Ray Morgan was ordained a deacon on September 24, 2016 at St. James Episcopal Church, Port Charlotte, Florida and will be working at CACINA's newest mission, the Our Lady of the Atonement, in Port Charlotte. The ordination was a truly ecumenical ceremony. Bishop Ron Stephens officiated with clergy, religious, and lay members of CACINA, as well as those from the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic churches, participating. 

Deacon Ray commented how moving it was when Bishop Ron laid hands on him, followed by Fathers Larry, Joe, Michael, Cesar, and Lee, Pastor Bill, Sue, (Ray's wife), and his sister, Sr. Catherine Patrice.   Afterward Deacon Ray remarked, “I could have sworn I felt the hands of Bishop Francisco and Fr. Dante laying hands [too]. This experience was so special and will remain with me forever.” The recessional hymn was Faith of Our Fathers, a fitting conclusion for remarkable ecumenical ordination.  CACINA is happy to welcome our newest deacon into the church. May God bless him and the new mission.                          

On July 24, 2016 the Holy Innocents Cathedral parish sponsered a performance of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir at the Open Eye Theatre in Margaretville, NY.  Matsiko, which means hope in the Acholi tribal language in Northern Uganda, played to a packed house. The choir works to bring awareness to the plight of orphans and at-risk children from around the world. The group has appeared in several major cities, including Los Angeles and Saint Louis. Proceeds from donations at each performance are used to support the International Children's Network whose mission is to provide sponsorships to as many of the world's 600 million orphaned and at-risk children for a complete education through their nation's highest university or vocational levels.

Read Fr. Tony Greens's reflection on the violence during the week of July 4, 2016,  See Pastoral Message to read his letter.            

Brother Victor Ayala, FCR, a member of the Franciscan Community of Reconciliation and a parishioner of Holy Innocents parish is seen here visiting Assisi, Italy. Brother Victor is attending the Centro Pro Unione (Pro Union Center).  Centro Pro Unione is  an ecumenical and interreligious research and action center based in Rome, Italy, which is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Brother Victor is taking a course, “Ecumenical and Interreligious Movements” that offers a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them. The program also explores relations with other religious traditions. Prior to attending the course Brother read materials dealing with the founder of the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America, Saint Carlos Duarte Costa. One of the highlights of his journey, was attending a mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Prior to his trip he also met with Bishop Francisco Betancourt, FCR, the Minister General of the FCR, to discuss other religions and with Father Dante Tarantini, FCR to brush up on his Italian, both are co-pastors of Holy Innocents. This is the first time a member of the FCR has visited Assisi.