June 28, 2024
Office of the Bishop
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following appointments:
Reverend Raùl Zamora, as Parochial Vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish, Bonita Springs, effective June 18, 2024.
Reverend Augustine Ignasimuthu, as Parochial Vicar of Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, Bradenton, effective June 26, 2024.
Reverend Joseph Duffy, F.S.S.P., as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel, Naples, effective July 1, 2024.
Pope Francis Prayer Petition for July - We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.
Prayer for Safety During Hurricane Season - The 2024 Hurricane Season began on June 1 and continues until November 30. All are encouraged to pray for protection from the storms that can and have threatened Southwest Florida. The devastation, as witnessed by Hurricane Ian, reinforces the fact that we need to pray for God’s protection and care during these next months. A Prayer for Safety during the Hurricane Season is available here in both English and Spanish.
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 July 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 July 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 email Karen Schwarz, Director of Communications.
Respect Life
New Amendment 4 Resources - New resources have been added to the Vote No on Amendment 4 Resources page on the Diocese of Venice website, including the "Vote No Ballot Ad," above. Several new sizes of the prayer are now available, in both English and Spanish. These size options have been created for your convenience, to make it easy to share, in bulletins, as missal inserts, etc. All eight size/language options can be found on the Resources page under “A Prayer to Defeat Florida’s Abortion Amendment.” Please share this prayer with your parishioners weekly, in addition to the explanatory information previously provided about Amendment 4, from now until the election on November 5! For questions or more information, contact Jeanne Berdeaux, berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-374-1068.
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.
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
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 Roberto Landron 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 will be offering introductory, virtual sessions (via Zoom) in The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System (CrMS). The Creighton Model is a natural family planning method, based on common biological markers. These markers help women and couples understand the woman’s fertility and can help a couple naturally avoid or achieve pregnancy. Upcoming Sessions include July 18, and August 29. The two-hour sessions each begin at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending a virtual session, use the QR code on the flier to register, or call St. Gianna’s Center at 813-421-4625. For more information, visit https://www.stgiannacenter.com/events/, or contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.
Youth and Young Adults
New Location! Theology on Tap Sarasota -Theology on Tap is a program for young adults in their 20s and 30s, providing an opportunity to explore faith topics in a relaxed and social setting. This program takes place on the third Thursday of each month at Big Top Brewery and Restaurant, 3045 Fruitville Commons Boulevard, Sarasota, for food and refreshments at 7:00 p.m. with presentations, and discussions about the Catholic Faith to begin at 8:00 p.m. The next scheduled date is July 18. The speaker will be Reverend Alex Pince, Director, Office of Vocations, and Parochial Vicar, Epiphany Cathedral, Venice. Father Alex will discuss the “Interconnectedness of Devotion to the Sacred Blood of Jesus and the Precious Blood of Jesus”. For any questions, please email Jim Gontis.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
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 July 5. For more information, please call 239-774-3337.
Sidewalk Counselors and Prayer Warriors Needed - As the weather turns hotter there is an urgent need for sidewalk counselors and prayer partners to provide coverage to stand as peaceful witnesses for life at the Planned Parenthood abortion facilities at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers, and 1425 Creech Road, Naples. No training is necessary to be a prayer partner - just bring a hat and a rosary. For those interested in counseling, training and necessary resource materials will be provided. In addition, during this process an experienced counselor will be present. Prayer partners and counselors are a vital component in the Pro-Life movement, as they ensure a constant presence in front of abortion facilities, showing that women and their unborn children in crisis are not abandoned in their time of need. To learn more details, please call Mary Claire Dant at 239-200-8117.
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., Thursday, July 4. The celebration will begin in the Piazza in front of the church and will 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.