Weekly eNews for

November 27, 2025

NEW THIS WEEK

A LETTER FROM OUR INTERIM RECTOR

As I write this, we are drawing closer and closer to Thanksgiving Day. I wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving!! John and I will go to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of a law professor who teaches at Ave Maria School of Law. We were happy to be included, and look forward to a delicious meal with colleagues and friends!


I also wanted to tell you about some changes we are making in the liturgy for the Season of Advent, which begins this weekend. Here's what we are changing:


               1.          The hangings will be purple, for Advent, and we will light the first candle on the Advent wreath this weekend.

               2.          Instead of singing the Gloria, we will sing "The Kyrie". It's a familiar setting by Healy-Willan of "Lord, have mercy upon us, etc .etc." The Kyrie is more penitential in tone than the Gloria. That's why we are using it in Advent, which is a somewhat penitential season. (Lent is the most penitential season of the church year!)

               3.          We are changing the Prayers of the People.  They will be printed in the bulletin, and are tailored to the season of Advent.

               4.          We are using Eucharistic Prayer B, instead of Eucharistic Prayer A, because EP B focuses more on the Incarnation of Jesus, which is what we anticipate during Advent, and celebrate during Christmas. Epiphany also goes with the Incarnation cycle, so we will keep most of these changes until the end of Epiphany.

               5.          We have changed the Sanctus (Holy, holy holy...) to S-130. It is a setting originally by Franz Peter Shubert. We will continue to sing S-164, (Jesus, Lamb of God,...) the fraction anthem also originally by Franz Peter Shubert.

               6.          We will speak the great AMEN at the end of Eucharistic Prayer B, and we will speak the Memorial Acclamation ("We remember his death, etc.)


               I thought you might like to know what we are changing and why.  I know people in church in general are not all that enthusiastic about change (!), but I thought if I explained what we were changing and why, it might help.  I think making seasonal changes in our liturgy and music helps us appreciate the difference in liturgical season, and we leave the Season of Pentecost, and enter the Season of Advent this weekend.  (And if this is way too much detail for you, you may just ignore this letter!)



STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

We are entering our third week of this stewardship season. As of this writing, we have received 23 pledges, amounting to $135,000 in commitments. Please carefully consider your commitment to St. Monica's as you complete your pledge, using the card you received in the mail, or (the easiest way) online through the Give portal on the church website. For those who might find the print size a bit difficult, there are full-page copies of the pledge card at the back of the church. Thank you for all the love and support you give to and get from being part of our faith community.


We really need the pledge cards so that we can do accurate forecasting for our 2026 budget. We are working on a preliminary budget to share with you early so that you have a sense of our future needs. Even if you have your donations automatically sent to the church, please complete a pledge card to help us plan responsibly. 


Please also note the giving tree by the main door to the sanctuary. As we move ahead on our pledges you will see the tree grow green with symbolic leaves. Don Fuggi is the inspiration and keeper of the tree. 




MEN'S BOOK GROUP

Our new book Living Buddha, Living Christ continues to generate engaging discussions. We will continue our exploration of this book, covering Chapter 8,9, and 10 at our next meeting Dec 1 at 9:30 AM in the church conference room. All men of St. Monica's are invited to join at any time. Please address any questions to Ed Strong.




THANKSGIVING IS HERE

As we step into the holiday, I want to wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with good food, good company, and moments of real gratitude. I am thankful for this parish family and for the way you care for one another.


Have a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Laura Stamper - Parish Administrator



WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

As you all know, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Vestry have taken the results of the recent Holy Cow survey of our Congregation and developed a draft of a strategic plan for St Monica’s. 


This strategic plan consists of our vision, goals and objectives for the future. To insure that we have consensus, we have been conducting a series of reviews with various groups within the Church. As a final step, we would like to open it up to anyone in the Congregation who might be interested in having a voice in our future direction. 


On December 3 at 4pm, we will conduct a one hour facilitated session where this plan will be presented to you and you will be asked to provide your opinion on this work. It is critically important that we hear from as many of you as possible so we strongly encourage you to attend. If you plan to join, please RSVP  >  HERE  <



GIVING TREE - FOR OUR FOSTER CHILDREN

Wow! You stripped the tree bare in 2 days!


A big thanks to all of you who took the 50 ornaments on the Giving Tree for the foster children. You are going to put some big smiles on their faces. We could not have asked for a better response. 


Please keep a few things in mind when returning your Giving Tree gifts.


All gifts need to be back by December 10 so there is enough time for pick up and delivery.


Be sure the ornament name tag is on that gift so the correct child will get what they asked for.


If you will, please place the gifts in a gift bag instead of a store or grocery bag. Reason being is that many children in foster care have had to move from place to place with their belongings in those types of bags, so seeing their Christmas gift in them can bring up difficult feelings. A gift bag helps the child feel that this gift is something special and chosen just for them. Thank you for helping make their Christmas feel a little brighter and more personal.

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.



Our latest post features our St. Monica’s Baby Basics team attending the Baby Basics luncheon and fundraiser. It was a wonderful event filled with community, purpose, and a lot of smiles. Take a look and join the conversation online!

THINGS TO COME

MISIÓN PENIEL FRIDAY –  December 12th @ 1:30PM
Please join us while serve the hardworking farming community in Immokalee. We will spend the day, along with members of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, bagging and distributing food, clothing, and other goods to workers and their family members. What a great way to give back during the holidays! We will meet to carpool at the St. Monica’s parking lot at 1:30pm, and plan on returning by 6:00 pm. Please contact Debbie Corey to let her know if you would like to be part of this meaningful service mission. Her contact information is in the directory, or contact the church office for her contact.


COME HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH  – December 21st

Sunday, December 21, right after the 10am service


The Flower Guild is inviting everyone to stay after the 10am service on December 21 to help decorate the church and set up the Christmas tree. This is always a warm and joyful time as we prepare the space for Christmas together. All ages are welcome and there are plenty of simple tasks if you just want to lend a hand.


We would love to have you join us as we get the church ready for this beautiful season.



PAUSE, REFLECT, PREPARE  –   December 6th @ 8:30AM


Advent Quiet Day with Bishop Douglas Schart

Saturday, December 6, 2025    8:30 AM - 12 PM

Trinity by the Cove, Naples


Everyone is invited to take part in a peaceful Advent Quiet Day led by Bishop Douglas Scharf. The Daughters of the King and Trinity by the Cove are hosting this time of spiritual reflection and preparation for the season ahead.


For centuries Christians have prepared for the celebration of Christ’s birth by remembering the voices of the ancient prophets who pointed toward the coming of the Messiah. One of the oldest traditions linked to this season is the singing of the “O Antiphons,” reflected in the well loved hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Each verse highlights a different name for the Messiah such as Key of David and Bright and Morning Star.


This Quiet Day will offer short meditations from Bishop Scharf, along with unhurried time for silence and prayer. There may even be a little singing along the way.


To register, click > HERE <


Have You Filled Out the Directory Survey Yet?

We’re reaching out again to all members and friends of St. Monica’s with an important request. Our new Directory Survey was shared recently, but so far only a small number of people have responded. We’re very grateful to those who have already updated their information, but we truly need everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey.


This isn’t just about keeping the Directory up to date. The survey also helps us confirm that everyone can access it correctly and that all contact details are accurate. Even if you believe your information is already correct, please fill out the survey so we can verify everything.


If you’ve had trouble accessing the Directory, there’s a place in the survey to let us know. Someone from the church office will follow up to help.


Please take a few minutes to complete the survey today. Accurate and accessible contact information helps us stay connected and ensures you don’t miss important eNews or church updates.


Thank you for your help as we continue to strengthen our St. Monica’s family connections.


For any questions, contact the parish administrator.

TAKE THE SURVEY

BULLETIN BOARD

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 (a requirement for the Diocese). 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 call the church office at 239.591.4550 or email 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.

NOV. ANNIVERSARIES

11/7

George & Anita Lackey



11/ 26

Herb & Marciadee Newman

NOV. BIRTHDAYS

11/2

Eric Bodley

GiGi Camilari

Rob Crevier

Susan Shrewsbury


11/5 

Bill McCown


11/7 

Charla McHenry


11/8

Dayona Paz Pedroza


11/9

Kathy Crevier


11/17

Dick Rumpf

Barbara Williamson

11/18

Barbara Donovan

Hugh Gower

Jim Moritz

Nancy Nick


11/20

Lorraine Ciano


11/22

Betty Devlin

Carol Yarusevich


11/23

Greg Smith-Landwehr


11/27

Debbie Corey


DEC. ANNIVERSARIES

12/4

Kelly Mankin & Mike Tonda


12/8

Gordon & Ruth Macdonald


12/11

John & Morgan Plocharczyk

12/26

Phil & Sue Baker

DEC. BIRTHDAYS

12/1

Jocelyn Chalick

Carole Nabbie


12/2

Cheri McCaslin


12/4

Jan Ward


12/11

Margaret Holt


12/16

Fred Groehl 

12/21

Ruth Kalwinsky


12/22

Ruth Macdonald


12/29

Tanya Buck

Emily Groehl


12/31

Deb Blatz


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 call the church office during office hours at 239.591.4550 and after hours please reach out to:  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 viewable in the on the website nor added back to the eNews due to the public accessibility of both.

 

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 approaches you expressing interest in receiving our eNews, you can let them know that they don't need to wait for the office to handle it. The quickest and easiest way for them to sign up is by visiting our website at www.stmonicasnaples.org/ and registering themselves. By taking this simple step, they'll start receiving our updates promptly. If they've previously contacted the office to be added and haven't received the eNews the next week, advise them to reach out to confirm that their email address was correctly noted. We want to ensure everyone stays connected and informed about all the exciting happenings at St. Monica's. Thank you for helping others get connected to our eNews community!