Hernando: Two Weeks Filled with Abundant Blessings

By Melody Candiloro, Salesian Cooperator

(Hernando, Fla. – November 4) – On Saturday, October 24, the Salesian Cooperators from the St. Dominic Savio Salesian Cooperator Center in Hernando, Fla., and girls from Don Bosco's Children's Home were invited to participate in a fundraiser at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood. The Cooperators look forward to these events, since they enable kids to use the donations they receive to enroll in retreats and other activities they enjoy.

The girls not only had their beautifully painted rocks available, but they also had collectible boxes which were donated by Fr. Bruce Craig, along with homemade cookies prepared by the girls and a couple of the Cooperators. We had a beautiful day with the girls, and I am happy that it was a successful fundraiser!

On Wednesday, October 28, the Cooperators and Don Bosco girls journeyed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, which was designated by Pope Leo XIV as one of the official pilgrimage sites commemorating the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, for the 800th anniversary of his death. Of course, the Cooperators eagerly accepted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence!

Fr. Mike Jones, the pastor at Sacred Heart Church, was kind enough to accommodate 10 of us for confession, which enabled us to fulfill the standard church conditions to receive a plenary Indulgence, which are: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, pilgrimage, and prayers as instructed by Pope Leo. The parish Historical Society was also present, and they educated us on the wonders and magnificence of the church. There were many impressive facts about the architecture, style (Romanesque), and history. Most impressive was the fact that this church was built in 1905 and that every single aspect of it is original!

Afterward, we enjoyed lunch at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

It was a truly blessed day for the Dominic Savio Salesian Cooperators and the Don Bosco girls.