awards Archives - Diocese of Venice

2026 STREAM Symposium Awards

Posted on March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by Bob Reddy

The following is a recap of Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools award recipients. The awards were presented on March 2, 2026, at a STREAM Symposium which included all Diocesan Catholic School faculty and staff. Awards include years of service, leadership, excellence in STREAM education, and exemplars of Catholic Education.

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award for 2025 goes to a faculty member who has been a teacher in the Diocese of Venice for 35 years: Johanna Meyers of Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.

Blue Apple Award

The Blue Apple Award is given to teachers who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in STREAM, technology, and innovation at their school. The color blue in the Bible has been used to described by scholars as denoting the Holy Spirit and Truth or service to God, as well as the waters of new creation in the book of Genesis, and most importantly the color blue is often associated with our Blessed Mother.

Teachers receiving the 2026 Blue Apple STREAM Leadership awards and nominated by the principals of the Diocese of Venice are: Trisha Calfee, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Fort Myers; Julie Cardena and Natalie Ruta, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Sarasota; Landon Fulmer and Elizabeth Kohr, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria; Kim Kassin, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, Venice; Nicole Asay, Incarnation Catholic School, Sarasota; Maureen Leigh and Angela Sarnac, St. Andrew Catholic School, Cape Coral; Karen Olsen, St. Ann Catholic School, Naples; Jennifer Williams and Marissa McCarthy, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Port Charlotte; Megan Van Wart and Ana Ozores, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School, Naples; Mindy Pfleger and Stacie Delacuesta, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Fort Myers; Susan Caveness, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, Naples; Blaire Hamric, St. Joseph Catholic School, Bradenton; Maria Paben, St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota; and Michella Aippersbach, St. Mary Academy, Sarasota.

Charitas (Crystal Cross Award)

The Crystal Cross Award is the highest Diocese of Venice Department of Education award given to teachers and faculty of Diocese of Venice Catholic schools. Crystal Cross Award recipients are nominated by their peers and colleagues as exemplars in Catholic education. Crystal Cross Award recipients are considered as teachers or administrators who:

Produce excellence in all that they do (teaching, leading, etc.),
Radiate with care and compassion towards students and colleagues,
Treat others as brothers and sisters in Christ,
Embodies the Catholic Faith inside and outside the classroom,
Leads by example,
Spreads Truth, Beauty and Goodness to those around them.

Recipients are: John Gadomski and Margaret Kennedy, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Jaime Patmor, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Carol Hart and Amy Gawron, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish; Elise Filbrandt, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Alexandra Kern, Incarnation Catholic School; Bethany Gunn and Colleen Mattfeld, St. Andrew Catholic School; Elizabeth Benito, St. Ann Catholic School; Elizabeth Costa, St. Catherine Catholic School; Kim Smith, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Moise Staël Dantes, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Lindsay Engel, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Andy Niewedde, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Mary Ellen Tavernier, St. Joseph Catholic School; Leslie Lambert and Tammi Peters, St. Martha Catholic School; and Kelcee English, St. Mary Academy.

Years of Service honorees

5 years of Service:

Michelle Aippersbach and Christine Coolidge, St. Mary Academy; Patrick Barock, Melanie Blake, Leyda Calvillo, Dixie Kreulen, and Janette Sanchez, St. Catherine Catholic School; Barbara Baez and Courtney Knowles, St. Martha Catholic School; Kate Hart, St. Joseph Catholic School; Stacey Berkow and Taylor Gaither, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Gerard Cantwell, Louis Fornaris, and SueEllen Patkunas, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Angela Currier, Linda Pasquarello, Brianna Rodriguez, Katie Scarantino, Kelly Sanders, and Jennifer Townsend, St. Ann Catholic School; Courtney Daily, Melissa Fetterman, Bianca George and Ryan Krause, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Allison (Denison) Priviette, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Felicia Linden, Yania Martinez, and Janelle Zingaro, St. Andrew Catholic School; Megan Van Wart, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Kristy Vizzone, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; and Amy Yager, Incarnation Catholic School.

10 years of Service:

Andrea Bach, Incarnation Catholic School; Ron DelaCuesta and David Zukin, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Amy Gawron, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish; Kelly Givens and Randal Hedel, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Jeffrey Jodice and Greg Morgan, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Ellen Smith, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Dr. Marc Snyder, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish; and Jeanine Francois-Gonzalez, St. John Neumann Catholic High School.

15 years of Service:

Elizabeth Davis and Andrea Tonitis, St. Martha Catholic School; Sara Delapaz, St. Catherine Catholic School; Juli Ferguson, St. Joseph Catholic School; Camile Nieves, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Sister Patricia Roche, FMA, and Jam Stryfeller, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; and Rebecca Reynolds, St. Mary Academy.

25 years of Service: Deanna Breen, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Stephanie Rode, St. Andrew Catholic School; Evelyn Velasquez, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.

30 years of Service: Shannon Dalton, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, Suzie O’Grady, Bishop Verot Catholic High School.

Assisting in Leadership Award

The Assisting in Leadership Award, new to 2026, is for assistant principals, deans and instructional leaders who bridge the gap between vision and implementation. Recipients are: Kate Hamstra, Matt Hiller, Christina Miller and Christine Otis, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Stefan Gates, Dr. Matthew Ittig and Carol Cassidy, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Andrea Bach, Incarnation Catholic School; Tim Roder and Deacon Edward Watson, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish; Andrew Hamstra and Kelley Tucker, St. Andrew Catholic School; Nick Lahr, St. Ann Catholic School; Jim Reynolds and Monica Nelson, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Elizabeth Davis, St. Martha Catholic School; Kiawania Heard, St. Mary Academy; Barbara Guerra, St. Joseph Catholic School; Dr. Donna Noonan and Dr. Benjamin Weber, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Nissa Mitchell, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Dr. Judy Dickinson, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; and Christna Tylka, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School.

School Leadership Recognition

School principals of the 2025-2026 school year:

Suzie O’Grady, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Ben Hopper, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Roberto Pugliares, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Amy Yager, Incarnation Catholic School; Dr. Marc Snyder, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Bambi Giles, St. Andrew Catholic School; Micah O’Connor, St. Ann Catholic School; Steven Cullipher, St. Catherine Catholic School; Amy Barron, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Dr. Marcel Brown, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; John Gulley, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Sister Patricia Roche, FMA, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Tom Noonan, St. Joseph Catholic School; Mari Jo Hanson, St. Martha Catholic School; and Rebecca Reynolds, St. Mary Academy.

2025 Catholic Scouting Awards presented

Posted on May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Girls and boys from throughout the Diocese of Venice participated in Mass on May 18, 2025, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, wearing the uniforms of their Scout troops.

Designated as “Scouting Sunday,” the Mass, which fell on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, was followed by an award ceremony in the Parish Hall to celebrate and recognize the girls and boys who commit themselves to scouting while remaining true to the Faith. Members of the Scouting America and American Heritage Girls (AHG) participated in the ceremony.

During a reception following Mass, Bishop Frank J. Dewane presented dozens of Scouting Religious Awards, with some Scouts receiving multiple honors.

Bishop Dewane told the Scouts that it is his prayer that the awards will continually give them encouragement to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

“Scouting programs provide young people with invaluable experiences that help build strong moral character, encourage community service, and promote care for creation,” Bishop Dewane said. “These are important values in shaping individuals ready to serve the common good. Catholic Scouting nurtures these values through a faith-centered lens.”

The awards earned from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Religious Activities Awards included: Ad Altare Emblem, Bible Belles Award, Modern Saints Series, Rosary Series, Marian Series, Faith Series, American Saints Series, and International Series. Diocesan Scout Awards included: Boy Jesus, Child of God, Kristallnacht, Yom Hashoah, Mother Mary, and Our Lady. The National Committee Boy Scout Awards included: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, and St. John the Baptist. American Heritage Girls Scouting Awards included: Tenderheart Faith, Explorer Faith, and Pioneer Faith, and Patriot Faith.

Each award requires the Scout to participate in different activities which help increase their Faith. The awards become more difficult to earn as the Scout advances.

Additional awards were presented during the ceremony to adult Scouting leaders.

Teresa Mitchell, AHG FL1203, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers, received the Companions on the Journey, the highest recognition from the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministers for a Diocese to confer on adults working in youth ministry.
Melissa Rivero, AHG FL 1203, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers, was given the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, a national recognition for three or more years of service to Catholic girls in the American Heritage Girls.
Kristen Tucker, AHG FL 1203, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers, the St. Anne Medal, received the highest medal for adults in the American Heritage Girls, for those with seven or more years of service who have contributed significantly to the spiritual development of Catholic girls in the program.
Megan Van Wart, Scouting America Troop 201G, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naples, earned the Eucharistic Revival Award, with rockers, for work on this special national award during the three-year Revival.

Three adults earned the Light of the World Pin, a national honor presented to adults as expression of appreciation and gratitude from the Diocese for their work with Catholic Scouting. The honorees were: Tracey Bellucci, AHG FL1029, Ave Maria; Kim Marie, Scouting America Troop 157, St. Maximilian Kolbe; and Megan Van Wart, Scouting America Troop 2001G, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naples.

Five adults were also honored with the Bronze Pelican Award, which recognizes an adult’s unique and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth. Bronze symbolizes spiritual strength, while the pelican is an early Christian symbol for self-sacrifice. Those honored were Dr. Monica Woodward, Scouting America Troop 2001 and Pack 226 of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples; Alicia Ritter, Scouting America Troop 2001G and AHG FL1029, of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria; and three from Scouting American Pack 1226, of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Parrish, Ian Fulton, Valerie Fulton, and Jim Pfieffer.

In addition to these awards, Connie Kantor, a member of the Diocesan Committee on Scouting, National Catholic Committee member, and Scouting America Crew 8564, Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, was presented the St. Geroge Medal. This medal is awarded by nomination to those who have made significant contribution to Catholic Scouting in the Diocese for at least 5-10 years. Kantor has volunteered in Catholic Scouting on both the Diocesan and national level for more than 13 years. She was also recognized at the NCCS national meeting in April with the Jerusalem Cross for her work on the Scout’s Guide to Religious Relics, and the Christus Vivit Award for collaborating with five other Catholic Women Scouters to establish and endow a new NCCS scholarship named for St. Katharine Drexel.

Recognizing the hard work and commitment that the Scouts from throughout the Diocese of Venice make to earn the Catholic Religious Awards, Bishop Dewane congratulated each of the award recipients and all Scouts.

A special award was given to Bonnie Paquette in memory of her husband, Bob Paquette, who served for many years as Diocesan Scouting Awards Coordinator among other roles. Bob Paquette passed away in August 2024.

Also participating in the ceremony was Jim Gontis, Diocesan Director of Evangelization, and Andres Prias, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Outreach.

2025 Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools award recipients

Posted on April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The following is a list of Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools award recipients. The awards were presented on March 28, 2025, at a STREAM Symposium which included all Diocesan Catholic School faculty and staff. Awards include years of service, leadership, excellence in STREAM education, and exemplars of Catholic Education.

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award for 2025 goes to a faculty member who has been a teacher in the Diocese of Venice for 35 years: Mary (Binki) Ravazzoli of St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota.

Blue Apple Award

The Blue Apple Award will be given to teachers who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in STREAM, technology, and innovation at your school. The color blue in the Bible has been used to described by scholars as denoting the Holy Spirit and Truth or service to God, as well as the waters of new creation in the book of Genesis, and most importantly the color blue is often associated with our Blessed Mother.

Teachers receiving the 2025 Blue Apple STREAM Leadership awards were nominated by the principals of the Diocese of Venice are:

Frances Shipman, St. Catherine Catholic School; Patrick Barock, St. Catherine Catholic School; Jody Kienzler, St. Joseph Catholic School; Angie Wilson, St. Martha Catholic School; Kathleen Wilde, St. Mary Academy; Diana Eidel, Incarnation Catholic School; Christine Jakoby, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Linda Slak, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Mike O’Malley, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Don Freitas, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Alexis Thwaites, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Thomas James, St. Andrew Catholic School; Colleen Mattfeld, St. Andrew Catholic School; Megan Schuchman, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Melissa Zizzo, St. Ann Catholic School; Conner McCormick, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Ryan Krause, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Liz Kroll, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Brenda Balance, St. John Neumann Catholic High School.

Charitas (Crystal Cross Award)

Produce excellence in all that they do (teaching, leading, etc.)
Radiate with care and compassion towards students and colleagues
Treat others as brothers and sisters in Christ
Embodies the Catholic Faith inside and outside the classroom
Leads by example
Spreads Truth, Beauty and Goodness to those around them

Recipients are:

Rebecca Lazo, St. Catherine Catholic School; Juli Ferguson, St. Joseph Catholic School; Dr. Carol Darling, St. Joseph Catholic School; Sister Cathy Bonfield, SSND, St. Martha Catholic School; Anne Taylor, St. Mary Academy; Lexy Kaminski, Incarnation Catholic School; Elizabeth Akers, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Jane Doiron, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Lory Hendericks, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Diana Villadolid, St. Andrew Catholic School; Maria Niebuhr, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Elizabeth Tenbarge, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Aimee Thompson, St. Ann Catholic School; Cassie Graham, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Linda Fox, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Lizz Curll-Chappell, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Denise York, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Jeanine Francois-Gonzalez, St. John Neumann Catholic High School.

Years of Service honorees

5 years of Service:

Patricia Foti-Iglesias, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Matt Ittig, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Christine Macaluso, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Jenna Palmer, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Juli Duzs, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Kim Koolakian, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Bethany Gunn, St. Andrew Catholic School; Samantha Jodice, St. Andrew Catholic School; Don Freitas, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Jeanette Sanchez, St. Catherine Catholic School; Dixie Kreulen, St. Catherine Catholic School; Patrick Barock, St. Catherine Catholic School; Steve Cirronella, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Ana Han, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Donna Noonan, St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Courtney Knox, St. Joseph Catholic School; Angie Wilson, St. Martha Catholic School; Becky Boydston, St. Martha Catholic School; Victoria Young, St. Martha Catholic School.

10 years of Service:

Scott Ruane, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School; Matt Byrne, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Cassie Graham, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Ester Sevilla, St. Ann Catholic School; Barry Shuck, St. Martha Catholic School; Katie Rierson, St. Mary Academy; Catherine Powers, St. Mary Academy; Kelly Metevia, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Jennifer Crouch, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Katie Schlotterbeck, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Jim Orr, Bishop Verot Catholic High School.

15 years of Service:

Mark Latell, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, John Nolan, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Tyler Graham, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria; Kim Ogburn, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; Julie Collins, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School; Heather Caamano, St. Ann Catholic School; Christine St. Jean, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School; Sara Delapaz, St. Catherine Catholic School; Christina Grun, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Leslie Lambert, St. Martha Catholic School.

20 years of Service:

Vanessa Lombardo, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School; David Burns, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, Melissa James, St. Martha Catholic School; Anna Benitez, Bishop Verot Catholic High School.

25 years of Service:

Jeff Tenbarge, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School; Denise Szedelyi. St. John Neumann Catholic High School; Krys Kolbe, St. Joseph Catholic School; Mary Dakin, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Kurt Prey, Bishop Verot Catholic High School; Cameron Logan, St Martha Catholic School.

30 years of Service:

Jennifer Miller, St. Joseph Catholic School; Mary Ellen Tavernier, St. Joseph Catholic School; Sister Cathy Bonfield, SSND, St. Martha Catholic School.

School Leadership Recognition

School principals of the 2024-2025 school year:

Suzie O’Grady, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Fort Myers; Ben Hopper, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Sarasota; Deacon Michael Pipitone, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, Venice; Amy Yager, Incarnation Catholic School, Sarasota; Dr. Marc Snyder, Donahue Academy at Ave Maria, Ave Maria; Bambi Giles, St. Andrew Catholic School, Cape Coral; Micah O’Connor, St. Ann Catholic School, Naples; Steven Cullipher, St. Catherine Catholic School, Sebring; Amy Barron, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Port Charlotte; Maria Niebuhr, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School, Naples; John Gulley, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Fort Myers; Sister Patricia Roche, FMA, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, Naples; Deborah Suddarth, St. Joseph Catholic School, Bradenton; Mari Jo Hanson, St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota; Rebecca Reynolds, St. Mary Academy, Sarasota.

Catholic Scouting Awards presented – Diocese receives top honors

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Girls and boys from throughout the Diocese of Venice participated in Mass on May 5, 2024, at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, wearing the uniforms of their Scout troops.

Designated as “Scouting Sunday,” the Mass, which fell on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, was followed by an award ceremony in the Parish Hall to celebrate and recognize the girls and boys who commit themselves to scouting while remaining true to the Faith. Members of the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, American Heritage Girls (AHG), Fraternus, Troops of St. George, Trail Life USA, and the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society participated in the ceremony.

During a reception following Mass, Bishop Frank J. Dewane presented dozens of Scouting Religious Awards, with some Scouts receiving multiple honors.

Bishop Dewane told the Scouts that it is his prayer that the awards will continually give them encouragement to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

“Scouting, and similar programs, provide a unique opportunity for young people to grow in virtue. This is a crucial aspect in the formation of solid character and in becoming a good citizen,” Bishop Dewane said. “Catholic Scouting in particular, provides opportunities to grow in friendship with the Lord Jesus and to be rooted ever more deeply in the His Holy, Catholic Church.”

The awards earned from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Religious Activities Awards included: Rosary Series, Marian Series, Faith Series, Footsteps of American Saints and Modern Saints. Diocesan Scout Awards included: Boy Jesus, Child of God, Kristallnacht, Mother Mary, and Our Lady. The National Committee Boy Scout Awards included: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, and St. John the Baptist. American Heritage Girls Scouting Awards included: Tenderheart Faith – God and My Family, Explorer Faith – God and My Country, and Pioneer Faith – God and My Community, and Patriot Faith – Women of Integrity (these awards are earned in different segments). Each award requires the Scout to participate in different activities which help increase their Faith. The awards become more difficult to earn as the Scout advances.

New to the 2024 Scouting Faith Series was the National Eucharistic Revival patch, which was created as part of the ongoing U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops initiative to help grow a greater devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist. The goal of the Eucharistic Revival Scout activities was to instill sacramental and prayer practices regarding the Eucharist in the Scouts. To earn the patch, each Scout was required to attend weekly Mass, participate in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, take part in a Eucharistic Procession, pray the rosary, and read about the Eucharistic miracles. At the award ceremony, five Boy Scouts were so honored as were all members of American Heritage Girls Troop FL 1203, of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers.

In part due to this accomplishment, Troop FL 1203 was recognized and awarded a Pope Paul VI National Catholic Quality Unit Award. In addition, an adult honor went to Troop FL 1203 leader Kristen Tucker. Tucker was presented the Bronze Pelican Award, which recognizes an adult’s unique and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth. Bronze symbolizes spiritual strength, while the pelican is an early Christian symbol for self-sacrifice.

During the ceremony, Diocesan Scout Awards Coordinator Bob Paquette presented Bishop Dewane with the Quality Diocese Award, which is given to a Diocese for its commitment to supporting Catholic Scouting. This is the 15th year in a row the Diocese of Venice has received this award. Historically, about 40% of the Dioceses qualify for this important award.

Also participating in the ceremony was National Committee Member Connie Kantor, and James Gontis, Diocesan Director of Evangelization.

Scouting Awards presented – Diocese given top honors

Posted on June 2, 2023June 2, 2023 by Bob Reddy

Girls and boys from throughout the Diocese of Venice participated in Mass on May 21, 2023, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice wearing the uniforms of their Scout troop.

Designated as “Scouting Sunday,” the Mass, which fell on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, was followed by an award ceremony in the Parish Hall to celebrate and recognize the girls and boys who commit themselves to scouting while remaining true to the Faith. Members of the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, American Heritage Girls (AHG), Fraternus, Troops of St. George, Trail Life USA, and the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society participated in the ceremony.

During a reception following Mass, Bishop Frank J. Dewane presented dozens of Scouting Religious Awards, with some Scouts receiving multiple honors.

Bishop Dewane told the Scouts that it is his prayer that the awards will continually give them encouragement to strive forward in their relationship with the Lord.

The awards earned from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Religious Activities Awards included: Rosary Series, Marian Series, Faith Series, Footsteps of American Saints and Modern Saints. Diocesan Scout Awards included: Child of God, Our Lady, Mother Mary, Queen of the Rosary, Spirit Alive, and Pillars of Faith. The National Committee Boy Scout Awards included: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, and Ad Altare Dei. American Heritage Girls Scouting Awards included: Tenderheart Faith – God and My Family, Explorer Faith – God and My Country, and Explorer Faith – God and My Community, and Patriot Faith – Women of Integrity (these awards are earned in different segments). Each award requires the Scout to participate in different activities which help increase their Faith. The awards become more difficult to earn as the Scout advances.

Additionally, the Pope Paul VI National Catholic Quality Unit Award was presented to Pack 226, of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, and American Heritage Girls Troop FL1203, of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers.

During the ceremony, Diocesan Scout Awards Coordinator Bob Paquette presented Bishop Dewane with the Quality Diocese Award, which is given to a Diocese for its commitment to supporting Catholic Scouting. This is the 14th year in a row the Diocese of Venice has received this award. Historically, less than half of the Dioceses qualify for this important award.

Participating in the ceremony was Scouts Chaplain Father Lawton Lang, who is an Eagle Scout, National Committee Member Connie Kantor, as well as Marthamaria Morales, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, who served as the emcee.