Catholic school teachers and administrators gathered for the third annual STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Education, Arts and Mathematics) Symposium hosted by the Diocese of Venice Department of Education.
The Symposium took place on March 15, 2024, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, and included more than 450 teachers and administrators. The core Gift of Christ of the Symposium was “Truth,” and the theme tag line was “Teaching Truth to Our Youth.”
Bishop Frank J. Dewane opened the day with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. During the Mass, Bishop Dewane praised the teachers and faculty for the love they have for their students and their profession. “The innovation that takes place knows no bounds. It is easy to perceive that. You are infused with the love for what you do, there is no hiding that.”
“In a world of technology, the light that shines out from Jesus Christ is the splendor of the truth,” the Bishop said. “Christ is that truth. It is that love of Christ, the desire for truth that is part of human nature itself. Let us take that desire for truth from Christ and educate – addressing human nature itself – teaching the youth in the schools of the Diocese of Venice that it is Jesus Christ that holds for them all truth.”
Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, said educators love to learn, and the Symposium was going to help them teach young people about the beautiful Catholic faith and Catholic school culture, and learn about God’s truth, beauty and goodness.
“It is Truth with a capital T, that we will be exploring,” Father Belmonte said. “Teaching Truth has never been more difficult to teach. We are going to take those concepts and adapt them into something new.”
Father Robert Spitzer SJ, Ph. D., president of The Magis Center of Reason and Faith, spoke on “Truth of Creation and Science,” and focused on sharing the close connection among science, reason, and faith. The theme for Liz Repking, founder of Cyber Safety Consulting, was “Technology and the Truth of Now,” sharing the reality that children of all ages are online and the many dangers that go with that reality. Joe Allen, author of Dark Aeon: transhumanism and the War Against Humanity, spoke on “Dark Aeon: A.I. Challenges Faced by Youth,” which included information about the growing use of AI (artificial intelligence) in many aspects of life today and the types of threats this poses to people of all ages.
One teacher from St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral said the Symposium was one of the best events she had even been to, specifically because it covered relevant topics that concern teachers today. Many other teachers agreed, as it focused on a topic, teaching “Truth,” to students who get “truths” from many, often unfiltered, sources outside of the home or the classroom.
Father Belmonte presented the Charitas Awards, the highest Diocesan Education award given to faculty and leadership, nominated by their peers, for their constant exhibition and embodiment of the Virtue of Charity. Recipients are teachers and administrators who produce excellence in all that they do, including: radiates with care and compassion towards students and colleagues, treats others as brothers and sisters in Christ, embodies the Catholic Faith inside and outside the classroom, leads by example, and spreads Truth, Beauty and Goodness to those around them.
Teachers who have demonstrated leadership in STREAM and robotics education at their school were presented the Blue Apple Award. The color blue in the Bible has been described by scholars as denoting the Holy Spirit and Truth or service to God, as well as the waters of the new creation in the Book of Genesis, and most importantly the color blue is associated with our Blessed Mother.
Each Catholic school principal was also presented with an award of a crystal blue lily, representing the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, Father Belmonte was honored with a bronze fruit tree as a “Thank You” for helping to grow and improve the Diocesan Catholic schools. Additionally, Years of Service Awards were presented in categories of 10-15 years, 15-19 years, 20-25 years, 25-29 years, and more than 30 years. Maria Barbato, Director of School Counseling at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, was presented the Legacy Award for her 35 years of “Guiding God’s Children in the Diocese of Venice.” She is retiring at the end of the academic year.
The day concluded on a high note with an “after-school snack” which included an ice cream food truck, meaning everyone left the day with a big smile.
Congratulations to Diocese of Venice Seminarian Joseph Bao Quoc Nguyen was one of five men installed to the ministry of Acolyte on March 15, 2024, at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, presided over the Mass of Institution which plays a significant role in the formation of these men as they journey towards their ordination to the priesthood. As an Acolyte, the primary responsibility will be assisting the Deacon and priest during Mass, with a focus on ensuring the altar is prepared. They may also serve as Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass and bringing the Holy Eucharist to the sick.
Following the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Frank J. Dewane continued to celebrate Mass for students at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools during the Lenten Season. The most recent Masses were March 14, 2024, at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota, St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton on March 19 (the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria, on March 20. Bishop continued to encourage the students to finish the Lenten Season strong in preparation for Holy Week.
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice hosted a Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated in Italian on March 19, 2024, and included the active involvement of the Italian American Club of Venice. Following the Mass, the statue of St. Joseph was carried to the Parish Hall in a procession led by the Knights of Columbus. There, Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Cathedral Rector, blessed the traditional St. Joseph’s table of bread and sweets, which were later distributed.
The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School Roaring 20’s Gala & Auction took place on March 16, 2024, at the Vineyards Golf and Country Club in Naples. A vintage Duesenberg was on display as guests arrived, many of the woman in sequined flapper-style dresses with feather headbands, while the men dressed in 20’s style tuxedoes, complete with fedoras. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the guest of honor and thanked the parents for entrusting their children’s education to St. Elizabeth Seton. In addition, Bishop Dewane praised the faculty and staff for consistently delivering a quality education centered on faith, while also managing rapid growth and improvement of the school facilities.
An anniversary is an important time to look at the past, the present and into the future, Bishop Dewane said. The Bishop reflected upon how much the Parish has grown and transformed in the past 100 years while serving the needs of the faithful in the community. The first Masses in Sebring were celebrated in homes by Jesuit priests who would ride horses from Tampa. It was in 1920 when a Mission church in the Diocese of St. Augustine (which encompassed all of Florida at the time), was established in the name of St. Catherine of Siena.
Leila received her award on Feb. 14, 2024, following the Ash Wednesday Mass, during a presentation before the entire school. Her parents were present for the ceremony. She was one of 12 recipients nationwide, chosen from more than 1.6 million Catholic school students across the country. Laila was presented with a Chromebook tablet from Archangel Education + Technology, sponsor of National Catholic Schools Week (CSW), Jan. 28 – Feb. 3.
Three Diocese of Venice Catholic high school seniors have been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program! This is a great achievement for the students and for Catholic education in the Diocese of Venice. The finalists are Alexandra Mussey of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota and Patrick Dendis and Stephen Zell of Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. This honor places the three among the top one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Finalists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. The process to become a Finalist included submitting a detailed application with information about academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, as well as honors and awards received.
Construction on the new administration building at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples has begun. Work started in early February on the much-needed building which will serve as a safe, secure, single point of entry with reception area, offices for school staff, a clinic and conference room. Most importantly, the new building will free up valuable classroom space for the students! This project is part of a larger ongoing expansion effort which has been made possible by many generous donors.
