The Ordination to the Priesthood is considered a pivotal moment in the life of a Diocese, and certainly also in the lives of the men answering that specific, sacred call to serve God.
The Diocese of Venice is blessed this year to have three Transitional Deacons about to enter the priesthood: Deacons Joseph Doherty, Jacob Gwynn, and Pat Long will be ordained to the priesthood on July 12.
The three Deacons have completed their priestly formation and have been called to ordination by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who will be ordaining prelate. While Epiphany Cathedral is undergoing reconstruction, the ordination will take place at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. The Ordination will also be livestreamed at the following link: vimeo.com/event/520312.
The Catholic Church relies on dedicated men who have committed their lives to serving God.
“An Ordination Mass is a public response to a Call to Holiness,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is a beautiful celebration, and an honor to bear witness to the moment when these dedicated men commit their lives to serving God.”
During the ceremony of Ordination to the Priesthood, Transitional Deacons Doherty, Gwynn and Long will freely present themselves to serve God, the Church and the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice and his successors. They will also make a renewed commitment to celibacy and promise obedience.
All are encouraged to attend the Ordination, said Bishop Dewane. “It is important the faithful support each Ordination as Priests are a future link to the continuation of the Sacraments. This is a life-changing, lifelong commitment and Priests, especially new Priests, need the support and encouragement of the faithful.”
Deacon Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. After high school, he moved south to attend Ave Maria University where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Political Economy and Government. After working in business for several years and earning a master’s degree in systems engineering from Penn State University, he heard more clearly God’s call to holiness and discerned his vocation to the priesthood, completing his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and a theology degree at the Gregorian University in Rome. He is currently completing further studies at the Angelicum University in Rome. He has completed summer assignments at several Parishes in the Diocese of Venice, including St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, St. William in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers. He looks forward to walking with people in the challenges of daily life and growing and working with the Catholic community.
“I grew up with the ability to walk to the local Catholic church and found myself spending more and more time there for short visits to the Blessed Sacrament, as a sacristan, and as a volunteer,” Deacon Doherty said.
Deacon Gwynn was born and raised in Palmetto, and was baptized by Father Teofilo Useche, the current pastor of his home parish, Holy Cross. A graduate of Palmetto High School, Deacon Jacob went on to study at St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. As a Diocesan seminarian, Deacon Gwynn has had summer assignments at the following Parishes: St. William in Naples, St. Agnes in Naples; Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice; and Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, as well as serving a pastoral year at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He currently serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and looks forward to becoming a Navy chaplain following five years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Venice.
“From as early as I can remember, my Catholic faith has been the foundation of my life,” Deacon Gwynn said. “My vocation to the priesthood has been on my heart since I was about four years old. I can still vividly recall being mesmerized by the priesthood.”
The second of six children, Deacon Long grew up in Sarasota, graduating from St. Martha Catholic School and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. He earned a degree in marketing from Florida State University and before discerning his vocation to the priesthood, enjoyed a career in marketing in the health care industry. Deacon Long has always been active in the Church, as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Religious Education teacher, youth group leader and Pro-Life volunteer. He credits his active participation in the Church to leading him to hear God’s call to the priesthood. Deacon Long completed his theological studies at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian for the Diocese, Deacon Long served summer assignments at Incarnation Parish, St. Martha Parish and St. Thomas More Parish, each in Sarasota. Additionally, he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Nebraska, later participating in a Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Guatemala.
“God is so good! We truly have a Heavenly Father that loves us unconditionally,” said Deacon Long. “I am grateful for that love and look forward to deepening and sharing that love with others in Sacrament, Word and community while serving in the Diocese of Venice.”
Seminarians are supported by the Diocese of Venice through the Catholic Faith Appeal, the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women and the generosity of individual parishes and parishioners. Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocation.
To contribute to the education of the seminarians, send a check to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285 or go to www.dioceseofvenice.org/ways-to-give. For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, visit www.venicevocations.org, or contact Diocese of Venice Vocations Director Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-484-9543.
