“Stewardship is the Grateful Response of a

Christian Disciple Who Recognizes and

Receives God’s Gifts and Shares These Gifts in

Love of God and Neighbor.”

Staffed by the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales

Fr. Stanley J. Dombrowski, OSFS

Pastor

Fr. Francis J. Hanlon, OSFS

Parochial Vicar

Anthony F. Di Lorenzo Deacon

Pastoral Staff

Jill Bitterman Coordinator of Worship

Kelli Bonner Director of

Faith Formation and Sacramental Prep

Eva Christian Youth Director

Jeanne Conklin Business Administrator

Sherry Cross Coordinator of Music

Jenny Grinsell Office Assistant

Pam Klaas Coordinator of Ministry to

Elderly, Sick and Homebound

Peg Mengle Administrative Assistant

Linda Sigl Faith Formation Secretary

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time November 8, 2015

Page 2 Website - www.saintcecilias.org

The Week AheadThe Week AheadThe Week AheadThe Week Ahead

220 Envelopes ...................................... $8,061.00 Loose Cash.............................................. $979.24 Loose Checks ....................................... $3,410.00 Total ................................................... $12,450.24 154 All Saints ........................................ $3,940.00 57 All Souls .............................................. $775.00 45 Building Maintenance Fund .................. $965.00 28 Catholic Media ................................... $433.00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Last Week’s CollectionLast Week’s CollectionLast Week’s CollectionLast Week’s Collection

This Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary LampThis Week’s Sanctuary Lamp Is in Memory of Molly Campochiaro Requested By Her Husband, Joe

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 2:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Meeting 103-104 6:00 PM RCIA 204 7:00 PM AA Meeting 101-102 7:00 PM Boy Scout Meeting A, B 7:00 PM Concert Rehearsal C TUESDAY 7:00 AM Gospel Forum 204 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus General Mtg. A, B WEDNESDAY, VETERAN’S DAY, OFFICE CLOSED 6:00 PM Hand Bells CR 7:00 PM Symbolon A, B 7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice CR THURSDAY 8:30 AM Rosary 101 6:30 PM Theology on Tap 103-104 FRIDAY 8:00 AM Brothers in Christ A 10:00 AM Scripture Sharing L SATURDAY 8:00 AM DOV Marriage Prep A, B 3:00 PM Confessions until 3:30 PM C SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 9:00 AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word CR 10:00 AM Coffee and Donuts A, B, K 10:30 AM Family Faith Formation PH 10:30 PM Youth Group 204 12:15 PM Sacramental Prep 101-104 3:00 PM Symbolon A, B

The Gospel from Mark contains one of the most repeated and utilized accounts about what it means to practice stewardship, as well as the requirements that need to be met in order to be a good steward. It is the story of the poor widow who placed “two small coins worth a few cents” into the offering basket. Although we often call this the narrative of the “Widow’s Mite,” we should keep in mind that a “mite” was a medieval English coin, and that

term was never used until the Bible was rewritten during the Reformation — “Mite” was first used in the King James version of the Bible.

However, the significance of the story is not what we might call the coins; it is what Jesus was trying to tell us by sharing what happened. The Lord parallels an oft-repeated stewardship say-ing, “Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice.” It is not the size of our gifts of gratitude to God that matter; it is the idea that each of us as Catholics and Christians makes an equal sacrifice in our ef-forts to be good stewards.

The Lord tells us, “For they have all contributed from their sur-plus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Although He does not say it specifi-cally, what Jesus is declaring to us is, “She trusts Me.” Do we? Do our sacrifices reflect that trust?

Copyright © 2010 www.THECATHOLICSTEWARD.com

Senior LuncheonSenior LuncheonSenior Luncheon Monday, November 16, after the 12:10 PM Mass. Come for FUN and FELLOWSHIP!

Please RSVP to the Parish Office by Thursday,

November 12. Be ready for IN THE WORD.

Don’t forget your Don’t forget your Don’t forget your cans of food cans of food cans of food to donate!to donate!to donate!

50505050thththth Anniversary CelebrationAnniversary CelebrationAnniversary CelebrationAnniversary Celebration As a closing event for our 50th An-niversary Celebration, we will be

hosting a concert on Epiphany Sunday, Jan-uary 3. Those who were part of our Jubilee Concert in April, and our entire parish commu-nity, are invited to participate in this wonderful celebration. Rehearsals are on Mondays, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Contact Sherry Cross at Ext. 28, and join us as we make wonderful music together in honor of our parish.

We Need Volunteers for Coffee and Donuts!We Need Volunteers for Coffee and Donuts!We Need Volunteers for Coffee and Donuts!We Need Volunteers for Coffee and Donuts! We are looking for weekly volunteers to help with Cof-fee and Donuts. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Vivian Perry at 470-6111.

Please Welcome Please Welcome Please Welcome Please Welcome New Members to the Bereavement Team

James Matula, Mike Nicklaus, and

Julie Richards

Thank you for responding to your call to this ministry and helping families experience the healing comfort of God.

Blessed are those who mourn,Blessed are those who mourn,Blessed are those who mourn,Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.for they shall be comforted.for they shall be comforted.for they shall be comforted.

Page 3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 7:30 AM † Marlene Pavese By Husband, Frank 12:10 PM † June McGarity By Margaret TUESDAY 7:30 AM † Charlotte Valkenberg By Don 12:10 PM † Kathleen Robinson By Gerri Parkinson WEDNESDAY, VETERAN’S DAY 9:00 AM † Patricia Allain By Husband, Tom THURSDAY 7:30 AM † Gerry Mader By Family 12:10 PM Debra Mauldin By Shirley Detamore FRIDAY 7:30 AM In Thanksgiving By Cherubin Family 12:10 PM † Mark Dombrowski SATURDAY 4:00 PM † William Little By Claire Forester SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 7:30 AM † Marie and Joseph Schmieg By Bill Martyn 9:00 AM St. Cecilia’s Parishioners 11:00 AM † Timothy J. Clough By Maria and John Debboli

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS the deceased members of our parish families.

Phone: 936-3635 • Fax: 936-2108

Liturgy IntentionsLiturgy IntentionsLiturgy IntentionsLiturgy Intentions

For the WeekFor the WeekFor the WeekFor the Week

A Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De SalesA Thought From St. Francis De Sales Follow the example of Saint Bernard and repeat those well-known words of his: "What is your mis-sion in this life? What does God want from you?" Then abandon yourself totally to His Divine Will. Let Him carry out His plan in you. Let Him dispose of you as He wishes without any reserve whatever! Have a sincere devotion to the Holy Virgin and to your guardian angel. Finally, remind yourself that, as a superior, you need more humility to command than to obey! Be careful not to be too meticulous in all that you have to do. Only have the right intention to act for the love of God and for His honor and glory! Keep strictly to this reso-lution; never desire to do anything that is not for God or which could be viewed with displeasure by Him.

Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Pray For Our Sick Tom Allain, Lorraine Acheson, Larry Atkinson, Janice Austin, Paul Ballard,

Black Family, Marguerite Bosman, Carl Cala-brese, Lynette and Traci Carwana, Joe Coes-sens, Diana Crawford, Nicasio David, Nina Devine, Christopher Diraimo, Mike Gennaro, Sara Girard, Regina Haas, Curtis Hackett, Car-olyn Helm, Gary Hubert, Marie Keller, Donald Krampert, Robert Kreutzer, Henry La Rose, Jeff Lampila, Dory Lane, Lauren Lombardi, Lauren Major, Betsy McGillicuddy, Charlene McIltrot, Eduardo Moas, John Morgan, Joan Murphy, Clarence and Terry Murray, Carmel Nastepni-ak, Noel Family, Mary Ann Ritter, Elisa Rivera, Hedy and Michael Roper, Diana Rose, Lorraine Ryan, DeAnne Smith, Sherry Snyder, Ann and John Thompson, Steve Vinelli, Donna Vilardi, Pat Willhueft, Linda Wisinski, Ed Zebig

Congratulations To Our New Altar ServersCongratulations To Our New Altar ServersCongratulations To Our New Altar ServersCongratulations To Our New Altar Servers

Back row:

Terry and Kathleen McLaughlin

Front row:

Colin Herrero, Brandon Lee, and Gabriella Rieder

Not pictured:

Diego and Santiago Corredor, Andrew Destacamento, Sierra Hajek, Andrew and Thomas Pino, Emily White, and Luke Woolam

Your Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is NeededYour Help Is Needed We are looking for someone to visit a Nursing Home for about We are looking for someone to visit a Nursing Home for about We are looking for someone to visit a Nursing Home for about two hours:two hours:two hours:

Sunday Sunday Sunday --- Once per monthOnce per monthOnce per month at Hidden Oaks Extraordinary Min-at Hidden Oaks Extraordinary Min-at Hidden Oaks Extraordinary Min-ister of the Eucharistister of the Eucharistister of the Eucharist

Sunday Sunday Sunday --- Once per monthOnce per monthOnce per month at Citrus Gardens Extraordinary at Citrus Gardens Extraordinary at Citrus Gardens Extraordinary Minister of the EucharistMinister of the EucharistMinister of the Eucharist

Monday morningMonday morningMonday morning --- To lead the rosary at Heartland Health CareTo lead the rosary at Heartland Health CareTo lead the rosary at Heartland Health Care

Please contact Pam at Ext. 16.Please contact Pam at Ext. 16.Please contact Pam at Ext. 16.

November 15 Scripture ReadingsNovember 15 Scripture ReadingsNovember 15 Scripture ReadingsNovember 15 Scripture Readings Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 12:1-3 Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Mark 13:24-32

Page 4

WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR “ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK” WHOSE SUPPORT HELPS TO PUBLISH THIS

BULLETIN!

EEEEVERYDAYVERYDAYVERYDAYVERYDAY CCCCAFÉAFÉAFÉAFÉ ANDANDANDAND MMMMARKETARKETARKETARKET SSSSTTTT. C. C. C. CECILIAECILIAECILIAECILIA’’’’SSSS OOOOUTREACHUTREACHUTREACHUTREACH MMMMINISTRYINISTRYINISTRYINISTRY Our next date is Saturday, November 7 from

8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. To volunteer call Peg at Ext. 10.

Facing an unplanned pregnancy? Community Pregnancy Clinic

8660 College Pkwy., Suite 200, Fort Myers, FL 33919

239-689-1543

www.communitypregnancyclinic.com

Goal ....................................................... $208,000.00 Pledged ................................................. $201,749.61 % of Goal ........................................................... 97% % of Households ........................................... 37.36% Total payments ...................................... $187,441.03

MMMMARYARYARYARY BBBBANKHARDANKHARDANKHARDANKHARD CCCCHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN’’’’SSSS EEEEDUCATIONDUCATIONDUCATIONDUCATION FFFFUNDUNDUNDUND IIIINVESTNVESTNVESTNVEST ININININ THETHETHETHE FFFFUTUREUTUREUTUREUTURE OFOFOFOF OOOOURURURUR CCCCHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN

Help us to meet our goal of $20,000 in matching funds for our Elementary School Scholarship Fund to help those in need. If anyone is able to match our goal, dollar for

dollar, or if anyone would like to make a donation towards this education fund, contact Fr. Stan.

All men are invited to join us on Wednes-day, November 11, at Our Lady of Light

Parish. Our guest speaker will be Tom Peterson from Catholics Come Home. His inspiring message will be very appropriate for Veteran’s Day – “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes.”

The program begins at 6:00 PM with pizza and refresh-ments ($10 donation) and concludes at 8:00 PM. Reser-vations are required and can be made online at www.faithandale.com or by contacting your fellow pa-rishioner, Mike Granchi, at 482-6087.

Cantors and Choral Singers, Cantors and Choral Singers, Cantors and Choral Singers, Cantors and Choral Singers, Instrumentalists and Hand Bell Ringers Instrumentalists and Hand Bell Ringers Instrumentalists and Hand Bell Ringers Instrumentalists and Hand Bell Ringers New musicians of all ages are always wel-come to try out our Music Ministry’s many ways to serve (part-time or full-time) at any of our Masses. Contact Sherry Cross at Ext. 28.

Save These Items!Save These Items!Save These Items!Save These Items! Bring to the Parish Office: Bring to the Parish Office: Bring to the Parish Office: Bring to the Parish Office: Cancelled postage Cancelled postage Cancelled postage stamps stamps stamps help handicapped children in third world coun-tries. Soup labels and General Mills box tops Soup labels and General Mills box tops Soup labels and General Mills box tops help St. Francis School purchase school equipment. Pop tabs Pop tabs Pop tabs help Ronald McDonald House.

PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE --- Greeting cardsGreeting cardsGreeting cards - Lighthouse of SWFL, Inc., a center for the visually impaired in North Fort My-ers, is no longer taking cards. But, we can use NEW greeting cards for senior lunch placemats, Faith For-mation, etc. Please do not include Mass cards.

Old eye glasses Old eye glasses Old eye glasses help the Lions Club. We are no longer collecting eye glasses in the Parish Office. There are drop off boxes in Publix, eye glass centers, etc.

Thank you to everyone who continues to bring these items into the Parish Office.

CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations

To Bob and Betty LangstonTo Bob and Betty LangstonTo Bob and Betty LangstonTo Bob and Betty Langston

On the celebration of theirOn the celebration of theirOn the celebration of theirOn the celebration of their

70th Wedding Anniversary70th Wedding Anniversary70th Wedding Anniversary70th Wedding Anniversary

Advent Wreaths and CandlesAdvent Wreaths and CandlesAdvent Wreaths and CandlesAdvent Wreaths and Candles We have Advent Wreaths and Candles for sale. The cost is $10 for both. A prayer card is included. Please contact Jill at Ext. 29. This is

a wonderful way to have a family activity as you prepare for the Birthday of Jesus.

Page 5 5632 Sunrise Drive • Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Family Faith FormationFamily Faith FormationFamily Faith FormationFamily Faith Formation

Married Couples - Have a good marriage? Want to have a GREAT, EXCITING and RO-MANTIC ONE? Why settle for merely good when exciting romance is just a weekend away? Join us for a Worldwide Marriage Encounter and dis-cover God’s plan for joy and romance in your marriage. The next WWME weekend is Decem-ber 4, 5 and 6 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Re-treat Center in Venice. Contact 813-270-7832 for more information about the weekend or apply on-line at www.wwmetampabay.org

OrangeOrangeOrange---Clad Students Unite Against BullyingClad Students Unite Against BullyingClad Students Unite Against Bullying Promote bully prevention and

Unite for kindness, acceptance and inclusion

St. Francis Xavier School students dress in Unity Day orange and stand together against bullying in recognition of Unity Day on Wednesday, October 21.

Our Mission at St. Francis Xavier School in Fort Myers, Florida is to “Be like Christ” in all that we think, do and say, while experiencing the joy of learning.

After Coffee Catechism

will not meet TODAY

Set Your Heart FreeSet Your Heart FreeSet Your Heart FreeSet Your Heart Free

Wednesdays at 7:00 PMWednesdays at 7:00 PMWednesdays at 7:00 PMWednesdays at 7:00 PM

November 18 November 18 November 18 November 18 ---- December 23December 23December 23December 23

Sign up after Mass or call the Parish

Office.

Symbolon: The Faith ExplainedSymbolon: The Faith ExplainedSymbolon: The Faith ExplainedSymbolon: The Faith Explained

September 9 September 9 September 9 September 9 ---- November 15 and November 15 and November 15 and November 15 and

January 3 January 3 January 3 January 3 ---- March 23March 23March 23March 23

You may join in at any time. It is not a series of boring lectures, but an ongoing discussion about our faith that we can understand and apply to our lives. Make this week your first week. We meet Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.

For Sacraments and Formation info contact:

Kelli at Ext. 20 or kbonner@saintcecilias.net

Linda at Ext. 19 or lsigl@saintcecilias.net

Eva at Ext. 18 or e Christian @saintcecilias.net

Bishop Verot Catholic High School is currently accepting appli-cations for incoming freshmen for the 2016 - 2017 school year. Freshmen placement testing is scheduled for

November 14. Applications and additional infor-mation can be found on our website.

Our Verot Visit Day will be held Wednesday, November 11, 9:30 AM to Noon. This is a time to experience Bishop Verot Catholic High School first hand. Prospective students and their parents will be able to tour campus, speak with students, and get an overview of the curriculum, faith formation, and co-curricular opportunities that Bishop Verot provides. Reservations are required and can be made at bvhs.org/admissions or call Jill Rhone, Director of Admissions at 274-6760.

Regional Safe Environment Training The next training will be held at Our La-dy of Light Church in Estero on:

November 12, Thursday, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

November 14, Saturday, 9:30 - 11:30 AM

If you are a new volunteer and would like to attend, please contact Our Lady of Light at 239-267-7088.

November 12, The Seven Pillars of Catholic November 12, The Seven Pillars of Catholic November 12, The Seven Pillars of Catholic November 12, The Seven Pillars of Catholic SpiritualitySpiritualitySpiritualitySpirituality

November 19, Pope Francis and His MessageNovember 19, Pope Francis and His MessageNovember 19, Pope Francis and His MessageNovember 19, Pope Francis and His Message

Page 6

Stewardship CornerStewardship CornerStewardship CornerStewardship Corner by Deacon Tony, by Deacon Tony, by Deacon Tony, by Deacon Tony, adilorenzo@saintcecilias.netadilorenzo@saintcecilias.netadilorenzo@saintcecilias.netadilorenzo@saintcecilias.net

Today is Stewardship Sunday, during which all parishes focus on what stewardship means to the parish as well as to each individual. Our homily today at our Masses will focus on stewardship and how it relates to St. Cecilia Catholic Community. As we know here at our church, stewardship is a way of life. We try to instill in everyone that our gratitude, for what gifts God has given to us, is expressed to God by being good stewards of God’s kingdom here on earth. We express this by offering our time, talent and treasure for the glory of God and His kingdom. We express this grati-tude by serving each other. We also offer this gratitude to God by striving, as best we can, to the state of holiness we have been called to by our baptism. For me in this context, holiness is ex-pressed by trying, in every way I can, to strengthen, to enhance and to nurture my relationship with God. God expects that the love He has for us is expressed by the love we have for each oth-er. There is this triangle that exists among God, us and all of God’s children. We are called to be stewards of each other and, in that sense, stewards of all of God’s kingdom.

Our call to holiness, in many ways, is directly proportionate to the effort we put into it. Like all rela-tionships, the relationship between us and God must be nurtured. Some are gifted with a simple faith. My Aunt Mary, whom I spoke about last week, falls under this category. She believed in God, loved Him and feared Him at the same time. She followed His teachings as best she under-stood them, and followed the teachings and dictates of the Church, especially the local priests. In many ways she was indifferent to the reasons of the belief structure. Hers was a simple faith, but a good one, and she lived and died with it. Others are gifted with a little more discernment and desire to understand more about God and His creation. This kind of faith requires study which includes questioning, and searching for enlightenment on some issues that may be less under-stood than other issues. This kind of faith is also good but requires more time and effort.

It is to those among us, who are more inquisitive about the faith, that we address the following: St. Cecilia has provided a library for many years. It is located in the back of the church in a room off to the side. It is filled with books of all topics concerning our faith. Audrey Stramara has worked tirelessly for over nine years making it as friendly and easy to use as possible. A few years ago, Grace Alexander and Patricia Rothermich volunteered their time and talent to assist her with those efforts. Unfortunately for us, Audrey has moved to Kansas City recently and we will miss her. We thank God for her service to Him and to us, and wish her Godspeed in the years ahead. Karen Wells answered the call to stewardship and has volunteered to take Audrey’s place and work with Grace and Patricia. Welcome Karen and thank you for your future effort to make our library even better.

They will continue the work started by Audrey and will shortly complete the entire conversion of all the books to the Dewey Decimal System, including the labeling and numbering of all the books. A monumental task, but it is nearing completion. And when finished, it will look like any other library, with take out cards, etc. The library receives its inventory through donations. Many people donate their used books, of various religious topics, and they are assimilated into our li-brary. We have, in the recent past, made CD’s available on numerous topics to all of you at no cost. We are hoping in the near future to update our library with more current books and topics. We are also going to start a periodicals display of various magazines like The Catholic Visitor, America, Commonweal, and others. Of course, we will continue to have a separate section devot-ed exclusively and entirely to the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, which permeates and directs our Catholic perspective here at St. Cecilia.

The library works on a loan and trust basis. It is open and available to you the hours the church is open. You can come in, spend an hour or two reading a periodical, or pick up a book on loan and return when finished. It’s that simple. The library is there to enhance your understanding and relationship with God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. As inquisitive stewards of His Word, we are responsible for investing the time it takes to make our relationship with Him more mean-ingful and fruitful. Again, like all relationships, it takes work. We encourage you to take ad-vantage of what the Library offers. God bless and have a great week.

STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

for Novemberfor Novemberfor Novemberfor November

We stand before

You, Holy Spirit,

conscious of our

sinfulness,

but aware that we

gather in Your

name.

Come to us, remain

with us, and

enlighten our

hearts.

Give us light and

strength to know

Your will, to make

it our own, and to

live it in our lives.

Guide us by Your

wisdom, support us

by Your power,

for You are God,

sharing the glory of

Father and Son.

You desire justice

for all; enable us to

uphold the rights of

others; do not allow

us to be misled by

ignorance or

corrupted by fear

or favor.

Unite us to Yourself

in the bond of love

and keep us faithful

to all that is true.

As we gather in

Your name, may we

temper justice with

love, so that all our

words and deeds

may be pleasing to

You, and earn the

reward promised to

good and faithful

stewards.

We ask this of You

who live and reign

with the

Father and the Son,

one God,

forever and ever.

Amen.

Adapted from a Prayer of the Second Vatican Council and contributed by Barbara Dowding, Archdiocese of Vancouver, Canada