April 5, 2024
Office of the Bishop
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for April - We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
Extreme Abortion Amendment Decision - On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court approved the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” It will appear on the November 2024 ballot. This is disappointing and dangerous news. Please read below a statement from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and print it in your next bulletin. Note Executive Director Michael Sheedy’s comment that “The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops will work hard to oppose this cruel and dangerous amendment and urge all Floridians to vote “no” on Amendment 4.” The Diocese will be working together with other organizations within the state through the Political Action Committee, Florida Voters Against Extremism, to educate all Floridians about the dangers of this proposed amendment. Resources and materials are now being developed and will be shared in the coming weeks; stay tuned for how you can best help to get the word out! If you have any questions, please contact Diocesan Respect Life Director Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068. See below for a prayer.
Florida Supreme Court Rules that Florida’s Privacy Clause Does Not Guarantee the Right to Abortion - On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court released another decision on abortion, ruling that the right to privacy clause in Florida’s constitution does not guarantee the right to receive an abortion, reversing an earlier, 1989 decision. The new ruling paves the way for a limit on abortion after six-weeks’ gestation, the stage in development when a heartbeat is first detectable, to go into effect on May 1. Passed by the legislature and signed by the governor during the 2023 session, this bill was a 2023 Catholic Days at the Capitol issue. “We are profoundly relieved that the Florida Supreme Court has receded from previous rulings that bent the state constitution’s privacy clause to allow for abortion deep into pregnancy," said Michael B. Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB). "For far too long, the privacy clause has been misused to prevent reasonable and meaningful protections for the preborn and their mothers. We are grateful to all who worked for, advocated for, and prayed for passage of this critical legislation and this lifesaving ruling from the court."
Almost Sold Out! National Eucharistic Congress Pilgrimage with Bishop Frank J. Dewane - Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites the Faithful of the Diocese of Venice to join him on a Pilgrimage to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. This historic 5-day gathering will take place in Indianapolis July 17 – 21, 2024. The National Eucharistic Congress represents the culmination of the Church’s three-year effort to put an emphasis on the Real Presence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Eucharist. This is a pivotal moment in the Church, and a unique opportunity for participants to draw into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Our Lord. The cost of the Diocese of Venice pilgrimage package is $1,049. With the package, pilgrims receive the National Eucharistic Congress 5-day pass, which provides access to all speakers and events, as well as four nights’ accommodations in a 4-star hotel within walking distance of the convention center. Please note, the pilgrimage package does not include transportation or meals. Only a few packages remain! Don’t miss this opportunity! Deadline to reserve is April 17. Learn more by using the QR code below or visit this link. Contact Jim Gontis @ dioceseofvenice.org to register or for further information.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - The Catholic Bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, a teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement includes guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. The Bishops urge pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order. See below for the document and Bulletin Announcements for more.
Formando Conciencias para Ciudadanos Fieles - Los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos se complacen en ofrecer una vez más a los fieles católicos, un documento de enseñanza sobre la responsabilidad política de los católicos. Esta declaración incluye una guía para los católicos en el ejercicio de sus derechos y deberes como participantes en nuestra democracia. Los obispos exhortan a los pastores, a los fieles laicos y religiosos, y a todas las personas de buena voluntad a utilizar esta declaración para ayudar a formar sus conciencias; enseñar a los que se le confían a su cuidado; contribuir al diálogo público civilizado y respetuoso; y dar forma a las opciones políticas en las próximas elecciones a la luz de la enseñanza católica. La declaración exalta nuestra doble herencia como fieles católicos y ciudadanos estadounidenses con derechos y deberes como participantes en el orden civil. Véase más abajo para el español.
Communications
"Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" - Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly radio program on Relevant Radio on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples. "Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" can be heard at 8:30 a.m. on April 26. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available here.
"Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" - Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly radio program on Relevant Radio on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples. "Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" can be heard at 8:30 a.m. on April 26. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available here.
Are you a Flocknote Parish yet? - Flocknote is a Catholic email and text message delivery system, specifically designed for ease of use! Flocknote provides access to simple, drop-in Catholic content for your emails or texts, and is a great way to engage your flock. The Diocese of Venice, and many individual Parishes in the Diocese, now use Flocknote. It’s easy to get started, and for a limited time only, the Diocese of Venice is covering 50% of the cost of the first year! For more information, or to get started, please contact Karen Schwarz, Director of Communications, at schwarz@dioceseofvenice.org
Evangelization
National Eucharistic Revival - Parish Year - The second phase of the National Eucharistic Revival is underway and fosters Eucharistic devotion at the Parish level. All can participate! For educational resources on the Diocese of Venice website, please click here.
Office of Vocations
World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Sunday, April 21 is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, liturgically known as Good Shepherd Sunday, a day instituted by Pope Paul VI to pray for and promote vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life. The following prayer is provided for parishes to participate in the World Day of Prayer for Vocations by reciting this prayer together at a fitting point in the Sunday Mass, or as an insert in the bulletin on Sunday, April 21.
Respect Life
Novena of Masses for Life and Spiritual Adoption - As soon as your 2025 Mass book is open, please consider scheduling Novena of Masses for Life from March 25 to November 25 or December 25. Below is a form to register your Masses. Although they normally would begin on the Annunciation and run through November or December on the 25th of every month, they can be scheduled monthly on any day that is available. Consider a weekend Mass so that more people will participate. Spiritual Adoption is an excellent program to run separately or in conjunction with the Novena. See www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife and scroll down to the “Related Pages” section for more information (including Prayers of the Faithful and fetal development bulletin inserts). For additional information, contact Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068. If you have scheduled 2024 Novena of Masses for Life, remember to include the intention in your bulletins of “Novena Mass for Life: For a greater respect for all human life” on your scheduled days each month. If you need Spiritual Adoption pamphlets (English or Spanish) or prayer cards, please email Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Respect Life
Extreme Abortion Amendment Decision - A cruel and dangerous abortion amendment will be added to the ballot in November. Please acquaint yourself with the facts by visiting www.TooExtreme4FL.com, and vote NO on Amendment 4! If you are concerned about this recent Florida Supreme Court decision to allow the extreme abortion amendment to appear on the ballot and are interested in doing something about it, contact Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068 right away.
Florida Supreme Court Rules that Florida’s Privacy Clause Does Not Guarantee the Right to Abortion - On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court released another decision on abortion, ruling that the right to privacy clause in Florida’s constitution does not guarantee the right to receive an abortion, reversing an earlier, 1989 decision. The new ruling paves the way for a limit on abortion after six-weeks’ gestation, the stage in development when a heartbeat is first detectable, to go into effect on May 1. Passed by the legislature and signed by the governor during the 2023 session, this bill was a 2023 Catholic Days at the Capitol issue. Thank you to all who attended, or prayed for, Catholic Days at the Capitol, and helped to pass this critical legislation and lifesaving ruling!
Confidential Women’s Retreat (for those affected by abortion) - Do you often think about an abortion you had years ago? Have you received God’s forgiveness in confession but are still having a hard time forgiving yourself or someone who influenced you to make that decision? This one-day retreat on Saturday, April 20 can change your life! Let our caring team guide you through the healing process. For compassionate and confidential help, call or text Sylvia at 941-412-5860 or email her at project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. See ¼ page ad below.
Communications
Keep up with what’s happening in the Diocese of Venice! - Sign up for messages from the Diocese, including direct messages from Bishop Frank J. Dewane by texting DIOCESEOFVENICE to 84576.
¡Manténgase al tanto de lo que sucede en la Diócesis de Venecia! - Regístrese para recibir mensajes de la Diócesis, incluidos mensajes directos del obispo Frank J. Dewane, enviando un mensaje de texto con DIOCSEOFVENICE al 84576.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - "We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern" - Pope Francis. In this election year, please remember that shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, and a basic part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ. Guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy is available from the USCCB, at faithfulcitizenship.org. Visit the website to deepen your understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, and the teachings of the Church that relate to the social, economic, and political issues of our time.
Formando la Conciencia para ser Ciudadanos Fieles - "Necesitamos participar por el bien común. A veces escuchamos: a un buen católico no le interesa la política. Esto no es cierto: los buenos católicos se sumergen en la política ofreciendo lo mejor de sí mismos para que el líder pueda gobernar" - Papa Francisco. En este año electoral, recuerde que moldear el carácter moral de la sociedad es un requisito de nuestra fe y una parte básica de la misión que hemos recibido de Jesucristo. La orientación para los católicos en el ejercicio de sus derechos y deberes como participantes en nuestra democracia está disponible en la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB, por sus siglas en inglés), en faithfulcitizenship.org. Visite el sitio web para profundizar su comprensión de la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia y las enseñanzas de la Iglesia que se relacionan con los problemas sociales, económicos y políticos de nuestro tiempo.
Office of Marriage and Family Life
A Catholic Date Night -The St. John Paul II Foundation and the Diocese of Venice present the Together in Holiness Formation series: Year-round marriage enrichment for small communities of spouses that equips them with the formation, encouragement, support, and practical tools to grow together in holiness and to form their children in the Catholic faith.
Highlights of the Formation series include:
- A meal and time for fellowship
- Short, compelling videos with national speakers including Danielle Bean and Damon Owens
- Discussion facilitated by Host Couples
- A Bring it Home component that translates learning into living
You and your spouse are invited to learn more about this marriage enrichment opportunity at a Catholic Date Night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at the St. Agnes Parish Hall, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Appetizers and wine will be provided, and childcare will be offered with advance registrations. RSVP here >> bit.ly/thfs-vnfl-2024.
A Walk With Jesus For Grieving Parents - The pain from grief can be extreme, but the death of a child is even more intense. Parents experience an emptiness like no other. If you are mourning the loss of a child (from infancy to adulthood), consider attending a Catholic faith-based weekend retreat from Friday, October 11 until Sunday October 13 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. Deacon Henry De Mena will lead the Retreat. The cost is $150.00 per person based on double occupancy and $250.00 for single occupancy. Financial assistance is available. To register scan the QR code in the flier below or contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org for further information.
Un Caminar con Jesús para Padres en Duelo - El dolor de la pena puede ser extremo, pero la muerte de un hijo es aún más intensa. Los padres experimentan un vacío como ningún otro. Si está de luto por la pérdida de un hijo (desde la infancia hasta la edad adulta), considere asistir a un retiro católico basado en la fe de fin de semana desde el viernes 19 de julio hasta el domingo 21 de julio en el Centro de Retiros de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. El diácono Henry De Mena dirigirá el retiro. El costo es de $150.00 por persona en base a ocupación doble y $250.00 en ocupación individual. Hay asistencia financiera disponible. Para registrarse, escanee el código QR en el folleto a continuación o comuníquese con Jim Gontis en gontis@dioceseofvenice.org para obtener más información.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center
Monthly Days of Prayer - The Monthly Days of Prayer in April are Wednesday, April 10, and Sunday April 14. Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, will provide two conferences on the Eucharist and Resurrection. The Victorious Lamb: Jesus is represented as the weakest and most vulnerable of creatures, a slain lamb–not an ordinary sign of victory and power. In the Holy Eucharist, we experience on this earth a participation in the ongoing heavenly liturgy. Bodily Masterpiece: Jesus speaks of himself as the true Bridegroom and Temple of Israel. The precious substances of the Temple symbolize the risen Christ in his divinity. When we consume Christ in the Eucharist, we already receive eternal life as a possession here on earth. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast, and includes two conferences, lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, private meditation, and prayer. The day concludes with Mass that ends at 3:15 p.m. The topic is the same for both dates, so choose the day that works best for your schedule. To register, please visit:// https://olph-retreat.org/monthly-day-of-prayer. Our spring schedule is posted, and we have several openings for 3, 5 and 7 night silent directed retreats in June. Desert Days are available in April. To learn more or to register for a group or private retreat, please visit www.olph-retreat.org 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 April 18. The speaker will be Reverend Rafal Ligenza, Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Bradenton. Father Ligenza will speak on Divine Mercy, Message and Devotion. For any questions, please email Jim Gontis.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
First Friday Adoration - St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 51030 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, offers a Holy Hour of Adoration, every First Friday at 6:00 p.m. This takes place in the main church with the Chant Choir. The next First Friday offering is May 3. For more information, please call 239-774-3337.
Faith and Ale - Faith and Ale is a Catholic Men’s group. Come and join us in fellowship at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at St. John XXIII Parish Center, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers. The evening begins with pizza and refreshments for a $10.00 donation and concludes at 8:00 p.m. Our speaker will be Mark Middendorf, President of Ave Maria University and Founder of Lighthouse Catholic Media (LCM). He merged LCM with the Augustine Institute in 2015 and worked for the Institute as Executive Vice President for Mission Expansion. There, he launched and expanded the Formed platform. In 2022, he was selected to be the fourth president of Ave Maria University. Please join us as Mark speaks on, The Importance of Catholic Higher Education. Reservations are required. Please register online at www.faithandale.com.
For Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child - Red Bird Ministries, a non-profit Catholic grief support ministry is hosting a Grieving Mother’s Retreat from June 7 to June 9 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Drive, Venice. This retreat is for women who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood. Mothers will be helped in addressing the profound healing that needs to happen while also honoring the memory of the child throughout their grief journey. Please visit www.redbird.love/revival for information and registration.
Vacation Bible School - St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, is hosting Vacation Bible School for children (entering kindergarten fall 2024 through entering 5th grade fall 2024) from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon each day, June 3 to June 7. Join us for SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God! Please register your child using the link: vbspro.events/p/11f5fe.
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.