(863) 773-4089 Ext. 8
Community Ven. Concepción Cabrera de Armida
409 Alice St.
Wauchula FL 33873
Wauchula, FL
Serving in the Diocese of Venice.
Our mission began on September 1, 2012. St Michael Parish is in a predominately rural community with a large Hispanic immigrant population. The parish includes two satellite missions where we also help: San Alfonso and Holy Child Missions.
Apostolates
Parish Apostolate
Religious Education Program: The sisters are responsible for the organization and development of the Catechetical Program at St. Michael’s Church. The program includes an average of 750 children and youth from kindergarten to 12th grade each year; there is also an RCIA program for adult catechesis. Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. A good team of generous catechists are a part of this program.
Family catechism: The sisters also teach classes for parents of children and youth receiving sacraments.
Youth Groups: Every Friday the sisters run the high school youth group of the parish and once a month the Voces Verbi (young adult group).
Parish Duties: Sisters work in the Parish sacristy and help to coordinate liturgies.
Visit the Sick: The sick and elderly are the jewels of our parish community; sisters accompany them in their sufferings.
The sisters also organize additional activities during the year, such as:
- Family Day
- Youth festivals
- Children’s Festival
- All Saints Festival
- Summer Camps (for different ages)
- Participation in March for Life (in Washington DC)
- Participation in the diocesan Youth Rally
- Participation in the IVE Young Adult Event in New York: Universitas.
Community Outreach
Outreach Center: This year (2020), St. Michael Church opened a new building to assist the community in areas such as: immigration, mental health therapy and music classes for children and adults. This is just the beginning a new project to benefit the people of our Community.
Food Bank: The sisters direct the work of volunteers and maintain this charitable work which is open to the community every Saturday morning. The Food Bank distributes food to about 250 families each week.
The Thrift Store: Volunteers receive donations from parishes located mainly in Sarasota and Venice. Parishioners donate their time to manage the Thrift Store on weekday mornings.
Our Patroness | Bl. Concepción Cabrera de Armida (1862-1937)
“Conchita,” as she is otherwise called, was beatified in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City May 4, 2019. She married Francisco on Nov. 8, 1884, when she was 22 years old. Together they had nine children. After the death of their youngest child at the age of three she wrote, “I went to the foot of the big crucifix and, pouring my tears on his feet, I offered him the sacrifice of my son, bowing and asking him to fulfill his divine will in me.” Her husband died when she was 39 years old.
In 1894, Conchita started having the so-called “Apparitions of the Cross” while she was praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Thus, Conchita understood that her mission was to save souls, and one of the ways she could do so was by offering up her daily crosses and sufferings. In the years to follow she founded lay communities and religious congregations.
