The Diocese of Venice welcomes Quasi-Parish of the Ave Maria Oratory. The oratory celebrated its dedication and inaugural Mass March 31.

The dedication of the 104-foot oratory culminates the process to welcome the quasi-parish, equivalent to a parish, which will provide pastoral care for the students, faculty and staff of Ave Maria University and the residents of Ave Maria town.

The local bishop has the authority to establish the quasi-parish or parish, and church law requires that before such establishment the bishop consult the presbyteral council, deanery priests and the pastors of neighboring parishes.

Since the university was established, the pastoral care for students and faculty was provided and the priests serving the university campus received faculties to administer the sacraments to students and provide spiritual guidance to enrich their lives in the Catholic faith.

As the faithful of this new quasi-parish, the students, faculty and residents of the town will have a place of worship, not only to participate in the holy Eucharist, but to receive all other sacraments and enrich their spiritual life, including the moral values of faith and devotions. The Eucharist is the center of our faith, the real presence of the Lord.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Easter Sunday, the Church proclaims a message of great joy. Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and was buried, is risen from the dead!

Although we may not have been in Jerusalem on that joyous first Easter, generations of Christians have passed down the hope and faith that Easter signifies. It is the hope of salvation and faith in Christ our Savior. His Resurrection gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.

The presence of the Risen Christ is a comfort in a world with so many challenges. May our world leaders overcome present difficulties and make progress toward a more peaceful world order. May the people who serve in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our state government be guided by the Holy Spirit, in their service to the people of Florida.

Easter is a time of spiritual renewal. Our faith and hope in the Resurrection gives us a new spirit, empowering us to reach out in loving and healing ways to others in need of the compassion and comfort of the Risen Lord. And when there is nothing but darkness in our lives, when we have experienced the greatest losses imaginable … with the Risen Christ, we still have hope.

This Easter let us learn from the Blessed Mother, who stood by her Son throughout His Passion, enduring the “sword of sorrow” that pierced her heart, and in her faith, experienced the joy of His Resurrection. With her assistance, may we deepen our faith and allow Christ to rise once more in our lives.

So now we, who never had to endure those three days of despair in Jerusalem, have the hope of Easter. Jesus Christ has conquered death and sin for us, and the Risen Lord stands before us to prove it.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Happy Easter!

My Friends in Christ,

As this Lenten Season of fasting, penance, and almsgiving approaches an end, it is a time to reflect upon the state of our souls and the times in which we have not been faithful to God and His commandments. Many Catholics often forget that we are obliged to seek the Sacrament of Penance once a year.

Our Holy Father has recently reflected on the Sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation) in our day. He laments that our world, “is losing the notion of sin.” There is a tendency in our culture today to ignore objective morality and the Church’s doctrinal teachings. For this reason, Catholics often do not avail themselves of the Sacrament of Penance and the graces found therein.

It is important to remember that Christ established the Church and the Sacraments to give grace and help us get to heaven. He wills that each of us be saved. In commissioning the Apostles, Our Lord said, “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Pope Benedict XVI teaches us that “those who recognize themselves as weak and sinful entrust themselves to God and from Him obtain grace and forgiveness.” As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Blessed Lord, let us recall that at the heart of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the virtue of humility, which through the graces of the Sacrament, gives us all pardon and peace.

Sincerely in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of Venice in Florida

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It has been five years since the U.S. Catholic bishops gathered in Dallas, Texas, to respond to incidents of sexual abuse and to sign a “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The bishops pledged to promote healing and reconciliation for the victims of this abuse and to respond effectively to any allegations.

The Diocese of Venice in Florida is committed to these promises and continues to reach out to victims and to respond to all allegations. One of the primary means by which this is done is the Safe Environment Program, which calls us to integrity, transparency and fidelity. All priests, religious, deacons, employees and volunteers who work with children — including me, your bishop — undergo background checks and screening. Furthermore, all are required to attend a Safe Environment Program offered in various locations throughout the diocese.

The training of the Safe Environment Program addresses the increased awareness needed regarding abuse and the gravity of sexual abuse. The diocese also has a policy for the “Protection of God’s Children and Vulnerable Adults” that provides all information regarding the reporting, processing and dealing with allegations. You may find this policy on the diocesan Web site, www.dioceseofvenice.org, under “Child Protection.”

The Diocese of Venice complies with the “Charter for Protection of Children and Young People” and provides a safe environment for children. Moreover, the diocese has been, and continues to be, audited by an independent firm of auditors, most of whom are former FBI agents.

Although the diocese has been doing everything possible to protect children and promote the awareness of such abuse, our primary concern and focus remains the healing of, and reconciliation for, victims. We pray that God will bring peace to those who suffer or have suffered from abuse. The church is forthright and serious in her continued commitment to provide a safe environment for all of our faithful, whether in our parishes, schools, religious education programs or other activities.

I ask all of you to pray for the victims and for all those who have suffered because of abuse. May Almighty God guide us as we continue in our commitment to his people.

Sincerely in Christ, Bishop Frank J. Dewane
Diocese of Venice in Florida