Catholic Days at the Capitol

For more information on this annual event contact your diocesan coordinator.

Archdiocese of Miami
Joan Crown
(954) 981-2922
jmcrown@bellsouth.net

Diocese of St. Augustine
Mike Day
(904) 551-2619
mday@dosafl.com
Registration Form

Diocese of St. Petersburg
Sabrina Burton Schultz
(727) 344-1611, ext. 5325
sab@dosp.org
Registration Form

Diocese of Orlando
Deborah Stafford-Shearer
(407) 658-1818, ext. 1084
dshearer@cflcc.org
Registration Form

Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Deacon Raymond Aguado
(850) 435-3531
aguador@ptdiocese.org
Registration Form

Diocese of Palm Beach
Anna Hernandez-Diaz
(561) 775-9560
ahernandezdiaz@diocesepb.org
or
Donald Kazimir
(561) 360-3330
dkazimir@ccdpb.org

Diocese of Venice
Jeanne Berdeaux
(941) 441-1101
berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org
Registration Form

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Catholic Days at the Capitol
January 30-31, 2018

Each year Catholics from around the state gather in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. This two-day event provides the opportunity to put into action our faith's call to political responsibility and allows us to strengthen the presence of our Catholic values in the public square. By joining with Floridians who share our faith to advocate for laws that protect and defend human life and dignity, we can give a voice to some of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our state and help promote the common good for all of Florida's residents.

Catholic Days activities include:

• A legislative briefing on policy issues affecting human life and dignity
• Pre-scheduled meetings with lawmakers
• A luncheon for Catholic Days participants, Florida's bishops and legislators
• Group photos of each diocesan delegation with their bishop
• Tours of the current and historic capitol buildings
• The opportunity to view the legislative process in action during committee meetings or floor sessions
• Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by the bishops of Florida to pray for those working in the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government

• Codifying the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program in Florida statutes - SB 1130 (Bean) / HB 969 (Toledo) 
• Creation of the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force - SB 458 (Brandes) / HB 387 (Peters) 
• Increased educational options for parents - SB 902 (Simmons) & SB 1314 (Grimsley); HB 15 (Sullivan)

During years when the bishops of Florida designate Defensor award recipients, they are presented during the Catholic Days at the Capitol luncheon.

Defensor Vitae, Defender of Life
Presented in grateful appreciation for ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the sanctity of life

Recipients:
Representative Larry Ahern, 2016
Representative Jennifer Sulllivan, 2016
Senator Thad Altman, 2014
Senator Ronda Storms, 2012
Representative Dennis Baxley, 2012
Representative Kelli Stargel, 2011
Senator Anitere Flores, 2008
Senator Paula Dockery, 2006
Representative Jeff Kottkamp, 2006
Senator Mike Fasano, 2005
Representative Aaron Bean, 2005
Senator Anna Cowin, 2004
Representative Sandra Murman, 2004

Defensor Dignitatis, Defender of Dignity
Presented in grateful appreciation for ongoing efforts to protect the human dignity of the residents of Florida

Recipients:
Representative Jose Felix Diaz, 2017
Senator Rene Garcia, 2014
Senator Anitere Flores, 2013
Representative Steve Precourt, 2013
Senator JD Alexander, 2011
Representative Bill Galvano, 2008
Representative Mike Davis, 2007

Defensor Parentum, Defender of Parents
Presented in grateful appreciation for untiring, courageous and committed defense of parents in the education of their children

Recipients:
Representative Richard Corcoran, 2013
Senator Joe Negron, 2011
Representative Will Weatherford, 2010
Senator Stephen Wise, 2006