November 7, 2009

July 2009

Vicar general celebrates 49 years as a priest

VENICE | Diocese of Venice Vicar General Father Edward Moretti has lived through many experiences in his 49 years as a priest.

A humble man who also serves as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Brandenton, Father Moretti said he doesn’t like attention and especially doesn’t like surprises. On July 13, the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, he was surprised when the staff of the Diocese of Venice Catholic Center recognized the occasion with a cake and some singing.

“I have to admit I am very surprised,” Father Moretti said. “This was not necessary; I have done nothing to deserve this.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Chancellor Volodymyr Smeryk and more than 40 others honored the man on his anniversary.

Bishop Dewane congratulated Father Moretti and said the celebration was appropriate considering his long service and dedication to serving the diocese.

Father Moretti was born in Cranston, R.I., went to Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained in 1960 at St. Mary Major Cathedral in Rome.

He first served in a parish in East Boston, Mass., before becoming a chaplain with the Army’s 82nd Airborne division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and then with the 1st Calvary division in Vietnam. While serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, he was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action, as well as a Bronze Star for heroism with an Oak Leaf Cluster, among other medals for his service.

When he returned to the United States, Father Moretti went to Holy Names Parish in Gulfport in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and then St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, before going on to Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostle Parish.

Father Moretti was appointed vicar general by Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins in 2003. In the position, he can perform acts of authority in an ecclesiastical office in the name of the residential bishop, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

In addition to being the vicar general he is a member of the College of Consultors, Planning and Development Committee, Real Estate Board, Peer Review Committee, Priest Personnel Board and Presbyteral Council.

His experience has taken him to Rome many times and during his lifetime has met seven pontiffs. Most recently, Father Moretti attended a Mass for religious at St. Patrick Cathedral in New York during the 2008 visit to the United States by Pope Benedict XVI.

07.29.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Diocese of Venice offers the following novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe in English and Spanish to immigrant communities throughout the country:

Immigrant’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth, I thank you for the land of my birth. You chose that this New World should be the place where the Mother of your Son would become the Mother of the Americas. Far from her home in heaven, she came with her roses to lead us all. Now, I am far from my home and I need your grace and your help, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to obtain justice and legality and peace here among so many other immigrants in this land of hope and freedom.

Oracion del inmigrante

Padre Celestial, creador del cielo y de la tierra, to doy gracias por mi tierra natal. Tu escogiste que este mundo Nuevo deberia ser donde la Madre de tu Hijo seria la Madre de las Americas. Lejos de su hogar en el cielo, ella vino con sus rosas para guiarnos a todos. Ahora yo estoy lejos de mi hogar y necesito tu gracia y tu ayuda a través de la intercessión de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para obtener justicia, legalidad y pas aquí, entre tantos inmigrantes en esta tierra de esperanza y libertad.

07.21.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

Regional Safe Environment classes beginning soon

All employees, volunteers are required to complete the course.

VENICE | The Diocese of Venice regional Safe Environment training fall and winter classes will take place at a variety of times throughout the diocese to accommodate people who have not yet taken the course.

All diocesan employees (clergy, religious and laity) must all undergo Safe Environment training. Volunteers who have routine contact with children or vulnerable adults are reminded that attendance at regional Safe Environment training also is required for them.

The purpose of the entire Safe Environment program is to thoroughly screen and evaluate the background of all diocesan employees – clergy, religious and laity – and those volunteers who work with children and young people, said Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, director of Safe Environment awareness training and certification for the diocese.

The class is just one part of the process to safeguard children and youths from sexual abuse, protect church staff and volunteer workers from potential allegations of sexual abuse, and keep all church staff and volunteer workers aware of the potential for abuse against children and vulnerable adults.

Register through the parish secretary at the location you wish to attend with your name and telephone number at least two weeks prior to the training.

For more information about the Safe Environment training program, contact the Safe Environment Office at 941-484-9543.

07.21.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

St. Charles Borromeo School names new principal

PORT CHARLOTTE | The Diocese of Venice has announced the hiring of a new principal at St. Charles Borromeo School.

Michael O’Loughlin is a veteran teacher and administrator with 38 years in public, private and Catholic schools. Most recently he was the director of Canterbury Intermediate School in Fort Myers. O’Loughlin and his wife, Isobel, have seven grown children.

As an English teacher for 20 years in grades six through 12, and as an adjunct English professor at Syracuse University, he was twice chosen as Teacher of the Year. After completing an advanced degree in educational administration, he served as an administrator in both public and private schools in New York and Maryland, one of them Catholic.

“Private schools by virtue of their unabashed focus on excellence, especially Catholic schools by their emphasis on character, offer the best chance possible for shaping a generation,” O’Loughlin said.

He added that a successful Catholic school principal must be a visible, dynamic force in the classroom and on campus.

“I plan to have collaborative, give-and-take discussions with faculty, in order to kick start effective school reform in the 21st century,” he said.

“Michael brings a refreshed and renewed approach to the vision of St. Charles Borromeo School,” said Father Thomas Heck, administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. “We have reason to look to an exciting future.”

The Diocese of Venice serves a Catholic population of about 250,000 in 10 southwest Florida counties through 56 parishes, a quasi-parish, seven missions, five chapels, 13 elementary and secondary schools, two special-needs schools and a post-secondary school for adult-lay faith formation.

For more information about St. Charles Borromeo School and enrollment opportunities please call 941-625-5533 or visit the Web site at www.stcbs.org.

07.21.09 | Return To Top | Diocese of Venice Front Page

In Brief…

Catholic Charities seeks school supplies

Posted: 07.17.09

Catholic Charities in Collier, Lee and DeSoto counties is collecting school supplies for students in need who are going back to school in August in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples and Immokalee. Supplies needed include backpacks, paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, notebooks, etc. For information on needs and drop-off points, call 863-494-1068 in DeSoto County, 239-337-4193 in Lee County and 239-455-2655 in Collier County.

 

National Salesian Conference coming

Posted: 07.17.09

Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers will host the Joseph F. Power 27th National Salesian Conference Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Themed “The Devoted Life: Happiness on the Journey,” the event coincides with the 400th anniversary of the publication of St. Francis de Sales’ “Introduction to the Devout Life.” Speakers include Father John Graden, Mary Malloy, Father Michael Murray and Carol Swinger. There will be a shared opening and closing prayer and closing Mass. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. The event is free, but registration is necessary to plan seating for lunch. Call 1-800-782-2270 or visit www.desalesresource.org.

 

Adopt-a-Student program seeks help

Posted: 07.17.09

The St. John Neumann High School Adopt-a-Student program in Naples gives deserving students the gift of a Catholic education. At St. John Neumann, students receive a college preparatory education that helps them develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Contributions toward tuition in any amount are welcome and can honor a loved one. The school has a 100 percent graduation rate and 100 percent college admission rate, with the class of 2009 receiving more than $7.2 million in college scholarships. For more information, call Donna Heiser in the Development Office at 239-455-3044.

 

Catholic Charities program receives grant

Posted: 07.17.09

Catholic Charities of Collier County received an award of $98,280 from the Naples Children and Education Foundation Winter Wine Festival. The money will be used to serve children who are abused, neglected and behaviorally impaired; the grant will allow Catholic Charities to expand a program to provide mental health treatment services for children ages 3-8. A grant from the foundation in 2008 provided therapeutic intervention to 80 children.

 

Chapel bookstore now open

Posted: 07.17.09

The grand opening of the Christ the King Chapel bookstore was June 28. The store at 1900 Meadowood St. in Sarasota is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and features statues, rosaries, crucifixes, jewelry, books, Bibles, prayer books, missals, and many items from convents and monasteries from around the world. Call Karen Cull at 941-924-2777 for more information.

 

Christmas in July

Posted: 07.17.09

The Council of Catholic Women of St. Raphael Parish in Englewood is raising money to buy supplies and to defray the cost of postage to send care packages to members of the military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 400 packages have been sent so far. If you are interested in making a donation or would like an active-duty soldier to receive a package, contact Marianne Riley at 1215 Fox Road, Englewood, FL 34223 or call 941-474-1329.

 

Casino trip planned

Posted: 07.17.09

The Knights of Columbus Council 11553 in Englewood will sponsor a one-day trip to the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa on Aug. 11. The trip departs from St. Raphael Parish at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 and includes bus ride, $25 in free play and a $5 food voucher. For more information, call Peter Maggi at 941-473-1489 or Kenneth Corl at 941-473-3404.

 

Our Lady statue will be dedicated July 18

Posted: 07.02.09

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte invites everyone to the dedication of a new statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (aka Our Lady of Antipolo and Our Lady of Safe Travel) Saturday, July 18, at 9:30 a.m. The statue was brought from the Philippines in April. The dedication occurs on the anniversary of the arrival of the original statue of Our Lady of Safe Travel from Mexico to Manila, Philippines, on July 18, 1626. The statue was moved to Antipolo in 1629.

The program includes a 9:30 a.m. procession from the Memorial Garden to the shrine inside the atrium between the church and parish center, followed by a living rosary in six major dialects spoken in the Philippines, and the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

Call the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish office at 941-743-6877 or e-mail stmax@daystar.net, giving your name, parish or organization, and number of individuals attending to make sure there is enough food for all the guests.

 

Marriage panel plans information evening

Posted: 07.02.09

The Diocesan Marriage Tribunal in association with the Ministries Office will host an information evening Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m., at Incarnation Parish, 2929 Bee Ridge Road. The evening is a short presentation on the types of marriage cases considered by the Tribunal, along with an opportunity for questions and answers by participants with Tribunal personnel. It targets those who have experienced a civil divorce/dissolution, or their family or friends who wish to discuss their freedom for a new marriage in the Catholic Church. No reservation is required and all are welcome. For more information, call 941-484-9543.

 

Peace office urges action on health reform

Posted: 07.02.09

The Diocese of Venice Peace and Justice Office asks the faithful to contact their U.S. senators and representatives as they debate the reform of health care this month. Echoing the words of the U.S. bishops, the diocesan officials request that people ask for a universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity that includes access for all, especially the poor, that pursues the common good, including the right to life of all, freedom of conscience, and that restrains costs and spreads them equitably. The Florida Catholic Conference offers a voter voice link that connects the user to his or her legislators in Congress to deliver that message at www.tinyurl.com/fc-take-action. For an in-depth look at the bishopsí expectations for health care reform and comprehensive congressional contact information, please go to http://tinyurl.com/fc-hcare. For more information, contact the Peace and Justice Office at 941-484-9543 or peace&justice@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

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