Priest dies
Father Russell Ruggiero died at his home in Lakewood Ranch on April 18, 2022, at the age of 59. Father Ruggiero was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 2010, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He served as Parochial Vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton, San Marco Parish in Marco Island, and St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. Father served as Administrator of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish from Jan. 8, 2017 to Oct. 19, 2018 before taking a leave of absence. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 25 at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish. Father Mark Heuberger, Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul was the main celebrant with Bishop Frank J. Dewane in attendance. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Ruggiero and the consolation of his family. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in eternal peace.
Retreat improves communication for couples
A MDS (Matrimonio, Diálogo y Seguimiento – Matrimony, Dialogue and Follow-Up) Wedding Retreat took place at Campo San Jose Retreat Center in Lake Placid on April 22-24, 2022. MDS, a Catholic-based Spanish-language enrichment program directed to all married couples which is designed to improve communication in the conjugal life for the couple. Participating couples are paired with mentor couples to help them daily live out their Sacramental Marriage, accompanied by Jesus. These intensive retreats are offered several times a year and the couples and their mentors have follow-up contact to ensure the lessons have a lasting impact. Father Claudio Stewart, Diocesan Director of the Hispanic Apostolate addressed the retreatants offering encouragement.
Final Synod on Synodality Listening Sessions in May
There are only four more opportunities to take part in the Diocesan Phase for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission,” as requested by His Holiness Pope Francis. Everyone is invited as the Diocese of Venice is holding various sessions for an evening of listening with the goal to discern the Word of God in Scripture, what those Words are saying to us while remembering the living Mission of the Church. To date, eight in-person listening sessions have been completed, and they include:
- (Completed) Feb. 9, St. Thomas More Parish, Sarasota (Eng.);
- (Completed) Feb. 16, Epiphany Cathedral, Venice (Eng./Sp.);
- (Completed) Feb. 22, Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, Bradenton (Eng./Sp.);
- (Completed) March 3, St. Andrew Parish, Cape Coral (Eng./Sp.);
- (Completed) March 14, St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers (Eng.);
- (Completed) March 16, Sacred Heart Parish, Punta Gorda (Eng.);
- (Completed) March 24; St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 5225, Golden Gate Parkway, Naples (Eng./Sp.).
- (Completed) March 28, St. John the Evangelist Parish, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples (Eng.).
Upcoming in-person Sessions will take place from 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. at the following locations:
- Monday, May 9, St. Catherine Parish, 820 Hickory St., Sebring (Eng./Sp);
- Monday, May 16, St. Agnes Parish, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (Eng.);
- Monday, May 23, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, 355 S. Bridge St., LaBelle (Eng./Sp);
Please note, there will also be a Virtual Session from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 25. Those interested in attending any of the sessions are encouraged to confirm their attendance by registering at www.dioceseofvenice.org. For any questions or comments regarding the listening sessions, please email synod@dioceseofvenice.org.
Robotics team prepares for competition
The St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Robotics team from Port Charlotte has been preparing for their very first competition which takes place on May 14 in Fort Myers. These students have been working extremely hard and coming up with different strategies for this upcoming competition against other teams from throughout the Diocese. The students are working hard to build a strong team while developing skills in programming, modeling and design, all needed to ensure a successful competition.
Students vote for their favorite books
With the assistance from members of the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School National Junior Honors Society, students returned from their Easter break on April 19, 2022, to vote on their favorite Sunshine State books. They did this by using real voting machines. Students from all levels, pre-kindergarten-3 through eighth grade, had the opportunity to vote. The machines were programmed to allow the students to choose from the different books. Everyone had fun using the machines while also learning about books and the voting process.
Love of baseball shared by students
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School students in Sarasota continued its 10-year partnership with the Miracle League of Manasota by continuing the service outreach on April 23, 2022. The goal of the Miracle League is to provide opportunities for differently-abled children and adults to play baseball. Members of the Mooney club volunteer each weekend, giving back by teaching various skills and being vocal cheerleaders for those who take part in the program.
House Olympics lots of fun in Naples
The annual House Olympics at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples took place on April 22, 2022, with Raley House taking the victory. Teams from each house participate in a variety of fun and games competing for points and ultimately a victory over their fellow competitors. Neumann has four “Houses” which serve as a form of student government, dividing students into different teams. Throughout the year these teams earn points for success in various academic and athletic individual and team competitions. The House Olympics is just one of the latest competitions. The championship team will be announced at the end of the year. This system was implemented to help younger students become more familiar with Neumann as freshman and through the years the older students serve as mentors to their House members.
New Pro-Life Documentary
“The Matter of Life,” a new Pro-Life documentary, will be in theaters for a limited engagement on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17 only. The documentary takes you on a journey to unravel the complexities of the abortion debate by addressing the issue through science, philosophy, history and powerful personal stories with testimonies from some of the best pro-life national speakers such as Scott Klusendorf, Stephanie Gray Connors and Dr. Anthony Levatino, a former abortionist. The film answers hard questions and provides hope for the future. With the impending Supreme Court ruling on the Dobbs case (a review of the Alabama abortion law and could ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade – www.prayfordobbs.com), now is the time to learn all you can about this important issue. See www.thematteroflife.org for a trailer, theater locations and more. Questions? Contact Jeanne Berdeaux, Berdeaux@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1101.
Treasures of the Church coming to Diocese
An Exposition of Sacred Relics will take place in several locations within the Diocese of Venice and elsewhere in Florida in the month of May. Each evening begins with a presentation and teaching on relics which features the catechetical and spiritual basis for the “Walk with the Saints” where over 150 relics will be displayed. In the Diocese of Venice, the following dates and locations are available for all to attend: May 9, Incarnation Parish, 2929 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; May 10, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 1922 SW 20th Ave., Cape Coral; May 11, Ave Maria Parish, 5088 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria; May 12, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. Each exposition will begin at 6:30 p.m. and there is no fee to attend.
9th Annual Marian Eucharistic Conference in May
All are invited to the 9th Annual Marian Eucharistic Conference May 13 to May 15 at Ave Maria University, Ave Maria. The theme is “Do Whatever He Tells You.” Featured speakers will include Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Coffey, of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, Father Larry Richards, Father Rick Martignetti, Deacon Dr. Mark Miravalle, EWTN’s Steve Ray, and Johnnette Benkovic plus music by Martin Doman and the AMU Band. In addition to the talks, the Conference will include a Rosary Walk, Holy Mass, Benediction, and more. The cost is $180 per person and includes lodging, meals and conference fee for the weekend. For more information visit www.aveconferences.com,call 239-348-4725 or email aveconferences@gmail.com.
This celebration comes after the holiest of weeks which began with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and included the institution of the Eucharist (Communion) during the Last Supper, Institution of the Sacrament of Holy Orders as well as the betrayal by Judas on Holy Thursday and the suffering and death of Our Lord on Good Friday. The Resurrection on Easter completes the journey for Jesus but it is just the beginning of a new journey of belief and hope for the Faithful, Bishop Frank J. Dewane explained during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 16, 2022, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
The Bishop noted the Gospel reading from the Vigil provides guidance to carry the message of Easter forward. The Gospel of Luke (24:1-12) tells the story of the women who were going to care for the body of Jesus, thought to be deceased, in the Jewish custom and found the stone rolled away from the tomb. The Gospel then reads: “but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.’ And they remembered his words.'”
Bishop Dewane said we all need to look back to Scripture and recall those words, at that moment. “All of us need to ponder the power of the Resurrection in our life. We need to have hope. Yes, we can be afraid at times, but we cannot be deterred. The women who came to the tomb of Jesus were afraid, but they had hope. We must allow the same to happen to us, as with shouts of joy, proclaim the Risen Lord, whose power can roll back the stones – those obstacles to living out a true life of faith in Jesus Christ. This Risen Lord gives us the grace we need to go forward to be the messengers of Christ’s Word – the messenger of the Resurrection of the Lord – Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”
During this Vigil Mass, the faithful hear the story of Salvation proclaimed in numerous Scripture readings first from the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus) and then from the New Testament. It is also at this time at the Vigil Mass that the Bishop and priests baptize and confirm Catechumens and Candidates. There were 397 women and men who entered fully into the Catholic Church at Parishes throughout the Diocese.
One of these candidates was Samantha Valerie Caballero who received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion from Bishop Dewane at Epiphany Cathedral. Caballero was emotional after becoming fully Catholic. “I feel blessed to have grown close to the Lord, Jesus Christ in my life,” she said afterwards.
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 practice began as pious pilgrims traced the Lord’s path through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa. As many wanted to pass along the same route as Jesus, but could not make the journey to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the 14 stations currently found in almost every church throughout the world.
This devotional prayer is recited throughout the year and tends to concentrate on the Fridays during the Lenten Season. The Stations can also be done in the form of a reenactment, or Living Stations, on Good Friday. Pope Francis took part in the annual Living Stations of the Cross at the Roman Colosseum on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. The devotion allows the Faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage and meditate on the Passion of Christ.
For the Faithful at Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers, the annual Living Stations is something this Hispanic community takes seriously. In the parking lot and field behind the Parish Hall, stages were erected, and a reenactment of the Stations took place, complete with Jesus crowned with thorns, as well as dozens of actors dressed in centurion garb or playing key figures in the retelling of the Passion. Upwards of a thousand Faithful first watched the opening scenes before following the 14-step procession as it wound its way through the Parish parking lot, stopping along the way to relive the suffering Christ endured with a narrator recounting the Gospel readings.
The Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), has its center in the Easter Vigil, and closes with Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter).
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Catherine Parish in Sebring included the commemoration when Jesus Christ established 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 April 12 Chrism Mass, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, which will be used for the Sacraments in the Parish 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 the place of repose in the Parish Hall. This procession led out the main doors of the church and to the hall. This action left the tabernacle vacant until the Easter Vigil.
On Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, the faithful at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples participated in the Liturgy which included the reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John. Next was the presentation of the cross, brought forth by the priest and unveiled as the priest sang: “This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world,” and the congregation responded: “Come let us adore.” The faithful were then encouraged to come forward to venerate the cross. This was done by either touching, bowing, or genuflecting.
On Holy Saturday, the only Mass of the day is the Easter Vigil, which begins in darkness. However, several Parishes did host a blessing of the Easter Baskets/food. This custom traditionally blesses food to be consumed at the first meal of Easter.
Many Parishes also hosted fun for children which often included Easter Egg hunts.
St. Andrew Catholic School third grade students learned about landmarks on April 6, 2022, in Cape Coral. To do this, they researched various landmarks on their computers and then, with their new Robotics programing software, used their Lego kits to bring what they learned to life. This is another example of a cross-curricular activity using the STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) model.
The Bishop Verot Catholic High School Environmental Club members enjoyed the fruits of their labor with homemade salsa in Fort Myers on April 17, 2022. Each of the ingredients were cultivated from the school garden. The results were tasty.
During a day off from school on April 18, 2022, students and parents from St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota volunteered to help pack 728 food boxes at All Faiths Food Bank in south Sarasota. This outreach, during a rare weekday off from school during the Monday within the Octave of Easter, reflected well the commitment to service Diocesan Catholic schools instill in its students and families. Great job everyone!
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte was swarmed with first responders and their various emergency response vehicles on April 13, 2022. There was no emergency, in fact the first responders were present to give the students a variety of public safety demonstrations. Students were treated to a visit from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, including helicopter landing on the athletic field, K-9 units, and more. Also present were representatives from Charlotte County Fire and EMS, Charlotte County Public Safety, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The day also included an opportunity for the students to thank the first responders for keeping the community safe.
April 13, 2022, was a scheduled day off at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton. However, the campus was busy as volunteers and the maintenance team assembled and moved 22 new picnic tables into the courtyard. The hard work paid off and when students and teachers returned on April 19, they received a pleasant surprise as there are new places for outdoor study, projects, lunch and relaxation.
Scientium Veritatis ~ Senior Reflection Day at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples was April 19, 2022. The seniors presented before the faculty and staff their reflection projects, which called for them to dive deep and reflect on their last four years and the growth they have experienced. Students focused on Don Bosco’s Oratory (Home, School, Playground and Church) while showcasing important artifacts from their high school years.
This celebration, which was witnessed by more than 1,000 of the faithful, including more than 350 students from Diocesan Catholic schools, marks the institution of the priesthood by Christ and is an expression of unity of the priests with their Shepherd, the Bishop of the Diocese.
The Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the Catholic liturgical calendar. The celebration not only brings into focus the historical context of the priesthood but is also 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, on the eve of the Easter Triduum, reminds priests of their calling to act in the person of Christ – In persona Christi. This is one of the few times that so many priests are gathered together for the Mass.
Bishop Dewane publicly thanked the priests for their continued service to the People of God throughout the Diocese of Venice for what they do each day. “We have to know the faithful People of God, the people for whom a priest is called to be anointed, and in turn for those he is set to anoint. Allow that joy to penetrate your life, allow it to go deep within your heart. This is a guarded joy –a sense of safety – guarded and guided by God, the Father.”
The poverty aspect isn’t only related to money, but the joyful sacrifice each priest makes when answering the call of the Lord in their life by “giving up” – according to the secular world – much to become a priest. But Bishop Dewane said “a priest is given much in return. Don’t look at the poverty; look to the richness the Lord gives.”
Regarding obedience, it must always be to the Church, which was set up as a hierarchy. “All are called to live it, know it, and let it be a comfort rather than something else,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is something we must internalize in our life – a strength – called for in union with God. We need to be obedient with our service, our availability, our readiness to go out and allow the Lord to make us the servant we are called to be. It is not easy. No one said it would be easy.”
“This fundamental Union with Christ is our gift,” Bishop Dewane said. “The Anointed One has anointed us, to still anoint others in the sacraments. This union with the Anointed One must be the hallmark of the things we do. Our response to the filling of the Holy Spirit in your life, in my life, must come from within; allowing us, always in Communion with Him, to act as an instrument of the Lord.”
The Bishop then challenged the Faithful present for the Mass, and across the Diocese, to be close to their priests – through prayer, through friendship, through supporting him in any way – and in the expressions of proper affection. “This goes a long way in the life of the priest, to let them know that the gift the Lord gave them sometimes takes a lot out of them. It is my prayer that you make them feel that they are the gift – a gift to the Diocese.”
While the Oil of the Sick and Oil of the Catechumens are blessed, the Sacred Chrism is also blessed consecrated; and each will be used at Parishes throughout the year in the administration of the Sacraments.
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. Bishop Dewane described the oils as “Oils of Gladness” which represent the indelible mark each bestows.
On Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, the Mass opened with a blessing of the Palms and entrance into the Church, reminiscent of the Lord’s Messianic entrance into Jerusalem.
Each Diocesan Catholic school offered a “Living Stations of the Cross,” typically with older students leading the reenactment of the Passion of Our Lord.
At Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, the religious education program had their young charges (grades 1-5) participate in an interactive Stations of the Cross. Students were selected to portray key characters bringing the stations “to life,” while Msgr. Phil Hill, an assisting priest, provided the narration and background for each Station. This enabled the children to better understand Jesus’ journey to Calvary. Catechists and parents were on hand to listen to the story leading to Christ’s crucifixion.
Easter Sunday Televised Mass
Monsignor Joseph E. Stearns was born in 1945 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the youngest of five children to Pauline (Cote) and Peter Stearns. Msgr. Stearns studied at Eymard Prep Seminary of Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Hyde Park, New York and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. Ordained to the Priesthood on May 20, 1972, in Miami, he served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Lakes in Miami Lakes, Little Flower Parish in Coral Gables, and Sacred Heart Parish in Homestead. Monsignor was serving as Pastor of St. Margaret Parish in Clewiston in 1984 when the Diocese of Venice was established. His next assignment was as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, then as Pastor of St. William Parish in Naples, and finally, before retiring, as Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish on Siesta Key. As announced from the Office of the Bishop on June 11, 2010, then-Pope Benedict XVI, bestowed Papal Honors on Msgr. Stearns, along with four other Diocesan Priests, in recognition of their dedication and exemplary service to the Church. This Papal Honor elevated him to the rank of Monsignor, as Chaplain to His Holiness. This group of priests was the first to receive this honor in the history of the Diocese of Venice. Through the years, Msgr. Stearns has served on numerous advisory boards including the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council. Having retired in March 2015, Monsignor has assisted at several Parishes including Incarnation Parish in Sarasota and Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch.
Born in 1939, in Somerville, Massachusetts, Father David M. Foley is the only child of Catherine (Maloney) and David Foley. Father Foley studied at the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers Minor Seminary in Wellesley, Massachusetts, then later at the Theological College of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Ordained to the Priesthood on May 20, 1972, in Bartlett, Tennessee, for the Diocese of Memphis, Father Foley served in Parishes in Memphis, Selmer, Millington, Ripley, Dyersburg, Bolivar and Covington until his retirement in 2002. Upon his retirement, Father Foley moved to Collier County where he assisted at several Parishes through the years.
Carmelite Father Adrian M. Wilde was born in 1946 in Birmingham, England, and is the second child of six children born to Margaret “Peggy” (Lees) and Marcel Wilde. Father Wilde joined the British Providence of the Order of Carmelites in 1965 and started his novitiate at Aylesford Priory, Kent, England. After being professed there in 1966, Father then continued his studies in Dublin, Ireland, and next at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. After his Ordination to the Priesthood in Kent on July 16, 1972, Father Wilde was assigned to Aylesford Priory and Allington Castle in Kent, English Martyrs Church in London, Hazelwood Castle in Yorkshire, and as Director of the Shrine of St. Jude in Faversham. Taking part in an applied theology sabbatical at the University of California – Berkeley, Father Wilde then began assignments with the Pure Heart of Mary Province of the Carmelites in the U.S. and served at Parishes in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and then in Houston Texas. He became a U.S. citizen in 2007 and in September 2008 was assigned as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City. After six years in Grove City, Father Wilde travelled to El Salvador, Peru and Australia, before helping at the Carmelite Chapel in Peabody, Massachusetts, and in a semi-retired status at a high school in Encino, California. In 2019, Father Wilde returned to Florida and became a member of the community at Carmel at Mission Valley in Nokomis where he is currently Prior.
Deacon Raymond J. Barrett was born in 1933 to Margaret A. Barre (Beuhne) and William F. Barrett. Deacon Barrett studied at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on September 30, 1972; part of the second Diaconate Class for the Archdiocese of Washington. Before relocating to Florida, Deacon Raymond served at Parishes in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, as well as in Prison Ministry, Hospital Ministry and assisting for 20 years at a retired priest nursing home in Washington. He also worked with the Little Sisters of the Poor. In the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Barrett served at St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres until his retirement in 2013, and continues to assist when he is able. In September 2022, Deacon will celebrate 66 years of marriage to his wife, Valerie (Lord). The couple have been blessed with five children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Before retiring in 1989, Deacon Barrett spent his career as a printer and proofreader for the U.S. government. In addition, for 61 years, he served as a volunteer firefighter for Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Father Hugh J. McGuigan, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, was born in 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second of the nine children of Jeanne Marie (Tomas) and Hugh A. McGuigan. Father Hugh studied at Allentown College (now de Sales University), in Center Valley, Pennsylvania; De Sales School of Theology with Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and Nova Southeastern University. After serving as a brother with the Oblates for 25 years, Father McGuigan was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 31, 1997, in Wilmington, Delaware. As a priest, Father McGuigan served at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, first as Dean of Students, and then as Principal. On weekends, Father assisted at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral, Resurrection Parish, St. Cecilia Parish, St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Our Lady of Light Parish, all in Fort Myers. Following his time at Bishop Verot, Father McGuigan was assigned as Parochial Vicar to Our Lady of Light Parish and was installed as the Pastor in 2005 where he continues in this role.
The fourth of five children born to Kathleen (Smith) and Joseph O’Connor, Father Patrick T. O’Connor, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, studied at De Sales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania; De Sales School of Theology with Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. Ordained to the Priesthood on May 31, 1997, in Wilmington, Delaware, Father O’Connor served at Parishes in Reston, Virginia, and Shallotte, North Carolina. Within the Diocese of Venice, Father O’Connor has previously served as a Chaplain at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Immokalee and St. Ann Parish in Naples. In 2009 he was assigned as Administrator of Jesus the Worker and San Jose Mission, both in Fort Myers. There he was instrumental in the construction of a new Church for Jesus the Worker and was named Pastor in 2014 when Jesus the Worker was erected as the 60th Parish in the Diocese of Venice. For the past 15 years, Father O’Connor has ministered in the Spanish-speaking immigrant community after teaching himself the language.
Father Leszek M. Sikorski was born in Drezdenko, Poland in 1964, the youngest of the three children of Lucja (Duzalska) and Zygmunt Sikorski. Father studied in Poland and then at Ss. Cyril and Methodius National Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan; at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland; Fordham University in the Bronx, New York; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia; and the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. After his Ordination to the Priesthood on October 25, 1997, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Father Sikorski served as Parochial Vicar at St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral and Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda. While earning an advanced degree, Father Sikorksi served in the Bronx. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in March 2004 into the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Father Sikorski served aboard numerous vessels as well as at bases in the U.S. and throughout the world, including Japan, Bahrain and Spain. Part of Father’s service included taking part in numerous humanitarian missions, as well as being instrumental in supervising the renovation of two chapels. Since 2020, Father has been assigned as a Command Chaplain with the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), a nuclear aircraft carrier currently under construction in Newport News, Virginia. As part of his military service, Command Chaplain Sikorski has earned the Fleet Marine Forces Qualified Officer pin, as well as the following decorations: four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon among additional service awards.
Born in 1956 in East Orange, New Jersey, to Agnes (Walsh) and Henry de Mena, Deacon de Mena earned a degree in chemical engineering from the New College of Engineering and then a degree in counseling from Seton Hall University. Deacon de Mena was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 2, 1997, in Paterson, New Jersey for that Diocese. After serving at Parishes in Cedar Knolls and Madison, New Jersey, Deacon de Mena relocated to Florida. He now serves at St. Agnes Parish in Naples. Deacon Henry is married to Dorine (vander Schraff) and the couple have two children and one grandchild. Although still serving as a consultant, Deacon de Mena retired from a career as a chemical engineer in 2012. Also a bereavement counselor, he offers bereavement courses within the Diocese of Venice.
The 40 Days for Life 365 is an effort to ensure that whenever a local abortion facility exists, whether surgical abortions are taking place or not, the faithful are present showing compassion and support for those who enter such facilities.
The 40 Days for Life spring campaign began Ash Wednesday (March 2) in thousands of locations in the United States and around the world with 455 babies saved. The local campaigns in Sarasota and Fort Myers benefitted from the support of local churches, both Catholic and other Christian denominations. Each church selects a day for coverage to ensure all hours are filled. Faithful from Parishes in the northern areas of the Diocese stand witness in Sarasota, while those from the central and southern regions are witnesses outside the Fort Myers Planned Parenthood. Participants can stand vigil for as much time as they wish. Signs are provided for those who want them, while others pray the rosary.
