The weekly Sunday Mass was celebrated on Fort Myers Beach on Nov. 1, 2026, All Saints Day, for the first time in more than four years.
Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., was the principal celebrant and was behind the decision to resume weekly Masses on Fort Myers Beach while the future of the heavily damaged Ascension Parish church and property are being decided.
The Mass took place at Bay Oaks Recreation Center, about three miles from the parish, with more than 325 attending. Many were overjoyed to have a place to call home, even if it isn’t their usual parish church.
“We are at Sunday Mass as a parish community for the first time in years. That means everything,” said Claudia Ryan, who has been attending Ascension Parish for about 10 years. Since Hurricane Ian struck on Sept. 28, 2022, Ryan has been going to St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. “It is a lovely parish, but it wasn’t home.”
Bishop Emilio said use of the recreation center is temporary but would be their home for the foreseeable future. “Make it your own. Having a good Mass requires good lectors, good music and the people. Compared to my time as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, where people sat on the floor – never in chairs – this simple set-up is a 5-star arrangement.”
The recreation center was transformed to include an altar and everything needed for the celebration of the Mass, such as the chalice, ciborium, hosts, and altar cloths and other items to dress the temporary altar properly.
This temporary situation has been designated as Ascension Parish Mission, which will be under the administration of Father Bob Murphy, pastor of St. Raphael Parish, Englewood. Father Murphy will tend to the pastoral needs of the mission and ensure a priest is available for 9:30 a.m. Mass each Sunday.
“I hope I end up being the right person, for this job,” Father Murphy said. “We hope to continue to build (at the parish property) but we are here for the long haul.”
Following the Mass, Bishop Emilio presented Father Murphy a commemorative medallion engraved with the faces of the Georgia martyrs, five Franciscan friars who were martyred in 1597 for spreading the faith to the indigenous population. The previous day, Oct. 31, Bishop was present in Savannah for the beatification of the Georgia martyrs and was presented the medallion. As a Franciscan, Bishop Emilio was fascinated to learn about their story and encouraged those present to do the same, as well as look into the current cause for beatification of 57 Florida martyrs who are currently in the canonization process.
Father Bill Adams, who was pastor at Ascension in 2022 when Ian struck, and has since retired, said he was pleased to see so many familiar faces and new faces and thanked Bishop Emilio.
“Ascension is back open thanks to Bishop Emilio,” Father Adams said. “He made this happen so quickly,” recalling the promise made by the bishop on Sept. 28, 2026, when he celebrated a Mass on the parish property to mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ian.
Father Adams also shared that he spoke with Sister Mary Frances Fortin, abbess of the Poor Clare monastery that was abandoned after the storm, and how she, and the other sisters were praying for everyone on Fort Myers Beach.
The Mass was made possible with cooperation from the Town of Fort Myers Beach, which allowed the extended use of the recreation center, as well as the support of the diocese offices of Worship, Communications and Buildings.
The Sunday Mass will be celebrated weekly until further notice at 9:30 a.m., at Bay Oaks Recreation Center, 2731 Oak St., Fort Myers Beach. All are welcome.
Stay tuned to new about Ascension Mission and the renewal of the Church of the Ascension at https://dioceseofvenice.org/ascension-parish/.
