Appointments
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following appointments:
Father Hugh J. McGuigan, O.S.F.S., relieved of his appointment as a member of the College of Consultors, effective July 1, 2024.
Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F., as a new member to the College of Consultors, effective July 1, 2024.
Father Simon Hoang Minh Dao, CRM, relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar and Chaplain for the Vietnamese Community at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 13, 2024, and thus has returned to his Religious Community.
Father Joseph Than Van Liem, CRM, as Parochial Vicar and Chaplain for the Vietnamese Community at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 13, 2024.
Diocese celebrates 40th anniversary
On July 17, 1984, the Diocese of Venice was erected by St. John Paul II from parts of the Archdiocese of Miami, Diocese of Orlando and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. To celebrate the occasion of the Diocese’s 40th anniversary, the staff of the Diocesan Catholic Center gathered with Bishop Frank J. Dewane for a group photo in front of the Chancery on July 26, 2024, and then attended a special Mass for the staff, celebrated by Bishop Dewane, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center. A celebratory luncheon followed.
Diocese weathers Debby
Torrential rain and strong winds battered parts of the Diocese of Venice when Hurricane Debby paralleled the coast on Aug. 3-5, 2024. While there was flooding at many properties in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Diocesan Parish and Catholic school staff worked hard to mitigate the impacts of any water intrusion. One of the starkest examples of flooding was found at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota which had several feet of water on their fields after an estimated 16-inches of rain fell. Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostle Parish in Bradenton had a leak in one of its buildings, which caused minor damage. Flood waters surrounded Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice but did not cause any damage. The retreat center was devastated by extreme flooding in 2022 during Hurricane Ian.
Marriage retreat held in Lake Placid
The Dialogo Matrimonial MDS retreat took place the weekend of Aug. 3-5, 2024, in Lake Placid. The purpose of the group is to support and assist in the spiritual growth of couples and marriages. Marriage Dialogue is a weekend experience starting Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. This experience gives couples the opportunity to celebrate their married life by giving them time to share their feelings, hopes, joys, frustrations, sorrows, and dreams in a completely private atmosphere and out of reach of the stresses and distractions of daily life. During the weekend there are talks given by a team of trained couples. Each talk provides an opportunity for spouses to first see themselves as individuals different from each other, then to see their marriage and relationship as a couple, and finally to develop other areas of their married life. In the movement the motto is: “With Jesus everything is possible, and it is not necessary to change your partner, you just need to change your attitude.” All topics of the retreat have as reference the Word of God, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as other relevant books and resources.
Catholic Charities Summertime Appeal continues
Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population in the 10 counties that constitute the Diocese of Venice 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 and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” Appeal is asking for your support. Any gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters! To donate to Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
Theology on Tap on August 15 in Sarasota
The next Theology on Tap, an outreach to young adults, is 7 p.m., Aug. 15, 2024, in a new location, Big Top Brewing – Restaurant & Brewery, 3045 Fruitville Commons Boulevard, Sarasota. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of each month. The featured speaker for August 15 is Jim Gontis, Diocese of Venice Director of Evangelization, and the topic will be “Four Marian Dogmas.” Theology on Tap is presented by the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543.
New Podcast Focuses on Amendment 4
The podcast of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics Across the Aisle: Commentary on Public Policy and Civic Life, brings a non-partisan moral voice to public dialogue on key policy issues of the day and assists listeners to become educated and active participants in civic life. The podcast’s latest episode focuses on the urgent issue of Amendment 4. Sara Johnson, statewide grassroots director for Vote No on 4 Florida, and Michele Taylor, FCCB’s associate director for communications, discuss deceptive and extreme Amendment 4. This amendment on Florida’s general election ballot would allow late-term abortions and jeopardize health and safety protections for women and minors. It removes doctors from the abortion decision, includes a broad “health” loophole, and eliminates parental consent. Hear more on why Floridians should vote NO on Amendment 4 on this new episode of Catholics Across the Aisle.
