Weekly eNews for

March 19, 2026

NEW THIS WEEK



MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM RECTOR

The Rev. Sylvia R. Czarnetzky



As I write this, we are headed into the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Sunday week will be The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, where we are invited to walk with Jesus through his last earthly days and hours.


First, I want to tell you all what a joy it has been to plan the music for Holy Week with Allen!! He is so talented, and so experienced with planning church music!! I am deeply grateful that Allen has become part of our staff here at St. Monica's. Now, to Holy Week!


Palm Sunday is kind of a schizophrenic worship service, because at the beginning it celebrates Jesus's procession into Jerusalem, amid calls from the bystanders of "Hosanna in the Highest!" We re-enact that procession in a small way by beginning the Palm Sunday service outside with the blessing of the palms. We then process into the church behind the Processional Cross and the choir. And we sing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor."


Then, the tone of Palm Sunday changes, as we read together the Passion Gospel According to Matthew. The Passion Gospel tells the story of Jesus's journey to the cross, in great detail. It is a brutal story. It is not an easy thing to hear, or to read aloud. Parts of it are violent. But it is our story, and we tell this story every Palm Sunday. (We also read the Passion Gospel according to John on Good Friday every year.)


We have two other services in Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, on Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m., and our Good Friday liturgy at noon on April 3, 2026. I invite you to make these services a part of your Lent observance this year. Participating in Holy Week has the potential to make your celebration of Easter even more meaningful.

MESSAGE FROM OUR SR. WARDEN

Ed Strong



When this eNews is published, your Vestry will be meeting to discuss a range of issues, including various financial issues - how to manage current bequests, establishing an endowment committee to oversee future endowments, setting the stage for our March 28 Vestry retreat which will focus on finalizing our goals and objectives and organizing the Vestry around meeting the objectives set, as well as dealing with ongoing issues such as reviewing our financial reports for the year so far and getting updates on our facility issues. You should be aware that a second a/c unit serving the sanctuary died this past week. It was replaced this Wednesday.


Please keep your Vestry in your prayers as we serve you through managing the administrative needs of our congregation.


STATIONS OF THE CROSS

FRIDAY'S AT 12 NOON

Please continue to join us during Lent as we walk the Way of the Cross on Fridays at 12 noon! As we move from station to station, we tell the story of Christ’s suffering and death. Stations of the Cross is an ancient practice. It’s a way to walk the Stations of the Cross without having to go to Jerusalem! Please consider making this part of your Lenten Observance. 


IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR LECTORS

Date Change for March

Lectors should have recently received an email 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.

NEW ORGAN UPDATE

We've heard that many of you have been asking about the status of our new organ, and we are excited to share that everything is moving forward in a very positive direction.


As we approach Holy Week and Easter, our focus is on this sacred and meaningful time in the life of our church. We look forward to worshiping together and giving our full attention to these important celebrations.


A full update on the organ will be shared in the eNews at the beginning of April, once we have moved through Holy Week and Easter. We are excited for what is ahead and look forward to sharing all the details with you soon.


Thank you for your continued interest and support. Stay tuned.




MEN'S BOOK GROUP

The Men's Book Group continues its discussion of In the Garden of Beasts, covering Part IV, at its March 23 meeting at 9:30AM in the church conference. We will be selecting our next book soon. This is a good time to join. We remain open to all Men of St. Monica's. If you would like more information, please contact Ed Strong.



SATURDAY POTLUCK SOCIAL

A reminder that our March Saturday Potluck Social will take place this Saturday, March 21.


We hope you will join us for a relaxed evening of good food and fellowship. Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy time together with your St. Monica’s parish family.


If you are bringing a dish, please drop it off in the Parish Hall starting at 4:30 pm so everything is ready.


Come hungry. We look forward to seeing you this Saturday.



THINGS TO COME

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.




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).


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



LIFELINE SCREENING - MAY 14th

EASTER FLOWER DEDICATIONS



As we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter and the resurrection of our Lord, we invite you to help beautify the church with Easter flowers by making a dedication in honor of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion.


Flower dedications may be given in memory of someone, in thanksgiving for a blessing, or in celebration of a special person or milestone. The names you submit will be included in the Easter bulletin.

You may complete the dedication form online, or print the PDF version and return it to the church office by mail or by placing it in the offering plate.


Please submit all dedications by Tuesday, March 25 so they may be included in the Easter bulletin.


Thank you for helping make our Easter celebration beautiful for our parish community.


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.


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

  • Contemplative Prayer: Wednesdays, 11am – Zoom


In-Person and Zoom 

  • Bible Study: Fridays, 9am – Library
  • Men's Book Group: Mondays, 9:30am – Conference Room


In-Person Only   

  • Prayer and Faith Sharing: Tuesdays, 10am – Church   
  • Ladies & Gents Luncheon: 2nd Monday, 12:30pm – Different locations 

 

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


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.

SHARE THE eNEWS WITH OTHERS

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.