Bob Reddy, Author at Diocese of Venice

News Briefs for the week of August 29, 2025

Posted on August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Students start caring for school garden

Second grade students at St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota have been tasked with an important job – they are in charge of the school’s gardens. They will be responsible for caring for and growing many exciting things. On Aug. 26, 2025, the students planted the first seeds of the season. They were so excited to get their hands in the soil and begin this special project. Each day, they will be watering and caring for the plants as they watch them grow, and enjoying and learning about the fruits of their labors and caring for God’s creation.

Celebrate priesthood Sunday, by supporting our seminarians

The faithful are being asked to support, encourage and educate future priests through the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Seminarian Fund. The Diocese is currently educating 16 men at various seminaries, and a donation of any amount would be a great help. The way the VDCCW supports seminarians is through celebrating Priesthood Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. To do this in a special and lasting way, the VDCCW will facilitate sending an “IN HONOR OF” card to your Parish Priest. This is a gift that keeps on giving as all proceeds support the VDCCW Seminarian Fund (The donation amount will not be revealed to the recipient). To take part, please send the name of the priest you would like to honor, along with your donation, made out to VDCCW Seminarian Fund (plus $1 to cover postage and printing) to: Cornelia Zanetti, Seminarian Fund Guardian, 5808 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Canonization events in Venice and Sarasota

Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and St. Patrick Parish in Sarasota are both hosting special events to celebrate the canonizations of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlos Acutis. Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice, is having an Italian Canonization Party from 7-9 pm., Sept. 6, 2025. Enjoy games, food, live music and special tributes to these holy young men. Everyone is welcome. On Sept. 7, St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, will have informative panels about “God’s Army: 25 Saints Under 25,” on display in the Parish Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., after all Masses. Each panel has an image of a saint, information about each of their lives, and a prayer that participants can say to the saint as they view each panel. All are welcome. The canonization of these two new saints is at 10 a.m. (Rome time) on Sept. 7, in St. Peter’s Square. Both young men are beloved by many Catholic young people for their enthusiastic pursuit of holiness. Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15, is the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church. Frassati, who died in 1925 at the age of 24, dedicated his life to charitable outreach.

Carlo Acutis Movie Now Streaming: Watch!

On Sept. 7, 2025, we will witness a historic moment: the canonization of two young men who continue to inspire countless people around the world, Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. These two men will join the long list of young Saints in the Church, offering today’s generation a powerful example of virtue and commitment. Their lives bring the concept of Holiness closer to young people, showing that it is not some distant ideal but an urgent call to live out Christian virtues and give witness to faith in a world deeply polarized and wounded by sin. Learn more about one of these future saints, Carlo Acutis, by streaming “Carlo Acutis, Roadmap to Reality.” This moving documentary not only tells the story of Carlo’s life and his remarkable gifts but also paints a vivid picture of spirituality in the digital age and the profound impact his witness has on young people. The National Eucharistic Revival is offering a 20 percent discount for the rental with the code REVIVAL20 for a limited time. Visit https://watchcredo.com/ to stream the film.

Registration open for Together in Holiness Marriage Enrichment Conference

Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites all Catholic married couples to join him at the Diocese’s fifth annual Marriage Enrichment Conference on from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Light Parish, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers. Engaged couples are also welcome! The Marriage Conference, “Family, A School of Love,” presents a unique opportunity to share a day dedicated to prayer, conversation, and reflection on the sacred vocation of marriage together with your spouse. Grow together in holiness and receive guidance and tips for how to strengthen your marriage and form your children in the Catholic faith. Early bird registration is $64 for couples before Sept. 8. Childcare is available for $5 per child. This event will sell out, so register early! To learn more, and to register, visit www.togetherinholiness.org/venice. Questions? Contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseovenice.org, or 941-486-4754.

40 Days for Life Fall Campaign

40 Days for Life kickoff events – each will include guest speakers and takes place next to a Planned Parenthood, the largest abortionist in the country:

Naples – 10 a.m., Sept. 24, outside Planned Parenthood, 1425 Creech Road. Contact Ricki Giersch at 630-514-2058, or email rickigiersch61@gmail.com
Fort Myers – 6 p.m., Sept. 24, outside Planned Parenthood, 6418 Commerce Park Drive. Questions? Email 40DaysForLifeFM@gmail.com
Sarasota – 10:30 a.m., Sept. 26, in the parking lot of Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc., 1419 7th St. Contact Rich at 40DFLSarasota@gmail.com.

Walking with Purpose Bible study coming to Naples

St. William Parish in Naples is hosting Walking with Purpose Bible study for women in day or evening sessions, Tuesdays, from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21, 2025. The day sessions are in the Church Hall, 601 Seagate Drive. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with a coffee social and treats, followed by the Bible study from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Evening sessions are in the Blessed Mother Center, Room 203, 750 Seagate Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the session from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Babysitting services are available. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/54zkmcby. Attendees are asked to purchase “Ordering Your Priorities” at https://walkingwithpurpose.com. For scholarships, babysitting, or questions, contact Lisa McGowan at 484-432-5128 or mcgowanlh@gmail.com.

Jubilee Monthly Days of Prayer Sept. 10 and 14

The Monthly Day of Prayer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice, for September is Sept. 10 and 14, 2025. Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, will explain how to “Find God in All Things.” Discover how God dwells in all things by his essence, presence, and power. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and includes two presentations, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, lunch, and Mass. Time for adoration, private prayer, or meditation on the beautiful OLPH grounds is also provided. The day concludes at 3:15 p.m. Cost is $45. Register at olph-retreat.org.

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children

On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, Incarnation Parish, 2901 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, will observe the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. After the 8:30 a.m. Saturday Mass, there will be a Prayer Service followed by presentations by others who will speak briefly about upcoming local Respect Life initiatives. Flowers will also be placed in front of the Incarnation Memorial to the Unborn in the prayer garden. All are welcome to attend. For more information, or with questions, contact Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1101.

Naples Catholic singles potluck and social event Sept. 13

The Catholic Fellow Fellowship Around Naples presents Catholic Singles Potluck & Social Event, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sept. 13, 2025, in the Rome Room of St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples. This event is intended for singles aged 25-55. There is no cost, but it is a potluck so bringing food is encouraged. More information is available at https://tinyurl.com/mr2xwty8.

St. Andrew Catholic School golf tournament Sept. 13

Register now for the annual St. Andrew Catholic School golf tournament, Sept. 13, 2025, at Palmetto Pine Country Club in Cape Coral. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Lunch and awards follow. Sponsorships are available. The cost is $125 per golfer, or $500 per foursome. Register at standrewcs.org/sacs-golf. For more information, call 239-772-3922.

Naples school hosting “Dueling Pianos” event Sept. 13

The St. Ann Catholic School Home and School Association presents “Dueling Pianos,” 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 13, at the St. Ann Jubilee Center, 985 3rd St. S., Naples. Tickets are $75 and include a live performance, catered food, and adult beverages. Join in the singing, dancing, and laughing all night long. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 4, at https://pci.jotform.com/form/252088122620146.

Natural Family Planning introductory sessions available

Learn about Natural Family Planning with a free introductory session. The Diocese of Venice sets forth the Creighton Model Fertility Care System, and free online training sessions are being offered by the St. Gianna Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care on Sept. 20, and Oct. 21, 2025. Choose the session that fits your schedule! The online sessions are free, but registration is required. Register at bit.ly/SGIntroSession. For more information, visit www.stgiannacenter.com, or direct questions to Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseovenice.org, or 941-486-4754.

Day of Reflection for Sacramental Marriage in September and November

Couples preparing for Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church are encouraged to attend a Day of Reflection either Sept. 20, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pulte Hall, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples, or Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. Taking place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. a specially prepared volunteer team of married couples will share their experiences and information, enabling couples to be more aware of the privileges and responsibilities of marriage. A priest will share information about the vocation of marriage and its spiritual component. The $60 registration fee includes all retreat materials and lunch. Registration is required. Contact James Gontis for more information at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543, ext. 4754.

Laps for Life 5K Oct. 4 in Sarasota

Our Lady of Victory Knights of Columbus Council 3358 in Sarasota is hosting its 6th annual Laps for Life 5K, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Oct. 4, 2025, at Cardinal Mooney High School, 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Proceeds will support Solve Maternity Homes. The cost is $45 per runner/walker. Participants can register at www.RunSignUp.com, under the listing: Sarasota Laps for Life 5K. The Knights of Columbus is also hosting a pre-race Pasta Night, 6 p.m., 8 p.m., in the Knights Hall, 4880 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $10 per person.

Diocesan Rosary Congress returns in October

The Diocese of Venice will host its annual Rosary Congress Oct. 4-10, 2025. The theme of this year’s Rosary Congress is My Soul Magnifies the Lord (Luke 1:46). The Rosary Congress begins with the celebration of daily Mass and ends with Mass at the same time the following day. During these designated 24 hours, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for perpetual Adoration, and the five decades of the Rosary are prayed by the faithful every hour, on the hour. Many Parishes will also have Confession available. Stay tuned for a list of participating Parishes, and how you can be part of this beautiful opportunity to adore and grow closer to our Lord. For more information, contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-486-4754.

Retreat for young women
Single women ages 18-30 who are seeking God’s will in their life are invited to grow deeper in prayer and in their identity as a woman, as well as learn more about discerning religious life during a Fiat Ministries Retreat the weekend of Oct. 10-12, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. This retreat is led by Team Fiat, a dynamic group of lay women passionate about supporting other young women. Additionally, consecrated religious sisters from various religious communities from the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) assist at each retreat, making each one a unique experience. The goal is for the retreatants to walk away with a greater desire to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ while meeting religious sisters. The cost is $50. Registration can be found at https://fiatministries.org/retreats/. For questions, please email Emily at fiatministriesinc@gmail.com.

Faith & Ale Lee County returns in October

Faith & Ale, a Catholic Men’s Apostolate in Southwest Florida, is entering its 16th season. The monthly gatherings of Catholic men promote fellowship and growth in faith, on the third Thursday of every month between October and April. The next meeting is Oct. 23, 2025, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Drive, Bonita Springs. The guest speaker is Matt Laboda, a father, consultant, speaker and theologian who lives in Ave Maria, and the theme is “The Miracle of Joy – A Journey of Trust & Faith in God.” Tickets are $10. Register at https://faithandale.com. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.

Oktoberfest celebration in North Port

San Pedro Parish, 14380 Tamiami Trail, is hosting its annual Oktoberfest, noon to 10 p.m., Nov. 15. There will be a biergarten, kid’s workshop, local crafts, live music, and assorted food, including brats, burgers, pierogies, potato pancackes, jumbo turkey legs, Bavarian pretzels, home-bake desserts, and more. Cost is $20 and proceeds will benefit the Parish “Reason for Our Hope Campaign.” For more information, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sanpedrocc.org/octoberfest-2025.

Ignatian Priest Retreat coming to Retreat Center

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice, is hosting a silent Ignatian Priest Retreat, Nov. 21-24, 2025. This silent retreat will introduce participants to the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment. The cost is $525 per person for a private room and $360 per person for a shared room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). Register at olph-retreat.org.

Volunteers needed at Sarasota Catholic Charities Sarasota Office

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., welcomes volunteers who wish to become involved with any of their programs, services or ministries. The most urgent need for volunteers is at the Sarasota office, 5055 N. Tamiami Trail, which offers disaster response, housing and support services, anti-human trafficking, immigration assistance, and much more. The mission of Catholic Charities is to eliminate food insecurity, homelessness and offer essential mental health services to everyone seeking assistance – regardless of race or religion. To sign up as a volunteer, please visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/volunteer, or for more information, please call 941-355-4680 ext. 1100.

Execution prayer vigil held in North Port

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Kayle Barrington Bates was executed by the State of Florida at 6 p.m., Aug. 19, 2025. He has been on Florida’s death row, off and on since 1983.

To mark this solemn occasion, a prayer vigil was held at San Pedro Parish in North Port.

Bates was sentenced to death for the 1982 murder of Janet Renee White in Bay County. He appealed and was moved on and off death row for 42 years, until Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant. Bates was the 10th execution in Florida and 29th in the U.S. so far this year. With Bates’ execution, the state extends its dubious record of the most executions in the state in a single year since the death penalty returned in 1976. The previous high for executions in Florida had been 8 in 2014 and 1984.

During the vigil, which joined Floridians around the state, the faithful gathered to pray for Janet Renee White, for her family, for all who have been harmed by Mr. Bates’ actions, for him, for those directly or indirectly involved in the execution, for everyone affected by violent crime, and for an end to the use of the death penalty.

On behalf of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Michael Sheedy, Executive Director, sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis seeking a stay of the execution and commuting the sentence to life without parole. In the letter, Sheedy wrote that the Florida Bishops mourned the tragic death of Ms. White and the terrible suffering of her husband, Randy, and loved ones. “Nevertheless, even as we pray for the repose of Ms. White’s soul and for her husband’s consolation, we urge you to spare Mr. Bates’s life,” wrote Sheedy. “Every human life, given by God, is sacred.”

The Catholic Church teaches that the death penalty attacks the inviolability of the human person. Life-long incarceration without the possibility of parole is a severe yet more humane punishment that ensures societal safety, allows the guilty the possibility of redemption, and offers finality to court processes. Given our modern penal system, executions are unnecessary.

The Florida Bishops asked all Floridians to join in praying a novena for an end to the use of Florida’s death penalty. The novena was from Aug. 6-14, concluding on the Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who was executed in an Auschwitz prison camp in 1941.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the Florida Bishops will continue to ask the governor to stop signing death warrants. Prayer is powerful!

The Bishop also used his Aug. 29, 2025, Relevant Radio podcast “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane,” to talk about the death penalty.

“At the heart of Catholic teaching on the death penalty is the truth that human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God, and every person’s life has dignity and worth, ‘no matter the harm one has suffered or caused,’” Bishop Dewane said.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network in Washington, D.C., said the actions of Gov. DeSantis are fueling a nationwide uptick in capital punishment. Nationally, we have already seen more executions this year than in any year in the past decade, and it is only August.

Vaillancourt Murphy shared that during a visit to the Vatican she was able to meet Pope Francis and encourage him to ask then-President Joseph Biden to pardon all federal death row inmates. The Holy Father made a public appeal and Biden did grant the pardons before leaving office in January 2025.

During the radio show, Bob Hiniker, Coordinator of Prison Outreach in the Diocese of Venice, and Father Luis Pacheco, Pastor of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, spoke about the alternative to the death penalty – life in prison, and prison ministry in general.

Father Pacheco and Hiniker visit prisons regularly and spoke about how prison outreach seeks to bring the Gospel to those who are incarcerated, their families, their victims and those who work in the justice system. Prison outreach offers Bible study, religious education and assistance with receiving the sacraments such as Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

If you are interested in volunteering for prison ministry, please contact Bob Hiniker at 863-558-0407 or hinbob5@hotmail.com. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable.

“Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” can be heard on Relevant Radio on 1410 AM and 106.7 FM in Fort Myers and 1660 AM and 93.3 FM in Naples at 8:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month (Aug. 29), or anytime at www.dioceseofvenice.org/ourbishop.

At San Pedro Parish in North Port, Deacon Richard Frohmiller led the prayer vigil and said they were there not to debate the guilt or innocence of Bates, but to pray for his soul, and the souls of all who have been put to death by the State on our “behalf.”

“We are taught to respect the dignity of every person and we pray that we are never silent about the deliberate taking of a life,” Deacon Frohmiller said.

The prayer service included hymns and a reading from the Gospel of Matthew 5:38-48, when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.” Jesus teaches that we should step beyond we perceive as our right and to respond with love. While the Old Testament includes some passages about taking the life of one who kills, the Old Testament and the teaching of Christ in the New Testament call us to protect life, practice mercy, and reject vengeance.

The North Port group also prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and offered intercessions seeking a change to the laws which allow capital punishment in Florida and elsewhere. The prayer service poignantly paused at 6 p.m. (the time of the execution) to pray in silence.

Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in Florida in 1976, 116 people have been put to death, including Bates. Death warrants have already been signed for two more. Curtis Windom, 59, is set to become the 11th person executed in Florida on Aug. 28. He was convicted of killing three people in the Orlando area in 1992.

David Pittman, 63, will be the 12th person executed in Florida if his death sentence is carried out as scheduled on Sept. 17. He was found guilty of fatally stabbing his estranged wife’s sister and parents at their Polk County home before setting it on fire in 1990.

Deacon Frohmiller said he will hold a prayer vigil for each scheduled execution, no matter how often they occur. “It is frustrating that this is happening, but we are called to pray, and will continue to do so until executions end in Florida.” The vigils at San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port, begin at 5:30 p.m. and last less than an hour. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Disciples of Christ on their way: One week in and students are fully engaged

Posted on August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The ubiquitous car line, the trudging of feet in the hallways, the ringing of the first bell, morning prayers and then classroom instruction, are scenes repeated each day at the 15 Diocese of Venice Catholic schools since the start of the 2025-2026 Academic Year on Aug. 11, 2025, with the full complement of 6,700 students engaged in schoolwork by Aug. 13.

The first days were full of everyone figuring out where to go, reuniting with old friends or making new ones, participating in their first academic lessons and taking part in a myriad of extracurricular activities.

At Diocesan Catholic schools, each student attended an opening Mass, either the first day of school, or within the first week, with most taking place on Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, celebrated Mass on the Solemnity for the students at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. Father Belmonte stressed the word “belief” as a keyword to focus on throughout this school year. He described it as the most important word in the history of the world, “it is of course why we are gathered here; we believe.”

Challenging the high schoolers, Father Belmonte said as they go through the school year, and life, there is one question that will guide their spiritual life. “What do you want? God wants to help you answer that question,” Father said.

The STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) learning model, which was introduced in the 2020-2021 school year, is fully implemented in all classrooms. This effort includes incorporated renewed emphasis on Diocesan Catholic Curriculum Standards as part of the Diocesan curriculum called, “The Gifts of Christ: Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Affability, Fortitude, Humility, and Prudence.”

This approach, fully supported by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, places students ahead of the curve in primary fields while continuing to promote core Catholic virtues by helping students to develop cognitive thought processes and gain skills such as leadership, communication, complex problem solving, teamwork and creativity. The intention is to ensure religion and faith permeate everything in the Diocesan Catholic schools.

All 15 Diocesan Catholic schools work conscientiously to provide Christ-centered learning experiences that are translatable to the real world, providing children with the tools they need to be successful beyond the classroom.

Enrollment numbers throughout the Diocese are up 40 percent over the past four years to a new record exceeding 6,700. The largest enrollment increase occurred at Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria, with the welcoming of 175 students this year thanks to the installation of mobile classrooms.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School students in Fort Myers returned to the classroom to find their sports/recess field was refurbished during the summer. The old grass was removed and the field leveled, as new grass and a full irrigation system were installed, creating a safer, greener, and more enjoyable space for the students.

St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples held a House Retreat Day, where new students are assigned to one of four Houses which will serve as their center of social and school spirit activities. Each of the four teams competes for points to earn different rewards or prizes throughout the year, with a trophy for the winners at the end.

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota rolled out its new House Program with an Aug. 14 celebratory Pep Rally. Members of each of the six houses gathered in the gymnasium for fun and games.

On the gridiron, the Bishop Verot Catholic High School football team opened their season at home on Aug. 15 against St. John Neumann. Bishop Verot won 38-7.

Just before school began, the three Catholic schools in Lee County were the beneficiary of the Catholic Schools Spirit Night on Aug. 8, at The Mighty Mussels minor league baseball game at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Part of the proceeds benefitted Bishop Verot, St. Francis Xavier, as well as St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral.

For more information about Diocesan Catholic Schools, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/catholicschools/.

Keep checking the weekly Florida Catholic e-edition as the school year progresses to learn more about the exciting things taking place for the students at Diocese of Venice Catholic schools.

New Community Pregnancy Clinics headquarters blessed

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The new headquarters for the largest network of pregnancy resource clinics in the state of Florida was formally blessed in Naples on Aug. 15, 2025, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father Tomasz Zalewski, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, assisted by Parish Parochial Vicar Father Jacob Gwynn, led a prayer service and blessing for the headquarters of Community Pregnancy Clinics (CPCI), 661 Goodlette-Frank Rd. Suite 101, Naples.

Father Zalewski praised CPCI for helping mothers in need through care and compassion, supporting life in a most fundamental way.

Scott Baier, CEO Community Pregnancy Clinics, told supporters at the blessing ceremony how the new headquarters represents not just a new address, but a new chapter in the story of “hope, life, and transformation that you’ve helped write.”

Baier said the day of the blessing intentionally fell on the Solemnity to the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, the earthly Mother of Jesus, and added that this is a milestone moment for the ministry of CPCI, a mission which continues to grow and deepen with every mother it serves.

“This move isn’t just about walls and windows, it is about opening new doors for women to walk through in their greatest moment of need,” Baier said. “Thanks to your faithful support, we are able to provide all services free of charge, ensuring that no woman ever feels like abortion is her only option because of financial pressure or lack of support.”

Since 1974, what started as a volunteer-run ministry has now grown into a statewide medical organization that saves, on average, over one thousand babies from abortion every year. In 2024, 1,381 babies were saved from abortion in Florida. That number represents more than the saved child; it denotes a positive trajectory for the mother, the family and the community as a whole, for each life is a precious gift of God, and part of God’s plan.

CPCI has two clinics in Naples, including one across from a Planned Parenthood abortion facility, and one each in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Gainesville, as well as two mobile medical clinics.

CPCI offers the following:

Pregnancy Testing and Ultrasounds – Early confirmation of pregnancy and viability provides clarity and hope.
Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) – Immediate medical support for women who regret starting a chemical abortion and want to continue their pregnancy.
STI Testing & Treatment – Free, confidential STI testing, helping women protect their health and make informed, empowered choices
Material Support – Diapers, formula, clothing, baby gear, and maternity items help moms feel prepared and supported both during and after pregnancy.
Parenting Education & Mentorship – One-on-one guidance classes build confidence and equip moms and dads for long-term success.
Community Referrals & Emotional Support – Connecting women to the resources they need to thrive, from housing and counseling to prenatal care and more.

“CPCI is revolutionizing the world of pregnancy and reproductive healthcare by providing life-affirming solutions to real-world problems, saving thousands of lives each year as a result,” Baier said.

Following the prayer service, Father Zalewski went to each room of the clinic with Holy Water to bless the building and its mission. Afterwards, guests were given a tour of the new headquarters.

If you would like to learn more about Community Pregnancy Clinics, or support their mission, please visit. https://supportcpci.com/.

New principal named for St. Elizabeth Seton in Naple

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Bishop Frank J. Dewane welcomes Dr. Marcel Brown as Principal of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples. Brown assumed the position on July 1, 2025.

Prior to joining Bishop Dewane’s mission of evangelization in the schools of the Diocese of Venice, Brown served as head of two classical Pre-K-12 schools in the Diocese of Tulsa. There, his imperative was to turn around a struggling, inner-city Cathedral school, heading the conversion of the school to a classical curriculum and a much stronger Catholic culture. In four short years, he doubled the faculty, and welcomed 240 new students.

Brown holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. from The Catholic University of America and a B.A. from The University of Dallas. At the University of Dallas, he also completed a Concentration in classical languages and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest liberal arts honors society (est. 1776). Dr. Brown’s essays on Catholicism, the liberal arts, and culture have been published in The Adoremus Bulletin, Crisis Magazine, Catholic News Agency, and Vatican News. Dr. Brown has been interviewed by The Drew Mariani Show (on Relevant Radio), The Catholic Man Show (on St. Michael Catholic Radio), and Vatican News.

In 2024, Dr. Brown was commissioned to write a play depicting the Life of St. Rita of Cascia – Winter’s Rose – in honor of the centennial of his former Parish in Alexandria, Virginia. Brown is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Brown and his wife have been blessed with 10 children and are spirited advocates of the Evangelium Vitae, the 1995 “Gospel of Life” encyclical of St. John Paul II.

Brown’s hopes for St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School are twofold: working in close collaboration with the Pastor, Father Casey Jones, he wishes to strengthen the school’s Catholic culture and, over the course of the coming years, move the Seton community towards a deeply and authentically classical, Catholic formation centered on the mystery of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. He is encouraged in this effort by the words of The Congregation for Catholic Education, which in 1988 wrote, “The systematic genius of classical Greek and European thought has … given us a set of truths which we can recognize as a part of our permanent philosophical heritage” (The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, para. 57).

News Briefs for the week of August 22, 2025

Posted on August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Marilyn Brummer Fund grant deadline Aug. 31

The deadline to apply for the Marilyn Brummer Fund of Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida (CCF) is Aug. 31, 2025. Brummer was a devout Catholic and an active parishioner at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. She was incredibly generous with her time, her talent, and her treasure in order to make a difference in the lives of others, especially students and the most vulnerable among us. As a part of her Catholic Legacy, and through a generous gift from her estate, Marilyn created a fund with CCF to continue supporting causes which she cared about most, long after she is gone. This year, the CCF will be awarding a total of $108,000 in grants to programs, projects, or entities that are located in, and associated with, the Diocese of Venice. The program, project or entity must be involved in one of the following areas: anti-human trafficking assistance; programs that assist single mothers; and/or the Children’s Center of Catholic Charities in Fort Myers. Grant applications must be submitted online and can be found on the CCF website ccfdioceseofvenice.org, under “Community Grants.” For questions, contact the Foundation at CCF@dioceseofvenice.or or 941-441-1124.

Carlo Acutis Movie Now Streaming: Watch!

On Sept. 7, 2025, we will witness a historic moment: the canonization of two young men who continue to inspire countless people around the world, Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. These two men will join the long list of young Saints in the Church, offering today’s generation a powerful example of virtue and commitment. Their lives bring the concept of Holiness closer to young people, showing that it is not some distant ideal but an urgent call to live out Christian virtues and give witness to faith in a world deeply polarized and wounded by sin. Learn more about one of these future saints, Carlo Acutis, by streaming “Carlo Acutis, Roadmap to Reality;” this moving documentary not only tells the story of Carlo’s life and his remarkable gifts but also paints a vivid picture of spirituality in the digital age and the profound impact his witness has on young people. The National Eucharistic Revival is offering a 20 percent discount for the rental with the code REVIVAL20 for a limited time. Visit https://watchcredo.com/ to stream the film.

Walking with Purpose Bible study coming to Naples

Jubilee Monthly Days of Prayer Sept. 10 and 14

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children

Naples Catholic singles potluck and social event Sept. 13

St. Andrew Catholic School golf tournament Sept. 13

Registration open for Together in Holiness Marriage Enrichment Conference

Young Adult Spanish Retreat Sept. 13 in Naples

St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, is hosting a 2025 Young Adult Spanish Retreat, ¿Cómo nos llega el texto bíblico?, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 13, 2025. The Young Adult Retreat is designed to reach bilingual and Spanish-speaking young adults, inviting them to a time of spiritual renewal, connection, and growth in the Naples community. The retreat will include worship, teaching, small groups, and opportunities for rest and fellowship. For more information, please contact Alejandra Alvarado, St. John Paul II Young Adult Group Coordinator at 305-209-2225.

Retiro de español para jóvenes adultos el 13 de septiembre en Naples

La Parroquia San Pedro Apóstol, ubicada en 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, organiza el Retiro de Español para Jóvenes Adultos 2025, “¿Cómo nos llega el texto bíblico?”, de 7:30 a. m. a 7:30 p. m., el 13 de septiembre de 2025. Este retiro está diseñado para conectar con jóvenes adultos bilingües e hispanohablantes, invitándolos a un tiempo de renovación espiritual, conexión y crecimiento en la comunidad de Naples. El retiro incluirá culto, enseñanza, grupos pequeños y oportunidades de descanso y convivencia. Para más información, comuníquese con Alejandra Alvarado, Coordinadora del Grupo de Jóvenes Adultos de San Juan Pablo II, al 305-209-2225.

Naples school hosting “Dueling Pianos” event Sept. 13

The St. Ann Catholic School Home and School Association presents “Dueling Pianos,” 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 13, at the St. Ann Jubilee Center, 985 3^rd St. S., Naples. This is a first of its kind adults-only event held to support St. Ann Catholic School. Tickets are $75 and include a live performance, catered food, and adult beverages. Join in the singing, dancing, and laughing all night long. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 4, at https://pci.jotform.com/form/252088122620146.

Natural Family Planning introductory sessions available

Day of Reflection for Sacramental Marriage in September and November

40 Days for Life Fall Campaign

Join the 40 Days for Life 2025 campaign this fall from Sept. 24 to Nov. 2, 2025. This campaign, scheduled for locations in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples, aims to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and peaceful vigil in front of abortion facilities. Participants support the mission by spreading awareness and praying. The Sarasota campaign is hosting a special kickoff at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 26, 2025, in the parking lot of Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc., 1419 7th St., Sarasota. The clinic sits in the shadow of the regional headquarters of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortionist in the country. For more information, please email Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-441-1101.

Laps for Life 5K Oct. 4 in Sarasota

Diocesan Rosary Congress returns in October

Retreat for young women

Single women ages 18-30 who are seeking God’s will in their life are invited to grow deeper in prayer and in their identity as a woman, as well as learn more about discerning religious life during a Fiat Ministries Retreat the weekend of Oct. 10-12, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. This retreat is led by Team Fiat, a dynamic group of lay women passionate about supporting other young women. Additionally, consecrated religious sisters from various religious communities from the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) assist at each retreat, making each one a unique experience. The goal is for the retreatants to walk away with a greater desire to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ while meeting religious sisters. The cost is $50. Registration can be found at https://fiatministries.org/retreats/. For questions, please email Emily at fiatministriesinc@gmail.com.

Ignatian Priest Retreat coming to Retreat Center

Faith & Ale Lee County returns in October

Volunteers needed at Sarasota Catholic Charities Sarasota Office

Support After Abortion help available

Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, simply call or text 941-412-5860, or email in English or Spanish to project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org,. All contacts are confidential.

Thousands of students return to classroom for 2025-2026 school year

Posted on August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The opening bells rang, and tears flowed as more than 6,700 children across the Diocese of Venice returned to school for the 2025-26 Academic Year.

From pre-kindergarten to seniors in high school, the students will face rigorous course work which will develop them academically, physically – and most importantly – spiritually.

On the first day, friendships are renewed, new bonds are formed, and new challenges are accepted by students at every level.

At St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte, Principal Amy Barron and her team of faculty and staff were ready to go as waves of students arrived on campus Aug. 11, 2025, for the first day of school.

Barron and other staff and student safety monitors were outside for the carline – opening doors and greeting familiar and new faces alike. Many parents sought a last minute “First Day of School” photo, with many parents and children saying, “I love you!” before the children headed off to class. Wearing their school uniform – shirt or sweatshirt with the school logo, and blue shorts for the boys and skirts for the girls – the students were tired, but most were excited to be back. New students were shown where to find their homerooms, while returning students were greeted by name, with hugs and fist-bumps.

St. Charles offers a bus service to Arcadia and nearly 60 students arrived to school that way. Exiting the buses the students obediently lined up to wait for a pause in the carline, when they were guided by a teacher across the parking lot.

Some parents escorted the youngest children to the classroom where there were hugs, with parting comments from the parents including: “Have fun!” “Good luck!” “Miss you already!” and “I love you!” Following a few last photos, the parents departed, though a few lingered to watch through the small window on the door for a last glance. Once the parents were gone, everyone quickly settled into their seats comforted in the knowledge that they now had many new friends.

St. Charles has a courtyard where they student body gathers for a morning prayer service. Principal Barron welcomed everyone back: “Good morning, St. Charles!”

The theme for the first day was “Our future’s so BRIGHT we gotta wear SHADES!” which is based on a popular 1980s song by Timbuk 3. Each student was provided with a pair of sunglasses, which they wore during morning prayer.

“We are going to have a bright and exciting year. I know I can’t wait and I hope you can’t either,” Barron said.

Father John Fitch, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish welcomed the students, saying that he prayed that the year ahead would be “filled with truth, beauty, and goodness.”

These scenes were repeated at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools. The high schools had less tears and more fun as those students settled into their year. At each Diocesan Catholic high school – Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota, St. John Neumann in Naples and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria – there were special “Senior Sunrise” welcomes for the graduating class of 2026. These gatherings take place on the respective football fields and are traditions at each of the schools, and include breakfast, a class photo and some fun for everyone – and yes, it is at sunrise!.

At Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota, the first day included a Mass and orientation, with classes beginning on Aug. 12. The Knights of Columbus Incarnation Council 15322 offered a Back to School BBQ.

Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice, St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton and St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples start the year with new principals.

Of note, this year, St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota marks its 75th year, while St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral is celebrating 35 years.

Each school was completely open by Aug. 13, with some staggering their starts over two days.

All 15 Diocesan Catholic schools are at or near capacity with extensive waiting pools at several schools. Final enrollment numbers are expected to exceed 6,700, an increase of 40 percent in the past five years. In fact, Diocese of Venice Catholic schools are the fastest growing Catholic school system in the country.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said each Diocesan Catholic school works conscientiously “to provide Christ-centered learning experiences that are translatable to the real world, providing children with the tools they need to be successful beyond the classroom. In the Diocese of Venice, we do that well.”

Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, said there is a stress to continue to develop a strong “Catholic School Culture.”

“This culture is the vision, values, systems, language, expectations, behaviors, and beliefs that increase a school’s and Diocese’s chances of accomplishing the strategy of fulfilling its mission: to introduce the world to its Savior,” Father Belmonte said.

For more information about Diocesan Catholic Schools, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/catholicschools/.

Assumption: dedicated to Mary Most Holy – Holy day of obligation on Aug. 15

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Bob Reddy

“At the conclusion of Her earthly life, the Mother of Christ was raised in soul and body to Heaven, that is, in the glory of eternal life, in the full communion with God,” said Pope Francis when describing why on Aug. 15 the Church celebrates one of the most important feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: the Solemnity of Her Assumption.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Assumption as follows: “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body” (CCC 974).

Bishop Frank J. Dewane stated, “Since death and the corruption of the human body is a consequence of sin, it would not be right that the Virgin Mary – who is free from sin – should be affected by this natural law. It is a privilege granted to Mary, as the Mother of Jesus.”

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation. According to Church doctrine, Holy Days of Obligation are feast days on which Catholics are required to attend Mass and to avoid (to the extent that they are able) servile work.

In celebration of this important Solemnity, Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice offer additional Masses to allow the faithful to participate in this Holy Day of Obligation. In addition, Diocesan Catholic Schools also celebrate school-wide Masses.

Pope Francis said that “Mary’s Assumption is a great mystery that concerns each one of us; it concerns our future. Mary precedes us on the way in which all those go, through baptism, have bound their life to Jesus, as Mary bound her life to Him. (This) Feast pre-announces the ‘new heavens and the new earth,’ with the risen Christ’s victory over death and the definitive defeat of the Evil One.”

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to celebrate the Mass of the Solemnity at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova at Castel Gandolfo. This is a return to the Papal tradition of hosting a public celebration of Mass of the Solemnity. Pope Francis only did so in 2013 at Castel Gandolfo, and in 2014 during an apostolic journey to South Korea. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the Solemnity every Aug. 15 at Castel Gandolfo.

This Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the oldest celebration of Our Lady. The original celebration, known as the “Memory of Mary” or “Falling Asleep of Mary” initially centered on the end of her earthly existence, and is commonly known as her “dormition.”

Soon the name was changed to the “Assumption of Mary,” since there was much more to the feast than the end of her earthly life. The belief that Mary had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven dates back to the Apostles themselves.

Clear from the beginning was that there were no relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of Jerusalem near the site of the end of her earthly existence or dormition. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.)

In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church, therefore, an ancient belief became Catholic Doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God.

The declaration of the dogma was to “make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective,” Pope Pius XII stated in a proclamation.

The proclamation went on to say that the definition of the Assumption “will contribute in no small way to the advantage of human society, since it (reflects and builds up) the glory of the Most Blessed Trinity, to which the Blessed Mother of God is bound by such singular bonds.”

It was also expected that the faithful would be called to a stronger piety toward their heavenly Mother and that those who meditate upon the glorious example Mary offers, be more convinced of the value of a human life entirely devoted to carrying out the heavenly Father’s will and to bringing good to others.

All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her part in the work of redemption. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood, celebrated both at Christmas and a week later (Jan. 1) on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) marks the preparation for that motherhood, so that she had the fullness of grace from the first moment of her existence, completely untouched by sin. The Assumption completes God’s work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption.

Prayer for the Feast of the Assumption

Almighty God,

You gave a humble Virgin the privilege of being mother of your Son,

and crowned her with the glory of heaven.

May the prayers of the Virgin Mary bring us to the salvation of Christ

and raise us up to eternal life.

We ask this though our Lord Jesus Christ your Son

who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever,

Amen.

Volunteers serve vital function – critical need throughout Diocese

Posted on August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Community service is one of the most practical ways to share your Catholic faith with others. Each day numerous men and women volunteer their time and talent to various organizations within the Diocese of Venice, including Parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, retreat centers, and more.

Whether serving a meal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, helping to do paperwork at the Catholic Charities office in Sarasota, ministering to those who are incarcerated in one of the many jails and prisons, or being a Sidewalk Advocate encouraging women to choose the life of their child over abortion, each volunteer makes a difference.

“The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat others, as if they were Christ in disguise,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane. “The Catholic Church has long relied on dedicated volunteers to do its good works. When you volunteer, your actions respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life.”

The seven Corporal Works of Mercy are: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.

“By embodying love, charity, and compassion in your deeds, you inspire those around you to explore their own faith and consider the role of God in their lives,” Bishop Dewane said. “Making service a part of your life is a valuable way to answer God’s call to show love, foster unity, and share His grace with others.”

Pope Francis, in an address from his hospital bed to the participants at Jubilee of Volunteers in Rome on March 10, 2025, said “in the deserts of poverty and loneliness, little gestures of freely given service make the shoots of a new humanity flourish… Volunteers bear witness to the primacy of gratuitousness, solidarity and service to those most in need… In our societies, excessively enslaved to market logic, where everything risks being subject to the criterion of interest and the quest for profit, volunteering is prophecy and a sign of hope.”

Pope Leo XIV recently spoke about doing good for others: “May our return to the roots of our faith make all of us experience the gift of God’s consolation and make us capable, like the Good Samaritan, of pouring out the oil of consolation and the wine of gladness on today’s humanity.”

The following are areas of need within the Diocese of Venice where volunteers are urgently needed:

Catholic Charities Sarasota Office

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center

Many hands make light work. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice provides a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come seeking transformation in Christ. Aid OLPH in continuing its service to the faith community. Areas of need include gardening, dishwashing, dining room, answering the phones and more. For more information, or to sign-up, please call 941-486-0233, or email info@olph-retreat.org.

Sidewalk Advocate

Sidewalk Advocates for Life needs sidewalk advocates and prayer partners at the Fort Myers location, 6418 Commerce Park Drive. Advocates are a gentle, prayerful presence at Planned Parenthood, offering abortion-minded women loving, life-affirming options. Excellent virtual training for volunteers is immediately available, and volunteers are able to sign up for shifts convenient for their schedule. For more information, contact Sidewalk Advocates for Life co-leaders, Bob Reynolds 267-733-2737, rgrcons1@gmail.com, or Cyrille Velasco 917-991-6147, cyrillevelasco@gmail.com.

Prison Outreach

The men and women volunteers who enter the jails and prisons scattered throughout the Diocese of Venice serve a crucial role to a segment of society that is too commonly dismissed and forgotten. Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach in 10 county jails, five state prisons and one civil commitment facility. The outreach provides a variety of services, including Bible study, religious education and assistance with receiving the sacraments such as Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.

These are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities within the Diocese of Venice. Please contact your local Parish, Catholic school or other Catholic organization to learn where you can put your skills to work for the betterment of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you!

Continue to pray for the safety during the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The first two months of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season are behind us and included three named storms; the peak of the season is coming. Therefore, a prayer is presented here by which one asks God for protection and safety from the storms that often threaten Southwest Florida. Please pray for safety during Hurricane Season (June 1-Nov. 30).

Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season

O God, Master of this passing world,

hear the humble voices of your children.

The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order

and returned to its former quietude.

You are still the Master of land and sea.

We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control:

the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant,

can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and spread chaos and disaster.

During this hurricane season we turn to You, O loving Father.

Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid

and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with passing of time.

O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our beloved Mother, we ask you

to plead with your Son on our behalf,

so that spared from the calamities common to this area

and animated with a true spirit of gratitude,

we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son

to reach the heavenly Jerusalem,

where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen.

Oración para la temporada de huracanes

O Dios, Señor de este mundo pasajero,

escucha la humilde voz de tus hijos.

El Mar de Galilea obedeció Tu orden

y volvió a su anterior quietud.

Tu todavía eres el Señor de tierra y mar.

Vivimos en la sombra del peligro sobre el cual no tenemos control;

el Golfo, como un violento gigante, puede despertar de su aparente letargo,

sobrepasar sus límites, invadir nuestra tierra y sembrar caos y desastre.

Durante esta temporada de huracanes acudimos a Ti, O Padre Misericordioso.

Líbranos de tragedias como las pasadas que están tan vivas en nuestra

memoria y cuyas heridas rehúsan ser curadas con el paso del tiempo.

O Virgen, Estrella del Mar, nuestra amada Madre, te pedimos

que intercedas ante tu Hijo por nosotros,

para que nos libre de las calamidades comunes a esta área,

y animados con un verdadero espíritu de gratitude

caminemos en los pasos de tu Divino Hijo

para llegar a la Jerusalén Celestial,

donde una eternidad sin tormentas nos espera. Amen.