usccb Archives - Diocese of Venice

Diocese offers examples of pro-life promotion

Posted on January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Catholics across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 22 to Friday, January 23, 2026, to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted each January by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. A contingent of more than 350 high school and college-aged young men and women will be participating in the Pro-Life activities in Washington.

The vigil has always taken place on the eve of the March for Life, which marks the date of the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. The Roe anniversary is observed on Jan. 22 as the National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.

Meanwhile, within the Diocese of Venice, there is a local example of how life is being promoted in a unique way.

Safe Haven baby box now available in Naples

Just in time for Christmas, a Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Collier County offering a safe, last resort for parents in crisis to surrender newborns anonymously, preventing abandonment and ensuring infant safety.

The box is situated at the front entrance of Collier County EMS Station 76, 990 Logan Boulevard, near Vanderbilt Beach Road, in North Naples, and was formally blessed and made operational on Dec. 19, 2025.

A Safe Haven Baby Box provides a secure, anonymous alternative for parents who feel unable to care for their newborn, and allows for for infant surrender under Florida’s Safe Haven Law. The system is climate-controlled, alarm-protected, contains a clear padded bassinet and is designed to immediately alert EMS personnel so that an infant receives prompt care.

Father Bob Kantor, Pastor at nearby St. Agnes Parish stated: “The Safe Haven Baby Box is another avenue to protect life in our community. It is not only a practical solution to a need but a visible sign in our area of the importance of offering viable alternatives for mothers under stress and a path to life for babies.”

It is hoped the Safe Haven Baby Box can prevent cases of abandonment in trash bins or on the side of the road, which puts a newborn child at imminent risk of death, as well as criminal charges being sought against the parents. It also presents a life-saving alternative to abortion.

There are currently more than 300 Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the United States, including seven in Florida. Nationwide, 73 babies under two months old have been safely surrendered through the boxes. Since the Florida Safe Haven Law was implemented in 2000, 436 babies have been surrendered, and at least three have been surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box.

40 Days for Life Spring Campaign

Looking forward, the Spring 40 Days for Life prayer campaign to end abortion in the United States will take place from Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Palm Sunday, March 29. Within the Diocese of Venice, peaceful prayer vigils will take place in front of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. To learn more about this campaign, please visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/.

Project Rachel

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. For assistance, please contact, Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/.

To learn more about Respect Life activities in the Diocese of Venice, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/, or contact Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org.

Many opportunities to support Pro-Life efforts in coming weeks

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Bob Reddy

In the 53 years since the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for legalized abortion in the United States in the infamous Roe v. Wade decision, more than 63 million innocent lives have been lost. However, since Roe was overturned by the Supreme Court by the Dobbs decision in 2022, great progress has been made to protect women and their preborn children in Florida.

“While significant gains to protect women and preborn children in recent years have been put in place, abortion in Florida will continue at a very high rate under our current laws,” Bishop Frank J. Dewane said. “We ask Our Lord to continue to give all the courage to speak up on this issue; to give us all the strength to continue to ask others to be part of this necessity, understanding that we are called to do this as men and women of God. We are grateful for the success realized, as God continues to journey with us and protect us along the way.”

Bishop Dewane, along with all Florida Bishops, has vowed to continue to proclaim in Parishes and in the public square the value of every human life and to highlight that there is a better way forward for women, families and society than abortion.

Keeping the unborn at the forefront of the public discussion remains critical, as Jan. 22, 2026, the Roe v. Wade anniversary, is now known as the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stated: “On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, and we praise God for the great opportunity state and federal legislators now have to protect pre-born children. While God, in His mercy, ended the nearly 50-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand, right now state and federal laws, in many instances, are still hostile to pre-born children. Every day, more than 2,350 children die to abortion in the United States. The shift that has taken place has moved from medical to chemical abortions. So, great prayer and advocacy is very needed.”

9 Days for Life novena

Encompassing the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, Catholics nationwide are also invited to pray “9 Days for Life,” an annual Respect Life novena starting Jan. 16.

Sponsored by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the USCCB, the novena began in 2013 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. While the 2022 Dobbs decision returned the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives at federal and state levels, continuing efforts are needed to protect children and their mothers from the tragedy of abortion. Since the novena began, it has reached hundreds of thousands of people in over one hundred countries spanning six continents.

The overarching intention of the novena is the end to abortion. Each daily prayer intention highlights a related topic and is accompanied by a reflection, educational information, and suggested daily actions. All are invited to sign up! Participants may access the novena or subscribe to receive the daily prayers by email or text message in English at 9daysforlife.com or in Spanish at respectlife.org/9-dias-por-la-vida.

Marches for Life

There are a number of events taking place locally to commemorate the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children and beyond.

Coming up first, there are two different March for Life events on Jan. 17, one in Ave Maria, and one in Tampa. Both offer the opportunity, through prayer, music and inspiring speeches, to raise awareness and advocate for life in Southwest Florida with others dedicated to the pro-life mission.

A March for Life at the Ave Maria University Football Stadium, 5050 Ave Maria Blvd., is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 17. Speakers include Bishop Joseph Coffey, Archdiocese of Military Services, USA, as well as several members of the University and Parish pro-life community. For more information contact amprespectlifeministry@gmail.com.

A Tampa March for Life will begin at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in Tampa and travel to Perry Harvey Sr. Park. This event is organized by our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. For more information, visit https://www.dosp.org/2026MarchRSVP/.

Culture of Life Luncheon

The following day, Jan. 18, there is an opportunity to celebrate and support the ministries that walk alongside mothers, fathers and families every single day by participating in the Culture of Life Luncheon at noon at San Pedro Parish, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port.

The Culture of Life Luncheon is a gathering to celebrate, strengthen, and support the incredible pro-life work happening right here in our community. Speakers will include Bishop Frank J. Dewane; Tavia Ames, Respect Life Director for the Diocese of Venice; as well as representatives from Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities; Pregnancy Solutions; SOLVE Maternity Homes; Community Pregnancy Clinics; and Support After Abortion. The Culture of Life is not just a cause – it’s a calling. Your presence helps lift up these ministries, strengthen the pro-life mission in our region, and ensure that more families receive hope, support, and the love of Christ in their moment of need. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/culture-of-life-luncheon.

National March for Life

One week later is the National March for Life (Jan. 22-23), when tens of thousands of pro-lifers will converge in Washington, D.C., including a group of about 350 youth and young adults from the Diocese of Venice. Even with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the work to build a culture of life and put an end to abortion is not done; the effort continues at both state and federal levels. In fact, protecting life has gotten even more complex, with the advance and prevalence of the abortion pills, and their easy, anonymous distribution. Join these inspiring, peaceful, and vibrant rallies to fight for life.

Event supporting CPCI Sarasota

Community Pregnancy Clinics of Sarasota will host its “Heart of Sarasota” event, “Together Miracles Happen,” at 5 p.m. Jan. 24, at GROVE Event Venue, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. The evening will feature Melissa Ohden, Founder and Director of The Abortion Survivors Network, as the keynote speaker. Ohden is nationally recognized for her advocacy and powerful testimony, offering a message of hope and resilience. This event is free to attend, but registration is required. To RSVP or make a donation, please visit https://supportcpci.com/2026-sarasota-event/. For event questions, please contact sarasotaevent@community4life.com.

40 Days for Life Spring Campaign

Project Rachel

Examining the Issues of the Day . . . In Church?! Yes!

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Bob Reddy

The Church’s Role in Matters of State

By Karen Barry Schwarz, Special to the Florida Catholic

Some have said that the Church has no place in politics, and it is true that the Church is non-partisan and would never presume to tell you for whom to vote. However, the Church plays an important role here, which is not only to encourage the faithful to carry out their responsibilities in political life, but to help them to do so regarding the issues.

Bishops, aided by priests, deacons, and lay ministry, must share pertinent Catholic Social Teaching and guidance on the moral dimensions of the issues of the day, particularly involving public decisions with real and lasting consequences. Church Teaching and Mission, such as the defense of human life, the innate dignity of every human being, and dignity and the protection of the weak and vulnerable, must be shared, and advanced. These are but a few examples of what must be defended.

History of the Catholic Church and The State

The close relationship between the Catholic Church and the state has a long history, dating all the way back to the year 494. In the document Famuli Vestrae Pietatis, written by Pope Gelasius I to the Emperor, the Pope expresses that the Church and the state should work together in society, and that the state should recognize the Church’s role in society, with the Church holding superiority in moral matters, and the state in temporal matters.

More recently, the 1965 Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes, “Joy and Hope”), points out that “the Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel.” Here the Church not only recognizes but also encourages the role of the laity in the life of the Church in the secular world, viewing the laity as much-needed agents of change in order to bring about a transformation of society more in line with Catholic teaching.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our Catholic Catechism, and in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

It is necessary that all participate, each according to his/her position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person . . . As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life (CCC 1913-1915).
The social duty of Christians is to respect and awaken in each man/woman the love of the true and the good . . . Christians are called to be the light of the world. Thus, the Church shows forth the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies (CCC 2105).

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

To facilitate the Church’s role in shaping a moral society and getting involved in the issues of our time, the U.S. Bishops offer a teaching document to guide Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-and-peace/forming -consciences-faithful-citizenship).

“The obligation to teach the moral truths that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to the mission given to the Church by Jesus Christ. Moreover, the United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak up without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Indeed, our Church’s teaching is in accord with the foundational values that have shaped our nation’s history: ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’” the guide explains.

From Bishop Frank J. Dewane

“The Church’s obligation to participate in civil discourse is a basic part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ, who offers a vision of life revealed to us in Sacred Scripture and Tradition,” explains Bishop Frank J. Dewane. “As such, standing for, or against, issues that support or undermine Catholic values is a responsibility of all people of faith, including clergy. This kind of political participation reflects the social teaching of our Church and the best traditions of our nation.”

Bishop Dewane points to this election year, and specifically the dangerous and misleading pro-abortion amendment, Amendment 4, as things that should be top of mind for all Catholics in Florida right now.

“It is my hope that you will receive your Parish’s guidance regarding the issues of the day with an open heart, and an open mind, and that you will let your conscience guide your voting decisions this fall,” said Bishop Dewane. “Specifically, I hope you will vote no on the dangerous pro-abortion Amendment 4! When confronted with issues that represent a threat to our shared Catholic values, the Church must not be silent and simply cannot remain on the sidelines.”

Prayer

May God bless you as you consider and pray over your voting decisions in this Election Year. May God bless our nation with true wisdom, peace, and mutual forgiveness, that we may decide together, through our democratic processes, to uphold the dignity of life and the common good. Amen.

“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:1)

Religious Freedom Week observed June 22-29

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Bob Reddy

The Feasts of Ss. Thom6as More and John Fisher on June 22, 2024, mark the start of Religious Freedom Week, a call by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for all Catholics across the United States to pray, reflect on, and promote religious freedom.

The annual observance includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, and ends with the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29.

Sponsored by the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, Religious Freedom Week encourages Catholics to do their part to promote civility by recognizing the dignity of all people and inviting others to do the same.

This year, with the theme of “Called to the Fullness of Dignity,” Religious Freedom Week highlights concern about attacks on houses of worship, and calls attention to threats to Catholic ministries that serve immigrants. The attacks on both sacred spaces and ministries to migrants reflect the political and cultural polarization that has come to characterize so much of American life.

Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encourages the faithful of the Diocese to be aware of the challenges in today’s society including the threats to religious freedom faced both domestically and abroad.

Bishop Dewane said religious worship connects us with God, and one another, something that is protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“When protected by law, religious freedom benefits not only the Christian, but also society, which can only be strengthened by the Christian’s free witness to the truth of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Dewane said.

During Religious Freedom Week, Catholics are encouraged to pray each day for specific related causes. Through prayer, reflection, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB hopes to promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths.

Each day of Religious Freedom Week has a particular focus with topics including: respect for sacred spaces; blasphemy and apostasy laws; freedom to speak the truth; service to immigrants; India; faith at work; civility; and Catholic healthcare. The USCCB provides “Pray-Reflect-Act” resources which are available at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

The themes of Religious Freedom Week take on a special importance this year as there is a General Election which includes the voting for the next president and vice-president, the entire U.S. House of Representatives, 1/3 of the U.S. Senate, and many state and local offices.

Further, the faithful may connect with the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty by texting FREEDOM to 84576 or signing up at First Freedom News: Monthly Newsletter | USCCB. Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, Catholics can promote the essential right of religious freedom not only for Catholics, but for those of all faiths.

Materials prepared by the USCCB for Religious Freedom Week are made available to help people understand religious liberty from a Catholic perspective, reflect on the application, pray about particular issues, and act on what they learn by advocating for policies that promote religious freedom.

Additional USCCB materials can be found in English and Spanish at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

Special collection aids Diocesan hurricane recovery

Posted on November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 by Bob Reddy

The Diocese of Venice continues its recovery from Hurricane Ian which devastated the region on Sept. 28, 2022, with winds up to 155 mph and storm surge and flooding rains.

The recovery has been aided thanks to the kindness of many who saw the plight of the Parishes in the Diocese of Venice and contributed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2022 Special Collection for the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund. The Diocese of Venice has been awarded $1.383 million from the USCCB collection.

Since the time of the founding of the Diocese in 1984, the faithful have generously responded to help others through special collections, and now this generosity is coming back to our own Diocese, as it did following Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said he was personally grateful, on behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Venice, “to all of the people who contributed to the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund Special Collection in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The devastation to communities in the area, and even to the infrastructure of the Diocese, was catastrophic. Even today, as families continue the process of rebuilding, so do our Diocesan Parishes. I also wish to thank my fellow Bishops who saw the need in the Diocese of Venice and were generous to those Parishes who were most burdened financially when disaster struck.”

Ian took a heavy toll on the Diocese of Venice, with more than 685 reports of damage to various structures. Significant damage was found in more than 400 structures, including at 30 Parishes and 10 Catholic schools, as well as at many other Diocesan entities. The resulting cost to rebuild exceeded what many Parishes could begin to manage.

Bishop Dewane, on behalf of the Diocese of Venice, made a formal request for grant money raised through the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund. This application included a complete description of damages, with accompanying photos, as well as the entities financial situations.

At a USCCB meeting, the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions awarded a $1.383 million grant from the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund to the Diocese of Venice. This grant money was designated to assist 13 Parishes in the Diocese that serve impoverished communities and had sustained severe damage from Hurricane Ian. The funds received covered a significant portion of the insurance deductibles – in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars – and costs that Parishes owed for new roofs, mold mitigation, and other repairs that otherwise didn’t have resources.

Parishes receiving a portion of the grant monies included Jesus the Worker (San Jose Mission), Fort Myers; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Sarasota; San Antonio, Port Charlotte; St. Andrew, Cape Coral; St. Catherine, Sebring; St. Charles Borromeo, Port Charlotte; St. James, Lake Placid; St. Joseph the Worker, Moore Haven; St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral; St. Maximilian Kolbe, Port Charlotte; St. Michael, Wauchula; St. Paul, Arcadia; and St. Francis Xavier, Fort Myers.

The Bishops’ Emergency Disaster fund was established as a way for Dioceses to take up special collections in response to disasters and humanitarian crises. The fund supports USCCB efforts for pastoral and reconstruction efforts.

“St. Paul wrote that when one Christian suffers, all Christians suffer – because we are all part of one Body of Christ,” said Bishop James S. Wall of Gallup, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on National Collections. “That unity is the heart of (special) collections. They bring faith, hope, and love to people in despair… and to disaster victims in our own nation.”

Bishop Dewane and Diocese of Venice Chancellor Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk visited impacted Parishes to see firsthand the extent of the damages and to learn of specific financial hardship. Parishes reported severe damage to churches, rectories and other Parish facilities.

Grant awards were announced in July, with the Diocese of Venice awarded $1.383 million. Smeryk said the grants assisted substantially in helping the most impoverished Parishes to recover from Ian faster than would otherwise have been possible.

In addition to the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund grants, the Diocese was also the beneficiary of emergency grants from Catholic Charities USA in the weeks following the storm, support which continues to this day. This support went to the immediate disaster response, helping people with emergency supplies such as food and water. Catholic Charities USA’s generous contribution continues to help even today, now providing long-term disaster recovery and financial assistance for families who continue to rebuild from Hurricane Ian more than one year later.

Religious Freedom Week June 22-29

Posted on June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 by Bob Reddy

The Feasts of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher on June 22, 2023, mark the start of Religious Freedom Week, a call by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for all Catholics across the United States to pray, reflect on, and to promote religious freedom.

It is appropriate that the week begins on such a day, as Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher are remembered for being martyred in 1535 for standing up for the Sanctity of Marriage and the Freedom of the Church in opposition to England’s King Henry VIII. Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher show us what faithful citizenship looks like. They loved and served their country, but they put God first!

Continuing through the Solemnity of Ss. Peter & Paul the Apostles on June 29, the Religious Freedom Week 2023 theme is “Embracing the Divine Gift of Freedom.”

During Religious Freedom Week, Catholics are encouraged to pray each day for specific causes related to religious freedom. The USCCB’s “Pray – Reflect – Act” Series aims to help Catholics build solidarity with people of faith who are persecuted and find strength to carry out the mission of the Church. Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all. The Diocese of Venice joins with other Dioceses in promoting Religious Freedom Week.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encourages the faithful of the Diocese to be aware of the challenges in today’s society including the threats to religious freedom faced both domestically and abroad.

In a video message about Religious Freedom Week (found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/religious-freedom-week-june-22-29-2023), Bishop Dewane said: “Jeremiah reminds us of the Christian duty to speak up, speak out, particularly in situations where the Gospel is mocked, or rejected. This is not an easy assignment! But it is what God wants of us.”

Bishop Dewane explained that religious worship connects us with God, and one another. It is something that is protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “When protected by law, religious freedom benefits not only the Christian, but also society, which can only be strengthened by the Christian’s free witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”

The USCCB provides “Pray-Reflect-Act” resources at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek. Each day of Religious Freedom Week has a particular focus with topics including: respect for sacred spaces; seal of Confession; Nicaragua; religious student groups; religious freedom in Nigeria; faith at work; service to immigrants and refugees, and Catholic healthcare.

Bishop Dewane also encouraged the faithful to “embrace – this week especially, during Religious Freedom Week — the divine God-given gift of freedom. It is not always easy. In a world devastated by sin, doing justice, speaking truthfully, treating all people with dignity, will almost certainly, at some point, bring one into conflict with others. Take courage and know that you are doing what God asks of you. Call to mind the words of Jesus: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father (Mathew 10:32).”

Through prayer, reflection, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB hopes to promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths.

Additional USCCB materials can be found in English and Spanish at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.

Walking with Moms in Need – Program embraces and supports pregnant mothers

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Bob Reddy

By Jeanne Berdeaux, Special to the Florida Catholic

Would you know how to help a pregnant woman in need? Maybe it’s your daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, sister, or neighbor. Maybe it’s someone you see in a store, restaurant, or church. Perhaps she is crying, looks distraught or is obviously being treated poorly by someone. Through a new national initiative from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called Walking with Moms in Need, now you will know how to help.

Walking with Moms in Need teaches parishioners how to help pregnant women in need, starting by letting them know they are not alone. The nationwide Catholic program calls

every parishioner to learn the names of their local pregnancy help centers, the first responders for women with unexpected or difficult pregnancies.

There are over 3,000 pregnancy help centers across the country. They have many different names, but they are staffed with people dedicated to helping pregnant women make the right life-affirming choice and find the help they need.

Pregnancy help centers, once referred to as crisis pregnancy centers, provide accurate information about a woman’s options, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, maternity and baby clothes, diapers, and other material needs, all free of charge. They also have a list of resources in the community for financial help, food, and other needs.

If a woman needs a place to stay and extra help throughout her pregnancy, the pregnancy help center staff will assist her in finding a maternity home and later an after-birth home where she will receive help to welcome her child into the world.

Many centers also reach out to the father of the child, helping him to become the father that the child needs and the support that the mother needs. Both the mom and the dad will be helped to realize that they are already parents.

Did you know that over 90 percent of women who see their child via ultrasound choose life? They may see their child sucking her thumb, waving, kicking, or jumping around in the amniotic fluid in the womb. They see that the baby is truly a human being, not just a clump of cells. Every pregnancy help center in the Diocese has an ultrasound machine, most provided by the Knights of Columbus.

In the Diocese of Venice, Parishes will initiate the new Walking with Moms in Need program with prayer and bulletin ads, posters, and other means of communication to point pregnant women in the right direction. Parish volunteers are encouraged to visit the pregnancy help centers in their area, meet with staff, and explore ways the Parish can help the center and their clients. Volunteers are needed to help with many tasks, from answering phones, sorting baby clothes, helping with mailings, and much more.

Perhaps a woman is looking for a Catholic Parish where she can return to her roots in the Catholic Church. Recently a Parish volunteer was able to welcome a new resident at Mass who moved into a local maternity home away from her home Parish. In another part of the Diocese, volunteers from two Parishes worked together to help a pregnant woman with material needs, providing a crib, stroller, furniture, and baby items. Catholic Charities and Pennies for Babies helped with rent and utility bills to keep the family from being evicted or having their electricity turned off.

To volunteer for Walking with Moms in Need, or to help your Parish introduce the program, visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/walking-with-moms-in-need. If you know of someone who is local, pregnant and needs help immediately, click the “I’m Pregnant” button at that link. If she lives elsewhere there is helpful information available at www.optionline.org. (Note: All Diocesan resources are available in Spanish.)

The demand for abortion will not just disappear, regardless of the upcoming Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion in America. Even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, and we hope and pray it is, abortion will not automatically become illegal; instead, it will go back to the states to decide. It is up to us, especial those of us who are Catholic, to make abortion unthinkable and offer better alternatives to women facing unexpected and difficult pregnancies.

Would you know how to help a pregnant woman in need? Now you will, with Walking with Moms in Need. Let her know she is not alone.

Jeanne Berdeaux is the Diocese of Venice Respect Life Director.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about Walking with Moms in Need, visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife or contact the Respect Life Office at 941-441-1101.

List of pregnancy help centers in Diocese:

Palmetto – North River Care PC* – https://www.northrivercare.org/ – 941-729-9004

Bradenton – CareNet Manasota PC* – https://carenetmanasota.com/ – 941-751-1966

Sarasota – My Choice PC* – http://www.mychoicepregnancycenter.com/ – 941-351-3007; Community PC – https://communitypregnancyclinic.com/- 941-260-5427;
Sarasota Medical PC*; – https://www.sarasotapregnancy.com/ – 941-330-2273

Venice – Pregnancy Solutions – https://pregnancysolutions.org/ – 941-408-7100; North Port – 941-257-8270; Port Charlotte – 941-883-6346

Fort Myers – Community Pregnancy Clinics* – https://communitypregnancyclinic.com/- 239-689-1543; Verity Pregnancy & Medical Resource Center – http://www.veritypmc.com/ – 239-433-1929; Pregnancy Resource Center – https://www.prcnaples.org/ – 239-990-8186

Naples – Pregnancy Resource Center – https://www.prcnaples.org/ – 239-280-5523; Community Pregnancy Clinics – https://communitypregnancyclinic.com/ – two locations – 239-262-6381 or 239-778-8282

Immokalee – Immokalee PC* – https://www.immokaleepregnancy.com/ – 239-657-2016

Avon Park, Wauchula, Sebring, Lake Placid – Choices Family Resource Centers – https://choicesfrc.com/ – 863-453-0307

*Help available in Spanish

Residential facilities:

Bradenton, Sarasota and Englewood – Solve – 941-748-0094 – solvehomes.org

Venice – Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. –941-485-6264 – catholiccharitiesdov.org

Fort Myers – Our Mother’s Home of Southwest Florida – 239-267-4663 – ourmothershome.com

Cape Coral – Thrive –239-242-7238 – thriveswfl.org

Naples – Sunlight Home – 239-352-0251 – sunlighthome.org

Naples – Providence House – 239-692-8779 – providencehousenaples.org

Material Needs: Venice Area Pregnancy Care Center – 941-485-1776 – vapcc.org

Project Rachel

Most women who choose abortion eventually realize that they made the wrong choice and face a lifetime of regret. Even if they confess this sin to a priest, they often find it difficult to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive themselves. They will often confess the same sin over and over. Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s program to help women and men come to terms with an abortion decision and find the hope and healing they need. Watch for more on post-abortion healing in the next edition of The Florida Catholic. For confidential help, call 941-412-5860 or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org.

How to help

If you would like to help pregnant women in need financially, consider giving to the Pennies for Babies Fund. Send checks (not cash) to Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. All donations go directly to rent, utilities and special needs of pregnant moms who choose to parent their child.

USCCB Statement

USCCB Pro-Life Chairman Urges Faithful to Pray in Response to Leak of Draft Supreme Court Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

May 4, 2022

WASHINGTON – In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following call to prayer:

“The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization reminds us of the urgent need for prayer and action at this pivotal moment in our country.

“As Catholics, we care about every unborn child and every mother. Our Church has consistently witnessed in word and deed that life begins at the moment of conception. As the bishops shared in our statement Standing with Moms in Need: we pledge ‘to redouble our efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, and during the early years of parenthood, offering them loving and compassionate care through initiatives such as Walking with Moms in Need and countless others.’

“At the same time, as we await the Court’s decision, we urge everyone to intensify their prayer and fasting that the final decision of the Court will bring about the reversal of Roe and Casey.

“We hope and pray for a change in our laws and stand ready to help all pregnant women in need in each of our communities.

“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us and guide us.”

Novena to Christ the King begins today

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Bob Reddy

For the nine days leading up to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is suggesting that the faithful pray a novena to Christ the King.

“Let us offer our prayers to Christ the King for the freedom of the Church,” the USCCB urges. Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.

The novena begins Nov. 12, 2021 and concludes on the eve of the Solemnity, Nov. 20. To participate in the novena visit www.dioceseofvenice.org.

The idea behind the novena is that religious freedom is under attack in many places. Worldwide, it is estimated that upwards of 4 billion people (51% of the global population) live in countries that have intense violations of religious freedom.

Domestically, a major area of concern continues to be freedom for Catholic institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and child welfare service providers, to carry out their missions free from government intervention

If anyone wonders why Religious Freedom needs to be defended in the U.S., they need look no further than the frequent headlines about religious institutions being forced to pay for abortions in health care coverage, going against the teachings of the faith in defense of life from conception to natural death. Individuals have faced lawsuits for refusing to perform a service (bake a wedding cake, host an event) for same-sex couples because that violates their personally held faith-based beliefs.

Religious freedom is a human right, essential to the dignity of the human person and the flourishing of all that is noble in us. It should be noted that religious freedom does not exist to protect the government from religion, but religion from government intervention.

Another form of suppressing religious freedom is the disturbing trend in the past 18 months of overt acts of vandalism at Catholic sites globally and in the U.S. Since May 2020, the USCCB stated that more than 100 incidents of vandalism have been reported, including within the Diocese of Venice.

On Oct. 10, 2021, the USCCB responded to the latest such incident in Denver, Colorado, when satanic and other hateful graffiti was scrawled on the walls before Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

In a statement from the USCCB condemning the incident in Denver, it was noted in part: “These incidents of vandalism have ranged from the tragic to the obscene, from the transparent to the inexplicable. There remains much we do not know about this phenomenon, but at a minimum, they underscore that our society is in sore need of God’s grace… where the motive was retribution for some past fault of ours, we must reconcile; where misunderstanding of our teachings has caused anger toward us, we must offer clarity; but this destruction must stop. This is not the way… These are not mere property crimes – this is the degradation of visible representations of our Catholic faith. These are acts of hate.”

The Solemnity of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in his 1925 encyclical Quas primas (In the first), setting aside a special day so that “the Catholic Church, which is the kingdom of Christ on earth, destined to be spread among all men and all nations, should with every token of veneration salute her Author and Founder in her annual liturgy as King and Lord, and as King of Kings” [Quas primas 12].

Celebrated on the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, this year the Solemnity is Nov. 21. The USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty has urged “that the Solemnity of Christ the King – a feast born out of resistance to totalitarian incursions against religious liberty – be a day specifically employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both here and abroad.”

“For Christians, when our faith is repeatedly marginalized in public life, we can fall into the habit of compartmentalizing our lives,” the USCCB website states in its article “About Christ the King.” “We love Jesus in our private lives, but we shrink from acknowledging the kingship of Christ in social life. When we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, we declare to the world and remind ourselves that Jesus is the Lord of the Church and of the entire universe.”

Once again, if you wish to participate in the novena to the Christ the King, please visit www.dioceseofvenice.org.

News Briefs for Week of Sept. 17, 2021

Posted on September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 by Bob Reddy

Civilize it! Campaign Relaunched

It was during the 2019-2020 election cycle that Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, encouraged all to take a Pledge entitled “Civilize It!” for a more enlightened political season. On September 7, 2021, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) relaunched Civilize it: A Better Kind of Politics, to address the polarization in society. Join Catholics across the Diocese of Venice in taking the Civilize It Pledge to engage individuals, families, and communities in a dialogue of bridgebuilding. Visit https://www.usccb.org/civilizeit and sign the Pledge today.

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where uncivil words prevail, show me how to model love.

Help me remember the God-given dignity of all and invite others to do the same.

Show me how to build bridges and not walls and see first what unites us rather than how we diverge.

Let me seek to understand before asking to be understood.

Give me a listening heart filled with empathy and compassion.

May I be clear in sharing my own position and respectful and civil in describing those of others.

Let me never tolerate hateful ideas.

May I invite all to charity and love.

Lord, help me to imitate your compassion and mercy.

Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen

School benefactor dies

Louis Zazarino, a supporter of St. Martha Catholic School and St. Mary Catholic Academy in Sarasota died Sept. 4, 2021. He was 78. A devoted parishioner of St Martha Parish in Sarasota, Zazarino took great joy in giving back. He loved dancing, horses, and cars. Those who knew him loved him for his humor, humanity, and humility. He will be dearly missed by his family and children. A social media post from St. Mary Catholic Academy stated, “His legacy as a supporter of Catholic Education will never be forgotten. The Zazarino Center of St. Martha and St. Mary will serve as a reminder of his generosity, love and support forever. May God grant him eternal rest.” A similar post was made by St. Martha Catholic School. A funeral Mass, celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, was Sept. 9, 2021 at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota.

Venice CCW member named to State Board

Brenda Dolan, Immediate Past President of the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, has been installed as President, Provincial Director-Elect Florida Council of Catholic Women (FCCW) Board. The new Board members were installed at the Province Dinner on Aug. 26, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. This was part of the 101st National CCW Convention. In June 2021, Dolan, of St. Therese Parish in North Fort Myers, completed a two-year term as Co-President of the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was President for two years before that. Several women from the Diocese of Venice also serve on FCCW committees, including Iris Gomez, Legislative Advocacy Co-Chair; Ellen Bachman, Our Lady of Good Counsel Co-Chair; Dolan, By Laws Committee Chair. The current Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women President is Josephine Weiss.

Giving back on Labor Day

Students and faculty from St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples gave up some of their Labor Day holiday to help distribute food at nearby St. Elizabeth Seton Parish. Under the portico in front of the Parish Church, the students and faculty helped to load vehicles with food for families in need. Among the helpers were four Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, who serve at St. John Neumann, including Principal Sister Patricia Roche.

Blizzards in a jar

For students learning in Florida it is pretty rare for them to experience a blizzard, but with a little bit of science kindergarteners and first graders at St. Mary Catholic Academy created their own blizzards – in a jar, of course. These students took part in the science experiment during class on Sept. 9, 2021 in Sarasota. Here’s how it works: Because oil is less dense than water, the water will naturally sink to the bottom of the jar. When the Alka-Seltzer is dropped into the jar, its interaction with the water creates pressure in an upward direction, and the oil pushes it back down. This pressure back and forth is part of what creates the snowstorm. The other element is the interaction between water and sodium bicarbonate in the Alka-Seltzer, which generates carbon dioxide gas. The combination of these factors creates a blizzard every time! The students had a blast!

Happy Birthday Mary

On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sept. 8, 2021, students at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers by making their own Mary statues and writing the Blessed Virgin birthday cards.

Science students learn about hurricanes and earthquakes

Students in an Environmental Science class at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers learned about the impact of hurricanes and earthquakes on structures in a Sept. 8, 2021 lab where they created their own houses.

Bishop celebrates Mass at Mooney

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, joined by Father Eric Scanlan, Chaplain of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, receives the gifts presented by students during the school Mass held on September 14, 2021.

Religious Liberty Week June 22-29

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Bob Reddy

The Feast of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher on June 22, 2021 marks the start of Religious Freedom Week, a call by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for all Catholics across the United States to pray, reflect and take action in support of Religious Liberty in our country and abroad.

Continuing through the Solemnity of Ss. Peter & Paul the Apostles on June 29, 2021, the Religious Freedom Week theme is “Solidarity in Freedom,” and stems from a Pope Francis quote: “Solidarity means much more than engaging in sporadic acts of generosity. It means thinking and acting in terms of community.” This quote is from the Pope Francis encyclical “Fratelli tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship)” which was released in October 2020.

The Diocese of Venice joins with other Dioceses to promote Religious Freedom Week. Bishop Frank J. Dewane encourages the faithful of the Diocese of Venice to educate themselves about the issues of religious freedom but to be aware of the threats faced both domestically and abroad.

The USCCB has prepared resources which may be found at: www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek. Each day focuses on different religious liberty topics of concern for the U.S. Bishops.

The USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty collaborated with the Office of International Justice and Peace to raise awareness and show solidarity with people throughout the world who suffer for their faith, from the persecution of Christians in Nicaragua to highlighting Pope Francis’s trip to Iraq this year. Domestically, a major area of concern continues to be freedom for Catholic institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and child welfare service providers, to carry out their missions free from government intervention..

Materials prepared by the USCCB are made available to help people understand religious liberty from a Catholic perspective, reflect on the application, pray about particular issues, and act on what they learn by advocating for policies that promote religious freedom.

Through prayer, reflection, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB hopes to promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths.

The USCCB materials can be found in English (https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week) and in Spanish (https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/semana-de-la-libertad-religiosa).

Connect with the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty by texting “FREEDOM” or “LIBERTAD” to 84576 and sign up for the First Freedom News, the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty’s monthly newsletter.