2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231 | Phone 941.923.1691 | Fax 941.923.1692 | parish@stthomasmoresrq.org | www.stthomasmoresrq.org

February 14, 2016 • First Sunday of Lent

We are a welcoming Catholic community devoted to living out and celebrating God’s Word and Sacraments by connecting people to Christ through faith, love and ministry.

2506 Gulf Gate Dr. Sarasota, FL 34231 | 941-923-1691 | stthomasmoresrq.org

The Parish Office is located in the Chelsea Center: 2506 Gulf Gate Drive Sarasota, FL 34231

Office Hours 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday

Contact us 941-923-1691 or info@stthomasmoresrq.org

Website stthomasmoresrq.org

Confessions 2:00pm (Saturday, in the Chapel) Saturday 8:00am, 3:00 & 4:30pm Masses Sunday 8:00am Mass 9:45am Mass (Traditional choir) 11:30am Mass (Contemporary choir) Weekdays 8:00am Mass

FASTING AND FEASTING By William Arthur Ward Lent can be more than a time of fasting. It can also be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season to: Fast from judging others; feast on Christ living in them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast on appreciation. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal hope through Jesus. Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. Fast from suspicions; feast on truth. Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. Fast from thoughts of weakness; feast on promises that inspire. Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.

Fr. Michal SzySzka Parochial Vicar

STAFF

Sr. Judy BaldinoPastoral Associate

rev. Mr. BoB GaitenSDeacon

rev. Mr. kevin MonahanDeacon

alex dilanOrganist & Music Director

PeGGy nardi Health Ministry Coordinator

leiland theriotInterim Youth Ministry Director

carolann loveJoy-JeSSuPExecutive Assistant

david FelicianoParish Accountant

Mary MaxwellParish Secretary

SuSan JacoBSFront Office Coordinator

Joanne tararaChelsea Coordinator

raMon alveroMaintenance Supervisor

John driScollMaintenance/Set up

Fr. Joe cliFFordPastor

John & lucy koitSchSacristans

rev. Mr. david waGnerDeacon

Liturgical MinistriesIf you are an Altar Server, Lector, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and will be away, contact Joanne Tarara: tarjmt1@verizon.net.

If you are a Hospitality Minister, contact Charles Ballschmieder: cjball01@verizon.net. Please let Joanne or Charles know your away dates.

Written notice of your changes is required the 1st of each month. If you are scheduled and cannot make it, you are asked to find a replacement from our list.

New Member Orientation & Tour

Saturday, February 20 9:00 am in the ChurchThis informative tour is led by parishioners Sue Stofko and Cheryl Stock. Please join us and bring the family! • tour the buildings • learn about the parish history • meet other new members • and more!

Join Our Parish: stthomasmoresrq.org/register

Sunday Fr. Joe 8:00am +Katherine Moran +Giuseppe Giannini

Fr. Joe 9:45am +Mike Menzella +Margaret Ambrose

Fr. Michal 11:30am +Robert Sochurek +GeneHoeffler

Monday Fr. Joe 8:00am +Jack Lyons +Mark Bulinski

Tuesday Fr. Joe 8:00am +Gail Gaasch +John McAlarney

Wednesday Fr. Michal 8:00am +Jack Mitchell +Frank Miraloelli

Thursday Fr. Michal 8:00am +Mary Vesci +Frank Czajkowski

Friday Fr. Joe 8:00am +Walter Jeselson, Jr. +Carlos Miranda

Saturday Fr. Dave 8:00am +Angela & Francesco Colella +Vito D. Colella

Fr. Joe 3:00pm +Deacon Bob Horvath +Florence Gambery

Fr. Michal 4:30pm +Rudy Pelicer +Ben D’Errico Sunday Fr. Michal 8:00am +Christum Leonard +Tony Bonocore

Fr. Joe 9:45am +Jack Baker +Anthony Picozzi

Fr. Joe 11:30am +Walter Benedetti +Robert Stearns

PRAYER INTENTIONS February 14-21

Centering Contemplative Prayer Thursdays10:30 am in the Bavaria Room6:30pm in the Bavaria Room

Spirit of Love Prayer Group 2nd Monday2:00 pm in the chapel

Rosary Weekdays 7:30 am in the Church

Women at the Well & Micah’s Men 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30 pm in the Chelsea Garden Room

Join us for Prayer

Sanctuary Candle Lighted in memory of

Joan Measer- given in love by George Measer.

Our prayer book of the sick is located in the chapel. You may write your intention; be assured that those entered are prayed for daily.

Altar FlowersContact the Parish Office,

941-923-1691, if you wish to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, First Communion, Confirmation or

more! We have many dates available

in the spring and summer

Youth Ministry at St. Thomas More Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm in the Spirit Center

Youth Ministry leader: Leiland Theriot youth@stthomasmoresrq.org

OffertoryFebruary 6/7, 2016 $32,383.12St. Vincent de Paul $ 437.00Meat the Need $ 3,075.00(includes ParishPay weekly donations)

Have you established online giving in the parish through ParishPay? It is an easy way to give to your Parish and not worry whether or not you have offertory envelopes. Visit www.parishpay.com to set up an account with St. Thomas More Parish.

2016 Catholic Faith AppealGoal $204,000

Our goal for 2016 is lower than last year! Please consider making a pledge or one-time donation. Pledge/donation cards and mailing envelopes are available in the Gathering Area.

Safe Environment TrainingThis training is required for those working with children or vulnerable adults in any ministry/volunteer capacity at St.Thomas More. Training will be held at Incarnation Parish, 2929 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota.

Call Incarnation Parish at 941-921-6631, to register for either one: Thursday, February 18, 6:00-8:00 pm or

Saturday, February 20, 9:30-11:30 am

Mothers’ Circle Mothers supporting mothers in

prayer, fellowship and Bible study. Wednesdays @ 9:30 am in the Spirit Center.

Volunteer grandmothers wanted! Watch children while

moms meet. Contact Rosemary Quartermaine at 941-906-8037

or the Parish Office at 941-923-1691

It’s Beach Night!Friday, February 19 is Beach Night at Siesta Key Beach. We will start about 4:30pm (note the new time), with sunset around 6:15 pm.

We’ll set up near or between the two new pavilions. We look forward to seeing you and your family, with your favorite beverage, food either to be cooked or cold and of course our gorgeous sunsets. Be sure to wear your name badge!

Girl Scout Troop 780 - Here’s what the Scouts have been up to this year. Selling cookies is a just small part of what these girls are doing! The year began with a car wash at Savannah Grand Assisted Living on Beneva Road, followed by training for the Hospice 5k race. At year’s end, there was a trip to Hospice which brought cheer to the patients and staff to hear Scouts singing Christmas carols.

Currently, the girls are working hard to learn about business and money-management as the troop sets up its cookie business and create goals for spending proceeds.

Looking ahead: plans to go camping, sleeping at the zoo, giving back to the church by hosting a family movie night for all the STM families, and saving for supplies for next year!

Girl Scout Troop 780 members bring cheer to whoever they meet and are eager to learn and grow!!! Thank you for supporting our troop. If you would like to know more, contact Troop Leaders Jill Crabill or Ginny Lawlor at girlscouts780@gmail.com

This Week’s CalendarSunday, February 14Concert Ticket Sales/K of C Tootsie Roll Sales Coffee & Donuts after 8 & 9:45 am Masses8:00am Mass - Church9:45am Mass - Church11:30am Mass - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center

Monday, February 15 PRESIDENT’S DAY - OFFICES CLOSED7:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Church5:30pm AA - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:00pm Cub/Boy Scouts - Spirit Center Michelle Dunn 941-806-8133; Javier Aristimuño 941-232-80736:30pm Parish Council - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Ellie Gibeau 941-870-06347:00pm Al-Anon - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.

Tuesday, February 167:30am Pray the Rosary - Church 8:00am Mass - Church5:15pm Youth Choir - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-16916:00pm Faith Formation & Parent Meeting - Chelsea & Spirit Centers Sr. Judy Baldino 941-923-1691; sjbaldino@aol.com

Wednesday, February 177:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Church9:30am Mothers’ Circle - Spirit Center Natalie Lelyo 215-620-1184 1:30pm Prayer Shawl Ministry - Chelsea Garden Rm. Pat Lucke 941-927-3419; pblucke@comcast.net; Marie Scott 941-927-5352.6:00pm AA - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:00pm Just Faith - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Sue Morusiewicz 941-922-1257; morusiewicz@verizon.net6:30pm Youth Group - Spirit Center Leiland Theriot youth@stthomasmoresrq.org6:30pm Micah’s Men & Women at the Well - Chelsea Garden Rm. Roger Grenier 993-2908; roger.grenier@sothebysrealty.com7:00pm Traditional Choir Rehearsal - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-1691

Thursday, February 187:30am Pray the Rosary - Church 8:00am Mass - Church9:00 am St. Patrick’s Day Party Committee - Garden Rm.9:30am Crafty Ladies - Spirit Center Faith Rm. Mary Hautanen 941-922-8892

10:00am Quilters of St. Thomas More - Spirit Charity Rm. Bonnie Lagner 941-921-126110:30am Contemplative Prayer - Chelsea Bavaria Rm. Ed Savoy 941-923-57064:00pm Guardian Ad Litem - Chelsea Lancaster Rm. Sandy Mullen 941-377-5979 6:00pm Girl Scouts - Chelsea Center Jill Crabill girlscouts780@gmail.com6:30pm Centering Prayer - Chelsea Bavaria Rm. Bob Ferkenhoff 941-483-4165; bferken@verizon.net7:00pm R.C.I.A. - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Sr. Judy Baldino 941-923-1691; sjbaldino@aol.com7:00pm Contemporary Choir Rehearsal - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-1691

Friday, February 197:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Church9:30am Adult Bible Study - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Mary Jo Dranttel 941-343-0522 9:30am S.U.R.E. Pre-meeting Chelsea Garden Rm. Sue Morusiewicz 941-922-1257; morusiewicz@verizon.net1:00pm Cards & Mah Jongg - Chelsea Center6:00pm AA Meeting - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:00pm Outside Event - Spirit Center7:00pm Concert: Spirit of the Gulf Singers - Chelsea Center Barbara Blackburn 941-927-5670

Saturday, February 207:30am Pray the Rosary - Church 8:00am Mass - Church8:30am Secular Franciscans - Chelsea Garden Rm. Susan Jacobs 941-922-1080; Chelsea2506@aol.com9:00am Diocese Event - Spirit Center9:00am New Member Orientation and Tour - ChurchSt. Martha School Raffle Ticket Sales - all afternoon Masses3:00pm Mass - Church4:30pm Mass - Church5:00pm Men of St. Thomas More - Chelsea Garden Rm. Roger Grenier 993-2908; roger.grenier@sothebysrealty.com

Sunday, February 21St. Martha School Raffle Ticket Sales - all Masses8:00am Mass - Church9:45am Mass - Church11:30am Mass - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center8:00pm Nar-Anon Meeting - Spirit Center

7:00am Catholic Professionals Network - Chelsea Garden Rm. Jon Lemole 941-445-3087 or @CPofSTM

Have you: 1. moved? 2. changed your home phone or cell phone number? 3. changed your email address?

Please contact Susan or Mary @ 941-923-1691 and let us know of your changes.

As a result of a recent envelope mailing, 74 families or individuals did not notify the parish of an address change.

Save the date:St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Dance

Saturday, March 19, 6:00 PMChelsea Center at St. Thomas More

AA & N-A Support GroupsAlcoholics Anonymous

5:30 pm Mondays, Bavaria Room

Al-Anon (Family Groups) 7:00 pm Mondays, Bavaria Room

Alcoholics Anonymous (Meditation) 6:00 pm Wednesdays, Bavaria Room

Alcoholics Anonymous (Sober Living) 6:00 pm Fridays, Bavaria Room

Narcotics Anonymous & Nar Anon 8:00 pm Sundays, Spirit Center

Thank you to the Helping Hands Ministry!

Blessings to all the angels who brought dinners, and went grocery shopping for me after my back surgery.

I was homebound, and so grateful to Carol Spalding, Mary Taylor, Rhea Tankersly, Denise, Cathy, and others. Thank you everyone for your work in this welcome mission. I can only promise to ‘pay it forward’. - Joyce Doughtery

STM Women’s ClubA Spring Fling

Fashion Show & Luncheon Michael’s On East

Monday, February 29, 11:00 am

Fashions by A’Tu - located on Clark Rd. $43 (includes tax and gratuity)

Choice of Entrée: • Classic Chicken Piccata in lemon white wine parsley sauce • Ginger -Orange Grilled Salmon topped with zest of lemon, lime & oranges • White Vegetable Lasagna Cupcakes (Vegetarian)

Entrées served with: orzo with tomato and fresh basil-roasted asparagus & baby carrots Specialty breadbasket Iced tea, coffee and teaDessert: Myers truffle cake

Fashion Show Luncheon Reservation RESERVATION DEADLINE: Monday, February 22nd – NO REFUNDS

Please list names of all attending and entrée choices: (Chicken, Salmon or Vegetarian) be-low. Group reservations: tables are for 8 or 10 and one check per table is requested. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Name & Phone Number of Contact:___________________________________________

Number of Reservations:____________________________ Total Enclosed: $___________

Checks Payable to: St. Thomas More Women’s ClubMail to: St. Thomas More Women’s Club, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231. Contacts: Carol Szafranski 941-922-5928 or Pat Cleary pcleary54@gmail.com

Mayra* was not always a star student. She was shy and struggled to complete her assignments. But when her teacher paired her with Fabricio, a peer tutor, everything changed. Not only has she learned math and reading, but she has a new best friend.

Catholic Relief Services continues to help students like Mayra succeed in Honduras—and around the world. *Name changed to protect privacy

Sponsored by Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office

1000 Pinebrook Road Venice, FL 34285

941-441-1101 www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife

project rachelPeace starts here

H PEAFTER ABORTION

One-day Retreat

For confidential information call:

Fonda at 239-719-7210 (cell) e-mail:

Fonda.rachel@gmail.com or

project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org

www.hopeafterabortion.com

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Scott Hahn

Emily StimpsonEmily Stimpson is a freelance Catholic writer ; her books include These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body and The Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide for the Single Years. Her writing has appeared in Our Sunday Visitor, First Things, Touchstone, the National Catholic Register, Lay Witness, Catholic Digest, and elsewhere.

Gina LohrGina Loehr is an inspirational speaker, a theology teacher, author, and the mother of five young children. While serving as a delegate for the 2013 Pontifical Council for the Laity seminar on women, Gina met Pope Francis about whom she has recently published her fourth book, Saint Francis, Pope Francis: ACommon Vision.

An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Hahn has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. He is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Dr. Hahn is the bestselling author of numerous books including The Lamb’s Supper, Reasons to Believe, and Rome Sweet Home (co-authored with his wife, Kimberly).

Register by Monday, February 22nd, 2016 Registration Link: http://dioceseofvenice.org/womens

Or mail check to: Diocese of Venice Attn: Women’s Conference

1000 Pinebrook Road • Venice, FL 34285For more information, call 941-484-9543 or email evangelization@dioceseofvenice.org

February 27, 2016 9 AM to 3 PM

Location: Bishop Verot High School5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers

Cost: Adults $20, Students $5.Note: You must pre-register, tickets will not be available

at the door as we are expecting to sell out!

C A T H O L I C

Women’sConference

DIOCESE OF VENICEin Florida

Celebrate

the Year of Mercy at the

Emmaus Experience Women’s Retreat 2016Friday, April 15 (evening) toSunday, April 17Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice, FL

Come Journey With Us On The Road To Emmaus!

Give yourself the gift of time away from the distractions of your daily routine to listen to Jesus and the Holy Spirit in an environment of sincere faith, fellowship, and worship. This retreat is based on the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35 in which Jesus joins two disciples on their way to Emmaus.

The benefits will be personal to you. Women receive tremendous healing, lifting of burdens, and experiences of love and joy. It is an opportunity to experience, renew and deepen your relationship with the Lord.

Limited Enrollment. Registration fee $150 double room, $240 single room. (Do not let the registration fee stand in your way.) Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 5. Contact Donna Vodraska 941-496-4464 or Nancy Archiable 513-703-8005.

2016 Leaven Conference Held at 9:00 am - 1:30 pm on Saturday, February 20 at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. The theme: “Laudato Si’: Understanding and Applying the Message” and will explore Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment. The keynote speaker is Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami. He is presently the Chair of the USCCB Committee for Domestic Justice and Human Development.

Small groups topics in the context of Laudato Si’: Scripture; Integration and Application in the Parish; The Role of Thomas Aquinas’ Thought on Creation and Contemplation; Youth Who Get Stuck in Technological Isolation; C.S. Lewis; Religious Education; and more!

The cost is $10 adults and $5 students, (includes lunch). For information, contact the Diocese Office of Peace and Justice at 941-484-9543 or chestine@dioceseofvenice.org.

Long-Sleeve Relief Drive

How a story about a pepper teaches a lesson about pesticides

JEAN GONZALEZof the Florida Catholic staff

ORL ANDO | Picture yourself as afarmworker.

You are out in the fields picking vegeta-bles. You get thirsty, and while there is wa-ter available there are no cups available.

Bringing your own cup is not an option;it’s too difficult to work at a breakneck pacepicking vegetables and worry about whereyou might find a cup. So you improvise. You pick a pepper, cut it in half and use ahalf as a cup. Was that a good idea?

This is not a made-up scenario. Farm -workers faced with not enough resources to keep hydrated in the fields did just that. But what happened when they did that isthey were drinking pesticides within thepepper along with water. This created alot of health problems for them, and jump-started farmworkers and advocates tomake sure there was water and drinkingcups available throughout the day — espe-cially at peak times when the Florida sunis brutal. So what did we learn from thatpepper? That education equals action. Butyou can take that education even further.

Education helped the Florida Catho-lic staff develop the Long-Sleeve ReliefDrive 10 years ago as staffers mentally putthemselves in the shoes of a farmworker.Working outside in the heat for 10 hours inclothes that are worn the next day and thenext day, each day getting more and more

saturated with chemicals from pesticidesand sun exposure.

That’s why the Florida Catholic beganits Long-Sleeve Relief Drive. Since 2005 al-most a million long sleeved shirts havebeen donated. That’s a lot of shirts — morethan 50 tons — but they are necessary. Bynow, many of those shirts — donatedfrom the back of people’s closets — havebeen used to the “point of no return”and thrown away only because there isanother shirt to take its place.

And yes, thanks to the knowledge fromthat pepper, everyday Catholicscan help men and womenwho put food on their tables.

Th e F l o r i d a C at h o l i cspea rheaded t he popu la rdrive that officially begins AshWednesday (Feb. 10) and runsthrough Holy Thursday (Mar.24). The focus of the drive is to do-nate clean, used or new men’s and wom-en’s cotton long-sleeved shirts that canbe used in the fields. Rough workingcondi- tions, exposure to weather, manywash- ings, etc., create an ever-presentneed for long-sleeved shirts, which protect workers from bites and stings fromvarious insects, and from contaminationfrom sprays that help protect crops.

Drop-off locations are available withinall three dioceses covered by the FloridaCatholic, including Farmworker Asso-ciation offices and three locations of the

Orlando-based St. Vincent de Paul Soci-ety. The Society will coordinate delivery ofthe shirts to the Farmworker Associationof Florida in Apopka. (See box above for drop-off information.)

The ideal of “think globally and act lo-cally” is something many people haveheard. This annual drive embodies thatphilosophy as Florida residents open theireyes to poverty in their midst. It createsawareness of the conditions farmwork-ers face and the vital role they play in

the economy. During Lent, parishes,schools, organizations and individu-

als are invited to conduct localdrives and deliver the items col-lected to one of the many drop-off points around the state for distribution to farmworkers andothers in need.

For information on the drive,visit www.thefloridacatholic.org and

click on the Long-Sleeve Relief logo. Adownloadable PDF of collection and dis-tribution sites is available there.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t io n , c o n -t a c t T a m m y O s b o r n e b yem a i l (t o sbo rn e @ t h e fl o r id acat holic.org), call 407-373-0079 or tollfree 1-888-275-9953.

To make a monetary donation, make your check payable to the Florida Catholicand mail to: Long Sleeve Relief, P.O. Box4993, Orlando, FL 32802-4993. ■

Long-Sleeve Relief DriveHow a story about a pepper teaches a lesson about pesticidesJEAN GONZALEZof the Florida Catholic staff

ORLANDO | Picture yourself as a farmworker.

You are out in the �elds picking vegeta-bles. You get thirsty, and while there is wa-ter available there are no cups available.

Bringing your own cup is not an option; it’s too di�cult to work at a breakneck pace picking vegetables and worry about where you might �nd a cup. So you improvise. You pick a pepper, cut it in half and use a half as a cup. Was that a good idea?

�is is not a made-up scenario. Farm-workers faced with not enough resources to keep hydrated in the �elds did just that. But what happened when they did that is they were drinking pesticides within the pepper along with water. �is created a lot of health problems for them, and jump-started farmworkers and advocates to make sure there was water and drinking cups available throughout the day — espe-cially at peak times when the Florida sun is brutal. So what did we learn from that pepper? �at education equals action. But you can take that education even further.

Education helped the Florida Catho-lic sta� develop the Long-Sleeve Relief Drive 10 years ago as sta�ers mentally put themselves in the shoes of a farmworker. Working outside in the heat for 10 hours in clothes that are worn the next day and the next day, each day getting more and more

saturated with chemicals from pesticides and sun exposure.

�at’s why the Florida Catholic began its Long-Sleeve Relief Drive. Since 2005 al-most a million long sleeve shirts have been donated. �at’s a lot of shirts — more than 50 tons — but they are necessary. By now, many of those shirts — donated from the back of people’s closets — have been used to the “point of no return” and thrown away only because there is another shirt to take its place.

And yes, thanks to the knowledge from that pepper, everyday Catholics can help men and women who put food on their tables.

� e Florida Catholic spearheaded the popular drive that o�cially began Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10) and runs through Holy �ursday (Mar. 24). �e focus of the drive is to do -nate clean, used or new men’s and wom-en’s cotton long-sleeve shirts that can be used in the �elds. Rough working condi-tions, exposure to weather, many wash-ings, etc., create an ever-present need for long-sleeve shirts, which protect workers from bites and stings from various insects, and from contamination from sprays that help protect crops.

Drop-o� locations are available within all three dioceses covered by the Florida Catholic, including Farmworker Asso-ciation o�ces and three locations of the

Orlando-based St. Vincent de Paul Soci-ety. �e society will coordinate delivery of the shirts to the Farmworker Association of Florida in Apopka. (See box above for drop-o� information.)

�e ideal of “think globally and act lo-cally” is something many people have heard. �is annual drive embodies that philosophy as Florida residents open their eyes to poverty in their midst. It creates awareness of the conditions farmwork-ers face and the vital role they play in

the economy. During Lent, parishes, schools, organizations and individu-

als are invited to conduct local drives and deliver the items col-lected to one of the many drop-

o� points around the state for distribution to farmworkers and

others in need. For information on the drive,

visit www.the�oridacatholic.org and click on the Long-Sleeve Relief logo. A downloadable PDF of collection and dis-tribution sites is available there.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n -t a c t T a m m y O s b o r n e b y e m a i l (t o s b o r n e @ t h e � o r i d a catholic.org), call 407-373-0079 or toll free 1-888-275-9953.

To make a monetary donation, make your check payable to the Florida Catholic and mail to: Long Sleeve Relief, P.O. Box 4993, Orlando, FL 32802-4993. ■