schools Archives - Page 15 of 73

News Briefs for the week of November 1, 2024

Posted on November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Equestrian Order celebrates Feast Day in shadow of war in Holy Land

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass for the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on Oct. 29, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice. The Order is entrusted with the mission to serve as witnesses to the Christian faith, and as supporters and protectors of the Church and the living Christian communities in the Holy Land. Bishop Dewane praised their commitment to the people of the Holy Land, which is needed now more than ever as war continues in the region. The annual Mass is celebrated as close as is possible to Oct. 25, the Feast of Our Lady of Palestine, the Order’s Patroness.

School volleyball teams wins championship

Congratulations to the Girl’s Varsity Volleyball Team from St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton on winning 1st Place at the Championship Playoffs for the Florida Suncoast League on Oct. 28, 2024. These athletes did an amazing job putting in hard work throughout the season and finishing the season on top.

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.

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.

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

Posted on October 25, 2024 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.

Diocese responds to Milton – Prayers called for as damage assessment commences

Posted on October 15, 2024October 15, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray and care for our fellow neighbors as the Diocese of Venice begins its recovery from the impacts of the fury of Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024.

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and reached Category 5 strength (winds in excess of 155 mph) before weakening to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph just before slamming into the 10 counties of the Diocese of Venice. Areas closest to the eye of the storm (Siesta Key in Sarasota County) experienced the fiercest winds and coastal communities to the south of that point had devastating storm surge.

As soon as it was safe to do so, teams from the Diocese of Venice Office of Buildings and Construction, along with officials from each Parish and Diocesan Catholic school, were out making initial assessments of the damage. Bishop Dewane was in contact with priests, religious and Diocesan staff to ensure all were accounted for, and safe.

“The area suffered a great deal because of Milton, and a lot of people are much worse off than others, but still, we gather in prayer to ask God’s blessing; that He place His healing hand upon all who suffer as a result of Hurricane Milton,” Bishop Dewane said.

Due to the extent of the damage, plus power outages and blocked roads from debris, access to many of the Parishes was not immediately possible. When access is made, the safety of all structures is reviewed and then a plan is put in place if cleanup or repairs are necessary. All Parishes which had power were able to resume the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the time of publication, no immediate reports were available, particularly on the hard-hit barrier islands which were still recovering from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28.

As Milton approached, the Diocesan Emergency Response Team gathered on Oct. 7, at the Catholic Center. The meeting included a review and implementing of emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese.

These emergency plans were established to ensure an ease of preparation when tropical weather threatens. Policies, checklists and basic guidance have been established to ensure that the people and the buildings within the Diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. In addition, the emergency plans also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.

By implementing these plans, Parishes, Schools and other entities first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.

All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Oct. 7-11, and each will reopen as soon as possible, according to Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education. A decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for students and faculty.

Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impacts (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is prepared to respond and set Points of Distribution (POD) in areas of greatest need. These POD locations, preplanned and established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food. Catholic Charities had to pause its response to help the victims of Hurricane Helene so as to prepare for the arrival of Milton.

After Hurricane Helene passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort can visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.

The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website at www.dioceseofvenice.org, and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.

Please continue to pray for the safety in the Diocese of Venice and beyond who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton.

HOW TO HELP

Diocesan Response to Milton

www.dioceseofvenice.org/disasterrelief

If you need help, want to help

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org

News Briefs for the week of Oct. 11, 2024

Posted on October 15, 2024October 15, 2024 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 October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 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.

News Briefs for the week of October 4, 2024

Posted on October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Legion of Mary annual retreat held in Venice

The Legion of Mary Manasota Curis held a day of prayer Sept. 28, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. The day included the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Sacrament of Reconciliation and talks. Bob Wilson, Director of St. Paul Street Evangelization, spoke about how to speak with family and friends who have questions about the faith. Wilson said those who disagree with Church Teachings on any topic, disagree with God. “Jesus and the Catholic Church are one entity. Jesus is the head and Church is the body.” Wilson also discussed common questions Catholics face regarding our beliefs, such as praying to saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary. “We do not worship Mary and the saints, we honor them. When we are praying to Mary, we are asking her to intercede on our behalf. Asking her Son to pray for us.”

Feast of Archangels celebrated in Wauchula

St. Michael Parish in Wauchula celebrated the Feast of the Archangels as part of a larger celebration on Sept. 28, 2024, the eve of the Feast Day. The celebration included a process around the Parish grounds leading into a bilingual Mass (English and Spanish). This was followed by a Parish festival. The three archangels whom the Church honors by name are Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael. St. Michael was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. Within the Diocese of Venice, there is also a St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sarasota. St. Gabriel announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, “Hail, full of grace,” is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. St. Raphael is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey. There are two Parishes in the Diocese which have been bestowed with that name, one in Lehigh Acres and the other in Englewood.

Florida Bishops offer new 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. First, is the Florida Conference Voter Guide which 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). Second, a comparison of the positions of candidates for U.S. Presidency, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, on multiple topics 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).

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 each day Sept.25 to Nov. 3, 2024, 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.

Pro-Life program in Naples Oct. 11

St. William Parish, 601 Seagate Drive, Naples, is hosting a pro-life program on Oct. 11, 2024, at 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The program, titled: “Wisdom in the Constitution and America’s Religious Legacy: Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness – how can we uphold it?” is presented by Dr. Seana McGuire Sugrue, D.C.L., Ambassador Michael Novak Chair of Politics at Ave Maria University, where she has previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty. The program will address relevant topics being debated in the 2024 General Election here in Florida and nationwide. The event is free and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact St. William Parish at 239-261-4883.

Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Oct. 19

Calling all Catholic engaged and married couples! 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 great 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. Registration is now open for the day-long event which includes a Mass and Marriage Blessing celebrated by Bishop Dewane, and inspirational talks by Catholic speakers Renzo & Monica Ortega, Rev. Alex Pince and Mallory Smyth. Childcare, as well as full and partial scholarships, are available. To register or for further information, please visit togetherinholiness.org.

Red Mass Oct. 22 in Sarasota

Undy Sunday Collier County coming soon

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. There are three ways to assist with this campaign. Please see the flyer below for these options and additional information or contact Allegra Belliard at 239-793-0059.

Veterans Day Ball on Nov. 8

Catholic Mass on Veterans Day

2024 Diocesan Youth Rally Nov. 16

Kristallnacht commemoration Nov. 17 in Naples

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 will take 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 Joh 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 and millions of others 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.

Prayers, action as Diocese responds to Helene

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray as Hurricane Helene approached the Diocese of Venice and put into action plans to ensure the safety of all and recovery after the storm.

“As people of Faith, we are called to pray to Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of peril,” Bishop Dewane said. “May we find comfort in the Lord as Hurricane Ian threatens, and that our suffering brothers and sisters quickly find safety and comfort in the Lord.”

As Hurricane Helene approached, Bishop Dewane met with members of the Diocesan Emergency Response Team on Sept. 24 and 25, 2024, at the Catholic Center. The first of these meetings was to review and then implement existing emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese. The storm approaches the region near the second anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Ian. That hurricane caused widespread wind, storm surge, and flooding damage throughout the Diocese. Some of those recovery efforts are ongoing.

All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Sept. 26, and again on Sept. 27, following public schools, and each will reopen as soon as possible. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, said “any decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for our students and faculty.”

Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impact (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.

The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website (www.dioceseofvenice.org) and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.

Please continue to pray for the safety of all involved and in the path of Hurricane Helene.

Bishop blesses new state-of-the-art gymnasium and science and engineering center

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Bob Reddy

To cheering delight of parents, supports and students the new state-of-the-art gymnasium and center for science and engineering was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on Sept. 21, 2024.

Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass before the blessing and dedication, praising the faithful at St. Charles for their sacrifice in helping to make the school project come to fruition. This new building includes a gymnasium, bleachers, and four classrooms which will be utilized as science and robotics labs.

“Know the joy that your generous support provides to so many young people,” Bishop Dewane said. “We remember in prayer those who have sacrificed through the 25 years of this project and all everyone gave to make today possible.”

The new gymnasium and center for science and engineering boasts a full-sized basketball court with bleacher seating, a state-of-the-art sound system and six retractable basketball goals. In addition, there are two ground floor classrooms that will be used for math classes, and two upstairs rooms, one is a fully equipped science lab, and other will be used as a robotics and STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, math) lab.

Bishop Dewane explained how the classrooms are more advanced and will be used to help the young students meet the demands of the world.

“It is the role of Diocesan Catholic schools to prepare students, in conjunction with their parents, for the world mentally, academically, physically, but most importantly spiritually,” Bishop Dewane said. “I am most concerned about the spiritual aspect, and I am grateful to the community for supporting these efforts. Continue to be the doers of your faith for this Parish and this school. You are the blessing for which I come to thank today.”

To the delight of the assembled faithful, following the Mass, each student present for the Mass came forward and stood before the altar to thank everyone. Afterwards, everyone proceeded to the gymnasium for a dedication and blessing prayer service.

During the prayer service, in a symbol of honoring God’s people first, Bishop Dewane used Holy Water to bless the students, parents and supports, and then the building. A reception followed.

Father John Fitch, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, also thanked everyone for their generosity and patience as the concept for the project dated by more than 25 years. “You made this possible for the children of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School here today and for many years to come. Thank you!”

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School was established in 1960 and is the only Catholic School serving Charlotte County. It serves children from Pre-K through 8^th grade and has an enrollment of 344 students.

The School states as its mission: “St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School is a place where every child is spiritually and academically nurtured to their fullest potential, creating lifelong learners who value and live our Catholic Faith.” For more about St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, visit https://www.stcbs.org.

Offense dominates Catholic high school football rivalry

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Bob Reddy

The defending Florida State 2A Football Champion Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Cougars from Sarasota, defeated their rivals at home on Sept. 20, 2024, ending a six-game losing streak to Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.

The 49-28 victory lifts the Cougars to a 5-0 record, while the Bishop Verot Vikings are now 3-2. The was the first win for Mooney in the decades-long rivalry since 2018. The win also breaks the series tie, with Mooney now leading 23-22 all-time.

Cardinal Mooney junior quarterback Devin Mignery threw two touchdown passes, one to junior Bo O’Daniel and one to senior Marcus Galloway. Mignery ran for two touchdowns, while sophomore running back Connail Jackson ran for 224 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Ashton Kelly also ran for two touchdowns. Junior linebacker K.J. Brown had an interception.

Bishop Verot’s loss came despite a strong showing by senior quarterback Carter Smith and running back Deshon Jenkins Jr. Verot finished the game with 201 yards rushing. Both rushed for two touchdowns each, while Smith also had 118 yards passing in the game.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane attended the game, splitting his time between the two sidelines.

During halftime, Cardinal Mooney honored the legacy of Coach Kerry “Bake” Baker on the football field. A plaque was presented to his family by Con Nicholas, a member of the 1972 Mooney Football State Championship Team, joined by his teammates.

Family members receiving the plaque were Judy Baker, wife, Steve Baker (Class of ‘85) and Vanessa Baker, daughter-in-law, and Ryan Baker (Class of 2020), grandson.

Coach Baker was more than a coach, he was a mentor, role model, friend, and father figure to countless young athletes. His commitment to the students at St. Martha Catholic School and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School instilled in them the values of discipline, hard work, fair play, and a strong Catholic faith. Coach Baker’s legacy lives on through the Kerry Baker Scholarship Fund, benefiting future Mooney athletes for years to come.

Top students recognized

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Bob Reddy

Six Diocese of Venice Catholic high school seniors recently received national recognition for academic success and were named 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist as announced on Sept. 12, 2024.

Those gaining semifinalist status are: Hunter Fiskness of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota; Luke Velasco of Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria; and from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, Andrew Marino, Samantha Mitchell, Sophia Smith, and Tyler Wyman.

Hunter, Luke, Andrew, Samantha, Sophia, and Tyler’s achievement placed them among only 16,000 students nationwide to be recognized among the 1.3 million juniors who entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of semifinalists includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Being named semifinalists puts these six scholars on a path to compete to become National Merit Scholarship Finalists and potential scholarship winners. The process includes submitting a detailed application with information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, as well as honors and awards received.

Finalists are announced in the spring and have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million to be offered in early 2024. The program not only offers financial support for college but also serves as a mark of academic excellence and distinction.

Congratulations to Hunter, Luke, Andrew, Samantha, Sophia, and Tyler!