Author: Bob Reddy

Bishop breaks ground for a Parish Activity Center in Lakewood Ranch

Posted on by Bob Reddy

With hundreds looking on and cheering their support, ground was broken on Nov. 4, 2023, for the new Our Lady of the Angels Parish Activity Center and rectory in Lakewood Ranch.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane led a brief prayer service and blessing before picking up a shovel to take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

“This Parish Activity Center is something that could not have been imagined just a few years ago, and now it is something that is needed for your growing, faith-filled Parish,” Bishop Dewane said.

Father Sebastian Szczawínski, S.A.C., Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels, remarked that he was very grateful for the support and prayers for the campaign which made the groundbreaking possible.

“This is for children and adults who are going to learn about Jesus – how to live a good life, how to live a proper life, connected to Christ,” Father Szczawínski said.

The new 12,580-foot Parish Activity Center will be located on the west side of the Parish property. In addition, there will be a duplex rectory constructed for the Pastor and Parochial Vicar in the northwest corner of the property. The project is expected to take 12-16 months to complete.

Under the guidance of Bishop Dewane and Father Szczawínski, the Parish ran a “Building Our Future” capital campaign during the past two years to help make the Parish Activity Center and rectory a reality.

The new activity center will more than double the existing facilities and will service the needs of an ever-growing community. The activity center will be a one-story building and will house 10 rooms of various sizes for use in ministries and programs. The new structure will serve the needs of the nearly 500 1st – 12th grade Faith Formation students and support the more than 40 outreach ministries and groups of the Parish. The current Parish Hall, which was recently renovated, will remain, and be used for meetings and events as needed.

The construction of a rectory will bring the clergy from off-campus living arrangements to be on-campus and within walking distance of Our Lady of Angels. The new duplex will be a two-bedroom, two-bathroom structure.

The architect for the project is PRA Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP – John Holtz, partner, and the general contractor is ME&S general Contractors, Inc.

Joining Bishop Dewane and Father Szczawínski in the groundbreaking were priests and Deacons who serve the Parish. Members of the Parish Finance Council also turned dirt, as well as many others who were pivotal in making the project a reality.

Our Lady of the Angels serves 3,138 registered families in the growing Lakewood Ranch community with up to seven weekend Masses offered during the peak season.

For more information about Our Lady of the Angels, visit olangelscc.org.

40 Days for Life fall campaign: A peaceful protest

Posted on by Bob Reddy

All life is sacred! For this reason, each fall and spring hundreds gather in front of abortion facilities in the Diocese of Venice praying that unborn children can be saved from the scourge that is abortion.

The 40 Days for Life fall campaign concluded on Nov. 5, 2023, with local efforts taking place in Naples, Sarasota and Fort Myers. The campaign began Sept. 27.

Prayer warriors from Parishes and Diocesan Catholic schools stood faithfully in front of the three Planned Parenthood abortion facilities. One participant in Naples from St. John the Evangelist Parish said she participated in the prayer vigil “because we want to save lives.”

A peaceful, rather than confrontational effort the fall 40 Days for Life prayer campaign took place in more than 681 cities worldwide. The Diocese of Venice has participated since 2007, the year of the first national campaign. To date, 23,664 babies have been saved (277 during the 2023 fall campaign) and 145 abortion centers have been closed.

Many of the moms seeking help are directed to nearby pregnancy help centers. In the case of Sarasota and Naples, there are Community Pregnancy Clinics (CPCI), pro-life, free clinics that provide ultrasounds and extensive support for pregnant mothers. CPCI has medical offices in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. Its mobile van was present at Fort Myers for many of the 40 days, but in particular on days when surgical abortions were scheduled.

In addition, the Diocese of Venice is also a proud partner in the “Walking with Moms in Need” initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This program educates the Parish staff and ultimately the faithful on where to send a pregnant woman for assistance and is available in both English and Spanish.

Jeanne Berdeaux, Diocese of Venice Respect Life Director, said “Walking with Moms in Need” lets the mother know she is not alone in her journey. With the support she needs, more women will decide to parent or make an adoption plan rather than think that abortion is her only option.

“With the ‘Walking with Moms in Need’ program, the Catholic Church works alongside the pregnancy help centers, maternity homes and after birth homes as they continue to work diligently with each mom, the dad and other important family members,” Berdeaux said.

Now that the fall 40 Days for Life campaign has concluded, there will still be prayer warriors who will stand vigil in front of these local abortion facilities throughout the year. Contact your Parish respect life coordinator for details about when the nearest prayer vigil is scheduled.

Looking forward, the 40 Days for Life spring campaign begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, and concludes on Palm Sunday, March 24.

To learn more about how you can help protect life from conception until natural death, please visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife.

Grandparents honored at Neumann

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Grandparents, a vital link to the past – most importantly to the Faith – were welcomed to St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples for a special celebration.

A Grandparents Day celebration on Nov. 3, 2023; opened with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, as students sat with their grandparents in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel. A luncheon followed in the Student Life Center.

During the Mass, Bishop Dewane spoke about the wisdom and knowledge of the faith that older people can share with the young. The Bishop prayed for all grandparents, those present and those who were unable to attend the Mass; but also for those who have gone before us, leaving a void in the lives of their grandchildren.

The Bishop encouraged the grandparents to impart their wisdom by passing along their stories of the family and faith, building the traditions upon which their grandchildren can now stand.

“Grandparents, you are to be the messengers of the word and tradition of the faith life within your family,” Bishop Dewane said. “Leave your impressions upon the family. Speak to them, show them, demonstrate to them, in a spiritual way, who you are.”

Bishop Dewane challenged the grandchildren to take up the traditions learned from their grandparents – the good, the strength, and the knowledge they have from life’s experience. “They will tell you the truth. It is my prayer that the generations go forward sharing the wisdom they have, the grace they have been given by the Lord, and the strength that is our Catholic faith.”

Several grandparents, and their grandchildren, complimented the Bishop for speaking so clearly about their respective roles in the Church – one as mentor and example, the other as respectful listener and observer.

Following the Mass, one grandparent noted that she is proud her grandchildren attend a Catholic High School. “My grandchildren are getting the best education. I tried to pass the faith along to my own children and grandchildren. It is rewarding to see that lesson is being passed down to my grandchildren and enhanced here at St. John Neumann.”

Thousands attend Hispanic Fall Festival

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Beautiful weather accompanied a day filled with food, fun, entertainment and lots of smiling faces for the 19th Annual Hispanic Festival at St. Jude Parish in Sarasota.

An estimated 10,000 people gathered at St. Jude for this event on Nov. 4, 2023, a celebration of both the individual nations and the unified culture of a diverse Parish.

Held annually in early November this annual Festival is the oldest one in Sarasota County to feature authentic Latino food, music and culture. The day includes musical performances and ethnic dancers as well as food from many nations. Throughout the Parish grounds were tents full of a wide variety of foods that left many mouths watering. People attend the event annually from as far away as Naples and Clearwater. It has become a much anticipated and beloved event for the ethnically diverse Sarasota Parish.

The celebration of more than a dozen countries lasted from morning until sunset. Throughout the day, there were performances, offering folk and modern music, and dance. Many proudly wore clothing representing their country of origin.

Martha Perez, 11, enjoyed trying a variety of foods, including papas rellenas from the Cuban food tent, which is a meat-filled potato ball. The highlight of the day for the young girl was the various dancers who wore colorful dresses. “It was so wonderful to see them dancing to such beautiful songs.”

The Hispanic Festival opened with prayer, followed by a “Parade of Flags” as each country represented at the festival was announced, and the respective flags brought forth cheers.

As a bilingual Parish, the members of both the English and the Spanish speaking congregation at St. Jude participated and volunteered to staff the booths.

Whether it was the food, the music, the dancing, or the joy of being around so many happy people, the Hispanic Festival was a success by any measure.

The proceeds of the Hispanic Festival go to support the various outreach efforts of St. Jude Parish, including a food pantry and other programs which help countless families throughout the year.

News Briefs for the Week of November 10, 2023

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Parish joins Knights in supporting vocations

The 25th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Bob Kantor, Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples, was a cause for celebration on the weekend of Oct. 28-29, 2023. The celebration served the dual purpose of supporting vocations as well as honoring Father Kantor. A special second collection was held to raise funds for the Florida Knights of Columbus Charities Vocations Fund. The fifth Sunday of a month is used for charitable causes outside of the Parish. More than $8,000 was collected. The monies will be designated for use in support of seminarians studying for the Diocese of Venice. Father Kantor serves as State Chaplain for the Knights’ Florida State Council. The timing of the support coincides with National Vocations Awareness Week which was Nov. 5-11.

Students learn computer coding

Sixth-grade students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral had an incomparable opportunity on Nov. 7, 2023, delving into the world of computer coding with the help of Jason Castaldo, a teacher from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. Under the guidance, inspiration, and expertise of Castaldo, the students explored the fascinating realm of programming and problem-solving. It was a journey filled with creativity, logical thinking, and the excitement of building digital wonders. Enthusiastically delving into the “Hour of Code” is paving the way for the future of these talented students.

Tasting the World!

Our Lady of Grace Parish in Avon Park hosted its annual International Food Festival on Nov. 5, 2023, in the Parish Center. Participants had the opportunity to “taste the world” in this culinary journey, sharing the flavors of their culture with food from many different countries, such as Colombia, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and more. There were even hot dogs, ice cream, and popcorn for the little ones.

Students gather in the form of a Cross

Students at St. Ann Catholic School in Naples gathered Nov. 6, 2023, on the soccer field to stand in the form of a cross. This is an annual tradition at the school which is a fun day outside for the students as they gather in the form of an important symbol of the faith. The school has experienced rapid growth in recent years with enrollment topping 425, up 40 percent since 2020.

Parish celebrates All Saints’ Day with relics

For the second year in a row, Incarnation Parish in Sarasota had a special display set up for All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1, 2023). Saint relics, on loan from parishioners, were put on display for people to visit between Masses on the Solemnity. Many lined up to view the relics, touch rosaries to them, and pray for the powerful intercession of the Saints. The Second Vatican Council recalls that “the Saints have been traditionally honored in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration.” The term “relics of the Saints” principally signifies the bodies – or notable parts of the bodies – of the Saints who, as distinguished members of Christ’s mystical Body and as Temples of the Holy Spirit in virtue of their heroic sanctity, now dwell in Heaven, but who once lived on earth. Objects which belonged to the Saints, such as personal objects, clothes and manuscripts are also considered relics, as are objects which have touched their bodies or tombs such as oils, cloths, and images.

Special collection aids Diocesan hurricane recovery

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Diocese of Venice continues its recovery from Hurricane Ian which devastated the region on Sept. 28, 2022, with winds up to 155 mph and storm surge and flooding rains.

The recovery has been aided thanks to the kindness of many who saw the plight of the Parishes in the Diocese of Venice and contributed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2022 Special Collection for the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund. The Diocese of Venice has been awarded $1.383 million from the USCCB collection.

Since the time of the founding of the Diocese in 1984, the faithful have generously responded to help others through special collections, and now this generosity is coming back to our own Diocese, as it did following Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said he was personally grateful, on behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Venice, “to all of the people who contributed to the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund Special Collection in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The devastation to communities in the area, and even to the infrastructure of the Diocese, was catastrophic. Even today, as families continue the process of rebuilding, so do our Diocesan Parishes. I also wish to thank my fellow Bishops who saw the need in the Diocese of Venice and were generous to those Parishes who were most burdened financially when disaster struck.”

Ian took a heavy toll on the Diocese of Venice, with more than 685 reports of damage to various structures. Significant damage was found in more than 400 structures, including at 30 Parishes and 10 Catholic schools, as well as at many other Diocesan entities. The resulting cost to rebuild exceeded what many Parishes could begin to manage.

Bishop Dewane, on behalf of the Diocese of Venice, made a formal request for grant money raised through the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund. This application included a complete description of damages, with accompanying photos, as well as the entities financial situations.

At a USCCB meeting, the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions awarded a $1.383 million grant from the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund to the Diocese of Venice. This grant money was designated to assist 13 Parishes in the Diocese that serve impoverished communities and had sustained severe damage from Hurricane Ian. The funds received covered a significant portion of the insurance deductibles – in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars – and costs that Parishes owed for new roofs, mold mitigation, and other repairs that otherwise didn’t have resources.

Parishes receiving a portion of the grant monies included Jesus the Worker (San Jose Mission), Fort Myers; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Sarasota; San Antonio, Port Charlotte; St. Andrew, Cape Coral; St. Catherine, Sebring; St. Charles Borromeo, Port Charlotte; St. James, Lake Placid; St. Joseph the Worker, Moore Haven; St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral; St. Maximilian Kolbe, Port Charlotte; St. Michael, Wauchula; St. Paul, Arcadia; and St. Francis Xavier, Fort Myers.

The Bishops’ Emergency Disaster fund was established as a way for Dioceses to take up special collections in response to disasters and humanitarian crises. The fund supports USCCB efforts for pastoral and reconstruction efforts.

“St. Paul wrote that when one Christian suffers, all Christians suffer – because we are all part of one Body of Christ,” said Bishop James S. Wall of Gallup, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on National Collections. “That unity is the heart of (special) collections. They bring faith, hope, and love to people in despair… and to disaster victims in our own nation.”

Bishop Dewane and Diocese of Venice Chancellor Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk visited impacted Parishes to see firsthand the extent of the damages and to learn of specific financial hardship. Parishes reported severe damage to churches, rectories and other Parish facilities.

Grant awards were announced in July, with the Diocese of Venice awarded $1.383 million. Smeryk said the grants assisted substantially in helping the most impoverished Parishes to recover from Ian faster than would otherwise have been possible.

In addition to the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund grants, the Diocese was also the beneficiary of emergency grants from Catholic Charities USA in the weeks following the storm, support which continues to this day. This support went to the immediate disaster response, helping people with emergency supplies such as food and water. Catholic Charities USA’s generous contribution continues to help even today, now providing long-term disaster recovery and financial assistance for families who continue to rebuild from Hurricane Ian more than one year later.

All encouraged to attend 14th Annual Catholic Mass on Veterans Day

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Diocese of Venice will be hosting the 14th Annual Catholic Mass on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the best way we can honor our veterans, both living and deceased, to whom we owe a great debt,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane. “This commemorative Mass reminds us not only of veterans’ service and sacrifice, but also of the great luxury of our personal freedoms. We are blessed!”

The Mass at 3 p.m., preceded by an opening ceremony at 2:45 p.m., is held with the intention of thanking and honoring all men and women who have served our country, many of whom are laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery. It is also an opportunity to honor and pray for those who continue to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. All military service personnel, both active and retired, are encouraged to wear their uniforms to the Mass.

Organized by the Diocese of Venice, the annual Mass started in 2010, just two years after the National Cemetery was dedicated. Since that time, the cemetery and Mass have grown. More than 25,000 veterans and their spouses are interred in the National Cemetery since opening. The Diocese is grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Sarasota National Cemetery. This effort to honor veterans is assisted every year by the Knights of Columbus, who work diligently to support this annual event.

The opening ceremony will include patriotic music, hymns, as well as the Presenting and Posting of the Colors. The Mass, concelebrated by priests from across the Diocese of Venice, will follow immediately.

After the Mass, Bishop Dewane and concelebrating priests, escorted by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, will proceed to the nearby graves where they will stand in silent prayer as “Taps” is played.

A military display will be nearby with flags representing the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.

Sarasota National Cemetery is located on State Road 72 (exit 205 at Clark Road), approximately four miles east of Interstate 75. Ample parking is provided, and golf cart shuttles will be available for those in need of assistance. A water station and restrooms will be in place for the ceremony, but visitors are encouraged to wear a hat and sunscreen. Everyone is encouraged to arrive early.

Stadium Plaza dedicated to longtime teacher/coach

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Coach Mike Gill has been a presence on the campus of Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers for more than five decades, first as a student and then as a coach and a teacher for the past 52 years.

To honor his legacy, the newly constructed “Coach Gill Plaza” was dedicated to honor a man who has had a lasting impact on the Bishop Verot community. The plaza, complete with a cross, fencing, new pavers, and dedicated entrances, serves as the newly renovated entrance to the Viking Stadium which serves as home to numerous Verot sports teams, including football, track and others.

More than 150 family members, friends, Viking alumni, faculty, staff and current students were present for the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 27, 2023, prior to the final regular season home game. Representing the Diocese was Jesuit Father John Belmonte, Superintendent of Catholic Education.

Verot Principal Suzie O’Grady lauded Gill for making an indelible mark on the Verot community, as mentor and friend to students, faculty, and staff for many decades. O’Grady also thanked the many supporters of the project and noted how appropriate it was to honor a man who means so much to the greater Verot community, with a legacy that goes beyond any words of praise.

Gill said he was privileged and humbled by the dedication of the plaza in his name, saying that in the crowd present to honor him were people more worthy of such an honor.

“I don’t deserve this,” Gill said. “I don’t need my name up there. Bishop Verot has given me more in my tenure than I could ever repay. It is the people that make up the Viking nation; that’s what is impressive, all of you.”

Equestrian Order reflects on Feast Day, violence in the Holy Land

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem are entrusted with an important mission from the Holy Father – to serve as witnesses to the Christian faith, and as supporters and protectors of the Church and the living Christian communities in the Holy Land.

While always important, this mission has a renewed urgency as violence in the Holy Land has increased since terrorists attacked Israel in early October, putting the entire region, including Christians and sacred sites, in peril.

Given the war in the Holy Land, the timing of the annual gathering of the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order within the Diocese of Venice for the Order’s Patroness Feast Day, Our Lady of Palestine, was particularly poignant.

The Mass took place Oct. 28, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, with Jesuit Father John Belmonte, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, standing in for Bishop Frank J. Dewane who was unable to participate.

Bishop Dewane did send his regrets for being unable to attend and shared a message of fraternity and support to the Knights and Dames and their continued mission through Father Belmonte.

Father Belmonte opened the Mass with a Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land, following the example of Pope Francis, who called the entire world to pray for peace in the Holy Land. In his message, Pope Francis called upon Catholics to take the side of peace in the conflict, not with words, but with “prayer and total dedication.”

“War solves no problems,” said Pope Francis. “It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future.”

During this time of shocking atrocities, Father Belmonte said the solitary voice of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made an incredible gesture of sacrifice. Cardinal Pizzaballa, who is Grand Prior of the Equestrian Order, in an act of “moral courage, in a living witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, offered himself as a living ransom for the children who are being held captive in Gaza by terrorists.”

“It is at a time like this when we turn to Our Lady for peace and comfort, as our devotion to Our Lady is truly limitless,” Father Belmonte said.

The Mass concluded with Father Belmonte leading the Knights and Dames in an additional Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land, written by fellow Jesuit Father David Neuhaus, Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, for Migrants and Hebrew-speaking Catholics.

Following the Mass, the Knights and Dames attended a luncheon which included an informal meeting.

Sir John J. DeStefano, KGCHS, the President of the Diocese of Venice Section of the Equestrian Order, who helped organize the gathering, expressed his gratitude to Father Belmonte for celebrating the Mass, and to Bishop Dewane for his continued support of the Knights and Dames of the Order.

DeStefano also updated the Knights and Dames about the ongoing mission to support those in need in the Holy Land. This is a shift from the direct support of building schools and maintaining churches in the region, as the humanitarian crisis is something that requires immediate attention.

The Order’s mandate originates from the time of the crusader knights who were responsible for protecting the Christian pilgrims traveling to the sacred sites. Today the Order’s members continue to aid the Church in the Holy Land and to strengthen the practice of Christian life amongst its members.

The Equestrian Order exists within the local Dioceses and works closely with the Universal Church in unity of prayer and communion of purpose. Members are chosen from “among persons of a deep and practical Catholic Faith and of unblemished moral conduct, who are particularly worthy of merit in respect to the Order and Catholic good works in the Holy Land.” The Order is present in nearly 40 countries worldwide and there are about 30,000 Knights and Dames of the Order.

The religious character of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is obvious not only in its objectives and requirements for membership but also in the ceremonial investiture of its newly elected Knights. This ceremony combines a profession of faith with the ancient ritual used for the conferral of knighthood. The candidates do not take monastic vows but promise to live an upright Christian life in accordance with the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church, in absolute loyalty to the Supreme Pontiff, as true soldiers of Christ.

Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land

Our Lady, Queen of Palestine, extend your hand over the Holy Land and over all who live there: Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians, Palestinians, Israelis, migrant workers and refugees.

Our Lady, intercede for us all and especially for the Church, the Body of your Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord. We have been sent to preach Good News to all in the land that is yours and His, the land of the patriarchs, kings, prophets, apostles and of the first community formed to walk in the way of your Son, the Mother Church of Jerusalem. This mission needs the courage and the perseverance, the wisdom and the faith that were yours, pray for us.

On your knees He, who was your Lord and Master, learnt to speak and to pray, to act and to obey. We ask you to teach us to speak and to pray, to act and to obey today in the land called to be holy.

In the midst of war and hatred, walls, occupation and discrimination, fear and rejection, instruct us how to be instruments of justice and peace, pardon and reconciliation.

We affirm with you that he is our peace. Show us the way to incarnate in our life as Church both fidelity to your Son and an embracing love for all in this land, especially for those who are the poorest and the most excluded, the homeless, the refugees, the prisoners, those who are maltreated, oppressed and are victims of injustice.

Our Lady, Queen of Palestine, you are our mother, given to us by your Son on the Cross. With you, we are called to be witnesses to the Resurrection that already heralds His Kingdom. Modeling ourselves on you, we ask Him to anoint us as Spirit filled proclaimers of the Good News that He has vanquished death by His death on the Cross and has given life to those in the tombs. May we, members of His Body the Church, be living signs that point to the Kingdom that is already among us.

Amen.

 

Mother Mary, Queen of Palestine, pray for us.
Father David Neuhaus, SJ, Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, for Migrants and Hebrew-speaking Catholics.

Dozens trained to advocate for life at abortion facilities

Posted on by Bob Reddy

It has been shown that when there is a peaceful presence in front of abortion facilities, the cancellation rate can go as high as 75%. A key component of this presence are the sidewalk advocates who can lead abortion-minded women to Pro-Life pregnancy resource centers.

While there is a regular presence of the faithful at the three primary abortion facilities in the Diocese of Venice, there is a need for more sidewalk advocates who offer a peaceful, prayerful, law-abiding way to approach and counsel those seeking abortions.

St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers hosted a training session provided by Sidewalk Advocates for Life Founder, President & CEO Lauren Muzyka, on Oct. 28, 2023.

Muzyka helped the more than 60 gathered, which included a group of Ave Maria University students as well as representatives from more than two dozen Parishes, to learn how to help abortion-bound women and men choose life.

Using a simple 5-point method, the advocates were trained to ask a simple question: “What brings you here today?” And that same advocate was provided with a toolbox full of responses to draw from, depending on the women’s response.

Such tools include a wave and a warm smile and greeting, a gift bag with literature on life-affirming resources, and the straightforward mission to guide others to pregnancy help organizations in their community, ultimately empowering the women to leave and choose life.

Muzyka said the fallback position in any encounter is to focus on Mom-Baby-God, with the Holy Spirit as the trump card. This places the encounter in God’s hands.

“We are here to provide a framework that helps start a conversation and plant seeds for choosing life — and those seeds have borne fruit more than 20,000 times that we know of,” she added. “God is going to use you as you are; that the training is there to help you as you uniquely offer this help and hope to women in crisis.”

The timing of the training is important as Sidewalk Advocates for Life had been active in Naples prior to the global pandemic but participation has fallen in the past three years. The group was less active while the Naples Planned Parenthood temporarily stopped offering surgical abortions, with some transferring their efforts to the Fort Myers Planned Parenthood. However, the Naples facility is scheduled to resume surgical abortions, and advocates want to return to Naples, but at the same time do not want to abandon the Fort Myers location. This training is expected to help bolster the numbers of advocates at both locations and even in Sarasota where the regional headquarters of Planned Parenthood exists.

The sidewalk advocate training was hosted by St. John XXIII Parish and supported by the Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office.

If you would like to learn more about Diocese of Venice Respect Life opportunities, visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/, or contact Jeanne Berdeaux at 941-484-9543 or Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.

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