Fr Vidal's Independence Day Homily and Sarah's Song

A reporter was asking different people what Independence Day meant to them. And even though these people came from different walks of life, they had one common answer. All of them mentioned freedom as the reason for the celebration. Now, the reporter did not press on. He did not ask the difficult question: “What does freedom mean to you?”

Our secular and modern society carries a mistaken idea that freedom means a license to do whatever you want. According to this thought (perhaps we should even call it “agenda”), people can say the most abhorrent words, commit the most disgusting and evil actions, and nevertheless, say with a straight face, “I am free to do that!”

There is something wrong with this conception. In his book, Things Worth Dying For, Archbishop Charles Chaput explains the fallacy of this misconception with these words: “The decline of real freedom is a feature of modern life. Tolerance is revered as the badge of an enlightened people. But an unwillingness to name evil, to teach right from wrong, and to resist the behaviors that wickedness creates is a recipe for license, not freedom.”

True freedom, then, is not the ability to do whatever you want. The ability to do whatever you want without caring for the goodness or evilness of the act is named licentiousness. According to its definition, licentiousness means “the lack of legal or moral restraints in moral behaviors.”

Freedom is not licentiousness. Freedom fosters good people. Licentiousness fosters criminals. Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want but the ability to know and do what is good!

Those who advocate for this kind of “freedom” that does not know moral boundaries (and that truly means “licentiousness”) never speak about responsibility. However, there is no freedom without responsibility. There is freedom because there are values that you treasure as the highest ideals that you want to exercise, and consequently, you want to respect and protect.

True freedom and responsibility go hand in hand, and as Archbishop Chaput says: “Our responsibility is to Truth. Jesus himself said that ‘You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,’ (Jn 8:32).”

Truth is the heart of freedom. There is no freedom without truth. Now, truth is not an abstract idea that is not involved with people and events. Truth is not merely something you read about in books. Truth is and must be in our minds and hearts, in our decisions as individuals, family members, and members of a nation. Truth is not an abstract idea but the highest ideal that must be incarnate.

In fact, the Truth became flesh and dwelt among us, and He taught us with his life what it means to be truly free. Then, by conforming ourselves to Jesus, the Truth incarnate, we become truly free.

In another book, Render unto Caesar, Archbishop Chaput asks this question: “What needs to be done by Catholics today for their country?”

Then, he provides the answer: “The answer is: Don’t lie . . . If we say we’re Catholic, we need to prove it. America’s public life needs people willing to stand alone, without apologies, for the truth of the Catholic faith and the common human values it defends. [And] one person can make a difference – if that individual has a faith he or she is willing to suffer for.”

So simple and so true: don’t lie. If you want to preserve the gift of freedom, do not lie. That simple determination will have an immediate impact on your entire life.

Don’t lie to yourself by using double standards, don’t lie to society when you need to stand for the gifts of life and family, and don’t lie to your country when you are called to exercise your civic duties. If you want to defend freedom, be an agent of truth!

A final point: we must not be ashamed of the truth.

There is another misconception that permeates our secular and modern society: it is claimed that the acceptance of the highest ideals of goodness and truth is reduced to church. Then, when we put a foot outside the church, we are “free” of those “religious” conceptions.

Is that true? Would it be right to have one personality inside the church and suddenly, when we cross the church doors, have a completely different one? This is a false interpretation of the separation of religion and State. This is a misconception fostered by secularism.

According to the Cambridge dictionary: “secularism” is the belief that religion should not be involved with the ordinary social and political activities of a country. This definition helps us to understand the problem. Secularism is a belief; secularism is a kind of religion that shouts: “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19: 15). Secularism is a profession of faith in the world.

Secularism is a false religion, and we Catholics must show that we follow the Truth who became flesh and dwelt among us, not just in the church, but in the world, in the place where we live, at home, in the office, in the school, in the playground, and in whatever place we find ourselves.

In his book, Catholics in the Public Square, Bishop Thomas Olmsted warns us that “The separation of Church and state all too often is used as an excuse to silence people of faith and to discourage them from legitimately participating in the public square. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, of course, does not advocate for a separation of Church and state at all, but rather the protection of religious freedom from the state.”

If we take our faith seriously, we will not remain silent about our faith. If we take the highest ideals of goodness and truth seriously, we will not remain silent about them. And if we remain silent, sooner or later, the freedom that we enjoy will be taken away from us

Let us celebrate our freedom by being agents of truth. Then, we will truly be free. Amen

The Ave Maria Knights of Columbus are hosting a Friday night fish fry this Friday, 31 March from 5 pm to 6:15 pm at the Parish Center.  The menu includes adult and Childrens meals, for more information and to order on line please visit the K of C website.



Learn about Natural Family Planning and the Creighton Model FertilityCare System.  You will learn about God's wondrous gift of fertility and gain a greater appreciation for that gift including how to monitor your own reproductive health.  For more information contact Margaret Kelly, FCPI at mpkelly510(at)gmail.com or by calling 561-401-2233.  

The Knights of Columbus are collecting food for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Casa Maria Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry in Immokalee.  Please donate items such as formula, canned vegetables, canola oil, cereal dried and canned, beans, corn and wheat flour, powdered milk, raisins, rice, sugar, soap, and laundry cleaning products in the boxes in the Narthex.  If you are interested in becoming a Knight, please contact Don Imbus at 937-430-9727.

Ave Maria Parish welcomes back Reverend David Vidal, PhD as our new pastor.  Bishop Frank Dewane announced via the Diocese of Venice in Florida newsletter, "The Mustard Seed."  Fr. Vidal's prior assignment was at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle, FL and started at Ave Maria Parish on Feb 1 ^st, 2021.  Our previous pastor Reverend Cory Mayer became the new pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City, FL on Feb 1 ^st, 2021.

Father David Mariano Vidal was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 13, 1973, the fifth of seven siblings. His parents, Alicia and Julio, live in Buenos Aires.  He attended public elementary schools and a Catholic high school.  In 1993 he began studies for the priesthood, and he was ordained to the priesthood in La Plata, Buenos Aires, on August 9, 2001.  Father Vidal’s two brothers are missionary priests, and three of his sisters are nuns.  After some years of missionary work in the United States, Fr. Vidal entered the graduate program in the School of Philosophy of the Catholic University of America in the fall of 2009.  He received the Licentiate degree in Philosophy in 2012, with a thesis on “Nature and Suppositum in the Metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas” under the direction of Msgr. John F. Wippel.  He received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 2020, with a dissertation on “Res as Transcendental in the Metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas” under the direction of Gregory T. Doolan.  He has been a lecturer at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.  In the Diocese of Venice, Father Vidal was assigned as Parochial Vicar of Ave Maria Parish in August 2017, Administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle in May 2018, and Pastor of Ave Maria Parish in February 2021.The following is a story regarding one of Ave Maria's own, Jean Prather and her creation of a children's Catholic website.

Dear Friends of Ave Maria,

One sunny day I was sitting in the Adoration Chapel which is located in the center of the beautiful town of Ave Maria. I was thinking about the data from a shocking poll I had just read. The poll was done by the Pew Research people and it found that: "just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their Church that the Eucharist is Body, Blood of Christ." Surprised? I was. And that is exactly what I was praying about that day. At one point I asked Jesus if there was anything I could do to help Him remedy this? It was during my time with Him that day in the Adoration Chapel that I believe He inspired me with the thought: "Catholic Kids 101: kids telling kids about Jesus."
 
It took a little while to figure out just exactly what that would look like. After a lot of prayers going up from the best "prayer warrior" friends one could have, lively discussions and phone calls with trusted collaborators, CK101 brainstorm sessions, and letters back and forth from "my Carmelite nuns," Catholic Kids 101 began to take shape.
 
The "CK101 kids" that are featured on the pages of this website are a compilation of the hundreds and hundreds of amazing Catholic children I have met over the years when I was producing original Catholic music for children, coordinating Catholic Vacation Bible Schools and then working as the Elementary Director of Religious Education at a vibrant parish. 
 
It was a 2nd grade child preparing for her First Holy Communion who not only told me what the word "transubstantiation" means but then, to my great surprise, proceeded to spell the word perfectly for me too. The boy who proudly explained that "Christmas" really means "Christ's Mass." The child who unabashedly announced to the group of 80 children getting ready to make their visit with Jesus to pray for his school friend with cancer because Jesus could make his friend well again. And He did. The group of little ones who spontaneously waved to Jesus and blew Him kisses when we walked by the Church because they knew He was really there in the tabernacle. The ones who offered Our Lord little sacrifices of love because their friend, Saint Therese, had showed them her Little Way. "The Story of Saint Anthony and the Donkey," the question of what happens when my grandpa dies, singing "You are My Sunshine"" to Jesus in the Adoration chapel... all these incidents and so many, many more that I experienced over the years with children are woven into the CK101 kids pages. These are the real life children that the CK101 kids represent. These are the children who are the "kids telling kids about Jesus." And these are the children, along with every single child who visits this site and learns that Jesus is really and truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, that "Catholic Kids 101" is dedicated to.

Jean Prather
Full time resident of Ave Maria since 2017 

Please click the link to CatholicKids101.com and visit us today! AVE MARIA ACADEMY - SPOTLIGHT VIDEO
Ave Maria Academy


March for Life


Volunteers
Do you have a passion for the Catholic Faith and the town of Ave Maria?  If so, send us your story, event, photos, and/or videos so that we can share it with the rest of the Ave Maria Catholics community.  In addition, we are always looking for volunteers that would like to contribute on a regular basis with stories and events.  Feel free to send us a message by going to our "Contact Us" page.






On Saturday, February 13, join Scott Hahn for a free event at Ave Maria Parish at Ave Maria University.

Our hope as Catholics is rooted in our faith in Christ's Resurrection. In the Eucharist, we participate in a real way in the Resurrection on earth, before we participate at our death.

Restore your hope and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament at this free evening event!

Space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot:

Dr. Scott Hahn - Register

SPOTLIGHT VIDEO - AVE MARIA ACADEMY

Two buses of high school teens from the Parish Youth Group went to Washington, DC for the annual March for Life.  The teens are very appreciative of all the support they received in order to make this trip a reality.  God bless you and enjoy the video. 

Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and Ave Maria Univeristy (AMU) - A Great Success Story

The Ave Maria Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)    program launched in December 2018 as part of the CYO/CAO (Catholic Adult Organization) structure being built by Saint John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, FL.  Our first CYO program (basketball) reached close to 85 young people (ages 5-15 years old) and was led by wonderful coaches and assistants from our community who so graciously volunteered their time to provide a wonderful and positive experience.  CYO partnered with John Lamanna, the Athletic Director at Ave Maria University (AMU), who delivered a basketball skills day for our children that he ran along with players from the AMU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.  AMU hosted the skills day at the Golisano Field House on campus and invited CYO families to stay and watch the men’s and women’s games that followed.  The children had a great time this season, greatly improved their basketball skills, and enjoyed competing weekly against CYO teams from St. John the Evangelist.  But, more importantly, the program helped to further strengthen our community, including the relationship with AMU.  At the conclusion of the season, CYO families hosted  a potluck dinner to celebrate our success, thank the AMU basketball teams for the skills day, and give the AMU Men’s team a positive send-off as they prepared to leave for the NAIA national tournament in South Dakota. 
 
Ave Maria CYO soccer kicked off on March 9^th and includes more than 140 registered participants.  Ave Maria CAO (Catholic Adult Organization) began in January 2019 with a men’s pick-up basketball league.  If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to help with Ave Maria CYO/CAO, please contact Charlie Thompson (Ave Maria CYO/CAO Activities Director) at charles.a.thompson(at)pfizer.com.  

Saturday, February 6, 2021         6:15-9:30 pm

The Gala is the parish’s main social event each year, both in participation and fundraised dollars.  Despite the limitations precipitated by COVID, we are excited to come together for a special night of fraternity to support our parish.  Dr. Ray Guarendi will be the keynote of a lively evening centered in and around our beautiful church.

​Tickets are $80 per person.

​Seating is limited, and our normal parish cleaning and safety precautions will be followed.  

​Please dress "smart casual" and bring a mask for the indoor portion of the evening.

​Dr. Ray Guarendi is a Catholic father of ten adopted children, a clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker, and national radio and television host. His radio show, “The Dr. Is In,” is broadcast widely.  His TV show, “Living Right With Dr. Ray,” can be seen on EWTN Global Catholic Network.

Dr. Ray will be available to sign books after his talk.

SAINT CLARE FEAST DAY GATHERING IN AVE MARIA ON AUGUST 12


This year for the feast day of Saint Clare, the patroness’ Fraternity in Ave Maria hosted a special gathering for their brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order.  The day started out with a light breakfast and prayer service followed by a special Mass in the chapel at Ave Maria University.  Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFM from Ave Maria University Campus Ministry celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and gave a lovely history of Saint Clare during his homily.  The community was fortunate to have 60 Secular Franciscans from eight fraternities around Florida attend.  With the St. Clare Fraternity located in beautiful Ave Maria, an opportunity arose to have a private tour of Ave Maria Parish’s iconic church followed by a private tour of the new Mother Teresa Museum.  What a prayerful, reflective, and joyful day for all to celebrate the Feast Day of St Clare.  One can hardly wait for next year!  

Ave Maria's Hometown Christmas Festival

Come join in sharing the start of the season with beautiful sights, smells and sounds of Christmas to come! And, don't forget to wear your favorite Victorian attire. If you join us in dressing up, you will receive a special prize and a chance to win one of our raffles. 
​
Ave Maria's Hometown Christmas Festival will be held on December 6th from 5-10 pm.
​
End the night with Eucharistic Holy Hour accompanied by an Angel Choir Procession (from 9-10 pm).

​Parish Events, Activities and Highlights
​
Christmas Victorian Bake Shoppe from 5-8:30 pm

• Parishoners can sample a wide variety of Christmas baked goods as well as hot cocoa and cider in the Bake Shoppe cafe. Several raffles will also be offered. 

• Enjoy Christmas holiday classics sung by carolers dressed in Victorian style clothing.

• Saint Nicholas will regale the crowd with many inspiring stories and will also be available for pictures.

• Arts and craft vendors will be on hand to share a variety of handmade items.

• Children will love our Christmas Scavenger hunt as they explore the many venues spread across the town, with surprises around every corner.

• As a new tradition, Father Mayer and the Christmas Victorian carolers will kick off the Christmas tree lighting.

• Christmas Carol Competition Winners will share their vocal talents with the entire town, singing Christmas classics. ​

• Donahue Academy third grade students will bring Christmas to life with an unforgettable Nativity Tableau.

• A choir of adorable angels will lead the crowd on a walk around the church to begin the Holy Hour.

For More Information - Click Here

Every Monday, abortions  are performed at Planned Parenthood on the corner of Goodlette-Frank Rd. and Creech Rd. The Diocesan Respect Life Office has equested that each parish choose one Monday a month when they would commit to bringing as many people as possible to the Planned Parenthood sidewalk to pray. Ave Maria Catholic Church has been assigned the 5th Monday of any month that has a 5th Monday. We will be covering the hours from 9:00-300 p.m. with people praying on the sidewalk. Please contact Richard and Suzanne Dionne at jmjdionnes(at)hotmail.com or 239-324-0714. If you are unable to commit to a specific time or feel free to come at your convenience.

The Knights of Columbus Silver Rose is visiting Ave Maria Catholic Church on Tuesday June 25 and Wednesday June 26.  Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

History of the Silver Rose

Our Lady of Guadalupe did so much for her people in Mexico that, in 1960, the Columbian Squires, a youth organization of the Knights of Columbus, wanted to give something back to her.

The group of young men in Knights of Columbus Council 2312 in Monterrey, Mexico, came up with the idea of running a rose to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico. The rose was chosen to commemorate Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses, an important part of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Hence the Silver Rose tradition was born and continues with the Knights of Columbus.

 “Through the Silver Rose Program we honor not only Our Lady of Guadalupe and express the unity of the Knights of Columbus, but we also reaffirm our dedication to the sanctity of human life. It is to the Blessed Mother that we turn in prayer as we work to end the Culture of Death that grips our society. As we think in terms of ‘One Life, One Rose,’ it is most appropriate that we turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe who made known Her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses.”

–Supreme Knight, Carl A. Anderson

The Silver Rose will be on display at the 12:00 noon Mass on Tuesday and 11:00 am on Wednesday and Silver Rose Prayer services will be conducted after each Mass by Father Paciorek.

On January 19, 2017 the Diocese of Venice purchased the oratory from Ave Maria University (AMU) and elevated its status from a quasi parish to a parish.  With Diocesan approval Ave Maria Parish became a church and Catholic sacraments like baptisms, weddings, and funerals can now be performed without exemption from the Bishop.  

At time of purchase, AMU donated a 2 1/2 acre lot adjacent to the Church and Ave Maria Development donated a 10 acre parcel to the diocese for future development.  

              

Ave Maria Parish just hosted its monthly Pancake Breakfast on March 24th and on April 14th.  Father Mayer hosts the breakfasts with assistance from the Ave Maria Councils of the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes.  The mouthwatering event has occurred monthly when school is session since Sep of 2016.  Jim Stevens of the Knights of Columbus stated they usually serve approximately 250 hungry parishioners and guests, which equates to 500 pancakes, 400 sausage patties and gallons of coffee and orange juice.

Transformational merciful love campaign launched March, 2019, Ave Maria, Florida.  On the heels of their massive national young adult Marian Consecration campaign, Mercy Through Mary is leading another national campaign, this time focused on consecration to Divine Mercy.   Based on Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC’s best-selling do-it yourself retreat book, 33 Days to Merciful Love, young adults will be led along the next step of sanctity by tapping into the incredible graces of this time of mercy.  By registering for the national campaign at www.mercythroughmary.com, young adults can receive a free copy of the book, daily inspiration via email, and get connected with others throughout the country.  To receive the book in time participants must register by March 14^th.  
 
St. Therese’s Offering to Merciful Love, which makes the grace of this Time of Mercy accessible to all, forms the foundation of 33 Days to Merciful Love.  Fr. Gaitley masterfully combines Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church with the incredible insights of the “Little Flower” to unlock the riches of this powerful Consecration to Merciful Love.  Divine Mercy Sunday, April 28^th, will be the date of consecration with preparation beginning March 25^th.   
 
Last year thousands of young adults at over 240 participating locations consecrated themselves to Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Now the Mercy Through Mary team led by Ave Maria University students is urging young adults everywhere to boldly proclaim the Joy of the Gospel through the experience of Divine Mercy.  This Divine Mercy campaign is for every young adult who is willing to be transformed, answering St. Pope John Paul II’s call “to be the saints of the new millennium.”  Going with Mary to the heart of Jesus, the heart of mercy, the consecration will help all involved truly say, “Jesus, I trust in You.” 
 
Mercy Through Mary is the Nationwide Young Adults Outreach of the Mary & Mercy Center in Ave Maria, FL.  Dedicated to helping young adults live Marian and love mercifully, it’s spirituality rests upon such spiritual giants as Saints Louis de Montfort, Therese of Lisieux, Faustina, Teresa of Calcutta, Maximillian Kolbe, and Pope John Paul II.  Their vision to see a world united under the generalship of Mary Immaculate aimed at winning souls for Christ is rooted in personal holiness, formation, community, and merciful outlook.
 
You can find out more from their website: www.mercythroughmary.com 

Mercy Through Mary at the Mary and Mercy Center 
5060 Annunciation Circle, Ste. 102
Ave Maria, FL 34142 
239-658-5806
info(at)mercythroughmary.com
 

On Thursday, October 3, 2019 the St. Clare Fraternity of Ave Maria and Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFM Director of Campus Ministry at Ave Maria University celebrated the transition of St. Francis of Assisi from his earthly to his heavenly home. Janet Eidem, Vice Minister of the St. Clare Fraternity prepared the readings for the celebration and recruited members to read the parts in conjunction with Fr. Rick who took the Leader role in the readings. Fr. Rick not only participated, but also arranged for us to use Xavier Chapel at the University and asked for help from Ave Maria students to provide music for the group and refreshments as part of the celebration. The refreshments included almond cookies that Fr. Rick explained was a favorite of St. Francis. Fr. Rick also gave each of the participants holy cards with St. Francis’s “Praises of God Most Holy” that St. Francis wrote for Brother Leo to assist him in his meditation on Mount La Verna.

Twenty-one people attended the Transitus celebration. It was a wonderful chance to reflect on St. Francis’s life and his embrace not only of “Lady Poverty”, but also on his appreciation of all of God’s gifts on earth including “Sister Death”. St. Francis’s transition to heaven occurred two years after he was provided the gift of the Stigmata after a forty-day period of prayer and fasting. Franciscans then and now continue to seek to live a gospel life as St. Francis did focused on Christ’s example, going from gospel to life and life to the gospel.

Ave Maria Divine Mercy Community Talent (AMDMCT) presented The Sound of Music on February 1 at the Prince Building.  Congratulations to all the actors and staff.  A special thanks to Director Diana Romero, Ave Maria University for the use of the theater, parents, and all in the community who helped to make this musical a great success.  God bless you all. 
https://youtu.be/5wYMZnrmQQs

 

The Knights of Columbus Ave Maria – Council 14697hosted the installation of their new officers on 13 July 2019 at Donahue Academy.   The ceremony was performed our chaplain Fr. Paciorek, Worthy District Deputy Charlie Dorta, and Worthy Warden Jeff Vespo it was attended by members and their wives.  The new officers are:

Grand Knight---Jim Stephens
Deputy Grand Knight---Jeremy Merhroff
Chancellor---Jim Kukalis
Recorder---Ralph Petragnani
Treasurer---Steve Roser
Advocate---Jeff McManus
Warden---Tim Brennan
Inside Guard---Don Gunthner
Outside Guard---Perry Martin
One Year Trustee---Don Imbus
Two Year Trustee---Kevin Iepson
Three Year Trustee---George Anastasiades