Office of the Bishop
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:
Reverend Teofilo Ramirez Moreno, c.s., as Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Immokalee, effective July 16, 2022, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.
Reverend Phillip Schweda, as Administrator of St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach, effective July 18, 2022, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton.
Reverend Saji Ellickal Joseph, M.C.B.S., as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice, effective July 25, 2022, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for July - We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for August - We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.
National Eucharistic Revival - A three-year revival of devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist begins with the Diocesan phase, from June 19, 2022, through June 11, 2023. During the Diocesan Year, there will be a series of events and retreats that encourage the renewal of the Church “by rekindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” The pinnacle of the coming year will be a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress on March 24 and March 25, 2023. This event, which is in the early planning stages, will take place at the Convention Center and Luminary Hotel on the Fort Myers riverfront. The National Eucharistic Revival is a focused effort by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to revive a devotion to and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. To learn more about the National Eucharistic Revival, visit https://eucharisticrevival.org.Stay tuned for more information for the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/eucharistic-congress-2023/. There you will find a free online course, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” which can be utilized in parishes, small groups, or for individual study. For a Prayer for the Eucharistic Revival please CLICK HERE for English and CLICK HERE for 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 (NEW) and 1660 AM and in Naples. "Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" can be heard at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts.
Prayer for Safety During Hurricane Season - The 2022 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 potential devastation as witnessed by previous hurricanes reinforces the fact that we need to pray for God’s protection and care during these next months. (CLICK HERE for a copy of a prayer in English and CLICK HERE for a copy of a prayer in Spanish.)
Respect Life
Walking with Moms in Need - If you have not yet included the basic Walking with Moms in Need program ads in your parish bulletins, please do so starting with your next bulletin. Help your parishioners reach out to pregnant women in need and direct them to their local pregnancy help center. To start, simply include one of these basic quarter-page ads in your next three bulletins as a series:
3. Regional ad (see www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife, click on the Walking with Moms in Need box and then the second box for regional ad with centers listed by specific area/county).
If you have already run this series of ads, check the website for other options. Questions or need help? Please contact Jeanne Berdeaux at 941-374-1068 or Berdeaux@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. For further information, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/programs/safeenvironment/. Report any abuse against minors to the Florida Department of Children and Families at 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
Men’s Support after Abortion Program - Men, you are not alone. While 1 out of 4 women will have an abortion by age 45, men are involved too. According to a national survey, 71% of men said they had an adverse effect after abortion. If you are a man affected by an abortion decision, you are invited to participate in a confidential and free healing series for men. The series will be led by Father Mark Harris, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, and Nathan Misirian, Support After Abortion. To learn more about the program, when it will be scheduled or to register for the virtual sessions,visit project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-412-5860.
Want to Help a Pregnant Mother in Need? - Maybe she’s being evicted or having her electricity turned off. Imagine being in her shoes, perhaps with other young children in the home. Think about what happens to food in a refrigerator without power for even a few hours. Your donation can assist pregnant women in need with rent, utilities, and other necessities. Send your donation to Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. No administrative fees are taken so your money goes directly to those in need who have been screened by case managers. Questions? Contact Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068.
Office of Family Life
World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly - The second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly takes place on Sunday, July 24. Instituted by Pope Francis in 2021, this Church wide celebration takes place close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Anne and Joachim, the Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by the Holy Father for this World Day is “In old age they will still bear fruit” (Psalm 92:15) which is a way of expressing the living of this age to the fullest. Grandchildren and young people are called upon to be present in the lives of older people, and older people and grandparents also have the mission of evangelization, proclamation, and prayer, and of encouraging young people in their Faith. Parishes are encouraged to engage the Faithful in celebrating this day. Resources and catechesis in English and Spanish can be found by visiting the USCCB Marriage and Family website at https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/grandparents-elderly. (NOTE: Prayer cards for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in both English and Spanish have been sent to Parishes.) (CLICK HERE for suggested Prayer of the Faithful in English and CLICK HERE for the same text in Spanish.)
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week - The Church has designated the week of July 24-30 as National NFP Awareness Week. This provides an opportunity to spread the word about Catholic teaching on marriage and conjugal love. Sharing basic information about the methods of NFP and why they support God’s design for love and life is at the heart of this national campaign. The Office of Family Life will be hosting free, virtual information sessions on the Creighton Model FertiltyCare System during NFP week. The Creighton Model allows women to monitor their reproductive health and couples to plan their families in a way that is moral, medically safe, and reliable. Find out if the Creighton Model System is right for you! To schedule a session contact Carrie Harkey at harkey@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543 ext. 3019. For parish resources including posters, social media graphics, and other related information, please visit https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/national-nfp-awareness-week. (CLICK HERE for the catechesis in English and CLICK HERE for Spanish). (CLICK HERE for homily notes in English and CLICK HERE for homily notes in Spanish.)
“Two Become One” Seminar - The last of the “Two Become One” Sacramental Marriage Retreats is scheduled for September 10 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. Registration is at 9:00 a.m. and the seminar ends at 5:00 p.m. A specially prepared volunteer team share their experiences and information with the intention of enabling couples to be more aware of the privileges and responsibilities of a Sacramental Marriage. The retreat is designed to be completed after the couple has done the initial consultation with their priest. For the prerequired registration, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/two-become-one-2022. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Harkey at 941-484-9543 or harkey@dioceseofvenice.org. (CLICK HERE for a flier.)
Religious Education
Catholic Summer Camp Program - Totus Tuus (a Latin phrase meaning “totally yours”) is a summer Catholic youth camp program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship. The weeklong Parish summer catechetical camp program assists parents and parishes in evangelizing and catechizing youth by complementing the work they are already doing at the parish and at home. This summer the program is offered at eight parishes in the Diocese of Venice with five sessions now completed. The camp program takes place for grades 1-5, Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and for grades 6-12, Monday - Thursday from 7:30 p.m.to 9:45 p.m. There are still openings for this program. Please contact the Director of Religious Education at the Parish hosting the program. The remaining Parishes hosting the program are as follows:
• St. Joseph Parish, 3100 26th Street West, Bradenton, July 18-22.
• St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, July 25-29.
• St. Patrick Parish, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, August 1-5.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center
Fall Schedule Available Online - The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (OLPH) fall group retreats are now available for registration at www.olph-retreat.org. This includes a new one-day retreat on “Meditation in the Catholic Tradition,” scheduled for Saturday, October 22, the biannual silent Ignatian Preached Retreat, scheduled for Friday, November 18 to Monday, November 21, and the Monthly Day of Prayer series. Would you rather a private, directed retreat? OLPH offers 3-night, 5-night, and 7-night private retreats. To learn more about these retreats, please call 941-486-0233 or visit www.olph-retreat.org.
Catholic Charities
Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal - Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves its most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal is asking for your support. The giving is easy! Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters! Please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org or mail a check to Catholic Charities, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
Do You Need Help? - If you need assistance from Catholic Charities for food, financial assistance, or tele-mental health counseling, please call 941-355-4680 in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands Counties; 239-390-2928 in Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties; and 239-793-0059 in Collier County between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm., Monday to Friday.
Tele-Mental Health Counseling Services - Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc. is offering Mental Health Counseling for adults and children provided by licensed mental health therapists. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, helpless, or overwhelmed, Catholic Charities can help. For more information on this no fee service, please call 239-455-2655.
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 July 21. Please email evangelization@dioceseofvenice.org with any questions.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
Food Pantry Needs Help - The St. Joseph Food Pantry in Bradenton is in need of peanut butter. This staple is an important part of the pantry’s Family Bags and provides a key source of protein for children in need in Manatee County. The Food Pantry is happy to accept bulk, large, and small containers of peanut butter, as well as other non-perishable food items. If you wish to make a financial contribution, your donation can be doubled thanks to a partnership with the Flanzer Trust. Donations can be delivered to 2704 33rd Ave. W. Bradenton, FL 34205, Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. till noon. Please call 941-756 3732 or email directors@stjoepantry.com if you have any questions or if you need to make arrangements for drop off. For more information about how you can help, please visit www.stjoepantry.com.
Rosary for America - Join like-minded faithful each Sunday to pray a Rosary for America with the goal of praying for the nation, following the 10:45 a.m. Mass at San Pedro Parish, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port. This group has been gathering in prayer every week in the Church. In addition, they meet at noon on the first Saturday of the month for the same purpose. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Ania Nazarian at anianaz@yahoo.com or 941-876-3826.
Registration Open - The registration is open for the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School 2022 Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, October 10 (rain date, October 17) at the Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:00 p.m. The cost is $775 per foursome (early bird registration by September 12, is $725 per foursome). The cost includes golf, a boxed lunch, cocktails, buffet dinner and prizes. There will also be a 50/50 helicopter ball drop ($10 per chance/open to all). The tournament benefits the CMHS Adopt-A-Student Financial Assistance Program. For tickets and sponsorships, please contact Amy Gorman at agorman@cmhs-sarasota.org or visit www.cmhs-sarasota.org.
Volunteers Needed - The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Naples is looking for thrift store volunteers. If you would like to offer your time and assistance please, call Samantha at 239-775-2907 ext.1014 or info@svdpnaples.org.
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.
Food Distribution - For various food distribution sites throughout the Diocese of Venice, the days, times, and locations are listed below:
• Guadalupe Social Services - 211 S. 9th St., Immokalee, Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen open daily. The Soup Kitchen Dining Room is open for dine-in and also provides meals-to-go.
• Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center - 3174 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• St. Margaret Parish - 208 Dean Duff St., Clewiston, Fridays: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
• St. Leo the Great Parish Campus - 28360 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs, Fridays: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
• Elizabeth K. Galeana Food Pantry - 4235 Michigan Ave. Link, Fort Myers, Thursdays: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• St. Paul Parish - Parish Hall, 1208 E. Oak Street, Arcadia, Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry - 5265 Placida Road, Grove City, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9:15 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Contact Matt Egan at megan@sfoachurch.com or 941-697-4899.
• St. Jude Food Pantry - 3930 17th St., Sarasota, Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Please bring ID and do not exit your vehicle. Volunteers will load cars. Call 941-955-3934 if you have any questions or visit: https://www.stjudesarasota.com/info/st-jude-food-pantry-schedule.
• Wauchula Food Pantry - 408 Heard Bridge Road, Wauchula, Saturdays: 7:00 a.m.- 8:45 a.m. Call the Parish at 863-773-4089 if you require a different time or would like to support the efforts to assist the community.
• St. Joseph Food Pantry - 3100 26th St W., Bradenton, Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Call 941-756-3732 with any questions. To donate money or food, please visit https://www.stjoepantry.com/.
Free Rosary Repair Service - Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, 7930 Estero Blvd. #502, Fort Myers, 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 or email holdenbnd@gmail.com.
