Local Priest Honored for Providing Hope and Opportunity:

Altamonte Springs Pastor to be Honored by Catholic Charities for Raising Millions of Dollars to Benefit the Poor

As an advocate for the poor, Monsignor Patrick Caverly has devoted nearly 50 years to helping the needy of Central Florida.  As Pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs for the past 30 years, Monsignor leads members of his parish to give to those in need of assistance—and give they do! 

Since 1982, the Annunciation Fall Festival has raised more than $3 million dollars for local charities –none of the money raised stays at the parish for operating funds or capital improvements. It all goes to charity. Annually, the Fall Festival raises more than $100,000 for dozens of local charities and including Catholic Charities.

“Monsignor Caverly’s ability to model personal generosity and move others to expand their own role in doing great good for the poor exemplifies the type of person we honor with this award.  His personal dedication and ability to create new leadership in support of the poor over his lifetime of service make him a model for the community to appreciate, admire and imitate” said Arne Nelson, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Central Florida.

Annunciation Catholic Church is giving a mission church in Volusia County – that is home to mostly migrant workers – a gift of $1 million dollars so it can remodel and expand its worship space and build an all purpose center for class and activity rooms.  Monsignor Caverly encouraged his parishioners to “think outside the box” of new ways in which Annunciation could help those in greatest need. The parish community with Monsignor’s blessing then designated these funds to support the needs of San Jose Mission in Pierson. This gift was made possible by the recently completed “Alive in Christ Campaign” at Annunciation.

“Monsignor Caverly is a generous and compassionate man of God who has worked zealously to increase our community’s capacity for caring and giving. He has lived his faith in service to the needs of others, especially the poorest and weakest among us,” said Bishop John Noonan, Diocese of Orlando.

Annunciation Catholic Church annually raises tens of thousands of dollars for many diocesan agencies and programs helping the poor, including Catholic Charities.  In diocesan wide collections benefiting the poor and needy, Annunciation consistently is among the top parishes in total financial support. Annunciation is also tops in support Our Catholic Appeal that funds 10% of Catholic Charities’ annual operating budget.

Plus, the parish is a big supporter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Habitat Seminole, Hope Community Center, Christian Sharing Center, Shepherd’s Hope, the Diocese of Orlando’s sister diocese in the Dominican Republic, Pathways to Care (an agency of Catholic Charities for the homeless), and many other causes to help needy neighbors.

Catholic Charities of Central Florida is recognizing Monsignor Patrick Caverly for building Hope and providing Opportunity with a special award on March 1, 2011. Bishop John Noonan will present the Hope and Opportunity Award to Monsignor Caverly for a lifetime of service and dedication to the poor. For tickets to attend the Hope and Opportunity Awards Luncheon call 407-374-4006.

“Monsignor Caverly never quits. He’s never done. He never stops visioning and he never stops empowering people to do more in service to others,” said Douglas Metcalf, Chairman of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.

Additional Information:

Monsignor is an honorary title conferred on priests by the pope for outstanding service and dedication. In 2008, Monsignor Caverly received an additional honor by Pope Benedict XVI, who named him a protonotary apostolic supernumerary, the highest honor for a priest other than bishop.

Monsignor will celebrate his 50^th Jubilee Year as a priest in May 2011.

 

 

 

via orlandodiocese.org

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