Orlando Anglican church first in Florida to become Catholic
A College Park church will become the first in Florida to convert from Anglican to Catholic on Sunday under a process approved by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation will become the Parish of Incarnation during a 10:15 a.m. Mass of Reception at the church on 1515 Edgewater Dr. in Orlando. The Parish of Incarnation joins about 20 other former Anglican or Episcopalian congregations in the Ordinariate of the United States and Canada formed on Jan. 1.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation will become the Parish of Incarnation during a 10:15 a.m. Mass of Reception at the church on 1515 Edgewater Dr. in Orlando. The Parish of Incarnation joins about 20 other former Anglican or Episcopalian congregations in the Ordinariate of the United States and Canada formed on Jan. 1.
The ordinariate allows those churches to become Catholic while maintaining some Anglican practices and traditions.
"The majority of our people consider themselves Catholics already," said Father William Holiday. "And now the Catholic church will recognize us as Catholics also."
Holiday, who has been married 25 years, is going through the process of becoming a married Catholic priest, which requires theVatican's approval.
Monsignor Jeffrey N. Steenson, a former Episcopal bishop, will confirm the parishioners as Catholic during the Sunday service. Orlando Catholic Bishop John Noonan will participate Sunday, but the Parish of Incarnation will not be part of Orlando's diocese.
"While we recognize them as part of the Catholic church, they have their own services," said Carol Brinati, diocese spokeswoman. "We share our beliefs, but everything else is separate."
Three ordinariates — the United States/Canada, United Kingdom and Australia — function much like dioceses, but cover entire nations.
Sunday's service is the culmination of five years of preparation.
"It's a bitter-sweet sort of day," Holiday said. "We know what we have sacrificed, some of our friends who have left. But what we are going to gain far exceeds the sorrow up to this point."
"The majority of our people consider themselves Catholics already," said Father William Holiday. "And now the Catholic church will recognize us as Catholics also."
Holiday, who has been married 25 years, is going through the process of becoming a married Catholic priest, which requires the
Monsignor Jeffrey N. Steenson, a former Episcopal bishop, will confirm the parishioners as Catholic during the Sunday service. Orlando Catholic Bishop John Noonan will participate Sunday, but the Parish of Incarnation will not be part of Orlando's diocese.
"While we recognize them as part of the Catholic church, they have their own services," said Carol Brinati, diocese spokeswoman. "We share our beliefs, but everything else is separate."
Three ordinariates — the United States/Canada, United Kingdom and Australia — function much like dioceses, but cover entire nations.
Sunday's service is the culmination of five years of preparation.
"It's a bitter-sweet sort of day," Holiday said. "We know what we have sacrificed, some of our friends who have left. But what we are going to gain far exceeds the sorrow up to this point."
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