The Group of Seven nations has agreed to participate in a worldwide vaccination plan to halt the coronavirus pandemic. It comes amid concerns that impoverished countries are being left out in the global jab drive. They also pledged to raise their contributions to meet an overdue spending pledge of ... read more

Global law enforcement agencies have busted an international crime network by monitoring encrypted phones used by criminals. The operations have led to hundreds of arrests and drug and weapon seizures across 16 nations. ... read more

Little girls in beautiful white dresses. Boys in their first suit and tie. These sights are common each spring in churches across the Diocese of Venice as thousands of young people receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist for the first time. But this isn’t simply a first ... read more

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, joined by Board members of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc., led a virtual presentation ceremony on May 27, 2021 from the Catholic Center in Venice to honor 17 Foundation scholarship winners. The recipients of the Mary Fran Carroll, Coseglia and Schaerf scholarships ... read more

Anne Patterson is proud of her fellow graduates at the Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria for turning to Jesus and the Blessed Mother as they completed their education during trying times. Graduation for the Class of 2021 took place May 27, 2021 and included a Baccalaureate Mass in ... read more

Liliana Ronderos is grateful to the Diocese of Venice for the opportunity to earn an advanced degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. When Ronderos first thought of earning her MA in Theology it seemed to be a dream that she couldn’t dare pursue as it meant ... read more

Susan Laielli – Special to the Florida Catholic The Very Rev. Fausto Stampiglia, S.A.C., V.F., Pastor of St. Martha Catholic Church in Sarasota, was honored as a “Good and Faithful Servant” by the Sarasota Ministerial Association (SMA) at its 20th Anniversary Luncheon in Sarasota on May 26, 2021. Bishop Frank J. Dewane attended the luncheon and gave ... read more

WASHINGTON – Father Jorge Torres, a priest of the Diocese of Orlando, has been appointed to serve as a Specialist for the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), based in Washington, D.C. He begins work on July 12. Father Torres holds an ... read more

The journey of the Easter Season is concluded and the gift of the Holy Spirit has descended to provide the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord. Celebrated on May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday marks an important transition in the lives of the ... read more

If anything is predictable in Florida it is that each summer the weather will be very warm and humid, and everyone should be keeping an eye on the tropics and preparing for the coming hurricane season. The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season has yet to officially begin (June 1-Nov. 30), ... read more

The newly completed Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane at 11:30 a.m., June 6, 2021 at the Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice. The dedication will be followed by a barbecue lunch. All are invited to attend this special ... read more

Members of the Diocese of Venice Catholic English Catholic Charismatic Renewal (DVCCR) gathered on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate a Mass in honor of the Holy Spirit and the “Birthday of the Church.” More than 120 participated in an afternoon of prayer, song and reflection at Sacred Heart Parish in ... read more

Student art on display at Fort Myers airport (held from last week) If you happen to be traveling through the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers sometime this year, take some time to check out the St. Andrew Catholic School student canvas on display in Concourse B. ... read more

Three of the four Diocese of Venice Catholic high schools held their commencement exercises in mid-May, sending off their graduates well prepared for a bright future. Ahead of each graduation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated a Baccalaureate Mass, sharing a hope-filled message that they must each “go forth with ... read more

It is a Catholic tradition to honor Mary, our Heavenly Mother, during the month of May by placing on her statue a crown of flowers to signify her honor as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This devotional ceremony is a favorite tradition at Parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese. ... read more