Tag: bishop frank dewane

Seminarians gain knowledge during summer assignments

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Summer break for college students is usually filled with fun, travel and perhaps work. For the Diocese of Venice seminarians who have completed another year of studies on their spiritual journey to becoming priests, they are now working on various summer assignments which will help them broaden their pastoral experiences.

“The summer assignments are an important part of seminarian formation, where the men have the opportunity to experience the realities of Parish life and ministry,” explained Diocese Vocations Director Father Alex Pince.

Each assignment is intended to provide the seminarians with an opportunity to learn about the daily operation of a Parish, with a focus on pastoral care. At different phases in their priestly formation, the assignments are carefully chosen to maximize the positive benefits for each seminarian.

“They are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience while getting to know and serve with the priests, lay ministers and faithful who make up a Parish community,” Father Pince added. “Each summer the assignments change, giving the seminarians a deeper understanding of their vocational call to become Diocesan priests.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the summer is crucial in keeping the seminarians engaged as part of their commitment to a prayerful life and spiritual development. The work has the added benefit of keeping them connected to the Diocese in which they may someday serve as priests.

“In seminary formation there is a stress on the growth in human, academic, spiritual and pastoral formation,” Bishop Dewane said. “Summer assignments offer practical insights on pastoral ministry and provide the seminarian an opportunity to grow and have real-life encounters.”

Through encountering others in various pastoral ministries such as visiting the sick, leading the faithful in prayer, and helping the poor, each seminarian comes to a deeper understanding of their own personal call to serve the people of God, Bishop Dewane said.

The summer began with the Ordination to the Priesthood of Father Greg Dougherty on June 8, with many of the seminarians present to help serve the Mass. This allowed the seminarians to see one of their fellow seminarians reach a goal they are working to attain in the future.

The Parish assignments place the seminarians with Pastors who will also serve as a mentor to them. The assignments differ each summer to provide the greatest opportunity for new learning experiences.

While most will be serving at Parishes throughout the summer, one seminarian has been assigned as a Totus Tuus missionary. This Diocesan program is a weekly spiritual camp offered for children at Parishes throughout the summer to enable them to grow closer to the Lord. In addition, two men are currently Transitional Deacons, meaning they will serve more prominently at the Parish including during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, preaching, as well as celebrating baptism and weddings.

The seminarians and their summer assignment locations are as follows:

  • Transitional Deacon Jacob Gwynn, St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers;
  • Transitional Deacon Patrick Long, St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota;
  • Joseph Doherty, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Fort Myers;
  • Bai Nguyen, St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton;
  • Andrew Cordero, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Venice;
  • Alain Valdvia, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Port Charlotte;
  • Lam Vo, San Antonio Parish, Port Charlotte;
  • Jesse Gomez; Totus Tuus summer program.

Diocese of Venice Seminarians are supported through the Diocese Catholic Faith Appeal, the Knights of Columbus and the generosity of the faithful.

Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocations. To support a seminarian, send a check to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.

For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543, or visit www.venicevocations.com.

 

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, religious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

Spanish-language Faith Formation program success continues

Posted on by Bob Reddy

During the past seven years the Hispanic Ministries outreach of the Diocese of Venice has strived to meet the needs of those desiring to be better formed in their Faith through a focused formation program, with hundreds participating each year.

Father Claudio Stewart, Diocesan Hispanic Ministries Director, said this formation program has been recognized as one of the largest Diocesan-level outreach efforts in the nation which directly includes the Hispanic Catholic community.

“Through the last seven years, we have observed the community’s desire to learn, their eagerness to integrate more within our Catholic Faith and their motivation to become more involved as a community,” Father Stewart explained. “They do find the time to participate and make the effort to learn by using the Pastoral Hispana App to access the classes and relevant supporting documents. Their commitment and dedication serve as guidance to continue offering our formation classes year after year.”

The 2023-2024 Formation Program of the Hispanic Apostolate focused on the National Eucharistic Revival, therefore, the theme of the classes was based on the celebration of the Holy Mass. For this purpose, the program utilized a resource from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions titled “The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of Mass.”

The benefit of having the formation program in Spanish allows the students the opportunity to better absorb the complexities of the Faith without the extra work of translating the information. This also helps streamline the instruction and allows for a more open discussion. At the conclusion of each program year, those who earned certificates are encouraged to use their new-found knowledge to evangelize in their families and the Parish community.

The Faith Formation classes are divided into five geographic regions of the Diocese to allow easier access to the course. Students are offered the option to participate in-person or online. Instructors included priests, women religious and Deacons. Each level becomes increasingly more sophisticated, challenging the participants to take a fresh look at the Catholic Church.

For the 2023-2024 session, a total of 564 Hispanic adults registered for the latest session of the program and participated in a least some of the session, with 223 earning a Diocesan Certification, meaning they completed all seven sessions and passed a final exam. Diocesan certificates were presented in June at regional locations.

One participant from Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers said the formation program has helped her grow in love of the Universal Church and increased her passion for sharing her faith with others.

With the support of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, the Spanish Faith Formation Program sessions were developed immediately following the local consultation process of the V Encuentro in 2016 and 2017.

The V Encuentro was a multi-year outreach initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with a goal of discerning ways for the Church in the U.S. to better respond to the needs of the growing Hispanic population. The process involved consultations at the Parish, Diocesan, regional and national levels. A final report was submitted to the Vatican in September 2019 with recommendations for inclusive action at all levels of the Church in the U.S. These actions are now being implemented.

The idea behind the initial three-step Spanish Faith Formation Program within the Diocese was to quickly help bridge the gap in formation for Hispanics in the Diocese for whom English is not their first language. This gap had created isolation among some, and the new program became empowering to Hispanic Catholics who often felt they were outsiders in the Catholic Church within the U.S., primarily due to the language difference.

For the coming formation series, Father Stewart said the program will respond to the call of Pope Francis who invites us to dedicate a year to prayer in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025. Consequently, the classes will cover the fourth part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church “The Life of Prayer.”

Other actions taken since the local V Encuentro sessions have encouraged a broader outreach and inclusion in existing Parish and Diocesan events. This means having sessions in Spanish at conferences, bilingual programs, and other steps that express the unity of the Catholic Church in the U.S.

To learn more about other Diocese of Venice initiatives through the Hispanic Ministries Office, please email pastoralhispana@dioceseofvenice.org, or visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/hispanic-apostolate.

News Briefs for the week of July 12, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Appointments

After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following appointments:

Father Raùl Zamora, as Parochial Vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish, Bonita Springs, effective June 18, 2024.

Father Augustine Ignasimuthu, as Parochial Vicar of Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, Bradenton, effective June 26, 2024.

Father Joseph Duffy, F.S.S.P., as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel, Naples, effective July 1, 2024.

 

Diocesan Haitian Catholic community celebrates 35 years in Fort Myers

To mark the 35th anniversary of the Haitian Catholic Community in Fort Myers, the Mass was celebrated, and a grand commemoration followed on June 30, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was joined by the Haitian priests of the Diocese, with Most. Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston, serving as the main homilist. Father Jean-Marie Fritz Ligonde, Diocesan Director of Haitian Ministry, said the Haintian Catholic community is growing in the area and celebrations such as the one on June 30 are important. In addition to St. Francis Xavier, the Mass is celebrated in Haitian-Creole weekly at five additional Diocesan Parishes, including: St. Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte; St. Michael in Wauchula; Sacred Heart in Bradenton; Our Lady of Guadalupe in Immokalee; and St. Peter the Apostle in Naples. An annual Diocesan-wide celebration takes place on New Year’s Day, marking the independence of Haiti and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

Local doctors meet with Bishop

The leadership of the Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association met with Bishop Frank J. Dewane at the Diocesan Catholic Center in Venice on July 10, 2024. The group provided Bishop Dewane with their annual report on their latest activities, including plans for continuing Catholic medical educational seminars within the Diocese.

Fourth of July parade displays patriotism in Ave Maria

The 8th Annual “God Bless America” Independence Day Bike and Golf Cart Parade presented by Ave Maria Parish took place on the Fourth of July, 2024. The celebration followed Mass and began in the piazza in front of the church and included patriotic songs, a reflection from Retired U.S. Navy Captain Glenn Cooper, prayers and then a parade that included about 500 people. There were motorcycles, bikes, trikes, golf carts, strollers, as well as fire trucks from the Collier County Fire Department. The event was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Ave Maria Assembly 3862. During the event, the Knights handed out pamphlets which included the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. The goal of the annual event was to pass along patriotism to the next generation.

Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves in the 10 counties that constitute the Diocese of Venice the most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal is asking for your support. The giving is easy! Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters! To donate to Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Sarasota, FL 34285.

Totus Tuus summer program still going strong

The final two weeks of the Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program are here. The week-long program is visiting different Parishes each week and offering day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, as well as evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. The camp is inspiring young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. Two missionary teams are going to different Parishes each week. In the first four weeks, the program has taken place at eight Parishes, with the most recent at Our Lady Queen of Heaven in LaBelle. For the week of July 14-19, the program will be at Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers during daytime and St. John XXIII in the evening; with a separate program running the same week at St. Cecilia, Fort Myers. The final week of the program runs from July 21-25 at Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, and St. Peter the Apostle in Naples.

Theology on Tap on July 18 in Sarasota

The next Theology on Tap, an outreach to young adults, is 7 p.m., July 18, 2024, in a new location, Big Top Brewing Brewery & Restaurant, 3045 Fruitville Commons Boulevard, Sarasota. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of each month. The featured speaker for July 18 is Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, and the topic will be “The Interconnectedness Between Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Precious Blood of Jesus.” Theology on Tap is presented by the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543.

New bus purchased for Bradenton school

A new school bus, for use at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton, arrived July 7, 2024, just in time for the new school year. The bus was purchased thanks to the generous support of the Diocese of Venice, the James M. Doss Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, the Stephen and Jennifer Ierulli Family, and donors who supported the Community Foundation of Sarasota and The Patterson Foundation 2024 Giving Challenge. The 2025 Bluebird 71-passenger school bus will meet the many transportation needs of St. Joseph Catholic School. Bus driver, Stephanie Cannon-Waiters, was present for the delivery to review the safety features of the bus.

“Summertime and the Giving is Easy” – Catholic Charities campaign seeks to help those in need

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and encouraging all in need. This summer, you can help.

Catholic Charities offers donors the opportunity to give directly to the causes they care about through the annual “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign.

The Campaign gets back to the basics by reminding the generous faithful about key areas where Catholic Charities assists people throughout the 10-county Diocese of Venice region. Many people live without adequate food, shelter, education and support. Catholic Charities offers people in need in Southwest Florida the help that brings about real change in their lives.

Each year Catholic Charities serves more than 100,000 individuals and families through more than 30 programs. This is regardless of race, nationality or creed. The lingering effects of Hurricane Ian (2022) and rising costs of necessary items continue to put a strain on the resources of people throughout the region. Each day, Catholic Charities works hard to make a difference. A total of 93 cents of each dollar donated to Catholic Charities goes directly to programs and services which ranks the charity among the top in the country.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the support of Catholic Charities by the faithful of Southwest Florida is inspiring and critical to ensure “our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to receive the help and support they need. Catholic Charities does a wonderful job in providing programs that not only help in a crisis but assist in improving daily the lives of those they reach. Your support is appreciated, and critical!”

Christopher Root, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, says all donations, either great or small, will enable Catholic Charities to continue to help those most vulnerable in Southwest Florida.

“We often take for granted the necessities that are basic rights,” Root said. “The annual Catholic Charities ‘Summertime and the Giving is Easy’ campaign reminds us that many people in our communities of Southwest Florida do not have the essentials required to live a healthy life. Please consider a donation for those who lack food, shelter, education and support. You can make a real difference!”

Whether your passionate is about education, food security for children and families, preventing homelessness, helping the vulnerable, please consider providing your support to the “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign knowing your money will reach those in need.

Support a Child’s Success – Support Education

The children of our community will grow into strong leaders by following our guidance. Catholic Charities helps the community’s most vulnerable youth thrive. A donation of $6,500 provides a notebook computer for 20 children; $1,000 gives a backpack full of school supplies for 10 children; $250 provides a new twin mattress, frame, and bedding for a child; $125 supplies diapers, wipes, and hygiene supplies for a mother and child for one month

Give Peace of Mind – A gift that follows generations

Catholic Charities strives to create a better tomorrow – a tomorrow where children and adults can experience hope, recovery, and wellness. Mental health counseling offers the tools necessary to overcome challenges. Different levels of support can make a real difference, such as $6,408 provides life-skills classes for 22 moms for one year; $2,200 allows a child mental health counseling for an entire school year; $1,170 provides a homeless mom with 10 sessions of weekly counseling; $500 helps a survivor of human trafficking with two months of mental health counseling.

No one goes hungry – Feed many

In Florida, 1 in 8 people struggle with hunger, and 1 in 5 of note are children. Your support of the “Summertime” campaign will help combat food insecurity by providing food to children, families, and seniors. For example, a donation of $2,500 provides hot meals for a week at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen in Immokalee where more than 245 needy individuals and families are provided essential nutrition. Another $1,600 purchases a pallet of black beans, enough to give 500 families a 5-pound bag of beans; $722 provides 250 children with weekend meals when school meals are not available; and $50 feeds a family of four from a food pantry for a week at locations in Immokalee, Arcadia, Clewiston, Naples, and Fort Myers.

Be the Change – Support Self-Sufficiency

Homelessness is an extremely complex issue that impacts both those experiencing homelessness and the entire community. Providing stable, permanent housing is essential in helping families achieve better lives. Support of $10,000 helps maintain five transitional houses for homeless families on their journey to self-sufficiency; $3,900 will house a disadvantaged family with children for two months; $1,197 houses two human trafficking survivors for one month; $75 provides a laundry basket filled with cleaning products to a family transitioning to a new home.

The “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign is a chance to brighten the future for your neighbors who come to Catholic Charities for help. Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

To donate to Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Sarasota, FL 34285.

 

Thank you for your support!

Longtime Diocesan priest retires

Posted on by Bob Reddy

For the past four decades Father Mark Heuberger has served the faithful of Southwest Florida in several different capacities, celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, administering the sacraments and proclaiming the Word of God to the faithful. Most importantly he has strived to live out his call to holiness as a priest through prayer and being an example for others to follow.

After 43 years as a priest, Father Heuberger is retiring effective June 30, 2024, shortly after reaching his 70th birthday. In that time, Father served at 11 Parishes ranging from Fort Myers and Cape Coral to St. Petersburg, on the faculty at three Catholic high schools, two terms on the faculty of the regional seminary, and appointments on numerous seminary and Diocesan advisory boards.

A dual birthday and retirement celebration took place on June 23 at Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton, where he has served as Pastor for the past 14 years. The celebration began appropriately with Mass and was followed by a reception all with intention of thanking Father Mark for his many years of service to the people of God and to wish him well going forward.

Father Heuberger said that prior to the celebration he was trying to think of the number weddings, baptism and funerals he presided over for just the people who were coming to honor him and couldn’t do it. When reflecting on the full 42 years of his priesthood, the numbers become huge and only reflect a small part of his priestly service.

“I am so grateful to have been able to be a small part of so many lives,” Father Heuberger said. “I am so blessed. Thank you.”

During the reception, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, many Diocesan priests and religious, as well as friends from nearly each of his many assignments, recognized Father Mark for his lifelong achievements as a priest. This included a special proclamation in Father’s honor presented to him by Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, a longtime parishioner.

“We remember him was he was a Transitional Deacon and began serving at Bishop Verot (Catholic High School in Fort Myers),” said current Verot teacher Mark Latell. “He was such an inspiration then, just as he is today.”

Father Heuberger was born in Shelby, Ohio, but grew up in Bradenton, going to St. Joseph Catholic School from 1960-1968 and then to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, graduating in 1972. He went directly into seminary, discerning the priesthood at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and then at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1980 for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

The first six years of his priesthood included working on the faculty at three different Catholic high schools, including Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers (1980-1982), and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota (1984-1986) within the Diocese of Venice. While at these schools, Father Heuberger was assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers; Epiphany Parish in Venice; St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sarasota; and finally at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota, as well as at two Parish in St. Petersburg. He then became the first Diocese of Venice Youth Director (1985-1989)

A founding member of the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, it was in 1988 when Father Mark became founding Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte where he served from 1988 to 1994. During this time, Father also earned an additional advanced degree in 1993 from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut. He was then assigned a term to serve on the faculty of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary as Dean of Pastoral Formation from 1994-1999. Father then had a brief assignment as Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota (1999-2000), before returning the faculty at the regional seminary from 2000-2003.

Having completed his time in academia, Father Heuberger was appointed as Pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, serving from 2003 to 2010, before finally being appointed to Saints Peter and Paul the Apostle, returning to his roots in Bradenton.

“The timing for retirement is right as I am healthy and will be able to enjoy myself,” Father said.

Solemnity honors founders of the Church – Saints Peter and Paul have impact across Church, in Diocese

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles on June 29, 2024, the founders of the See of Rome. The Diocese of Venice is blessed to have a troika of Parishes which honor these important saints.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, in a message to the faithful on the occasion of the Solemnity, said they are honored in Rome through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom there. “Saint Peter is the rock upon which Jesus built His Church; Saint Paul was the preacher of truth to the whole world!”

A bold follower of the Lord, “St. Peter was the first to recognize that Jesus was ‘the Messiah, the Son of the living God,’ and eagerly pledged his fidelity until death. St. Peter led the Apostles as the first Pope and ensured that the disciples kept the true faith,” Bishop Dewane wrote.

St. Peter spent his last years in Rome, leading the Church through times of persecution and eventually was martyred there in the year 64. He was crucified upside-down at his own request, because he claimed he was not worthy to die as his Lord. He was buried on Vatican hill, and St. Peter’s Basilica is built over his tomb.

“St. Paul’s letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, and through them we learn much about his life and the faith of the early Church” Bishop Dewane stated. He spent his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world. Eventually imprisoned and taken to Rome, where he was beheaded in the year 67, Saint Paul is buried there in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Within the Diocese of Venice, there is a special devotion to the early saints, with three Parishes which bear their names.

The faithful at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia have been active since the 1880s, with the first Mass recorded in the area in 1882. St. Paul Mission was established in 1910. It became a formal Parish in 1958 for the then-Diocese of St. Augustine. The Parish serves a rural farming community and has a large active program for children and youth. Bishop Dewane dedicated a new Parish church in March 2021. The Parish has more than 2,000 families with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish.

Serving the southern end of the Diocese, St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples was erected in Naples on June 11, 1974, and currently has more than 4,500 families with seven weekend Masses in three languages. In 2019, the Parish Spirit Center, which includes the Parish Hall and offices, was dedicated by Bishop Dewane.

The newest of the three Parishes, Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton, was erected in November 1986 and was one of the first Parishes in the newly created Diocese of Venice in Florida. The Parish now has more than 2,500 families, with a sprawling campus that includes three main buildings which host more than 100 Parish outreach programs. A church roof replacement was recently completed.

Father Mark Heuberger, Pastor for the past 14 years, said the dynamic Parish was blessed to be named after the two early saints. A mural, which is above the altar, depicts the saints and their related symbols, St. Peter with a net and upside-down cross. St. Paul with a sword, a staunch defender of the early Church who died by the sword. There is also an image of Christ and a boat.

As we celebrate the Solemnity, Bishop Dewane concluded his message, saying: “Why not ask Saints Peter and Paul today for their intercession, that we may enjoy a lively faith, a firm hope, and a burning love for the Lord, as they both did.”

News Briefs for the week of June 28, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

John XXIII Movement retreat reinforces faith

Members of the John XXIII Movement took part in a follow-up retreat on June 21, 2024, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte. More than 60 took part in the retreat which served to reinforce lessons previously learned when they joined the Movement. The group is made up of faithful who had been absent from the Church and marginalized from society before being welcomed back by friends and family and have completed the initial welcoming retreat. The John XXIII Movement is a private international association of laity, born to be a movement of evangelization/conversion and to work, helping the faithful return to full and active participation in the Catholic Church.

Incoming Verot student gets head start on high school

Diving into summer learning, incoming freshmen at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers are taking part in the LEAP (Learning Enrichment Academic Program) course.  This unique summer initiative is designed to boost skills in reading, writing, studying, and math, setting our students up for success from day one. The first session took place the week of June 17, 2024, and another session will take place in July.

Parish completes bible study series

St. William Parish in Naples has completed a four-part bible study series with a focus on Ephesians. The study was led by Scripture scholars Jeff Cavins and Thomas Smith, focusing on the “adventure of discovering our Spiritual Inheritance in Jesus Christ.” This is the latest in a series of programs offered at the Parish to encourage the faithful to grow in their faith. For more information about other upcoming programs, please visit www.saintwilliam.org/adult-faith.

Totus Tuus program reaches half-way point

The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program has reached its halfway point, inspiring young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. The week-long program is visiting different Parishes each week and offering day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, as well as evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Two missionary teams are going to different Parishes each week. In the first four weeks, the program has taken place at seven Parishes, with the most recent at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, and St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral the week of June 24. Five more Parishes will host the program through the end of July including the following: Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 7-12); Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers, and St. Cecilia, Fort Myers (July 14-19); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch, and St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 21-26). To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/.

Theology on Tap returns at new location

After a one-month hiatus, Theology on Tap has returned with a new location (Big Top Brewing Brewery & Restaurant, 3045 Fruitville Commons Boulevard, Sarasota). About 60 people gathered for the June 20, 2024. The featured speaker was Mother Maria Therese Nikopoia Klobe, Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, and Director of Religious Education at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, who spoke about making wise choice in all aspects of life. Theology on Tap meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The featured speaker for July 18 is Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, and the topic will be “The Interconnectedness Between Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Precious Blood of Jesus.” Theology on Tap is presented by the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543.

Fourth of July Parade in Ave Maria

The 8th Annual “God Bless America” Independence Day Bike and Golf Cart Parade presented by Ave Maria Parish, 5088 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, will take place at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 4. The celebration will begin in the Piazza in front of the church and will include patriotic songs, a reflection from a veteran, prayers and then the parade that will include bikes, trikes, golf carts, strollers and more. The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of Ave Maria Parish. For further information call 239-348-4725.

Sidewalk counselors in Fort Myers and Naples needed

There is an urgent need for sidewalk counselors and prayer partners to provide coverage to stand as peaceful witnesses for life at the Planned Parenthood abortion facilities at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers, and 1425 Creech Road, Naples. No training is necessary to be a prayer partner – just bring a hat and a rosary. For those interested in counseling, training and necessary resource materials will be provided. In addition, during this process an experienced counselor will be present. Prayer partners and counselors are a vital component in the Pro-Life movement, as they ensure a constant presence in front of abortion facilities, showing that women and their unborn children in crisis are not abandoned in their time of need. To learn more details, please call Mary Claire Dant at 239-200-8117.

AMENDMENT 4 : IT’S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS AND IT’S WAY TOO EXTREME

Posted on by Bob Reddy

4 GOOD REASONS TO VOTE NO ON 4

By Karen Barry Schwarz, Special to the Florida Catholic

What is Amendment 4?

Amendment 4 is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would essentially establish an unlimited right to abortion throughout pregnancy even when the heartbeat of the preborn child is detected, when the preborn child can experience pain, and when the child is capable of living outside the womb. Amendment 4 will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot and require approval from 60 percent of the electorate to pass.

Why is Amendment 4 so controversial?

Amendment 4 is an extreme proposal, essentially allowing abortion at any time for any reason, completely and dangerously unregulated. Since abortion is already legal in the state, with exceptions allowing access to abortion in a multitude of circumstances, this amendment to our state constitution is unnecessary, and has caused some confusion among Floridians. Further, the language of Amendment 4 is misleading, open to misinterpretation, and can be confusing in itself. The truth is, Amendment 4 is not what it seems, and it’s way too extreme, even for those who believe abortion should be legal in some circumstances.

Why should I vote NO on Amendment 4?

There are four very good reasons to vote NO on Amendment 4: Babies, Girls, Women and the State of Florida.

MORE BABIES AT RISK. Amendment 4 puts more BABIES at risk, allowing for second and third trimester abortions.

DETAIL: Babies are at risk from any abortion, of course, and the Catholic Church prays for a day when all abortion is unthinkable. However, in places where abortion is allowed, late-stage abortion is particularly gruesome.  The misleading language of Amendment 4 calls for “viability,” but does not define the term. But Florida law does define “viability,” and it is defined as the stage of development when the life of a fetus is sustainable outside the womb, generally accepted to be 22-24 weeks of pregnancy, or about six months. This means that if Amendment 4 is passed, second and even third trimester abortions will be allowed!  Is this what we want for our state? NO. Current Florida law allows abortion, up to six weeks gestation.

PUTS GIRLS AT RISK. Amendment 4 puts GIRLS at risk, eliminating the requirement of parental consent for minors.

DETAIL: While preserving parental “notification” in our state constitution, Amendment 4 would invalidate and eliminate the current law that requires parental “consent” for a minor to have an abortion. This part of Amendment 4’s language is particularly misleading, as many are fooled by the word “notification,” thinking it implies “consent.” It does not! Requiring only “notification,” which is likely to reach parents after the fact, puts girls at risk of making dangerous, permanent, and life-altering decisions for themselves and their babies without the guidance of their parents. This would make abortion the only medical decision for a minor in which parents have no say. Is this what we want for girls, and their families, in Florida? NO.

PUTS WOMEN AT RISK. Amendment 4 puts WOMEN at risk, weakening the medical doctor requirement.

DETAIL: “Healthcare providers” – not just physicians – could determine if an abortion is “necessary” to protect the mother’s “health.” Even some employees of abortion clinics, such as nurses and counselors, could approve dangerous, late-term abortions! Is this how we want women to be taken care of in Florida? NO.

OUR STATE CONSTITUTION. Amendment 4, if passed, would make Florida one of the most pro-abortion states in the country, turning us into an “Abortion Tourism” state.

DETAIL: The language in Amendment 4 creates a broad “health” loophole, allowing abortion for just about any reason, at any time. “Patient’s health” is not defined in the amendment, allowing post-viability, extremely late-term abortions for treatable, temporary health concerns. Emotional health, for example, would justify an abortion when a child could survive outside the womb! This kind of loophole allows broadscale access to abortion and would make Florida one of the most pro-abortion states in the nation. Since the Roe v. Wade ruling was overturned, abortion laws now rest in the hands of the states. Since many states have recently restricted or outlawed abortion, those states that have passed sweeping, widespread abortion laws are now designated “Abortion Tourism” states, with people traveling, often illegally, to those states to seek an abortion. Is this what we want for our state?  NO.

Many are under the wrong general impression about Amendment 4, believing that it would simply restore Florida back to when Roe v. Wade was in effect. This is not true. The fact is that Amendment 4 goes dangerously beyond what was permitted in the Roe v. Wade ruling. It would eliminate important health and safety measures that protect women, remove parental consent for any minor seeking an abortion, and allow for abortion through the third trimester of pregnancy. Further, it would make our state one of the most pro-abortion states in the nation. Four strong reasons to vote NO on Amendment 4!

Some – those who are in favor of legal abortion in some circumstances – think that Amendment 4 would simply allow access to abortion for women in crisis in Florida. But – abortion is already legal in Florida! If Amendment 4 does not pass, abortion would still be legal in Florida until a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, and in certain other, life-threatening or extreme circumstances. Current, common sense laws that protect the safety of women and girls, would remain in effect!

What is the Catholic Church doing to help pregnant women in need?

The Catholic Church is committed to helping women in need during and after pregnancies. For decades, numerous Catholic social service agencies, in collaboration with faith-based and secular organizations, have assisted pregnant women in need with material resources and personal accompaniment during pregnancy and after their child is born.

Walking with Moms in Need, a nationwide program initiated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, operates at the Parish level, to increase support for pregnant and parenting mothers in need. It works to ensure that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, or parenting in difficult circumstances, can turn to her local Catholic Church and be connected with the resources she needs. As Pope Francis reminds us, Parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.”

In Florida, each Catholic diocese is working together, through the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops at https://www.flaccb.org/abortion-amendment, to help Floridians understand the dangers of Amendment 4 to women, their children, and their families. The Church supports the Florida Voters Against Extremism at https://www.tooextremeforfl.com/ coalition to educate voters on how Amendment 4 is harmful.

What can I do to help defeat Amendment 4?

  • Learn the facts about the proposed Amendment 4, as well as the details of current Florida law allowing abortion, and tell your friends!
  • Pray, and fast, for the defeat of this dangerous pro-abortion amendment.
  • Vote NO on Amendment 4 in this fall’s General Election! Amendment 4 is not what it seems, and it’s way too extreme.

Where can I learn more? 

For more information visit:

Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops at https://www.flaccb.org/abortion-amendment

Diocese of Venice Office of Respect Life at https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/amendment4/

Florida Voters Against Extremism at https://www.tooextremeforfl.com/

Want to get involved?

Contact the Diocese’s Director of Respect Life Jeanne Berdeaux, at berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-374-1068.

Religious Freedom Week observed June 22-29

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Feasts of Ss. Thom6as More and John Fisher on June 22, 2024, mark the start of Religious Freedom Week, a call by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for all Catholics across the United States to pray, reflect on, and promote religious freedom.

The annual observance includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, and ends with the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29.

Sponsored by the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, Religious Freedom Week encourages Catholics to do their part to promote civility by recognizing the dignity of all people and inviting others to do the same.

This year, with the theme of “Called to the Fullness of Dignity,” Religious Freedom Week highlights concern about attacks on houses of worship, and calls attention to threats to Catholic ministries that serve immigrants. The attacks on both sacred spaces and ministries to migrants reflect the political and cultural polarization that has come to characterize so much of American life.

Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encourages the faithful of the Diocese to be aware of the challenges in today’s society including the threats to religious freedom faced both domestically and abroad.

Bishop Dewane said religious worship connects us with God, and one another, something that is protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“When protected by law, religious freedom benefits not only the Christian, but also society, which can only be strengthened by the Christian’s free witness to the truth of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Dewane said.

During Religious Freedom Week, Catholics are encouraged to pray each day for specific related causes. Through prayer, reflection, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB hopes to promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths.

Each day of Religious Freedom Week has a particular focus with topics including: respect for sacred spaces; blasphemy and apostasy laws; freedom to speak the truth; service to immigrants; India; faith at work; civility; and Catholic healthcare. The USCCB provides “Pray-Reflect-Act” resources which are available at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

The themes of Religious Freedom Week take on a special importance this year as there is a General Election which includes the voting for the next president and vice-president, the entire U.S. House of Representatives, 1/3 of the U.S. Senate, and many state and local offices.

Further, the faithful may connect with the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty by texting FREEDOM to 84576 or signing up at First Freedom News: Monthly Newsletter | USCCB. Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, Catholics can promote the essential right of religious freedom not only for Catholics, but for those of all faiths.

Materials prepared by the USCCB for Religious Freedom Week are made available to help people understand religious liberty from a Catholic perspective, reflect on the application, pray about particular issues, and act on what they learn by advocating for policies that promote religious freedom.

Additional USCCB materials can be found in English and Spanish at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

Founding Pastor of Venice Parish dies

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Father Vincent J. Sheehy, founding Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice and priest for 63 years, died June 13, 2024, at the age of 89.

Father Sheehy was born in Chicago, Illinois, and first had the idea of becoming a priest at the age of 13. His family moved to Florida when he was 17 before he decided to enter the seminary. As a seminarian, he studied at St. Columbans College in Milton, Massachusetts, and St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester, New York. He was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 14, 1961, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami by the ordaining prelate Bishop Coleman Francis Carroll.

For the Archdiocese of Miami he served at parishes in Miami, West Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach and Riviera Beach. For the Archdiocese, Father also served as the treasurer, chairman of the building commission, Chaplain to the Miami Dolphins (1969-1984, including their perfect season in 1972), and consultor to the Archbishops.

When the Diocese of Venice was erected in 1984, Father Sheehy was incardinated and first served as Parochial Vicar at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sarasota before becoming founding Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice in July 1986.

While at Our Lady of Lourdes, Father Sheehy oversaw the construction of a new Church, education building, Parish Hall, and other buildings on the property, and a rectory. During his 21 years at Our Lady of Lourdes the Parish grew to serve more than 2,000 registered families.

Upon retirement in 2007, Father Sheehy continued to assist at Our Lady of Lourdes, and at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte, and during the summer months at a Parish in Newport Beach, California.

A strong supporter of the Pro-Life movement, Father Sheehy set up several scholarships, through the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc., for Catholic school students from families who are actively involved in the Pro-Life outreach at their home Parishes.

Father Sheehy was a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and member of the Knights of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 18, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes with Bishop Frank J. Dewane as the principal celebrant. The burial will occur on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Doral, Florida.

Bishop Dewane said that Father Sheehy put the Gifts of God he was given into the work he did but much of what he did was not visible to all.

“By being the example, being the doer, he radiated that presence of the Lord in the concern he had for the people of the Parish and the Diocese,” Bishop Dewane said. “We are in debt to Father Vincent and give thanks for the gift he has given and life he lived.”

Father Janusz “Jay” Jancarz, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, described Father Sheehy as someone who lived the Gospel in all he said and did. “He did not seek anything to profit himself. He was humble, he was obedient, and he was meticulous in guarding the truth.”

Father Sheehy is survived by several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and consolation of his family. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in eternal peace.

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