Weekly eNews for

Jan 29, 2026

NEW THIS WEEK


MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

We are so excited that our new Organist-Choir Master, Allen Stock, is on his way to Naples! He and his wife, Patti, are driving down from Chicago as I write this. Patti will be working at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, and Allen will be working at St. Monica's. It's an exciting moment in our life together as a congregation, and we look forward to welcoming Allen to our staff!


Allen's first day with us will be Thursday, February 26. He will lead his first choir practice that evening. Then his first weekend playing the organ and directing the choir at St. Monica's will be Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1. We will be happy to have him with us! Please join me in giving Allen a warm welcome. We are so grateful he is coming!


Music is at the heart of our worship together, and we are blessed to have Allen as our new Organist-Choir Master. He is a talented church musician with lots of experience, and we look forward to his arrival with great hope and profound thanks!


UPDATE FROM THE SR. WARDEN

A good while ago Toni and I booked a 10-day cruise, Feb 4-14. We are looking forward to this as a time to decompress. Please reach out to Melanie Rose, in my absence, for issues falling under the Vestry We will be back in church the day we return. Thank you for all the support you have given us so far this year. We deeply appreciate it and look forward to moving ahead with all of you when we return.



2025 PLEDGE STATEMENTS

Pledge statements for 2025 will be sent by email between the end of January & beginning of February.


Please take a moment to check the email address listed for you in the church directory and make sure it is current. This will ensure you receive your statement without delay.


If you have any questions, please contact the church office.



OFFICE & eNEWS NOTICE 

Please note that I will be out of the office beginning


Wednesday, February 11, and will return on Tuesday, February 17.


and The office will be closed on


Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents Day.


Any eNews announcements for the weekend of February 14 and 15 must be received by the church office no later than 12noon Tuesday, February 10, in order to be included.


During this time, any pledge related questions may be directed to Joe Master, our Finance Director. Any pastoral needs may be directed to Rev. Sylvia Czarnetzky or Rev. Ken McCaslin.


Thank you for your understanding.


ACOLYTE TRAINING

If you've ever thought about being an acolyte at St. Monica's, now's your chance!


We are hoping to add some new acolytes to our roster! We are in the process of training new acolytes, and would be happy to set up training for you as well. Please reach out to the Rev. Sylvia or the Rev. Ken if you are interested, and we'll schedule a training session. The more parishioners we can get involved in the liturgy, the better off we'll be. Acolytes do not have to be chalice bearers as well.


STEWARDSHIP

Since we are finalizing the budget for 2026, we can say the stewardship campaign is officially over. That does not mean we would accept any new pledges, just that we use where we are now for budgeting purposes. And where we are really outstanding. We have 68 pledges totaling $330,973. Last year there were 74 pledges totaling $309,000.

Thank you to all who supported the campaign this year.



MEN'S BOOK GROUP

The Men's Book Group continues to meet Monday at 9:30AM in the church conference room. We expect we will do one chapter per meeting for the next several weeks as we continue our exploration of Elaine Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels. This continues to be one of our most compelling reads. We remain open to all men of St. Monica's. Please address any questions to Ed Strong.


OPEN PLATE FOR FEBRUARY

This month’s plate collection will be held on February 7 and 8 and will support The Healthy Earth Organization.


They are a local nonprofit whose mission is to empower young people and their families to take meaningful action. Their programs focus on building sustainable habits, developing real world skills, and strengthening our Southwest Florida community.


St. Monica’s Episcopal Church is a partner by hosting a Veggie Village Community Garden on our property. You are welcome to visit the garden, located on the east side of campus near the parking lot.


For more information, visit thehealthyearth.org.


Questions may be directed to Heather Williamson.


THINGS TO COME


LADIES & GENTS LUNCHEON  – February 9th, 2026

We will be lunching at Goldies on February 9th. It is located at 5400 Taylor Rd. which is off of Pine Ridge Rd. It is near Naples Blvd. where Home Depot is. Thank you Linda 


For more information contact Linda Duffy (link is connected to the church directory, be sure to be logged in).



NEWCOMER'S CLASS  – February 15th, 2026

Please join us for a NEWCOMER'S CLASS, starting Sunday, February 15 at 9 a.m. in the conference room in the Parish Hall.  The class will be led by the Interim Rector. There will be teaching as well as discussion each session, and each class will conclude by 9:45 so you can get to church. If you are interested, reach out to Sylvia or let the church office know. Please secure a copy of Welcome to the Episcopal Church by Christopher L. Weber from your preferred bookseller and join us! The class concludes on March 22.


Here is a quick link to purchase on Amazon if you'd like


SHOVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 5:00 to 7:00 pm


Join us for a fun and festive Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church. This annual fundraiser is a wonderful way to gather as a parish on the eve of Lent and enjoy a delicious meal together.


Location:

  St. Monica’s Episcopal Church

  7070 Immokalee Road

  Parish Hall


Cost:

  Adults: $10

  Children 10 &under: $5


Registration:

CLICK HERE to register and pay online,

  or you are welcome to pay by cash or

  check after the Saturday & Sunday services.


Payment Options:

  All forms of payment is accepted.   

   In person:  Cash or Check Only

  Online or in office: Cash / Check  /  Credit / Debt



All are Welcome.

We hope you will join us for a great evening

of food, fellowship, and celebration.


THE ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

February 21st & 22nd

After a summer of discernment of God’s Will, Rita Allan and Anita Lackey entered and completed the required three months of further discernment and study about The Order and are ready to take their lifetime vows for Membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King®️…the vows of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. Each will receive the Cross of The Order which they promise to wear daily as a reminder of their vows. Please keep Rita and Anita in your prayers as they are now writing their personal Rule of Life, that consists of a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service.


The Service of Admission to The Order will be held on

Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the 5 p.m. liturgy

and will be repeated on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 10 a.m.


Please join us to pray and celebrate with them. Thank you and God bless you! 


NOTE:

More Information about The Order will appear in the weekly Announcements and eNews.


For His Sake, 

Toni Strong, Chapter President


CANELLED EVENT

Dear Friends,


Due to unforeseen circumstances, the benefit concert on February 22 at St. Monica's Episcopal Church is postponed until a later date.



Best wishes,

Helen Tintes

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.

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 (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.

JAN. ANNIVERSARIES

 1/1

James & Muriel Burkett   


1/30

David & Kathy Bronson 

JAN. BIRTHDAYS


1/12

Seb Cavallaro


1/14

Zannah Chalick


1/17

Bruce Allan


1/24

Morgan Plocharczyk


1/28

Bob Rossomando


1/31

Ruthann Turley


FEB. ANNIVERSARIES

2/1

Marc & Tanya Buck


2/2

Doug & Deb Blatz

Ralph & Julie Pike

Jim & Laura Stamper


2/5

James & Sue Lemons


2/8

Bill & Susan Docimo


2/20

Rob & Kathy Crevier

FEB. BIRTHDAYS

2/4

Jeff Gault


2/6

Susan Bench


2/7

Nancy Hennel


2/8

Lynn Swendeman


2/9

Jim Sarconi


2/11

Charlie Kalwinsky

Ralph Turley


2/12

Butch Yarusevich


2/13

Sue Adams

2/14

Ed Romatzick


2/15

Marciadee Newman


2/16

Marilynn Dessauer

Liam Freigang

Tom Gibson


2/21

Melanie Rose

Toni Strong


2/23

Gee-Gee Schilling


2/24

James York


2/25

Mark Giersch


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:  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!