Athletes from three Diocese of Venice Catholic high schools did well at the Florida High School Athletic Association Track and Field State Championships held May 7-8, 2021 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Top local athletes were:
- John Neumann Catholic High School Junior Leah Martin-Gonzales took two Class 1A State Titles (100 hurdles and long jump), and was part of the 9th place 4X100 relay;
- Neumann Junior Joshua Gulapa finished 3rd in the Class 1A 110 hurdles, and 4th in the 300 hurdles, and was part of the 11th place 4×400 relay team;
- Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Senior Max Middleton took 2nd in the Class 2A discus and 8th in the javelin;
- Bishop Verot Catholic High School Sophomore Geraldine Herrera took 2nd in the Class 2A 200 dash, and 11th in the 100.
Each of the three schools had athletes competing in multiple disciplines, representing their respective schools with speed, agility, determination and grace.
The Mooney girls 4×400 relay team set a new school record in a 10th place finish while Madeline Carson finished in 10th in the discus, leaving the meet as the top ranked sophomore in the state.
Double State Champ Leah Martin-Gonzales of Neumann took the 100 hurdles title in a time of 14.50, 0.28 seconds ahead of second place; and the long jump title with a jump of 5.72 meters (or 18 feet 9.25 inches), 10.5 inches farther than the next closest competitor.
Verot’s Geraldine Harrera’s second place run in the 200 was in a time of 24.55; Mooney’s Max Middleton’s had a second-place discus throw of 45.95 meters (150 feet 9 inches); while Neuman’s Joshua Gulapa finished third in his 110 hurdles race in a time of 14.88.
Congratulations to the athletes. Well done!!!
Fradd stressed that he didn’t want to tell his audiences what to do, but to provide information about behaviors and the negative consequences that result.
During his talks, Fradd used age-appropriate language to deliver his powerful message. He began each session facing the issue head-on, saying: “The problem with porn is not that it shows too much but instead it shows too little of the human person. Porn reduces the complexity, the individuality and the uniqueness of the man or woman. It creates a two-dimensional thing for consumption and dehumanizes them in that way.”
Marie Rizzi, of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch, is the winner of the 2021 Franciscan Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Award, from the Secular Franciscan Order Five Franciscan Martyrs Region (Florida, Alabama and South Georgia). Rizzi practices Catholic Social Justice daily by feeding the hungry, shopping for the homebound, calling to see if people need company or a ride to an appointment. She has directed her Parish efforts to support Casa San Juan Bosco Farm Worker Housing of Catholic Charities in Arcadia. In addition, she is active in devising ways to involve youth in Parish outreach. Rizzi was presented the award at the Five Franciscan Martyrs Region Annual Meeting in Winter Park on May 7, 2021.
Pope Francis said that to be a mother is a great treasure, as she “helps her children grow up and wants them to grow strong and does not want them to pursue a frivolous life or to become lazy, sinking into a comfortable lifestyle in which they content themselves with possessions.”
Macedonio confirms each child has a solid foundation built on love and faith. “To do that, you have to live and practice your faith at home,” she said, acknowledging it’s the little things we do, respecting each other, being courteous and kind, and always prepared. “This has motivated them into becoming the active teens they are today and sets them up to face the future.”
Fernandez was one of about 100 who received their vaccinations at Casa San Juan Bosco, a farm worker housing community in Arcadia built and operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc.
Philomena Pereira, CEO of Catholic Charities, said the support of Bishop Frank J. Dewane allowed the most recent effort to happen. An initial vaccination clinic was held in late April but limited to the adult residents of Casa San Juan Bosco. They will be receiving their second shots in two weeks.
“Father Amicarelli graciously agreed to place the list of names at the tomb of ‘Nennolina’ for us,” Father Belmonte wrote. The letter also included an attached prayer booklet for the families which included the novena as well as a detailed background on the life of “Nennolina,” These booklets will be distributed to each student for use in the classroom.
The scholarships are worth up to $7,111 for each K-12th-grader and can be used for tuition and fees. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2021.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane led a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony on April 28, 2021 with a group of about 25 parishioners present to cheer on the project.
The new Parish Center will be approximately 30,000 square-feet, include two auditoriums and a pre-function space, classrooms, offices, conference rooms, catering kitchen and elevator. The project is expected to take a year.
Bishop Dewane began the groundbreaking with a brief prayer service, as well as blessing the construction site with holy water. As a continuation of the groundbreaking, Bishop joined Father Ratzmann, as well as representatives of the contractors and a few dignitaries, to turn dirt with special shovels.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid workshops on April 29, 2021 at St. Agnes Parish in Naples and May 1 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Sarasota, were offered through the Diocese Department of Religious Education in an effort to teach those who interact with teens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
