Weekly eNews for

July 30, 2026

NEW THIS WEEK

FROM THE DESK OF OUR INTERIM RECTOR

Sylvia Czarnetzy


When Hurricane Katrina came ashore in August 2005, much of the news reporting focused on New Orleans. Katrina -- coupled with the levee failures -- was a huge disaster for New Orleans, no question. But the Mississippi Gulf Coast was just as hard hit by Katrina. The damage in Mississippi wasn't as extensively covered by the news media, but the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast were suffering, nonetheless.


Three days after the storm hit, I went with a small group of Catholic nuns from the Tutwiler Clinic to take supplies of medicine and to help provide medical care to the people. And several of us went down with them to see what we could do to help out. The Episcopal Church used the Episcopal school in Pass Christian as its base of operations for the relief and recovery effort, so that's where we went. We slept in the school library and showered at the school gym. There were reminders of the storm all around us, including a big hole in the roof of the gym!


Those of us who weren't medical personnel helped out at the Food Bank, mainly. You would not believe the number of people who came to the Food Bank who told us that they had lost everything in the hurricane! Homes, cars, furnishings -- all swept away by Hurricane Katrina! People were still in shock, I think, as they began the daunting task of moving forward after such a devastating hurricane.



It was good to be part of the relief effort and sobering to see so many distressed people who essentially had to start over. (I wouldn't have known where to begin!) People were overwhelmed, and part of our work there was to listen to their stories as we gave out can after can of green beans!

I am sad to tell you that I returned from the trip to the Gulf Coast with a terrible fungus infection in my big toe, which I still have! So every time I look down at my toes, I am reminded of our work helping out on the coast. That was my first experience with hurricane relief! Now that I live in Naples, hurricanes are at the top of my list of things I don't care for about Florida!!

MESSAGE FROM OUR SR. WARDEN


The eNews asks for reports from travelers on their summer activities. Toni and I are wrapping up a ten day visit to all of our kids and grandkids in New Jersey and my brother and sister in Baltimore. It has been great to see how everyone is doing and what comes next. For example, we learned that grandson, Jake, who is making a living as a professional magician, is going to LA in the fall to be on an episode of Penn and Teller, Fool Us. That is a huge step in his career. Too many other stories to tell. Suffice to say, it was a heartwarming trip. Back to grind this week. If my phone skills were on, there are a couple of pictures of the Chicago part of the family joining us for breakfast at the Jersey shore and the birthday celebration of 11 year old Riley, our youngest grandchild included here.

SUMMER CHECK IN WITH JEFF & CINDY GAULT


Jeff and Cindy spent a wonderful day in Milwaukee at a golf fundraiser benefiting The Gathering, a local organization that provides hot meals to those in need throughout the city.



While they were visiting their daughter, Lauren, and her fiancé in Eau Claire a few weeks ago, they also celebrated some exciting family news. Lauren said "YES" and is now engaged! The family is overjoyed and look forward to this new chapter in their lives.



It has been a summer filled with special moments for them, and they are grateful for the memories made with their family and friends. Thank you Jeff and Cindy for sharing your summer memories with us and congratulations to the happy couple! 💕

RESTAURANT SOCIAL AFTER SATURDAY WORSHIP


Join us for food and fellowship after the 5:00 PM

Saturday worship service on August 8!


Jason's Deli

2700 Immokalee Rd

Naples


No RSVP is needed.

Just come as you are and enjoy a relaxed evening with your St. Monica's friends. We hope to see you there!


THINGS TO COME

LADIES & GENTS SOCIAL LUNCH OUTING!

MONDAY AUGUST 10


BRUNCH IS CALLING!


Join your St. Monica's friends for another afternoon of great food, gathering with friend, and enjoy laughter at our August Social Lunch!


📅

Monday, August 10


🕧

12:30 PM


📍

Bonita Brunch

26381 S. Tamiami Trail

Bonita Springs

Located near Bonefish Grill


Whether you're a longtime member or new to St. Monica's, we'd love to have you join us. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal, catch up with friends, and meet new people making new friends in a relaxed and welcoming setting.


No agenda. No speeches. Just good food, great company, and wonderful conversations!


Bring a friend, bring your appetite, and join us for what is sure to be another enjoyable afternoon. There's always room for one more around the table!


We hope to see you there!


Baseball with the Bishop is back

At Tropicana Field on Friday, August 28!

Join Bishop Doug Scharf and Episcopalians from across the Diocese of Southwest Florida as the Tampa Bay Rays take on the San Diego Padres at 7:10 p.m.


Bring your friends, family, youth groups, and fellow parishioners for a fun night of faith, fellowship, and baseball. Our goal is 1,000 Episcopalians in the stands, and if we reach it, Bishop Scharf will throw out the first pitch!


Tickets are $36.60, with $5 from every ticket supporting Episcopal Charities.


Reserve your seats today through the link below or contact Rafael Lazala at 727-825-3445 or rlazala@raysbaseball.com for group seating.


                     > Purchase Tickets Here  <

Do you knit or crochet? Now to Nov 2026

CAN you help me, help sick and premature babies in Uganda?

Let me introduce myself, my name is Ellen Milan. I am a member of St Monica’s and a retired neonatal intensive care nurse and a volunteer with Health Volunteers Overseas, a private non-profit dedicated to improving the availability and quality of health care in developing countries through training and education of local health care providers. I have been teaching, and working with, Ugandan neonatal healthcare providers, and families of sick and premature babies, since 2001.


DID YOU KNOW… newborns (especially prematures) can lose a significant amount of heat from their heads (the largest surface area of their bodies), which puts them at risk for hypothermia (low body temperature). Hypothermia in the newborn period is considered an important contributor to newborn morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) especially in low-resource countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes newborn thermal care as a critical component of essential newborn care. 


Prematures are many in Uganda and other parts of Africa and this is do in part to the high rate of “natural twining”. Twins and higher order multiples (triplets or more) have an increase risk of being born prematurely.


Covering a baby’s head can make a substantial impact in avoiding hypothermia even in the smallest of babies. Knit and crochet hats can be life saving.


God willing, I will be returning again, to Uganda, in November 2026.


If you have any questions or would like more information, you can find me in the directory located HERE.


With gratitude, Ellen Milan

2026-27 EFM Registration is OPEN!

 

Earlier this summer we shared some “book titles” expressing how 25-26 EFM participants describe their journeys. Here are a few more:


  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way through the Bible.
  • Seeing the Face of God in My Neighbor
  • My Journey to Know Jesus and Walk in His Way.


Intrigued? You, too, are invited to join us as we study, pray, and reflect, with trained mentors (Kathy Schillreff and Jean Hite) facilitating small group discussions and guiding participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens. More than Bible study, EfM participants read and discuss the Old Testament (year 1), the New Testament (year 2), Church history (year 3), and theology and ethics (year 4). You do not have to commit to all four program years nor complete in four years. Our seminar sessions are like a one-room school house with all 4 years represented in the discussions and reflections. It makes for exciting insights and deepening faith.

 

We will begin on September 8th, meeting Tuesdays from 2:30- 5 p.m. We are a hybrid, in person and zoom group.

 

If you would like registration info and the link to an on-line registration portal, please email Kathy Schillreff


If you have questions, please contact Susan Docimo, Jean Hite  or Kathy Schillreff for more information.

ACOLYTE FESTIVAL - August 22

Intergenerational and open to all, the 2026 Acolyte Festival invites acolytes, vergers, leaders, and volunteers with all levels of experience together on August 22, 2026, at the Cathedral. Through rotating workshops, a shared meal, and a closing service, we'll deepen our understanding of shared ministry at the altar and strengthen connections across our congregations.


The festival runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, with registration beginning at 9:30 AM. A light breakfast will be available before 10 AM, and a cookout lunch featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings will be provided.



MULTIPLE REGISTRATIONS: This form allows churches and families to register more than one individual at a time. To do so, simply click "yes" when prompted to register another individual.


VOLUNTEERS: There will be a need for volunteers to help with check-in, shepherding, assisting in workshops, floaters, and more at the event. If interested, please register below and select "volunteer" under "Age Range."



Whether you are a longtime acolyte, server, or verger, or are new to this ministry, all are invited to join in this special day of learning, celebration, and worship.


BULLETIN BOARD

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 TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS

LOCATION 1

Founders Square

8856 Founders St  Naples

239.539.1559



LOCATION 2

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.

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

8/6 

William & Janice Ward


8/7

Matt & Betty Devlin 


8/11

James & Tasha Van Hest


8/14

Michael & Susan McCampbell


8/16

Mark Giersch & Jesse Roberts


8/18

John & Sue Adams 

Abigail & Benji Freigang


8/21

Keel & Penny Jones


8/24

Don & Joan Fuggi


8/27

Fred & Betty Cable


8/29

Maureen & David Chismar

AUGUST BIRTHDAY

8/3

Chuck McHenry


8/8

Amy Thompson


8/11

Kathy Connelly

Jo Pfeil


8/17

Ralph Pike


8/18

Ed Strong


8/21

Herb Newman

8/22

Abigail Freigang


8/23

Ann Hoffman


8/24

Susan Docimo


8/25

Kyle Williamson


8/28

Marge Gower


8/29

Al Ciano

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 would like to receive our eNews, they do not need to wait for the church office. The fastest way to sign up is to visit our website: www.stmonicasnaples.org, click the orange “THIS WEEK” button, and select “Sign up for the Weekly eNews.” Once they complete the form, they will begin receiving the eNews every Thursday at 5PM.


If someone has already contacted the office or signed up but has not received the eNews by the following week, please ask them to follow up so we can confirm their email address was entered correctly.


Thank you for helping others stay connected and informed about what is happening at St. Monica’s.