Weekly eNews for

July 9, 2026

NEW THIS WEEK

FROM THE DESK OF THE REV. SYLVIA R. CZARNETZKY


Dear Everyone,


I borrowed a book from our church library the other day. It is called "The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully" by a wonderful Catholic writer named Joan Chittister. She recently turned 90 and is quite a gifted and prolific writer on spiritual matters.


In her book, The Gift of Years, she offers a unique perspective on growing old. She argues that we shouldn't view aging as some kind of numerical countdown to the end of our lives. She says that aging offers us believers the gift of time, time for spiritual reflection and time for spiritual renewal. Chittister believes that, in this last chapter of our lives, we can become "more honest, more decent, more serene, more caring, and more merciful." That all has great appeal for me!



In one of the mystery series I have read, there is a character who lives in an "Assisted Living" facility in England. She is wickedly cynical, with a sharp tongue. She simply does not suffer fools gladly. When she talks about her assisted living quarters, she calls it "the departure lounge," which is, of course, the British term for the place in the airport where you wait for your flight to be called. That is certainly one way to understand this last chapter in our lives. We are all passengers in the departure lounge, waiting for our proverbial flights to be called!


But I happen to believe this last chapter of our lives should, and can, consist of more than simply marking time until we die, although you can certainly choose to live that way! I, for one, look forward to spending time in this last chapter exploring and discovering for myself the riches and opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal as I grow older! I look forward to using Chittister's book to help me do that!


My prayer for all of us is that we wake up each morning and give thanks for "the gift of" our "years"! And I pray for God's help (and Joan Chittister's guidance) to find, in these last years, ways to be useful to others, to be honest with myself, and to grow old as gracefully as I can!


MESSAGE FROM OUR Sr. WARDEN


You have all heard at various times that one big maintenance item that needs to be addressed is our outdated fire suppression system. And I think we have noted that pieces of it keep needing repair or replacement. During our annual fire inspection, the valve that supplies water to the sprinklers was cited as needing to be replaced. That is an $11,000+ part but it has to be done to meet fire protection standards. You won't see it or feel its effect unless there is a fire. But you should be aware that Ralph Pike, our Jr. Warden, and the rest of the maintenance team are on top of such things and the Vestry has approved this expenditure with funds coming from our bequests.


Also the Vestry met in its second work session last week to discuss the parameters of a new search for a rector. Several options related to compensation were discussed including potential support for housing in some way. While no compensation decisions were made on this issue, there was agreement that we need to put this whole issue before the congregation so that they are aware of what is being considered and to gain their input on what is on the table. We need to do this simply because any decision on compensation will involve the big question of where will the money come from. A subgroup is working on how to involve all of you.


I think I have said this before. I expect there are some asking - why are they taking so long? Well, we want this one to work and that takes lots of work to get to agreement of what we should do. We will continue to keep you informed of our progress and your opportunities for input.


Ed Strong, Senior Warden

LADIES & GENTS SOCIAL LUNCH OUTING!

MONDAY JULY  13th


COME JOIN THE FUN AT JASON'S DELI!


Looking for a great way to start your week? Join your St. Monica's friends for food, fellowship, and plenty of conversation at our next Monday Social Lunch!


📅

Monday, July 13


📍

Jason's Deli

2700 Immokalee Road

Located near Blue Jelly and Sam's Club


Whether you're a longtime member or new to St. Monica's, this is a wonderful opportunity to relax, enjoy a delicious meal, and spend time getting to know fellow parishioners outside of church.


No agenda. No speeches. Just good food, good friends, and good company!


Bring a friend, bring your appetite, and come enjoy a fun afternoon of fellowship. We always have a great time, and there's always room for one more at the table.


We look forward to seeing you there!


A NEW SERVICE FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY


St. Monica's is pleased to announce that our Parish Administrator, Laura Stamper, is now officially commissioned as a Florida Notary Public.

As an added benefit for our parish family, current members of St. Monica's may have documents notarized at no charge. Notary services are also available to nonmembers for the standard Florida fee of $10 per notarization.


If you need a document notarized, please contact the church office before stopping by to make sure Laura is in the office and available. This will help save you a trip and allow us to schedule a convenient time.

Email is the preferred method for scheduling an appointment. Please contact administrator@stmonicasnaples.org to arrange a time, or call the church office if email is not convenient.



Whether you are already planning to be at the church or simply need a nearby notary, we are pleased to offer this convenient service to our parish family and the community.

JULY OPEN PLATE RESULTS
LIGHTS FOR THE ALTAR

Thank you to everyone who contributed to last week's Open Plate collection for our altar lighting project. We are thrilled to share that, thanks to your generosity, $510.00 was raised for July.


This is especially remarkable considering attendance was a bit lower than usual because of the Independence Day holiday and many of our parish family are spending the summer up north. Your generosity speaks volumes about the commitment and care our congregation has for St. Monica's.


Because of your support, we have already met our original goal of funding the new altar lighting. Any additional donations received will help support other parish needs as we will inform you of as we get closer to August.


Thank you for continuing to support the ministries and improvements that make St. Monica's such a special place.

USHER BADGES


We are currently missing two usher name badges.


If you happen to have one at home, in your car, or tucked away in a bag, we kindly ask that you return it to the church office at your earliest convenience.


Thank you for helping us keep our usher supplies complete and ready for those serving each weekend.

THINGS TO COME

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

Why Join Education for Ministry (EfM)?

To deepen your Christian faith.

To learn how to articulate that faith.

To let that faith inspire you into action!


Through study, prayer, and reflection, trained mentors (Kathy Schillreff and Jean Hite) facilitate small group discussions and guide 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 current participants were asked what the title of a book would be if they were to write one about their EFM experience this year. Here are a few of the responses:

  • From Legends to Love
  • EFM: Everything You Wanted To Know About Christianity
  • Finding The Way
  • Ever Changing - Ever New
  • Swept Away - How the Currents of Community, Joy & Love Rose to Embrace Me


If those “titles” intrigue you, we hope you’ll consider joining us when the new EFM year beings  on Sept. 8th. We meet most Tuesdays from 2:30 - 5 p.m. We look forward to welcoming new people.

We are a hybrid in-person and Zoom group so snowbirds are able to join us.

 

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.

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

7/1

Fred & Lynn Swendeman


7/4

Dick & Linda Rumpf


7/7

Pat & Brenda Walsh


7/13

Jim & JoAnn Sarconi


7/29

Gary & Mary Gentzle

Hugh & Marge Gower

Bill & Pauline McCown


7/30

Paul & Nancy Nick

JULY BIRTHDAYS

7/2

Linda Duffy

Richard Pfeil


7/3

Bob Des Jardin


7/5

Rita Allan


7/6

Kathi Rabideau


7/9

Donna Cote

Joan Lazarus


7/10

Steve Corey

Barbara Shea

7/14

Jenny Wise


7/22

Nancy Beaupre


7/24

Pauline McCown

Scott McCurdy

Bob White


7/27

Theresa Kempf

Sharon Lapierre


7/29

Suzanne Bodley


7/31

Jack Hufty


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.