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The Diocese of Venice in Florida
The Mustard Seed
August 12, 2022
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Office of the Bishop
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.
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for September - We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.
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 www.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, August 26. 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 - By now hopefully every parish has run at least the three 1/4-page ads to introduce the Walking with Moms in Need program. Please include the prayer, business card ad or other ads found at www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife on a regular or recurring basis. Please look for a Parish Walking with Moms in Need Coordinator to serve as liaison between the parish, local pregnancy help center(s) and the diocese and send the contact information to 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
Statewide Culture of Life Conference - The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting the 2022 annual Culture of Life (Respect Life) Conference at the Bethany Center in Lutz on October 14-15. It includes an opening prayer and one session on Friday evening starting at 7:00 p.m. with the main conference on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year’s theme is Commitment to Care. Conference attendees will be informed, inspired, and equipped to understand, engage with, and respond to some of the most pressing issues of the culture. Topics will include Walking with Moms in Need, end of life, the death penalty,human trafficking, gender ideology and youth, political commitments. For details and registration, see www.dosp.org/culture-of-life-conference/. If you are interested in a possible bus trip to attend the conference, contact Jeanne Berdeaux at 941-374-1068 or Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.
Wish you could do more to help a Pregnant Mother in Need? - You can help financially by sending a check to the Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. You can also donate online at www.catholiccharitiesdov.org/donatetoday using your debit or credit card to make a one-time or recurring gift. Under “Tribute Gift,” enter Pennies for Babies in the box that reads, “To apply your gift to a specific program, please write the name here.” This is an important step to make sure your donation is credited to this fund. Your donation will be used to help pregnant women with rent, utilities or other necessities with no administrative fees taken. This is a joint effort between Catholic Charities and the Diocesan Respect Life Office. Questions? Contact Respect Life Director Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068.
40 Days for Life - The Fall Campaign begins September 28 and ends November 6. Check with your parish coordinator to join your parish’s day on the sidewalk or go to www.40daysforlife.com – look under the locations tab for Sarasota or Fort Myers. Your presence can be a powerful sign to women in need that better options are available to her. Questions? Contact Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068.
Looking for a movie with a positive message? - LIFEMARK is a powerful film that celebrates adoption, reconciliation and love. It will run in many local theaters for one week, September 9-15. Inspire by a true story, it stars Kirk Cameron. Watch the trailer, find local theater times and ticket information at www.lifemarkmovie.com. Groups of 25+ can purchase discounted tickets through the website. Questions? Contact Respect Life Director Jeanne Berdeaux at Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-374-1068. Adoption Prayer: Heavenly Father, Bless all expectant mothers who are placing their children for adoption and who may also be young and afraid. They love their children so much that they are willing to place them with a loving family. Bless, too, all the women who already have shown the sacrificial nature of a mother’s love in making adoption plans for their children. Give them all your courage and your peace, through Christ our Lord. Amen. [Bulletin Editors: Check the resources available at www.lifemarkmovie.com/partnertoolkit.]
Help after abortion - Project Rachel - Most women who choose abortion eventually realize that they made the wrong choice and face a lifetime of regret. Even if they confess this sin to a priest, they often find it difficult to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive themselves. Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s program to help women and men come to terms with an abortion decision and find the hope and healing they need. For confidential help in English and Spanish, call 941-412-5860 or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org.
Office of Family Life
“Two Become One” Seminar - The last of the series of “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.)
Marriage Conference - Registration is now open for the Diocese of Venice October 22, “Together in Holiness” Marriage Conference, presented in partnership with the Diocese of Venice Office of Family Life and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, please visit https://forlifeandfamily.org/events/th22-vnfl/. A video message from Bishop Frank J. Dewane can be found at www.dioceseofvenice.org/together-in-holiness-marriage-conference-october-22-2022. This marriage enrichment conference will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. John XXIII Parish, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers. All Catholic married and engaged couples throughout the Diocese of Venice and beyond are welcome. Grow together in holiness, learn to form your children in the Catholic Faith, enjoy a day of quality time with your spouse, witness dynamic presentations! The day will include the Mass and the availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This special event is for all couples, engaged, newlywed or long-married! On-site childcare will be provided. For more information, please contact Carrie Harkey at harkey@dioceseovenice.org. (CLICK HERE for a flier.)
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.
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 Matt Talbot Men’s Retreat, October 14-16, 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 starting Sunday, September 11, and Wednesday, September 14. 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.
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 August 18. Please email evangelization@dioceseofvenice.org with any questions.
OUT AND ABOUT THE DIOCESE
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.
Equipping the Pro-Life Church - Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc., which has pregnancy resource clinics throughout the Diocese, is hosting two conferences to equip the Pro-Life Church on Tuesday, September 13. The first one is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Bonita Springs, and the second is 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Bradenton. The featured speaker at both events is Seth Gruber, who is a professional public speaker focused on equipping Christians and pro-life advocates to make a persuasive case for their pro-life beliefs in the public square. His approach, while not shying away from the moral question of abortion, focuses on giving participants the tools needed to effectively and lovingly engage others on the issue of abortion. Participants will learn how to effectively build a culture of life within their community. There is no cost to attend. All priests, deacons, ministry leaders, and Pro-Life advocates throughout Southwest Florida are encouraged to attend. To register for either event, please visit Events - CPCI Donor site (supportcpci.com) or call 239-262-6381.
Catholic Women’s Bible Study - Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton will be hosting a 20-week study “Blessed Conversations: Rooted” beginning Wednesday, September 14, through March 29, 2023. This study for women contains lessons and short videos on seven topics: the virtues; ways to pray; God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the seven Sacraments; the 10 Commandments; the Our Father; and the Beatitudes. Each lesson includes a layperson summary of Catechism selections; short Scripture passages from the Old and New Testaments; a reflection by the author; and questions for discussion. Rooted is a study from Blessed is She, a Catholic women’s online outreach. The cost is $25 for books and materials. The Wednesday gatherings are at 9:45 a.m. in the Moretti Center, 2850 75th St. W., Bradenton. Childcare is provided (donations appreciated). To learn more please call the Parish at 941-795-1228 or visit www.sspeterandpaul.org.
Deadline Soon - The registration deadline for the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School 2022 Golf Benefit Tournament is fast approaching on Wednesday, September 7. The golf scramble will have a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., Friday, October 7, at JW Marriott’s Rookery at Marco, 3433 Club Center Blvd., Naples. A luncheon and awards will follow the golf. The entry fee is $150 per player, which includes golf fees, goodie bags, hot lunch buffet and more. Proceeds benefit campus improvements and growth. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Registration is available at www.saintelizabethseton.com/golf or contact Gina Groch at 239-455-2262 or groch@seseton.org.
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.
2022 Sarasota Laps for Life - The Knights of Columbus Council 3358 is hosting the 2022 Sarasota Laps for Life 5k sunrise beach walk/run on Siesta Key Beach, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 8 on Siesta Key Beach. The walk is in support of SOLVE maternity homes in Bradenton, Sarasota and Englewood. This respect life event brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in support of at-risk women during and after pregnancy. Enjoy the family fun post-race celebration with music, free food and games at the playground and pavilion area. *This race will be chip-timed, and all participants will receive an event shirt*. To donate online and/or to create a team, and for additional information including registration, please visit: http://srqLapsforLife.net.
Friends of the Seminary Gala - Please mark your calendars to participate in the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary Friends of the Seminary Gala, in person or via our on-line experience, on Friday, October 21. You will find information at www.svdp.edu/friends2022 (This page will continue to update as we get closer to the event). This event is the Seminary’s largest fundraiser, and your support is essential to ensure the continuity of this important mission: Forming priests after the Heart of Christ for the future of the Catholic Church. The virtual portion will be open to all and include live feed of the Mass at 5:30 p.m., and an online auction. We pray that with your support and God’s Providence, we will have a successful event. For more information, please call 561-732-4424, Ext. 162.
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.
• 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.
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