Personal Relationship with Jesus Is Focus of Catholic Mission

By Jovida Fletcher
Osceola (FL) Sentinel
March 21, 1998

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church's Lenten mission is scheduled for Sunday through Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day. The overall theme of the mission is that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the answer to the quest for personal happiness and fulfillment in life.

Daily themes are: the nature of religion, Monday; grace, Tuesday; reconciliation, Wednesday; and the call to be living sacrament, Thursday.

The mission is being conducted by the Rev. Gabriel Massaro, O.F.M. Capuchin.

Gabriel was ordained in 1966. Early assignments included teaching at the preparatory seminary and coordinating the vocation apostolate for the New England Capuchin Province.

Among his more notable accomplishments are the founding of the "Day by Day Agape" in 1973 and the founding of the Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries apostolate at Garrison, N.Y., in 1978.

Although Gabriel has moved on from both ministries, they each continue to flourish and grow under the new leadership. He continues to serve as coordinator of the preaching apostolate of the New York-New England Capuchin
Province.

In addition, he conducts retreats for religious and secular communities. He is also a radio evangelist on the weekly series In the Light of St. Francis. The series is aired every Sunday morning in the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg and other areas.