HISTORY

In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine was erected with Bishop Verot the first
Bishop in this only Diocese in Florida.

In 1958, the southern half of the state was erected as the Diocese of Miami. The Diocese of Orlando was established on June 18, 1968 and consisted of fifty parishes
and served 128,000 Catholics. Today it includes 73 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools spread over the nine counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter.

Orlando’s first bishop was William D. Borders who was installed on June 14, 1968. Bishop Border’s achievements included establishing parish councils, parish education boards, participation of the laity as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, a Sisters’ Council, a migrant ministry apostolate staffed by full-time personnel, and a campus ministry program.

Succeeding Bishop Borders was Bishop Thomas J. Grady, installed on December 16, 1974. He established eighteen new parishes, a tourism ministry, San Pedro Center -- a centrally-located spiritual life center, a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic; and, he encouraged the greater participation of women in the work of the Church. The third Bishop of Orlando, Norbert M. Dorsey, was installed on May 25, 1990. Under Bishop Dorsey’s leadership, the diocese continued to add parishes and schools, as well as expand the ministry to the growing Hispanic community through establishing Radio Paz and health clinics for migrant and farm workers. Bishop Dorsey and Bishop Grady worked together on two projects: the establishment of Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, a church built in the midst of tourism, for visitors to attend Mass and pray; and, Bishop Grady Villas, a residential community for adults whose primary diagnosis is mental retardation.

The fourth bishop of Orlando, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Orlando on November 13, 2004. He is the first Florida-born bishop of the Diocese of Orlando. He brings to the diocese a strong record of political and spiritual activism on behalf of immigrants and the poor. He is an avid writer portraying the struggles of immigrants and migrant workers and has been published in both Catholic
and secular publications.

THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

The Florida Catholic gives you local news, programs and activities; statewide
news and announcements; national and international news from the Catholic News
Service and other news sources; special supplements such as Catholic Schools, Seniors,
Health, Family Life and Vocations; scripture readings for the weeks ahead; and much
more. Editions are published and mailed to homes 26 times a year. For a free sample
issue, please call the Circulation Department at (888)275-9953. The paper can be ordered online at www.thefloridacatholic.org. Make sure you let them know you are a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont.


COMMUNITY SERVICES

CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Catholic Charities offers individual and family
counseling, marital counseling, post-annulment and pre-marital evaluations. Call
(352)314-9685 for more information. Catholic Counseling Center is a private, non-profit service provided by Catholic Charities. The Center provides professional counseling and services at an affordable fee to all people regardless of their religious affiliation. They will file insurance and offer a sliding scale. All services are strictly confidential. Counseling sessions are scheduled by appointments only.


CATHOLIC IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES: Need help with immigration? Call (407)658-0110 or (800)411-0714. ¿Necesita ayuda con inmigración? Llame a Catholic Immigration & Refugee Services: (407)658-0110 ó (800)411-0714.


CENTRAL FLORIDA BLOOD BANK: The Central Florida Blood Bank sends a mobile unit to our church bi-monthly. You are encouraged to make donations at any time
at any Central Florida Blood Bank unit. Be sure to direct your donation to Blessed
Sacrament of Clermont so that we can keep our account current. For more information
you may contact the Central Florida Blood Bank at (352)728-6784.