Tag: religious education

Pentecost commemorated – 127 from 23 Parishes confirmed by Bishop

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The journey of the Easter Season is concluded, and the Holy Spirit has descended to provide the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord.

Celebrated June 8, 2025, the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday marks an important transition in the lives of the Apostles and clarifies their mission in creating the Lord’s Church on earth and is traditionally viewed as the founding of the Church. Pentecost, which literally means 50, falls 50 days after Easter and is 10 days after the Ascension of the Lord. As a symbol of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, the clergy wear red vestments on this day.

“This is one of the greatest Feast Days of the Church in the context of Salvation History,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is when Jesus establishes His Church on earth … the descent of the Holy Spirit, by the Father and the Son, signals the commencement and founding of the Church and all its works.”

This celebration commemorates when the Apostles, though still afraid, accepted the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their role in carrying the message of the Lord into the world, the Bishop said.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed in the faithful through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, Pentecost is the time when those who have been baptized and are seeking to be more fully united to Christ within the Church are confirmed around the world.

At Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, Bishop Dewane bestowed the Sacrament of Confirmation upon 127 women and men candidates representing 23 Parishes across the Diocese. These candidates were unable (for whatever reason) to be confirmed at their own Parishes during the past several months.

Bishop Dewane thanked the candidates for coming forward to be confirmed and said that the Sacrament of Confirmation must change them as they have been given a new beginning in their lives; they are making a permanent commitment that comes with corresponding responsibilities as an indelible mark is left upon their soul.

“We celebrate your presence here, that each one of you has come forward to be confirmed to receive the Holy Spirit,” the Bishop said. “Every time we receive a sacrament, we have an encounter with Jesus Christ; we must be changed as a result of that encounter. Today, you confirmandi are changed to be more that man or woman of God you are called to be.”

That change comes because living the faith must not flatline (which means spiritual death), it is always a continuing journey to grow closer to the Lord, Bishop Dewane continued.

“You are called to live a better life; called to love your brothers and sisters more dearly; called to respond to the Lord in your lives. It is who you are and who you are becoming as you play your own role in Salvation History,” Bishop Dewane said. “This is because you are called to be doers of your faith as you work to conform yourself closer to Christ. In so doing, when you meet your maker at the end of life, that the indelible mark will be seen and it will be acknowledged, and you will know how you have lived your life.”

During the Sacrament, the confirmandi renewed their baptismal promises, which Bishop Dewane said is done to publicly proclaim who they are as Catholics and to have the courage, hope, faith and perseverance to be true followers of Christ.

As the Rite continues, the Bishop says an introductory prayer and asks all to join him in praying for the candidates. He then recites an additional prayer pertaining to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Finally, the candidates are requested to come forward, with their sponsor placing their right hand on the candidate’s right shoulder. Then with his right thumb, the Bishop makes the sign of the cross on each candidate’s forehead with the Holy Chrism Oil and says “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The confirmed reply, “Amen.” At this point, the Bishop says, “Peace be with you,” and the newly confirmed respond, “And with your spirit.”

One woman from St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral expressed her joy at being confirmed by Bishop Dewane. “It is such a blessing to become a full participant in the Catholic faith.”

A young man from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples explained how his faith journey took place with the encouragement of his parents who recognized the importance of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. “We moved around a lot so getting confirmed when I was younger was not possible. My mom encouraged me to start the instruction because I want to be married in the Church. I feel complete as a Catholic. A closer relationship to the Lord is what I needed in my life.”

2024-2025 Spanish-language Faith Formation program success continues

Posted on by Bob Reddy

During the past eight years the Hispanic Ministries outreach of the Diocese of Venice has strived to meet the needs of those who desire to be better formed in their Faith through a focused formation program, with hundreds participating each year.

The 2024-2025 Formation Program in Spanish of the Hispanic Apostolate concluded with 238 people receiving certificates of completion. The program focused on the National Eucharistic Revival in the context of the year of prayer ahead of and including the 2025 Jubilee Year. With the title, “The Christian Prayer in the Catechism of the Catholic Church,” participants were encouraged to forge a deeper connection with God and their faith, while discovering the key aspects of the Jubilee Year.

Father Claudio Stewart, Diocesan Hispanic Ministries Director, said the motivation for the faithful to return for a new session year after year has not diminished, neither has their commitment to learning more about the Catholic Faith.

“Most of our students are very humble individuals who, after an industrious day, manage to gather the energy to attend formation classes, without wasting any time to grab a meal,” Father Stewart said. “It is the work of many people who make this program a continuing success.”

The Diocesan Formation Program in Spanish has been recognized as one of the largest Diocesan-level outreach efforts in the nation which directly includes the Hispanic Catholic community, Father Stewart said.

With the support of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, the Spanish Faith Formation Program sessions were developed immediately following the local consultation process of the V Encuentro in 2016 and 2017.

The V Encuentro was a multi-year outreach initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with a goal of discerning ways for the Church in the U.S. to better respond to the needs of the growing Hispanic population. The process involved consultations at the Parish, Diocesan, regional and national levels. A final report was submitted to the Vatican in September 2019 with recommendations for inclusive action at all levels of the Church in the U.S. These actions continue to be implemented.

The idea behind the initial three-step Diocesan Spanish Faith Formation Program was to quickly help bridge the gap in formation for Hispanics for whom English is not their first language. This gap had created isolation among some, and the new program became empowering to Hispanic Catholics who often felt they were outsiders in the Catholic Church within the U.S., primarily due to the language difference.

The benefit of having the formation program in Spanish allows the students the opportunity to better absorb the complexities of the Faith without the extra work of translating the information. This also helps streamline the instruction and allows for a more open discussion. At the conclusion of each program year, those who earned certificates are encouraged to use their new-found knowledge to evangelize in their families and the Parish community.

The Faith Formation classes are divided into five geographic regions of the Diocese to allow easier access to the course. Students are offered the option to participate in-person or online. Instructors included priests, women religious and Deacons. Each level becomes increasingly more sophisticated, challenging the participants to take a fresh look at the Catholic Church.

For the 2024-2025 session, a total of 400 Hispanic adults registered for the latest session of the program and participated in a least some of the session, with 238 earning a Diocesan Certification, meaning they completed all seven sessions and passed a final exam. Diocesan certificates were presented in May at regional locations. Since the program began in 2017, 2,210 Diocesan Certificates have been presented, with more than 4,012 taking part in at least some of the classes.

One participant from St. Jude Parish in Sarasota said the formation program has helped him grow in love of the Universal Church and increased his passion for sharing his faith with others.

For the coming 2025-2026 formation series, Father Stewart said the program will respond to the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, first enunciated in the City of Nicea (now Iznik, Turkey) in the year 325 AD, during the First Christian Council of Bishops.

Other actions taken since the local V Encuentro sessions have encouraged broader outreach and inclusion in existing Parish and Diocesan events. This means having sessions in Spanish at conferences, bilingual programs, and other steps that express the unity of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Venice, and the United States.

To learn more about other Diocese of Venice initiatives through the Hispanic Ministries Office, please email pastoralhispana@dioceseofvenice.org, or visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/hispanic-apostolate.

2025 Totus Tuus summer program to be featured at 18 Parishes

Posted on by Bob Reddy

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

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

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

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

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

This training focused on the spiritual aspect of the Totus Tuus program, including daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Mass. Other components of the training covered the fundamentals of teaching young children and youth, as well as the fun aspects of the camp including the songs and dances that everyone will learn.

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

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

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

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

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

The following is a list of host Parishes:

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

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

Camp registration information

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

 

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

 

EASTER: Spreading the Good News of the power of Light over Darkness

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Throughout the Universal Church the faithful gathered for a joyous celebration on Easter; that is the Resurrection of Our Lord, the Summit of the Catholic Faith.

This celebration comes after the holiest of weeks which began with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and included the suffering and death of Our Lord. The Resurrection on Easter completes the journey for Jesus when death was conquered. This moment marks the beginning of a new journey of belief and hope for all the faithful, Bishop Frank J. Dewane said during the Easter Vigil Mass, April 19, 2025, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

“Humanity has never really known a single night so powerful as tonight, during this Easter Vigil – so majestic, so holy – the greatest night, when the power of death is conquered,” Bishop Dewane said. “Our Faith flows from our belief in the Resurrection. Christ’s victory over sin and death means new life for us all – from darkness to light, from suffering to joy. Easter is the proof of God’s love for humanity.”

The Easter Vigil, which takes place after sunset on Holy Saturday night, “is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities and it is to be unique in every single Church,” according to the Roman Missal. At Epiphany Cathedral, the Vigil began in darkness before the Easter fire was kindled and the Paschal (Passover) Candle was lit, and then carried down the main aisle by a Deacon, into the darkened church with the proclamation that Christ is our Light.

The Gospel reading tells of the three women who went to the tomb of Jesus to complete the anointing of Jesus’ body properly, even though they knew a great stone was in their way. The women were carried by their faith, hope and love for Jesus Christ because following a great darkness, the sun had risen that Easter morning.

“We must continually grow closer to the Lord, seeking His help, and proclaiming that He is risen,” Bishop Dewane said. “By living faith, hope, and love, in our own lives, just as those women did, the stones which keep us from the Lord will be moved out of our way, because we are each called to enter into the tomb and be with Christ, seeing, understanding and expressing that belief each day.”

During this Mass, the faithful heard Salvation history proclaimed in numerous Scripture readings. It is also at this time when the Bishop/priests confer the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for the catechumens and candidates. At Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice, there were 552 women and men who entered fully into the Catholic Church, a huge number for a Diocese the size of Venice. Among that number are 13 Diocesan Catholic school students and four Catholic school faculty.

At Epiphany Cathedral, Bishop Dewane presided over one baptism, while a group of 14 were confirmed. The Bishop lauded the catechumen and candidates for having the courage and strength to hear the call of the Lord in their lives and respond in a definitive way.

“We must all act with strength and courage in response to the call of the Lord in our lives,” Bishop Dewane said. “We have each been given graces and with that we must live our lives to the fullest. We do this as the apostles and the early Christians did, building the Church we are all a part of today. We must do our part to build up His Church. This Church is not perfect. It falters because it is human and divine. It is the divine that will keep it alive. That is what we celebrate at Easter.”

The newly confirmed at Epiphany Cathedral could not hold back their excitement upon receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Sarah Desquesnes, who received three sacraments, baptism, confirmation and First Holy Communion, couldn’t stop smiling because of the overwhelming joy and love of Christ she felt come upon her during the Mass.

The celebration of Easter is not confined to a single day, in fact, throughout the next 50 days the Easter Season is celebrated “in joyful exultation as one Feast Day, or better as one ‘great Sunday.’”

The first days make up the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. On the 40th day of the Easter Season, Catholics celebrate the Ascension of the Lord (May 29, which is moved to the following Sunday on June 1 in most Dioceses in the U.S., including the Diocese of Venice), and for the nine days following, in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (June 8).

Catholic schools inspire new Catholics

Posted on by Bob Reddy

An amazing thing took place this year at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers – 12 students have decided to fully enter the Catholic Church, 5 at the Easter Vigil.

The students are among 552 catechumens and candidates who have gone through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults in the Diocese and will be fully entered into the Church by Pentecost (June 8, 2025).

At Bishop Verot, the school has an active afterschool program to offer basic religious instruction to interested students. This is made available because not all students at Bishop Verot are Catholic, and even those who are might not be practicing or may not have received all the sacraments beyond baptism or First Holy Communion.

Jonathan Gadomski, Verot Director of Campus Ministry said there have been one or two students a year who have fully entered the Church in the past. However, in the early parts of the 2024-2025 academic year more students than ever expressed interest and now the 12 have completed their instruction. “It was really wonderful to see.”

Meeting after school once a week, and more often as needed, the number of interested students grew rapidly. The 8 graduating seniors pointed to the Live Jesus Retreat, which opens each school year, as a catalyst that tipped the balance for some to make further inquiries about the Catholic faith.

Isabella Lentz said the retreat focused on building character and how to live your life, something that really motivated her to take action and become a doer of her faith. “It really opened my mind.”

The Verot after-school program is done in conjunction with the students’ home Parishes. Gadomski said each student must register with a Parish religious education program and this is where much of their religious instruction takes place. The school supplements this effort and helps support students through their discernment process.

“We are here as a resource and can quickly answer any questions the students have,” Gadomski said. “Our weekly meeting parallels what they are learning at the Parish and their individual theology classes support that experience as well.”

Sophia Gebara was born Catholic but didn’t practice because her parents allowed her to make a choice about her own faith. Throughout her time at Verot, Sophia said she learned more about her faith in theology classes and decided the time was right to go ahead with the process of entering the Church.

Not knowing where to begin her discernment, Sophia said it was the support from the Campus Ministry team which helped her make the decision to fully enter the Church by going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving First Holy Communion and being confirmed. “The teachers were great at explaining everything. This was the right decision for me, and I feel relieved and blessed that this day has come.”

With the help of the different theology teachers, plus the enthusiastic support of Chaplain Father David Portorreal and other assisting priests, each of the students was able to make their first confession at the school.

The good news does not end at Bishop Verot, as one student at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, and four faculty at St. Ann Catholic School in Naples also entered the Church during the Easter Vigil.

The 12 students at Verot are not the only ones who entered the Church through Diocesan Catholic schools. Also entering was a student at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, and four faculty from St. Ann Catholic School in Naples.

Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, said he was ecstatic when he heard the news about the 12 Bishop Verot students, and one Cardinal Mooney student, entering the Church.

“That great news from Bishop Verot was followed by learning about the student from Cardinal Mooney and then four of our faculty who are entering the faith,” Father Belmonte said. “Jesus Christ is truly working wonders in the Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools! We are blessed and grateful!”

Rite of Election 2025

Posted on by Bob Reddy

552 set to enter Church in Diocese at Easter Vigil

A large number of women and men set to enter the Catholic Church within the Diocese of Venice at the Easter Vigil were recognized during the annual Rite of Election at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025. This annual tradition is a formal Rite of the Catholic Church. Catechumens are presented, and their names entered into the Book of the Elect.

The 240 catechumens (individuals who are not yet baptized) were joined by an additional 312 candidates (already-baptized Christians preparing for confirmation and First Eucharist). The candidates participate in the formal ceremony and are recognized during the celebration for answering the “Call To Their Continuing Conversion.” The church was at capacity as family members were also present to show their support.

The Rite of Election was presided over by Bishop Frank J. Dewane who said the large number of catechumens and candidates was impressive, noting that the 552 set to enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program is a great achievement. The number comes on the heels of record numbers entering the Church during the previous two years. Parish banners were carried forward at the opening of the Rite.

“The Diocese is blessed and graced by the presence of the catechumens and candidates,” Bishop Dewane said. “That 552 is a large number and certainly reflects the growth of the Diocese.”

The group was complimented by Bishop Dewane for making a commitment to publicly announce the call of the Holy Spirit by becoming active members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Venice. “The Holy Spirit prompted you to be here today as part of this celebration. See it as a good thing the Lord has done within and for you. You are right to act confident in whom the Lord asks you to be. Leave your hearts and minds open to continue to grow this Lenten Season, and particularly during Holy Week, as you deepen your relationship with the Lord.”

The catechumens and candidates, who were recognized individually by Bishop Dewane, are on a continuing journey that will culminate when they come into full communion with the Catholic Church at the April 19 Easter Vigil Mass in their respective Parishes.

Bishop Dewane asked the catechumens and candidates to reflect upon what prompted them to come forward, seeking to fully enter the Catholic Church. The steps and stumbling blocks along the way show each of us how human we are and will fall at times, but serve as a reminder that it is the Lord’s grace that will lead us back.

“This is a moment of great affirmation of whom you are becoming as a man or woman of God. That affirmation is a healing grace and builds upon our very nature of who we can become,” Bishop Dewane said.

As each catechumen and candidate progresses in their spiritual journey – hearing readings or homilies and participating in religious instruction – they are exposed to what the Lord is saying from a new perspective, something that Bishop Dewane said is a key to growing as men and women of God.

“You are becoming attuned to the new meaning of what the Lord is saying to you,” Bishop Dewane said. “You need to leap a little bit farther as you grow closer in your relationship with the Lord while approaching Holy Week. See it to completion. And in its completion become more the man or woman of God you have started out to be as you continue to grow in your spiritual life. Only the Lord will reveal how profound that journey will be.”

Many who participated in the Rite of Election expressed their joy in joining with others on this important step in their faith journey. One candidate from St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral said, “What a wonderful celebration! I will remember this for the rest of my life. I thank God for blessing me to be on this journey!”

Often catechumens are those who have begun to seek and understand God in their lives and have been led by the Holy Spirit to become Catholic. They are part of the OCIA, which is for those who are unbaptized and unchurched, who come to inquire about becoming part of the Roman Catholic Faith in a process that takes about a year. This is most commonly done in three distinct phases: discernment, acceptance into the catechumenate, along with purification and enlightenment. OCIA is a journey of discovery, and faith.

Each catechumen will go through a series of scrutinies during which they examine their readiness to accept Christ and the Catholic Faith in the form of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation). This time culminates at the Easter Vigil when the catechumens are received through Baptism into the Catholic Church. The final period of the OCIA is the time of “Mystagogy” (post-baptismal catechesis). During the weeks following the Easter Vigil, the newly initiated live more profoundly their experience of Baptism and the Eucharist as they begin the journey of discipleship and a growing union with Christ.

The group of catechumens and candidates represent 47 Parishes in the Diocese of Venice and are accompanied by tens of thousands of others across the country that will also join the Catholic Church this year. The largest groups of catechumens and candidates came from the following Parishes: Jesus the Worker in Fort Myers, Our Lady Queen of Heaven in LaBelle, St. Jude in Sarasota, Holy Cross in Bradenton, St. Michael the Archangel in Wauchula, St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral, and St. Paul in Arcadia.

For candidates, those who have been correctly baptized with a Trinitarian formula (In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), the Catholic Church does not require re-Baptism. Candidates have already experienced a journey of faith and understand how Jesus leads us to the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, many have been attending Mass with their families for years but may have never received the Sacrament of Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The candidates are invited to the Rite of Election as a form of welcome, but because they are already in the Book of the Elect as baptized Christians, they do not bring their names forward. To symbolize that baptism, and as a sign of their continuing conversion, they come forward and make the sign of the cross with holy water.

Everyone is encouraged to pray for and welcome the catechumens and candidates at their own Parish as they continue their journey of discovery in their Faith.

Catechists provide oxygen for their students

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Catechists respond to the call of the Lord by providing the oxygen that gives the faith to a student, a class, a Parish, and a Diocese. “Without you catechists, the spread of the faith is challenged.”

This was the message Bishop Frank J. Dewane offered during the Diocese of Venice Catechetical Workshop for religious educators on Jan. 11, 2025, at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia.

More than 230 catechists from Parishes throughout the Diocese participated in the day-long workshop which opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Bishop Dewane. The Workshop focused on gaining insight into more effective teaching strategies, and on how best to bring generations closer to the Lord.

In the footsteps of missionaries of the past who went off to faraway lands, Bishop Dewane said modern-day catechists are called to carry the word of God into the community. In fact, catechists are often the first face of the Church that many encounter; the first “blast of oxygen” in an encounter will help all aspects of their life going forward.

“See yourself as the one who brings oxygen – the Ord of God – to someone who is not breathing so well,” Bishop Dewane said. “You have to know you are called to deliver that oxygen. You are that agent of change in the lives of those families who may have become a little distant from the Church and need that inspiration to return. You give them strength.”

Bishop Dewane said that the catechists have the skills to lift up the sacramental life within the Parishes, which impacts the Church within the Diocese and beyond.

“Week in and week out, you take the Word of the Lord and put it before the students you have before you, in a way they can digest and learn it,” the Bishop said. “This approach dates to the time of St. Paul. See yourselves as the modern-day missionaries, bringing forth the Gospel message so as to help your students become more Christ-like; to recognize themselves as a Child of God; and to acknowledge Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose for them.”

The Bishop encouraged the catechists to seek out others to either become future catechists or simply more active in the Church. While such a request may be viewed as asking too much, Bishop Dewane reminded everyone that he is not the one asking, it is “Our Lord who asks.”

“The Lord has planted in the heart of each one of us here, that understanding to pass on the teachings of the Church, to build the foundation solidly, to be the new modern-day missionaries, and to bring in more people who may feel, for some reason, a little distant or alienated from the Church,” Bishop Dewane said. “God sees the goodness that you do as catechists for His Kingdom.”

Bishop went on to explain how the Diocese of Venice Education Department is beginning an effort to reach out to families who have had children baptized in a Parish and urge them to enroll their children in religious education classes. It is hoped that this direct appeal will persuade parents to ponder the importance of becoming more active in their faith and seek additional sacraments for their children.

Lisa Zolkos, Director of Faith Formation and Catechesis, organized the workshop with the intent of changing the way religious education is taught. Zolkos offered “10 Effective Interactive Teaching Strategies,” which steps away from traditional rote memorization of texts to implementing different strategies to engage students of all ages, allowing them to more easily grow closer to Jesus.

“Because there are multiple learning styles, the catechists need to adjust to this and meet their students where they are; bringing the kids to Jesus, not just presenting the material and being unable to make a connection,” Zolkos said. “This approach allows each catchist to address each type of learner within a lesson, which has an effective and lasting impact.”

Shevin McCullough, of Studio 3:16, introduced the catechists to the company that provides educational resources, including a Catholic kids TV show, focused on fostering children’s understanding of and love of Christ.

McCullough also led the catechists in an activity based on the Lectio Divina, a deeper way of reading and reflecting on Gospel passages, using the following model: pray, watch, reflect and apply. These activities are created to invigorate and deepen students’ faith by showing how the lessons of the Gospels are relevant and applicable to their lives today – ultimately bringing them closer to Christ.

Many of the catechists were inspired by the words of encouragement from Bishop Dewane and his expression of their good works as the “oxygen” of the Church in the Diocese.

Others were excited by the workshop, the first of its kind gathering so many in one location in two years, allowing many to share stories and ideas about best practices. The workshops by Zolkos and McCullough enhanced the experience by offering practical tips for the classroom that can be immediately implemented.

“I learned how to be a better teacher for my students,” one catechist said. “Our focus is on the students and how we can bring them closer to Christ. By knowing how they learn best, that goal is achievable and will make a lasting impact.”

Rally “Ignites” Youth of Diocese

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Diocese of Venice Youth Rally “Ignite” was aptly named: more than 1,800 teens participated and clearly showed their hearts were on fire with love for Jesus Christ.

The Youth Rally took place Nov. 16, 2024, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda and for more than eight hours the young men and women prayed, listened, cheered, and filled their hearts full of love and mercy.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encouraged the young men and women to ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit from within in response to the call of God, building upon the theme of the Rally: Ignite – “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us…” Luke 24:32.

Based on the response of the teens as they were leaving Youth Rally, that goal was achieved. “Wow! What a great day. I was blown away,” said one girl from St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral. “Awesome,” said one young man from Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers. “What a great day.”

Other youth shared similar responses, with most raving about how the Youth Rally overcame any misgivings they might have had before participating. Many expressed the joy of celebrating their faith with more than 1,800 of their fellow Catholic brothers and sisters.

“Jesus Christ is the one who fans the flame,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is the Lord who puts that fire within us and how it grows, and it teaches us the self-control that we need in our lives when we go about living; becoming that man or woman of God that He calls us to be.”

The Bishop told the youth that they need to open their hearts up – through prayer, attending Mass, reading Sacred Scriptures, going to confession, and in many other ways – to hear the Holy Spirit in their lives and learn how to become a better version of themselves.

“The Lord fans the flame, but you and I have to be the ones to look within and accept the guidance provided. Recognize how the Holy Spirit is prompting you to respond,” Bishop Dewane said. “We are all called to action and to be doers of our faith. If we don’t have actions, that flame will stay locked in, and we will be empty.”

Bishop Dewane urged the youth to take what they have learned from the Diocesan Youth Rally and better conform their lives to the call of Christ. “It starts within ourselves, at home, because we must leave room for Christ to set us aflame for the love of God, allow the Holy Spirit to grow within you and you will be able to set aside what is keeping you from growing closer to the love and mercy of the Lord,” Bishop concluded.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass concluded the Youth Rally. This was preceded by Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist which also included a procession through the crowd led by Bishop Dewane.

The Youth Rally included the group praying of the Holy Rosary, Catholic trivia, vendors and tables including for the promotion of vocations.

The day included inspirational talks from nationally renowned speakers Mari Pablo and Tanner Kalina. Pablo’s talk to the entire group was titled “From Despair to Faith, the Journey Transformed by Jesus,” and to the girls was “Mary’s Pure Heart, the Path to Jesus.” Kalina’s talk to the entire group was “The Masterplan of God – State of the Confession Time,” and to the boys “Beauty, Adventure, Battle.”

Vocation talks were offered to the men by Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, who was later joined by seven Diocesan seminarians. The women heard from Sister Maria Nikopoia, SSVM, Director of Religious Education at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula.

Energetic music was provided by the John Blakesley Band who inspired the crowd with spiritual songs.

Throughout the day, hundreds availed themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many also took time out to spend quiet time with the Lord in the Adoration Chapel. The temporary Chapel also included a first-class relic of Blessed Carlos Acutis, the first millennial saint who had a passion for the Eucharist.

The Diocese of Venice Youth Rally was organized by the Diocesan Office of Evangelization’s Youth and Young Adults Office, under the direction of Director Andres Prias, and with the support of nearly 100 adult volunteers.

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.

Summer camps bring love of Christ to young faces

Posted on by Bob Reddy

“Learned about Jesus!” “Learned about the Bible!” “Took part in fun and games at my Parish!” “Took a trip with friends from my Parish!” “God loves me, no matter what!” “I developed skills to help one day become an engineer!” “Gained a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary!” “Grew closer to the Lord!”

These are just some of the answers which children from across the Diocese of Venice offered to their friends and teachers when they returned to the classroom and were asked: “What did you do this summer?”

At nearly every Parish in the Diocese, there were captivating summer camps, with faith at their core. During these camps, thousands of children were engaged, and their young minds were, at least temporarily, focused on the Lord.

At 12 Parishes, the Diocese of Venice Department of Evangelization brought “Totus Tuus” camps for children and teens. This program was dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship. The camps were directed by a team of missionaries. Parish staff and volunteers augmented the team and together they made the week memorable for all who participated.

Vacation Bible School programs were also offered at 40 Parishes in the Diocese this summer. This weeklong Bible themed camp focused on learning the important lessons of Scripture in a fun and engaging way. The most common theme this summer was “Scuba: Diving into friendship with God.” At Vacation Bible School, children attended daily Mass and participated in Eucharistic Adoration. They also learned uplifting songs and dances, made crafts and generally had a great time.

Several Parishes also hosted summer activities for the teens, some included taking part in service projects, while others went on retreat, either locally or even out-of-state.

A dozen different Diocesan groups took part in Camp Covecrest 2024, a Life Teen retreat in northern Georgia which focuses on leading teens closer to Christ. This is an intensive retreat which focuses the teens on building their relationship with the Lord through team activities, reflection, and prayer. The focus of these retreats included Eucharistic Adoration, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participating in Mass.

In addition, at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, the women religious of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, hosted three different summer camps, one each for young boys, young girls, and for teens. These camps included taking part in the Mass and rosary processions, as well as arts and crafts, games, and a visit to an area entertainment center.

Meanwhile, multiple Diocesan Catholic schools hosted STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) camps. Some of these camps covered several weeks and introduced the eager students to new projects such as arts and crafts, engineering various objects and other activities that incorporated the different aspects of STREAM. The longer camps stressed different skills and included field trips to augment the in-class experience. The camps actively incorporated Catholic values and virtues through the Diocesan curriculum called, “The Gifts of Christ: Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Affability, Fortitude, Humility, and Prudence.”

For the athlete in many of our young people, the area Catholic high schools hosted a variety of sports camps for soccer, football, basketball, cheerleading and many others. These camps offered a chance for younger children to learn the skills needed to excel in different sports while having fun with their peers.

These are just some of the examples of the exciting activities that took place for the thousands of young people in the Diocese during the “slow” season.

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