Throughout the Universal Church the Faithful gathered for a joyous celebration on Easter; that is the Resurrection of Our Lord, the Summit of the Catholic Faith.
This celebration comes after the holiest of weeks which began with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and included the suffering and death of Our Lord. The Resurrection on Easter completes the journey for Jesus when death was conquered. This moment marks the beginning of a new journey of belief and hope for all the faithful, Bishop Frank J. Dewane said during the Easter Vigil Mass, April 4, 2026, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
“Humanity has never really known a single night so powerful as tonight, during this Easter Vigil – so majestic, so holy – the greatest night, when the power of death is conquered,” Bishop Dewane said. “Our Faith flows from our belief in the Resurrection. Christ’s victory over sin and death means new life for us all – from darkness to light, from suffering to joy. Easter is the proof of God’s love for humanity.”
The Easter Vigil, which takes place after sunset on Holy Saturday night, “is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities and it is to be unique in every single Church,” according to the Roman Missal. At Epiphany Cathedral, the Vigil began in darkness before the Easter fire was kindled and the Paschal Candle was lit, and then carried down the main aisle by a Deacon, into the darkened church with the proclamation “The Light of Christ,” to which the Faithful responded, “Thanks be to God.”
The Gospel reading tells of the Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who went to the tomb of Jesus to complete the anointing of Jesus’ body properly, even though they knew a great stone was in their way. The women were carried by their faith, hope and love for Jesus Christ because following a great darkness, the sun had risen that Easter morning. When they arrive at the tomb, the stone is rolled away and they encounter an Angel who said, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
“Christ presents Himself as he rose from the dead,” Bishop Dewane said. “Yes. He saved us and He presents Himself for all of us to respond. We have to look at it in the same way in our own lives, see the stone that I need to roll away. It is there. Christ knows it and wants to help us so that there is nothing interfering in our relationship with Him. It is what the Resurrection is all about.”
Bishop Dewane said Easter is the perfect time to slow down in our own lives and go into that tomb of Christ, so that we come to understand how profound that action was.
“Seeing that the stone was rolled away, we have to believe. May that be the grace that sets upon each one of us as a result of this Easter celebration,” Bishop Dewane said.
During this Mass, the Faithful heard Salvation history proclaimed in numerous Scripture readings. It is also at this time when the Bishop/priests confer the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for the catechumens and candidates. At Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice, there were 1,077 women and men who entered fully into the Catholic Church, an enormous number for a Diocese the size of Venice, and a 94% increase over 2025. Among that number are 19 Diocesan Catholic high school students.
At Epiphany Cathedral, Bishop Dewane presided over five baptisms, while a group of 11 were confirmed. The Bishop lauded the catechumen and candidates for having the courage and strength to hear the call of the Lord in their lives and respond in a definitive way.
The newly confirmed at Epiphany Cathedral could not hold back their excitement upon receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Candace Kerns, who received three sacraments, baptism, confirmation and First Holy Communion, couldn’t stop smiling because of the overwhelming joy and love of Christ she felt come upon her during the Mass. She credits a friend with introducing her to “Word on Fire,” an online series developed by Bishop Robert Barron, which got her interested in becoming Catholic. “I feel the burdens lifted from me,” Kerns said, “and so welcomed during this beautiful celebration.”
The celebration of Easter is not confined to a single day, in fact, throughout the next 50 days the Easter Season is celebrated “in joyful exultation as one Feast Day, or better as one ‘great Sunday.’”
The first days of the Easter Season make up the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. On the 40th day of the Season, Catholics celebrate the Ascension of the Lord (May 14, which is transferred to the following Sunday on May 17 in most Dioceses in the U.S., including the Diocese of Venice), and for the nine days following, in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (May 24). The Liturgical Calendar then returns to Ordinary Time.
“It is a profound honor for us to open our doors as a place of encounter, prayer, and renewal for all who seek the Lord,” Father Mayer said. “I personally invite all to come and find rest in the presence of Christ. Our Church and the Poor Clare Adoration Chapel will be open to welcome pilgrims every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at other times by arrangement.”
In celebration of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, the Diocese of Venice has provided Jubilee prayer cards to each Parish in the Diocese. The prayer cards are available in English and Spanish and include the prayer written by Pope Leo XIV for the 800th Jubilee of St. Francis, which asks the saint to intercede for the faithful, inspiring hearts to live in peace, humility, and faithful witness to Christ during this holy year.
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia includes the commemoration when Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion prior to His arrest and crucifixion. It also observes His institution of the priesthood. This Liturgy included the presentation of the oils blessed and consecrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane during the March 31, 2026, Chrism Mass, at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, holy oils which will be used for the Sacraments in the Parishes throughout the year. Later was the traditional washing of the feet, reenacting Jesus washing the feet of the Disciples. Following the Prayer after Communion, the Mass concluded with a procession to transfer the Holy Eucharist to a place of repose in the Parish Hall. This action left the tabernacle vacant until the Easter Vigil.
On Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, the Faithful at St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres participated in the liturgy. This celebration is not a Mass, as the hosts offered at Communion were consecrated on Holy Thursday. The liturgy included the reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John. Next was the presentation of the cross, brought forth unveiled as: “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.” These words were sung and the congregation responded: “Come let us adore.” The faithful were then encouraged to venerate the cross. The cross at St. Raphael was first venerated by the priests, altar servers and choir, before it was brought to parishioners who were not able to come forward. Each person who venerated the cross did so by a touch, a bow, or a genuflection.
For the third year in a row, a public Stations of the Cross took place in downtown Venice, starting at Epiphany Cathedral and proceeding into nearby Centennial Park and then down Venice Avenue. Nearly 1,000 took part, including members of the youth group, as the streets were temporarily blocked for the occasion. In addition, faithful from St. Martha, St. Patrick, St. Thomas More, Incarnation, St. Jude and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parishes in Sarasota took part in the annual Sarasota Ministerial Association Good Friday Stations of the Cross on Main Street. About 750 participated with several Catholic priests and deacons leading the readings at the different stations.
St. William Parish and Catholic Charities in Collier County joined forces to provide an Easter luncheon for the homeless in Naples on April 7, 2026. More than 100 were welcomed with a warm meal and compassionate hearts at the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center. Staff and volunteers prepared and served the meals. Each person received a meal, take-home food, a gift card and beautifully decorated Easter Eggs. The luncheon is one of several supported by the St. William Homeless Outreach Program for Empowerment (HOPE) which extends a compassionate hand to those experiencing homelessness in Naples, including providing hot meals to the homeless each week, bicycles for transportation and more.
At the Chrism Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with priests from throughout the Diocese, the Bishop consecrates the sacred Chrism oil and blesses two other oils used throughout the year for the administration of the sacraments at the Diocese’s 61 Parishes. The Mass is among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the Bishop’s Priesthood and is considered to be a sign of the close bond between the Priests and their Bishop. It is with the sacred Chrism that the priests are ordained, the newly baptized are anointed, and those to be confirmed are signed. It is with the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism. Finally, it is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity.
The celebration not only brings into focus the historical context of the priesthood by the renewal of Priestly Promises, but also presents an opportunity for the priests to recall their ordination and to reflect upon their ongoing priestly vocation. Having all the priests of the Diocese come together at the Chrism Mass, united with their Bishop, just before the Easter Triduum, reminds priests of their calling to act in persona Christi – in the person of Christ. This is the largest annual gathering of the clergy for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Chrism Mass takes its name from the sacred Chrism oil, the most eminent of the three holy oils, which the Bishop consecrates and blesses for use by Parishes of the Diocese.
Born in Rocca Pia, Aquila, Italy in 1947 to Guido and Lesvina (Perfetto) Clemente, Father Vincent Luciano Clemente is the oldest of two children. After graduating from Borromeo College Seminary in Ohio, and the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Father Clemente was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 8, 1976, in St. Petersburg. His first priestly assignment was as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin, then at St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, before being assigned to St. Martha Parish in Sarasota. He also served at that time as Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Venice and as Chaplain at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Father later served as Pastor at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula and at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia. Since 2018 he has served as Pastor at St. James Parish in Lake Placid. Further contributions on the Diocesan level include serving as Spiritual Director of the Curia of the Legion of Mary, as well as working with Cursillo and Retrouvaille Marriage Preparation; he still works with Marriage Encounter. He is also active in Prison Ministry.
The fourth of 12 children, Father Thomas Heck was born in Parkston, South DAkota in 1949 to John and Mildred (Weber) Heck. Father was Ordained to the Priesthood in Sioux Falls on June 3, 1976. In the Diocese of Sioux Falls, he served at Parishes in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Mallette, Chelsea, Armour, Stickney, Pierre, and Brookings. Prior to Ordination, he graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary University and St. Paul Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, both in Minnesota. In the Diocese of Venice, Father Heck served as Parochial Vicar at San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte and St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, then as Administrator of St. Finbarr Parish in Naples, and as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte and St. Therese Parish in North Fort Myers before retiring in 2020. In retirement, Father continues to assist at various Parishes.
Father Michael P. Orsi was born in Brooklyn in 1950 to Pompeo and Lavinia (Savino) Orsi and is one of four children. Father earned degrees from Cathedral College in Queens, New York, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. He was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 20, 1976. In the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Father served at a Parish in Stone Harbor and as Vice Principal at a Catholic school in Wildwood. In the Diocese of Venice, Father was Chaplain at Ave Maria School of Law and served as Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples. Father Orsi retired in 2024 and assists the Diocese of Venice at Parishes in Collier County.
Born in Cuba in 1970 to Lorenzo Gonzalez Abreau and Amparo Suares Martinez, Father graduated from San Basilo Magno Seminary in Santiago, Cuba, Pontifical Seminary of St. Thomas of Aquinas in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and was Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral. Father served as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Bradenton, St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, and St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, as well as with the Hispanic Apostolate at St. Agnes and St. Elizabeth Seton Parishes in Naples. He was Administrator at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Mission. Father currently serves as Pastor at St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers.
Father Jacek Mazur was born in Milomlyn, Poland in 1968 to Francisek and Genowefa (Bonislawska), and is one of three children. Father graduated from the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Gdansk, Poland, and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Michigan. He was Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral, and has served as Parochial Vicar at Epiphany Cathedral, St. Ann Parish in Naples, and as Administrator at San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte. Father was also Pastor at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota and currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish in Bokeelia.
Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 1969 to David and Carol (DiMarzio) Pignato, Father David A. Pignato is one of two children. Father earned degrees at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Harvard Law School, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy. Ordained to the Priesthood on July 14, 2001, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Father Pignato served at Parishes in North Dartmouth as Parochial Vicar and Pastor, and as Chaplain at a Catholic high school there. Additionally, he served as a Pastor in Raynham and as Secretary to the Bishop and Vicar for Priests in Fall River. Presently in the Diocese of Venice, Father Pignato is Chaplain, Associate Dean of Mission, and Visiting Associate Professor of Law at the Ave Maria School of Law.
Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral, Father Philip J. Scheff served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice, San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish on Longboat Key, St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte. The second of three children, he was born in St. Petersburg in 1956 to Joseph and Joan (Willis) Scheff and earned degrees from Florida State University and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. Father Scheff retired in 2025.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1973 to Julio Cesar and Alicia (Proche) Vidal, Father David Mariano Vidal is the fifth of seven children. Of the children, three are priests and three are women religious. Father was Ordained to the Priesthood Aug. 9, 2001, in Buenos Aires, for the Institute of the Incarnate Word. For the religious order, Father served in order’s House of Formation in Chillum, Maryland, and later as Pastor at Parishes in Chillum and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the Diocese of Venice, Father Vidal served as Parochial Vicar at Ave Maria Parish and then as Administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle. Father was welcomed into the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in 2023 and is the current Pastor of Ave Maria Parish. He earned degrees from Maria Madre Del Verbo Encarnado Seminary, Argentina, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 9, 2001, in the Diocese of Buffalo, Deacon Ingold’s Diaconate formation took place at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY, and he first served at a Parish in Williamsville, New York. Deacon Ingold then served as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of the Military Services at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; he is a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Deacon Ingold retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves after 23 years of service. In civilian life, Deacon Ingold held numerous leadership positions in the medical field and was CEO of Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc. in Florida. In the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Ingold served at St. William Parish in Naples and currently serves at Ave Maria Parish; he is also a Deputy Chaplain for the Order of Malta. Deacon Ingold and his wife Ginny have been married for 50 years; they have two children and 10 grandchildren.
Since 40 Days for Life began, more than 26,214 mothers have chosen life for their children, 275 abortion workers have quit their jobs; and 184 abortion mills have gone out of business where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord marks the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and starts the events which are marked throughout Holy Week which include the Lord’s crucifixion and Resurrection on Easter. Father Antony Lukka, Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, opened the Vigil Mass with the reading of the Gospel of Matthew (21: 1-11), prior to the blessing and procession with palms. This scene was repeated at Parishes throughout the Universal Church, with options to process from another location into the church, to start in the narthex of the church, or a simple opening with a blessing of palms and opening procession. The Mass includes the Passion of the Lord, also from the Gospel of Matthew (26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54).
The Saint Ann Catholic School 70th Anniversary Heart of Education Gala took place on March 27, 2026, in Naples, to benefit the school foundation. Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the prayer before the meal and offered remarks about the lasting impact that St. Ann Catholic School has had on the community in Naples and the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Venice. The evening was titled, “Saint Ann School 70 Symphony of Hearts,” and included live and silent auctions as well as live music.
