Office of the Bishop
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:
Reverend David Vidal, Pastor of Ave Maria Parish, is welcomed to the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice and is incardinated into said Diocese, effective November 21, 2023.
Reverend Augustine Twum Obour, Parochial Vicar of St. Agnes Parish, is welcomed to the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice and is incardinated into said Diocese, effective November 21, 2023.
Reverend Claudio Stewart, Administrator of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, is welcomed to the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice and is incardinated into said Diocese, effective November 22, 2023.
Reverend Juan Carlos Sack, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, is welcomed to the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice and is incardinated into said Diocese, effective November 22, 2023.
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for December - We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
Prayer for Peace - As tensions in the Middle East are rising, and the Israeli/Hamas War continues to cause destruction and loss of innocent lives, let us respond to the Holy Father’s call to pray for peace and reconciliation in these two countries. The flier below contains a Prayer for Peace that may be recited at Masses and shared in bulletins or on social media.
Decline to Sign Petition for Dangerous Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative- An extremely grave initiative is underway in Florida that seeks to erase pro-life protections by inserting language into the Florida Constitution banning regulation of abortion. Abortion activists are working to gather petition signatures to place a pro-abortion constitutional amendment, titled Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, on the November 2024 ballot. Floridians should not sign the petition.
A new ad series of 9 quarter-page ads has been developed to educate parishioners on the facts regarding the proposed amendment. The ads (in English and Spanish) can be found on the Diocesan website’s Respect Life page, at Respect Life - Diocese of Venice. Simply choose the desired ad in the series, right click, and save as an image, or, if working with a Mac, simply click on the image and then save to your computer. Alternatively, click on the list of direct links below the images. include one ad each week in your bulletin, for a period of nine weeks. It is imperative that parishioners are alerted to this extremely grave initiative already well underway in Florida! If you want the ads emailed directly to you contact Jeanne Berdeaux at berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.
Wedding Anniversary Mass - All couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more than 50 years of marriage are invited by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to an Anniversary Mass in their honor. The Anniversary Masses will be celebrated in two locations: 11 a.m., Saturday, February 3 at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs, and 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 24 at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Avenue West, Venice. Please contact your local parish office for reservations no later than one week before the event you choose to attend.
Save the Date - Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference - All are invited to attend the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, 5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. This effort, in support of the Church’s National Eucharistic Revival to place an emphasis on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, will be an all-day event of faith and fellowship, featuring inspirational Catholic speakers, including nationally acclaimed Catholic speaker and author Steven Ray. English and Spanish sessions will be offered. The day will include the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as adoration, and confessions. Promotion of this important Diocesan Eucharistic event is encouraged. For more information, please contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org. Please see below for a flier in both Spanish and English.
Volunteers Needed for Prison Outreach - Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach, distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will “shadow” experienced volunteers until you feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.
Catholic Street Evangelization - Interested in learning about Catholic Street Evangelization? If so, register now for the January 27 Saint Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) training at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, FL 34108. Registration deadline is January 23 at 11:59 pm.SPSE is a response to the mandate of Jesus Christ to “preach the Gospel to all nations…” taking the Catholic Faith to the streets. The organization seeks to train others to witness effectively to the truth, beauty, and goodness of Jesus and His Church in the public square. Saint Paul Street Evangelization is supported and encouraged by Bishop Frank Dewane. All Catholics who are 18 years of age and older are cordially invited to register. The cost is $15 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Please visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/2024-st-paul-street-evangelization to register. For other questions, please contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.
Education
Safe Environment Training - As part of the Safe Environment Program, the Diocese of Venice requires that all employees and those volunteers who work with children and/or vulnerable adults be fingerprinted and complete online training in Safe Environment prior to beginning employment or volunteering. Please visit the Diocese of Venice website for further information. To report any abuse against minors to the Florida Department of Children and Families please call 800-962-2873. Further, if Diocesan personnel or volunteers are involved, also notify the Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator, Susan Benton, at 941-416-6114. (BULLETIN EDITORS: Please publish above text in Parish bulletins.)
Save the Date - Medical professionals, students, and interested laypeople are invited to the first annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference on Saturday, February 17, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs! This one-day conference will offer continuing education credits for health care professionals with presentations centered on the theme of Catholic Medicine in a Secular Society. For more information or to register, visit convergingroads.com/venice. For further information please contact Carrie Harkey at harkey@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-484-9543.
Respect Life
Decline to Sign Petition for Dangerous Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative - An extremely grave initiative is underway in Florida that seeks to erase pro-life protections by inserting language into the Florida Constitution banning regulation of abortion. Abortion activists are working to gather petition signatures to place a pro-abortion constitutional amendment, titled Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, on the November 2024 ballot. Floridians should not sign the petition! (Bulletin Editors: Please insert image of Fact Ad to accompany this announcement, one a week for nine weeks, as below.)
Declinar a firmar la petición para una peligrosa iniciativa electoral a favor del aborto - Se está llevando a cabo una iniciativa extremadamente grave en la Florida que busca eliminar las protecciones provida insertando un lenguaje en la Constitución de la Florida que prohíbe la regulación del aborto. Los activistas abortistas están recolectando firmas de petición para colocar una enmienda constitucional a favor del aborto, titulada Enmienda para limitar la interferencia gubernamental con el aborto, en la boleta electoral de noviembre de 2024. Esta enmienda permitiría el aborto hasta el nacimiento, incluso cuando el bebé es capaz de sentir dolor, y eliminaría las leyes que requieren el consentimiento de los padres y los protocolos de seguridad para las mujeres. Los floridanos no deben firmar la petición.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center
Monthly Day of Prayer - The December Monthly Day of Prayer sessions will be held on Sunday, December 10 and Wednesday, December 13. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast, and includes two conferences, lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, private meditation, and prayer. The day concludes with Mass that ends at 3:15 p.m. For the December sessions, Fr. Mark Yavarone OMV, will be the presenter. The topic for the day is “How to Pray the Mass,” as Father Mark offers a profound method of praying the various parts of the Mass from the heart. The cost is $40. In January 2024 the Monthly Days of Prayer will be held on Wednesday, January 10, and Sunday January 14, 2024. The presenter will be Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV. The topic is the same for both sessions, so choose the day that works best for your schedule. To register, please visit:// https://olph-retreat.org/monthly-day-of-prayer.
Various Retreat Opportunities - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Drive, Venice, is open for several different retreat opportunities: 1) There are dates available for our Desert Day retreats, a one day overnight private retreat. 2) OLPH is offering single-day Youth Retreats for grades 6-12. 3) Dates are now available if you are interested in the 3-night, 5-night, or 7-night private, directed retreat schedule. To learn more or to register for a group or private retreat, please click here, or call 941-486-0233.
Youth and Young Adults
Theology on Tap Sarasota - Theology on Tap takes place on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mandeville Beer Garden in Sarasota, 428 N. Lemon Ave, Sarasota. Join us outside in the garden for food and refreshments, presentations, and discussions about the Catholic Faith. The next scheduled date is December 21 and will feature the Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice. For any questions, please email Jim Gontis.
Young Adult Group - The San Pedro Parish Young Adults group will meet at 6:00 p.m. each Tuesday in the Parish Life Center, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port. The group was founded to provide young adults with a local faith community striving to grow closer to Christ. The first round of meetings (each Tuesday now through December 12) will include watching a brief video series called “The Search,” followed by discussions and prayer. This is for men and women ages 18-29. For any questions, please contact the Parish Office at 941-426-2500.
Youth Holy Hour - Middle school, high school and college youth are invited to attend a Holy Hour once a month at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples. The hour will consist of Adoration, prayer and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The evening follows the 5:00 p.m. Mass and lasts until 7:00 p.m. The next Youth Holy Hour is Sunday, December 3, and January 7. For further information, please contact St. John the Evangelist Youth Ministry Director Juliana LoGiudice at juliana@sjecc.com.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
Faith & Ale Lee County - Faith & Ale is a Catholic Men’s group. Come and join in fellowship from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 14, at Church of the Resurrection Parish Center, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The speaker will be Adam Nguyen, Sr. Manager of Engineering & Construction at the Lee County Port Authority. Adam was born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated to the U.S. in 1985. He is a member of St. John XXIII Parish and serves as the president of the Vietnamese Catholic Community at the Parish. Adam will be speaking about My Escape from Postwar Vietnam where he shares his own journey to the United States. Pizza and refreshments are included for a $10 donation. Reservations are required - please register online at www.faithandale.com.
Gloria Concert - St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, is hosting a Gloria Concert at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 14. The FREE concert will include all the Parish choirs of various languages as well as a children’s pageant. For further details, please contact Nancy Spolsino at 239-774-3037.
Mass at Dawn (Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo) – The Mass at Dawn will take place at 6:00 a.m. from December 15 to December 23, with the exception of December 17 when Mass will be held at 8:00 a.m., at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 1441 Spear St., Port Charlotte. Come all days or come when you can. Mass at Dawn comes from the Catholic custom of gathering for celebration of the Eucharist in predawn hours in the nine days before Christmas. All are welcome. Please contact 941-661-8335 for further details.
The Glory of Christmas - The Adult Choir, along with soloists and an orchestra will be hosting two concerts this month at John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Avenue North, Naples. The first concert will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 17, and the second will be held at 11:00 p.m., Sunday, December 24. For further information, please contact the Parish Office at 239-566-8740.
Evening of Music - St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, is hosting an evening of Adoration and Sacred Music, at 6:30 p.m., Friday, January 5, in the Church. The evening will feature the Adult Choir along with Francesca La Rosa, a Catholic singer, composer, and author. There is no cost to attend, however, a goodwill offering will be appreciated.
Save the Date - Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Program - The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County invites all to the program “Jewish and Catholic Perspectives on Sin and Forgiveness,” at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, January 21, at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Father George Ratzmann, Pastor of St. William Parish in Naples, and Rabbi Mark Gross of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, will present their commentaries on the topic. Table discussions will follow the presentations and refreshments will be served. Please call 239-263-4205 to RSVP for this event.
Sunshine State Steak Cook-Off, Ave Maria - The 14th Annual Sunshine State Steak Cook-off® will be held Saturday, January 27. All are invited to share in the competition and the excitement, and a great meal including a 16 oz. boneless ribeye steak! As a Grill Team, you will join about 30 other Grill Teams in cooking more than 2,000 steaks in the town center of Ave Maria for more than $4,000 in cash prizes. To register your Grill Team, visit SunshineStateSteakCookoff.com and click on “Team Registration” near the top of the page. Since your friends and family will want to taste your steaks, be sure and get your dinner tickets early– tickets go fast! Steak tickets are available online at SunshineStateSteakCookoff.com or at the Ave Maria Development Welcome Center, 5076 Annunciation Circle, Suite 104, Ave Maria, or the Ave Maria Parish Office, 5078 Pope John Paul II Boulevard Suite 107, Ave Maria.
Save the Date - Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land - St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, is hosting Christopher West and Mike Mangione from the Theology of the Body Institute. This event, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 29, is an inspired blend of live music, art, and presentation that taps the deepest desires of the human heart and offers a vision of the Gospel like you’ve never heard. The cost is $25. For registration, please visit www.m4mnaplesfl.eventbrite.com. For further information, contact Natalie Campbell at natalie@sjecc.com or 239-566-8740 ext. 3909.
Save the Date - St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Naples, is hosting a Roaring 20’s Gala and Auction, Saturday, March 16 at the Vineyards Country Club, 400 Vineyards Blvd, Naples. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, silent/live auctions, entertainment, and dancing. For additional information, please contact the school at 239-455-2262.
Radio Broadcast of the Sunday Mass in Spanish - St. Jude Parish in Sarasota broadcasts the Holy Mass in Spanish, celebrated by Father Celestino Gutiérrez, every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on radio station 99.1 FM, and at 10:00 a.m. on 105.3 FM. A thank you is offered to the sponsors for this Mass and SOLMART Media for their collaboration in this effort.
Transmisión Radial de la Misa Dominical en Español - La Parroquia San Judas en Sarasota transmite la Santa Misa en español celebrada por el Padre Celestino Gutiérrez, todos los domingos a las 8:00 a.m. en la estación de radio 99.1 FM, y a las 10:00 a.m. en 105.3 FM. Se agradece a los patrocinadores de esta Misa y a SOLMART Media por su colaboración en este esfuerzo.
Free Rosary Repair Service - Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, Free Rosary Repair Service, 7930 Estero Blvd., Unit 502, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old rosaries are also accepted which will be repaired and sent to missions. Include a note indicating repair or donation. For more details, please call 239-463-3993, 860-595-6370, or email the Holdens.