The Florida Diocesan Communications Directors held their annual meeting in Venice, Florida earlier this month, and expanded the event this year to include additional time for renewal, reflection, and fraternity. The annual meeting and retreat was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (OLPH) in Venice, June 4 through June 6, 2025.
The event began with a welcoming dinner, followed by Adoration & Benediction in St. Joseph Chapel at OLPH, led by OLPH’s Father Leland Thorpe, OMV. The formal Diocesan Communicators Annual Meeting was held on Thursday. Following an opening prayer and a video highlighting Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis talking about the importance of communication to the Catholic Church, each Diocesan Director shared a report about communications efforts and events of note in their respective Dioceses.
The Diocesan reports were interspersed among two special guests during the day.
Lois Thome, news anchor at WINK TV in Fort Myers, shared a presentation about how Catholic Communicators can best work with broadcasters. Later, Carol Brinati, former Communications Director and Chancellor in Orlando, shared an inspirational presentation called “God’s AI’s,” pointing out to the Communications professionals that in their Diocesan roles they were acting as God’s “Annunciation Instruments,” proclaiming the good news of the Gospel far and wide.
In addition to the Diocesan reports, a report was provided by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops representatives, Michele Taylor and Michael Sheedy.
Following the meeting, the group gathered again in St. Joseph Chapel for Mass, celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, with Father Thorpe concelebrating.
Florida is divided into seven Catholic Dioceses. Six of the seven Dioceses’ Communications Directors were able to attend the Annual Retreat. Diocesan Communications Directors participating included Karen Barry Schwarz, Diocese of Venice, Teresa Peterson, Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Jen Drow, Diocese of Orlando, Chez Filippini, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Jennifer Trefelner, Diocese of Palm Beach (remotely), and Juan Alejandro Di Prado, Diocese of Miami (remotely). Also in attendance, Rachel Powers and Bob Reddy from the Communications Department in the Diocese of Venice, and Kirsten Pedersen, Communications Director for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice.
The meeting was a great success, highlighting the importance of in-person connection, and a spirit of collaboration and support, with one Director commenting “You are wonderful humans, and all taught me more about my faith… I clearly see Jesus in each one of you!”
