Catholic Days Participants Make a Difference at the Capitol

On April 4 and 5, Catholics from all seven Florida dioceses gathered in our state's capital city to learn, advocate, fellowship, and pray during Catholic Days at the Capitol. This annual advocacy event provides an opportunity to fulfill the responsibility to participate in political life as a faithful citizen. Catholics from across the state are urged to make the trip to the capitol and make a difference...and that they did! 

Policy issues engaged by participants were:

• 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)

On Wednesday, participants met with lawmakers and/or their aides, toured the capitol and historic capitol buildings, observed the lawmaking process in action, enjoyed a luncheon and awards ceremony, and prayed with and for state leaders at the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit.

Find group photos of diocesan delegations here.
Additional photos of Catholic Days activities are posted to our Facebook page.

Two awards were presented at the Catholic Days luncheon before an audience that included the bishops of Florida, several lawmakers, and 300 Catholic Days participants. Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, was honored with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award given to a Catholic Floridian whose life and work is especially noteworthy for enhancing Florida's laws and way of life through Gospel values. The award is named for and was first presented to Thomas A. Horkan, Jr., founding executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. CFO Atwater is only the seventh recipient since the award's inception in 1995. Representative Jose Felix Diaz, District 116, Miami, was presented with the Defensor Dignitatis award for his ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the dignity of the human person.