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News Briefs for the week of February 27, 2026

Posted on February 27, 2026February 27, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Cape Coral students “Make-a-Difference”

Serving with heart, leading with faith, and making a difference, eighth grade students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral spent Feb. 23, 2026, giving back for “Make-a-Difference Day.” Representing the school, students did service works, such as packing meals, sorting clothes, cleaning, landscaping and more at The Cape Coral Caring Center, Special Populations, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Kiwanis Thrift Store, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, and even at the school. The “Make-a-Difference Day” is an annual outreach in the community which teaches the students how to live their faith through service and action.

Knights donate wheelchairs to Sarasota schools

St. Mary Academy and St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota received three wheelchairs Feb. 12, 2026, personally delivered by a distinguished delegation of the Knights of Columbus. Located together on Fruitville Road, the two schools welcomed the Knights with enthusiasm and gratitude. The wheelchairs will be used to assist students in reaching the school nurse during medical emergencies, ensuring timely and safe care. Since 2003, the Knights of Columbus have funded and delivered tens of thousands of wheelchairs throughout the United States and around the world. This generous donation reflects the organization’s core mission of charity, unity, and service to those in need. It also highlights the powerful impact that partnerships between community organizations and schools can have on the lives of children.

Execution Vigil and March 3

The execution of Florida inmates by the State of Florida continues at an alarming rate. A record 19 executions took place in Florida in 2025, with the first executions of 2026 taking place on Feb. 10 and Feb. 24. For each Florida execution, a Prayer Vigil is scheduled at San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The Prayer Vigils begin at 5:30 p.m., last less than an hour and include hymns, a Gospel reading, reflections, intercessions and a praying of the Rosary. A pause takes place at 6 p.m., the time the actual executions take place. Everyone involved in the execution process is prayed for; the doctor administering the execution, the witnesses, the victims and their families, and we pray for a conversion of the condemned, and an end to the death penalty. The next execution Prayer Vigil is March 3, to coincide with the execution of Billy Leon Kearse.

Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat in March

The Epiphany Cathedral Emmaus Retreat Team is hosting an Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat March 6 to March 8, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. Give yourself the gift of time away from distractions of your daily routine to listen to Jesus and the Holy Spirit in an environment of sincere faith, fellowship, and worship. Registration is $305 for a double room, $415 for a private room. Space is limited. The registration deadline is Feb. 16, 2026. Please contact Donna Vodraska at donnavodraska@aol.com or 630-336-0918.

Vocations Awareness Weekend Retreat

Is God calling you, or someone you know, to the priesthood? The Diocese of Venice Vocations Offices is offering a weekend retreat for young men to learn firsthand about the life of a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami! Open to young men ages 17 and up, the retreat is March 6-8, 2026. Transportation is provided. Contact Lina Johnson to register at johnson@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-486-4720.

40 Days for Life Spring Campaign through April 13

The 40 days for Life Spring Campaign (from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026) aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. In the Diocese of Venice, 40 Days for Life campaigns are held in three locations: Sarasota – Daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., 736 Central Ave., or visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/sarasota; Naples – Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., 1425 Creech Road, or visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/naples; and Fort Myers – Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., 6418 Commerce Park Drive, or visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/fortmyers.

Royal Rummage Sale XVIII March 6-7

The St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish Women’s Guild presents Royal Rummage Sale XVIII, to be held in the Parish Hall, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. The early bird sale is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 6, 2026, and the admission is $5. The regular sale, with free admission, is 9 a.m. – noon, March 7. Don’t miss out on the biggest and best rummage sale on Longboat Key which includes clothing, furniture, art, collectible, jewelry, housewares, linens, toys, electronics, books, and much more.

Lenten Days of Prayer at Retreat Center in March

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice offers a Monthly Day of Prayer, an opportunity to take time out of your busy and hectic life to focus on God. The next Day of Prayer is March 8 or 11, 2026, and is titled, “Lent Is My Highway to Heaven.” As part of an ongoing series of talks on Heaven, Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, OLPH Spiritual Director, will unpack the mystery of the Beatific Vision as the ultimate fulfillment of human longing. This talk invites you into the beauty, joy, and transformative love of seeing God “face to face,” where faith and reason give way to eternal happiness in Christ. No prior sessions are required – come as you are and be spiritually filled. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast and includes two conferences, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, lunch, and Mass. There is time for adoration, private prayer, or meditation on the beautiful grounds as well. The day concludes at 3:15 p.m. The cost is $45. Register at www.olph-retreat.org/monthly-day-of-prayer

Fort Myers Parish retreat March 10

St. Francis Xavier Parish, 2157 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, is hosting a one-night Parish retreat, 6 – 8 p.m., March 10, 2026, featuring Father Leland Thorpe, OMV, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. Father Thorpe’s talk is titled: “10 Minutes to Change Your Life: The Examen Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” Learn how you can be transformed when you apply it to your daily life. There is no cost to attend. Bring family, friends, and neighbors. For more information, please call the Parish office at 239-334-2161.

Matt Talbot Men’s Spiritual Weekend Retreat March 13-15

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is hosting a Matt Talbot retreat March 13-15, 2026. The retreat is for people of all faiths and is an opportunity for recovering alcoholics to enhance their spirituality and sober way of life. The people who attend these retreats also attend the 12-step program through AA. The Matt Talbot retreat is private and everything is confidential. Save the date for this upcoming retreat. Choose from a private room, or a shared, double occupancy room, or as a commuter (no room). $385 per retreatant for a private room, $275 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room or $195 per commuter. Register at www.olph-retreat.org.

Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass March 14

An invitation is extended to all couples celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more years) to join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for an Anniversary Mass in your honor. The Diocese of Venice hosts two Wedding Anniversary Masses each year (one in the northern part of the Diocese and the second in the southern part) to accommodate all. The first Mass in 2026 was Feb. 14 at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. The second Mass will be held March 14, 11:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Parish, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. A luncheon will follow the Mass. Photos with Bishop Dewane will also be provided for each couple. To register for the Anniversary Mass, please contact your local Parish office no later than one week before the Mass. For additional information contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-484-4754.

Emerald Ball March 14 in Naples

The annual Catholic Charities Emerald Ball is 5:30 p.m., March 14, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. This event benefits the programs and services in Collier County. Tickets are $500, and are available at https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/events. For more information, call 239-455-2655 or email emeraldball@catholiccharitiesdov.org.

Faith & Wine and Faith & Ale joint event March 19

The annual joint gathering of Faith & Ale and Faith & Wine in Lee County will take place 6 – 8:30 p.m., March 19, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers. The guest speakers are Dan and Stephanie Burke. Dan is past president and COO of EWTN, while Stephanie hosts the Divine Intimacy radio show. The talk is titled “Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits.” Faith & Wine is an outreach for uniting Catholic women of all backgrounds and ages to develop friendships and to support one another as they apply the Gospel to their lives. Faith & Ale is a Catholic Men’s Apostolate in Southwest Florida that offers monthly gatherings of Catholic men promoting fellowship and growth in faith. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Program begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and ends at approximately 8:30 p.m. Register https://faithandale.com/. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.

Marriage Prep retreats/seminars coming soon

Marriage Preparation Retreats are required by the Diocese of Venice for those couples preparing for Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. The retreat’s purpose is to enable couples to become more aware of the privileges and responsibility of marriage. The next two of many Marriage Retreats in 2026 are March 21, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, and June 20 at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples. Additionally, the Two Become One Marriage Retreat prepares couples 55 and older who are planning for the Sacrament of Marriage or convalidation in the Catholic Church. The next Two Become One Marriage Retreat is May 2, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. Registration is required for all retreats at https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/2026-day-of-reflection-mp-retreat. Couples unable to attend an in-person retreat may contact the Diocesan Marriage Prep office to register for the online version. Please contact Jim Gontis at 941- 486-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

CPCI Gala March 28

Join Community Pregnancy Clinics (CPCI) for an evening of hope and inspiration at the “Heart of the Community Gala,” 5 p.m. March 28, 2026, at the Ritz-Carton Tiburon, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. Begin with a cocktail reception and fellowship alongside other dedicated advocates, followed by a delicious dinner, paddle-raise fundraiser, and a powerful keynote address from Matt Walsh, a renowned filmmaker, author, and pro-life voice. The cost is $500 per person. Tickets are available at www.supportcpci.com.

Diocesan-wide Reconciliation times March 27-28

Please note that the precept of confessing grave sins and receiving Holy Communion, at least once during the Lenten Season, merits a reminder. To facilitate this requirement, in addition to regular Parish Confession hours, every Parish in the Diocese of Venice will be open with a confessor present 4 -8 p.m., March 27, 2026, and 9 a.m. – noon, March 28. These opportunities are made available so that the faithful may find ample opportunity to receive God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten Season.

Magnificat breakfast March 28

Be Blessed and Encouraged at the next Magnificat breakfast for women, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., March 28, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast. The speaker is Kathy Corona, a woman of deep faith who will share her spiritual journey. Join for breakfast, fellowship, and worship to hear her inspiring testimony of Jesus Christ’s love and healing! Reservations can be made online until noon, March 24 at https://magnificatfortmyers.com/order-tickets/. For more information, contact Margaret Mengle, 239-826-7475.

Chrism Mass March 31 in Bonita Springs

The Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, will be held 10:30 a.m., March 31, 2026, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. During this Mass, Bishop Frank J. Dewane will bless the Holy Oils which are used in the administration of the Sacraments at each parish throughout the year. Priests and Deacons celebrating 25 and 50 years of Ordination are recognized at this Mass.

Priests celebrating 50 years: Father Edward Blackwell, Father Vincente Clemente, Father Lawrence Espisito, Father Francis Hanlon, OSFS, Father Thomas Heck, Father Michael Orsi, and Father Timothy Sheedy.
Priests celebrating 25 years: Father Lorenzo Gonzalez, Father Philip Joly, Father Jacek Mazur, Father David Pignato, Father Philip Scheff, and Father David Vidal.
Deacon celebrating 25 years: Deacon Gary Ingold.

All are encouraged to attend in support of our clergy and to participate in this important Holy Week celebration.

Retreat Center Triduum Retreat

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is hosting a Triduum Retreat, Easter Weekend, April 2-5, 2026. This retreat begins with supper on Holy Thursday and ends with breakfast on Easter Sunday. The liturgies of the Lord’s Supper, Way of the Cross, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Easter Vigil, and Sunrise Easter Liturgy are celebrated. A series of six one-hour conferences on various topics is offered throughout the retreat. In addition, the opportunity for Confession is available. $525 per retreatant for a private room or $360 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). No commuter rate is offered. Register at www.olph-retreat.org.

Palm Sunday and Easter TV Mass to air at special times

The televised Mass for the Homebound on Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026), and Easter Sunday (April 5 and celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane), will air for a full hour on both Sundays. Because of the length, the time of the broadcast on these two Sunday will air at a special time. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Masses will air at 10:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Masses will air at 8 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings. The televised Mass is also always available online at dioceseofvenice.org or on YouTube. Visit dioceseofvenice.org/tv for more information or contact Rachel Powers at powers@dioceseofvenice.org.

Diocese of Venice Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026 Now Open

Could the Lord be calling you? The Diocese of Venice is inviting college-age young adults to apply to serve as Totus Tuus Missionaries for the Diocese’s Parish Catechetical Summer Totus Tuus Camps. As a Totus Tuus Missionary, you will be an authentic witness to Christ’s love, teach the Catholic faith to children and youth, and grow in leadership, community, and your personal relationship with Christ. Many missionaries describe Totus Tuus as one of the most meaningful and life-changing experiences of their lives, a summer where faith deepens, friendships grow, and God’s call becomes clearer. Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Apply today! To apply, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/562S8YS. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and available from May 20 through July 31, 2026. For further information, contact Andres Prias, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Catholic Charities offers Mental Health Counseling Services

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice is offering mental health counseling, including tele-health, for adults and children provided by licensed mental health therapists. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, helpless, or overwhelmed, Catholic Charities can help. For more information on this service, please call 239-455-2655 or visit Catholic Charities online: www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.

Prison Ministry volunteers needed throughout Diocese

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.

Retreat Center seeks volunteers

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is in need of volunteers. Help provide a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come to OLPH seeking transformation in Christ. Areas of need include reception, gardening, dishwashing, and serving meals. Contact the office to sign up at 941-486-0233 or visit www.olph-retreat.org/new-volunteer.

Free Rosary Repair Service

Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, Free Rosary Repair Service, 7930 Estero Blvd., Unit 502, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old rosaries are also accepted, which will be repaired and sent to missions. Include a note indicating repair or donation. For more details, please call 239-463-3993, 860-595-6370 or holdenbnd@gmail.com.

43 named 2026 VDCCW Golden Rose Honorees

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Bob Reddy

There are 43 high school girls who now have the distinct honor of being named Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (VDCCW) Golden Rose Award recipients.

The Golden Rose Awards were presented Feb. 15, 2026, following a Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice.

The Golden Rose Award seeks to recognize the tenets of the Council of Catholic Women – spirituality, leadership and service – in young ladies as they live out their faith in the Diocese, a Parish, or a Catholic school.

Bishop Dewane presented the awards with Katie Morris, VDCCW President, while Brenda Dolan, Florida CCW President and Miami Province Director, and Ellen Bachman, National CCW Past-President, presented each young lady a golden rose. Also assisting were Father Jay Jancarz, VDCCW Spiritual Director and Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Father Pawel Kawalec, Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia.

Bishop Dewane congratulated the young ladies for living out a particular call in their lives and encouraged them to carry that call forward into the future. The Bishop said that by the VDCCW recognizing them they are already living their lives in the way Jesus taught them, but he reminded them to never let that grace fall away.

Noting how the Mass and celebration fell on the eve of the Lenten Season, Bishop Dewane told the young ladies, “During Lent Christ asks you to have an internal transformation that prompts you to keep living your life with the love of Christ in your heart. How are you going to respond to that gift of life? This must change who you are and who you are becoming as a child of God.”

Betty-Ann Busby, VDCCW Golden Rose Chair, announced the honorees and said that each was a worthy nominee, having been nominated by their respective Parishes and Catholic high schools. Nominees are currently in high school, active in their Parish or Catholic school, and practicing Catholics who regularly attend Sunday Mass, while also completing meaningful service projects.

Bachman helped bring the Golden Rose Award to Venice having learned about similar recognition taking place by CCW groups in other Dioceses. The Golden Rose Award was first awarded in 2020 following the example of CCW affiliates, with the first in-person Venice Diocesan ceremony held in April 2021. Bachman said the nominations regarding the young ladies were inspiring, showing their leadership skills and kindness to others.

VDCCW President Morris said that she was inspired by the honorees and said the Diocese is blessed to have such young ladies being active in the Church today.

Each Golden Rose Award recipient was presented with a certificate and golden rose, as well as a membership into the National Council of Catholic Women. One awardee will be selected by the VDCCW Board for submission for consideration for the national award.

The recipients of the 2026 Golden Rose Awards are:

Adeline Dwyer, Resurrection of Our Lord, Fort Myers; Alba Herrera-Mercado, St. Francis of Assisi, Grove City; Alexa Ebersohl, Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; Alyssa Demeo, Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice; Ambriello Cailixte, St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral; Angela Prieto, St. Agnes, Naples; Angelia Perez, St. Margaret, Clewiston; Arianna Gamez, St. Peter the Apostle, Naples; Ariesi Sierra, St. Maximillian Kolbe, Port Charlotte; Audrey Fairchild, Ave Maria, Ave Maria; Audrey Pearce, St. Vincent de Paul, Fort Myers; Clara Clulow, Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles, Bradenton; Clara Nathali-Martinez, St. Paul, Arcadia; Clare Reppert, San Antonio, Port Charlotte; Eva Villarreal, St. John XXIII, Fort Myers; Evelyn Vizcaya, San Marco, Marco Island; Grace London, St. William, Naples; Isabel Jerome, San Pedro, Nort Port; Isabella Dunleavy, Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; Isabella Vergara, St. Agnes; Kaden Crowley, St. John the Evangelist, Naples; Karla Yuridia Pallares-Pineda, Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; Kathyrn Domain, Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice; Kaya Houge, Holy Cross, Palmetto; Kaylee Jones, St. John XXIII, Fort Myers; Keiryn Cavins, Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; Lucia del Valle, Incarnation, Sarasota; Marley Villagomez-Rodrigues, St. Peter the Apostle, Naples; Margaret Swift, St. Francis Xavier, Fort Myers; Marleni Munivez, Holy Cross, Palmetto; Michelle Guadalupe Rodriguez; Jesus the Worker, Fort Myers; Nia Reyes, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Sarasota; Olivia Ierulli, St. Joseph, Bradenton; Pepper Tocco, St. William, Naples; Samantha Abdranga, St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral; Sandra Resendiz-Espinoza, St. Catherine, Sebring; Sara Ivette Navarro-Vazquez, St. Cecilia, Fort Myers; Savannah Wilmer, San Pedro, North Port; Sephora Esperance, St. Andrew, Cape Coral; Sofia Erquiaga, St. Jude, Sarasota; Sophia Silgato, St. Francis of Assisi, Grove City; Therese Holt, St. Charles Borromeo, Port Charlotte; and Valeria Trujillo, St. Michael, Wauchula.

2026 Spring 40 Days for Life campaigns open in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples

Posted on February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Prayer warriors are needed to stand up for life during Lent, and can do so by participating in the Spring 40 Days for Life peaceful prayer campaign in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. The prayer campaign opened on Ash Wednesday Feb. 18, 2026, and will continue through Palm Sunday, March 29.

40 Days for Life is an international 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion mills. This year’s campaign is the biggest Lenten effort yet, with prayer vigils planned in 660 cities. In the Diocese of Venice, there are opportunities to stand and peacefully pray during vigils in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. Thanks to the leadership of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, the Diocese of Venice was one of the earliest to participate in the national campaign which began in 2006.

A kick-off event for Sarasota took place on March 16, at the offices of Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc. The clinic is in the shadow of a Planned Parenthood. Rich Owens, who has led the sidewalk campaign in Sarasota for many years, spoke about the success of the sidewalk prayer campaign with six babies saved in recent months, and at least 124 since 2019.

“Your presence makes a difference, and this year we are trying to go bigger as we pray to seek the closure of the Sarasota Planned Parenthood,” Owens said. The Central Avenue location was once the regional headquarters for Planned Parenthood in the southern half of Florida; those offices are now in West Palm Beach and the Sarasota building is now mostly empty. “We are trying to follow the recent closing of the flagship Planned Parenthood, the Margaret Sanger facility in Manhattan, as well as one of the largest in the country in Austin, Texas. This den of evil must close. This building is half-empty, so let us make them sell it and leave Sarasota,” Owens said. To encourage the closing, Owens led everyone in two prayers, a Prayer for the Conversion of Planned Parenthood and the Prayer for the Closing of an Abortion Facility.

Also speaking at the Sarasota kickoff event was Jack Prietsch, a sidewalk advocate from Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch, who emphasized the importance of presence on the sidewalk in front of abortion facilities. He gave an example of a woman who had been abortion-minded but was unsure if she wanted to go through with killing her unborn child. She told Prietsch she was looking for a “sign from God” to change her mind. The people holding placards and praying for her and her unborn child outside the facility were the “sign” she needed. “These women just want to know someone cares and is praying for them. That is a powerful thing,” Prietsch said.

Karen Mattox, who coordinates the prayer schedules for the Sarasota campaign, said there are several days in the first few weeks of the 40 Days where no one is currently scheduled to stand vigil. While most Parishes do have scheduled days, Mattox explained that there are gaps that need coverage, particularly in the early morning and evening hours. The Sarasota prayer vigil is daily from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., at 736 Central Ave. If you are interested in standing in prayer for the unborn, please register for an hour or more https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/sarasota.

The Fort Myers prayer vigil is 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, at 6418 Commerce Park Drive. A kickoff rally took place on Ash Wednesday and featured Elise Rose, a longtime pro-life advocate, educator and sidewalk counselor. For more information and to register for this prayer vigil, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/fortmyers.

The Naples prayer vigil is 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, at 1425 Creech Road. A kick-off event took place Feb. 19, with guest speaker Dr. Haywood Robinson, former abortionist and now 40 Days for Life Director of National Affairs and Education, Bryan Kennedy, Chief of Operations for the Florida Citizens Alliance, and Scott Baier, Director of Community Pregnancy Clinics. For more information and to register for this prayer vigil, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/naples.

Since 40 Days for Life began, more than 26,114 mothers have chosen life for their children; 275 abortion workers have quit their jobs; and 184 abortion mills have gone out of business where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held.

To learn more how to support or participate in 40 Days for Life in the Diocese contact Tavia Ames, Diocese of Venice Respect Life Director, at 941-441-1101 or ames@dioceseofvenice.org.

News Briefs for the week of February 20, 2026

Posted on February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Knights donate wheelchairs to Sarasota schools

Students bring history to life

St. Ann Catholic School eighth graders in Naples brought history to life with a Living Museum on Feb. 13, 2026. The students transformed into influential historical figures from the past and present. From presidents and pioneers to saints, scientists, activists, and innovators, each student represented the life, accomplishments, and legacy of their chosen figure. Students put their dedication, creativity, and confidence on display as they shared their research and stood proudly “in character” while guests walked through our museum. History truly came alive in the most engaging and inspiring way.

Project Rachel retreat Feb. 24

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. The next one-day healing retreat will be held Feb. 24, 2026. For more information, or to join, please contact, Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/.

Execution Vigils Feb. 24 and March 3

The execution of Florida inmates by the State of Florida continues at an alarming rate. A record 19 executions took place in Florida in 2025, with the first execution of 2026 taking place on Feb. 10. For each Florida execution, a Prayer Vigil is scheduled at San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The Prayer Vigils begin at 5:30 p.m., last less than an hour and include hymns, a Gospel reading, reflections, intercessions and a praying of the Rosary. A pause takes place at 6 p.m., the time the actual executions take place. Everyone involved in the execution process is prayed for; the doctor administering the execution, the witnesses, the victims and their families, and we pray for a conversion of the condemned, and an end to the death penalty. The next execution Prayer Vigil is Feb. 24, 2026, which will coincide with the scheduled execution of Melvin Trotter, who is scheduled to be the second person executed in Florida this year. Another Vigil will take place March 3, to coincide with the execution of Billy Leon Kearse.

Liberty Ball for Ave Maria School of Law

The Ave Maria School of Law invites all to attend the Liberty Ball – Celebrating 250 Years of Justice & the American Way, 5:30 p.m., Feb. 24, 2026, Royal Poinciana Golf Club, Naples. The theme is 18^th century inspired elegance or black-tie optional. The keynote speaker is Christopher Ruddy, CEO, Newsmax Media. Tickets are $1,000. For more information, contact Jackie Burke at 239-687-5341 or jburk@avemarialaw.edu.

Father Leo “The Cooking Priest” to host retreat in Venice

Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota St., Venice, is hosting Father Leo Patalinghug, “The Cooking Priest,” for a Parish retreat at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 26, 2026. Father Leo is a priest member of a community of consecrated life, Voluntas Dei, and is the founder, host, and director of Plating Grace, an international apostolate to help strengthen families and relationships through God’s gift of a family meal. His is also a best-selling author who established a non-profit organization, The Table Foundation, with the mission to elevate culture and family life, one meal at a time. Come and join us for a memorable two-day event to see the cooking priest connect food and Eucharistic faith! Register at https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/ce070e22-22f5-4c72-b3bc-520fe7922925.

Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting Feb. 26

The Catholic Charities Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting Auction and Dinner Dance is 5:30 p.m., Feb 26, at Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice. The annual event benefits the mothers and children at Our Mother’s House, a 2-year transitional living program located in the heart of Venice, dedicated to empowering single mothers with a child. Tickets $150. For more information, 941-485-6264 or omhwinetasting@ccdov.org.

Lenten Parish Mission

Father Cedric Pisegna, C.P., an inspirational and motivational speaker and author of 26 books, will be hosting a Lenten Mission 5:30 p.m. nightly from March 1 through March 4, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. All are welcome. Call 941-497-2931 for more information.

Application deadline for Foundation scholarships is March 1

The deadline for entry for college and vocational scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year from the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2025. To apply for all available scholarships, visit ccfdioceseofvenice.org. For more information contact Anna Kollmeyer at 941-486-4722 or ccf@dioceseofvenice.org.

Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats

The Diocese of Venice Youth & Young Adult Ministry is offering opportunities for middle school and high school students to participate in Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats designed to create a time and place for silence, reflection, and shared experience, allowing young people to step away from the pace and distractions of daily life and re-focus their hearts on God. The high school retreat will be 3 – 8 p.m., March 1, at St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota. The middle school retreat will be offered 5 – 8:30 p.m., March 3, 2026, at St. Paul Parish, Arcadia. Registration is open at dioceseofvenice.org. The cost is $10 per student. For further information, please contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat in March

Vocations Awareness Weekend Retreat

Royal Rummage Sale XVIII March 6-7

The St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish Women’s Guild presents Royal Rummage Sale XVIII, in the Parish Hall, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. The early bird sale is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 6, 2026, and the admission is $5. The regular sale, with free admission, is 9 a.m. – noon, March 7. Don’t miss out on the biggest and best rummage sale on Longboat Key which includes clothing, furniture, art, collectible, jewelry, housewares, linens, toys, electronics, books, and much more.

Venetian Ball March 7 in Bonita Springs

The annual Catholic Charities Venetian Ball is 6 p.m., March 7, 2026, at St. Leo the Great Parish Hall, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. This gala benefits programming and services in Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. Tickets are $250, and are available at https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/events. For more information, call 239-342-1620 or email venetianball@ccdov.org.

Monthly Days of Prayer at Retreat Center

Fort Myers Parish retreat March 10

Matt Talbot Men’s Spiritual Weekend Retreat March 13-15

Emerald Ball March 14 in Naples

Faith & Wine and Faith & Ale joint event March 19

The annual joint gathering of Faith & Ale and Faith & Wine in Lee County will take place 6 – 8:30 p.m., March 19, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers. The guest speakers are Dan and Stephanie Burke. Dan is past president and COO of EWTN, while Stephanie hosts the Divine Intimacy radio show. The talk is titled “Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits.” Faith & Wine is an outreach for uniting Catholic women of all backgrounds and ages to develop friendships and to support one another as they apply the Gospel to their lives. Faith & Ale, a Catholic Men’s Apostolate in Southwest Florida that offers monthly gatherings of Catholic men promoting fellowship and growth in faith. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Program begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and ends at approximately 8:30 p.m. Register https://faithandale.com/. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.

Marriage Prep retreats/seminars coming soon

CPCI Gala March 28

Magnificat breakfast March 28

Chrism Mass March 31 in Bonita Springs

Retreat Center Triduum Retreat

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is hosting a Triduum Retreat, Easter Weekend, April 2-5, 2026. This retreat begins with supper on Holy Thursday and ends with breakfast on Easter Sunday. The liturgies of the Lord’s Supper, Way of the Cross, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Easter Vigil, and Sunrise Easter Liturgy are celebrated. A series of six one-hour conferences on varying topics is offered throughout the retreat. In addition, the opportunity for Confession is available. $525 per retreatant for a private room or $360 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). No commuter rate is offered. Register at www.olph-retreat.org.

Diocese of Venice Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026 Now Open

Catholic Charities offers Mental Health Counseling Services

Prison Ministry volunteers needed throughout Diocese

Retreat Center seeks volunteers

Free Rosary Repair Service

Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness ramps up

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Because January was National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Feb. 7, 2026, was the 12th International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, it was appropriate that a member of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc., offered anti-human trafficking talks to local groups in recent weeks.

Alex Olivares, Catholic Charities Regional Director for Lee County, spoke at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers on Jan. 29, and then to a Senior Life Ministry luncheon at San Pedro Parish in North Port on Feb. 5. Combined, more than 80 people heard the presentations which focused on helping participants understand the different forms of trafficking (sex and labor), helping them identify potential survivors, and explained how and when to report concerns.

“Human trafficking is the biggest social issue of our time,” Olivares said. “It is the second most profitable commodity for organized crime in the world, generating $1.72 billion each year, only lagging behind drug trafficking. The reality is that there are more slaves now, people who are being trafficked each day, than at any other time in history.”

The Catholic Charities team has provided services to more than 250 victims of human trafficking in the region, and Olivares shared some of the cases. One case that hit home for the parents and grandparents who attended the presentations was of an incident at Venice High School in 2014. An older student, with the help of an adult male, drugged and blackmailed four teen girls into prostitution.

“Unlike slavery of the past, with modern-day human trafficking, the chains aren’t visible,” Olivares said. “It is happening all around us.”

Olivares credited Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his outspoken support of the program and ensuring continued funding while outside resources have fluctuated through the years.

Bishop Dewane said “assisting the victims of human trafficking is an important outreach that impacts far too many. The Catholic Charities team is on the frontlines helping children, and adults, overcome an exploitation that is nearly impossible to comprehend.”

In November 2025, the Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Team was part of a larger coalition organized to support operation “Home for the Holidays,” a state-wide rescue mission comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. A task force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, located and received 122 missing and endangered Florida children in a two-week operation. Catholic Charities DOV provided safe shelter once the children were rescued, ensuring that the children, including 29 from the Fort Myers region, were cared for in an appropriate and supportive process once freed.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice’s support extended beyond the rescue. The Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program has a long-standing commitment to the plight of human trafficking in Southwest Florida by providing intensive case management and mental health counseling to all individuals who are the victims of this crime as they attempt to integrate into society after being rescued.

The group works closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout Southwest Florida to provide and coordinate an expansive array of services to survivors from basic human needs to legal representation. Comprehensive case management and direct assistance is offered to all victims of severe human trafficking, which include minors, adults, and both domestic and foreign-born individuals. A victim-centered approach is used to deliver aid to clients while maintaining a mission of compassion, integrity, and empathy.

Victims are offered the following services: food and clothing; coordination to a shelter at a safe distance from the site of the exploitation; transitional housing; medical and dental service coordination; mental health counseling; referrals for further mental health services as needed; state and federal laws and benefits orientation and education; benefit application assistance; educational and language service opportunities; liaison with law enforcement and immigration service providers; and coordination with various community agencies for other required services.

Catholic Charities staff is active in various organizations that coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking and to inform the public about this heinous crime.

To learn more about the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program, please call 239-738-8722, or visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/anti-human-trafficking. If you would like to support this program, you can visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/donate.

News Briefs for the week of February 13, 2026

Posted on February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Appointments

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

Father Roderick Mitial, as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples effective Feb. 6, 2026.

Father Gilbert Nortilus, relieved of duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Peter the Apostle in Naples effective Feb. 6, 2026.

Father Manoj Francis, M.C.B.S., as Parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, and St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral, effective Jan. 30, 2026.

Father Robert Mulligan, O.S.F.S., as Administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples effective Jan. 27, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Ann Parish.

Father Michael Young, as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers effective Jan. 26, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

Father Juan Carlos Sack, as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle, effective Jan. 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Temporary Parochial Vicar at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs.

Father Grzegorz Klich, as Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte, effective Dec. 31, 2025, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral.

Wauchula man ordained to priesthood for Institute of the Incarnate Work

Congratulations to Father Miguel Castro III, IVE, of St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, who was ordained to the Priesthood for the Institute of the Incarnate Word, Feb. 7, 2026, at St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Father Miguel is the first priest ordained from Hardee County and was scheduled to celebrate his First Mass at St. Michael on Feb. 12. St. Michael is served by women religious, Servant Sisters of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, who are part from the Incarnate Word order.

Lunar New Year celebrated by Vietnamese Catholic Community in Fort Myers

The Vietnamese Catholic Community of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers held an early celebration of the Lunar New Year on Feb. 8, 2026, at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. The celebration, which included a formal dinner and live music, was moved due to ongoing renovations at St. John XXIII. Bishop Frank J. Dewane addressed the faithful saying, “It is I who am honored to be with all of you as a part of this festive celebration. Your presence in the Diocese is positive and beautiful and the contribution you make here to your Parish is substantial.” Adam Nguyen, who has been a leader in the Fort Myers Vietnamese community since its founding many years ago, said it was an honor to have the Bishop present for the community celebration. Also present were Father Jimmy Pham, CRM, the current Chaplain for the Vietnamese community at St. John XXIII, Father Jay Raju, Pastor at St. John XXIII, and Diocesan Seminarian Lam Vo, who is studying at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and is currently serving as Pastoral Year at the Parish. A larger, family-oriented, outdoor celebration of the Lunar New Year will take place at St. John XXIII on Feb. 15.

Parish Gala held at local aquarium

The Our Lady of the Angels Parish 2026 Gala, themed “Into the Deep,” was held Feb. 6, 2026, at Mote Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. “Put out into the deep,” comes from the Gospel of Luke and is a call from Christ Himself to journey into the depths of faith, purpose, and mission. This special evening was both a celebration of the profound ways the Parish continues to inspire and a courageous call to journey further—deeper in spirituality, service, and generosity. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the honored guest and noted how the Lakewood Ranch Parish has gained a reputation for its generosity to the community while undergoing rapid growth. The evening included live and silent auctions as well as live music.

Buddy program helps students improve literacy

To help improve the reading skills for students at St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota, teachers have developed a buddy system where second grade students read to their pre-kindergarten-4 counterparts. The most recent team-up took place Feb. 5, 2026, helps the older students to improve with their language skills such as fluency and intonation while helping to teach their buddies how to read better all while building friendships and community in the school.

School hydroponics garden helps food pantry

The hydroponics garden at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton has been generating impressive yields of cabbage and tomatoes in recent days. On Feb. 6, 2026, representatives from the school’s Builders Club and K-Kids (Kiwanis Kids), made a delivery to the St. Joseph Food Pantry. The school partners with the food pantry throughout each school year to collect needed food and to also share what is grown in the hydroponics garden. The fresh vegetables were a welcome addition to what was offered at the pantry.

Faith & Wine in Lee County Feb. 19

Faith & Wine, an outreach for uniting Catholic women of all backgrounds and ages to develop friendships and to support one another as they apply the Gospel to their lives, will have its next event of the 2025-2026 season Feb. 19, 2026, at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, 8051 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The guest speaker is Carol Razza, whose talk is titled: “Wake Up Sleeping Beauty, You Have Already Been Kissed.” Tickets are $28 and include a 3-course meal with wine followed by a presentation by an inspirational speaker. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Program begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and ends at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, please visit https://faithandwineleecounty.com/.

Theology on Tap Feb. 19 in University Park

The next gathering of Theology on Tap, a very special night of fellowship, faith, and fun with fellow Catholic young adults from across the Diocese, is 7 – 9 p.m., Feb. 19, 2026, at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. The special guest is Martin Doman, who will offer a night of praise and music. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of every month There is no cost to attend, and no registration required. Bring a friend. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org.

Faith & Ale of Southwest Florida Feb. 19

Faith & Ale, a Catholic Men’s Apostolate in Southwest Florida, offers monthly gatherings of Catholic men promoting fellowship and growth in faith. The next meeting is Feb. 19, 2026, at Our Lady of Light Parish, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers. The guest speaker is Father James Rafferty, Director of the Institute for Priestly Formation, who will discuss “Discerning God’s Voice & The Tempter’s Voice.” Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6 p.m. Register https://faithandale.com/. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.

Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats

The Diocese of Venice Youth & Young Adult Ministry is offering opportunities for middle school and high school students to participate in Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats designed to create a time and place for silence, reflection, and shared experience, allowing young people to step away from the pace and distractions of daily life and re-focus their hearts on God. The middle school retreats will be offered 5 – 8:30 p.m., Feb. 20, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Naples, and March 3, at St. Paul Parish, Arcadia. The high school retreats will be 3 – 8 p.m., Feb. 22, at St. Raphael Parish, Lehigh Acres, and March 1, at St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota. Registration will open at dioceseofvenice.org on Jan. 20. The cost is $10 per student. For further information, please contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Walk for the Poor in Cape Coral Feb. 21

The 5^th Annual Walk for the Poor to support the outreach of the St. Vincent de Paul St. Andrew Conference in Cape Coral will take place 10 a.m., Feb. 21, 2026, at St. Andrew Parish, 2628 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. The walk will help families throughout Cape Coral as every day, SVdP volunteers provide emergency food, medical or prescription cost assistance, and help to restore utilities or prevent cut-off. Every dollar raised goes back to the local community. In 2025, the St. Andrew Conference processed more than 1,100 phone calls, conducted more than 350 home visits and helped 547 households with 1,500 people, including 600 children. The cost is $15. Please register at www.go.rallyup.com/capesvdp.

Project Rachel retreat Feb. 24

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. The next healing retreat will be held Feb. 24, 2026. For more information, or to join, please contact, Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/.

Execution Vigils Feb. 24 and March 3

Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting Feb. 26

Liberty Ball for Ave Maria School of Law

Lenten Parish Mission

Application deadline for Foundation scholarships is March 1

Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat in March

Vocations Awareness Weekend Retreat

Is God calling you, or someone you know, to the priesthood? The Diocese of Venice Vocations Offices is offering a weekend retreat for young men to learn firsthand about in the life of a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami! Open to young men ages 17 and up, the retreat is March 6-8, 2026. Transportation is provided. Contact Lina Johnson to register at johnson@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-486-4720.

Royal Rummage Sale XVIII March 6-7

Venetian Ball March 7 in Bonita Springs

Emerald Ball March 14 in Naples

Marriage Prep retreats/seminars coming soon

Chrism Mass March 31 in Bonita Springs

Diocese of Venice Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026 Now Open

Catholic Charities offers Mental Health Counseling Services

Prison Ministry volunteers needed throughout Diocese

Free Rosary Repair Service

News Briefs for the week of February 6, 2026

Posted on February 5, 2026February 5, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Youth Adoration Night held in Naples

The first Youth Adoration Night of 2026 took place Jan. 29, at St. Agnes Parish in Naples. Father Eric Scanlan, Pastor of Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, shared a vocational message, “Come and See,” inviting teens to listen to where the Lord may be calling them. A fantastic band led everyone in praise and music, and many young people received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spent time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Rummage and Bake Sale held in Avon Park

The Women’s Guild of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Avon Park hosted a Rummage and Bake Sale Jan. 30 and 31 in the Parish Hall. There was a large selection of items for sales and good bargains were found. In addition, there were many different baked goods to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

Execution prayer vigil Feb. 10 in North Port

2026 has just begun and Florida already has 3 executions scheduled. Please join a prayer vigil to pray for the end of the death penalty in Florida, 5:30 p.m., Feb. 10, at the San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port. Prayers will be offered for everyone involved in the execution process; the doctor administering the execution, all of the witnesses, a conversion of the condemned, the victims and their families. The vigil will coincide with the scheduled execution of Ronald Palmer Heath, who is set to become the 1st person executed in Florida this year. The vigil lasts less than an hour and includes hymns, a Gospel reading, reflections, intercessions, and a praying of the Rosary. A pause will take place at 6 p.m., the time Florida executions take place. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Milestone Anniversary Masses Feb. 14 and March 14

All couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more than 50 years of marriage are invited by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to an Anniversary Mass in their honor. The Diocese hosts two Anniversary Masses each year (one in the northern part of the Diocese and the second in the southern part) to accommodate all. The first Mass is at 11 a.m., Feb. 14, 2026, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. The second Mass is at 11 a.m., March 14, at St. Thomas More Parish, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. A luncheon follows each Mass. Photos with Bishop Dewane will also be available for the couples. To register for either Mass, please contact your local Parish office for reservations no later than one week before the event you choose to attend. For additional information, please contact Jim Gontis at 941-484-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Mardi Gras Festival Feb. 14 in Venice

Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota St., Venice is hosting a Mardi Gras Festival, noon to 7 p.m. Feb. 14, 2026. The festival will feature delicious, authentic New Orleans–style cuisine, fun activities for children of all ages, and lively entertainment from three outstanding live bands. Your help in promoting the festival among family, friends, and fellow parishioners will play an important role in making this celebration a joyful and successful gathering for our parish and the wider community. For more information call 941-484-3505 or visit https://www.epiphanycathedral.org/.

40 Days for Life Spring Campaign

During the Lenten Season, the Spring 40 Days for Life prayer campaign to end abortion in the United States will take place from Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, through Palm Sunday, March 29. Within the Diocese of Venice, peaceful prayer vigils will take place in front of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. To learn more about this campaign, please visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/.

Faith & Wine in Lee County Feb. 19

Faith & Wine, an outreach for uniting Catholic women of all backgrounds and ages to develop friendships and to support one another as they apply the Gospel to their lives, will have its first event of the 2025-2026 season Feb. 19, 2026, at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, 8051 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The guest speaker is Carol Razza, whose talk is titled: “Wake Up Sleeping Beauty, You Have Already Been Kissed.” Tickets are $28 and include a 3-course meal with wine followed by a presentation by an inspirational speaker. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Program begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and ends at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, please visit https://faithandwineleecounty.com/.

Theology on Tap Feb. 19 in University Park

Faith & Ale of Southwest Florida Feb. 19

Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats

The Diocese of Venice Youth & Young Adult Ministry is offering opportunities for middle school and high school students to participate in Diocesan Lenten Youth Retreats designed to create a time and place for silence, reflection, and shared experience, allowing young people to step away from the pace and distractions of daily life and re-focus their hearts on God. The middle school retreats will be offered 5 – 8:30 p.m., Feb. 20, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Naples, and March 3, at St. Paul Parish, Arcadia. The high school retreats will be 3 – 8 p.m., Feb. 22, at St. Raphael Parish, Lehigh Acres, and March 1, at St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota. Registration will open at dioceseofvenice.org on Jan. 20. The cost is $10 per student. For further information, please contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Walk for the Poor in Cape Coral Feb. 21

The 5^th Annual Walk for the Poor to support the outreach of the St. Vincent de Paul St. Andrew Conference in Cape Coral will take place 10 a.m., Feb. 21, 2026, at St. Andrew Parish, 2628 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. The walk will help families throughout Cape Coral as every day, SVdP volunteers provide emergency food, provide medical or prescription cost assistance, and help to restore utilities or prevent cut-off. Every dollar raised goes back to our local community. In 2025, the St. Andrew Conference processed more than 1,100 phone calls, conducted more than 350 home visits, helped 547 households with 1,500 people, including 600 children. The cost is $15. Please register at www.go.rallyup.com/capesvdp.

Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting Feb. 26

The Catholic Charities Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting Auction and Dinner Dance is 5:00 p.m., Feb 26, at Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice. The annual event benefits the mothers and children at Our Mother’s House, a 2-year transitional living program located in the heart of Venice, dedicated to empowering single mothers with a child. Tickets $150. For more information, 941-485-6264 or omhwinetasting@ccdov.org.

Liberty Ball for Ave Maria School of Law

Lenten Parish Mission

Application deadline for Foundation scholarships is March 1

Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat in March

Royal Rummage Sale XVIII March 6-7

Venetian Ball March 7 in Bonita Springs

Emerald Ball March 14 in Naples

Marriage Prep retreats/seminars coming soon

Diocese of Venice Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026 Now Open

Project Rachel

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. For assistance, please contact, Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/.

Catholic Charities offers Mental Health Counseling Services

Prison Ministry volunteers needed throughout Diocese

Free Rosary Repair Service

Immersion program educates seminarians

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Bob Reddy

The farming and ranching community of Arcadia served as host for three Diocese of Venice seminarians during the first week of 2026.

Nathaniel Byers, Timothy Simmons and Carson Stecklein spent time living at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia as part of a Poverty Immersion Program. This program is part of their “propaedeutic year” at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, where seminarians take mandated time in their formation to emphasize spiritual, human and pastoral formation, with less emphasis on academic pressure. This time in formation provides a foundational period for fostering a deeper relationship with Christ through prayer, community life, and personal discernment.

The Poverty Immersion Program is one aspect of this year. The time assisting in Arcadia allowed the men to see firsthand how many in the rural farming community live in poverty while maintaining a strong faith life.

Father Luis Pacheco, Pastor at St. Paul, served as host and spiritual leader for Byers, Simmons, and Stecklein as he offered them insight into the daily running of the Parish, by having them assist at Mass, and spending their time with the people of the Parish.

“They are here to see another part of society that they are not used to, or living in, who are for the most part immigrants or of low economic status,” Father Pacheco said “This is such a rich and vibrant community where many people struggle but they are beautiful in how they live their faith each day.”

The seminarians spent some time meeting with different members of the community, including the elderly, young adults, youth, religious education students, as well as gaining words of encouragement from the women religious who serve at the Parish.

As part of the immersion process, Father Pacheco offered a tour of the county, exploring the beauty of the people, the land and its rich farm and ranching history, as well as showing the deplorable living conditions many are faced to live in. The community is very culturally diverse, with many migrant farm workers as well as permanent families living throughout the vastness of DeSoto County, which serves as the footprint of St. Paul Parish which was formed in 1870, the oldest in the Diocese of Venice.

Byers, Simmons, and Stecklein assisted at the Catholic Charities food pantry each weekday, which was an enriching experience as the configuration of the choice food pantry allowed for frequent personal interactions between the people seeking food and the seminarians who wanted to learn their stories. Choice food pantries allow the guests to choose the food they need, versus a more impersonal loading of vehicles with whatever food is available. Many of the interactions also assisted the seminarians in improving their Spanish-language skills. When not at the food pantry, they assisted in different programs throughout the community.

The final step in the immersion program included a visit to DeSoto Correctional Institute, a state-run prison facility a few miles from the Parish. There the seminarians were able to participate in prison ministry and be present for the weekly Mass Father Pacheco offers for the incarcerated.

Simmons said the experience was “awesome, to the point where I look forward to going back to seminary, but I am really going to miss being here. Especially the community, which was so incredibly welcoming.” He noted that seeing the people who serve the needs of the community each day are fully committed and dedicated to the work they do, helping those in need in front of them. In the process he witnessed an unrelenting passion in the people and volunteers which he someday wishes to emulate.

Stecklein said it has been important to see the rural, poorer side of the Diocese and live with the people. Even though it was a short experience, he is confident he is more in solidarity with the poorer people of the Diocese than he was before coming to spend time in Arcadia.

Byers said that he was struck at how grateful everyone was for the presence of the seminarians helping in the community, seeing the light of Christ shine from them to him, which encouraged him to strive to do more while helping and interacting with them.

“Even the smallest thing you do for someone; they are so grateful,” Byers said. “It really helps put things into perspective. The things we complain about, we can’t be complaining about, because people who are suffering from hardships I have trouble understanding, yet they are so grateful… it is about being more grateful.”

Father Pacheco ensured the men were able to have meals with community members to allow for a deeper and more profound personal interaction. The group made such good friends that by the time their stay in Arcadia concluded Jan. 27, they were being invited to different homes for dinner each night.

“They were able to see the people of Arcadia on a daily basis,” Father Pacheco said. “I could see changes in them for the better, opening up and understanding a little bit more.”

While there was no time to assist in the fields or on a ranch – the timing of the program didn’t allow that opportunity – Father Pacheco said this exposure for the seminarians to witness a part of God’s community that is often in the shadows will help them in their formation as men of God.

The faithful from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocations. To support a seminarian, send a check to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543, or visit www.venicevocations.com.

“Called by Name” Campaign

Is God calling you, or someone you know, to the priesthood? If someone you know is a young man of faith and service, offer support and encouragement by submitting his name to the Called by Name campaign! The campaign is an effort by the Diocese of Venice in Florida to offer support to men whom God may be calling to the priesthood. For more information about the program, or to submit the name(s) of someone who could be one of our future priests, please visit https://venicevocations.net/called/, or contact Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Director of Vocations at pince@dioceseofvenice.org.

It takes many hands to build a Culture of Life!

Posted on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Whether it is praying on a sidewalk in front of an abortion facility, marching with thousands of others, attending a luncheon or dinner, working or volunteering at a pregnancy care center or mother’s support home, these small Christian acts are united in making a huge difference in building a “Culture of Life” within the Diocese of Venice.

A Culture of Life Luncheon held Jan. 18, 2026, at San Pedro Parish in North Port, served as an opportunity to celebrate and support the ministries that walk alongside mothers, fathers and families every single day. There was also a panel of directors from several non-profit organizations who work hard to support pro-life efforts in the community.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane opened the luncheon with a prayer and words of encouragement for those in attendance saying how important it is to work together.

“No one of us can do everything that needs to be done for life,” Bishop Dewane said. “You are doers in promoting life. You come out to walk or to march or to pray for life. You do what we are asked to do by the Lord, to give testimony to life day after day. You have no idea of the far-reaching impact that has. Thank you all for coming together to share a meal and help build a Culture of Life.”

Tavia Ames, Respect Life Director for the Diocese of Venice, said building the Culture of Life is not just a cause – it’s a calling.

“Your presence helps lift up these ministries, strengthen the pro-life mission in our region, and ensure that more families receive hope, support, and the love of Christ in their moment of need,” Ames said.

Representatives from Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities, Pregnancy Solutions, SOLVE Maternity Homes, Community Pregnancy Clinics, and Support After Abortion, had the opportunity to speak about their mission.

On Jan. 17, more than 1,000 participated in the annual March for Life in Ave Maria. The March, which began at the Ave Maria University football stadium, processed more than a mile through the campus and into the town before concluding with a prayer service in the Piazza in front of the Parish church. The event included speeches from Bishop Joseph Coffey, Archdiocese of Military Services, USA, as well as several members of the University and Parish pro-life community. Participants came from as far as Miami and included a large group from St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, led by the Servant Sisters of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.

The National March for Life (Jan. 22-23), when tens of thousands of pro-lifers converge in Washington, D.C., will include a group of about 350 youth and young adults from the Diocese of Venice. Participants from the Diocese of Venice will also take part in the Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Even with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the work to build a culture of life and put an end to abortion is not done; the effort continues at both state and federal levels. In fact, protecting life has gotten even more complex, with the advance and prevalence of chemical abortion, and the easy and anonymous distribution of pills.

Coming to Sarasota is the inaugural “Muffins for Life” event, at 10 a.m., Feb. 5, at Incarnation Parish, 2901 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Bishop Frank J. Dewane will lead the celebration of Art Reilly, Diocesan Culture of Life award winner and Knight of Columbus, for his outstanding commitment to life in our community. Guest speakers include Pam Stenzel, who will discuss the Safe Haven Baby Boxes initiative, and Rich Owens who will talk about the upcoming Spring 40 Days for Life campaign in Sarasota. Muffins for Life brings together life-affirming organizations and individuals in the pro-life ministry throughout the Diocese for discussion, education and fellowship. There is no cost for the event, but registration is required. Email Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org to register.

The following week is Catholic Days at the Capitol (Feb. 10-12), where Catholics from across Florida are encouraged to go to Tallahassee during the Florida legislative session, to bring the light of faith to the public square and promote Catholic values through civic engagement. United with the Florida Bishops, participants advocate for the protection of human life and dignity as lawmakers shape Florida’s laws for the common good. By making the trip to our state capitol and lifting our voices, Catholic Days pilgrims help make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of all Floridians. The annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit is at the St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral on March 11 and Bishop Dewane will be the homilist. Contact Tavia Ames for more information at ames@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068.

The Spring 40 Days for Life prayer campaign to end abortion in the United States will take place from Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Palm Sunday, March 29. Within the Diocese of Venice, peaceful prayer vigils will take place in front of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. To learn more about this campaign, please visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/.

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. For assistance, please contact, Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/.

To learn more about Respect Life activities in the Diocese of Venice, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/, or contact Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org.

Fort Myers priest becomes a U.S. citizen

Posted on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by Bob Reddy

After months of study, Father Jayabalan “Jay” Raju, Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, was sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony on Jan. 6, 2026.

The ceremony included a few dozen people joining him in taking an oath of citizenship, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing The National Anthem, and the signing of citizenship papers, all while trying to keep emotions in check while 30 or so well-wishers from the Parish looked on.

“It is such a proud and joyful feeling to become a citizen of this wonderful country,” said Father Raju. Originally from the southeastern part of India, Father has been in the United States since 2014, serving at several Parishes within the Diocese of Venice.

“I am blessed that Bishop (Frank J.) Dewane gave me the honor of an appointment in the Diocese of Venice. It has been a blessing because the people of the Parishes have become my American family,” Father said.

Having lived in the U.S. since 2014, Father Raju said what he most admires is how the country values a democracy that is shared and percolated to all the people, successfully done with built in checks and balances. “That is entirely different from India, which is a different type of democracy, a place where large portions of the people are not treated well by the government.”

Direct credit for completing his citizenship journey from Father goes out to Terry and Walter Janczewski, who were by his side as he made the decision and prepared to become a citizen. Although Walter Janczewski passed away before it became a reality, Father Raju said he couldn’t have done it without the couple’s support, as well as that of many others along the way.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1999, Father’s assignments as a priest included Parishes in India as well as Director of Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society (Diocesan Catholic Charities), and Deputy Director of the Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (Regional Catholic Charities), also in India. Father Raju’s first visit to the United States was to the Boston area in 2004 where he became friends with Father Michael Gurino and grew to love the rich history of his soon-to-be adopted country. At Father Gurino’s encouragement Father Raju reached out to Bishop Dewane in 2014, seeking and receiving an appointment with the Diocese of Venice.

For the Diocese of Venice, Father Raju has served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City, St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers, and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, before being appointed as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish. He was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Venice in 2022.

Father Raju noted that he feels particularly blessed about the timing of the ceremony which occurred on the Feast of the Epiphany, the Feast Day for the Cathedral of the Diocese where he was welcomed into the country and assigned for two years. The year is also significant because during 2026 the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding.

“It is like it was meant to be,” Father said with a huge smile.