Most of the seminarians were ordained as a group at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton on April 13. Photo provided
St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach announced the ordination of 10 seminarians as deacons by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach with a Mass on April 13 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton.
The men are Jude Okeke from the Diocese of Palm Beach; Jakub Bereza from the Archdiocese of Miami; Charles Bemis from the Diocese of St. Augustine; William Burns and John Triolo from the Diocese of Orlando; Jacob Gwynn and William Long from the Diocese of Venice; and William Gibson, Peter Jutras and Grant Sennott from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
Four St. Vincent de Paul seminarians have been or will be ordained as deacons in their own diocese: Johan Restrepo on April 6 and Christopher Holcomb on April 20, and Benedict Maria will be ordained May 3 and Ziemek Janaszek on June 15.
Their ordination as deacons means the seminarians are in the final stage of their preparation for ordination to the priesthood. This is a significant occasion for them, because as newly ordained deacons, they will be assigned to serve in parishes to finish their final year of formation. They will preach and baptize, marry and bury parishioners. Visit www.svdp.edu/deaconordination
CROS Ministries volunteers celebrate their executive director, Ruth Mageria (holding a symbolic check). Photo provided
CROS volunteers tallied 34,000 hours in 2023
In April, CROS Ministries celebrated its volunteers at a joyous event at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. Part of the celebration included presenting Executive Director Ruth Mageria with a symbolic check for $1,094,777, to represent the value of the more than 34,000 hours volunteers worked in 2023.
CROS volunteers work at the seven community food pantries serving 15 locations, in the gleaning and produce recovery program, and serving people at the Caring Kitchen, a hot meal program.
Volunteers are always needed. Visit www.crosministries.org
Alpert JFS celebrates fundraising record
The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, commonly called the Alpert JFS, hosted its 20th annual No Excuse for Abuse evening and 50th anniversary celebration on Feb. 25 at the Kravis Center. The event drew more than 500 guests. It featured comedian, actor and author Gary Gulman and raised more than $750,000 — a record for the organization.
For more information about Alpert JFS and No Excuse for Abuse, visit www.alpertjfs.org/2024noexcuse.
Cinco De Mayo Fun Day
Join the deacons at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach in celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a Family Fun Day on May 5 following the 10 a.m. service. Family members of all ages and guests are invited for games, food and fellowship. The event is free. Food trucks will be on site for snacks and refreshments. RSVP at 561-276-6338. The church is at 33 Gleason St.
Dementia lecture
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton hosts a lecture by Dr. James Galvin from 7 to 9 p.m. May 9. “Understanding Dementia: New Ideas For Prevention and Treatment” is your chance to learn about the cutting-edge science around dementia and brain health with one of the foremost experts in the field.
Galvin has written three textbooks and authored more than 300 articles on healthy brain aging, cognitive health, Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He is a professor of neurology and psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, founding director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, and director and principal investigator of the Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of Excellence.
The lecture takes place at Temple Beth El’s Schaefer Family Campus at 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton. Register at tbeboca.org/event or 561-391-8900.
Fundraiser to fight hunger
Raise Your Glass to End Hunger, a fundraiser for CROS Ministries, takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 16 at Hyatt Place Delray Beach, 104 NE Second Ave.
The evening features appetizers, two drinks, and a live and silent auction with emcee Matt Lincoln of CBS12. Tickets are $70. Parking is available at the Old School Square garage and is free to those arriving before 4 p.m.
All proceeds support CROS Ministries’ hunger programs. Call 561-344-4910 or visit www.crosministries.org/events.
A Taste of Judaism
Temple Beth El’s rabbis are presenting “A Taste of Judaism,” a fun three-session program that is “all about showing people what is delicious about Judaism, our faith, our customs and our community,” again this year.
It is designed for beginners from any religious background, and no previous knowledge of Judaism is required to participate. Interfaith couples, in-laws of Jews, unaffiliated Jews, individuals exploring conversion, and anyone seeking more knowledge about Judaism are invited to this course.
The course will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22, 29 and June 5 at the Schaefer Family Campus, 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton. A virtual option is also offered. The course is free but registration is requested with Aileen Spilka at ASpilka@tbeboca.org. For more information, visit tbeboca.org/event/taste-of-judaism-2024/2024-05-22/ or call 561-391-8900.
Bible School registrations
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach plans Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14. Register in person at 33 Gleason St. or by calling 561-276-6338.
First United Methodist Church Boca Raton holds Bible School on its east campus from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14 for all potty-trained children 3 years old through those who just completed fifth grade. On June 16, the children will sing at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. $50 per child. 625 NE Mizner Blvd. Deadline to register is May 24. 561-395-1244 or fumcbocaraton.org/vbs/
Christ Fellowship adds to real estate holdings
When Christ Fellowship Church acquired the Macy’s Furniture and Mattress Gallery property west of Boca Raton, 5.3 acres with a 50,000-square-foot retail store on Glades Road, for $23.5 million in January, it meant the church now owns at least 20 properties in Palm Beach County. Last May it purchased Jupiter Fitness Center for $8 million.
Christ Fellowship is a nondenominational evangelical church with multiple campuses, including in Boynton Beach, west Boca Raton and online. It is led by senior pastors Todd and Julie Mullins.
— Janis Fontaine
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