalf. As members of Christ's risen body, we await the day when we will be able to enjoy eternal happiness by his side.

There is one more very special day this month...Mother's Day is on the 9th. We pray Aaron's Blessing for all our mothers: The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly, and give you peace! Numbers 6:24-26

May God's Mercy and Peace be with you,

Cathy, Deacon Louie, Beth, Liliana, Andy, Erika, Cindy and Rosario

Please share this email with anyone and everyone!
Together let us build, unite and grow our Church.
Congratulations to the 2021 St. Timothy Award Recipient and Nominees
Recipient - Victoria Williamson, Our Lady of Lourdes in Boca Raton
Nominees
Jackson Beecher, St. Peter
Caila Grigsby, St. Sebastian
Sabrina Joseph, Sacred Heart
Cathleen Rabideau, Cathedral of St. Ignatius
Jillian Remsen, St. Anastasia
Nicholas Scalzo, St. Clare
The local St. Timothy Award and $1000 scholarship is given in the Diocese of Palm Beach to a Catholic, graduating high school senior who exemplifies the following qualities:

  1. Lives as a disciple of Christ
  2. Witnesses their faith
  3. Demonstrates Gospel values
  4. Exhibits Christian leadership

Any parish, school, or Catholic entity in the Diocese of Palm Beach is entitled to nominate a candidate. This year, we received 7 nominations from around the diocese. Congratulations to all the nominees for their recognition by their local Catholic organization. Based on a a blind review of the candidates by committee, Victoria Williamson was selected as this year's recipient based on her witness, leadership, volunteerism and discipleship of Jesus Christ.

Congratulations Victoria!
Let us Pray!
More Resources for Faith Formation and Family Life...
Author: Beth Zanotelli, Diocese of Palm Beach Coordinator of Family Life Ministries
Read by Jennifer Trefelner, Director of Communications, Marketing and Social Media for the Diocese of Palm Beach
Share a Story about Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Click below for a Family Activity to explain that Mary is both the first disciple of Jesus and the Mother of the Church.
From Your Catholic Family - Simple Ways to Share Your Faith at Home
by Jim Merhaut (St. Anthony Messenger Press)

When couples add something as simple as 10-minute dates into their weekly routine, their relationship will benefit from the consistency and joy of regular connection! 
FREE Catholic
LoveLife Conference
What would it take to have greater intimacy in your relationships? We may think that we need to find a spouse, or be married 40 years before ever experiencing a close intimate relationship. But you don't have to wait to start loving. True intimacy can start today!

The focus of our 2021 Catholic Love|Life Conference:
You were made for intimacy.
Catholic Counselors offer great resources for parents. Read this short article by Rachael Popcak about three ways that God calls us to live as teachers in the school of love.
News From the Vocations office...
Free Resources
for the Diocese of Palm Beach
Unbound Prayer
Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck? Or is there someone you are unable to forgive? Are you consumed by negative feelings of anxiety, fear, or helplessness? Unbound ministry can help you find the freedom that Christ won for you on the cross. 
Call 561-775-9524 for a confidential prayer appointment.
The Diocese of Palm Beach has partnered with the Catechetical Institute from Franciscan University. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about countless subjects on the faith, at your own pace and for FREE.
THE CREED walks families through the Nicene Creed, which we recite each Sunday at Mass. The audio lesson for each of these 13 areas is roughly 10 minutes long and designed to teach the entire family at once.
Please read, share and forward this e-newsletter to your friends, family and neighbors. Look for more resources, opportunities and celebrations of our faith in the future.
Inspire our actions Lord, and accompany them with your help so that our every word and action may always begin and end in you.
Excerpted from Roman Missal, ICEL
9995 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410