John XXIII Movement retreat reinforces faith
Members of the John XXIII Movement took part in a follow-up retreat on June 21, 2024, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte. More than 60 took part in the retreat which served to reinforce lessons previously learned when they joined the Movement. The group is made up of faithful who had been absent from the Church and marginalized from society before being welcomed back by friends and family and have completed the initial welcoming retreat. The John XXIII Movement is a private international association of laity, born to be a movement of evangelization/conversion and to work, helping the faithful return to full and active participation in the Catholic Church.
Incoming Verot student gets head start on high school
Diving into summer learning, incoming freshmen at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers are taking part in the LEAP (Learning Enrichment Academic Program) course. This unique summer initiative is designed to boost skills in reading, writing, studying, and math, setting our students up for success from day one. The first session took place the week of June 17, 2024, and another session will take place in July.
Parish completes bible study series
St. William Parish in Naples has completed a four-part bible study series with a focus on Ephesians. The study was led by Scripture scholars Jeff Cavins and Thomas Smith, focusing on the “adventure of discovering our Spiritual Inheritance in Jesus Christ.” This is the latest in a series of programs offered at the Parish to encourage the faithful to grow in their faith. For more information about other upcoming programs, please visit www.saintwilliam.org/adult-faith.
Totus Tuus program reaches half-way point
The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program has reached its halfway point, inspiring young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. The week-long program is visiting different Parishes each week and offering day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, as well as evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Two missionary teams are going to different Parishes each week. In the first four weeks, the program has taken place at seven Parishes, with the most recent at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, and St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral the week of June 24. Five more Parishes will host the program through the end of July including the following: Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 7-12); Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers, and St. Cecilia, Fort Myers (July 14-19); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch, and St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 21-26). To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/.
Theology on Tap returns at new location
After a one-month hiatus, Theology on Tap has returned with a new location (Big Top Brewing Brewery & Restaurant, 3045 Fruitville Commons Boulevard, Sarasota). About 60 people gathered for the June 20, 2024. The featured speaker was Mother Maria Therese Nikopoia Klobe, Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, and Director of Religious Education at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, who spoke about making wise choice in all aspects of life. Theology on Tap meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The featured speaker for July 18 is Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, and the topic will be “The Interconnectedness Between Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Precious Blood of Jesus.” Theology on Tap is presented by the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543.
Fourth of July Parade in Ave Maria
The 8th Annual “God Bless America” Independence Day Bike and Golf Cart Parade presented by Ave Maria Parish, 5088 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, will take place at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 4. The celebration will begin in the Piazza in front of the church and will include patriotic songs, a reflection from a veteran, prayers and then the parade that will include bikes, trikes, golf carts, strollers and more. The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of Ave Maria Parish. For further information call 239-348-4725.
Sidewalk counselors in Fort Myers and Naples needed
There is an urgent need for sidewalk counselors and prayer partners to provide coverage to stand as peaceful witnesses for life at the Planned Parenthood abortion facilities at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers, and 1425 Creech Road, Naples. No training is necessary to be a prayer partner – just bring a hat and a rosary. For those interested in counseling, training and necessary resource materials will be provided. In addition, during this process an experienced counselor will be present. Prayer partners and counselors are a vital component in the Pro-Life movement, as they ensure a constant presence in front of abortion facilities, showing that women and their unborn children in crisis are not abandoned in their time of need. To learn more details, please call Mary Claire Dant at 239-200-8117.
Amendment 4 is an extreme proposal, essentially allowing abortion at any time for any reason, completely and dangerously unregulated. Since abortion is already legal in the state, with exceptions allowing access to abortion in a multitude of circumstances, this amendment to our state constitution is unnecessary, and has caused some confusion among Floridians. Further, the language of Amendment 4 is misleading, open to misinterpretation, and can be confusing in itself. The truth is, Amendment 4 is not what it seems, and it’s way too extreme, even for those who believe abortion should be legal in some circumstances.
Many are under the wrong general impression about Amendment 4, believing that it would simply restore Florida back to when Roe v. Wade was in effect. This is not true. The fact is that Amendment 4 goes dangerously beyond what was permitted in the Roe v. Wade ruling. It would eliminate important health and safety measures that protect women, remove parental consent for any minor seeking an abortion, and allow for abortion through the third trimester of pregnancy. Further, it would make our state one of the most pro-abortion states in the nation. Four strong reasons to vote NO on Amendment 4!
The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program continues, inspiring young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. The week-long program is divided into two sessions, with the day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, and the evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Led by two missionary teams, the program has the Parish staff and volunteers augmenting the team, together they make the week one to remember. In the first three weeks, the program has taken place at five Parishes, with the most recent at St. Finbarr Parish in Naples and St. Paul Parish in Arcadia. Seven more Parishes will host the program through the end of July including the following: Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, and St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral (June 23-28); Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 7-12); Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers, and St. Cecilia, Fort Myers (July 14-19); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch, and St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 21-26). To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at 
Bishop Frank J. Dewane conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation upon several inmates at Avon Park Correctional Institute on June 3, 2024, and then again at DeSoto Correction Institute In Arcadia on June 4. When celebrating the Mass for the incarcerated, Bishop Dewane emphasized that he is bringing the forgiveness, mercy, compassion, peace, love and joy of the Lord to others. Each year, the Bishop celebrates Mass for inmates at different facilities throughout the 10-county Diocese, and has conferred the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Communion and Baptism for dozens of inmates since 2006. The Diocesan Prison Ministry provides a variety of services, including Bible study, religious education and assistance with receiving the Sacraments. Within its boundaries, the Diocese has five state prisons, 10 county jails and one civil commitment program. There are approximately 15,000 incarcerated within the Diocese; meaning the need for priests and volunteers is great. If you are interested in learning more about the Diocesan Prison Ministry, please contact Bob Hiniker at 
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School hosted the Inaugural Sarasota Camp Shriver in partnership with Special Olympics the week of June 10-14, 2024. The event kicked off June 10 with a celebratory ribbon cutting with Special Olympics President and CEO Sherry Wheelock. Also present was Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director for Suncoast Charities for Children. Each day, the Special Olympics campers participated in various sports and activities, such as lacrosse, football, baseball, softball, volleyball (beach and indoor), cheerleading and more. Mooney buddies, seen at right, paired up with the campers for the week, while Mooney coaches organized the different activities. When not having fun playing sports, there were plenty of other activities, including a dance party and other fun games.
To learn the facts about Amendment 4 and how it is designed to mislead voters, visit the websites of the Florida Voters Against Extremism, 
David Nicasio, 13, who is an active member of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, reached the quarterfinals of the 96th Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 28-30, 2024. David tied for 60th place, making it through three rounds before tripping up in the fourth round. Words he spelled correctly were: Braeburn, larceny and pulvillus. David, an altar server, lector, as well as in the middle school and youth groups at St. Cecilia, won a series of local competitions to qualify as one of 245 students from across the nation to reach the national Spelling Bee. Just for making the National Spelling Bee, David will receive a number of gifts and prizes related to learning. As a quarterfinalist he will receive a commemorative pin and a $100 gift card. Well done David!
Father Joseph Gates, Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Parrish, was honored with the Florida State Blessed Michael McGivney Award by the Knights of Columbus during the Florida State Convention in Orlando on May 26, 2024. Father Gates was nominated by Grand Knight John Kreger IV, of Council 12155. Noted in the nomination was that Father Gates is a teacher of the faith; apostle of Christian family life; devoted Parish priest; exemplar of charity; builder of Catholic fraternity; and a role model to the faithful of the Parish. “He leads by example and is at the forefront of many Parish activities,” the nomination stated. “Father Joseph is the face of St. Frances Cabrini. From preaching the Gospel from the altar to his many posts on social media, he leads his flock in the goal of spending eternity with God.” The award was presented by Knight Richard P. Hughes, State Deputy and Father Bob Kantor, Florida Knights of Columbus Chaplain and Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples.
“For those who think abortion should be legal, it already is, in the state of Florida,” Espenscheid said. “The Heartbeat Protection Law is a reasonable law and restricts abortion but for those circumstances which we know most people – even some Catholics – feel should be considered. There is no need to expand the law and remove the commonsense protections for women, and minors, that are currently in place.”
Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children in Florida from laws that disregard their health and safety.
