Appointments
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announced the following appointments:
Father Robert G. Mulligan, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Cory A. Mayer is appointed as administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City.
Father Krzysztof Piotrowski is appointed as administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Father Paul Dechant, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Michal Szyszka is appointed as administrator of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres.
Father Christian Chami is appointed as administrator of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of St. Jude Parish in Sarasota.
Father Russell Wright is appointed as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Church of St. Patrick Parish in Sarasota.
Father Francis Hanlon, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Reji Joseph, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.
Father Joseph Doherty, as parochial vicar of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, effective July 8, 2026, as he has returned from his Licentiate Studies in Dogmatic and Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Father Nicholas Eichman, FSSP, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Christ the King in Sarasota, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.
Father Andrew Daniels, FSSP, is appointed as parochial vicar of Christ the King Parish in Sarasota, effective July 6, 2026.
Father Joseph Duffy, FSSP, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.
Father Peter O’Connor, FSSP, is appointed as parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel in Naples, effective July 8, 2026.
Welcome to our new shepherd, Bishop Emilio!
Thank you to all who joined and prayed with the Diocese of Venice during the Bishop Emilio’s Ordination weekend, either in person or via livestream. Recordings of the livestreams from both Solemn Vespers and the Ordination and Installation Mass can be accessed here. Bishop Emilio’s remarks after Mass are also available at the same link. More information about our new bishop can be found on the Diocese’s website.
Pennies for Babies!
The Pennies for Babies Fund is a Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice initiative that supports pregnant mothers and their newborn babies in need. It is part of the Diocese’s broader Walking with Moms in Need program. The fund raises money to provide material needs for expectant mothers and newborns, such as maternity and baby clothes, diapers and other essentials. If you wish to help pregnant women in need, please consider giving to the Pennies for Babies Fund. Send checks (not cash) to Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. With questions, please contact Tavia Ames, ames@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-441-1101.
Natural Family Planning Awareness
As Catholics, we are called to responsibility in our parenthood, considering first what God asks of us, what is good for us as a couple, our family and society in general. The only viable alternative to artificial birth control, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a safe, natural means to conform a couple’s fertility in accordance with God’s plan. Learn more about Natural Family Planning! Several upcoming Natural Family Planning Educational Opportunities are coming up. St. Gianna’s Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care offers excellent introductory educational sessions online for free. Upcoming sessions begin as early as Aug. 8, 2026. Register for the Zoom sessions here. With questions, call 813-421-4625, or email the St. Gianna Center or, at the Diocese of Venice, Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org 941-486-4754.
Save the Date!
Married and engaged couples are invited to the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. Spend quality time with your spouse, hear from dynamic national and local speakers, and rejuvenate your marriage through the Sacraments. Registration: $64/couple and $5/child for on-site childcare. An Early Bird discount is available through September 14 as well as scholarships upon request. This conference is presented by the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, visit www.forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-vnfl/ With questions, contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.
Theology on Tap in Sarasota Aug. 13
Calling all young adults! Join Catholic young people from across the Diocese for an evening of fellowship, faith and fun! Theology on Tap is an opportunity for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of every month at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. No need to register in advance. Next month, the group will meet on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, 7 p.m. Featured speaker is Father John Belmonte, SJ, Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Venice. To learn more, contact Andres Prias, prias@dioceseofvenice.org 941-441-1122.
Catholic Charities summer appeal continues
Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, serves the most vulnerable population in the Diocese’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal needs your support. The giving is easy! To donate to “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” visit Summertime Giving, or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. If you have any questions, please call 941-488-5581. The appeal continues through August.
Pray for Safety! Hurricane Season
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, Bishop Frank J. Dewane reminds us that we must pray for safety: “Let us all ask God for protection and safety and also pray for the people who continue to recover from previous disasters.” To view or download a Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season in English or Spanish languages, visit the Diocese of Venice website.
