Author: Bob Reddy

Diocesan news briefs late October 2019

Posted on by Bob Reddy

White Mass and lecture held for medical professionals

St. Agnes Parish held its annual White Mass for medical professionals in Naples, on Oct. 18, the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist and patron of doctors. A lecture titled “Spirituality and Health: Complete Doctoring” presented by Dr. Michael Gloth followed in the Parish Hall.

 

 

Mobile Medical Clinic blessed

Father Augustine Twum Obour, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch, blesses the new Mobile Medical Clinic of Community Pregnancy Clinics on Oct. 20. The van, which offers free ultrasounds to pregnant moms, was made possible by a donation from the Knights of Columbus and will be used throughout the region.

 

 

Verot earns Apple Distinguished School Certification

Bishop Verot Catholic High School has earned Apple Distinguished School Certification for 2019-2022. According to Apple: “Apple Distinguished School leaders, faculty, and the extended community have a clear vision for how their technology-rich environments support learning goals. School leaders have established elements for continuous innovation that include culture, team, capacity, community, finance, and measurement. Supporting their school’s vision is an ongoing process that requires thoughtful planning, practice, and improvement along the way. They use iPad and Mac products to inspire student creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. And they cultivate environments in which students are excited and curious about learning.”

St. Mary Academy named Best Special Needs School in region

St. Mary Academy in Sarasota has been named by Family Living Magazine as the Best Special Needs School in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice. The schools provide skilled teaching to students with learning disabilities. To mark this achievement, the school had a celebration that included outdoor games, food and fun.

 

 

Junior high students have fun in Wauchula

St. Michael Parish in Wauchula hosted an Oct. 5 festival for junior high students. The day includes lots of fun and games, but also include speakers who stressed the need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, time for prayer and the Mass.

 

 

 

Mooney featured on Tampa morning TV show

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota hosted FOX-13 Tampa Bay on Oct. 17. The honor coincides with the ongoing celebration of Mooney’s 60th Anniversary. The sports teams and cheerleaders led a pep rally, and the TV crew also showcased the newly renovated stadium and field.

 

 

Goldtones Tickets Now on Sale
San Antonio Parish Knights of Columbus announce that tickets are now on sale for Florida’s famous Doo-wop group the Goldtones’ concert. The concert will be 7 p.m.,  Jan. 31 in the Holy Trinity Hall, 24411 Rampart Blvd, Port Charlotte. General Admission tickets are $15. In addition to all the old familiar Doo-wop favorites, they will also be singing your favorite Motown hits. Last year sold out early, so get your tickets now at 800-838-3006, or online at: BrownPaperTickets.com

Priestly Ordination: United to the Sacrifice of Christ

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Venice –

The presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in Florida grew by one with the Ordination to the Priesthood of Father Carlos Encinas.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over the ordination of Father Carlos in a Rite that was filled with long tradition and witnessed by hundreds Oct. 5 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

The Bishop told Father Carlos that through ordination, he becomes forever “United to the Sacrifice of Christ.” That unity is also with the Bishop and the Universal Church led by Holy Father Pope Francis.

“You are called to be that Church as you go out and strive to minister to the people of God,” Bishop Dewane continued. “Be the example of the Good Shepherd and go out and find the lost sheep who have the strayed by being the Light of Christ to others who might be in darkness.”

To start the Rite of Ordination, Diocese of Venice Vocations Director Father Shawn Roser called Deacon Carlos forward as he presented himself for ordination to the Bishop. The Bishop, on behalf of the entire Church, accepted Carlos and called him to ordination as a Priest by saying: “Relying on the help of the Lord God and Our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose Carlos Encinas, our brother, for the Order of the Priesthood.”

During the Rite of Ordination, Encinas knelt before Bishop Dewane to express his desire and willingness to be ordained as a Priest and to fulfill the responsibilities that come with ordination, which included a promise of respect and obedience to the Bishop and his successors. Encinas then lay prostrate before the altar for the Litany of Supplication/Litany of Saints.

After this solemn act of prayer, the Sacrament of Ordination was conferred when Carlos again knelt before Bishop Dewane, whom in silent prayer, imposed his hands on the head the ordinand. Each priest then came forward to lay their hands upon the head of Father Encinas. This was followed by Bishop Dewane, with his hands outstretched, praying the Prayer of Ordination.

Father Carlos was then vested in stole and chasuble by Father Gerard Critch, Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples where Encinas had recently served as Transitional Deacon. The hands of Father Carlos were than anointed with the Sacred Chrism by the Bishop, the sign of the special anointing of the Holy Spirit who will make their ministry fruitful.

Next, the Bishop presented Encinas with the chalice and paten which all priests are called to present to God in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The Rite of Ordination is concluded with the Bishop giving a fraternal kiss of peace to the newly ordained priest, welcoming him into the Diocesan Presbyterate or priesthood. Bishop Dewane introduced Father Carlos to all those present to enthusiastic applause, before all priests came forward to offer the sign of peace.

In addition to families and friends from Argentina, there were faithful from across the Diocese, many from the parishes where he previously had served. Included among those were also representatives of the Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta, and the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, as well as Diocesan seminarians who served during the Mass. Father Carlos was also pleased that a number of priests and fellow graduates from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, many of whom were ordained earlier in the year, were able to attend.

The Ordination was followed by a reception in the Cathedral Parish Hall where newly ordained Father Carlos Encinas was available to greet the public and impart his priestly blessing on them.

Putting aside distraction key to becoming a Disciple of Christ

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Bob Reddy – Naples –

We are all called to be “Disciples of Christ.” The best way to achieve this goal is to put aside distractions such as cell phones and other devices so as to then focus on how best to serve the Lord.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane gave this message during separate Masses Oct. 3 in Naples for students at St. Ann Catholic School and St. John Neumann Catholic High School.

“You must put aside the distractions – cell phone, tablets, the internet – as these take your precious time and often moves you further from the Lord,” Bishop Dewane said. “I want you to work and concentrate on becoming a ‘Disciple of Christ.’ You can do this by making more room in your lives for Jesus. Sometimes this is easy to do and sometimes it is hard, but I know each of you can do it.”

The Bishop added that when Christ is with them, they are asked to be a certain kind of person. That is a person who strives to do what Christ asks of them, and in so doing, they become more a man or woman of God – a “Disciple of Christ.”

The theme of being a “Disciple of Christ” coincides with the commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Venice. Through the Diocese Education Office, students across the Diocese are being given lessons on how to become a “Disciple of Christ” through prayer as well as through their actions, particularly toward others. These building blocks will aide them in their spiritual journey.

The Masses for the students at St. Ann Catholic School and St. John Neumann Catholic High School were the last in a series of Mass at each Diocesan Catholic School to start the academic year. The Masses were delayed by a month because of the early September threat from Hurricane Dorian. Bishop Dewane made a note for the students to pray for the victims of the Hurricane.

Young students learn about vocations

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Fort Myers –

Sixth graders from Catholic elementary schools across the Diocese of Venice have recently been challenged to recognize the presence of the Lord in themselves while also considering their vocation: possibly to religious life for the girls and the priesthood for the boys.

“God is calling each of us,” Diocesan Vocations Director Father Shawn Roser explained to the students at each of three Diocesan Vocations Days in late September. “You are old enough to understand the role Christ is having in your life and I know some of you are being called to a religious life or the priesthood.”

The Vocations Days took place Sept. 23 at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples for the Catholic schools in the Southern Deanery; Sept. 25 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota for schools in the Northern Deanery, and Sept. 30 at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers for schools in the Central Deanery.

Students heard from priests and religious men and women about listening to God’s call for their vocation in life. No matter whether that vocation is as a priest or consecrated religious, married life, consecrated single life – the Lord will provide guidance.

The day focused on encouraging the young boys and girls to open their hearts and minds to develop their personal relationship with God while keeping open the possibility of a deeper calling for their vocation. The students were repeatedly told that their relationship with the Lord must always begin with prayer.

Throughout the day the students heard from priests and religious women who shared their stories of how they found a grace to serve God in a special way. There were separate sessions for boys and girls, when they were free to ask any questions.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass at the conclusion of each Vocations Day and reinforced what the students learned by stressing how they need to pray to the Lord about their vocation in life. He also shared his own vocation story.

“The Lord has a role for each one of us in life, and if it is not done, the community is all the less for it,” Bishop Dewane said. “Go forward in your lives and really consider religious life, consider the priesthood and pray about it. Pray that the Lord inspire you to that vocation. Pray to the Lord that you get clarity.”

Bishop Dewane, Father Roser and the religious sisters who assisted at the Vocations Days each stressed that God is never going to call the students to do something they are not going to want to do or cannot handle.

“You just have to open your mind and your heart to what God is calling you to do,” Father Roser said.

During the Vocations Days at Cardinal Mooney and Bishop Verot Father Roser was joined by Servant Sisters of the Virgin Matara from St. Michael Parish in Wauchula. At St. John Neumann, he was assisted by Sister April Hoffman, a Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco who teaches at the high school.

In addition, Sister Cathy Bonfield, School Sister of Notre Dame, escorted her students from St. Martha and St. Mary Academy to the Vocations Day at Cardinal Mooney, and spoke to the girls about her vocation journey as a teacher for more than 50 years.

Each day focused on encouraging the young boys and girls to open their hearts and minds to develop their personal relationship with God while keeping open the possibility of a deeper calling for their vocation.

Throughout the day the students participated in various activities and games with the priest and religious present while also carefully listening to the profound words they had to say as each shared their own personal spiritual journey to serve God in a special way.

Students from St. John Neumann, Cardinal Mooney and Bishop Verot shared their own faith story, noting the challenges to stay focused on the Lord with other distractions in life. However, no matter how far they strayed from their Faith, each noted that the one strength in their lives was the Lord, calling them back. This invariably brought comfort and stability to their lives.

Prior to the closing Mass, there was Eucharistic Adoration to allow the students a chance to focus and spend time in the presence of the Lord.

Father Roser said the goal was to let these young boys and girls know about the possibilities for the future and the greatness that comes as a servant of the Lord for priests and religious.

Who’s Making it Happen – New Catholic makes a difference

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Susan Laielli – Naples –

No one wants to get up early enough to make the donuts, but Marcia McShane will gladly hand you one with a warm smile after Sunday morning Masses at St. Ann Parish in Naples, as part of her new duties as an assistant on the social committee.

Marcia McShane, right, is a volunteer at St. Ann Parish in Naples and she is ‘Making it Happen’ seen getting donuts ready on Oct. 6. She is seen with Laura Kowal, left, and Ashley Biffer, center.

When asking around the Parish which volunteers are making it happen for the large Southwest Florida Church, you’ll get plenty of names, almost too many to choose only one.

Before her new duties on the social committee, Marcia was mostly behind the scenes, setting up or cleaning up after the St. Patrick’s Day Party or the Back-to-School Picnic.  Often, she can be found moving books for the Director of Religious Education at the beginning and end of a year, understanding the many needs of educators, since she is a retired kindergarten teacher.

It’s not simply what Marcia does at St. Ann that makes her a standout, but it’s how she came to join the Parish and volunteer there, before eventually becoming a Catholic; that is frankly just as interesting.

Both Marcia and her husband Paul are admittedly children of inter-faith marriages from the 1940’s and 50’s, and when they married that history would continue, but the animosities did not.

“I learned early on love is about the person – my husband was Catholic, and I was not,” said Marcia.  “I grew up on military bases in several states and attended all types of churches and chapels, including one in Maryland where Annie Glenn, the wife of astronaut John Glenn, was my Bible School teacher.”

Before they would become world renowned astronauts John Glenn, Alan Shepard, and Gus Grissom would train at a Navy test pilot school with Marcia’s father, and the group would eventually become golfing buddies.

During their 38 year marriage, Marcia and Paul would be blessed with two sons and continued to attend various Churches of all denominations in the north to worship our Lord.  It wasn’t until moving to Naples fulltime after retiring that the couple again began searching for a Church, when something really clicked for Marcia at St. Ann Parish.

“The people are very welcoming, and I love the family values, the history, and traditions of the Catholic Church,” said Marcia smiling.

After volunteering for quite some time in the Parish, Marcia decided it was time to take the next step and become Catholic, which almost did not happen at this year’s Easter Vigil.

On Good Friday, just one day before the Easter Vigil, Marcia’s father would suffer a heart attack and need to be rushed to a Naples hospital.  She would spend the next 24 hours unsure of his outcome, and uncertain if she would become Catholic.

“I almost became a three-year Catholic student of the faith, and one of Ms. Cybil’s eternal students,” she recalls, referring to the Director of Religious Education.

The doctor told her moments before the Easter Vigil started that her father was stable, offering her the comfort to leave and try to make the Mass.  She would make it just in time.

Volunteers in Diocese of Venice Catholic Churches are special people, acting on their faith, offering their time and resources to get a job done, and expecting nothing in return.

When asked what her motto would be if she had one, Marcia responded in perfect kindergarten teacher fashion, “Remember the book by Watty Piper, “The Little Engine that Could” – my motto would be, ‘I think I can!’”

Safety Training seminar held

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Bob Reddy – Venice

Due to the seriousness of potential risks related to facility maintenance activities, safety awareness is a high priority for the Diocese of Venice.

To address this important issue, a Safety Training seminar for facilities and maintenance staff of all Diocese of Venice entities took place Oct. 1 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.

A wide variety of topics and interactive workshops were held to reinforce safety practices for facility and maintenance personnel. Spanish speaking instructors and materials were also available.

Donna Foti, Diocesan Risk Manager, explained that safety is a top priority in the Diocese and the seminar served to help reinforce this concept amongst those who do the facilities maintenance at parishes and schools throughout the Diocese. The day was also a chance for these vital employees to gather in one place and be recognized for their work.

Representatives from Aon, which provides specialty insurance for Diocesan entities, split the more than 100 participants into smaller groups and they then rotated between different stations to learn about key areas. Such areas included: use of golf carts; defensive driving; slip, trip and fall prevention; heat exhaustion; use of personal protective gear; identifying task for staff, volunteers and outside contractors; life safety; and claims processing.

Matt Long, a risk assessor from Aon, said the goal was to share information that will help safety improve for everyone who not only works on facilities maintenance, but who visits any Diocesan entity as an employee, parishioner, student or visitor.

Foti noted afterwards that the day was a resounding success and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

The day concluded with a drawing for nice gifts, including a personal cooler, NOAA weather radio and umbrellas.

News briefs from Around the Diocese September 2019

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Mooney Golfer No. 1 in Florida, ranked nationally

Noah Kumar is captain of the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Golf Team in Sarasota and has now cracked the top 100 nationally and is ranked 90th with Junior Golf Scoreboard. The Florida High School Athletic Association ranks Kumar the No. 1 high school golfer in the State of Florida. During his senior season with Cardinal Mooney, Kumar has an 18-hole tournament stroke average of 67.33, with six straight low round first place medal wins in a row. His nine-hole stroke average is 35.5 with a career low of 31. Kumar has been playing tournament golf since he was 10-years-old. He qualified to play in the U.S. Junior Amateur this past July and came in 12th in stroke play. Keep up the good work Noah!

Bishop celebrates Mass for Ave Maria University

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Mass for the faculty and student of Ave Maria University in Ave Maria on Sept. 23, delayed from Sept. 2 when the Mass was cancelled because of Hurricane Dorian. During the mass the Bishop encouraged the students to grow in their faith and to carry the message of the Lord into the world. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Bishop presided over a commissioning ceremony for nine new theology professors, during which each took an oath and vowed to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church.

Scout 10 Commandment Hike held Sept. 21

Scouts from across the Diocese of Venice gathered Sept. 21 for a 10 Commandments Hike at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. The more than 100 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and American Heritage Girls learned about the 10 Commandments at different stations located along the internal road of the property. The Scouts were presented with an achievement badge for participation at the end of the day.

CCW Eastern Deanery holds retreat

The Council of Catholic Women of the Eastern Deanery took part in a bi-lingual retreat Sept. 21 at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Avon Park. More than 70 women from parishes Hardee, Highlands, Hardee, Glades and Hendry counties took part. The retreat included presentations by a number of priests as well as group prayers with the praying of the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Bishop celebrates Mass for NET retreat in Bradenton

A National Evangelization Team (NET) Ministries group held a one-day retreat for middle school students on Sept. 29 at St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton. The retreat included several talks by youth ministers who travel across the nation trying to inspire young people to open themselves up to the Lord. Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Mass for the retreatants and offered words of encouragement to the middle-schoolers for participating in the day and to the NET team for coming to the Diocese.

Laps for Life held Sept. 28

The Our Lady of Victory Knights of Columbus Council 3358 welcomed more than 200 to the 2nd Annual Sarasota Laps for Life at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. The event was opened by a blessing for Deacon William Ladroga and the runners and walkers followed a path for three laps to complete the 5K event. The top finishes finished in 17:35 minutes. The event helped to raise money to purchase for a new ultrasound for My Choice Pregnancy Center in Sarasota.

Bishop celebrates Red Mass

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the annual Red Mass on Oct. 2 at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota. The Mass is held in honor of all members of the legal profession and has a history which dates back centuries. The most famous such Mass is held for the U.S. Supreme Court on the first Sunday in October. The Florida Bishops also celebrate a Red Mass for lawmakers in Tallahassee during the annual legislative session.

Pets blessed on Feast of St. Francis

A variety of pets wait to be blesses on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota.

Pets great and small were blessed Oct. 4 on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota. Administrator Father Eric Scanlan blessed everything from hermit crabs, ferrets, fish, birds, snakes, lizards, dogs and cats brought in by the students and parishioners.

Transitional Deacon prepares for Oct. 5 priestly ordination

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy

Venice – Transitional Deacon Carlos Encinas had only to complete his final exams in medical school when he realized his desire to become a priest was something he could no longer ignore.

He left his hometown in Argentina and went to New York City, ostensibly to visit a friend, but actually to seriously discern a vocation to the priesthood. “I needed to separate myself from medical school and home, a place I lived my entire life. I wanted to focus on this process with my whole heart.”

While in New York City, Deacon Encinas discerned with the Franciscan Friars, helping in a homeless shelter. While this experience helped him to realize he was on the right path, he did know that religious life was not a good fit because he wanted to be a parish priest. Thus, he began his formal studies toward the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New York at Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston. N.Y., where he graduated with a degree in philosophy.

It was just before his final year in college seminary when Deacon Encinas decided he wanted to serve in a Diocese which had distinct Hispanic populations, unlike New York City where the population is more diffuse. A friend suggested he look at the Diocese of Venice. A week-long visit, including a meeting with Bishop Frank J. Dewane, solidified his decision to join the Diocese as a seminarian upon graduation in 2014.

Throughout his entire discernment process, Deacon Encinas said God was always gentle in asking more of him, showing him signs that he is on the right path. “God never forces you to do something you don’t want to,” he added. “It was at Mass that I would see signs that led me to realize what God wanted from me.”

The recent graduate of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach is now on the cusp of reaching his goal of becoming a priest. The Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Encinas will take place at 11 a.m., Oct. 5 at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. Bishop Dewane will preside over the ordination.

Now 40, Deacon Encinas was born and raised in Corrientes, Argentina, and said he had a desire to become a priest off and on since he was 19-years-old. When he decided to enter seminary in the U.S., his parents, Alberto and Josefina Encinas, were skeptical, and his father was upset because he wanted his son to become a physician.

“As time passed, he appreciated more what I was doing and now everyone is very happy,” Deacon Encinas explained.

Because of the distance and cost, none of his family was able to attend his April 14, 2018, ordination to the transitional diaconate at St. Joan of Arc Parish Church, Boca Raton. The family did watch via a livestream on social media. He is pleased to know that in October, his parents, sisters, a niece and nephew and three cousins are all coming to the U.S. for the ordination.

While a seminarian for the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Encinas had several pastoral assignments including: St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples; St. Andrew Parish, Cape Coral; St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton, and Our Lady of Grace, Avon Park.

The ordination of a transitional deacon to the priesthood is considered one of the pivotal moments in the life of a Diocese. It is one of the most beautiful and often unseen Sacraments in the Church. It is a public response to the Call to Holiness, which comes with great responsibility and accountability.

While an ordination is the final step to priesthood, it is not the conclusion of priestly formation, it is just the beginning.

During ordination to the priesthood Deacon Encinas will freely presents himself to serve God, the Church and the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice and his successors. He will also make a renewed commitment to celibacy and promise obedience. The reward for that choice is to have his life filled with the message of God.

Celebrate Respect Life Sunday & Month!

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Jeanne Berdeaux, Diocese Respect Life Director

Venice – “Christ Our Hope in Every Season of Life” is the theme of the new Respect Life annual program from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. Each year American Catholics recognize the first Sunday in October as Respect Life Sunday and the entire month of October as Respect Life Month. A theme is chosen for reflection throughout the year until the next Respect Life Month. As the Respect Life Reflection for the year states, “While every season of life brings its own challenges and trials, each season also gives us new opportunities to grow in our relationship with God.”

This year the Diocese of Venice has its own special poster, beautifully depicting the “seasons” of life, from beginning to end. Go to https://dioceseofvenice.org/diocese-of-venice-respect-life-image-gallery/ to download a copy to post on your refrigerator or other convenient place to remind yourself to pray for a greater respect for all human life, from conception to natural death, regardless of age or condition.

Take some time to explore the resources which are available at www.respectlife.org. There you will find 10 articles on various topics and 5 Action Guides with activities that can be done in the parish, classroom or home, centered on dates with special significance throughout the year. For example, do you have an ultrasound of your child, grandchild or great-grandchild? Has that child ever seen it? Show your loved one that “It’s me” in the womb just as much as it’s “Still me!” after birth. Do you have a collection of prayer cards from funerals of family members or friends?  Why not put them together in a tribute to your loved ones?

Remember that our Diocese has a special collection on Respect Life Sunday to supplement the work that the Respect Life Office does and assist other pro-life organizations. These funds help to bring the respect life message to young people and adults through various learning opportunities such as Catholic Days at the Capitol, the annual statewide Respect Life Conference and chastity presentations in our Catholic schools. Please share your financial blessings to keep this message in front of our youth.

The international 40 Days for Life fall campaign runs throughout October (Sept. 25-Nov. 3). Join others from your church or bring a friend to pray and witness to life in front of Planned Parenthood in Sarasota, Fort Myers or Naples this fall. For details, go to www.40daysforlife.com and look for the location nearest you.

There are pregnancy help centers, maternity homes and after-birth homes throughout the Diocese offering hope and help to women and children in need. Go to www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife and click on the “Pregnancy Resources” box for an agency near you that could use a few hours of your time or whatever help you can provide.

On the same website, under the “Project Rachel” tab, you can learn more about how anyone touched by abortion in any way can seek help and healing, or call Sylvia at 941-412-5860 for confidential help, whether it is a retreat or just someone to listen to your story.

As the USCCB reflection for the year says, “May we hold fast to Christ our hope, from the beginning of life to its very end.”

If you have questions, comments or ideas, contact Jeanne Berdeaux at the Diocesan Respect Life Office, Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1101.

Upcoming “UNPLANNED” Movie Showings

Thanks to the support of the Diocese Respect Life Office, many local parishes will be hosting screenings of the blockbuster movie “UNPLANNED” about an abortion industry worker who stepped away when she saw a live abortion. The film will be shown at the following parishes:

7 p.m., Oct. 8, St. Raphael Parish, 2514 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres, 239-369-1831;

9:30 a.m., Oct. 9, or 6:30 p.m., Oct. 16, St. William Parish, 750 Seagate Drive, Naples, 239-261-5831;

7 p.m., Oct. 9, St. Agnes Parish, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, 239-592-1949;

6 p.m., Oct. 9, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, 239-898-0687;

7 p.m., Oct. 11, St. Jude Parish, 3930 17th St., Sarasota, 941-955-3934;

6:30 p.m., Oct. 10 and 12:30 p.m., Oct. 13, Resurrection Parish, 8121 Cypress Lake Dr., Fort Myers, 239-481-7171;

10:00 a.m. Oct. 10  and 7 p.m., Oct. 29, Our Lady of Light Parish, 19680 Cypress View Dr., Fort Myers, 239-267-7088;

7 p.m., Oct. 11, and Oct. 18, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 1441 Spear St., Port Charlotte, 941-284-2388;

3 p.m., Oct. 17, St. Therese Parish, 20115 N. Tamiami Trial, North Fort Myers, 239-567-2315;

6 p.m., Oct. 18, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 21505 Augusta Ave., Port Charlotte, 941-585-0668;

1:30 p.m., Oct. 20, Ave Maria Parish, 5068 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, 918-355-2319;

6:30 p.m., Oct. 25, Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota St., Venice, 941-485-2325;

6 p.m., Oct. 3, San Marco Parish, 851 San Marco Road, Marco Island, 239-259-0936;

3 p.m., Nov. 3, St. Joseph Parish, 3100 26th St. W., Bradenton, 941-345-6833;

6 p.m., Nov. 5, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice,  941-408-6072;

7 p.m., Nov. 8, St. Isabel Parish, 3559 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-395-2975.

 

Principal’s corner – Bishop Verot

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Dr. Denny Denison, Bishop Verot Catholic High School

Fort Myers – Bishop Verot Catholic High School first opened its doors in 1962 as the only Catholic school in southern Florida. Through the years much has changed – the installation of air-conditioned classrooms, construction of new buildings, the transition away from hardback books, notebooks and pencils, but our philosophy remains the same.

In today’s world, we understand the importance of change while standing firm on our core beliefs. Our motto, Non Excidet, translates as We Will Not Fail, and Verot is committed to this motto by empowering every student who walks through our doors to be the best they can be.

Parents throughout Southwest Florida have chosen Verot for a variety of reasons. Our mission exceeds expectations as we strive to build relationships centered on faith, learning and leadership devoted to educating the whole person, utilizing innovative technologies, empowering students through collaborative experiences, and cultivating a spirit of service grounded in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our families have done their research and they know that four years at Bishop Verot High School will prepare their children well for what lies ahead.

In four short but memorable years, the student body of more than 700 students will learn diverse subjects at the honors, advanced placement (AP) and college prep levels. Courses such as engineering, marine biology, forensic science, computer science and video production aid students in discovering their passion.

As an Apple Distinguished School, both teachers and students embrace 1:1 iPad technology to take learning to new heights. With the integration of SARA – an intensive test preparatory program – into our faith-based curriculum, students perform at higher levels for the SAT and ACT. Our students’ positive experience and academic success inside and outside the classroom have resulted in 99 percent of graduates matriculating into four-year colleges and universities and more than 50 percent earning a Florida Bright Future Scholarship.

While rigorous academics are essential to future success, it is the development of the whole person that sets Verot apart from other schools in Lee County. New students, families and guests are introduced to the Viking commitment to selfless service, to one another, and to our Catholic Faith from the very moment they enter our campus. From the very first day freshmen step on the Bishop Verot Catholic High School campus, our Vikings know they are part of the Verot family. The excitement of starting a new school year is infectious as the Viking cheerleaders greet students on their first day and senior leaders offer a welcome making sure the newest family members are ready for success.

Ask any Verot alumni their favorite memory of Verot, and the number one response will be the Freshman Retreat. Led by Verot’s seniors, the Freshman Retreat solidifies our family by creating life-long bonds with fellow classmates and upperclassmen. Seniors and freshmen work side-by-side to serve meals, conduct hard labor and offer basic care and companionship to the most impoverished people in our community. The Retreat culminates with a candlelight gathering around the Most Blessed Sacrament in prayer.

Learn more about what it means to be a Viking by visiting bvhs.org or call 239-274-6700.

Dr. Denny Denison can be reached at denny.denison@bvhs.org.

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