Church Lady: Changes at San Marco Catholic Church

There have been some recent changes at San Marco Catholic Church. The Rev. Gordon M. Zanetti is the new parochial vicar and Kim Adamson is now the director of religious education and faith formation

Zanetti’s faith journey took him from the belly of a P-3 Orion aircraft in Keflavik, Iceland back to Florida. Zanetti was born and raised in Pine Bush, New York, a hamlet close to the Catskills. In 1987 he moved with his parents to Anna Maria Island in the Tampa Bay area. He enrolled in St. Leo’s College where he earned a BA in human resources with a minor in economics.

He joined the Navy after he graduated and was stationed at Keflavik, the host Command for the NATO Base. The base is located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the southwest portion of Iceland. He was assigned to the P-3 Orion, as crew. The aircrafts were part of the NATO antisubmarine unit and flew between Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Due to the isolation, the base was a very tight knit community. He became very involved with the interfaith community. He had no plans on becoming a priest but others within the faith community saw a special spark in him and he was recommended for the chaplain candidacy program. He and the Navy agreed to a plan. He would go from active duty to reserve. He returned to his home diocese, the diocese of Venice, where Bishop John Navins agreed to send him to seminary and at the completion of his naval duty he would serve the diocese. During the summers when he was not in school he served at chapels at Coast Guard, Navy and Marine bases. He graduated with a masters in theology and a masters in divinity from St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary. He was ordained a deacon in 2005 and a priest in 2006.

With his active naval duty over he was assigned Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in Bradenton where he served for four years as parochial vicar. He continues to serve in the Naval Reserve. His start date at San Marco was Aug. 2.

“I was blessed and happy to have served at Ss. Peter and Paul,” said Zanetti. He looks forward to challenging himself and improving himself at San Marco. “As I serve others, it helps me grow and improve myself as a person,” he said.

A parochial vicar is essentially an associate pastor. His role is to encourage any activity that would enhance the spiritual life of the parish. His duties include the spiritual care of all the parishioners, including the poor, visiting the sick, promoting cataclinal formation and Catholic education, performing funerals, proclaiming the Word of God and celebrating Mass.

Zanetti has been described as mature, personable, open, social and down to earth. He enjoys boating and golf and regrets that he often does not find the time for fun activities. His reading preferences include a wide range of subjects, history, theology as well as books from other faiths.

The parish as well as the Marco community has been very welcoming to him. “Even when I’m out strangers will come up and introduce themselves,” said Zanetti who frequently wears his clerics. Being a priest is similar to being in the navy. You go where you are sent and you wear a uniform.

He hopes to be of service to the greater Marco community, not matter what their faith. “Which is similar to the way it was in the Navy,” he said. He also looks forward to building on the current ministries here on Marco and at the Holy Family Church in Everglades City.

The other change at San Marco is Adamson assuming a leadership role as the director of religious education and faith formation as Dave Swierczek moves towards retirement. Many know Adamson as a veterinarian technician at Marco Veterinary Hospital and a harpist as well as a lectern, Eucharist minister and cantor at the church. She has 11 years experience both as a volunteer and staff with the youth ministry at San Marco and at St. John Neumann High School, respectively. She has a masters in pastoral theology from Barry University.

Adamson plans to minister to the whole family — moms, dads, grandparents and godparents.

“The parents are the primary educators in the formation of their children’s faith,” she said. She looks forward to working with Zanetti. “He will be a good resource.”

Hilda Brosky, liturgy coordinator, for San Marco also looks forward to working with Fr. Gordon as well as supporting the efforts of Adamson as the parish implements a new family centered religious education program.

“Fr. Gordon is a devout priest whose homilies are concise and leave us with something to ponder. He has an easy smile and good sense of humor. I think the people really like him and are excited to have him here,” said Brosky.

“Kim and I have worked together on several projects in the past and I have found her to be a woman of faith who brings with her a lot of energy, enthusiasm and dedication,” added Brosky. “Her background and experience will serve her well in her new position. There are a lot of good things happening at San Marco.”

Kathleen Tuttle, a Marco Island resident since 1987, has written articles for various nonprofits for more than 25 years. She is a community volunteer, former science teacher and microbiologist.

First Baptist Family Church

Spanish language conference “How to Live in Peace in the Midst of the Storm,” speaker William Reynoso: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday. The cost is $30 per person and includes a manual and food. Information contact the church.

Wesley United Methodist Church

The new Sunday morning schedule began on Aug. 29. The 9 a.m. contemporary and 10:30 a.m. traditional worship services will remain the same. There will be an adult Bible study from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Sunday school for children and youth from 9:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The adults will study I and II Corinthians.

Jewish Congregation of Marco Island

Yom Kippur will begin with dinner at Konrad’s 6 p.m. Sept. 17 followed by an 8 p.m. service at the temple. Morning service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 18. The 3:30 p.m. service that will include both Yizkor and Ne’ilah services followed by a 6 p.m. break the fast dinner. Members, free; others $50; $25 Konrad’s dinner members; $36, others; $18 break the fast dinner. Advance reservations required for meals.

San Marco Catholic Church

Religious Education/CCD/Faith Formation Sessions begin 6 p.m., Sept. 20. Families invited to eat and pray together. Bring a dish to pass. For more information contact Kim at the church.

Marco Lutheran Church

A church sponsored cruise, the last week in February on the Oasis of the Seas. Pastor Kevin Koenig will lead a Sunday worship service on the ship as well as a Bible study. Bedtime Bundles will receive a donation based on the number of people who go on the cruise. Round-trip transportation will be provided from the church. Prices and availability are guaranteed through October. Information contact the church office.