After much work and prayer, and little bit of time, the faithful of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers gathered for the blessing of the newly constructed St. John Bosco Youth Center.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over the Youth Center blessing on April 26, 2026. “We pray that the Word of God will always echo from its walls,” Bishop Dewane said. “We bless all who will use this Youth Center, and that all who come here know the presence of Christ, experience the joy of His friendship and grow in His love.”
During the blessing, Bishop blessed the people, including dozens of youth who will benefit from the Center, and then the facility. In addition, he blessed a plaque dedicated to Marilyn Brummer, whose generous gift helped to make the Youth Center possible. Two family members were present for the blessing and dedication.
Father Jay Raju, Pastor of St. John XXIII, Father Raju thanked the Bishop for supporting the project, ensuring its success.
Father Raju also thanked all who contributed to making the Youth Center possible. “Many in our community have been generous with their dedication, skills, and talents, in finally being able to celebrate the long-awaited completion of the Youth Center. I appreciate everyone’s role in bringing this project to life and helping transform it into such a beautiful building; a home for future generations to nurture faith and leadership.”
Laura Cerna, Youth Council President, and part of the Faith In Action Team (F.I.A.T), a group responsible for planning youth and family events for the Parish, welcomed everyone to the grand opening and said she prays it becomes a space filled with laughter, learning, and a strong sense of community.
Kinsey Peplinski, F.I.A.T. co-event coordinator, quoted the Gospel of Matthew, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).” This will be a place of prayer, joy, faith, friendship and growth, guiding our youth who are walking through life today and for years to come.”
Kelly Evers, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, said it was “a glorious day for our youth and for our Parish.”
Evers said the Youth Center has been in the planning stages for many years and its completion can be traced back to the first Parish Youth Councils seeking a place to call their own. “We’ve come a long way since then. Isn’t it wonderful. We have such a generous Parish and we are blessed to have so many families.”
The Youth Center is named for an Italian Saint who was a priest and educator in the 19th century and includes a large gathering room, as well as smaller meeting spaces. There is also a covered pavilion for outdoor gatherings, as well as facilities for games, such as volleyball, and other fun. Eventually, the outside of the building will have mosaics and a statue of St. Carlo Acutis, the newest Catholic saint who was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025. St. Carlo was an Italian teen who died in 2006 at the age of 15 and was known for his devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and his use of digital media to promote Eucharistic Miracles around the world and is recognized as the first 21st Century Saint.
Following the blessing, the Youth Praise and Worship Team performed music, while pizza and refreshments were offered. In addition, a round-robin volleyball tournament took place, with Father Raju joining in the fun.
“It is a profound honor for us to open our doors as a place of encounter, prayer, and renewal for all who seek the Lord,” Father Mayer said. “I personally invite all to come and find rest in the presence of Christ. Our Church and the Poor Clare Adoration Chapel will be open to welcome pilgrims every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at other times by arrangement.”
In celebration of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, the Diocese of Venice has provided Jubilee prayer cards to each Parish in the Diocese. The prayer cards are available in English and Spanish and include the prayer written by Pope Leo XIV for the 800th Jubilee of St. Francis, which asks the saint to intercede for the faithful, inspiring hearts to live in peace, humility, and faithful witness to Christ during this holy year.
St. William Parish and Catholic Charities in Collier County joined forces to provide an Easter luncheon for the homeless in Naples on April 7, 2026. More than 100 were welcomed with a warm meal and compassionate hearts at the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center. Staff and volunteers prepared and served the meals. Each person received a meal, take-home food, a gift card and beautifully decorated Easter Eggs. The luncheon is one of several supported by the St. William Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment (HOPE) which extends a compassionate hand to those experiencing homelessness in Naples, including providing hot meals to the homeless each week, bicycles for transportation and more.
Since 40 Days for Life began, more than 26,214 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.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord marks the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and starts the events which are marked throughout Holy Week which include the Lord’s crucifixion and Resurrection on Easter. Father Antony Lukka, Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, opened the Vigil Mass with the reading of the Gospel of Matthew (21: 1-11), prior to the blessing and procession with palms. This scene was repeated at Parishes throughout the Universal Church, with options to process from another location into the church, to start in the narthex of the church, or a simple opening with a blessing of palms and opening procession. The Mass includes the Passion of the Lord, also from the Gospel of Matthew (26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54).
The Saint Ann Catholic School 70th Anniversary Heart of Education Gala took place on March 27, 2026, in Naples, to benefit the school foundation. Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the prayer before the meal and offered remarks about the lasting impact that St. Ann Catholic School has had on the community in Naples and the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Venice. The evening was titled, “Saint Ann School 70 Symphony of Hearts,” and included live and silent auctions as well as live music.
Holy Week concludes on Holy Saturday, April 4, the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave. No Masses are celebrated before dark on this day.
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, on these two Sundays the broadcast 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 noon on Tampa Bay 44. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Masses will air at 8 a.m. on FOX Florida. Please check your cable provider for channel listings. The televised Mass is also always available online at 
Bishop Dewane, who celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass prior to the dedication and blessing, said the new Catechetical Center will serve many purposes for the community, but most importantly to pass on the faith to following generations.
Sister Rosemary Le, FMI, Director of Religious Education for the Mission and Parish, expressed her joy at having new classrooms and meeting spaces for the young people of San Jose. “It is so beautiful. I can’t wait to prepare it for the children to encounter Christ every time they come here.”
As we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, all are invited to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation in a unique way. Nine Months with Christ in the Womb draws our attention to Jesus, the God-fetus, during the nine months He lived within Mary. In meditating on the mystery of Christ’s humility in the womb, we foster within a new appreciation for the dignity of our brothers and sisters. Follow nine months of Christ in the womb week-by-week at 
