The 42nd Annual Emerald Ball was a great success! Held on March 14, 2026, at the Ritz Carlton Tiburon in Naples, the elegant evening’s proceeds will go to support the many programs of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., in Collier County.
The theme for the evening was “Celebrating Joy – Jesus Over You.” The fashionable crowd was dressed in elegant eveningwear and the Ball included fine dining, lots of dancing, upbeat music, and a spirited live auction with the “Gift from the Heart” bringing in many enthusiastic bidders.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane offered the opening invocation and spoke of the theme, “Celebrating Joy,” noting how as Catholics we need to celebrate joy so that we can bring it to other members of our communities. “We need to bring it to other men and women, just like you and me, who want the best for their children, who strive to do the best in the work they have and pass that along to their children. Catholic Charities takes that hope and make it a reality in the lives of others.”
Peggy Rodriguez, District Director, introduced a promotional video which presented the stories of a teen boy and his mother who have been helped by the support of Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Program.
In the video, the boy explained how he was being bullied in school and had little self-worth leading to declining grades and getting into trouble at school and at home. Catholic Charities counselors provided extensive therapy to address the root cause of the problems and then offered the boy a path to gain confidence in himself. The result has been dramatic, and the mother expressed her amazement at the change, saying her son’s future is bright and added how the entire family has benefited from the Behavioral Health Program.
The program offers experienced and licensed psychotherapists to help individuals through tough times, at an affordable rate, offering telehealth and in-person counseling services to support people in overcoming life’s challenges. The therapists are trained to help with a range of issues, including depression and anxiety; suicidal ideation; substance use disorders and addictive behaviors; relationship struggles; autism spectrum; grief and loss; and conduct disorders. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, helpless, or overwhelmed, Catholic Charities can help. For more information on this service, please call 239-455-2655 or visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.
If you would like to support the programs of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.
