Tag: conference

Diocesan Eucharistic Missionary Conference shares inspirational message: Become the Lord’s messenger 

Posted on by Bob Reddy

After a three-year effort to reignite faith in, and reverence for, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, the Diocese of Venice hosted a Eucharistic Missionary Conference Feb. 7, 2026, at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers.

During the Conference the participants were challenged to become Eucharistic Missionaries just as Jesus Christ has called all to evangelize. Unlike the early disciples the modern definition of being Eucharistic Missionaries does not mean spreading the Gospel in a foreign land or going door-to-door with the Good News, but the Lord is asking each of us to evangelize here in the Diocese of Venice, among fellow parishioners, family, friends, and neighbors.

This was the message Bishop Frank J. Dewane shared for the participants in the Conference. “Now that the three-year (National Eucharistic) Revival is complete, you must allow yourself to be the Lord’s messenger; to be a Eucharistic Missionary, and to be His invitation to all those you meet.”

Bishop Dewane said that being a Eucharistic Missionary doesn’t mean someone has to be the holiest person, but instead they need to be the example of Christ by the life they live and then, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, be willing to point toward the Eucharist. This requires a familiarity with the Eucharist and having a personal relationship with God in their own lives.

“Who is Jesus Christ to you?” Bishop Dewane asked. “As a Eucharistic Missionary, you are saying a certain ‘Yes!’ to all that Christ is doing for his Church in the Most Holy Eucharist.

To get the message of finding Christ in the Eucharist out into the world, missionaries must reach out to other people who might not have a deep relationship with Christ. They can be found in the pews, the people one greets at each Mass, or in the coffee social afterwards but are perhaps not seen at Eucharistic Adoration, Bishop Dewane said.

“Do we ever invite them? Tell them what you get out of going to Adoration. It might feel uncomfortable doing that, but schedule to meet at Adoration or to talk about it in a less formal setting,” Bishop Dewane said. “A missionary, by definition, has to step outside of themselves. It is about the message they carry. It is about Jesus Christ.”

The Bishop explained that missionaries will be able to identify someone in the spirit of humility for their role is to be the leaven, the voice of Christ.

“When you ask some to join you at Adoration, to Mass, or to a social event at your Parish, you are interceding for that person with the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Dewane continued. “If you get a negative response, don’t give up, because Jesus would want you to continue doing His work. You have to ask the Lord to allow you to be His instrument in spreading His presence in the world. You are going to be surprised by the number of individuals who will respond in a positive way. We have to continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will enliven the individual to know Christ more profoundly within the Eucharist.”

Bishop Dewane celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to open the Conference. The Mass was followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, setting the appropriate tone for the rest of the Conference.

The keynote was offered by nationally recognized Catholic presenter, best-selling author, and radio host, Jon Leonetti. His presentations were entitled: “Sacrament Most Holy, Sacrament Divine” and “Saints and the Eucharist.”

Leonetti opened by explaining that there is no other meaning, reason or purpose in our lives as Catholics than to become saints and with the goal of being in heaven with God for all eternity.

“Everything must be aimed toward that end,” Leonetti said. “We all start from where we need to be. You do this by asking what it is God wants of you. What the Lord says He wants for us will make us infinitely happier and brings more peace than anything we ask or bring into our own lives.”

To achieve this, Leonetti said we must give ourselves to God, which is only possible when we learn to trust God and what He wants for us. “From that trust comes the greatest gift God has ever given to us in the world – the Holy Eucharist. As St. Thomas Aquinas said, it is the one gift where God gives us everything of who He is.”

The response from participants in the Conference was overwhelmingly positive. Jean Bonilla, from St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, said the day was an affirmation of her love for the Catholic Church.

“A beautiful Mass and message from Bishop Dewane, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and then a powerful talk. I am leaving here ready to be that Eucharistic Missionary, telling everyone about the beauty of our faith found in the Eucharist,” Bonilla said.

To learn more about similar and other evangelization efforts and programs offered within the Diocese, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/evangelization/ or contact James Gontis at 941-484-9543 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Truth, Beauty, Goodness focus of Catechetical Conference

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The annual Diocese of Venice Catechetical Conference took place Jan. 17, 2026, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.

The theme for the day was, “Truth, Beauty, Goodness: Integrating awe and wonder in religious education.” The key objectives of the Conference, which included more than 150 religious educators from across the Diocese, were to offer a renewed understanding of catechesis rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness; offer practical strategies for faith-filled instruction, instill confidence in using vetted tools to support catechetical practice, and spiritual renewal through worship, learning and reflection.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the celebrant for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which opened the event. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, and Dr. Jennifer Falestiny, Diocesan Director of Curriculum and Instruction, each offered presentations during the Conference.

Bishop Dewane opened by thanking the catechists for answering a particular call of the Lord and for their hours of commitment in helping their students to facilitate and build a relationship with Christ while learning to answer the question: “What is God asking of you?”

Bishop Dewane said the skills the catechists utilize in the classroom lift the sacramental life within the Parishes, which impacts the Church within the Diocese and beyond. The Bishop also called upon the catechists to view themselves as true missionaries of Christ, like St. John the Baptist, crying out in the wilderness as society has moved away from its Christian roots.

“Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you,” Bishop Dewane said. “You are the instrument of the Lord, called upon to live your life in a particular way. You are evangelizers on the front lines. Putting yourself forward helps build your students’ identity as children of Christ.”

In a talk titled, “Via Pulchritudinis – The Way of Beauty: Enchanted by Beauty,” Father Belmonte focused of using the beauty of Sacred Scriptures and the beautiful history of the Catholic Church to form the whole person (young or old) through awe and wonder. “Beauty pierces our hearts, drawing the soul toward the One who is Truth itself,” Father said. “Beauty becomes the arrowhead of evangelization. It does not bypass reason; it wounds the intellect that opens it to a deep more penetrating mode of knowing the truth.”

Falestiny spoke about creating a religious education classroom environment that is welcoming and encourages learning. “Learning does not happen in a vacuum,” Falestiny said. “Environment influences whether content is received, remembered, and lived. Beauty shapes attention, attention enables memory, and memory prepares the heart for evangelization.”

Suggestions from Falestiny included the display of religious articles and quotes from Sacred Scripture as well as using appropriate colors and symbols to mark the liturgical seasons. Each step in the process aids in creating a space where students are more receptive to learning.

Participants in the Conference were open to the suggestions about enhancing their teaching space and were inspired by the call of Bishop Dewane and Father Belmonte to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to help bring their students to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

Diocese of Venice youth participate in national Catholic youth conference

Posted on by Bob Reddy

By Andres Prias, Special to the Florida Catholic

A group of 30 young parishioners from Holy Cross Parish in Palmetto represented the Diocese of Venice at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) 2025, held in Indianapolis from Nov. 20–22, 2025. Filled with joy and excitement, the young people from the Diocese of Venice joined more than 16,000 Catholic teenagers from across the United States.

Throughout the weekend, the young people had the opportunity to encounter their faith in profound and moving ways. It was especially inspiring to witness thousands of teenagers spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation in long, continuous lines, and participating in the celebration of the Eucharist with deep devotion and reverence.

 

One of the participants, Evelyn Guadalupe, expressed what many felt during the conference: “Being here with other Catholic youth who share the same faith and face the same struggles is just beautiful. Hearing people who truly understand what we go through is so moving and inspiring. Talking about God brings us peace, and knowing that He loves us and is always there for us, that’s the most important part.”

A highlight of the trip came when the youth had the opportunity to participate in a live video conference with Pope Leo XIV, who engaged directly with young people from around the world. For many, this moment offered clarity, reassurance, and encouragement.

 

Participant Luisa shared her reflection on the experience: “I thought this experience with Pope Leo was really great! It was wonderful to see teens like me asking questions, because we have a lot of questions about our faith, and I loved the way they asked things that we overthink. Pope Leo helped bring us peace. I loved it. It was pretty great.”

 

As part of the video conference from Pope Leo, students from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers and St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples were able to participate in the digital experience from their own classrooms.

 

At Bishop Verot, theology students listened in on Pope Leo. Many noted how impactful it was to hear the Holy Father speak naturally in their own language – a simple but powerful reminder of the Church’s reach and connection to every culture, and especially how exciting it is to be witness to the Church’s first American Pope.

 

Experiences like NCYC strengthen the young Church in meaningful ways. For many of the teens, encountering thousands of others their age, joyful, prayerful, and confident in their Catholic identity, deepened their sense of belonging to the Church. The group from Holy Cross Parish returned home inspired, renewed in their faith, and are encouraged to live their discipleship with greater conviction.

 

Andres Prias is the Diocese of Venice Youth and Young Adult Outreach Director.

Regional Spanish-language Charismatic conference brings 1,000 closer to Christ

Posted on by Bob Reddy

About 1,000 gathered from across the region for the Spanish-language Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference on Sept. 20-21, 2025, at Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Mass for the group on the morning on Sept. 21. He told the conference participants how grateful he was for all that they do in support of the Diocese of Venice throughout the region.

Bishop Dewane encouraged the Charismatic Renewal members to gain as much as they could from the Conference as they grow closer to the Lord in their lives. “Listen to the Holy Spirit in your lives. Let the Holy Spirit be the impetus behind what we you do, and how you do it, and may the Lord bless you in these efforts.”

Speaking about Catholic Social Teachings, Bishop Dewane said that the power of man comes from God, but that all power must be used for the dignity of the person, because everyone is made in the image and likeness of God.

“We have to live our life that way,” Bishop Dewane continued. “The Holy Spirit is ever watchful and prompts us to reach out, to react, to do something to help the other.”

Expressing support for the community, Bishop Dewane spoke about the need to continue to have faith in the Lord in a world full of uncertainty as they continue to “live out the Charism you have been given. Be that leaven in society that rises and speaks out for the Lord, for justice, and for what needs to be said within the community. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and bless you in this effort.”

The conference included a variety of guest speakers, including Father Wilner Durosier, C.S., Administrator of St. Michael Parish in Wauchula. There was also dynamic music, break-out sessions, Eucharistic Adoration, as well as the praying of the Holy Rosary.

In addition to groups representing 26 Diocese of Venice Parishes, participants in the conference included faithful from the Archdiocese of Miami, as well as the Dioceses of St. Petersburg and Orlando.

Also present was Jose Soto, National Coordinator for the Spanish Charismatic Renewal of the United States and Canada, who is from Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers.

Diocese to host fifth annual marriage enrichment conference on Oct. 18

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Diocese of Venice celebrates the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the vocation of marriage, and recognizes the need to accompany those who chose this path.

The Diocese offers supportive preparation courses, inspiring conferences, and celebrations of the longevity of married couples with annual anniversary Masses. The importance of forming and accompanying all married couples, from newlyweds to empty nesters, to live out their vocation in holiness and joy is a priority. As St. John Paul II famously said, “As goes the family, so goes the nation, and so goes the entire world in which we live.” It is of crucial importance that families in the Church are empowered to their sacred covenant.

To promote greater formation for couples, Bishop Frank J. Dewane and the Diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life are working in collaboration with the St. John Paul II Foundation to present the Diocese’s 5th Annual “Together in Holiness” Marriage Enrichment Conference, Oct. 18, 2025. This year’s Conference is at Our Lady of Light Parish, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, and the theme is “Family, a School of Love.”

In a video message encouraging Catholic married and engaged couples to attend this important Conference, Bishop Dewane said the day is a way to celebrate the essential and beautiful vocation of marriage together with God.

“The Marriage Conference is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your spouse, or fiancé, and to put into practice the Lord’s call to build up His Kingdom through your marriage,” Bishop Dewane said. “Hear from marriage and family experts as they share testimony on how to navigate the world together, as a couple, with the Catholic Faith as your foundation. Through prayer and reflection, with other Catholic couples, draw closer to each other, and to God. Allow the Lord to bestow upon you the graces needed to live out the Catholic Faith through your marriage, and your family. Know that your commitment to one another represents hope for the future of the Church. As you grow in love, embracing your vocations as husbands and wives, as parents, our Church flourishes. I hope to see you there!”

Bishop Dewane will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the opening of the Conference (9 a.m.). This will include a special marriage blessing from the Bishop for all couples present.

Registration is now open for the day-long event (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), which includes inspirational talks by Catholic speakers Dr. Ryan Hanning, and Deacon Jason and Rachel Bulman, as well as Father David Portorreal, Administrator at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples.

The “Together in Holiness” Conference made its Diocese of Venice debut in 2021, and the event has grown each year with more than 100 couples attending in 2024. The Conference has received rave reviews from participants who remark not only how wonderful the speakers are but also the supportive atmosphere the entire day offers.

A couple from Fort Myers said after the 2024 Conference: “We are in a transition in our marriage and this day really helped us renew our focus on being a Christ-centered family. We know we are the examples for our children, We want to make sure we are the best examples we can be.”

Early bird registration is $64 for couples before Sept. 15. Childcare is available. To learn more, and to register, visit www.togetherinholiness.org/venice. Questions? Contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseovenice.org, or 941-486-4754.

6th Hispanic Emaus Congress draws big crowd

Posted on by Bob Reddy

More than 1,100 people spent a recent Saturday experiencing and growing their love for the Lord while also building up their profound sense of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

The 6th Emaus Congress took place Aug. 23, 2025, at the Turner-Agri Center in Arcadia. The event, which was in Spanish, was for those who have completed an Emmaus weekend retreat in the past, and also served as an opportunity to renew and recapture the fire that was ignited during their first retreat. During that retreat, participants learned a new way to live their life, as Jesus taught in the Gospel of Luke with a particular emphasis on the story of the Road to Emmaus.

Between the speakers and the music, there was a sense of community that everyone felt, making the day joyous and fruitful. Many of those present commented on how uplifting and unifying the day was, bringing them closer to Jesus Christ in ways they did not expect.

“Beautiful!” “Amazing!” “Powerful!” “I felt Christ’s love!” were just some of the reactions of participants during the day. One woman from St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres could not keep from smiling all day, exclaiming “I am so inspired and happy. What a wonderful day!”

The Congress, with the theme “Y Ellos lo Reconocieron al Partir el Pan (And They Recognized Him in the Breaking of Bread),” built upon the retreat experience by presenting a series of speakers and music, inspiring the participants to leave changed for the better.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass and first noted how the members of Emaus are a blessing to the Diocese. Present for the Congress were representatives from 26 different Parishes, and Bishop Dewane was impressed at how many are leaders at their Parish, some doing work that is visible, but many other doing good works behind the scenes.

“As followers of Jesus Christ, you give yourself to God, and you do it with joy,” Bishop Dewane said. “Your Parishes and the Diocese are stronger because of your presence and the work you do. You see the presence of God in each other. This helps build up the Church. When the Lord asks, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ you live out that response.”

Bishop Dewane said the pillars of the Emaus movement – testimony, adoration and friendship – is witnessed in the faithful’s devotion to knowing the Lord through Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“You see the goodness around you and continue to be that light of Christ out in the world,” the Bishop said. “Know that you are prayed for and formed for the work that the Diocese carries out in your Parishes.”

Bishop Dewane did note that some members of Emaus did not attend the Congress out of fear, a product of the difficult times in which we live. “Tell those who were not able to be here today that they are very much in our prayers.”

Father Luis Pacheco, Spiritual Director for Hispanic Emaus and Administrator at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, thanked the Bishop for his time in celebrating Mass for the Congress and for his ongoing support of the movement which inspires many throughout the Diocese to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Father Pacheco said the goal of the Congress is to reinforce the benefits of the impactful retreats.

“This can fade over time,” Father Pacheco said. “This gathering is a renewal so that everyone will carry this message and bring their excitement back to their Parishes, spreading the message of the Lord to others.”

The Emmaus retreat program is a Diocesan-approved retreat weekend that takes place three times a year in both English and Spanish. It’s open to all men and women ages 20 or older seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ regardless of their present level of faith and practice. The purpose of the weekend is to give adults the opportunity to reflect upon themselves, their relationship with God and their community.

To learn more about Emmaus retreats across the Diocese, contact your local Parish or email emaus@dioceseofvenice.org.

Florida Catholic Communicators Gather in Venice: “God’s AI’s”

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Florida Diocesan Communications Directors held their annual meeting in Venice, Florida earlier this month, and expanded the event this year to include additional time for renewal, reflection, and fraternity.  The annual meeting and retreat was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (OLPH) in Venice, June 4 through June 6, 2025.

The event began with a welcoming dinner, followed by Adoration & Benediction in St. Joseph Chapel at OLPH, led by OLPH’s Father Leland Thorpe, OMV. The formal Diocesan Communicators Annual Meeting was held on Thursday. Following an opening prayer and a video highlighting Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis talking about the importance of communication to the Catholic Church, each Diocesan Director shared a report about communications efforts and events of note in their respective Dioceses.

The Diocesan reports were interspersed among two special guests during the day.

Lois Thome, news anchor at WINK TV in Fort Myers, shared a presentation about how Catholic Communicators can best work with broadcasters. Later, Carol Brinati, former Communications Director and Chancellor in Orlando, shared an inspirational presentation called “God’s AI’s,” pointing out to the Communications professionals that in their Diocesan roles they were acting as God’s “Annunciation Instruments,” proclaiming the good news of the Gospel far and wide.

In addition to the Diocesan reports, a report was provided by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops representatives, Michele Taylor and Michael Sheedy.

Following the meeting, the group gathered again in St. Joseph Chapel for Mass, celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, with Father Thorpe concelebrating.

Florida is divided into seven Catholic Dioceses.  Six of the seven Dioceses’ Communications Directors were able to attend the Annual Retreat. Diocesan Communications Directors participating included Karen Barry Schwarz, Diocese of Venice, Teresa Peterson, Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Jen Drow, Diocese of Orlando, Chez Filippini, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Jennifer Trefelner, Diocese of Palm Beach (remotely), and Juan Alejandro Di Prado, Diocese of Miami (remotely).  Also in attendance, Rachel Powers and Bob Reddy from the Communications Department in the Diocese of Venice, and Kirsten Pedersen, Communications Director for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice.

The meeting was a great success, highlighting the importance of in-person connection, and a spirit of collaboration and support, with one Director commenting “You are wonderful humans, and all taught me more about my faith… I clearly see Jesus in each one of you!”

News Briefs for the week of April 25, 2025

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Seeking Diocesan Totus Tuus Summer Camp Missionaries

Totus Tuus is an exciting Catholic Parish Catechetical Camp for students in grades 1 – 12. The weeklong day camp held at Parishes in the Diocese of Venice is led by trained, paid missionaries. Missionary applications for the summer 2025 camp are now being accepted from anyone, age 18 or older, with an authentic, dynamic Catholic faith who is actively living the teachings of the Catholic Church. One year of college/work is preferred, but mature recent high school graduates will be considered. This is a great summer experience for anyone who wants to work in ministry, education, or with children in other settings. Visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/totustuus2025/ for more information, or to apply.

 

Weekend bereavement retreat for parents in May

The Diocese of Venice Office of Evangelization is offering “A Walk with Jesus for Grieving Parents,” weekend bereavement retreat for couples who have lost a child, no matter the child’s age or how long ago the loss occurred. The retreat will take place May 2 – 4, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. Facilitated by Deacon Henry deMena, M.A., an experienced grief counselor, this retreat offers a supportive environment for healing through prayer, reflection, and shared experiences. Parents will find comfort and community as they walk together, and with Jesus, in faith. For more information or to register, please contact Jim Gontis at 941-484-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Ignatian Preached Silent Retreat in May

Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, will introduce the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting during an Ignatian Preached Retreat, from May 9 to May 12, 2025. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet at least once with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment.  Register at www.olph-retreat.org and click on “Schedule of Events.”

 

Eucharistic Conference at Ave Maria May 16-18

The 2025 Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Conference is scheduled for May 16 – 18, 2025, at Ave Maria University. The theme is “Be it done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). The Conference will include talks from Father Chris Alar, Dr. Edward Sri, Mary Healy, Mother Adela Galindo of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Jon Niven, and Mark Miravalle. The Conference will include Mass, Adoration, lodging and meals. Registration is $190 per person. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.aveconferences.com/, or email aveconferences@gmail.com, or call 239-348-4735.

 

Ave Maria Youth Conference July 11-13

The 2025 Ave Maria University “Proclaim” Youth Conference is July 11-13, 2025. The theme for the Conference is “But as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). The Conference will include talks from Sister Maria Jose Socias, SCTJM, Michael Gormley, Mari Pablo, and Father Joseph Lugalambi. Music will be by Epic Music Ministries. The Conference will include Mass, Adoration, praise and worship, lodging, meals, t-shirts, a pizza night, and more. Registration is $195 per person. For more information or to register, please visit https://www.aveconferences.com/, or email aveconferences@gmail.com, or call 239-348-4735.

Conference held for health care professionals and others

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The second annual Converging Roads Conference for health care professionals, students and interested lay people took place March 1, 2025, at St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers.

Presented by the Diocese of Venice, the St. John Paul II Foundation, and the Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, the theme for the Conference was “Catholic Social Doctrine in Medicine,” and addressed the increasingly complex and confusing issues of ethics facing medical professionals today.

The Conference offers continuing education for health care professionals that equips them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession, by offering the tools, ideas, and fundamental principles necessary to better serve patients who are in their care now and in the future.

Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass ahead of the Conference and spoke at the opening of the event, stressing the importance for medical professionals in all fields and all ranges of experience to understand Catholic Social Doctrine in Medicine.

“I ask that your hearts, minds, and souls be open to what it is you hear; be conscious of the facts and take the truth the Lord gives and bring it back into your workplace,” Bishop Dewane said at the Conference opening.

The talks covered a wide range of issues. The titles included: “The Implications of Catholic Social Doctrine for Health Care,” “The Origins, Challenges, and Ethics of Transhumanism,” “Human Dignity at the End of Life,” “The Mental Health Crisis for Children and Adolescents,” and “The Science and Ethics of In Vitro Fertilization.” There was also a roundtable discussion on “Advance Directives: How Should a Catholic Prepare?”

 

Deacon Michael J. Deem, of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the emcee and a speaker for the Conference, explained that the topics and speakers were handpicked by a local committee from the Diocese who felt these were pressing issues that are facing health care professionals today both regionally and nationally. More than 80 participated in the Conference in person, while still more participated online.

 

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive as each speaker went in depth on complex issues and clarified where the Catholic Church stands. Some even noted that they didn’t even know the Church had a stance on some of the issues.

 

A nurse from LaBelle said she had her eyes opened when learning about several different topics, such as transhumanism and end of life issues. “These are things I don’t deal with daily, but in a few years, they may be what everyone is dealing with or talking about. It is a scary world out there and I am blessed to know where the Church stands.”

 

A nursing student at Ave Maria University delayed her spring break to attend the conference. “I knew I would learn a lot on many different issues in a very short time. I don’t know when, or if, I will face these issues in the future, but I want to be ready with the right answers now.”

 

The St. John Paul II Foundation is a national Catholic apostolate proclaiming the Good News about life and family through education and formation. In addition to the Converging Roads initiative, the Foundation supports continuing education for clergy (Shepherd’s Heart for priests and Servant’s Heart of Permanent Deacons), as well as marriage enrichment with its “Together in Holiness” program, a one-day Conference series for couples, and a year-round formation series, which has been active in the Diocese of Venice for five years.

 

 

2025 Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference inspires

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The annual Diocese of Venice English-Speaking Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference brought together about 200 from across the region to be renewed in the Holy Spirit Feb. 7-8, 2025, at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte.

The theme of the Conference was “Spirit Called,” with the quote “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God,” Romans 8:14, serving as the inspiration for the participants as they were enlightened by teaching, worship, music and fellowship.

The featured speaker at the Conference was Most Rev. Peter L. Smith, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, who in 2024 was appointed as the ecclesiastical assistant of CHARIS, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service. CHARIS is intended to share with all in the Church the baptism in the Holy Spirit, while promoting Christian unity and engaging in service to the poor.

Bishop Smith first spoke about the parable of the sowing of the seeds where Jesus uses the example of throwing the seeds on fertile ground, as well as on rocks and in the weeds where it has almost no chance of growing. While this was seen by the Jewish farmers of the day as an insane waste of precious seeds, Jesus used this story to explain the extravagant love God has for each of us.

“The sower is the Father, sowing the word of Christ into our lives,” Bishop Smith said. “And God sows that with incredible extravagance. God will sow that seed upon us all, even those who have hard parts, where there is almost no chance of that seed sprouting. He will do that in extravagance at the possibility, just the possibility, of one of those seeds taking root. That is God’s love for you and for me.”

Bishop Smith concluded by reflecting upon the Gospel reading about the Road to Emaus, where Christ accompanies two of the disciples, who don’t recognize that He is the Resurrected Lord, as they walk along the road as a great example of how the Lord accompanies us.

“The Lord walks with us through our lives,” Bishop Smith concluded. “He engages us; brings us His truth; takes our eyes off ourselves; focuses our eyes on Him. He does what He can to get our hearts burning again with hope. In response, we must act, like the disciples, and go back and rejoin the community of faith.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Mass for the Conference on Feb. 8, with Bishop Smith concelebrating and serving as the homilist. Bishop Dewane greeted the visiting Bishop and encouraged the Charismatic Renewal members to gain as much as they could from the Conference as they grow closer to the Lord in their lives.

There were several talks and break-out sessions. Father Ananda Anki Reddy, Spiritual Advisor to the Diocesan English Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Parochial Vicar at St. Andrew Parish, and Father Daniel Scanlan, Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota, both offered presentations.

“We were so blessed to have the Holy Spirit with us today,” one participant from Cape Coral said. “Having Bishop Smith here elevated the grace we all received.”

The English Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Venice includes prayer groups at 15 different Parishes. Most prayer groups gather weekly for praise and worship. For more information about the Diocesan English Catholic Charismatic Renewal, or to find a prayer group near you, please visit https://www.charisms.org.

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