May 17, 2024
Office of the Bishop
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following appointments:
Reverend Michael Young, as Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, effective May 10, 2024, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar at St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers.
Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane announces the new members to the Presbyteral Council, as a result of the most recent elections and appointments, are the following:
Reverend Ricky Varner, Representative of the Central Deanery
Reverend Alexander Pince, Representative of the Northern Deanery
Reverend Tomasz Zalewski, Representative of the Southern Deanery
Reverend Reji Joseph, O.S.F.S., Religious Representative
Reverend Steven Clemente, Member-at-Large
Reverend Jiobani Batista, Member-at-Large
Reverend Anthony Armstrong, O.Carm., Appointed Representative
Reverend David Portorreal, Appointed Representative
Congratulations to the new members. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to those who served on the Presbyteral Council in their respective categories:
Reverend John Fitch
Reverend Eric Scanlan
Reverend Casey Jones
Reverend Hugh McGuigan, O.S.F.S.
Reverend Gordon Zanetti
Reverend Eduardo Coll
Reverend Ananda Reddy
Reverend Teofilo Ramirez Moreno
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for May - We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for June - We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.
Ordination to the Priesthood - The Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, invites the faithful to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Transitional Deacon Thomas Gregory Dougherty. The Ordination will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 8, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event in the life of Deacon Greg as well as the Diocese of Venice. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
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 May 31. 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 May 31. 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 email Karen Schwarz, Director of Communications.
Respect Life
Amendment 4 - An Extreme Pro-Abortion Amendment - Amendment 4, a misleading, extreme pro-abortion amendment, willbe on the ballot in November. However, because most voters make up their minds by September 1, it is urgent that parishioners be alerted to the truth now about the misleading and dangerous nature of this pro-abortion amendment and be advised to Vote NO on Amendment 4! This important message must be repeated until the election! A variety of materials and information about this issue will be shared in the coming weeks, please use them to assist in your efforts to get the word out. Prayer is an important first step in defeating this Amendment; please see Bulletin Announcements for a suggested prayer for inclusion in your upcoming Bulletins, from now until the election. The prayer is available as a ½ or ¼ page ad, and in both English and Spanish. For more information or with questions, contact Jeanne Berdeaux, berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-374-1068.
Evangelization
National Eucharistic Congress Pilgrimage is at Capacity - The Diocese of Venice Pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress with Bishop Frank J. Dewane is now full. To be added to the wait list, contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.
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.
Totus Tuus, Parish Catechetical Summer Camp Program - The Totus Tuus Parish Catechetical Summer Camp program, open to grades 1-12, has been very well-received by young people, parents, and Parishes in the Diocese of Venice for the last two years. The program will be available in the Diocese of Venice again this summer beginning in June. Totus Tuus aims to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. All camps are one-week day camps, and programs are divided according to age. See the flyer below for a list of Parishes in the Diocese hosting the program this summer, and the dates. Please share this information with your parishioners, even if your Parish is not hosting the program; parents may be interested in sending their child to a nearby camp program. To register or learn more about the Totus Tuus program in the Diocese of Venice, click here, or contact Jim Gontis.
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.)
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Respect Life
VOTE NO! on Amendment 4 - Learn the truth about Amendment 4 before you cast your vote this fall. Amendment 4 is a misleading and extreme pro-abortion amendment that is far more dangerous than Florida’s current Heartbeat Protection Law. Visit tooextreme4fl.com for the truth about Amendment 4 and join us in praying that it will not pass. See suggested prayer below.
Eucharistic Adoration for Life- You are invited to spend time with Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (abortion days at Planned Parenthood) at Mary’s House (next to Community Pregnancy Clinic, 1419 Seventh Street, Sarasota) to pray for an end to abortion. Questions? Contact Ginger at ggosling2@aol.com or 941-224-0662.
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 DIOCESEOFVENICE al 84576.
Office of Marriage and Family Life
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.
Natural Family Planning Introductory Sessions - St Gianna’s Center for Women’s Health & FertilityCare is offering FREE Introductory Sessions to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. This Natural Family Planning approach to women’s reproductive healthcare is safe from side effects, life-affirming, cost effective and clinically proven. This is a natural and moral alternative to hormonal birth control and IVF and is helpful for couples trying to naturally space their families. Webinars are conducted via Zoom. Visit https://www.stgiannacenter.com/events/ to sign up today. Questions, contact Becky at becky.moultrie@stgiannacenter.com or call 727-804-9928. For more about Natural Family Planning, visit Natural Family Planning - Diocese of Venice or contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center
Retreats - The Spring Schedule for Retreats is posted, and there are several openings for 3-, 5- and 7-night silent directed retreats in June. To learn more or to register for a group or private retreat, please visit www.olph-retreat.org or call 941- 486-0233.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
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.
First Friday Adoration - St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 5130 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 June 7. For more information, please call 239-774-3337.
Donations of Baby Supplies Needed - Community Pregnancy Centers Inc. is seeking donations of diapers and clothing to support the children of the women that are served each day. Items sought include new or gently used clothes (size 12 months to 3T); baby wipes; diapers (size 4-6); baby shampoo/lotion; new clothes for babies (0-3 months); pacifiers; pull ups/training diapers. Community Pregnancy Clinics has offices in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. Please call 239-326-0453 or visit https://communitypregnancyclinic.com/ for locations.
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.
Fourth of July Parade - The 8th Annual “God Bless America” Independence Day Bike and Golf Cart Parade presented by Ave Maria Parish, 5088 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, will take place at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 4. The celebration will begin in the Piazza in front of the church and include patriotic songs, a reflection from a veteran, prayers and then the parade that will include bikes, trikes, golf carts, strollers and more. The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Ave Maria Assembly 3862. For further information call 239- 348-4725
Calling All Cursillistas - Please join the Cursillo Movement Ultreya on the third Monday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Peter the Apostle Parish Ministry Center, Conference Room 3, 5025 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples. This is for those who would like to deepen their relationship with Christ and help “renew the face of the earth.” There is no cost to attend. For information, please contact Pam Black at 703-850-6868 or pamblack49@gmail.com.
15th Annual Ave Maria University High School Youth Conferences - All high school age youth from incoming freshman to outgoing seniors are invited to join the 15th Annual Ave Maria University High School Youth Conference, “CALLED.” This incredible weekend will be full of faith, fellowship, music, and great speakers. Including Fr. Timothy Antastos from the Diocese of Chicago who is currently serving as a National Eucharistic Preacher and featured regularly on “Reel Homilies”, Noelle Garcia a Catholic recording artist who shares her faith through scripture and music, nationally known chastity speaker Pam Stenzel, and Fr. Joseph Lugalambi, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University. Music will be provided by EPIC Music Ministries. The cost is $190 per person. This includes lodging in the dorms, meals, conference fee, and a cool t-shirt! Register now by visiting 2024 Youth Conference - July 12-14 — Ave Maria University Conferences or for more information call 239- 348-4725, or email aveconferences@gmail.com.
Medical Association Conference - The Catholic Medical Association 93rd Annual Educational Conference is September 5-7, at Caribe Royal Resort in Orlando. The theme is Imago Dei – Made in His Image: Male & Female He Created Them. The keynote speaker is Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer. To register and for more information, please visit www.cathmed.org.
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.