Bishop to Ordain Priest at Epiphany Cathedral on February 10
All are welcome to attend special Mass
Venice, Fla., January 29, 2024 – Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida, will ordain Transitional Deacon Alan J. Baldarelli Jr. to the Priesthood on Saturday, February 10, at 11:00 a.m., at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. The Ordination to the Priesthood is considered one of the pivotal moments in the life of a Diocese.
“This is one of the most beautiful and often unseen Sacraments in the Church,” Bishop Dewane explained. “It is a public response to the Call to Holiness, which comes with great responsibility and accountability. The Diocese of Venice is blessed that, year after year, men are hearing the call of the Lord, and responding.”
All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Ordination, said Bishop Dewane. “It is important the faithful support each Ordination as the Priest is a future link to the continuation of the Sacraments,” the Bishop explained. “It is a life-changing, lifelong, commitment, and Priests, especially new Priests, need the support and encouragement of the faithful.”
A reception will follow in the Parish Center. The Ordination will also be livestreamed via the Cathedral Facebook page at www.facebook.com/epiphanycathedral, or the Cathedral website, www.epiphanycathedral.org.
During Ordination to the Priesthood, Deacon Baldarelli will freely present himself to serve God, the Church and the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice and his successors. He will also make a renewed commitment to celibacy and promise obedience.
Deacon Baldarelli looks forward to his Ordination, after discerning his vocation for more than seven years in seminary and as a Transitional Deacon at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte. Deacon Baldarelli also served as a seminarian at Holy Cross in Palmetto, St. Paul in Arcadia, St. William in Naples, Our Lady Queen of Heaven in Labelle, and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
“I grow to enjoy each day and count the blessings God continues to pour out upon me and all his faithful,” said Baldarelli. “A common prayer among my classmates has been that we become good and holy priests. This sounds simple enough, but it will prove a lifetime to fulfill, and I look forward to it with great joy.”
While Deacon Baldarelli will be ordained on February 10, there are men in the Diocese of Venice who are at various stages in their priestly formation, either in college or at a seminary where they continue their studies toward the ordained priesthood. The Diocese of Venice asks that the faithful remember Deacon Baldarelli, and all those discerning priesthood, in their prayers.
Parishioners are encouraged to help support Diocesan seminarians in their studies and choice of vocation. To contribute to the education of seminarians, send a check to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285 or visit the website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/ways-to-give. For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact the Diocese’s Director of Vocations, Father Sean Roser, at roser@dioceseofvenice.org
About the Diocese of Venice in Florida – The Diocese of Venice in Florida was established by Pope Saint John Paul in 1984 and today includes 61 parishes, 15 schools and serves an estimated 250,000 Catholics in 10 counties. Presently, the Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane is the Bishop of the Diocese. For more information on the Diocese of Venice in Florida, visit http://www.dioceseofvenice.org
Media Contac
Karen Barry Schwarz
schwarz@dioceseofvenice.org
941-441-1118 (o)
941-275-5183 (c)
