The four Diocese of Venice Catholic high schools graduated a record 510 into the world during a three-week span in May 2026.
This group, as they are each year, is impressive for their accomplishments earned through sacrifice, hard work and commitment in mind, body and soul.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the four different Baccalaureate Masses and noted how the Diocese is proud of the graduates and made a point to recognize the role of parents and grandparents, expressing his gratitude to them for entrusting their children to Diocesan Catholic high schools for their education.
“It is my prayer that you have learned the message of Jesus Christ, and that it is woven into who you are as men and women made in the image and likeness of God,” Bishop Dewane said. “You were provided a tremendous opportunity to attend at Catholic high school. Now that this experience is something in the past, let the vision of God you have developed in your four years be how you respond to God’s call.”
An astounding 98 percent of the graduates are heading off to higher education at some of the top colleges and universities in the land. Dozens were recognized for their academic prowess with many graduating with honors. Of note, four have opted to join the military and three have accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, one to the U.S. Military Academy, and one to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
As a group, these graduates gave back to the community with more than 62,000 service hours while also garnering more than $48.2 million in scholarship offers.
In addition to academic awards, many of these students were scholar athletes with several earning state titles in a variety of sports. More than 70 of the graduates were offered scholarships to continue their athletic career at the next level.
At Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, the graduation was May 22. Duke Bergstrom was the class Valedictorian and Gabriel Mehlum was Salutatorian. The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota on May 20.
The St. John Neumann Catholic High School Commencement Exercises were May 15 at the Naples school, with the Baccalaureate Mass at St. Agnes Parish on May 14. The Valedictorian was Thomas O’Brien and Salutatorian was Sophia Bosco.
The graduation for Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers was May 15, with the Baccalaureate Mass at St. Columbkille Parish on May 14. Verot had 37 students recognized as top graduates, and among those, Margaret Swift provided the introductory address, while Ambrielle Calixte offered the commencement address.
The Ave Maria Catholic Academy graduation in Ave Maria was May 26 at the school, with the Baccalaureate Mass earlier in the morning at Ave Maria Parish. Paul Jahnke was the class Valedictorian and Camila Pineros was the Salutatorian.
Congratulations to the Diocese of Venice Catholic high school Class of 2026!
Bishop Dewane opened the presentation with prayer and said he was impressed with the new Foundation scholars, noting their academic success and ambition to seek out distinctive goals. “We pray that whatever they may embark upon, the students will be successful in their life.”
Grace Casanova, a graduate of Pineview High School and parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Sarasota, is the inaugural recipient of the Bertoni Scholarship. She plans to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing from the State College of Florida. “I am beyond grateful to God and my family. I have always been interested in researching Alzheimer’s and dementia and will focus on gerontology. I am inspired, truly and deeply, by my mother who is a critical care and ER nurse. For everything she has given to me I am so grateful to her and to God for this opportunity. I am beyond honored to be the inaugural recipient of this scholarship and look forward to using it wisely.”
Parishes across the country, including here in the Diocese of Venice, were asked to join in this consecration. Epiphany Cathedral in Venice has embraced the opportunity by celebrating a special Novena to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from June 3-11. The Novena prayers will be offered after every morning Mass, except on Sunday, June 7, when they will be prayed individually. There will also be a Vigil of the Solemnity on July 11, when the Consecration will take place. The Cathedral will offer Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as opportunities for Confession beginning at 5 p.m., followed by Mass at 6 p.m.
The Missing Child Rescue Operation rescued 21 missing and endangered children across Lee, Collier and Hendry counties in an operation which culminated with an announcement on May 29, 2026.
The Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program has a long-standing commitment to the plight of human trafficking in Southwest Florida by providing intensive case management and mental health counseling to all individuals who are the victims of this crime as they attempt to integrate into society after being rescued.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the main celebrant for the Mass which was attended by all the students, faculty and staff of the school. The opening procession for the Mass included each graduate carrying a white rose which was then placed in a vase before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
July 5-10 – St. James Parish, Lake Placid, St. Catherine Parish, Sebring, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Avon Park, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle;
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating class on May 20, 2025, at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota. Bishop Dewane thanked the parents for entrusting Cardinal Mooney with the education of their children. He also praised the graduates for their academic achievement, adding that his prayers were for their continued spiritual growth as they leave the Cardinal Mooney community to points beyond.
During graduation the Cardinal Mooney Outstanding Senior Award was presented by Principal Ben Hopper to both Lucia Maria del Valle and Mason Dean Jordan. These two students were selected because they demonstrate the school’s ideals of religious and moral responsibility, personal and social responsibility, intellectual achievement, and a sense of purpose and direction, among other desirable traits and qualities. Their pictures and distinct honor will be placed in the school lobby.
