3

Facebook @FloridaCatholic Nov. 13-19, 2020

YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY

The Catholic Difference

LIFE INSURANCE DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

We are men of faith dedicated to our Brother Knights.

Contact us today to learn more. Call: 855-563-2467 e-mail: UrrutiaAgency@kofc.org www.kofclife-sefl.com We are a world-class insurance provider built upon Catholic principles and social teachings. Our mission is to help men grow in faith and finacially protect their families.

14164-1113 13998-1113

GLENDA MEEKINS

of the Florida Catholic staff

EATONVILLE In an unprec- edented event, St. Mary Magda- len Parish in Altamonte Springs and Macedonia Missionary Bap- tist Church in Eatonville joined hands Nov. 7, 2020, to clean up and beautify a local cemetery in Eaton- ville. The corporal work of mercy brought together two communities to honor souls. Father Charlie Mitchell, pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, said the parish was inspired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' letter, Open Wide Our Hearts. He said the parish has been a longtime neighbor of Macedonia Mission- ary Baptist Church and this is, as far as he knows, "the first attempt to reach out our hands in a spirit of fellowship." After a long summer of racial unrest throughout the nation, the concerted effort seeks to unite the neighboring communities and hopefully, foment friendships by working together at Eatonville Me- morial Gardens. We just feel it is the Lord that has brought us together on this day to begin a walk together in disciple- ship," Father Mitchell said. "We want to build bridges together be- tween our communities and into the larger community as well." Pastor Willie Barnes, of Macedo- nia Baptist, was equally delighted at the opportunity. Eatonville is the oldest black-incorporated munici- pality in the United States. Incor- porated in 1887, it is the first town successfully established by African American freedmen. "This coming together with Father Charlie and his church is a wonderful effort of restoration for a historic part of this community," Pastor Barnes said. This is a Christian effort that shows we have many things in common - an effort that fulfills our missions as churches to be able to reach out to people of all communities, not just our own congregations." He added, I believe this will spark a solidary that can bring community efforts together for many good things in the future." After morning prayer and a re- flection on Eatonville's history, more than 100 volunteers (80 from St. Mary Magdalen) began the cem- etery "renewal." The largest project was shoveling and leveling gravel to refurbish the internal roadway and entrance pathway. The Mercy Morning on the Road project was co-hosted by the parish's Mercy Morning and Pastoral Care and Outreach Ministries. The parish gifted stone markers for unknown grave sites and gravel for the road- way. We want to make sure this is

Two churches unite to honor souls of loved ones

not a one deal and it's done," Father Mitchell said. "Our goal is to ulti- mately forge some bonds of friend- ship, collaboration and fellowship with our brothers and sisters at Macedonia so we can continue the walk of discipleship together and get to know each other as fellow Christians better." Father Matthew Hawkins, who serves as diocesan liaison for ecu- menism and interreligious dia- logue, added, "For Catholics, the month of November is filled with reminders that our ultimate home- land is not of this world - that our citizenship is in heaven. There, united in Christ, every wall and ev- ery division are torn down - one

Father Charlie Mitchel of St. Mary Magdalen Parish and Pastor Willie Barnes of Macedonia Missionary Baptist in Eatonville pray for the joint effort of their churches in cleaning and refurbishing Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Eatonville. Inspired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops letter, Open Wide Our Hearts, the desire is to foment community friendships. (MARJORIE DURANTE FC) St. Mary Magdalen donated three grave markers for tombs of the unknown. (STEPHEN DOWELL FC) Parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs join members of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville to refurbish Memorial Gardens Cemetery. (MAJORIE DURANTE FC)

Lord, one faith, one Baptism. Com- ing together to beautify a cemetery is a tangible means of beginning, even now, to prepare and pray for that day."

n