November 21, 2009

June 2009

Hurricane season is here, be prepared

VENICE | The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season has begun, and now is the time to take precautions by preparing and being vigilant. Taking a few steps now can prevent panic and confusion when a storm threatens the area.

The hurricane season officially began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, but hurricanes can form at any time. The height of the season, when most storms form, is typically from mid-August until the end of October.

That does not mean wait until August to prepare. Individuals and families should complete their disaster planning before danger threatens.

If you or someone close to you has a disability or special needs, you will need to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines.

A person with special needs is defined as someone with visual, hearing or mobility impairment, people without vehicles, people with medical conditions who rely on life-sustaining equipment or treatment, people with special dietary needs and others.

If you or someone you know falls into one of these categories, it is necessary to check with your county emergency management office to register for emergency evacuation assistance. People who have registered in the past must register again this year to update their contact information.

If a storm threatens, persons with special needs will be notified for a possible evacuation to a special-needs shelter where they will be cared for in a comfortable environment. For any questions about this process, contact your local emergency management office.

For families, preparing for hurricane season is important and should include preparing for any type of disaster. Chances of escaping life-threatening injuries are vastly improved when people are prepared.

Visit FEMA or American Red Cross Web sites to learn about what supplies you might need to have in an emergency kit. If a hurricane does strike, remember that electricity may be out for weeks, meaning anything that needs to be plugged in won’t work, so plan accordingly.

Each parish in the Diocese of Venice is covered by the Diocesan Disaster Response Plan, a manual published by Catholic Charities. The parishes also have a pastor’s checklist (Parish Preparedness Hurricane Protocol) that is specific to each parish.

Bob Reddy | 06.05.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

Emergency financial call center opens

SARASOTA | Due to the overwhelming demand in services, the Emergency Financial Assistance Program of Catholic Charities has opened a new call center in Sarasota.

With generous support from the community and volunteers, the center will provide a much-needed service by better processing the voluminous number of calls received on a daily basis. Because of the economic crises within our community, the program has struggled to keep up with the increasing number of clients in Sarasota and Manatee counties asking for assistance with rent, utilities and prescription medicine.

According to program director Mary Koctur, the use of volunteers is a valuable resource that contributes to the success of this program and to the agency’s mission.

In addition to prioritizing telephone calls, volunteers track data that is used to monitor program outcomes as a means of improving the quality of services provided. The call center gives volunteers the satisfaction of utilizing their skills and talents, while making a significant difference in the lives of people in need. Volunteers go through an orientation and participate in ongoing educational supervision.

The call center is supervised and coordinated by Catholic Charities of Sarasota and Manatee Counties office manager Jeanette Wozniak. Currently, the call center is operational Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wozniak hopes to expand the hours.

“We continue to search for volunteers who are interested in making a difference,” she said. Volunteers currently work in Sarasota, and there are plans for a satellite call center in Venice.

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Neumann and Mooney baseballers in regional finals

SARASOTA | The Cardinal Mooney High School Cougars and the St. John Neumann High School Celtics each reached the regional finals in baseball this year only to have their seasons end in heartbreak.

The Cougars lost in the Class 3A, Region 3 baseball finals May 17 to Fort Pierce’s John Carroll at Twin Lakes Park in Fort Myers, ending a historic season for the Cougars. The final score was 8-1, but the team’s valiant effort will not go unforgotten.

The Cougars made their deepest playoff run in school history, rallying in the second game to force a deciding third game in the best-of-three playoff series, only to lose to the 2008 state runner-up. Even though the team lost seven graduating seniors, the coaches are confident they can build on this season’s success. The Cougars finished the season 19-11.

The Celtics also ended their season in similar fashion, losing in the Class 2A, Region 3 final to Fort Meade May 15. The Celtics lost the second and deciding game in the series 6-4 after taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth.

Coach Jeff Tenbarge said that the team was one pitch away from forcing a deciding game 3, but Fort Meade took advantage of timely hitting, great defensive plays and some Celtics mistakes.

The series loss ended one of the Celtics’ best playoff runs in years. With only 13 players on the roster, each team member played a key role in the run.

The team finished the season with a 13-12 record. During the playoffs the Celtics beat two of the top teams in Southwest Florida – Bradenton St. Stephen’s and the Community School of Naples – on the way to the regional finals.

The Bishop Verot Vikings in Fort Myers finished the season 15-15 losing in the Class 3A, Region 3 quarterfinals to St. Petersburg Catholic 7-4.

06.05.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

In Brief…

Pilgrimage to Holy Land planned

Posted: 06.19.09

The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Southeastern Lieutenancy, is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Holy Land Nov. 4-14. Bishop Frank J. Dewane will serve as the host bishop throughout the pilgrimage and extends an invitation to join him in the land where Christ was born and where pilgrims will pray and walk in his footsteps. For information on the trip or to receive a brochure, please contact John or Maureen Lengyel at 941-493-9607 or lengyelm@comcast.net.

 

Rice School summer registration in full swing

Posted: 06.19.09

The Blessed Edmund Rice School for Pastoral Ministry is now registering for the second class of the summer semester. “Christian Morality,” will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., from June 30 to July 30, and will be taught by Father George Ratzmann, pastor of St. William Parish in Naples. For more information, please visit the school Web site at www.riceschool.org.

To register for classes, e-mail the registrar at registrar@daystar.net or call 941-766-7334, ext. 21, with your name, address, phone number and class choice(s). Classes are open to people who wish to audit the courses or earn an advanced degree.

 

Campaign for fair food bears fruit

Posted: 06.19.09

The Alliance for Fair Food, a network of individuals and organizations supporting farmworker rights and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, has been working for a fair food system. Recently, the alliance achieved a significant milestone. Two Florida growers, Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms, have agreed to pass on the penny-per-pound increase to farmworkers and meet strict labor standards. The two growers entered into an agreement with Whole Foods Market, a buyer of the tomatoes. This step forward effectively breaks the stalemate established nearly two seasons ago when the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange threatened to fine any of its members that sold tomatoes under the terms of coalition agreements with major fast food companies. Catholic social teaching supports the basic rights of workers, including fair wages. For more information, see the coalition’s web site, www.ciw-online.org, or contact the Peace and Justice Office at 941-484-9543 or peace&justice@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

Memorial gifts sent to military pen pal

Posted: 06.19.09

In preparation for summer, St. Francis Xavier School fourth-grade students sent care packages to their military pen pals in honor of Memorial Day. This is a continuation of a project the students have been involved with for more than a year. It all started with a simple wish for a happy Valentine’s Day in 2008, followed by a card on Easter, and continued with ongoing prayers for a safe return home. The Fort Myers school students heard from U.S. Army helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Randy Godfrey last winter. The class was the recipient of an American flag sent from the 101st Airborne Division that flew over mission Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

In response to this patriotic gift and honor, the students collected so many personal-needs items, they filled and donated 21 care packages for the 101st Airborne soldiers still stationed in Afghanistan. They also created colorful Thanksgiving cards with inspiring messages of peace and hope.

Just before Christmas, Godfrey sent a personal thank-you card to each of the fourth-grade students and paid the students a surprise visit Jan. 22, when he traveled from Fort Campbell, Ky., to St. Francis Xavier to meet his youngest – and whom he calls his most inspiring – friends.

 

Group gives quilts to those who need prayer

Posted: 06.19.09

“It’s not about the quilt, it’s all about the prayers.” That is the motto of the Prayers and Squares, the prayer-quilt group at Holy Cross Parish in Palmetto. The purpose is to promote an active prayer life among family members and the participants, as well as provide comfort for those who are hurting. The Holy Cross group is part of an international ministry that began at a church in Mesa, Calif., in 1992. Many churches of all denominations participate.

Finished quilts are given to those experiencing a physical, emotional or spiritual crisis and could benefit from being covered in prayer. Parishioner Bernadette Stodola brought the idea to Holy Cross when she saw how her son, who was battling cancer, received a quilt and took comfort in knowing so many people, strangers, were offering prayers for him.

The idea behind these quilts is simple, yet powerful. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers and the ends are left free to be tied with a square knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is offered for someone in special need – someone who has asked for prayers.

Prayer quilts must be requested, with the receiver willing to accept the gift of prayer, and a special prayer request. The quilts are never sold; it is a gift of love and prayers. Neither the person requesting the quilt nor the person receiving the quilt is obligated to Prayers and Squares. The ministry is supported by the generosity of donations to be able to continue sewing the quilts.

This ministry, sponsored by the Holy Cross bereavement support group, is a testimony to the members’ belief in God and the power of prayer. Call 941-729-5815 for more information.

 

Dr. Kleinlein named treasurer, officer of NCCL

Posted: 06.05.09

Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, Diocese of Venice director of catechetical ministry, has been named the treasurer and officer of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership board of directors. She had been serving on the organization’s communications committee and is a national presenter as well as a retreat and seminar leader. Kleinlein is currently responsible for all catechetical ministries and Safe Environment training for the Diocese of Venice. She is also a regular contributor to the Religion Teacher’s Journal and Today’s Parish Minister and serves as an elected member and chairwoman of the Sarasota County School Board.

The National Conference for Catechetical Leadership was formed as an organization of diocesan, parish, academic, publishing and other catechetical personnel to strive to enrich and strengthen the ministry of catechesis throughout the Catholic dioceses of the United States and seek to serve the Church. Kleinlein will serve as treasurer through 2012.

 

Our Mother’s House receives grant

Posted: 06.05.09

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice has awarded $125,000 for renovations and upgrades to the second location of Our Mother’s House in Venice. Our Mother’s House is a transitional housing program for homeless women and their children and is operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice. A recent expansion to a second location will allow seven more women and their children to be housed. Catholic Charities CEO Peter Routsis-Arroyo said the grant will go a long way to completing much-need renovations. Anyone interested in helping Our Mother’s House through contributions, volunteering or in some other capacity, can call 941-485-6264 or visit the Web site at www.ourmothershousedov.org.

 

Novena of Masses for Life scheduled in June

Posted: 06.05.09

The Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Venice, along with Laity for Life, invite the faithful to the June 25 Masses for Life to pray for a greater respect for all human life. The Mass will celebrate the third month of Jesus’ development in the womb of Our Lady. This is the latest in a series of Masses celebrating the nine-month period from the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord through the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Specially designated Masses on the 25th of each month throughout the diocese will present a special opportunity to meditate on the progressive development of Our Lord in his mother’s womb. Masses will be celebrated June 25 at the following parishes:

St. Bernard in Holmes Beach, 8:30 a.m.; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Parrish, 8:30 a.m.; Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, 8 a.m.; St. Patrick in Sarasota, 8 a.m.; St. Maximilian Kolbe in Port Charlotte, 8 a.m.; Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda, 8:30 a.m.; St. Isabel in Sanibel, 8:30 a.m.; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Bokeelia, 8:30 a.m.; Our Lady of Guadalupe in Immokalee, 6:30 p.m. in Creole; St. Peter the Apostle in Naples, 8 a.m.; St. Paul in Arcadia, 8 a.m.; St. Catherine in Sebring, noon; St. James in Lake Placid, 9 a.m.; St. Michael in Wauchula, 7 p.m. in Spanish.

The complete schedule will be posted at www.dovrespectlife.org. For more information, please contact Jeanne Berdeaux in the diocesan Respect Life Office at 941-441-1101 or Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

Action needed on Darfur

Posted: 06.05.09

Dire conditions in the Darfur region of Sudan have escalated recently. In conjunction with the organization “Humanity Working to End Genocide,” parishioners are asked to write letters and sign petitions asking President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to expand U.S. efforts to end genocide, violence, rape, starvation and disease in Darfur. For more information, contact the Peace and Justice Office at 941-484-9543 or e-mail peace&justice@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

Learn more about St. Francis Pledge

Posted: 06.05.09

The St. Francis Pledge, promoted by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, is a promise and a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations and institutions to live our faith by protecting God’s creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change. For more information on this national effort and to take the pledge, go to www.catholicclimatecovenant.org or contact the Peace and Justice Office at 941-484-9543 or peace&justice@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

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