Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray and care for our fellow neighbors as the Diocese of Venice begins its recovery from the impacts of the fury of Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024.
Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and reached Category 5 strength (winds in excess of 155 mph) before weakening to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph just before slamming into the 10 counties of the Diocese of Venice. Areas closest to the eye of the storm (Siesta Key in Sarasota County) experienced the fiercest winds and coastal communities to the south of that point had devastating storm surge.
As soon as it was safe to do so, teams from the Diocese of Venice Office of Buildings and Construction, along with officials from each Parish and Diocesan Catholic school, were out making initial assessments of the damage. Bishop Dewane was in contact with priests, religious and Diocesan staff to ensure all were accounted for, and safe.
“The area suffered a great deal because of Milton, and a lot of people are much worse off than others, but still, we gather in prayer to ask God’s blessing; that He place His healing hand upon all who suffer as a result of Hurricane Milton,” Bishop Dewane said.
Due to the extent of the damage, plus power outages and blocked roads from debris, access to many of the Parishes was not immediately possible. When access is made, the safety of all structures is reviewed and then a plan is put in place if cleanup or repairs are necessary. All Parishes which had power were able to resume the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the time of publication, no immediate reports were available, particularly on the hard-hit barrier islands which were still recovering from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28.
As Milton approached, the Diocesan Emergency Response Team gathered on Oct. 7, at the Catholic Center. The meeting included a review and implementing of emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese.
These emergency plans were established to ensure an ease of preparation when tropical weather threatens. Policies, checklists and basic guidance have been established to ensure that the people and the buildings within the Diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. In addition, the emergency plans also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.
By implementing these plans, Parishes, Schools and other entities first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.
All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Oct. 7-11, and each will reopen as soon as possible, according to Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education. A decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for students and faculty.
Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impacts (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.
In addition, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is prepared to respond and set Points of Distribution (POD) in areas of greatest need. These POD locations, preplanned and established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food. Catholic Charities had to pause its response to help the victims of Hurricane Helene so as to prepare for the arrival of Milton.
After Hurricane Helene passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort can visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.
The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website at www.dioceseofvenice.org, and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.
Please continue to pray for the safety in the Diocese of Venice and beyond who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton.
HOW TO HELP
Diocesan Response to Milton
www.dioceseofvenice.org/disasterrelief
If you need help, want to help
