Weekly eNews for
March 26, 2026
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NEW THIS WEEK
MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM RECTOR
The Rev. Sylvia R. Czarnetzky
There are prayers in The Book of Common Prayer that we rarely use. You can find them in two places: first, there is a Collect for every single Sunday in the church year. These collects begin on page 159 (traditional language); the contemporary collects for the same occasions begin on page 211. Second, there are a bunch of prayers beginning on page 810. The Table of Contents for these prayers starts on page 810. This second batch of prayers include prayers for the World, for the Church, for our National Life, for the Social Order, for the Natural Order, for Family and Personal Life. The last section of these prayers contains prayers of thanksgiving, listed on page 812–13. There are a couple of Litanies of Thanksgiving back there as well. One of my favorites is A Litany of Thanksgiving that starts on page 836, which I commend to you, when you are feeling thankful.
One of my very favorite prayers in the BCP is "For Church Musicians and Artists," and when I sang with the choir at The Chapel of the Cross, we recited this prayer at the end of every rehearsal. (A copy of this prayer was posted in the choir room.) I think it's a beautiful prayer.
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven; Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I love the way this prayer bridges the gap between heaven and earth! I love to think of "saints and angels" who "delight to worship in heaven"! And I love the idea that we here on earth "seek through art and music to perfect the praises" that we offer to God! And I love the idea that we might see "glimpses of [God's] beauty here on earth; and that we seek to be "worthy at length" of heaven while we are still earth-bound.
I think this prayer offers us a tiny glimpse of what heaven might be like! I love the way God is worshipped and praised simultaneously, in heaven and on earth! When we say our prayers, we are joining ourselves with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven! When I say the Lord's Prayer, for example, I hear my father's voice, reciting it along with me! That gives me a connection to him, even though he has been dead for thirty years!
MESSAGE FROM OUR SR. WARDEN
Ed Strong
We now have a new Endowment Committee, chartered by Vestry and included in our official records. Soon the work will begin to populate that committee and to get work rolling on establishing new procedures for any future bequests to St. Monica's. We will keep you informed as that process progresses.
The Vestry holds its annual retreat this Saturday. We hope to emerge from that session with a final version of our vision, goals, and initial objectives that we will share widely. We will be encouraging wider congregational participation in the action planning and implementation.
IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR LECTORS
Date Change for March
Lectors should have received an email last week on Wednesday 3/18/2026 regarding an important update to how weekly readings are distributed.
To improve reliability and avoid missed emails due to power or system interruptions, readings will now be sent through our Constant Contact system instead of directly from the church office. This change will help ensure consistent and timely delivery each week.
If you have not seen the email, please check your spam or junk folder and be sure to open messages regularly so they continue to arrive in your inbox.
As always, readings can be accessed at any time on the Lectionary Page.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the
church office.
FINANCIAL UPDATE - 2026
As you all can easily observe, we are quite a seasonal church. Our largest attendance comes in the first quarter of the year. Traditionally, that also means we receive a large portion of our annual income in the January - March plus December months. Often those months have accounted for more than half our annual income.
This year we had a good January and a not so good February, as reflected in the income versus expenses noted below. We will continue to report on year to date and current status throughout the year, with comments to help you put perspective on where we are.
For now, we know we have a generous congregation, as evidenced by the stellar amount we received in pledges. We hope that actual giving will keep pace and if at all possible, there can be a nice uptick for the end of March and/or the April period.
Month Jan' 26 Feb'26
Income $67,214 $23,167
Expenses $44,658 $39,554
Difference +$22,606 -$16,387
Please address any questions to
Scott McCurdy, Treasurer, or
Ed Strong, Senior Warden.
MEN'S BOOK GROUP
The Men's Book Group will continue its exploration of In the Garden of Beasts by Eric Larson at its next meeting March 30 at 9:30 AM in the church conference room. We will be discussing Part V of the book. We will also take up discussion of our next book. We remain open to any of the men of St. Monica's. If you would like more information, please contact Ed Strong.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - APRIL 2nd - 5th
FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
During Holy Week, our Maundy Thursday liturgy will take place on April 2 at 7 p.m., and our Good Friday liturgy will take place on April 3 at noon. This year, we will NOT have the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, April 4, because there simply is not time between now and then to plan it, put it together, and learn all the music. The Easter Vigil is a big service. However, our regular 5 p.m. Saturday service on April 4 will still take place as a regular Easter service celebrating The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, and we will also celebrate on Sunday at 10 a.m. on April 5. The Easter Vigil will be back next year. We thank you for your understanding.
PALM SUNDAY ONLINE VIGIL - MARCH 29th
WITH PRESIDING BISHOP SEAN ROWE
You are invited to join Episcopalians from across the church for Lift Up Your Hearts: A Palm Sunday Vigil on Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. EST
This online service will include a reflection from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, scripture readings from across all nine provinces, and special music. Together, we will enter Holy Week in prayer, asking for the continued conversion of our hearts and for God’s blessing on our witness in the world.
As shared by Bishop Rowe, this is an opportunity for us to turn again to God through prayer and reflection, especially in a time when our world continues to face division and hardship.
Spanish interpretation will be available, and a recording will be sent to all who register.
Register here to participate in the vigil
THINGS TO COME
LADIES & GENTS LUNCHEON – April 13th, 2026
Join us for a fun and relaxing lunch outing at Lulu B’s on Monday, April 13 at 12:30 PM.
Lulu B’s is located at 2374 Immokalee Road in Greentree Plaza, and it is a great place to enjoy good food and good company together. We would love for you to come along, share some conversation, and spend a pleasant afternoon with friends.
Everyone is welcome, and we hope you can join us.
For more information contact Linda Duffy (link is connected to the church directory, be sure to be logged in).
LIFELINE SCREENING - MAY 14th
DO YOU FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK?
If not, you’re missing out on all the fun things happening around St. Monica’s. Be sure to follow our page so you can stay connected with photos, events, and moments from our parish family.
CLICK > HERE < TO VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Don't know how to follow us? Click > here < to find out how!
SUPPORTING FOSTERING SUCCESS EVERY THURSDAY
When you visit Lake Park Diner in Founder Square on Thursdays, $1 will be donated to Fostering Success Naples as part of their giving initiative. This is a great opportunity for St. Monica’s to support one of the local organizations we also help.
Fostering Success is a nonprofit serving children and young adults in the foster care system here in Collier County. Their mission is to provide strategic education and enrichment opportunities that help foster youth reach their full potential. Programs include academic mentoring, scholarships, basic needs support like beds and diapers, and life skills training for young adults transitioning out of care.
Every dollar given through the Founder Square helps extend that mission. It’s another simple way to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children and families in our community.
At 2 Locations:
Founders Square
8856 Founders St Naples
239.539.1559
Downtown Naples
944 7th Ave North Naples
239.228.6351
COME PRAY WITH US
Your faith and scripture will come alive as we pray together. We invite you to spend a special hour with us each week.
All are welcome to gather in the church sanctuary every Tuesday at 10 am. We will praise God with song, read and pray with Scripture, share faith experiences, share intercessory prayer for our needs and the needs of others and also healing prayer.
For more information contact Theresa Miller
NAME BADGES HELP KEEP ATTENDANCE
Please take a moment to find and wear your name tags because it makes it easier for visitors and other parishioners to recognize you by name and allows the office to note your attendance. As you leave the church, please leave them in the baskets near the doors and they will be placed back on the board for pick up the following weekend.
REGULAR CHURCH GATHERINGS
Zoom Only
In-Person and Zoom
In-Person Only
Please email the church office for the link and password to the Zoom meetings.
OFFERING ENVELOPES - Just as a Reminder
We are so grateful for your ongoing generosity and faithful giving. Every offering you give helps us continue the mission and ministry of St. Monica’s, and we truly appreciate it.
That said, we have a small but important request: please do not tape the flaps of your offering envelopes
As shown in the image, the envelope flaps are designed to stay closed once you seal them with the glue inside the flap. When tape is added, it makes it much harder for our office staff to open them quickly and carefully. It slows down the processing, increases the risk of tearing checks or cash inside, and adds extra steps to what is already a detailed task
We know the intention behind taping is likely to keep the contents secure, but we assure you the envelopes are kept safe and handled with care from plate to processing
Thank you for helping us by leaving the flap untaped, it’s a small act that makes a big difference.
A ST. MONICA'S PRAYER
Dear Friends,
In our Tuesday staff meeting we ended with St. Monica's prayer. It was for her son to return to the church. When he finally returned he became the future Saint and Bishop Augustine of Hippo who became a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher.
We thought we might share it with you:
St. Monica, I need your prayers. You know exactly how I'm feeling because you once felt it yourself. I'm hurting, hopeless, and in despair. I desperately want my child to return to Christ in his Church but I can't do it alone. I need God's help. Please join me in begging the Lord's powerful grace to flow into my child's life. Ask the Lord Jesus to soften his heart, prepare a path for his conversion, and activate the Holy Spirit in his life. Amen.
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
3/23
Bill & Ann Hoffman
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
3/1
Penny Jones
3/5
Anya Freigang
3/7
Ian Thompson
3/8
Carol Boyden
3/9
John Plocharczyk
3/10
Linda Flores-Rumpf
3/17
Donald Fuggi
Frank Dowd
Alexander Russell
3/18
Vickie White
3/23
Marilyn McIntyre
3/24
David Bronson
3/25
Dan Zeidman
3/26
Kelly Mankin
3/27
Joan Blessing
3/29
Heather Williamson
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
4/9
Eric & Suzanne Bodley
4/17
Frank & Susan Shrewsbury
4/24
Ashan & Carole Nabbie
4/29
Dan & Sandi Zeidman
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
4/1
Susan Beauregard
4/2
David Chalick
4/9
Joanie Schumacher
4/12
Lynn Landreth
4/16
Al Russell
4/21
John Dessauer
4/24
Tom Cotè
Kathy Franco-Bronson
4/25
Susan Cillufo
4/27
Benji Freigang
4/28
Anita Lackey
4/29
Doug Ball
Cindy Gault
Ashan Nabbie
Patrick Walsh
PRAYERS & VISITS
PASTORAL CARE
If you go to or are going into the hospital, or your spouse, partner, or family member is experiencing a pastoral or health care issue, please contact the
church office during office hours after hours please reach out to: Rev. Sylvia R. Czarnetzky at 662.645.8887 or Deacon Ken McCaslin at 610.608.0704.
PASTORAL CARE MESSAGE
Your clergy are here to walk with you. Pastoral care is an important part of the ministry of the clergy, so please don't be shy! At any time reach out to one of us and we would be happy to talk to you, anoint you, pray with you, or walk with you. If something is going on medically or otherwise in your life, let us know. If you are going into the hospital, let us know ahead of time so we can visit, and, more importantly, be praying with and for you.
ACCESSING THE PRAYER LIST:
For the safety and privacy of our members, the Prayer List will no longer be published on the website or included in the eNews, as both are publicly accessible.
We understand how important this list is to our church family, and we want to ensure you can still access it in the following ways:
1. Online Access: Log in to our Members Directory. Once logged in, click on "Additional Pages" and select "Prayer List".
2. Printed Copies: Printed versions are available at any of our services or can be picked up from the front office.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the privacy and safety of our members.
If someone expresses interest in receiving our eNews, they do not need to wait for the office to assist. The quickest way to sign up is by visiting www.stmonicasnaples.org and registering directly. Once completed, they will begin receiving updates.
If someone has already contacted the office to be added but has not received the eNews by the following week, please encourage them to follow up to confirm that their email address was recorded correctly.
Thank you for helping others stay connected and informed about what is happening at St. Monica’s.
