The annual Steps for Life Mass and rosary walk Sept. 26 at Emmanuel Parish in Delray Beach brought together young and not so young to support Catholic Charities’ Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care centers throughout the diocese.

Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez went to St. Anastasia Parish and School in Fort Pierce Sept. 24 to honor the parish’s 100th anniversary and cut the ribbon to officially open its Morning Star Program. The first of its kind in the diocese, Morning Star aims to provide students with unique learning needs a supportive, individualized Catholic educational environment where they can learn, grow, participate in the life of the Church and discover the gifts God has placed within each of them.

A group from the Diocese of Palm Beach gathered Sept. 23-26 with delegates at the Regional Encuentro of the Southeast Pastoral Institute in St. Augustine. Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez joined them to help facilitate full participation of Hispanics/Latinos in the mission of the Church.

The theme of “Love Courageously” resonated with many attendees at the annual Called By Name Women’s Encounter Sept. 25-26 at St. Bernadette in Port St. Lucie. More than 150 women packed the parish’s conference space to hear Sister Clare Hunter, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, examine the meaning of courage in today’s world.

A few days ago, on September 29, the Church celebrated the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the three archangels named in Sacred Scripture. Here in the Diocese of Palm Beach, we marked the feast with our traditional Blue Mass at the cathedral, entrusting our law enforcement officers and first responders to the protection of St. Michael, their patron. In light of that celebration, I would like to reflect on why St. Michael has held such a prominent place in Christian faith and devotion, and on what he can teach us and our children today.