Author: Bob Reddy

News Briefs for the week of September 23, 2022

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bishop inspires students

Bishop Frank J. Dewane inspired students to use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit during Mass on Sept. 16, 2022, at Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice, and then on Sept 19 at St. Catherine Catholic School in Sebring. Bishop Dewane told the students how they need to work to hear a call from the Lord and respond in a particular way, using those Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Naples student earns Do the Right Thing Award

Congratulations to St. Ann Catholic School fifth Grader Nicholas Radosti for winning the 2022 Do the Right Thing Award, awarded by the Naples Police Department. Nicholas was nominated for this award because of his kind and honest heart. One day during Mass, Nicholas saw a teacher drop money on the ground. Nicholas made sure to find the teacher right when Mass ended and give the money back to her. Nicholas is a kind person who is filled with honesty and integrity.

Neumann reaccredited

St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples has been reaccredited by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops. The reaccreditation process included a Sept. 16, 2022, visit to the campus and an evaluation of the courses and programs offered at Neumann following state and national Catholic education guidelines. Each Diocesan Catholic school in accredited and the reaccreditation process takes place every seven years.

Student Bibles blessed

Sixth grade and new middle school students at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota were presented personal Bibles following Mass on Sept. 13, 2022. Father Eric Scanlan, Pastor at Incarnation Parish, blessed the Bibles and encouraged the students to not just read the words, but grow to understand what the Lord teaches in Sacred Scriptures and then use the lessons learned in their daily life.

Read a book, build a robot

Students in a St. Martha Catholic School language arts class read Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel “Fahrenheit 451,” as part of the STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum which enhances the educational experience for students in multiple disciplines. As part of that curriculum, the Sarasota students engineered robotic dogs out of Lego bricks on Sept. 16, 2022. The dogs are based on the robotic dog featured in the novel. The students’ robot dogs were more cute than vicious, but they had a great time with the challenge!

Eagle Run a success

St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton held its annual Eagle Run on Sept. 16, 2022. This fundraising event was a huge success as students of all ages participated in the run as well as other related activities all in support of the school. St. Joseph officials thanked the parents and community for their continued support of the school and this 2022 Eagle Run.

Verot celebrates homecoming in style

A weeklong celebration led up to the Bishop Verot Catholic High School football Homecoming Game Sept. 16, 2022, versus Gulf Coast High School in Fort Myers. The Vikings won 27-14. Prior to the game, the students participated in a variety of fun activities to boost the excitement for the students. This included a Spirit Day, fun and games and several dress-down days and competitions between boys and girls, the various houses, and grade levels, in the courtyard and gymnasium. A key component was schoolwide Mass.

School raises awareness about cancer

Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice took time out on Sept. 15, 2022, to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer. Donations will be given to the Children’s Cancer Center. Thank you to everyone who donated. Please keep all those currently battling cancers, and those in remission, in your prayers. Local businesses donated items which were then used in a raffle to raise the money.

Model UN team excels

The weekend of Sept. 17-18, 2022, the St. John Neumann Catholic High School Model U.N. group competed in the SharkMUN conference at Gulf Coast High School. Seven schools were represented, and the Neumann team came away with the Best Delegation Award. Five members of the team received individual awards: Bella Fernandez, Alessio Cirino, Mason Wagner, Jake Marks and Hunter Lund.

St. Vincent de Paul Society – a stalwart in Naples

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The St. Vincent De Paul Society in Naples is much more than its thrift stores.

The SVdP two stores in Collier County provide an important source of income for the organization’s greater purpose – helping neighbors in need.

It was on Sept. 10, 2017, when Hurricane Irma roared ashore near Marco Island and spread a swath of destruction through Naples, impacting thousands. That recovery still continues as the misery for some has been compounded by a global pandemic, a housing crisis, and rampant inflation.

At no time in its 50-plus years of existence has the St. Vincent De Paul Society Naples District Council had to help people during such a continued time of misery as families and individuals face each day living on the knifes-edge between poverty and homelessness.

“We have seen people impacted by a bit of everything these past few years,” said Kimberly Schul, Executive Director of the St. Vincent De Paul Society Naples District Council. “Even with everything, our focus has been unchanged.”

Working at multiple locations across the county, SVdP Naples, and its dedicated volunteers, provide help for working families and individuals facing life’s unexpected challenges. This includes offering nutritious food and a friendly visit with homebound seniors and disabled neighbors, and critical advice and counsel for Collier County residents, young and old.

Demand at the food pantry has remained high throughout the summer months. One woman who recently sought food explained her needs: “The food I receive is for my children. Times are hard right now. I work two jobs and can barely cover my living expenses. Rent went way up, gas is high, even basic food is more expensive. In the past two years, the Society has been there and helped me keep my head above water.”

To better meet the need of the community, the SVdP Naples District Council provides caseworkers who learn not just about the need of a family or individual, but they dig deeper. The centerpiece of this effort is the home visit.

Schul explained that the home visit is always conducted by a team of trained Vincentians, and this gives caseworkers a more effective way to support and build stronger relationships with neighbors in need. This often results in better outcomes that not only relieve poverty but also bring emotional assistance to all concerned.

Parishes in Collier County (St. Agnes, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Finbarr, St. John the Evangelist, San Marco, St. Peter the Apostle and St. William) all have a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, a Parish-based volunteer group.

Schul explained that by working closely with the Parish, the individual Conferences operate cooperatively to form the Council. The presidents of the Conferences comprise the Council Board of Directors, which governs the operation of the Naples Society. When the Society can not help, community partners are contacted and no one is left without help.

Each of the Conferences works its corresponding Parish to raise and disburse funds at its own discretion. Conferences raise funds through donations and fundraising projects. Although providing volunteers to help staff at the SVdP two thrift stores, the responsibility of operating the thrift stores is that of the Council, and as such, any monies generated also become used to help the less fortunate at the discretion of the Council. Parishes also conduct regular food drives to help meet the Council demand.

One of the newest outreach efforts began in June 2021, when St. Vincent de Paul Society’s St. William and St. Peter Conferences started the Homeless Backpack Program to provide food for the homeless in the East Naples area. Since that time, the program has expanded to provide much more than food. Available goods include toiletries, clothing, camping gear, home-cooked meals and bicycles. Community support systems are made available as well, including housing, food stamps, identification, medical care, financial assistance, counseling, and substance abuse treatment.

The Homeless Backpack Program was recently folded under the umbrella of SVdP Naples and retitled HOMe (Homeless Outreach Ministry etc.). This newly imagined program is designed to mitigate the suffering that the “unhoused” experience every day. Each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Vincentians open the doors of the HOMe program, located at 3174 Tamiami Trail E., to approximately 40 neighbors and provide meaningful, tangible, and spiritual assistance. The program is done in partnership with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., in Collier County as well as the Naples Homeless Coalition.

“Everyone involved in this outreach sees that their helping hands make a difference for each homeless neighbor, one neighbor at a time,” Schul said. “In the Catholic tradition, HOMe is acting as the helping hands of our dear Lord.”

Other important programs include the Choice Food Pantry, which operates 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and assists nearly 900 each month. The Meals on Wheels program delivers food to 140 individuals, and approximately 160 families/individuals receive some sort of financial support each month.

“We rely on the support of donations and volunteers from the community to help us meet our needs,” Schul said. “We work to ensure that we stretch our food and financial resources to meet all of the demand. Sometimes we will have fewer options in the food pantry or maybe we cannot always cover all emergency expenses, but we will always provide something to help those in need. That is what we are here to do – every day, all year long.”

Schul said a critical issue is that the pandemic impacted the number of volunteers who help in all aspects of the Society’s operations.

“There is an acute need now for volunteers,” Schul said. “We have a place for everyone who wants to offer their time… there are many volunteer opportunities available which people can do based on the gifts the Lord has provided. If you want to help, we have a place for you!”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need. The core values of the Society are: Spirituality, Friendship, and Service to the Poor.

If you are interested in supporting or volunteering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Naples, please call 239-775-2907, or visit https://svdpnaples.org/. Or you can mail donations to Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Naples District Council, 4451 Mercantile Ave., Naples, FL 34104.

9/11 commemorations from around the Diocese

Posted on by Bob Reddy

In ways large and small the faithful of the Diocese of Venice commemorated the 21st Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States with reflection and prayer.

St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples hosted its annual 9/11 Memorial Mass on Sept. 11, 2022. The Parish is home to a 9/11 Cross made from the steel of the World Trade Center and has hosted a commemorative Mass each year since 2001. Father Gerard Critch, Pastor of St. Peter’s, served as a Chaplain at Ground Zero during the initial search and recovery process following the terror attacks in New York City.

Father Francis Critch, Order of Franciscan Minor, celebrated Mass in lieu of his brother, Father Gerard, who is recovering from an illness. During the Mass, Father Francis Critch, who previously served in New York City, reflected on the courage and sacrifice of the First Responders, noting the first official death was fellow Franciscan Friar, Father Mychal Judge, Chaplain of the New York Fire Department.

Father Critch reflected upon those First Responders who sacrificed everything to save others in the face of evil.

“Be kind to each other, show love and be heralds of hope,” Father said. “This is what we are and continue to be. Their presence brought hope and guidance to the many who were saved that day. Many more would have died if not for their strength and courage… Fear was overcome, they were a light in darkness, for they understood their purpose and their vocation – dedication without thought. We are eternally grateful.”

Prior to the Mass, bagpipers led a procession of retired members of the FDNY and New York Police Department. At the close of the Mass, a fire bell was rung with the code- 5-5-5-5, which announces the death of a fire service member. In the Parish narthex were images of the fallen Fire Responders and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.

The Knights of Columbus Saints Cosmas and Damian Council 13341 sponsored a First Responders Mass on Sept. 10, at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch. Parochial Vicar Father Shawn Roser celebrated the Mass, and reflected on the continued importance of First Responders and those who answered the call to serve in the military following 9/11. A Blue Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice on Sept. 11. Both Masses honored the work of First Responders, including law enforcement officials, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel.

A special prayer service took place in the Memorial Garden of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers on Sept. 11. This service included the dedication of a new 9/11 memorial sculpture which includes pieces of the World Trade Center. The sculpture was installed in March 2022.

Recognizing the need to keep the memory of the tragic events of 9/11 alive for the next generation, Diocesan Catholic schools hosted a variety of activities, such as prayer services, dressing in patriotic colors and understanding an event that happened before they were born.

Continuing a standing tradition, students at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers participated in a Red, White and Blue Dress Out fundraiser on Sept. 9, with proceeds going to the “Tunnel to Towers Foundation.” The Foundation was created in honor of Fire Department of New York (FDNY) member Stephen Gerard Siller, who was headed home following his shift on Sept. 11, 2001, when he heard the call. Though blocked by traffic, he then proceeded to run in full gear across the Brooklyn Bridge to the Twin Towers where he later perished.

At St. Mary Academy in Sarasota, the students commemorated the day by reading and discussing the book “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” by Mordicai Gerstein. The students learned about the significance of what happened in 2001 and gained an understanding about the importance of forever honoring those lost on 9/11.

New Evangelization Director brings extensive experience

Posted on by Bob Reddy

James F. Gontis cherishes the opportunity to multiply the good of the Catholic Faith in his new position as Diocese of Venice Director of Evangelization.

Starting his new role on Aug. 1, 2022, Gontis brings to the Diocese his diverse experience in the evangelization and catechetical field. Most recently Gontis served in the Diocese of Harrisburg, first as Director of Religious Education and then for the last five years as Director of Evangelization and Catechesis.

In Harrisburg, he oversaw classes, workshops and presentations on theological and Catholic teachings, evangelization and much more and previously directed Adult Religious Education and related programs and workshops.

Gontis explained that his role as Director of the Department of Evangelization – which includes the Office of Family Life and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Outreach – is to draw people closer to God.

“Faith cannot be in the abstract but has to be lived out in the here and now,” he said. “I am grateful to serve the Church in this beautiful area, helping to remind everyone the role we all have – as the baptized – to live our Faith as God calls. We do this through the way we live, what we say, and what we do. It is easy to say and hard to do. But we must respond, confident that the Lord gives us sufficient grace to do what He asks; to live for the Glory of God and get into heaven, while bringing with us as many others as possible.”

Gontis earned a M.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and before that a degree from Adams College (University) in Colorado. He was a teacher in Farmington, New Mexico and Fountain Springs, Pennsylvania, before taking a Diocesan position in Harrisburg.

Married for 25 years and counting, Gontis has eight children. Three are still in school, while the five oldest children are in college or working. His parents live in Punta Gorda, and a sister is also nearby, so he was not unfamiliar with the area before recently moving his family to the Sarasota area.

The Office of Evangelization is currently organizing a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and Youth Rally for March 24-25, 2023, a large event in Fort Myers that is part on the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival. The Revival is an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to reaffirm a devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

In addition, the office is also hosting a “Together in Holiness” Marriage Conference on Oct. 22 in Fort Myers as well as planning a Diocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal. Please visit www.dioceseofvenice.org for information about these and other events.

“As important as those events are, evangelization is not just about these mountaintop experiences,” Gontis explained. “The Parish is the primary focus of our work, building up the Faith – this is done through programs that reach out to support marriage, as well as youth and young adults. We know the family is a foundation of the Church, but at the same time we will work hard to keep youth and young adults engaged in the Faith, reminding them that they are not only the future of the Church, but they are also the present of the Church, crucial to the renewal of the Faith.”

James Gontis is the Diocesan Director of Evangelization and can be reached at 941-484-9543 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Qualified Charitable Distributions – A Real Life Example

Posted on by Bob Reddy

By Michael Morse – Special to the Florida Catholic

If you have reached the age that you must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA, did you know that you can transfer up to $100,000 each year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity like the Catholic Community Foundation, your Parish, School or other Catholic Program or Ministry? By rolling over your IRA distribution directly to a charity, it qualifies as your RMD and you avoid having to include the distribution as taxable income.  Beginning in 2020, the age at which RMDs must start is 72. However, individuals can begin making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from their IRAs as early as age 70½.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) provide a powerful opportunity for donors from all income levels to support the Catholic Parishes, Schools and Ministries about which they care most. Some of today’s retirees have more money in their IRAs than they need for daily living expenses and/or their long-term care. They are able to use the surplus in their IRAs to help make a significant difference in the lives of others, without negatively impacting their own quality of life. Other retirees with more modest incomes, like Mike and Ronda, can also benefit from QCDs.

Mike and Ronda are both retired Catholic School teachers and have always been loyal supporters of their Parish, contributing their time, talent, and treasure on a regular basis. In addition to their other retirement income, they have two small traditional IRAs, from which they are required to take $1,000 per year as their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Since they pay 10% income tax in their retirement, they are bringing home a total of $900 per year from their IRAs after taxes. Simply by having their IRA custodian transfer the full $1,000 RMD directly to their Parish instead of receiving the distribution themselves, they will receive the following benefits:

  • Entitles them to tax benefits without requiring them to itemize their deductions;
  • They increase their Parish giving by 10% without costing them one additional penny;
  • Instead of giving $100 in taxes to the government, they are giving it to the Church.

By using QCDs for their charitable giving, donors like Mike and Ronda can decide each year if and/or how much of their RMD they would like to use.  In fact, they can distribute up to $100,000 each calendar year from their respective IRAs regardless of the size of their RMDs. They can even decide to support multiple charities from the same IRA.  However, they must make sure that donations are dispersed from their IRA directly to a qualified charity to qualify for the tax benefits.

Michael Morse is the Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc. To learn more about the Foundation, please call 941-441-1124, email Morse@dioceseofvenice.org or visit www.CCFDioceseofvenice.org.

 

 

 

News Briefs for the week of August 16, 2022

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bishop celebrates Mass for students in Bradenton, Sarasota and Naples

Bishop Frank J. Dewane recently celebrated Mass for students at three Diocesan Catholic schools, visiting St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton, Sept. 7, 2022, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, Sept. 12, and St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples, Sept. 13. Bishop Dewane continues to be impressed by the increased enrollment at each of the schools as the students filled churches, chapels and gymnasiums. The Bishop is also continuing to invoke the Holy Spirit to descend upon the students as they go forth into the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Seminarian prepares for Transitional Diaconate Ordination

In preparation for their upcoming diaconate ordination, the fourth-year class at Pontifical North American College (NAC) in Rome publicly professed the Faith of the Church and made an Oath of Fidelity in the presence of the NAC community on Sept. 13, 2022. Among those taking their oath was Diocese of Venice Seminarian Daniel Scanlan, who will be ordained on Sept. 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Please continue to pray for Daniel and all seminarians as they approach this milestone of their formation journey.

Robot building engages students

Students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral were busy on Sept. 12, 2022, building Lego Education Spike Prime Robots in Robotics class. The robotics program at St. Andrew allows students to learn and excel using skills that will prepare them for the future. Eventually, teams will be formed to compete in completing various tasks or taking part in a robot obstacle course within the school, and as the year progresses, against other robotics teams from other Diocesan Catholic schools.

 

Faith Formation kicks off in Fort Myers

The faith formation program at Our Lady of Light Parish and St. Cecilia Parish, both in Fort Myers, got a kick-start on Sept. 11, 2022, when hundreds of children began a new educational journey as they grow closer to the Lord. Our Lady of Light has some 150 in its K-5 formation program called “Footsteps in Faith.” St. Cecilia had their first classes learn Patriotic songs in conjunction with Patriot’s Day.

Life skills learned at school

St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples had its own version of the TV reality show “Chopped!” on Sept. 9, 2022. Students in a life skills class created a menu, recipe, budget and learned about how to read nutritional labels on grocery items. This included a trip to a grocery store and then preparing and serving the delicious creations for the judges, which included the Principal, Sister Patricia Roche, Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco. The results were delicious.

Students celebrate Our Lady’s birthday

To honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on her birthday, Sept. 8, 2022, students at Ave Maria Catholic School and Donahue Academy in Ave Maria made special efforts to mark this joyful event. This outpouring of love for Our Lady included homemade cookies, handmade cards and paper flowers for the Mother of God. The kindergarten students also made private visits to a statue of Our Lady, offering their prayers and best wishes on Mary’s special day.

Scientific method learned in classroom

Sixth grade science students at St. Catherine Catholic School in Sebring have been learning about the scientific method – consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. For example, on Sept. 12, 2022, they grew bacteria in a petri dish and conducted a scientific investigation and observed their bacteria specimens under a microscope. This type of project offers a hands-on approach to learning which helps students use multiple skills in order to complete their experiments.

Kindness rocks found on school campus

If you visit Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, you might spot colorful rocks on the ground. These rocks were not lost during some science experiment gone awry, they were in fact created by freshmen in their theology class as part of a “Kindness Project.” With the assistance of guidance counselors, each small rock was colorfully decorated and included a simple message of kindness, such as “Live your best life!” “Be You!” “Smile!” and more. The reaffirming artistic creations were then placed throughout the campus on Sept. 9, 2022.

Adoration: Spending time with the Lord

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Pope Francis often encourages the faithful to spend more time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Speaking before the 2021 International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, the Holy Father said “Let us allow our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist to transform us, just as it transformed the great and courageous saints you venerate. Let’s make time for adoration… The Eucharist is here to remind us who God is. It does not do so just in words, but in a concrete way, showing us God as bread broken, as love crucified and bestowed.”

For the faithful who attend the First Friday Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, these words are taken to heart in this devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The First Friday Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour has a dedicated following of people who find beauty and peace during their time in the presence of the Lord.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” said one devotee. “The power is sometimes overwhelming.”

The monthly Holy Hour includes music, intercessions and a procession, and there are several hundred people who attend with the numbers swelling up to 800 during the winter months.

The importance of a devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is the focus of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival in the United States which began on June 19, 2022, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The Revival will culminate with a national gathering in Indianapolis in July 2024.

The Diocesan Year of the National Eucharistic Revival is from June 19, 2022, to June 11, 2023. During this year, there will be a series of events and retreats that encourage the renewal of the Church “by rekindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.”

A key part of this effort will be a two-day Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and Youth Rally, March 24-25, 2023, at the Conference Center and Luminary Hotel on the riverfront of downtown Fort Myers. The Youth Rally will take place on March 24 and the Eucharistic Congress on March 25. Details of the Eucharistic Congress and other events planned for this Diocesan Year can be found on the Diocese website www.dioceseofvenice.org. To learn more about the larger National Eucharistic Revival, please visit https://eucharisticrevival.org.

On Sept. 2, 2022, the Holy Hour at St. Peter the Apostle began as people gathered in silent prayer. Several dozen red votive candles were placed on stands on either side of the altar, while many candles were placed on the altar for those who had special prayer intentions for the Holy Hour. These candles sat as silent witness, adding a peaceful serenity to the occasion.

Father Wilian Montalvo Tello, IVE, Parochial Vicar at St. Peter the Apostle, lead the Holy Hour service, which included music and prayers in Spanish, Creole and English to accommodate the multicultural nature of the Parish community.

During the Holy Hour, several hymns were sung, and excerpts from Holy Scriptures were read in the three languages.

Then silence.

After the period of silence there were intercessions, which were prepared in advance and the congregation was encouraged to add to them by calling out.

This was followed by a Eucharistic Procession when Father Montalvo carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament among the people, as incense rose from the censer. The procession slowly wound its way down each aisle to allow everyone present to be closer to the Lord. As this took place, the Litany of Saints was sung.

The Benediction was given as the Blessed Sacrament was raised. This was followed by the prayer called the Divine Praises. Then everyone was asked to say in unison: “May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with most grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen”

At the conclusion of the Holy Hour, Father Montalvo placed the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and then the closing hymn of “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” was sung and the service was concluded.

While not every Parish in the Diocese has a First Friday Holy Hour complete with music, adoration at Parishes is typically available on the First Friday or on another designated day each month. Meanwhile, many Parishes, such as Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, St. Raphael in Lehigh Acres, St. John the Evangelist in Naples, St. Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte, St. Michael in Wauchula, and others, have Adoration Chapels where extended adoration is available. Check with your Parish, or nearby Parishes, for adoration hours. For Parish contact information please visit www.dioceseofvenice.org and click the “Find a Parish” link.

Our Mother’s House Success Story

Posted on by Bob Reddy

By Karen Barry Schwarz, Special to the Florida Catholic

“No one enters a marriage expecting it to end in divorce,” said Alexa DeGannes, a woman at Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. in Venice. “But that’s what happened to me – I had to flee my husband for the safety of myself and my child.”

Alexa, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was married for a year when she became pregnant. It should have been a happy time, but that’s when the abuse began. “My husband, now ex-husband, just changed,” Alexa said.  “He started treating me differently. He didn’t want the baby and encouraged me to have an abortion.  When I refused, he slowly became more and more abusive. Eventually, the physical, psychological, emotional abuse — it was intolerable. I fled.”

Unfortunately, Alexa’s troubles did not end there.  She found they were just beginning. Her husband, out of spite, withdrew his citizen sponsorship of Alexa so she could no longer work in the United States.  Pregnant and alone, with no job, no money, and her family in Trinidad, Alexa had nowhere to turn.  She began sleeping on friends’ couches and did so throughout her entire pregnancy. She felt hopeless, she said, and even considered taking her own life.  “I was desperate,” said DeGannes. “I had no hope. I didn’t even really have a place to lay my head.  I considered sleeping in my car. How was I ever going to take care of a baby when I couldn’t take care of myself?”

Alexa made the selfless decision to give her child up for adoption, thinking it was her baby’s best chance for a good life. But her husband, again out of spite, blocked her in court, and won. Adoption was no longer an option.

On July 20, 2021, everything changed.  Luke, Alexa’s son, was born. Enter Our Mother’s House. “I just started googling,” Alexa said. “I figured there had to be some place, someone out there who could help me. I knew now that my son was born, I couldn’t just give up.”

Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities has provided transitional housing to homeless mothers and their children since 1987. The program’s mission is to offer single mothers and their preschool-age children a safe and secure environment to achieve increased self-sufficiency through education, vocational training, and personal growth. Mothers apply, and if accepted, attend life skills classes, such as parenting, self-esteem, nutrition, and financial literacy. All new applicants must agree to follow house rules and regulations, attend house meetings, and accept communal responsibilities.

“When Alexa came to us, she was very scared,” said Alexa’s case worker at Our Mother’s House, Ada Laureano. “But she was open to help, open to doing her part. With a little support, she became engaged, proactive, and resourceful. It’s been a good relationship with her.”

“I lacked confidence or motivation when I arrived at Our Mother’s House with my two-week-old son,” said Alexa. “I had no sense of tomorrow because I thought I didn’t really have any kind of future. Our Mother’s House provided the help I needed to get back on my feet and now I feel joy and am hopeful about the future – because now I know I have one.”

Alexa DeGannes was living and working in Tampa, Florida as a laboratory scientist when she met her husband at work. A graduate of the University of Tampa, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Forensic Science, Alexa had a bright future. “Until I didn’t,” she said. “If this can happen to me, this can happen to anyone. I had a happy, year-long courtship with my husband before marriage. I didn’t see this coming.”

At Our Mother’s House, Alexa found not only the housing and support she needed for herself and her son, but the legal help she needed to obtain a work permit again.

“I got a job at Walmart,” she said. “It was something. But I also had always wanted to pursue my master’s degree – my case workers at Our Mother’s House encouraged me to do so. With their help I applied for scholarships and entered a program at the University of Florida. Now, I am on track to have my master’s in Clinical Toxicology in a year.”

What’s more, Alexa now has a new, high-paying job and a promising career ahead of her.

“I heard about an opportunity at Bristol Myers Squibb, a major pharmaceuticals company in New Jersey, through a former co-worker,” said DeGannes. “I applied for this great Project Management position and was offered the job the next day! I couldn’t believe it. It’s a career, not just a job, and it’s like a dream come true.”

DeGannes will be overseeing pharmaceutical clinical trials in her new job, and the company even has an on-site daycare facility. She will finish her master’s program at the University of Florida at night, online.

“Without Our Mother’s House, I don’t know where I’d be,” said DeGannes. “As a first-time mom I doubted my ability to care for my son and had no vision of how to provide a good and happy life for him. The ladies at Our Mother’s House always believed in me, until I could believe in myself again. I’m so grateful. I’m a spiritual person, and I know God had a hand in all of this, guiding me every step of the way.”

Now Luke is on the verge of walking, says DeGannes. And she is about to fly, soaring to new heights.

“No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, there is always a way forward,” said DeGannes, as she went back to packing up her belongings, ready to move on to her next chapter.

“I’m going to miss her,” said Laureano. “But I’m so happy for her.”

For more information about Our Mother’s House, please visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/charities/our-mothers-house/

 

School awards students for a summer of learning

Posted on by Bob Reddy

By Deborah Suddarth – Special to the Florida Catholic

Bradenton – Students at St. Joseph Catholic School were excited to welcome Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, on Aug. 24, 2022, as he celebrated Mass.

Following Mass, Father Belmonte presented medals to students who had excelled in summer academic programs.

During the summer, St. Joseph Catholic School students were invited to continue their learning and beat the “summer slide”. Thanks to many programs funded through Title I, grants, and the Patterson Foundation, St. Joseph students had many options.

For example, more than 60 students participated in five weeks of Camp Invention summer learning camps with an emphasis on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) and literacy. These students participated in hands-on robotics programs each week with themes such as Robotic Aquatics; Discoveries in a Scientist’s Attic; Blast Off with a Spacecation; Castles and Catapults; Physics In Motion; and Engineering with Marble Arcade.

Another 70 students participated in the Patterson Foundation’s Suncoast Reading Program.  Through this program, books were provided by the foundation and students enjoyed “This Book is Cool” webisodes and activities. Students kept reading journals and received wristbands and brag tags for books completed each week. Through this program, the 70 students read a total of 1,617 books during the summer.

The largest of the summer learning programs drew nearly 100 students who chose to participate in the IXL Summer Reading Challenge. IXL (from “I excel”) is a math and language arts practice website for K-12 (subscription based).

Students in grades one through eight used the IXL online individualized learning program to complete problems in math, language arts, social studies, science, and Spanish. IXL scores were calculated each week and the top three students at each grade level were published in the school’s weekly newsletter. Throughout the summer, the competition was very intense for these top three positions. IXL participants completed a total of 150,848 problems. The over-all top winner was 6th grader Kayla Fleming who completed 10,409 problems.

Many St. Joseph Catholic School students took a break from summer studies to participate in the week-long faith program, “Totus Tuus,” with St. Joseph Parish. “Totus Tuus” was presented by the Diocese of Venice with age-appropriate instruction for children from first grade through high school. The weeks were filled with faith, fun, and friendship as well as games, crazy skits, and music. Throughout, the college-age leaders provided an authentic witness to the students.

The following St. Joseph Catholic School students received recognition for their summer program achievements:

High Points Medals for Exceeding Summer Reading Goals:

  • Leilani Lambar-Ramirez (4th Grade)
  • Nicholas Colonneso (4th Grade)
  • Sadie Jacobs (5th Grade)
  • Louis Santora (7th Grade)
  • Serafina Colonneso (8th Grade)

IXL Summer Learning Challenge First Place Winners:

  • Grade 8 – Bendli Thoney
  • Grade 7 – Heaven Francois
  • Grade 6 – Kayla Fleming
  • Grade 5 – Rodnel Alouidor
  • Grade 4 – Nicholas Colonneso
  • Grade 3 – Joshua Andrade
  • Grade 2 – Jenna Sperber
  • Grade 1 – Bendley Thoney

Deborah Suddarth is the Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School.

Respect Life Collection Sept. 18

Posted on by Bob Reddy

On the weekend of Sept. 17 – 18, 2022, the Diocese of Venice will be holding its annual Respect Life special collection. The purpose of this collection is to enhance the Diocesan outreach in its life-affirming work.

“These funds help facilitate our witness as a Faith community in Southwest Florida,” Bishop Frank J. Dewane said in a letter supporting the collection. “Great progress has been made in recent years, as is known by all, yet each of us continues to have a shared responsibility in the defense of human life and are called to educate others on its sanctity and dignity.”

The Respect Life collection comes shortly before the Sept. 28 opening of the National 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign with local vigils taking place in Sarasota and Fort Myers, as well as prior to National Respect Life Month in October.

40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion facilities. 40 Days for Life is an opportunity to be a witness for life by peacefully praying for an end to abortion where it matters most.

The Diocese of Venice has been involved with 40 Days for Life since the beginning with vigils taking place in the fall and in the spring – during Lent.

The success of 40 Days for Life has been seen locally when women approach vigil participants and tell their story of how their mind was changed by those present who were there to pray for their unborn child. More than 150 cases of lives being saved have been documented.

The Fort Myers prayer vigil is on the public right-of-way in front of Planned Parenthood at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers. The kickoff event is 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, and will be highlighted by national pro-life speaker and author Terry Beatley.

In Sarasota, the vigil is 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily outside the regional headquarters of Planned Parenthood, 736 Central Ave. A kickoff event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sept. 28, in the parking lot of the Community Pregnancy Clinic (CPCI), 1419 7th St., Sarasota (around the corner from Planned Parenthood). The guest speaker will be Lisa Rowe, CEO of Support After Abortion.

Participants in the prayer vigil will be joining other like-minded individuals in communities around the nation and world. Some commit to taking part for a few minutes, an hour, or all day as they stand in the public right-of-way. Appropriate signs will be provided at both sites but are not needed to stand and pray. Check with your Parish to learn what hours they have committed to 40 Days for Life, as many often commit to several days of prayer on the front lines.

Those interested in taking part in a local prayer vigil are encouraged to sign up in advance at www.40daysforlife.com (search for Fort Myers or Sarasota). While registration is encouraged, all are welcome to come for any amount of time they can to help save a life.

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