Rev. Paul Wierichs, C.P. - Director:  Before Joining Our Lady of Florida as Director, Fr Paul served as Pastor of St. Ann's Basilica in Scranton, PA, beginning February 2004.  Fr. Paul was professed a Passionist on March 8, 1964 and was ordained a Passionist priest on May 18, 1978.

Fr. Paul's missions over the past years include teaching high school in Philadelphia, running retreats for high school and college students, serving as Retreat Director at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House in Jamaica, NY and serving as administrator at Shelter Island which housed St. Gabriel's, the only retreat house on the east coast dealing with youths of all cultures and religious backgrounds.  Fr. Paul's assignment as FBI chaplain has taken him to the sites of two of the worst disasters in the metropolitan area, the crash of TWA flight 800 and the attack on the World Trade Center.  Fr. Paul administered spiritual counseling to family members, law enforcement agents, emergency workers and the injured, as well as administering the Last Rights to the victims at the scenes of the disasters.

Also, Fr. Paul’s assignment as Passionist Director for Special Gifts included the responsibility of the Annual Award Event that recognizes those individuals who distinguish themselves in their own fields. Past award recipients include Cardinal O’Connor, Cardinal Egan, The Honorable Louis Freeh, The Honorable Elizabeth Dole, Mary Higgins Clark, General Barry McCaffrey, Governor Frank Keating, James Kallstrom and Brother Louis De Thomasis FSC.

FROM THE DIRECTOR, June 18, 2010

Dear Friends;

        God has blessed us this past retreat season. It has been a year of Grace. As I have said and always will say God gives us Grace each day of our life but it is up to us to respond to that Grace. This is what makes Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center a Sacred Place Holy Ground.

        In the July edition of “The Light” and in future printings you will see letters from men and women and yes even young people that were touched by God and have had those moments of Grace change their life. Their letters (witness) show us all that God does live and does bless us each moment of our life.  When we live in His Grace (Love) we find the happiness that we all hope for, long for and seek with our whole heart. “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Live today and every moment of your life in His Grace!  When you look at nature, people and all creation always be reminded of the one that has created it, blesses it and showers it with his love (Grace). If you have had a God moment, especially at Our Lady of Florida and would like to share it with us please feel free to email us. I cannot guarantee that we will publish it, but we will give praise and thanks to God for His Grace in your life. 

Our theme for our new season beginning in September will be “Love Casts out Fear”. I am excited about it because I know how many of us suffer from some sort of fear. Fear of death, fear of not being able to pay our bills, fear for our children, fear of losing our job and fear of not having love in our life. Jesus, throughout the Scriptures, tells us that His love is so strong that His love will cast out those fears. Please really make a very strong effort to come on retreat and please bring another friend of yours or family member who can benefit from this moment of Grace.

 In 2012 we will be celebrating our 50^th Anniversary. I want to make it a very special year but I need your help and the help of your parish. At this moment we are looking at having a Mass on the lawn with our Bishop being the celebrant and our Provincial as the homilist followed by some good food. A lot more will follow but you all know how two years can fly by. Keep that project in your prayers. 

God Bless you and please be assured that you and your family are in my prayers and the prayers of the Passionist Community.                                          

                Fr. Paul , C.P.

Please take the time to read my Summer 2010 Appeal letter

Click here to read Fr. Paul's Sun-Sentinel interview dated March 31, 2007.

Click here for Fr. Paul's 9/11/01 interview and audio file from the five year anniversary.

Last Updated: August 06, 2010      Report Broken Links      Site Map      Retreat Registration Form     2010-11 Brochure