The Starfish Charity Gala, the 4th annual Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida benefit is a semi-formal event, attended by over 500 leaders in the faith, legal, medical, military, and business communities.
The highlight of the evening will be the guest speaker, A Capuchin Monk since 1951, Father Benedict Groeschel has lived a life devoted to Christ. A prolific best selling author, he is also an internationally recognized inspirational Christian TV and radio personality and deeply spiritual Christian teacher and leader. Well known for his tireless work with inner city poor, Father Benedict’s life long efforts on behalf of society’s most vulnerable parallel the work of Mother Teresa.
In 2004, Father Benedict was struck by a car while crossing a street. He suffered a head injury, broken bones, and had no blood pressure, heartbeat or pulse for 20-minutes. In the weeks that followed he nearly died three times. Tens of thousands prayed for his life and miraculously, he survived. This near death experience led Father Benedict to reflect on the thousands of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant prayers for his recovery, prayers that called out to Christ. Father Benedict said, “the amazing thing that I discovered..., is that the real foundation of ecumenism is our devotion to Jesus Christ. That is what we have in common. We may disagree on many things, but there is a remarkable agreement among Christians when they pray to Jesus Christ.” As he told the New York Times nearly four years after his accident, “They said I would never live. I lived. They said I would never think. I think. They said I would never walk. I walk. They said I would never dance, but I never danced anyway.” Today he remains a well sought after teacher, counselor, preacher, retreat master, author and spiritual director.
Father Benedict is the director of the Office for Spiritual Development for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York as well as founder and associate director of Trinity Retreat, which provides spiritual direction and retreats for clergy. He serves on the board of Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida and is founder and executive director of The St. Francis House in Brooklyn, which provides a safe haven for young men looking for a new start in life. Father Benedict co-founded the Good Counsel Homes for homeless pregnant women and children. Along with seven Capuchin colleagues, he left the order in 1987 to begin the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal with a mission of preaching reform and serving the poor. He is professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York and a adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia where he teaches an annual extensive course focused on how to give practical assistance to people experiencing trauma, extreme stress, and sorrow while integrating religious values with counseling.
Father Benedict is the author of over 30 books and has recorded more than 100 audio and video series. He publishes articles in several Catholic magazines on a monthly basis and posts a weekly meditation on the Oratory of Divine Love web site. His most recent books include, “The Tears of God” (2008), “Questions and Answers About Your Journey to God: (2007), “The Virtue Driven Life” (2006), “Why Do We Believe?” (2005), “There Are No Accidents: In All Things Trust in God” (2004), and “Praying To Our Lord Jesus Christ” (2004). His weekly television program broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network, Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel, offers a mix of interviews, answering viewer questions, and discussing spiritual and social matters relating to the Roman Catholic faith.
A limited number of tickets are available, so purchase yours today. Purchase tickets on line or by calling Evelyn at 850.244.2825.
The cost of the tickest is $100 per person.
All guests must present a picture id to gain entrance into the venue!
