Tag: evangelization

News briefs for the week on March 8, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, in consultation with the Priest Personnel Board, announces the following:

Father Celestino Gutierrez, retired as Pastor of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, effective February 19, 2024, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Pastor of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota.

Father Jiobani Batista, as Pastor of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, effective March 11, 2024, and thus is relieved of his duties as Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle.

Father Marcial Garcia, as Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle, effective March 11, 2024, and thus relieved of his duties as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven.

Father Remigious Ssekiranda, as Administrator of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven, effective March 11, 2024, and thus relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia.

Father Pawel Kawalec, as Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, effective March 11, 2024, and thus relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine Parish in Sebring.

Father Anthonio Jean, as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Bradenton, effective February 26, 2024, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Cape Coral.

Father Shawn Roser, as Parochial Vicar of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Fort Myers, effective March 11, 2024, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch and as Director of Vocations and Seminarian Formation for the Diocese of Venice.

Father Alexander Pince, as Director of Vocations and Seminarian Formation for the Diocese of Venice, effective March 11, 2024, while retaining half time duties as Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Cathedral, Venice.

Father Alan Baldarelli, as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch, effective March 11, 2024.

Last chance to register for Diocesan Eucharistic Conference

March 12, 2024, is the deadline to register for the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference on March 16 at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. This effort, in support of the Church’s National Eucharistic Revival, is to place an emphasis on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, will be an all-day event of faith and fellowship, featuring inspirational Catholic speakers, including nationally acclaimed Catholic speaker and author Steven Ray, Crystalina Evert, Kathia Aranga, Father Elvis Gonzalez, and Tim Glemkowski. English and Spanish sessions will be offered. All are welcome. The day will include Mass, as well as adoration, and confessions. For more information, and a video invitation from Bishop Frank J. Dewane, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/eucharistic-conference-2024/.

Cheer team wins competition

Congratulations to the Incarnation Catholic School Elementary Cheer Team for winning first place in the East Coast Championships – The Takeover 2024 Cheerleading Competition March 2-3, 2024, in Wesley Chapel. Great job girls, coaches and parents for all your hard work and dedication!

Arcadia youth take part in Stations of the Cross

Youth from St. Paul Parish in Arcadia learned about and took part in the Stations of the Cross on March 1, 2024. Led by Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Light, the youth dedicated their prayer for peace in the world.

Naples high school hosts eighth graders

St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples was overrun by more than 120 enthusiastic 8th graders who were at the school to experience a day in the life of a Celtic student. From hitting the weights in the gym to finding solace in the chapel, the future Celtics explored every corner of the vibrant campus. But the excitement didn’t stop there! The young guests were hands-on with a chemistry experiment, embarked on a scavenger hunt, and put their knowledge to the test in a lively trivia session with some of Nuemann’s amazing teachers. The students were from nearby St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School and St. Ann Catholic School and many are discerning whether to attend St. John Neumann in the fall.

Walk for the Poor in Punta Gorda March 16

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s 15th annual Walk for the Poor is set for March 16, 2024 at Gilchrist Park. The yearly event raises money to help Charlotte County’s four St. Vincent de Paul conferences Sacred Heart, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Maximillian Kolbe and San Antonio, which provide assistance to those in need, including clothing, linens, housewares, furniture and limited financial assistance.  Registration is at 8 a.m., followed by the walk at 9 a.m.  You can register and donate at svdpswfl.org.  For more information, call 917-549-0555 or svdpflcc@gmail.com.

Patriot’s Plaza marks 10th anniversary

Diocese of Venice Chancellor Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk is seen with Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School students on March 2, 2024, at the 10th anniversary celebration of the opening of Patriot’s Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota.

Hundreds of couples recognized for lasting marriages

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Hundreds of couples were honored during a Feb. 24, 2024, Diocese of Venice celebration of their lasting witness to Sacramental Marriage.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Mass at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice recognizing 356 couples, who were celebrating a combined 17,635 years of marriage, for their accomplishment which brings hope to their families, to the community, to society and to the Universal Church.

The Bishop described the couples, married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50+ years, as both radical and countercultural, but also a true inspiration for others to follow and emulate.

“The Sacrament of Marriage doesn’t always get the respect it should,” Bishop Dewane said. “Some say ‘No, it’s just ceremony.’ Or maybe it is a ‘social event;’ a ‘mere formality;’ but maybe something that is an ‘abstract ideal.’ Pope Francis calls it a ‘reality of which God is the author.’ The world might look at you and say you are not normal and not natural for staying married for many years. Well, you look very normal to me.”

Bishop Dewane called upon the couples to continue to live the fullness of their life together, using the grace the Lord has bestowed upon them, and guided by the Holy Spirit as they continue to live out the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

The 356 couples present for the Mass represented 41 Parishes and included 46 couples who have been married for 50 years. Of those couples, Paul and Patricia Chase, of St. Raphael Parish in Englewood, celebrated their 50th on the day of the Mass. Also celebrating their 56th anniversaries during the Mass were Ronald and Suzanne Hostetter, of St. Therese Parish in North Fort Myers, and Gerald and Karen Przybylski, of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sarasota.

The couple recognized as being present with the longest marriage was Russell and Jean Stanley, having celebrated 73 years on January 6. The couple grew up in New Jersey as high school sweethearts and were married in Springfield, at St. Joseph Church, which later closed and became a bank. Before arriving in Southwest Florida 34 years ago, they both had successful careers in education, Jean as a third-grade teacher, and Russell as a high school chemistry and physics teacher, as well as baseball and wrestling coach. The couple has four children, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. They attend St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach.

Other couples recognized during the Mass were Thomas & Dolores Martorana, 73 years, from Epiphany Cathedral; Carl and Natalie Pensak, 72 years, from Epiphany Cathedral; Marvin and Carol Peschel, 71 years, from St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Port Charlotte; and George and Helen Magnan, 70 years from San Pedro Parish, North Port.

During the Mass, the married couples renewed their wedding vows. In addition, for their participation, each couple was presented with a commemorative certificate, signed by the Bishop, for their enduring commitment to marriage. A reception followed the Mass with lunch and the opportunity to have complimentary pictures taken with the Bishop.

Masses are celebrated each year in the northern and southern sections of the Diocese of Venice to accommodate the large number of couples wanting to attend. The first Mass was Feb. 3 at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, bringing together 240 couples representing a combined 12,480 years of marriage.

News briefs for the week of March 1, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Parish helps feed local children

Volunteers, ranging in age from teens to their 80s, could be found at St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral for a food packing event on Feb. 17, 2024. The event supports Feed My Starving Children, and the volunteers exceeded the goal of packing 178,848 meals (23 pallets consisting of 828 boxes), enough to feed 490 children every day for a year. The event also collected 665 pounds of food for the Cape Coral Caring Center to combat local hunger issues. What an impressive effort!

Sarasota Prayer Walk for Life March 5 in Sarasota

Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for a Mass and prayer walk for life. The Mass is at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St. Martha Church, 200 North Orange Ave., Sarasota.  A free shuttle bus will be provided after Mass to the nearby prayer walk until noon so that participants can circle the block around Planned Parenthood in prayer as many times as desired before returning to the church parking lot. Light refreshments will be available near the Community Pregnancy Clinic on 7th Street. For questions or to volunteer, contact Jeanne at 941-374-1068 or berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.

Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference March 16

All are invited to attend the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, 5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. This effort, in support of the Church’s National Eucharistic Revival to place an emphasis on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, will be an all-day event of faith and fellowship, featuring inspirational Catholic speakers, including nationally acclaimed Catholic speaker and author Steven Ray, Crystalina Evert, Kathia Aranga, Father Elvis Gonzalez, and Tim Glemkowski. English and Spanish sessions will be offered. All are welcome. The day will include Mass, as well as adoration, and confessions. For more information, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/eucharistic-conference-2024/. Register by March 12.

Pray to Defeat Florida’s Abortion Amendment

The Florida Supreme Court is currently deciding the fate of the proposed Pro-Abortion Amendment, specifically whether or not the wording is misleading and should be blocked from inclusion on the November 2024 election ballot.  By law they must release their opinion by April 1. Please pray that they make the right decision and not a allow the amendment to appear on the ballot, so that voters will not be misled into voting for this dangerous amendment.  To learn more, go to TooExtremeforFL.com. For questions, contact Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068.

Health care ethics conference draws 140

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The first-ever Converging Roads 2024 Conference on health care ethics received rave reviews from 140 medical professionals and students who participated on Feb. 17, 2024, at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs.

Presented by the Diocese of Venice, the St. John Paul II Foundation, and Ave Maria University, the Conference theme was “Catholic Medicine in a Secular Society.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, in a letter to Conference participants, stated that it was his prayer that, “This Conference will offer opportunities for you to reflect upon the varying manifestations of these secular ideologies that are opposed to the dignity of the human person and the gift of human life… that you professionals will be nourished with the light of the Gospel in the important work that you do.”

Arland K. Nichols, president and founder of the St. John Paul II Foundation, opened the Conference by explaining that the topics covered during the day would focus on pressing issues confronting medical professionals, handpicked by Conference committee members and presented by expert faculty.

“The hope is that following today’s Conference you will be able to walk away with fundamental principles and ideas that will help you further your own knowledge of heath care ethics, how to practice medicine and the practical tools to serve the patients you care for,” Nichols said.

The Conference presentations were as follows: “The Well-Formed Conscience of a Health Care Professional,” Father Columba Thomas, OP, MD; “Truth, Conscience, and Religious Liberty in Health Care,” Mary Rice Hasson, JD; “The Unique Mission of Catholic Health Care,” Cody F. Feikles, MA, MTS, HEC-C; “The Role of the Sacraments and Prayer in the Care of the Sick and Dying,” Roger Nutt, STL, STD; “Ethical Standards in the Pharmaceutical Industry,” Sister Michaela Serpa, FSE, MA, PharmD, BCPS; “The Role of the Medical Community in Service to the Sick and Dying in a Throwaway Culture,” Natalie King, MD, MA; and “Approaching Gender Dysphoria with Compassion and in Light of the Science,” Deacon Patrick W. Lappert, MD.

Health care professions were also offered 7 continuing education credits for their participation in the Conference.

Comments from Conference participants included: “This was excellent and one of the best educational experiences I have had.” “It was a great opportunity to network with other medical professionals and students.” “The topics were meaningful and will benefit in my ministry as a faith community nurse.”

The St. John Paul II Foundation is a national Catholic apostolate proclaiming the Good News about life and family through education and formation.

Carrie Harkey, Director of the Diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life, which was instrumental in bringing the Converging Roads Conference to the Diocese, said the turnout far exceeded expectations for a first-ever event such as Converging Roads. “For a first event we were told to expect about 100, but 140 is great. This positive response will help promote the program when it returns in the future.”

In addition to the Converging Road initiative, the Foundation supports continuing education for clergy (Shepherd’s Heart for priests and Servant’s Heart of Permanent Deacons), and marriage enrichment with its “Together in Holiness” program.

“Together in Holiness” is a one-day Conference series for couples and a year-round formation series which has been active in the Diocese of Venice for four years.

News Briefs for the week of February 23, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Three Diocesan Catholic students named Merit Scholar Finalists

Three Diocese of Venice Catholic high school seniors have been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program! This is a great achievement for the students and for Catholic education in the Diocese of Venice. The finalists are Alexandra Mussey of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota and Patrick Dendis and Stephen Zell of Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. This honor places the three among the top one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Finalists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. The process to become a Finalist included submitting a detailed application with information about academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, as well as honors and awards received.

Visit of St. Jude Relic to Naples Feb. 27

The faithful are invited to participate in Tour of the Relics of St. Jude the Apostle on its U.S. visit, featuring the arm of the Saint. The tour will stop in the Diocese of Venice on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 5260 28th Ave. SW, Naples. Veneration begins at 2 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m. There will be a Mass in honor of St. Jude at 7 p.m. For additional information, contact the Parish at 239-455-3900.

Scholarship Application Deadline Feb. 29

There are currently five different scholarships available from the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida. Applications close on Feb. 29, 2024. The majority of the scholarships are for residents of Sarasota County. These scholarships are for graduating seniors (class of 2023 or 2024), or for non-traditional students who have been out of school for 3+ years and wish to pursue a higher education. To find out which Catholic Community Foundation scholarship you qualify for, please visit www.ccfdioceseofvenice.org/scholarships.

Sarasota Prayer Walk for Life March 5 in Sarasota

Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for a Mass and prayer walk for life. The Mass is at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St. Martha Church, 200 North Orange Ave., Sarasota.  A free shuttle bus will be provided after Mass to the nearby prayer walk until noon so that participants can circle the block around Planned Parenthood in prayer as many times as desired before returning to the church parking lot. Light refreshments will be available near the Community Pregnancy Clinic on 7th Street. For questions or to volunteer, contact Jeanne at 941-374-1068 or berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.

Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference March 16

All are invited to attend the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, 5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. This effort, in support of the Church’s National Eucharistic Revival to place an emphasis on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, will be an all-day event of faith and fellowship, featuring inspirational Catholic speakers, including nationally acclaimed Catholic speaker and author Steven Ray, Crystalina Evert, Kathia Aranga, Father Elvis Gonzalez, and Tim Glemkowski. English and Spanish sessions will be offered. All are welcome. The day will include Mass, as well as adoration, and confessions. For more information, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/eucharistic-conference-2024/. Register by March 12

Construction begins on school project

Construction on the new administration building at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples has begun. Work started in early February on the much-needed building which will serve as a safe, secure, single point of entry with reception area, offices for school staff, a clinic and conference room. Most importantly, the new building will free up valuable classroom space for the students! This project is part of a larger ongoing expansion effort which has been made possible by many generous donors.

Healing After Abortion Retreat March 2

If you had an abortion, no matter how long ago, are having trouble forgiving yourself or need help dealing with the memories, consider attending a one-day women’s retreat on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Call or text Sylvia at 941-412-5860 or email her at project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. Do it today; you will be glad you did!

Pray to Defeat Florida’s Abortion Amendment

The political committee behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize abortion up until birth in Florida has surpassed the petition signature requirement for placement on the November 2024 ballot. For ballot placement to be confirmed, the amendment language must be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court to ensure it is clear and limited to a single subject. In her brief to the Court, the attorney general urged the justices to reject the proposal, identifying several terms in the amendment language that are not clearly defined and could mislead voters. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) also filed a legal brief in opposition to the amendment. The FCCB’s brief argued that the proposed ballot title is misleading. The title states that the amendment “limits” government interference with abortion when the text of the amendment itself actually prohibits all regulation before viability. The ballot language also fails to advise voters that the amendment would largely prohibit the state’s oversight of abortion clinics and provide fair notice of its impact on existing legal protections for women and children. The decision from the Florida Supreme Court is expected April 1, 2024.

More than 600 participate in NET retreats

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Dynamic, Parish-based encounters for middle and high school teens took place between Feb. 3 and Feb. 11, 2024, throughout the Diocese of Venice.

The NET Ministries (National Evangelization Teams) retreats, visiting seven Parish and one Diocesan Catholic school between Feb. 3 and Feb. 11, 2024, challenged young Catholics, through relational ministry, to hear about, respond to and live for Jesus Christ.

“An absolutely beautiful evening with our Lord!” St. Michael Parish in Wauchula posted to social media. “NET Ministries you did awesome. Keep praying for our youth! Keep giving them opportunities or they will never experience His Love or get to know Him. May God bless all of our youth all over the world.”

The Diocesan Office of Evangelization sponsored the retreats which cumulatively reached more than 600 middle and high school students. The goal was to inspire young people to form personal and profound relationships with Jesus Christ and His Church.

The theme of the retreats in early February was “True Presence,” building upon the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival. The Revival is an initiative of the U.S. Bishops to encourage a greater passion for the Most Holy Eucharist, the Source and Summit of the Catholic Faith. Most of the retreats included the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and when that was not possible due to time constraints, there was Eucharistic Adoration.

The Diocesan retreats took place at the following locations, St. Thomas More, Sarasota; St. Catherine, Sebring; St. Joseph the Worker, Moore Haven; St. Michael, Wauchula; Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; St. Paul, Arcadia; St. Agnes, Naples; and St. Joseph Catholic School, Bradenton. Several Parishes took the opportunity to use the NET visit as a Confirmation Retreat for youth.

The retreats included guided prayer time and a personal invitation to commit to Christ, as the NET members shared the message of God’s unending love for the youth. This was accomplished in small group discussions, games and activities, and live testimony presentations.

Sacrament of Marriage – A unique gift from God

Posted on by Bob Reddy

God provides unique graces and gifts for married couples to spend their lives together, serving as examples of hope for following generations.

In celebration of that commitment, each year Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50+ years to a Mass in their honor as witnesses to a beautiful vocation. This first such Mass in 2024 was Feb. 3, at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. Present were 240 couples representing a combined 12,480 years of marriage.

“You have to feel a great accomplishment,” Bishop Dewane said. “Whether you are celebrating 25 years, 50 years or even 70 years of marriage, the grace you have lived out all those years continues to flow and be a sign of hope for many young people. It is the public intention of union and sacrifice given over, one to the other, where love is expressed, over and over again. That is the true reality of marriage.”

Bishop Dewane said in today’s culture there is a different mindset about the Sacrament of Marriage, but the example of the couples present, representing commitments lasting decades, are viewed by young people with awe.

“The grace that you have allowed to enter into you marriage reverberates God’s love within your relationship and is witnessed by others,” the Bishop said. “You give a silent homily by the life you live, day in and day out. It is a true vocation that is born through each of you, giving the gift of one’s self. It has endured and is admired.”

The 240 couples represented 25 Parishes and included 32 couples that have been married 50 years. The longest marriage by couples present was 70 years.

Steven and Violet (Vi) Hvasta, of St. William Parish in Naples, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 12. Thomas and Jane Brooks, of St. Leo the Great Parish, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Dec. 4.

The Hvastas started out as great friends in high school. Steven dated Vi’s best friends, and she would date Steven’s friends, until the love bug hit! It seems they were made for each other. They spent their lives in Connecticut as small business owners, raising four daughters and are blessed with 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They bought a home in Naples 13 years ago and now split their time between Naples and Connecticut.

Thomas and Jane Brooks met while attending Indiana University in Bloomington. They fell in love immediately and are still very much in love to this day. They married while Thomas was on leave from the U.S. Army, causing Jane to quit college and follow her new husband on deployment in Germany. After leaving the Army, the couple settled back in Indiana where he was a lawyer for 62 years as they raised a family that now includes seven children, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. They have been coming to Florida since the mid-1980s.

Thomas Brooks said the couple’s advice to their children was that “once they became married, it is very important to stay with God. Also, they should always love one another, and never go to bed at night without saying ‘I love you.’”

During the Diocesan Mass, the married couples renewed their wedding vows. In addition, each couple was presented a commemorative certificate, signed by the Bishop, for their enduring commitment to marriage.

Following the Mass, lunch was served and there was the opportunity to have complimentary pictures taken with the Bishop. At the luncheon, several couples remarked about how wonderful it is to have their lasting marriage recognized.

Masses are celebrated each year in the northern and southern sections of the Diocese of Venice so as to accommodate the large numbers of couples wishing to attend. The second Mass is 11 a.m., Feb. 24, at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave., Venice (registration is through the Parishes and walk-ins are welcome).

News Briefs for February 9, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Appointments

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

Father Joseph Binu, appointed as Parochial Vicar of St. Agnes Parish, Naples, effective January 19, 2024, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Bradenton.

Father Benjamin Casimir, appointed as Administrator of Jesus the Worker Parish, Fort Myers, effective February 5, 2024, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples.

Order of Malta retreat

The Knights and Dames of Malta recently gathered in Naples for a retreat: a time of prayer, reflection and renewal. Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the opening Mass for the retreat at St. William Parish on Feb. 2, 2024, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. During the Mass, the Bishop said that the message the Knights and Dames carry is one of preparing the way for the Lord. The Order of Malta is a lay religious order of the Catholic Church that seeks to glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through witness to the Catholic Faith and service to the sick and the poor. The retreat master was Msgr. Robert Dempsey of Chicago. The retreat is held ahead of Lent to help the Knights and Dames prepare spiritually for this important Liturgical Season.

Eucharistic Conference held at Ave Maria University

The Aquinas Center for Theological renewal and the Thomistic Institute hosted the “Thomas Aquinas and the Eucharist: Pathways to Revival” Conference from Feb. 1 to Feb. 3, 2024, at Ave Maria University. Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass for the Conference on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, in the Ave Maria Parish Church. Bishop Dewane praised the Conference organizers and the attendees for taking time to focus on the Holy Eucharist during the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year revival of devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist created by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The conference drew upon Saint Thomas for theological, spiritual, pastoral, and evangelistic pathways in the Eucharistic Revival. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Dewane was Archbishop Allen Vigneron, of Detroit, who was the conference keynote speaker.

40 Days for Life opens in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Naples

Show your support for life by simply praying for an end to abortion on the public sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood between Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and March 24, 2024. For details and flier go to www.40daysforlife.com (add /sarasota or /fortmyers or /naples for a direct link to the location near you). Questions? Contact Jeanne at 941-374-1068 or Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.

Theology on Tap Sarasota Feb. 15

Theology on Tap for young adults takes place on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mandeville Beer Garden in Sarasota, 428 N. Lemon Ave, Sarasota. Join the gathering for food and refreshments, presentations, and discussions about the Catholic Faith. The next scheduled date is Feb. 15, 2024, and will feature Father Daniel Scanlan, Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota. The topic will be Lent. For any questions, please email Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Walk for the Poor Feb. 17 in Cape Coral

The St. Andrew Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is hosting its 3rd Annual “Walk for the Poor” on Saturday, Feb 17, 2024, in the campus of St. Andrew Parish and Catholic School, 2628 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. The event will begin at 10 a.m., and end at 1 p.m. The walk supports the outreach of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which answered 1,176 calls for assistance in 2023. Assistance includes food, transportation, clothing, household items, job resources, as well as financial support for prescriptions, housing and utilities. Anyone interested in walking or making a donation can visit https://go.rallyup.com/capesvdp, or contact Marlene Douglas at 239-772-3543.

Health Care Ethics Conference Feb. 17 in Bonita Springs

Medical professionals, students, and interested laypeople are invited to the first annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference on Feb. 17, 2024, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. This one-day conference will offer continuing education credits for health care professionals with presentations centered on the theme of Catholic Medicine in a Secular Society. For information, contact Carrie Harkey at harkey@dioceseofvenice.org, and to register, go to convergingroads.com/venice.

2024 Catholic Charities Ball Feb. 17 in Sarasota

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., invites all to the 2024 Catholic Charities Ball, 6 p.m., Feb. 17, 2024, at Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota. The theme is “Serving All,” and supports the programs of Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. This year also marks the launch of the new Long-term Recovery Program, which is actively helping families still recovering from Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters. Tickets are $400 a person. The evening will include a cocktail hour, live and silent auctions, fine dining, dancing, and live entertainment. Register at http://bidpal.net/ccb2024. For more information, 941-376-7845 or email ccball@catholiccharitiesdov.org.

 

 

Group learns about benefits of street evangelization

Posted on by Bob Reddy

“Hi, I’m Adam, would you like a Miraculous Medal or a rosary? Can I pray for you?”

That introduction has served as a bridge of trust to welcome stray Catholics back to the Church through a program called St. Paul Street Evangelization. This was the focus of a training workshop on Jan. 27, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples.

Adam Janke, from St. Paul Street Evangelization, led the workshop and guided the participants through the process of how to share their faith with anyone, at any time.

“In its basic form, this is the work of relational/prayer ministry,” Janke said. “It is about going out on the street – where the people are – and meeting people in their woundedness. This is where there are moments of healing, as you serve as a conduit of the Holy Spirit to help others gradually get to heaven.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane opened the workshop by celebrating Mass. The Bishop encouraged the participants to take what they are learning out to their Parishes and onto the street as a way to encourage others to share the Light of Christ.

“This is powerful. This can make a difference,” Bishop Dewane said. “We need to have people like you out there, showing God’s Mercy to others; showing that you care and will pray for them.”

At the end of the workshop, many of the group took part in a “live lab,” where they practiced what they learned at the Mercato, a shopping, dining and residential complex at U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road.

In pairs, the new street evangelizers confidently approached strangers and offered rosaries and Miraculous Medals. It was quickly apparent that what they were doing was at the least an interesting curiosity to some, and intriguing to those who understood what was being handed out and what was being offered – prayers.

One woman who accepted a Miraculous Medal and was prayed for by two of the new street evangelizers went directly to her waiting friend with a broad smile and proclaimed, “Hey, you won’t believe it. I was just prayed for. Isn’t that great!”

The new evangelizers spent about an hour encountering people. The joy the participants felt afterward was infectious. “People were so wonderful,” one man said. “This was easier than I thought. Once you present them with a rosary, if they don’t know what it is you explain it and the conversation starts. You can immediately see that they are changed by that encounter. It was beautiful to be a part of this. I can’t wait to go out again.”

Sponsored by the Diocesan Department of Evangelization, a previous training workshop took place in Sarasota on Sept. 30, 2023. The goal of the training sessions is to form area St. Paul Street Evangelization teams, with groups set up in every major community in the Diocese going out monthly to evangelize.

While street evangelization is not for everyone, Janke explained that the lessons offered apply in everyday life. This can be with a family member who may have strayed from the Church, friends who are of another faith and might have questions about Catholicism, or a stranger at a store or on the street. “I want you to have the confidence to have that encounter. Let the Holy Spirit do the rest.”

If you are interested in learning more about the St. Paul Street Evangelization program with the Diocese, please contact Jim Gontis at 941-484-9543 or gontis@dioceseofevnice.org.

News Briefs for the Week of February 2, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Mooney runner named Florida Gatorade Player of the Year

Addison Dempsey, a senior at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Florida Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. Dempsey is the first Gatorade Florida Girls Cross Country Player of the Year to be chosen from Cardinal Mooney.  The award, announced Jan. 22, 2024, celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.   The 5-foot-5 senior capped her 2023 campaign by racing to 18th place at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships, clocking a time of 17:39.22 as the state’s top finisher at the event. Dempsey established four new course records this past season, breaking the tape with a personal-best 5K time of 17:20.20 at the North Port XC Invitational. She won eight races during the fall and was Florida’s top finisher at the prestigious Adidas XC Challenge, where she took third.  She earned a bronze in the November Florida High School Athletic Association Girls Class 2A 5K. She earned a silver in the same event in 2022. A volunteer on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club, which assists local, underserved kids and provides them a safe environment, Dempsey has also donated her time as a coach at youth soccer camps and as part of running trail clean-up projects. Dempsey has maintained an impressive 3.88 GPA in the classroom.

School holds memorable night in the “Scottish Highlands”

The annual Celtic Ball, supporting St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples, took place at the school on Jan. 27, 2024. The theme of the night was the “Scottish Highlands.” Bishop Frank J. Dewane applauded the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco who serve at St. John Neumann for their unfailing commitment to education and for the example they are for their students and the entire school community. Bishop Dewane also thanked the parents for entrusting their children’s education and future to St. John Neumann. The evening included a live and silent auction, and guests were provided with Scottish cloaks, while some men wore traditional kilts.

Mass honors law enforcement, fire fighters and first responders

To honor and remember the service of active, retired and fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders who offer their lives in service to the community to keep us all safe and well, St. Agnes Parish in Naples hosted the annual Blue Mass on Jan. 27, 2023. The opening procession was led by music from the Southwest Florida Guns ‘n Hoses Pipes ‘n Drums corps with bagpipes and drums, the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, and Columbiettes. Msgr. Steven P. Hurley, of Wilmington, Delaware, was the homilist for the Mass. He was a policeman in Maryland for eight years before following a vocation to the priesthood. After the Mass, each active and retired first responder present was asked to come forward to receive a token of appreciation. Law enforcement officials received a St. Michael the Archangel Medal, firefighters a St. Florian Medal, and a special medal was also presented for all other first responders. A barbeque, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, followed in the Parish Hall.

National Marriage Week, and World Marriage Day!

The observances of National Marriage Week from Feb. 7 -14, 2024, and World Marriage Day, Sunday, Feb. 11, are opportunities to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. The theme for 2024 is “Love Beyond Words.”  For resources from the USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth to help celebrate and live the great gift of married life, please visit Celebrate National Marriage Week 2024 – For Your Marriage. Resources are available in both English and Spanish.

Health Care Ethics Conference Feb. 17

Medical professionals, students, and interested laypeople are invited to the first annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference on Feb. 17, 2024, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs! This one-day conference will offer continuing education credits for health care professionals with presentations centered on the theme of Catholic Medicine in a Secular Society. For information, contact Carrie Harkey at harkey@dioceseofvenice.org, and to register, go to convergingroads.com/venice.

2024 Catholic Charities Ball Feb. 17 in Sarasota

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., invites all to the 2024 Catholic Charities Ball, 6 p.m., Feb. 17, 2024, at Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota. The theme is “Serving All,” and supports the programs of Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. This year also marks the launch of the new Long-term Recovery Program, which is actively helping families still recovering from Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters. Tickets are $400 a person. The evening will include a cocktail hour, live and silent auctions, fine dining, dancing, and live entertainment. Register at http://bidpal.net/ccb2024. For more information, 941-376-7845 or email ccball@catholiccharitiesdov.org.

Few spots remain for Eucharistic Congress pilgrimage with Bishop

Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane on a Pilgrimage to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Only eight spots remain! This once-in-a-lifetime 5-day gathering will take place in Indianapolis July 17 – 21, 2024. The National Eucharistic Congress represents the culmination of the Church’s three-year effort to put an emphasis on the Real Presence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Eucharistic.  It is a pivotal moment in the Church, and a unique opportunity for participants to draw into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Our Lord. For pilgrimage details, please visit https://ctscentral.rezmagic.com/Booking/Reservation/Start?tripID=5394&CategoryId=52540. Questions? Contact Carrie Harkey, harkey@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

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