Roman
Catholics in the Diocese of Venice are being asked to follow
precautions in church to fight the spread of the H1N1 Virus.  WGCU’s
Valerie Alker reports.

It’s
been 13 years since an abortion was knowingly performed any place other
than a private physician’s office in Collier County.  Planned
Parenthood in Naples started providing first trimester abortions
Monday.  Pro-life groups gathered outside for quiet protests and
prayers all day.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez was there and has this report…

Followers
of the world’s most ancient religion now have their own place of
worship in Southwest Florida. The Hindu community is celebrating the
completion of its new temple after years of holding services without
one. The official grand opening is Sunday. WGCU’s Farah Dosani has the
story.

A
group of experts are coming to Fort Myers for a series of panel
discussions on environmentalism and religion. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez
reports.

An activist group hoping to pressure the Roman Catholic Church into dropping its exclusion of women from the priesthood ordained three women at a ceremony in Boston last month. One was Fort Myers resident, Judy Lee. Despite warnings of excommunication, Lee says she went forward with the ceremony to better serve her rather unconventional congregation. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers held a service Tuesday night to honor and support the victims of Saturday’s shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville. The service was led by Allison Farnum, who just joined the congregation as its new minister. Farnum attended the church in Knoxville growing up…her mother was there on Saturday when the shooting occurred. She told WGCU’s Valerie Alker the congregation is coping…

Pope Benedict XVI makes his first official visit to the United States this week with stops in Washington, D.C. and New York City. A Rabbi from Sanibel will meet with him Thursday. WGCU’s Amy Tardif has more.

Ave Maria University held the first Mass and dedication ceremony for the town’s oratory Monday, establishing the building as a holy place for worship and sacred celebrations. Bishop Frank Dewane of the diocese of Venice traveled to the town about 20 miles east of Naples to dedicate the 24 million dollar facility. Disputes between the Diocese and officials at Ave Maria have led to an unusual designation for this oratory. WGCU’s John Davis spoke with Naples Daily News Reporter, Liam Dillon, who has been covering plans for the dedication for the past few weeks…

Archbishop Celestino Migliore is the voice of the Vatican to the United Nations. For the last 18-years he has travelled to the Far East, Europe and the Americas. But he’s speaking Saturday morning at Temple Judea in Fort Myers. His message includes how Christians, Jews and Muslims can learn from each other and create a more peaceful unity. WGCU's Luis Hernandez spoke with him. His first question - What is the Vatican’s role in the United Nations?

One Saturday night a month, teenage boys gather in rural Southwest Florida to test their faith… by riding bulls. The Bull Pit Outreach Ministries provides the animals. The boys bring the nerve. And several things nearly always happen: courage, fellowship, prayer and more than one kind of healing. WGCU’s Amy Tardif reports.



On Saturday night, September 29th, the Bull Pit Outreach Ministries holds a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida at the Labelle Rodeo Arena. Tickets are on sale at all McDonalds restaurants in Collier, Lee and Hendry Counties.