Tag: parish life

Hispanic Festival in Sarasota draws thousands

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Beautiful weather accompanied a day filled with food, fun, entertainment and lots of smiling faces for the 20th Annual Hispanic Festival at St. Jude Parish in Sarasota.

An estimated 10,000 people gathered at St. Jude for this event on Nov. 9, 2024, a celebration of both the individual nations and the unified culture of a diverse Parish.

Held annually in November, this annual Festival is the oldest one in Sarasota County to feature authentic Latino food, music and culture. The day includes musical performances and ethnic dancers as well as food from many nations. Throughout the Parish grounds were tents full of a wide variety of foods that left many mouths watering. People attend the event annually from as far away as Naples and Clearwater. It has become a much anticipated and beloved event for the Parish.

The Hispanic Festival opened with prayer, followed by a “Parade of Flags” as each country represented at the festival was announced, and the respective flags brought forth cheers.

As a bilingual Parish, the members of both the English and the Spanish speaking congregation at St. Jude participated and volunteered to staff the booths.

The celebration of more than a dozen countries lasted from morning until sunset. Throughout the day, there were performances, offering folk and modern music, and dance. Many proudly wore clothing representing their country of origin.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Festival, Father Jiobani Batista, Pastor at St. Jude, unveiled renderings of a new Parish church, which was met with great excitement. This building will be a permanent, purpose-built church. The existing Hispanic-American Center, where Masses and all Parish activities now take place, will become a Parish Hall and religious education building. Fundraising is taking place now with construction projected to start by 2026.

Martina Lopez, 8, enjoyed trying a variety of foods, including empanadas from the Argentinian food tent, which is a beef-filled pastry. She also tried a few of the desserts from the Brazilian tent, including brigadeiro, a sweet confection. The highlight of the day for the young girl was the various dancers who wore colorful dresses. “It was so wonderful to see them dancing to such beautiful songs.”

Whether it was the food, the music, the dancing, or the joy of being around so many happy people, the Hispanic Festival was a success by any measure.

The proceeds of the Hispanic Festival go to support the various outreach efforts of St. Jude Parish, including a food pantry and other programs which help families in need throughout the year.

 

Fort Myers Vietnamese Catholic community celebrates 15 years

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The growing Catholic Vietnamese community in the Diocese of Venice celebrated a milestone, marking 15 years with a permanent Mass at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who was the main celebrant for the Mass on Nov. 2, 2024, expressed his admiration for the Catholic Vietnamese community in Fort Myers, offering strong contributions to the faith-life of the Diocese.

“It is I who am honored to be with all of you as a part of this festive celebration,” Bishop Dewane said. “Your presence in the Diocese, permanently for the past 15 years at St. John XXIII, has been positive and beautiful. The contribution that you make here at your Parish is substantial. You may be small in number, but you are a good number. You are here. The Lord calls you to come, to be present to worship Sunday after Sunday, and we continue to give thanks for that blessing.”

Looking forward, the Bishop said he will continue to support the Vietnamese Catholic community as it grows. In addition to the Mass at St. John XXIII, Masses in Vietnamese are celebrated in Sarasota at St. Martha Parish and mostly recently periodically at San Pedro Parish in North Port. In addition, there are currently two men who are from Vietnam in formation as Diocesan seminarians.

“I see a strong future for the Vietnamese community here in this Diocese,” Bishop Dewane said. “As we go forward, we celebrate 15 years by being grateful for the blessings the Lord has bestowed on this community as it thrives. It is an important part of the Diocese of Venice.”

Father Joseph Than Van Liem, CRM, the current Chaplain for the Vietnamese community at St. John XXIII, concelebrated the Mass, and thanked Bishop Dewane for his support of the community and presence for the 15th anniversary celebration.

The opening for the Mass began with a colorful procession, including the faithful, from the Vietnamese Martyrs Memorial, through the courtyard and into the Parish church. The memorial to 117 Vietnamese Martyrs was dedicated in 2013 by Bishop Dewane. As part of the celebration, Vietnamese Catholic flags were raised above the memorial and parking lot.

The Vietnamese Catholics celebrated Mass at several Parishes in Lee County before Bishop Dewane helped the community find its permanent home in 2009 at St. John XXIII Parish.

Adam Nguyen, who has been a leader in the Fort Myers Vietnamese community since its inception, explained how Bishop Dewane understood the need for finding a permanent home in Lee County and how the staff and faithful at St. John XXIII were very welcoming.

“It was 15 years ago when we felt lost and adrift, much like orphans yearning for a home. When we approached St. John XXIII Parish those doors swung wide open, welcoming us with warmth and compassion,” Nguyen said. “We are endlessly thankful for the Lord guiding us here.”

Nguyen said the blessing and support of Bishop Dewane, bringing in Vietnamese clergy to support the community, has allowed the community to flourish.

“We will always be a part of your legacy, and your unwavering support will forever be in our hearts,” Nguyen said.

Also concelebrating during the Mass were Father Bernadine Tan Minh Dang, CRM, who was the first permanent priest to serve the Vietnamese community at St. John XXIII; Father Joseph Toan Duc Vu, CRM, Parochial Vicar at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota who serves the Vietnamese Catholic Community in the region; Father Jayabalan Raju, Administrator at St. John XXIII; and Father Greg Dougherty, Parochial Vicar at the Parish.

Longtime religious sister heading to assignment in South America

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Sister Maria Regina Apostolorum Zambrano, Servant Sister of the Virgin of Matara (SSVM), has called St. Michael Parish in Wauchula home for the past 12 years, something she described as a blessing and gift from the Lord and one that she will never forget.

As a missionary religious, Sister Regina knew she would be unable to stay in Wauchula forever and this is true as she is about to start a new assignment in Guyana in South America in November.

To honor her years of service, the Parish recognized Sister Regina with a celebration on Oct. 27, 2024. Appropriately, this began with Mass, followed by a reception with food, music, smiles, laughter and even a few tears. The national flag of Guyana and flowers were placed on the tables for the farewell reception.  Many were certain to say one last good-bye and take one last photo together with the woman religious who had been part of their lives for many years. “We love you!” “We will miss you!” “Thank you!” “We will pray for you!”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane welcomed the Servant Sisters of the Virgin of Matara to the rural community in Wauchula in 2012, with Sister Regina being part of the original three women religious assigned to the Parish.

Never one to seek the limelight, Sister Regina devoted her time preparing for Mass, or the many Parish activities. A religious education teacher for children and adults, she was also involved in planning and getting food and volunteers for the many youth camps, festivals, retreats, and large celebrations for the feasts of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Michael, the Sacred Heart, and Corpus Christi, and well as large Nativity and Passion plays.

However, the biggest difference Sister Regina made during her years in Wauchula was the personal connections she made with the families at St. Michael.

“I would like you to know that it has been an honor for me to have been among you,” Sister Regina said at the reception. “Although some might laugh at me because I say that this mission has been like a paradise to me; that’s because you all are naturally warm and kind.”

She went on to explain her call to please God and through that do His will. Her religious family, the Servant Sisters, has a very special style of bringing souls closer to God that is part of the charism.

“My religious family accepted the commitment to mission here and since we are missionaries, we must be willing to go where God sends us. That is why I am leaving, but more sisters have come and will continue to come,” Sister said. “I will not forget about you, because you all are and will continue to be my spiritual children. This sacrifice is worth it because missionaries have been called by Jesus to help Him save souls and according to Archbishop Fulton Sheen, souls cost and the price is our prayers and sacrifices.”

The assignment in Guyana includes 19 chapels spread over a huge area, with only three priests and four women religious working on mission. The assignment is where Sister Therese Nikopoia Kolbe, SSVM, the current St. Michael Director of Religious Education was stationed there for five years, before coming to Wauchula. All transportation in the region is by boat, with one large river system and a few lakes in the region.

Father Wilner Durosier, CS, Administrator of St. Michael Parish, praised Sister Regina for being an example for others in the community, living out her missionary work in a humble way, and helping to bring all closer to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.

Sister Regina concluded her remarks by stating: “I want to thank you for all the kindness you have shown me. Thank you for helping me with everything. In these past 12 years I believe that no one has been spared from working with me. And to be honest, I have invited you to help so that when you have to give an account to our Father in heaven, you have something in your favor. God has his plans, and if we don’t see each other again, we will see each other in heaven.”

To learn more about the Servant Sisters of the Virgin of Matara, please visit www.ssvnusa.org, or you can follow the missionary work in Guyana on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ssvmguyana.

Many continue to struggle in wake of Milton – Parishes mostly spared, much work needs to be done

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The winds, rain and storm surge have long passed since Hurricane Milton struck the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 9, 2024, but the recovery process is only just beginning.

Most Diocesan Parishes and Catholic schools were spared severe impacts but there are clear exceptions, most notably Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Boca Grande; St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach; St. Joseph Parish and Catholic School in Bradenton; and Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane has been at the forefront in ensuring the response to Hurricane Milton continues to be effective throughout the Diocese.

Once access to Boca Grande was possible, the true extent of the damage done to Our Lady of Mercy Parish was evident. More than five feet of storm surge swept through the property, inundating the church, Boca Grande Preschool and the rectory. The new Parish Hall was spared damage having been built in 2022 to a higher elevation.

The Parish was still recovering from storm surge damage during Hurricane Helene in late September and the mitigation of that water was completed before Milton’s arrival. Unfortunately, Milton’s water was several feet higher. In the church, the water reached the top of the pews and spread into the sanctuary. The preschool, where drywall had been cut following Helene, now has all walls cut to the bare studs.

In addition, Milton’s water reached the rectory. While the water did not reach the flooring, it did damage the garage and crawlspace where various utilities were located.

Father Anthony Hewitt, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, said the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass returned on Oct. 13, with daily Mass taking place at noon instead of 8 a.m., as access to the island community is restricted. It is deemed too hazardous to stay in the community as there is no running water. Early each morning there are long lines of traffic going through checkpoints. This is occurring even though access is restricted to residents, business owners, recovery workers, and contractors.

Working under the direction of staff from the Diocese of Venice Buildings and Construction Office, contractors have removed all the debris from the church, preschool and rectory as part of the mitigation work. How best to proceed with the reconstruction of each building will be determined in the coming days and weeks.

Huge piles of debris, or dumpsters, stand in front of each residence and business in the community, a testament to the force of the water.

“The parishioners, as well as the community, are all turning to God in this difficult time and the comfort and strength from the Holy Eucharist has been a tremendous blessing,” Father Hewitt said.

The same can be said in many other area island communities.

St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach had additional damage to the rectory and Parish Hall during Milton, as the area was also still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The latest storm damage set back the progress of mitigation and reconstruction efforts by several weeks, if not longer, as resources for the cleaning and rebuilding are being stretched to the limit by the widespread destruction caused by back-to-back hurricanes.

Diocesan Building and Construction Director Joe Rego said the Diocese was well prepared to cope with the impacts of the hurricanes, but the recovery process takes time.

At Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, the mitigation work to remove storm surge water from the Parish Center and rectory is progressing well. The same is true at St. Joseph Parish and Catholic school in Bradenton where the damage was limited to roofs and some water leaks. Each of the roofs has been temporarily sealed while repairs await plans and contractors.

While some of the focus has been on the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is focusing on the human impact of the storm, the thousands who have lost homes or jobs because of the flooding. These include service workers at restaurants, businesses, hotels, resorts, and more.

Catholic Charities very quickly set up several different points of distribution in Palmetto, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. These sites allowed people to drive through and receive food, water and other disaster supplies.

The Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team also includes case management services which are being offered for survivors of the disaster with the goal to meet an individual’s or family’s immediate need. Many are in need of permanent housing, rental assistance or utility payments. This effort also assists those in need to cope with changes while home repairs are being made and helps them access available resources.

In the first 10 days following Hurricane Milton, Catholic Charities assisted more than 7,000 people. This help included water and food, as well as emergency financial assistance.

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the Diocese of Venice has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to aid in the necessary repairs to churches and schools. To support this fund, you can visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/disasterrelief.

To learn how you can help support the disaster relief efforts of Catholic Charities, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.

 

Fort Myers Parish celebrates Golden Jubilee

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Serving as a beacon of the light of Christ in the community, the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish community celebrated 50 years in Fort Myers on Oct. 20, 2024.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Parish’s Golden Jubilee Mass, with Resurrection Pastor Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, and Parochial Vicars Father Patrick Oliver Toner and Father Shawn Roser among the concelebrating priests.

“Reaching 50 is a true accomplishment,” Bishop Dewane said. “This is a celebration for the Diocese, the Parish, the parishioners, and the priests, those who are here now and those who have come before. It is my prayer that you rejoice in the goodness of God having blessed you for these 50 years knowing God will continue to provide for many years to come.”

Bishop Dewane said the Golden Jubilee is a perfect time to reflect, looking back at what has been accomplished, but also a time to look forward and be challenged to continue the legacy that has been put forth.

“A Parish is a testament to Jesus Christ as it provides His faithfulness and His sustained power for the world,” Bishop Dewane said. “We can’t do these things on our own. We must continue to be faithful to the Lord, allowing His grace to give us guidance as the Parish continues to be that beacon for the community and the world.”

Established as a Mission in 1974, Msgr. McNamara is the only Pastor to have served through the 50 years, overseeing the construction on numerous buildings including the church while the community in south Fort Myers grew. That growth was so strong that St. Columbkille and Our Lady of Light were established in the 1990s as Missions to serve the influx of residents to the area.

“It is a blessing to have Bishop Dewane here to be part of this celebration,” Msgr. McNamara said. “It is amazing to think that 50 years has passed since Resurrection was established. Where does the time go?”

During the reception, there was a string trio, and a slideshow of images on a large screen. The conversation focused on each person’s first time they attended Mass at Resurrection. Some were initially seasonal residents before becoming permanent parishioners, while others told of being present for decades. “It is our spiritual home,” one woman said.

Resurrection Parish currently has more than 2,600 registered families.

News Briefs for the week of October 25, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Appointment

After consultation, Bishop Franck J. Dewane announces the following appointment:

Father Guennadi Romachko, S.A.C., as Parochial Vicar of St. Martha Parish, Sarasota, effective October 15, 2024.

Florida Bishops offer election resources

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has produced two new voter resources for the faithful to consider during the November 2024 General Election. The Florida Conference Voter Guide provides information about Catholic teaching, offers considerations on key topics, and poses questions regarding current issues to assist voters in evaluating candidate positions or political party platforms: FCCB Voter Guide (English) | (Spanish). The Conference also has a comparison of the positions of candidates for U.S. Presidency, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, on multiple topics, which has been compiled directly from policies, public statements, official or campaign websites, and other sources. Hyperlinks are provided to sources for each position: 2024 Presidential Candidate Comparison (English) | (Spanish).

Bishop honored at Naples Vocations Dinner

Bishop Frank J Dewane was honored on Oct. 19, 2024, during an annual vocations dinner sponsored by St. John Council 11281 Knights of Columbus, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples. In the past, the Knights have honored priests, men and women religious, as a token of their appreciation for and recognition of their vocations. In 2024, the Knights went a step further and honored Bishop Dewane, the man who is largely responsible for all the seminarians the Knights have been supporting through annual dinners.

Students learn about fire safety

Members of the Sebring Fire Department were able to go to St. Catherine Catholic School on Oct. 18, 2024, to share fire safety with students for Fire Prevention Month. Students were given several demonstrations and then had the opportunity to explore two different fire engines.

Parish celebrates Oktoberfest

A beer tent, food, music and lots of fun was had during the Oktoberfest celebration at San Pedro Parish in Nort Port on Oct. 18 and 19, 2024. There were games for children, raffles, and lots of food options for people of all ages.

Fall 40 Days for Life continues in Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples

Join others in praying for an end to abortion during the fall campaign of 40 Days for Life with prayer vigils continuing each day through Nov. 3, in Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota. This peaceful prayer movement needs everyone to join in praying for the unborn and families on the public sidewalk outside of Planned Parenthood. The need for support is more important than ever as there are efforts to push to dispense the abortion pill and to pass more extreme abortion measures onto the people of Florida.

The prayer vigil in Fort Myers is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon. – Sat.), at 6418 Commerce Park Drive. For more information, contact Maureen at 40daysforlifefmsp@gmail.com, or visit 40daysforlife.com/fortmyers. The Naples prayer vigil is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mon. – Sat.), at 1425 Creech Road. For details, contact Ricki at 40DFLnaples@gmail.com, or visit 40daysforlife.com/naples. In Sarasota, the vigil is daily, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 736 Central Ave. For more details, contact Rich at  40DFLSarasota@proton.me, or visit 40daysforlife.com/sarasota.

“Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane”

Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly 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 Oct. 25, 2024, and will include a talk about All Saints Day and the month dedicated to All Souls. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts/.

Faith & Ale Gathering in Fort Myers Nov. 7

Men are welcome to the Faith & Ale Gathering at 6 p.m., Nov. 7, 2024. as Sam Blair speaks about “The Word, The Flesh & The Devil.” This former Navy Seals Lieutenant Commander will speak at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers. Register and learn more at www.FaithAndAle.com or Damian Hanley at damianpatrick@gmail.com.

Vocation Awareness Weekend Nov. 8-10

St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami is hosting a Vocation Awareness Weekend from Friday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, November 10 at 12:00 p.m. This seminary visit is open to young men, ages 17 and up and is an engaging time of prayer, talks, sports, and other fun activities with the seminarians and priests. There is no cost and transportation is provided. To register, please contact Lina Johnson at johnson@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-486-4720.

Veterans Day Ball on Nov. 8

The annual Ave Maria Veterans Day Ball – A Celebration for All, will take place at 6 p.m., Nov. 8, 2024, at the Del Webb Grand Hall in Ave Maria. The evening includes a cocktail hour, keynote address by Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore Jr., U.S. Navy Ret., dinner and dancing. Tickets are $125 per person and are available at www.avemariakofc.org/veterans-day-ball.

20th Hispanic Fall Festival in Sarasota on Nov. 9

St. Jude Parish, 3930 17th Street, Sarasota, is hosting its 20th Hispanic Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2024. There will be a fun day of live music, food from many Latin American countries, folklore dance, games for the kids and family entertainment. The proceeds of this event will go to the building of a New Church. For more information, please call 941-955-3934.

Catholic Mass on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, the Diocese of Venice will hold a Catholic Mass in honor of the men and women who have served our country and continue to serve and protect us today. This is the 15th year the Diocese has held a Mass on Veterans Day. The opening ceremonies begin at 2:45 p.m., with the Mass at 3:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72/Clark Road, approximately five miles east of I-75. The priests, deacons and Knights of Columbus in the Diocese will join in the celebration of the Mass. All are invited to attend, and active military personnel are asked to wear their uniform. Attendees are also encouraged to wear sunscreen and bring a hat. There is ample seating and parking at the cemetery. For further information please contact Gail Ardy at ardy@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4714.

 

2024 Diocesan Youth Rally Nov. 16

All students, grades 9 to 12, are invited to attend this year’s Diocesan Youth Rally from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda. The theme for this year’s Rally is “Ignite!” This is a day dedicated to faith, fellowship, and fun, where all come together to have hearts ignited by the Lord Jesus, so that He can draw each person present into a deeper relationship with Himself. The Diocesan Youth Rally will feature inspiring talks, uplifting music, and opportunities to connect with other youth from across the Diocese. Registration is through the Parish. Please contact Andres Prias, Youth and Young Adult Outreach Director, Diocese of Venice Department of Evangelization prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543 for further information.

 

Kristallnacht Commemoration Nov. 17

The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County (CJD) invites the community to its annual commemorative service of Kristallnacht or “Night of Broken Glass,” which historians consider the beginning of the Holocaust. The free public event takes place at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples. The guest speaker is John Koenigsberg, who will share his experiences as a young boy during the Holocaust. At the age of 5, Koenigsberg was brought to the home of a Catholic family by the Dutch Resistance and hid from the Nazis for two years. Kristallnacht recounts the attacks on Jewish communities throughout Germany on Nov. 9-10, 1938. The Kristallnacht commemorative event memorializes the six million Jews who were exterminated during the Holocaust. The event is sponsored by CJD, the Diocese of Venice in Florida, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, GenShoah of SWFL, and the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center. Please register at www.jewishnaples.org. A reception will follow the talk.

 

Fall Festival in Immokalee Nov. 27 to Dec. 1

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 207 S. 9th St., Immokalee, is hosting a Fall Festival daily from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2024. Featuring modern midways, the festival will include rides, food, raffles, and more. There will be fun for young and old alike. For more details, please call 239-657-2666.

Parish celebrates decades of bringing Jesus into the world 

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Happy Anniversary to the faithful of St. William Parish in Naples! Parishioners there have just completed a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Parish’s founding, culminating in a special Anniversary Mass and party on Oct. 6, 2024.

Father George Ratzmann, Pastor of St. William since 2008, said during Mass that a Parish is the sum of its parts, meaning all the faithful who have come for the Holy sacrifice of the Mass at any point, have contributed to its rich history.

Two former Pastors, Father John Rourke (1992-1995) and Father Domonick O’Dwyer (1973-1982), concelebrated the Mass, along with several current priests and those who have served St. William through the years. In addition to current staff, many former staff who have served at St. William’s through the years were also present for the celebration.

Father Ratzmann described the faithful who have called St. William home through the years as the fragments that come together to build up the Universal Church. Under the guidance of the different Pastors and priests throughout the years, Father Ratzmann said the faithful of St. William built up a faith community that has been showing Christ to the world and to each other.

“You are part of a community that when it comes together, is the Mystical Body of Christ,” Father continued. “Christ decided you would be here, and He decided the person next to you would be here; and you all work together to make Jesus present in our community. This is not a happy accident. This is a blessing and destiny that God has foreknown and chosen, before the world began, that we would be here, and we would celebrate and make Jesus present. Never let us take that for granted. Let us never doubt that we are chosen for this mission and pray that as much as we thank God for those who have gone before us, we will leave a testimony great enough that those who follow us will also thank God for our presence and our example. So Happy Anniversary! But let us not think this is the end, this is just a continuation, or even a beginning of even greater things to come for the Glory of God and the good of God’s people.”

As part of the opening procession for the Mass, led by the Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus, representatives from the numerous ministries at the Parishes brought forth colorful banners. A celebratory luncheon followed in the Parish Hall. The presentation of the gifts included the longest parishioner, a woman whose family was among those instrumental in the founding of the Parish, and a baby, who was recently baptized as the newest parishioner.

At the luncheon, a slide show of photos from the Parish archives was presented. Many reflected upon their time at St. William, recalling how much St. William has changed through the years. The one constant? A welcoming home to join other like-minded individuals in worshiping the Lord.

Louise Collins has been attending Mass at St. Wiilliam with her husband since the late 1990s when the couple began spending long vacations in the area. Permanent residents since 2015, Collins said the first Mass they attended cinched they would always return. “We came not knowing anyone, but we felt welcome and we knew we had found our Florida spiritual home.”

St. William Parish was erected on Oct. 2, 1973, with Father O’Dwyer named as the founding Pastor. Masses were initially celebrated at Seagate Elementary Schol with the number of parishioners quickly rising in the growing area. The first permanent church was dedicated in 1980. A renovation and building of the current church building was completed and dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane in 2012. A Parish Life Center was dedicated by Bishop Dewane in 2022. Today, St. William Parish serves more than 3,200 families and many more visitors to the Naples area.

News Briefs for the week of Oct. 11, 2024

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Diocesan priest named Monsignor

Congratulations to Father Robert R. Cannon who has been named Chaplain to His Holiness with the title Monsignor. Monsignor Cannon, who is a priest of the Diocese of Venice, and a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, has recently retired as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), where he served for the past eighth years.

 

Pets blessed across Diocese

To mark the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct 4, 2024, Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools and Parishes hosted a blessing of the animals. At St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers, the Administrator, Father Steven Clemente, blessed with holy water each animal in turn. They ranged from horses to hamsters and every type and size of creature in between. Whether they were furry, scaly or feathery, there was no doubt the God’s creatures were much loved by their owners.

Many stand up against Amendment 4

Public prayer vigils took place in multiple locations throughout the Diocese of Venice in early October seeking the defeat of Amendment 4, an extreme and dangerous proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would radically expand access to abortion. The first “VOTE NO ON 4!” rally took place during rush hour on Oct. 1, 2024, in downtown Bradenton. The rally was sponsored by the St. Joseph Parish Respect Life Ministry. Holding “Vote No on 4” signs, the rally had a captive audience as traffic was at a near standstill. The goal was to educate motorists on the dangers of Amendment 4. On Sunday, Oct. 6, there were two “Life Chain Across America” prayer vigils, one on U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs, near St. Leo the Great Parish, and the other was in Naples at U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge Road, near St. William Parish. Several hearty women, men and children withstood the rain to be visible. To learn more about Amendment 4, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/amendment4/. Also, please remember that the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil is taking place through Nov. 3 in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. For details, please visit www.40daysforlife.com and search for the nearest location. VOTE NO ON 4!

Catholic Charities hosts Family Fun Day

Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities hosted its annual Family Fun Day on Oct. 6, 2024, in Immokalee. The events welcomed families for games, fun and food. The games included sack races, hoop tosses and more. Fun consisted of facepainting and playing games for prizes. The food included hot dogs, chips, frozen flavored ice, popcorn and more. For the adults there were also games with prizes. Staff from Catholic Charities and volunteers, such as the women’s lacrosse team from nearby Ave Maria University, helped run the event.

Register NOW for Oct. 19 Diocesan Marriage Conference – Space is Limited

Don’t miss the chance to discover holiness in your marriage! Time is running out to register for all Catholic engaged and married couples to join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for the fourth annual Diocesan “Together in Holiness” marriage conference, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Oct. 19, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The Conference, a collaboration between the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation, is a unique opportunity for all Catholic engaged and married couples in the Diocese to gather for a day dedicated to prayer, conversation, fellowship, and reflection on the beautiful vocation of marriage.  The day-long conference includes a Mass and Marriage Blessing celebrated by Bishop Dewane, and then inspirational talks by Catholic speakers Renzo and Monica Ortega, Father Alex Pince and Mallory Smyth. Childcare, as well as full and partial scholarships, are available. To register or for further information, please visit http://www.togetherinholiness.org/venice.

Rosary Congress continues until Oct. 11

The 2024 Diocesan Rosary Congress, scheduled at more than 50 Parishes between Oct. 5 and 11, 2024, got off to a strong start. At St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota, the Rosary Congress ran from Oct. 7-8 and included 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration with the hourly praying of the Holy Rosary. Prayer intentions were for the protection of life and the defeat of the dangerous Amendment 4, which, if approved, would radically expand access to abortion in Florida. However, several host Parishes were forced to cancel their participation in the Rosary Congress due to the threat and impacts of Hurricane Milton. For a list of participating Parishes, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/evangelization/rosary-congress-2024/.

Red Mass in Naples Oct. 16

The Catholic Lawyer’s Association of Southwest Florida cordially invites all to its inaugural event. The Red Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice at 6 p.m., Oct. 16, 2024, at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples. RSVP to Tylan Ricketts at tricketts@willisdavidow.com.

Undy Sunday Collier County collection begins Oct. 19

The annual Undy Sunday Campaign will take place in Collier County the weekends of October 19 and 20, and October 26 and 27, 2024. This collection of new and unused underwear and socks helps thousands of underserved Elementary School students receive underwear and socks, a basic necessity many do not have. There are several ways to assist. To learn more, contact Allegra Belliard at 239-793-0059.

Red Mass in Sarasota Oct. 22

The 16th Annual Red Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 22, 2024, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Avenue in Sarasota. Judges, lawyers, lawmakers, their families and staff are cordially invited to attend.   A reception hosted by the Planning Committee of the Catholic Lawyers Guild will follow in the Fr. Fausto Parish Hall. Please send RSVPs before October 11 for the Red Mass and/or reception to Tina Mroczkowski at 941-366-5510 or tinam@bowmangeorge.com.

Catholic Mass on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, the Diocese of Venice will hold a Memorial Mass in honor of the men and women who have served our country and continue to serve and protect us today. This is the 15th year the Diocese has held a Mass on Veterans Day. The opening ceremonies begin at 2:45 p.m., with the Mass at 3:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72/Clark Road, approximately five miles east of I-75. The priests, deacons and Knights of Columbus in the Diocese will join in the celebration of the Mass. All are invited to attend, and active military personnel are asked to wear their uniform. Attendees are also encouraged to wear sunscreen and bring a hat. There is ample seating and parking at the cemetery. For further information please contact Gail Ardy at ardy@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4714.

Diocese recovering from Hurricane Helene

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Hurricane Helene brought destruction along the coast of the Diocese of Venice when it struck on Sept. 26, 2024. The storm, although its most fierce winds were more than 100 miles offshore, brought storm surge to the barrier islands and coastline, disrupting the lives of many families and doing damage to several Parishes.

An initial assessment of the damage revealed that two Diocesan Parishes suffered significant damage – Our Lady of Mercy in Boca Grande and St. Bernard in Holmes Beach. Meanwhile, other Diocesan Parishes fortunately only had relatively minor damage to landscaping and other infrastructure. No damage was reported at any Diocesan Catholic school. Part of the reason for the limited damage to Diocesan properties is credited to a multi-phased program to upgrade vulnerable buildings from wind and water damage. These worked well during Helene.

Damage evaluations began as soon as Helene passed or when the winds and storm surge receded, and it was deemed safe to enter various areas. Representatives from the Diocese of Venice Buildings and Construction Office, as well as Parish staff did surveys and called for disaster remediation companies to help assist in drying out buildings and cleaning up structures. Access to some properties was delayed in some cases due to barrier islands being cut off by storm surge.

The storm surge from Hurricane Helene reached record levels (between 3 and 8 feet) in many areas, while other communities still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022 saw impacts once again. The communities of Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Fort Myers, Pine Island, Punta Gorda, Boca Grande, Engelwood, Venice, Nokomis, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Sarasota, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton all experienced storm surge, destroying or severely damaging many homes and businesses.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane has been actively monitoring the Diocesan response to Hurricane Helene, directing all resources necessary to support both the people in need, as well as the Parishes that received damage.

“The prayers of the Diocese of Venice go out to all who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene, whether they are in our coastal communities, elsewhere in Florida, or throughout the Southeast where the storm caused catastrophic flooding and devastation,” Bishop Dewane said. “We pray to ask God’s blessing; that He place His healing hand upon all who suffer as a result of Hurricane Helene.”

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., activated its emergency response plan and have set up an emergency point of distribution at St. Bernard Parish on Holmes Beach. This site opened Oct. 3, and will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 5, Oct. 8 and Oct. 10.

The site offers food and water. In addition, disaster case management staff will be present to offer immediate assistance in the wake of the hurricane; namely to help acquire and or retain permanent housing, provide rental assistance and utility payments. The case management staff also help individuals and families cope with changes while home repairs are being made and helps them access available resources through Catholic Charities and partner agencies.

Disaster case managers are also available to offer assistance through the individual county offices of Catholic Charities. For contact information about reaching a specific Catholic Charities regional office, please visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/. This site also provides information about how to register for federal assistance and offers the opportunity for the faithful to donate to support the ongoing disaster recovery work of Catholic Charities.

Worst Parish impacts
St. Bernard Parish, which is on Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach, suffered storm surge damage to multiple buildings. Thankfully, the Parish church was spared any serious damage as the surge did not enter the building, however infrastructure, such as HVAC units were exposed to salt water. A least 2 feet of storm surge entered the Parish Hall which houses several offices, activity rooms and other storage. All flooring and doors require replacement, while baseboard, bookcases, storage cabinets, and nearly allo of the furniture is damaged beyond repair. In addition, two pianos and an organ were damaged in the hall. Water also intruded into the ground floor of the rectory, as well as a maintenance building. While most Parish activities have been cancelled, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass resumed on Monday, Sept. 30.

Father Philip Schweda, Administrator of St. Bernard, said he evacuated and watched on the security cameras as the water rose until the power went out.

“Then I knew it was going to get bad,” Father Schweda said. “When I returned and saw how much water was in the hall and the maintenance building, I knew we lost nearly everything.”

The hall is structurally sound, having been built with cinderblocks, but each of the doors and anything made with less sturdy material was ruined. Disaster mitigation teams were at the Parish by Oct. 1, first clearing the muck and debris off the floor, before removing all of the destroyed furniture.

The surrounding neighborhood also suffered greatly with the ground floor of every home and business filled with wet sand. The water and electricity in the area is slowly coming back online.

Parishioner Miranda Riley, who lives a few blocks from the Parish and faces the Gulf of Mexico, said her home’s ground floor, which included a rec room, office and two car garage, were destroyed with more than four feet of water.

“It is very overwhelming,” Riley said. “All of the business records (in her home) are gone. It is hard to know where to start the cleanup. However, we are blessed that we are safe, and our neighbors are safe. That’s really what matters.”

Our Lady of Mercy Parish, on Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, suffered damage from its fourth hurricane in the last 20 years (Charley 2004; Irma 2017; Ian 2022; and Helene 2024). This time, the damage came from the storm surge, which caused 8-inches of water to enter the Parish church and 2-feet to inundate the neighboring Boca Grande Preschool.

While devastating, the structures are both sound, and mitigation work began by Sept. 28, the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian which ripped the roof off of the church, rectory and the preschool. In addition to removing various vegetative and sand debris from the property, all destroyed furniture was taken away and the initial drying out of the impacted buildings commenced with parishioners and contractors working together.

The church kneelers, doors and air handlers were severely damaged. In the preschool, which is operated by Catholic Charities, nearly all of the furniture is unsalvageable due to saltwater inundation. As part of the mitigation process to both buildings, any impacted drywall was removed in a line at least 18 inches above the high-water mark to prevent additional damage. The floors and electrical systems will be reassessed in the coming days, once the initial drying out and cleaning process is completed. This will allow experts to ensure all damage is identified before extensive repairs can be made in earnest.

Father Anthony Hewitt, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, asked that everyone keep the people of the Parish and Boca Grande in their prayers as they recover from the latest storm.

At St. Isabel Parish on Sanibel, the island was once again covered in storm surge. However, the Parish was spared major damage as no water got into any buildings, a big change from Hurricane Ian when the surge overwhelmed all of the buildings, causing severe damage. Helene caused damage to the parking lot, cladding and landscaping at the Parish. The repairs from Ian are expected to be completed in the coming months and the impacts of Helene are not expected to delay that work, said Parish Business Manager Khristy Scheer. Helene’s surge did impact many low-lying businesses and homes on the island, bringing renewed destruction for those still weary from the destruction Ian brought two years earlier.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish, which is on Siesta Key in Sarasota, was surrounded by waist-deep water but had no damage. The same was true for St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish on Longboat Key, off the coast of Manatee County. In fact, Mass was celebrated the morning the storm arrived, as well as the next morning, with six people present. Both island communities suffered severe damage with many homes and businesses demolished by the surge of water. Even a week after the storm, access to all barrier islands in Sarasota and Manatee counties is severely limited.

Other Diocesan Parishes had water on the property, trees and branches down and some debris to clean up, but all were open for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as soon as the storm passed. All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Sept. 25-27, with only St. Catherine School in Sebring opening on Sept. 27. All other schools reopened on Sept. 30.

Diocesan Rosary Congress runs Oct. 5-11

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Yearly, on Oct. 7, the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in honor of the Blessed Mother. October is also the month in which Mary appeared for the last time to shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, urging them to “say the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.”

In celebration of the Blessed Virgin, the Annual Diocese of Venice Rosary Congress will take place at more than 40 Parishes between Oct. 5 and Oct. 11, 2024.

The theme for the 2024 Diocesan Rosary Congress is, “Do Whatever He Tells You” (John 2:5), Mary’s last utterance in Scripture, in which she speaks to the servants at the Wedding Feast at Cana.

Each host Parish will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass prior to the hourly praying of the Rosary. Many Parishes will include the Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with five decades of the Rosary being prayed aloud by the faithful. The length of time will vary and could last up to 24 hours. All the faithful are welcome to participate at any location at any time. For a complete list of host Parishes and times, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/evangelization/rosary-congress-2024/.

The primary public intention for the Rosary Congress in 2024 will be for the defeat of Amendment 4, an extreme and dangerous proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would radically expand access to abortion. To learn more about the amendment, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/amendment4/. Personal intentions are also welcomed.

Initiated in 2021, the Rosary Congress is encouraged by the Diocesan Office of Evangelization as a way to present a unique opportunity to place all prayer intentions and the needs of all the faithful into the loving arms of the Mother of God.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said praying the Rosary is a key component in one’s Faith life. Citing the example of St. Mother Teresa, Bishop Dewane referred to the power of the Rosary, calling everyone to pray it and live it and persevere. In addition, the Bishop noted how Pope Francis frequently describes praying the Rosary as armor to be used in the spiritual battle we all face each day.

“We pray the Rosary to honor Our Mother, who said that glorious ‘Yes!’ to God, bringing His Son into the world for our salvation,” Bishop Dewane said.

Carol O’Neill of Incarnation Parish in Sarasota said the 2023 Rosary Congress inspired her to spend several hours in prayer. “Our Lady means so much to me. She is a true inspiration. She is who I pray to when I seek guidance or counsel. I felt this was a great opportunity to spend more time in focused prayer. The world needs prayers. We all do.”

Announced on Oct. 2, Pope Francis has called for a global day of prayer and fasting on Oct. 7, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack of Israel amid escalating violence in the region. Pope Francis will personally go to Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major on Oct. 6 to pray the rosary on the eve of the Feast Day, “to invoke the gift of peace through the intercession of the Most Holy Mary.”

The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary directly commemorates the 1571 naval Battle of Lepanto. The Holy League (a naval coalition of European Catholic maritime states) defeated the vastly superior Ottoman navy in the Gulf of Patras near modern day Greece, overcoming tremendous odds after Pope Pius V called upon all Catholics to pray the Rosary for victory. This victory successfully halted the spread of the Ottoman Empire into Rome and beyond. The Feast Day is also referred to as Our Lady of Victory.

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