missionaries Archives - Diocese of Venice

Totus Tuus program benefits more than 1,650 youth

Posted on July 31, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Young participants spend summer growing closer to Christ

Hearts are on fire for Jesus Christ for the 1,650 young faithful who took part in the Totus Tuus weekly sessions at 17 host Parishes in the Diocese of Venice throughout the summer.

The goal of the Totus Tuus program is to help young people develop in their understanding of the faith and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as important, the program teaches the boys and girls that faith is fun! Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours,” was a motto of St. John Paul II, taken from St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary.” It signifies our desire to give ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary.

On July 24, 2025, young participants in the program at Our Lady of the Angels Parish joyously participated in the opening prayers and songs. They expressed their enthusiasm about how much fun they were having and how the Totus Tuus missionaries served as an inspiration for them. Here is just a small sample of what the young people had to say: “Jesus loves me!” “Mary is our Queen in Heaven!” “This is the best!” “Each day is better and better!” “Awesome!”

Fourteen Totus Tuus missionaries, trained young men and women, mostly college-age, led the program, and were just as enthusiastic as the young campers as the summer drew to a close. Each was moved by the experience of imparting faith on eager young minds.

Missionary Jesina Cortez, who is from St. James Parish and Santigo Mission in Lake Placid, returned for her second time as a missionary because of how much she got out of it in 2024. This year, she said the experience was just as rewarding with the best part making personal connections to the youngest of students. “To witness their wonder and love for Christ develop through the week was inspiring. It was hard to say good-bye to each group.”

“Once again, throughout the summer the Diocese was blessed to have the Totus Tuus missionaries who brought an excitement about the faith to different Parishes each week, helping to awaken in children of all ages a desire and enthusiasm for holiness,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

Run by the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adults, Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to the sacrifices and blessings of the various Christian vocations through evangelization and catechesis. The program inspires young people to develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life.

Totus Tuus works to complement what the children are learning from their parents, who are the first and best educators in matters of faith. This is something Bishop Dewane has stressed since the program had its trial run in the Diocese in 2022.

Diocesan Youth and Youth Adult Director Andres Prias said during the past four years of the Totus Tuus program he has witnessed its growth, “not only in the number of Parishes involved or participants attending, but in how the experience itself has taken root. Families, youth, and children have truly made it their own. It comes down to the work of the missionaries, whose witness has touched so many hearts, giving life to the words: “We are all yours, Lord Jesus.’”

Jim Gontis, Diocesan Director of Evangelization, said the expansion to 17 Parishes this year came about through the unwavering support of Bishop Dewane, and the collaborative effort that begins with the outstanding missionaries, Parish Pastors and Administrators, as well as the Parish leaders and volunteers.

“One of the most beautiful fruits of Totus Tuus is the joy on the faces of the young people,” Gontis said. “This was evident as they encountered Jesus in the Mass, in Eucharistic Adoration, and in the healing grace of Confession. Many parents remarked how much their children shared with them about what they learned about the Sacraments, the power of the Rosary, and the Catholic Faith as a whole.”

Parishes hosting Totus Tuus this summer were:

Arcadia

St. Paul

Ave Maria

Ave Maria

Bradenton

Sacred Heart, and St. Joseph

Cape Coral

St. Katharine Drexel

Fort Myers

St. Cecilia, Our Lady of Light, and St. John XXIII

LaBelle

Our Lady Queen of Heaven

Lakewood Ranch

Our Lady of the Angels

Naples

St. Finbarr, St. Agnes, and St. Peter the Apostle

North Port

San Pedro

Parrish

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Sarasota

St. Jude

Venice

Epiphany Cathedral

News briefs for the week of June 13, 2025

Posted on June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 by Bob Reddy

Appointments

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

Father Gerard Critch, Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples is on Temporary Leave, effective May 30, 2025.

Father David Portorreal is assigned as Administrator at St. Peter the Apostle and relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, effective May 30, 2025.

Father Gilbert Nortilus is assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, effective June 2, 2025.

Totus Tuus summer program continues

The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program continues to inspire 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. Three missionary teams are leading the campers. In the first two weeks, the program has taken place at six Parishes, with the most recent at Sacred Heart in Bradenton, St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral and St. Paul in Arcadia. Upcoming host Parishes include: St. Agnes, Naples (June 15-20); Ave Maria in Ave Maria and St. Jude in Sarasota (June 22-27); St. Cecilia, Fort Myers; Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; St. John XXIII, Fort Myers; St. Thomas More, Sarasota (July 6-11); St. Joseph, Bradenton; Epiphany Cathedral, Venice; Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 13-18); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch; St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 20-25). Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/. For more information, please visit Totus Tuus 2025 – Diocese of Venice.

Parish hosts Mission Week

St. Michael Parish in Wauchula hosted a Parish Mission Week the week of June 2-7, 2025. The week included daily prayer, reflection and trips to different locations to be true missionaries of Christ in the world. The outreach included visiting a nursing home as well as the homebound and needy throughout Hardee County. A Family Day on June 8 which included food, entertainment and music concluded the week. The Parish Mission was organized by the Servant Sisters of the Virgin of Matara who serve at the Parish. Visiting members of the religious order also assisted throughout the week.

Knights elect new State officers

The Florida Knights of Columbus have elected new officers, including Deacon Richard Dahn Jr., of St. Agnes Parish in Naples as State Treasurer. Father Bob Kantor, Pastor of St. Agnes Parish, serves as the State Chaplain for the Knights. The election results were announced May 25, 2025, at the 121st annual Florida State Council Convention in Jacksonville.

Sarasota Parish to host Brazilian Festival July 14

St. Jude Parish, 3930 17th St., Sarasota, is hosting a Festa Junina Brasilera (Brazilian Festival), from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., June 14, 2025. The festival will include food, live music, kids’ games and other activities. St. Jude Parish is also having a Drive Away Raffle for one lucky person to win a 2025 Jeep Wrangler. Tickets are $100 and available in the Parish office or online at www.stjudesarasota.org and must be purchased by noon on Sunday, June 15. All raffle proceeds will benefit the new church building fund.

Children Throughout the World Need Our Help!

The Administration is terminating all but two of Catholic Relief Services’ school feeding programs, eliminating a daily school meal for close to 800,000 children in 11 countries beginning in July. For many, this was their only meal of the day. These terminations aren’t just broken agreements with CRS. They are broken promises to children, to farmers, to entire communities. Please ask your members of Congress to urge the Administration to reverse these terminations. Visit https://www.crs.org/act/mcgovern-dole to be heard.

Theology on Tap June 19 in Sarasota

Theology on Tap is a program for young adults in their 20s and 30s, providing an opportunity to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. The next gathering is June 19 and will feature a presentation from Father Christian Chami, Parochial Vicar at St. Jude Parish in Sarasota with the topic: “St. Charbel: Lessons in silence, faith and obedience.” The evening begins with food and refreshments at 7 p.m., with the presentations and discussions about the Catholic Faith beginning at 8 p.m. Please email Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org with any questions.

Relevant Radio: “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane”

Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly half-hour radio program on Relevant Radio on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples. Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane can be heard at 8:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month, or anytime at www.dioceseofvenice.org/ourbishop. The next episode will air on Friday, June 27, 2025, and includes a recap of the 2024-2025 Academic Year in Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools.

Ordination to the Priesthood July 12

Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites the faithful to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Transitional Deacons Joseph Doherty, Jacob Gwynn and Pat Long. The Ordination will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event in the lives of Deacons Joseph, Jacob and Pat as well as the Diocese of Venice. The Ordination will also be livestreamed.

Respect Life Volunteers Needed!

Do you have a passion for life? The Diocese of Venice needs you! We are looking for volunteers and leaders interested in becoming involved in local respect life activities with their Parish. Many new families are moving to Southwest Florida, and we need your help! It’s very rewarding work. For those living in the Palmetto or Parrish area, your assistance is especially needed. To get involved, please contact Tavia Ames, ames@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-441-1101.

Ave Maria Youth Conference July 11-13

The 2025 Ave Maria University “Proclaim” Youth Conference is July 11-13. 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 aveconferences.com/.

Volunteers Needed for Prison Outreach

Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach, distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.

Support After Abortion help available

Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Know that healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, simply call or text 941-412-5860, or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, in either English or Spanish. All contacts are confidential.

2025 Totus Tuus summer program to be featured at 18 Parishes

Posted on May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 by Bob Reddy

The successful Totus Tuus summer catechetical Parish program will soon be taking place at a Parish near you.

The final week of May saw 15 missionaries undergo intensive training and preparation as the first three Parish camps start June 1, 2025. Ultimately, there will be seven separate weeks with a total18 Parishes serving as weekly hosts through July 25. More than 1,000 children and teens will be impacted by this special outreach.

Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours” – is a one-week Parish Catechetical summer day camp program, for students entering grades 1-12, and aims to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encouraged the pilot program be brought to the Diocese in 2022 to great success, with expansions in 2023 to 11 host Parishes, 12 for 2024, and now 18 for 2025. During past visits to Totus Tuus camps, Bishop Dewane has been impressed by the response each child had to the uplifting program. “In each classroom everyone was so excited and alive about their love of the Lord!”

Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass for the Totus Tuus missionaries on May 28, while they were going through their training at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. He encouraged the young missionaries to call upon the Holy Spirit to guide them through the summer and reminded them of the important role they will have for the boys and girls they encounter this summer.

The week-long camps (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday) are divided into two segments, with the day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, and an evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12.

The younger children participate in several classes each day, attend daily Mass, learn the parts and liturgical music of Mass, and participate in games, skits, songs, recess and prayer. The older students participate in instruction, small group discussions, quiet meditations, prayer and fellowship.

Most importantly, Totus Tuus works to complement what parents teach their children in matters of their faith. This is something Bishop Dewane has stressed since the program had its trial run in the Diocese in 2022.

The 2025 Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus Missionaries range in age from 18 to 27, and two are returning for a second year: Jesse Gomez, a Diocesan Seminarian, and Jesenia Cortes who is from St. James Parish and Santigo Mission in Lake Placid. A second seminarian, Tam Tran will also be a missionary this year.

Cortes looks forward to making a connection with the children again. “I’m so excited to be back. Last summer, serving as Team Leader, gave me the chance to witness God’s goodness and His personal call to holiness in each child and teen we met. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing His love and growing in faith together.”

The following is a list of host Parishes:

June 1-6 – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Parrish; St. Finbar Parish, Naples; San Pedro Parish, North Port;
June 8-13 – St. Paul Parish, Arcadia; Sacred Heart Parish, Bradenton; St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Cape Coral;
June 15-20 – St. Agnes Parish, Naples;
June 22-27 – Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria; St. Jude Parish, Sarasota;
July 6-11 – St. Cecilia Parish, Fort Myers; Our Lady of Light Parish, Fort Myers; St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers; St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota;
July 13-18 – St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton; Epiphany Cathedral, Venice; Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle;
July 20-25 – Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch; St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples.

Please pray for the success of the Totus Tuus summer program, the campers, and the missionaries.

Camp registration information

Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/.

Faith is fun! Register your children through the hosting Parish! For more information, or with questions, visit Totus Tuus 2025 – Diocese of Venice. You can also contact Andres Prias, prias@dioceseofvenice.org or Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Eucharistic Revival offers faithful “missionary” opportunity

Posted on May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 by Bob Reddy

As the three-year National Eucharistic Revival draws to a close, an exciting new initiative is being offered to the faithful.

The Revival offers Catholics the opportunity to become “officially” commissioned Eucharistic Missionaries through participation in a brief five-week online formation series. Participants will learn how to take their Catholic and Eucharistic Faith, live it out even more effectively, and share it with their families, friends, and neighbors, armed with the education – and courage – they may need to do so.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane wrote a May 6, 2024, letter to the priests of the Diocese encouraging the promotion of this opportunity. “Isn’t this what the Eucharistic Revival is all about? After three years of renewed understanding and reverence for Jesus’s Real Presence, the time has come to go forth, to share the good news of our Eucharistic Lord with the world, to evangelize!”

The series’ weekly sessions begin Sunday, May 18, and will conclude with a special commissioning prayer on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi), Sunday, June 22.

The National Eucharistic Revival is an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to promote the devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Since June 2022, the Revival has included a Diocesan phase, a Parish phase and now a missionary phase. During this time, Bishop Dewane has hosted three Conferences, one each year of the Revival. Each of the gatherings included thousands of the faithful, who attended to hear internationally renowned speakers, celebrate Mass with Bishop Dewane, participate in Eucharistic Adoration, and share their faith together.

The Revival is not a program, but a movement that is the joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the Church in the United States to the divine invitation to be united once again around the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Since that time, the results have been extraordinary, most importantly with Eucharistic Adoration opportunities and availability increasing. There has also been increased attention to catechesis on the Real Presence, more frequent Eucharistic Processions and Devotions throughout the Diocese.

Bishop Dewane concluded his letter to the priests stating this is a unique opportunity for parishioners, and how they should be “heartily encouraged” to take part in this final phase of the National Eucharistic Revival, “which will empower them to evangelize as true, commissioned Eucharistic Missionaries!”

TOTUS TUUS – Summer program returns to Diocese

Posted on May 30, 2024May 30, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Making a triumphant return to the Diocese of Venice, the successful Totus Tuus summer catechetical Parish program will soon be taking place at a Parish near you.

Eleven missionaries are undergoing final preparations as the first two Parish camps start June 2, 2024. Ultimately there will be eight separate weeks with 12 Parishes serving as hosts through the end of July. More than 1,000 young children and teens will be impacted by this special outreach.

Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours” – teaches children of all ages to put a spotlight on sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of the week is to help the children develop a true and lasting longing for holiness.

The 2022 and 2023 programs garnered rave reviews, with host Parish priests and catechists describing how the children’s love for Christ reached new heights in a single 5-day period more than in an entire season of religious instruction.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encouraged the pilot program be brought to the Diocese in 2022 and an expansion for 2023 to 11 host Parishes and 12 for 2024. During visits to Totus Tuus camps, Bishop Dewane said he has been impressed by the response each child had to the uplifting program. “In each classroom everyone was so excited and alive about their love of the Lord!”

Totus Tuus aims to inspire young people to develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. The program also seeks to foster openness to the sacrifices and blessings of the various Christian vocations in both the young participants and the missionaries.

The younger children participate in four classes each day, attend daily Mass, learn the parts and liturgical songs of Mass, and participate in games, skits, songs, recess and prayer. The older students participate in instruction, small group discussions, quiet meditations, prayer and fellowship.

Most importantly, Totus Tuus works to complement what the children learn from their parents, who are the first and best educators of the faith. This is something Bishop Dewane has stressed since the program had its trial run in the Diocese in 2022.

To ensure success of the program, Totus Tuus missionaries are principally from the Diocese. The missionaries (five men and six women) went through an intensive training session from May 23-31, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.

This training focused on the spiritual aspect of the Totus Tuus program, including daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Mass. Other components of the training covered the fundamentals of teaching young children and youth, as well as the fun aspects of the camp including the songs and dances that everyone will learn. As their training neared its conclusion, they each expressed their enthusiasm to help make a difference in the lives of young Catholics throughout the Diocese.

The 2024 Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus Missionaries are: James Allen, Kansas State University; Anne Moultrie, Ave Maria University; Natalia Abrams, Ave Maria; Gianna Cox, Ave Maria; James Gates, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; Juliana Courville, University of Louisiana-Lafayette; Jesse Gomez, St. John Vianney College Seminary; Carson Stecklein, Ave Maria; Sara Prius, Georgia State University; Jesenia Cortes, University of Florida; and Max Sindlar, Ave Maria.

Parishes hosting Totus Tuus this year are: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Parrish, and Our Lady of Grace, Avon Park (June 2-7); Ave Maria, Ave Maria (June 9-14); St. Finbarr, Naples, and St. Paul, Arcadia (June 16-21); Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, and St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral (June 23-28); 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/.

Please pray for the success of the Totus Tuus summer program, the campers, and the missionaries.

Camp registration information

For general questions about the Diocesan Totus Tuus program, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/totustuus2024/, or contact James Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Totus Tuus, Parish Catechetical Summer Camp returning

Posted on April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 by Bob Reddy

The Totus Tuus Parish Catechetical Summer Camp program aims to inspire young people to strive for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. Through evangelization and catechesis, Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to the sacrifices and blessings of the various Christian vocations.

The Totus Tuus program, which is open to grades 1-12, has been very well-received by young people, parents, and Parishes in the Diocese of Venice for the last two years and is returning to the Diocese of Venice this summer, beginning in June 2024.

The first camps open the week of June 2-7, and take place at a variety of Parishes throughout the summer with the final camps taking place the week of July 21-26. All camps are one-week day camps, and programs are divided according to age. The goal of the weeklong camp is to help the children develop a true and lasting longing for holiness. The Five Pillars of Totus Tuus are: The Eucharist; Marian Devotion; Catechetical Instruction; Vocation Discernment; and Fun.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane helped bring Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours” – to the Diocese of Venice in 2022. The original program began in 1987 as a Vacation Bible School program in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. Then, in 2022, the Diocese of Venice launched its pilot program, with great success. The Diocese received many requests from parents to continue the program; which not only has continued, but expanded in 2023 and set the hearts on fire of more than 1,000 youth.

“This program works,” Bishop Dewane said. “Totus Tuus complements what the children learn from their parents, who are the first and best educators of the faith. This is evident whenever I visit a Parish Totus Tuus camp. I am always impressed by the response each child has to the uplifting program. Whether in a group activity, or in a classroom, everyone is clearly excited and alive about their love of the Lord.”

The weeklong program is divided into two sessions, with the day component (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) for students grades 1 – 6, and the evening session (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) for middle school and high school students grades 7 – 12.

Parishes hosting Totus Tuus this year are: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Parrish, and Our Lady of Grace, Avon Park (June 2-7); Ave Maria, Ave Maria (June 9-14); St. Finbarr, Naples, and St. Paul, Arcadia (June 16-21); Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, and St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral (June 23-28); 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).

Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/totustuus2024/.

For general questions about the Diocesan Totus Tuus program, please contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Missionaries Wanted!

The Totus Tuus program is still recruiting for a few missionaries to lead the camps! To apply, you must be a recent high school graduate or college-aged man or women who is committed to the Catholic Faith and feels called to share their faith with youth throughout the Diocese. The mission is a nine-week commitment from May 23 to July 27 (excluding the week of June 29-July 6). Application deadline is May 8. For more details and to register, please visit https://www.research.net/r/totustuus2024.

Totus Tuus benefits 1,000+

Posted on August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 by Bob Reddy

Impact reaches beyond young participants

Hearts are on fire for Jesus Christ for the more than 1,000 young faithful who took part in the Totus Tuus weekly sessions throughout the summer.

In its second, year, Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours” – taught the children of all ages to put a spotlight on sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of the week is to help the children develop a true and lasting longing for holiness.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who personally visited the Totus Tuus session on June 22, 2023, at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, was impressed by the response each child had to the uplifting program.

“In each classroom everyone was so excited and alive about their love of the Lord,” Bishop Dewane said.

The goal of the Totus Tuus program is to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. Through evangelization and catechesis, Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to the sacrifices and blessings of the various Christian vocations.

Carrie Harkey, Diocesan Coordinator of Family Life and co-coordinator of the Totus Tuus program, was impressed by the response not only from the children, from the youngest to the teens, but from the Parish staff and volunteers as well as the parents.

“We saw the participants take to heart the message of developing a true and lasting longing for holiness,” Harkey said. “Then they shared that joy with their priests, staff, volunteers, and whole family. This is having a beautiful and lasting impact for the Parishes. We had many children and parents come to us and ask us to extend the program to a second week and if not please return next year. That is so wonderful.”

Totus Tuus works to complement what the children learn from their parents, who are the first and best educators of the faith. This is something Bishop Dewane has stressed since the program had its trial run in the Diocese in the summer of 2022 at eight Parishes with four missionaries.

This summer, there were 12 missionaries who worked in two teams, though for Parishes with large groups of children the teams merged for the week. The expansion meant that 11 Parishes served as hosts through the seven-week program. The weeklong program was divided into two sessions, with the day component for students grades 1 – 6, and the evening session for middle school and high school students grades 7 – 12.

The Totus Tuus missionaries (six men and six women plus two Diocesan seminarians who served in a supportive role) went through an intensive training session in early June in preparation for the summer. From there, they were split into teams. Each team had a weekly leader with the missionaries rotating amongst themselves which grade level they taught each week to better enhance the experience for them and the children.

Each missionary leaves the Diocese feeling blessed by the experience.

Missionary Victoria Cardona, who is a student at Ave Maria University, said the Totus Tuus program was an amazing experience as she quickly connected with students and saw them grow in their faith on a daily – and sometimes hourly – basis. She hopes to become a teacher and this experience reinforced her desire to impart knowledge, particularly about the faith.

“It was rewarding to see when a young person begins to understand the beauty of the faith through the Most Holy Eucharist. This is seen at Mass and at adoration. They come to understand what the Real Presence of Christ means to them in their heart. Just beautiful to witness and be a part of them learning this for the first time,” Cardona said.

Fellow missionary Andres Jimenez, also of Ave Maria University, agreed, saying seeing Jesus in a new way for the children, and helping them grow closer in their understanding and love for the Lord, was rewarding.

“It helped reinvigorate my faith as this process opened my eyes to the wonders of the the Church and revealed how the Lord works in each of us, from the youngest child, through the teens and to us as missionaries. I am leaving this experience having learned myself, how to better listen to the Lord and understand that He has a plan for me,” Jimenez said.

The Parishes which hosted the Totus Tuus team this summer were: St. Katherine Drexel in Cape Coral, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Parrish, St. Agnes in Naples, Ave Maria in Ave Maria, St. Peter the Apostle in Naples, St. Catherine in Sebring, Our Lady Queen of Heaven in La Belle, St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, St. Patrick in Sarasota, Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch.

Harkey said the praise from priests, religious education leaders and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. The only negative reaction was the request that the camp be longer than one week at a Parish.

“With the feedback we have received, we are going to bring the camp back for the summer of 2024,” Harkey said. “The enthusiasm is contagious and that is a good thing. After two summers, we now have an established program which directly engages young people, from kindergarten through high school, about their faith. That is very special.”

Totus Tuus continues to amaze

Posted on June 29, 2023June 29, 2023 by Bob Reddy

“My Lighthouse, my lighthouse; Shining in the darkness, I will follow You” is sung with great enthusiasm each morning during the Totus Tuus weekly program taking place this summer at 11 different host Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice.

First and second grade students at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria performed the song (“My Lighthouse,” by Rend Collective), and its accompanying dance, during a classroom visit by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on June 22, 2023.

“It was so uplifting and enlightening to see these young children so full of energy and life,” Bishop Dewane said. The Bishop observed other classrooms at Ave Maria and was impressed with their knowledge and enthusiasm. He also celebrated Mass for the children.

“In each classroom everyone was so excited and alive about their love of the Lord. It is a strong reflection of the good work of the missionaries and the teen volunteers in getting this important message across; that is to grow in your relationship with the Lord, accompanied by the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

The missionaries, 12 trained college-aged men and women, teach the children of all ages to put a spotlight on sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of the week is to help the children develop a true and lasting longing for holiness.

“Totus Tuus does a great job complementing and supplementing what the children learn from their parents; the first and best educators of their faith,” the Bishop said. “This is why Totus Tuus doesn’t stand alone. It is an additional program that is offered and makes available important components of the faith which are needed as children age and mature. In this, the Church can make a meaningful contribution.”

“Totus Tuus” is a Latin phrase meaning “Totally Yours.” It was a motto of St. John Paul II, taken from St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary.” It signifies our desire to give ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary. The weeklong program are divided into two sessions, with the day component for students grades 1 – 6, and the evening session for middle school and high school students grades 7 – 12.

Carrie Harkey, Diocesan Coordinator of Family Life in the Office of Evangelization and a co-organizer of Totus Tuus, said the program is different than the traditional Vacation Bible School model.

“There is an intentionality about helping the children and youth live out a relationship with the Lord. It is really fostering those daily habits of discipleship that help with their relationship with the Lord. This is accomplished because there is a heavy emphasis on the Sacraments. Most importantly, there is daily Mass,” Harkey said. In addition, there is the opportunity for confession, holy hours, praying the rosary and much more.

The impact of the Totus Tuus program is widespread in the host Parishes, as local support is crucial for success, with teen volunteers helping during the day and adults in the evenings, and family events scheduled at key points in the week.

The example the missionaries are for not just the youngest children but for the faithful of all ages is readily apparent.

Father Jose Gonzalez, Pastor at St. Catherine Parish in Sebring, invited the missionaries to speak at Masses the weekend ahead of the program’s start (June 25-30) and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“It is wonderful to see these impressive missionaries serve as examples for the children to learn from and to follow,” Father Gonzalez said.

So far, the program has taken place at the following Parishes: St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral; St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, Parrish; St. Agnes, Naples; St. Peter the Apostle, Naples; Ave Maria; and St. Catherine.

While many of the students are from the host Parishes, the reach of Totus Tuus is more regional. For example, at St. Catherine, children and youth also participated from St. James in Lake Placid, Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, and St. Michael in Wauchula.

Missionary Abel Fernando Cordero said the positive experiences in the first four weeks of the program have been beyond his wildest dreams.

“It is an amazing opportunity. It’s most rewarding and allowing me to grow in humility before the Lord,” Cordero said. “At the end of the day, we are teaching faith and we are having fun doing it. It is showing everyone – the students, the missionaries, the volunteers, the Parish staff, and the parents – that the faith is really alive.”

The remaining Parishes hosting the program are as follows:

Our Lady Queen of Heaven in La Belle, July 9-14;
John XXIII in Fort Myers and St. Patrick in Sarasota, July 16-21;
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, July 23-28.

Several parishes still have limited openings for this program. To inquire, please contact the individual Parish religious education office by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/. For further information regarding this program, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/totustuus2023/.

For additional reflections from Bishop Dewane about the Totus Tuus program, check out the June “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” radio program on Relevant Radio. The program can be heard at 8:30 a.m., June 30, on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples. The show can also be found at any time at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts/.

News Briefs for the week of June 23, 2023

Posted on June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 by Bob Reddy

Totus Tuus continues to share the love of Christ

Totus Tuus (a Latin phrase meaning “totally yours”) is a summer Catholic youth camp program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship. During the week of June 18-23, 2023, the team was at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples and Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria. The weeklong Parish summer catechetical camp assists parents and parishes in evangelizing and catechizing the youth by complementing the work they are already doing at the Parish and at home. The program is offered at 11 Parishes throughout the summer in the Diocese of Venice with four sessions now completed. The week-long camps are divided into two sessions, with the day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, and the evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12.

The remaining Parishes hosting the program are as follows:

Catherine in Sebring, June 25-30;
Our Lady Queen of Heaven in La Belle, July 9-14;
John XXIII in Fort Myers and St. Patrick in Sarasota, July 16-21;
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, July 23-28.

Ordination to the Priesthood July 15

Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites the Faithful of the Diocese of Venice to attend the Ordination to the Priesthood of Transitional Deacons Alejandro Giraldo Roldan and Daniel Scanlan. The Ordination will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event in the lives of Deacons Alejandro and Daniel as well as the Diocese of Venice. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Best practices for school development

Representatives from each of the 15 Diocese of Venice Catholic schools gathered June 12, 2023, at St. John XXIII Parish for a best practices and proven strategies meeting to maximize charitable giving from current parents. The gathering was presented by Partners in Mission which worked with Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic School Education, Father John Belmonte, SJ. The gathering occurred in the wake of the passage of Universal School Choice legislation in Florida, which removed the income requirements for assistance, and opened the availability of scholarship to all families. To learn more about available financial aid at Diocesan Catholic schools, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/catholicschools/finaicalaid/.

Youth raise money to attend conference

Parishioners at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Avon Park were greeted by smiling teens following each Mass the weekend of June 18, 2023. The youth were selling American flags to raise money so they can attend the inspiring Steubenville Youth Conference in Orlando in July. This conference is the largest youth gathering in the region. The sales of the flags throughout the weekend put a big dent in reaching the fundraising goal for the youth as the cost for weekend conference is quite high, which means any fundraising helps defer the costs for the teens.

Liberty Ball Gala a success

St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers hosted a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Liberty Ball Gala on June 17, 2023. This annual patriotic celebration honors all Knights who are veterans and first responders, as well as their families. The evening included a ceremonial posting of the Colors as well as dinner and live entertainment. Veterans from Lee County were honored during the event, and there was a ceremonial meal table honoring and remembering all veterans MIA (missing in action). Proceeds benefit veterans’ programs throughout Lee County.

Fire hose enhances water day at Naples camp

The St. Ann Parish and Catholic School summer camp concluded on June 16, 2023, with a water day courtesy of the Naples Fire Department. A ladder truck (Tower 2) was brought to the school and a hose laid out as the children excitedly waited in anticipation for the blast of water. Screams of delight came as a shower of chilly water soaked everyone. Inflatable pools were set up to help the water day last a bit longer. Everyone had lots of fun following a week of activities and art projects during the summer camp.

Totus Tuus – Faith is Fun!

Posted on June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 by Bob Reddy

What do you get when dozens of children gather for a special summer camp – a deeper understanding of their faith and lots of fun.

In just its first week, the Totus Tuus Summer Camp for children and teens is already a huge success as St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral, and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Parrish, hosted campers June 4-9, 2023.

The goal of the Totus Tuus Summer Camp is to help young people develop in their understanding of the faith and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Totus Tuus is a Latin phrase meaning “Totally Yours.” It was a motto of St. John Paul II, taken from St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary.” It signifies our desire to give ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary.

The week-long camps are divided into two sessions, with the day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, and the evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Led by two teams of six missionaries each, the camps also have the Parish staff and volunteers augmenting the team, together they make the week one to remember for all who participate.

Unlike in 2022, this year has two teams of six missionaries each to reach as many children as possible. This means 11 Parishes will host the summer camp in June and July. The missionaries are supported by two Diocesan seminarians.

Lessons build throughout the week as the children learn about the importance of prayer, and ways to pray, which includes the basics of the Our Father and Hail Mary through the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

By the end of the camp, it is anticipated that the children learn about the importance of the Eucharist and how Jesus walks with them all the time, explained Carrie Harkey, Diocesan Coordinator of Marriage and Family Life. The Totus Tuus summer camp is the work of several Diocesan offices, including Evangelization, Catholic Education and Youth Outreach.

The camp for the younger children begins with music to pump the children up and get them ready for the full day ahead with a focus on learning key lessons about their faith. In addition to dancing, music and prayer, the children have time for activities such as crafts and games.

A focal point of each day is participation in daily Mass. The Mass portion of the day is more than participating in the important celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is at this time during the camp when the children not only learn the various hymns but also learn about the different parts of the Mass and why they are so key to this important celebration.

For example, when entering the Church, the children are brought to the Holy Water Font and taught how and why they are to respectfully dip their finger in the water and bless themselves. They also learn about the need to genuflect before entering and when leaving the pew as they face the tabernacle where Jesus is present.

Throughout the week, there is also quiet reflective time in Eucharistic Adoration and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The teen aspect of the summer camp is confined to the evenings and focuses on allowing the Totus Tuus missionaries and seminarians to share their stories and lead discussions on topics that are important to young people today. The teens also take part in Adoration and are offered the opportunity to go to confession. Throughout the week, there is a special focus on fostering a prayer life and deepening their relationship with the Lord.

Both day and evening camps conclude with fun and games.

Rose Talbot-Babey, Director of Religious Education at St. Katharine Drexel, which hosted the first week of Totus Tuus in 2022, said this year is building upon the success of 2022. “It is a great program for children of all ages as everyone gets something out of the week. These missionaries are great!”

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Pastor Father Joseph Gates was pleased by the camp, viewing it as an opportunity to build up the religious education program at the Parish.

The 12 missionaries arrived in late May to begin a training regimen which prepared them for the Totus Tuus program and the rigors of teaching young children and teens for the entire summer.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who helped bring the Totus Tuus program to the Diocese in 2022, had lunch with the missionaries on June 1. He learned about their backgrounds and offered encouragement to them, stressing the importance of their work within the Diocese and how they needed to be guided by Christ in the work they are doing this summer.

The Parishes hosting Totus Tuus this summer are: St. Katherine Drexel, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; St. Agnes in Naples, June 11-16; Ave Maria in Ave Maria and St. Peter the Apostle in Naples, June 18-23; St. Catherine in Sebring, June 25-30; Our Lady Queen of Heaven in La Belle, July 9-14; St. John XXIII in Fort Myers and St. Patrick in Sarasota, July 16-21; and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, July 23-28.

While many of the Parish Totus Tuus camps are full, some openings are available. To inquire, please contacting the individual Parish religious education office which can be found by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/. For further information regarding this program please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/totustuus2023/.