News briefs

Football coach earns recognition

Bishop Moore Head Football Coach Matt Hedrick

ORLANDO | Bishop Moore High School’s head football coach, Matt Hedrick, is one of six recipients of the prestigious Double-Goal Coach Award. To be nominated, football coaches, colleagues, administrators, current students and parents were asked to share why Coach Hedrick deserved this honor. Denyi Canario Ascencio, parent of current football player Lance J., said, “Coach Hedrick’s leadership style, a unique blend of patience, kindness, and assertiveness, has consistently set him apart. Over the past year, I have witnessed his unwavering dedication to nurturing athletic excellence and our children’s personal growth, a testament to his exceptional leadership.”

Hedrick has served as head coach for 23 seasons and the school holds a 10-3 record. The award is given by Positive Coach Alliance of Tampa Bay.

Cristo Rey chapel blessing

Bishop John Noonan blesses the chapel at Cristo Rey Orlando High School, Feb. 11, 2025. Assisting him are Deacon Peter Pronko, left, and seminarian Rob Herold, right. (MARC DARIUS

ORLANDO | On February 11, Cristo Rey Orlando High School celebrated a significant milestone with the blessing of its chapel, marking the completion of a major renovation of the school. This sacred space, blessed by Bishop John Noonan, will serve as a cornerstone for the spiritual and academic growth of the students. Bishop Noonan was joined by concelebrants from the Diocese of Orlando, the school’s religious sponsor, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, board members, and staff.

Cristo Rey Orlando is dedicated to empowering under-resourced students through a unique educational experience that integrates rigorous academics and corporate work experience with a strong Catholic faith foundation. Interested families can apply for the first class this fall, CristoReyOrlando.org.

Praying for James Ford

St. Margaret Mary parishioners in Winter Park hold a candlelight vigil on the eve of James Ford’s execution Feb. 13, 2025. (COURTESY)

WINTER PARK | Parishioners of St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park hold a candlelight prayer vigil on Feb. 12. Those gathered prayed for James Ford who was executed Feb. 13 at Florida State Prison in Starke. They also prayed for the souls of his victims, Gregory and Kimberly Malnory, their family and all victims of violent crimes, and for an end to the death penalty.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2267) teaches that “the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes” and that “more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.”

February 21, 2025