Tag: deacons

Pastoral reflections on two decades as faithful Shepherd

Posted on by Bob Reddy

As Bishop Frank J. Dewane nears retirement, he took time to reflect, with some prompting and encouraging, on the pastoral impact he has had on the Diocese in his years of service to the faithful of Southwest Florida. Bishop said that his partner who guided him in these endeavors was always the Holy Spirit.

Catholic Charities

When looking back at the scope of his service of nearly 20 years as Shepherd of the Diocese of Venice, Bishop Dewane has been steadfastly focused upon addressing the various needs of the faithful and this was seen in ways great and small.

For example, Catholic Charities offices throughout the Diocese have been upgraded and modernized to ensure that the needs of the people to be served in each region of the Diocese are being met in the best way possible. This includes the purchasing of several buildings to house offices and services, as well as upgrading existing equipment and programs. All food pantries were converted from drive-thru to choice pantries. This served a double benefit of offering those in need a dignified option to get the food they would actually eat while at the same time reducing waste of unwanted food.

Through Catholic Charities and other partnerships, Bishop Dewane has vastly expanded the affordable housing in the region by almost 500 units. The housing is now strategically located in economically stressed neighborhoods in Sarasota, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Port Charlotte, Immokalee, and Arcadia. A large portion has been focused on providing housing for families, for low-income elderly, as well as for farm workers.

“Housing is a cross-cutting issue, as I truly believe that if families don’t have a home or residence of some kind, it is going to be harder for the family to develop in all ways,” Bishop Dewane said. “If they don’t have a place to gather, to eat, to pray, or to do anything, the family is lost.”

A more subtle action by Bishop Dewane was continuing funding for the Anti-Human Trafficking Team when grants were lost. This program has been key in providing compassion, stability, and immediate support for hundreds following their rescue.

“As Bishop there are times when you do what you have to do, and providing that funding was definitely the right thing to do,” Bishop Dewane said. “This issue of human trafficking is one that is unthinkable and inhumane, and simply should not exist.”

Because of his experience with guiding the success of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice through growth, two hurricanes and the pandemic, Bishop Dewane was appointed as the Episcopal Liaison for Catholic Charities USA, as well as the moderator for Catholic Charities in the State of Florida.

Evangelization

Through the years, the frequent questions Bishop Dewane asked of himself and of the priests and staff of the Diocese is what was being done to improve evangelization in the Diocese in all the definitions which that word encompasses.

“It is a difficult thing to wrestle to the ground,” Bishop Dewane said. “We needed to focus on how we are promoting the different aspects of the pastoral life of the Church in the Diocese. Here is where my faith companion in reflection, was truly the Holy Spirit.”

The first thing the Bishop did was to begin the popular annual Masses for couples celebrating significant anniversaries which started in one location and quickly expanded to two due to popularity. “I wanted to recognize the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in a society that doesn’t put such an emphasis on marriage. Seeing the living sacrament of marriage lived in a profound way. It truly is my favorite Mass of the year to celebrate apart from the ordinations.”

To help support marriage, Bishop Dewane directed the reorganization of the pre-Cana program and brought in the annual Together in Holiness Conference to help accompany couples as they grow together in holiness as a couple.

Two significant outreaches included the initiation of annual Men’s and Women’s conferences to great success. The events were combined in 2023 when the Diocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress as part of a National Eucharistic Revival initiative.

For the younger people in the Diocese, the Bishop also promoted a Diocesan Youth Rally which started humbly with 50 people in 2008 and grew to 2,000 attending from across the region for the 2026 gathering. “It is inspiring to look out and see the youth alive with Jesus in their hearts.”

Another outreach to youth and young children is the Totus Tuus catechetical summer day camps where missionaries – young adults – visit Parishes to inspire young people to strive for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. The program has expanded from eight to 20 Parishes.

For young adults, there was the introduction of Theology on Tap, where those in their 20’s and 30’s can gather to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting.

Attuned to those who may be marginalized, Bishop Dewane has actively promoted and participated in Prison Ministry. “This is something the Church has always advocated. I saw it as part of my call as a Bishop to go into the prisons and jails to celebrate Mass for the incarcerated, those often marginalized by society.” Bishop Dewane has celebrated the Mass and conferred baptisms, the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion on untold numbers of the incarcerated. In addition, he has encouraged priests, deacons and lay volunteers to serve this vital and rewarding ministry.

Bishop Dewane has also expanded outreach to the growing Hispanic Catholic community dramatically. Building off the national V Encuentro initiative, need pastoral attention leadership was brought to the Hispanic ministries and in response to their request, a successful Spanish-language faith formation program was developed. Further, the Bishop secured and realized the construction of three large new churches to accommodate the growing numbers of Hispanics in key parts of the Diocese.

Respect Life

Much has changed in the Respect Life outreach in the nearly 20 years Bishop Dewane has led the Diocese of Venice. In his first year, he advocated participation in the 40 Days for Life prayers vigils in front of abortion facilities. This worldwide effort was in its first year when the Diocese joined, placing people on the front lines to combat the evil of abortion, and protect the unborn.

“Abortion is a scourge on society,” the Bishop said. “We all have a role to play in ending abortion. It is by our presence, and in our voices, that the message of life can be spread. It doesn’t end at the sidewalk. It must happen with conversations in our family, in our neighborhood, in our offices, and in the community. We are all called to be the voice for life in the world.”

Bishop Dewane himself stood on many sidewalks through the years in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples where the spring and fall 40 Days for Life campaigns are still going strong. He also attended many National Marches for Life in Washington, D.C. each January with hundreds of Diocesan youth.

In 2022, the Dobbs ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and put the decision to allow abortion up to the states. While it was a great victory, the fight continues. The leadership of Bishop Dewane helped defeat Amendment 4, a radical Florida ballot initiative that would have drastically expanded access to abortion. The Diocese embraced the U.S Bishop’s initiative, Walking with Moms in Need, a nationwide program which operates at the Parish level to increase support for pregnant and parenting mothers in need.

Not allowing women who have had an abortion to be forgotten by the Church, the Bishop brought the Project Rachel outreach to the area. This program offers support for women who are struggling with the aftermath of abortion.

In addition, Bishop Dewane has provided silent support to help improve numerous pregnancy resource centers and other community partners to ensure facilities are available so that abortion-minded women have a pro-life option for their unborn child.

This is most visible with Our Mother’s House, a Catholic Charities program, which is a two-year transitional housing program that provides single mothers and their young children with stability, support, and renewed hopes during difficult times. Bishop Dewane helped allow the program to undergo three expansions and upgrades to the facilities as well as what is offered to each mom and her young child to ensure that together they have an opportunity for success.

Growth

In 2007, the Diocese of Venice served approximately 200,000 Catholics in its 10-county area. Today that number reaches more than 260,000, even though the percentage of Catholics in the area has dropped to less than 20% from a high of 30% two decades ago. Part of the increase can be attributed to the rapid growth of the region as many move to Florida each year.

To accommodate this growth, Bishop Dewane has erected six new Parishes, one mission and one Chapel. Two additional Mission churches are currently in the planning stages. In addition, during the last two decades, many Diocesan Parishes have built new churches, parish halls and other facilities to accommodate their demand. For the Parishes where raising funds for such projects is prohibitive, Bishop Dewane has helped finance such projects to ensure the pastoral needs of growing Parishes are met.

The true sign of growth can be seen in the number of people attending Mass year-round versus just during the busy season. Also, a positive sign is that a record 1,077 who entered the Church in 2026 through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) during the Easter Season. That number doubled over 2025 and reflects a growing outreach and interest in the Catholic Faith as well as many seeking the sacraments they might have missed in the past.

“This was by far the largest number the Diocese has ever seen,” Bishop Dewane said. “The Diocese has been truly blessed and graced by the large numbers of catechumens and candidates. It shows that the Holy Spirit is working among the people of God in the Diocese of Venice.”

Religious Freedom

Having worked and lived in the former communist Soviet Union for five years, Bishop Dewane said he saw the dangers of an oppressed society where freedom was not guaranteed. When in 2012 the U.S. government imposed a federal contraceptive mandate, Bishop Dewane was at the forefront in raising awareness of what has transitioned into an ongoing battle to ensure religious freedom remains a part of the United States. In 2012, Bishop Dewane led a rally of more than 3,000 supporters on the Sarasota bayfront to “Stand Up for Religious Freedom.” A rally in Naples drew about 1,000 a week later. Since that time the Diocese actively promote and participates in the U.S. Bishops annual Religious Freedom week in June.

Vocations

Since 2007, 38 men have been Ordained to the Priesthood, a number Bishop Dewane said is disappointing, but he admitted the reality is that few are seeking a vocation to the priesthood in a society where other options appear more glamourous for multiple reasons. To help combat this issue, the Vocations Office regularly offers Vocations days for sixth-graders at Diocesan Catholic schools to introduce the concept of pursuing a vocation to the priesthood or religious life and the establishment of the “Called By Name” initiative in the Diocese of Venice.

As for the men and women religious, Bishop Dewane has strived to bring in new religious orders to minister to the Hispanic communities in the Diocese where there is tremendous growth and need. Older men’s and women’s religious orders have been forced to consolidate their ranks, with nearly all having left the Diocese. This reality puts tremendous strain on the Diocese as there are not enough priests to cover the 61 Parishes and associated missions. An additional 28 permanent deacons were ordained.

Education

Diocesan Catholic schools were on the brink of ruin in 2007 with shrinking enrollment numbers, a dated curriculum and crushing debt when Bishop Dewane assumed the role as leader of the Diocese.

Through a systematic effort to bring modern technology into the classroom, updates to the curriculum and better management of schools, closures were avoided. A new school, St. Catherine in Sebring, opened in 2008 to serve an underserved part of the Diocese, and Diocesan-wide enrolment stabilized.

STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math) curriculum was phased into pilot schools and was expanded to the entire Diocese Catholic school network in 2021. This was the same time a new robotics program was implemented. Add to that, Bishop Dewane integrated the Catholic faith and the life of virtue into the robotics curriculum with what he calls, “The Gifts of Christ.” He has fostered a strong Catholic culture that produces faithful leaders of good moral character through the virtues of Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Affability, Fortitude, Humility, and Prudence.

The result has been that enrollment has gone from a low of about 3,000 in 2007 to the current level of more than 6,700. “It took time to build up enrollment, but the results are seen in full classrooms and waitlists at all of our Diocesan Catholic schools,” Bishop Dewane said.

Bishop Dewane retires leaving behind a lasting legacy that reached every part of the Diocese, the effects which will bear fruit for the faith, and the Church, for years to come.

Please join in praying for Bishop Frank J. Dewane as he enters his retirement years!

Bishop Dewane, we will miss you. May God bless you, and may your retirement be both peaceful and joyous.

Newly appointed Bishop returns to Diocese

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Ordination/installation key information

The Ordination and Installation Mass of Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. Out of necessity, due to high demand and capacity constraints, this event is by Invitation Only. Parishioners are encouraged to join us in prayer, via livestream. Both the Ordination Mass on July 11 and the Solemn Vespers at 5 p.m., Friday, July 10, will be livestreamed via the Diocesan website at https://dioceseofvenice.org/livestream/, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofVenice. Join us in prayer as we welcome Bishop Emilio to the Diocese of Venice!

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Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., returned to the Diocese of Venice for the week of June 15-20, 2026, ahead of his July 11 Apostolic Ordination and Installation as the third Bishop of the Diocese.

During his time in Venice, the Bishop-elect became better acquainted with the Diocese through a series of meetings with Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Diocesan Chancellor Volodymyr Smeryk, and many other key Diocesan leaders. The Bishop-elect was only in the Diocese of Venice for a few days when his appointment was announced on May 13.

A key aspect of the new Bishop’s visit was the opportunity to have meetings with priests in the four Deaneries (regions) of the Diocese. These meetings allowed many Diocesan priests to meet Bishop Biosca in an informal setting where both sides learned more about each other. Additional meetings took place with religious men and women, Deacons, as well as a visit to Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities in Immokalee.

Bishop Biosca is making an effort to learn about how the Diocese functions. The new Bishop is especially interested in learning the pastoral needs of the different Parishes as well as what pressing issues will demand his attention as soon as he takes over as shepherd of the Diocese in July.

When not on the road meeting priests, the new Bishop was able to begin to move into his residence in Venice. He also stood for his formal portrait and took part in interviews, in both English and Spanish, in anticipation of his coming ordination, in an effort to help the faithful of the Diocese get to know him.

Welcome, Bishop Emilio!

Venice seminarian takes a big step on his long road to the priesthood

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The journey to the priesthood for Diocese of Venice Seminarian Bao Nguyen began in Vietnam and then to Sarasota and points beyond. Nguyen reached a major milestone along that path on April 18, 2026, when he was Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, a major step on his spiritual journey.

Deacon Nguyen was among 11 ordained at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boca Raton, by Most Rev. Gregg M. Caggianelli, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archbishop of the Military Services, USA. The men, from different Dioceses across Florida, are studying at both St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, where Deacon Nguyen is studying.

“My vocation to the priesthood has been a calling I’ve felt from a young age,” Deacon Nguyen said. “As a child in Vietnam, I often pretended to celebrate Mass with my friend acting as the altar server. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to become a priest. Moving to the United States gave me more opportunities to pursue that calling, and through prayer and service, that desire has only strengthened.”

Just prior to his ordination, now Transitional Deacon Bao wrote, “As I approach my ordination, I am filled with gratitude to God and to everyone who has supported and prayed for me along this journey. I am ready and eager to embrace this new chapter – proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, baptizing, witnessing marriages, presiding at funerals, and assisting at the altar during Mass. This is both a great blessing and a duty, and I entrust it all to God with a grateful heart.”

The first of three ranks of ordained ministry in the Church, deacons perform many services to the Church in conjunction with the ministries of priests and bishops. In Parish life, deacons may preside at baptisms, weddings and rites of Christian burial, assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and deliver homilies.

In his homily, Bishop Caggianelli, who was former Vice Rector at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and is a resident instructor at the seminary as well as a former priest of the Diocese of Venice, said the primary duty of a new deacon is to preach the Gospel of God to all.

“That is to preach like Christ, to be like Christ. Very simple, but not easy at all,” Bishop Caggianelli said. “We can say it, but we have to live it in your actions, expressed through liturgical gestures. By doing so, you embrace characteristics of Jesus Christ, and your lives will become hidden in Him.”

The ordination to Transitional Deacon is a Sacrament of love, humility and obedience which are radical signs in the world, Bishop Caggianelli said.

“Draw strength from the promise you make today,” the Bishop said. “May you be witnesses of Christ by your lives of humble obedience expressed loving and with sacrificial service. That is how we proclaim the Gospel of God to all. May God who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfillment.”

Following the homily, the men approached Bishop Caggianelli one-by-one, knelt and promised respect and obedience to his Bishop and his successors. To signify humble submission before God, the men then lay prostrate in the sanctuary while the assembly sang the Litany of Saints.

The ordinations were complete after each man again approached the Bishop who imposed his hands on the candidate and proclaimed a prayer of consecration, to confer the Holy Spirit to guide their ministries.

The Deacons then received a stole and dalmatic (the exterior garb of a deacon), signifying the Office of Diaconate and the deacon’s role in the celebration of the Eucharist. Deacon Nguyen was vested by Father Scott Surrency, OFM Cap., a professor at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.

Next, the newly ordained Deacons knelt before the Bishop who presented them with the Book of the Gospels, and said: “Receive the Gospels of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” The reception of the Book of Gospels is a symbol of their new ministry of proclaiming the Gospel and preaching. The Rite of Ordination concluded with the fraternal kiss of peace.

Nguyen, 39, who has been studying at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, is the eighth of nine children and was born in Vietnam. He moved to the United States in 1998, when he was 12, and spent part of his middle school years in Sarasota before moving to Missouri. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and worked in Information Technology before returning to Sarasota. “Throughout those years, I remained deeply involved in the life of the Church. I served as an altar server, assisted as a Eucharistic minister, and played an active role in fundraising and serving the Vietnamese Catholic community at St. Martha Church, my home Parish.” Deacon Nguyen has served at St. Joseph and Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles in Bradenton for summer pastoral assignments.

Attending the ordination on behalf of the Diocese of Venice was Vocations Director Father Alex Pince. In addition, Deacon Nguyen was blessed to have a large number of family and friends present to witness this important moment.

Please pray for Deacon Nguyen as he continues his spiritual journey.

 

2026 Chrism Mass – Symbol of Unity

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Renewal of Priestly Promises; Consecration and Blessing of Holy Oils

Bishop Frank J. Dewane was joined by at least 150 priests and 1,000 of the faithful from across the Diocese for the annual Chrism Mass March 31, 2026, at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs.

At the Chrism Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with priests from throughout the Diocese, the Bishop consecrates the sacred Chrism oil and blesses two other oils used throughout the year for the administration of the sacraments at the Diocese’s 61 Parishes. The Mass is among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the Bishop’s Priesthood and is considered to be a sign of the close bond between the Priests and their Bishop. It is with the sacred Chrism that the priests are ordained, the newly baptized are anointed, and those to be confirmed are signed. It is with the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism. Finally, it is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity.

The Chrism Mass is typically held at the Diocesan Cathedral in Venice but was relocated due to ongoing renovations. Usually celebrated on Holy Thursday, the Mass was celebrated on a Tuesday to allow the priests and the faithful the opportunity to attend from throughout the large Diocese.

The celebration not only brings into focus the historical context of the priesthood by the renewal of Priestly Promises, but also presents 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, united with their Bishop, just before the Easter Triduum, reminds priests of their calling to act in persona Christi – in the person of Christ. This is the largest annual gathering of the clergy for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

During the Renewal of Priestly Promises the gathered priests stood as one, and spoke with one voice responding, “I am,” three times to a series of questions asked by Bishop Dewane. These same questions were asked of them at the time of their Ordination to the Priesthood.

Bishop Dewane publicly thanked the priests for their continued service to the People of God throughout the Diocese of Venice. He also called upon the faithful to continue to support the priests who bring the Sacraments into their lives.

“The sacred Chrism Mass is the profound manifestation of the priestly, prophetic and kingly calling that all of us have,” Bishop Dewane said. “This comes about through the anointing that comes from Scripture. The sacramental life of the Church takes place through these men – the priests of the Diocese – who administer the sacraments with these blessed and consecrated oils which signify the Church’s healing aspect and Her mission in the many ways it is carried out.”

Importantly, the priests, who themselves are anointed with sacred Chrism at their ordination, stand in a great line that goes back to King David, through Christ.

“The anointing runs to our limbs and garments that should flow out into the world. Don’t let it go stale, instead it should flow forth and be transformative because the world needs us to be out there as agents of the Lord,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is the priests who carry those oils to the boundaries to the limits of the Diocese of Venice. A priest is sanctified to make others holy. This is the life all priests are called to live. There is no checking out and no time out. We have to respond. The Lord will give the grace needed to go forward. The Lord has ordained you for a lifetime to go out and do that each day just as King David was called, as priest, prophet and king.”

Jesus was anointed as the New David, but it does not end with Christ or the priests, because through the oils used in the sacraments, and through our encounters with Christ, every person takes on that role of priest, prophet and king according to their state in life, the Bishop said. Each sacrament brings with it an encounter with Christ, and we must be changed as a result.

“We must all listen to that call of the Lord,” Bishop Dewane said. “The priests present heard that call in a specific way, but everyone is called to share in the kingly mission – as a royal people, made in the image and likeness of God. The Lord has asked each one of us to be prophets, kings and priestly according to his or her own state in life. We are differentiated by talents given to us by the Lord, but you must not let them sit idle and not respond. The Lord is waiting for us to use the gifts given. To hear the Lord, we are called repeatedly to be men and women of prayer. It is how we respond and come to know the Lord. Listen and allow time for the Lord to speak to you, to enlighten within you what God wants you to do in your life. Learn how the Lord sees you in fulfilling His mission in the world. We each have a role to live out our prophetic identity and speak up by being the leaven, uplifting the world to highlight to others what salvation is.”

The Bishop concluded his remarks stating, “Always remember, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you because the Lord has anointed you.”

During the Chrism Mass, Bishop Dewane recognized the 13 Priests and one Permanent Deacon who, in 2026, are celebrating the 50th and 25th anniversaries of their ordination for their years of service to Christ and Holy Mother Church. He also acknowledged the 364 students in attendance from Diocesan Catholic schools.

Also present to witness this special occasion were religious men and women; Diocesan seminarians; Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Order of Malta; the Knights of Columbus, including those of the Color Corps; members of the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; many Diocesan staff, and the faithful of the Diocese of Venice.

Sacred Oils

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.

The sacred Chrism is both blessed and consecrated. The verb “consecrate” is applied to the action of making holy the Chrism and indicates its use to spiritually separate, sanctify and purify its recipients.

For the blessing and consecration of the sacred Chrism oil, the initial motion is to pour balsam into the oil, and then this is mixed. The balsam is added so that it gives the oil a sweet smell intended to remind those who encounter it of the odor of sanctity. All of the Faithful are called to strive for sanctity. Next, the Bishop breathes on the Sacred Chrism to symbolize the Holy Spirit coming down. At a particular point in the consecratory prayer for the Sacred Chrism, all the priests join the Bishop in extending their right hand toward the Chrism, as the Bishop concludes the prayer.

The Oil of the Sick, used for those who seek anointing, and the Oil of the Catechumens, which is imposed on those preparing for baptism, are blessed by the Bishop at different times during the Chrism Mass.

Bishop Dewane referred to the Gospel message which described the oils as being the oil of gladness, which represent the indelible mark each bestows. After Mass, the oils were given to each Pastor to use in their Parish throughout the Liturgical Year.

Priest and Deacon Jubilarians

A reception was held in the Parish Hall following the Mass to honor Priests and Deacon celebrating their jubilee anniversaries in 2026.

Seven Priests celebrating 50 years were recognized, Father Edward Blackwell; Father Vincente Clemente; Father Lawrence Esposito; Father Francis Hanlon, OSFS; Father Thomas Heck; Father Michael Orsi; and Father Timothy Sheedy. The six priests celebrating the 25th anniversary of their priestly ordination were Father Lorenzo Gonzalez, Father Philip Joly, Father Jacek Mazur, Father David Pignato, Father Philip Scheff, and Father David Vidal. One Permanent Deacon, Deacon Gary Ingold, also marks his 25th year of service to the Catholic Church.

14 Jubilarians honored at Chrism Mass

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The following are brief biographies of 13 priests and a deacon celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2026.

50 years

 Father Edward A. Blackwell

Father Edward A. Blackwell was Ordained to the Priesthood on April 24, 1976, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Among his assignments in the Diocese of Harrisburg were service as Parochial Vicar at Parishes in York and Columbia, Diocesan Director of Young Adult Ministry, and Director of Campus Ministry at Millersville University; he also held several positions at St. Thomas University in Florida. Father Blackwell was born in Abington, Pennsylvania, in 1950 and graduated from Bloomsburg University in PA, Mount St. Mary Seminary in Maryland, and Florida International University. Following retirement in 2015, Father assists the Diocese of Venice at San Antonio Parish and St. Maximilan Kolbe Parish, both in Port Charlotte.

 Father Vincent L. Clemente

Born in Rocca Pia, Aquila, Italy in 1947 to Guido and Lesvina (Perfetto) Clemente, Father Vincent Luciano Clemente is the oldest of two children. After graduating from Borromeo College Seminary in Ohio, and the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Father Clemente was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 8, 1976, in St. Petersburg. His first priestly assignment was as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin, then at St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, before being assigned to St. Martha Parish in Sarasota. He also served at that time as Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Venice and as Chaplain at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Father later served as Pastor at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula and at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia. Since 2018 he has served as Pastor at St. James Parish in Lake Placid. Further contributions on the Diocesan level include serving as Spiritual Director of the Curia of the Legion of Mary, as well as working with Cursillo and Retrouvaille Marriage Preparation; he still works with Marriage Encounter. He is also active in Prison Ministry.

Father Lawrence J. Esposito

Father Lawrence J. Esposito was Ordained to the Priesthood on June 5, 1976, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was born in Webster, Massachusetts, to Lorenzo and Ann (Rull) Esposito in 1946. He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut; Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut; Christ the King Seminary in Aurora, New York; and St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Within the Diocese of Worcester, Father served as Parochial Vicar at Parishes in Worcester and Sutton, and then as Pastor in Berlin, Auburn, Linwood, and Millville. In addition, Father worked in the Diocesan Youth Ministry Offices and served as Chaplain for the Boy Scouts, the University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Worcester, and Milford Regional Medical Center. Since his retirement in 2019, he has assisted at St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Charles Borromeo Parishes, both in Port Charlotte.

Father Francis J. Hanlon, O.S.F.S.

An Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, Father Francis J. Hanlon was born in 1945 to Joseph and Helen (Smith) Hanlon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the third of three children. His education included Allentown College (now DeSales University) and DeSales School of Theology, both in Center Valley, PA Pennsylvania as well as Villanova University. Following his Ordination to the Priesthood on May 15, 1976, in Philadelphia, Father Hanlon served as Vice Principal at Catholic schools in Philadelphia and Fairfax, Virginia. He also served as Principal in Wilmington, Delaware, as well as Dean of DeSales School of Theology, and as Director, Senior Oblates. Presently in the Diocese of Venice, Father Hanlon is Parochial Vicar at St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers.

Father Thomas Heck

The fourth of 12 children, Father Thomas Heck was born in Parkston, South DAkota in 1949 to John and Mildred (Weber) Heck. Father was Ordained to the Priesthood in Sioux Falls on June 3, 1976. In the Diocese of Sioux Falls, he served at Parishes in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Mallette, Chelsea, Armour, Stickney, Pierre, and Brookings. Prior to Ordination, he graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary University and St. Paul Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, both in Minnesota. In the Diocese of Venice, Father Heck served as Parochial Vicar at San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte and St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, then as Administrator of St. Finbarr Parish in Naples, and as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte and St. Therese Parish in North Fort Myers before retiring in 2020. In retirement, Father continues to assist at various Parishes.

Father Michael P. Orsi

Father Michael P. Orsi was born in Brooklyn in 1950 to Pompeo and Lavinia (Savino) Orsi and is one of four children. Father earned degrees from Cathedral College in Queens, New York, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. He was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 20, 1976. In the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Father served at a Parish in Stone Harbor and as Vice Principal at a Catholic school in Wildwood. In the Diocese of Venice, Father was Chaplain at Ave Maria School of Law and served as Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples. Father Orsi retired in 2024 and assists the Diocese of Venice at Parishes in Collier County.

Father Timothy J. Sheedy

The second of eight children, Father Timothy Joseph Sheedy was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Donald and Jean (Carr) Sheedy in 1949. Father graduated from St. Ambrose University in Iowa; Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; the University of Iowa; and St. Mary’s of the Lake University in Mundelein, Illinois. Father was Ordained to the Priesthood on June 12, 1976, in Ottumwa, In the Diocese of Davenport, Father Sheedy served as Associate Pastor at Parishes in Davenport and Burlington, and as Pastor at Parishes in Charlotte, Villa Nova, LeClaire/Princeton, Moline, Bettendorf, and Solon. He also served as Chaplain for a medical center in Moline and as Principal for various levels of Catholic education. Following his retirement in 2019, Father Sheedy assists at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers and St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs.

25 years

Father Lorenzo J. Gonzalez

Born in Cuba in 1970 to Lorenzo Gonzalez Abreau and Amparo Suares Martinez, Father graduated from San Basilo Magno Seminary in Santiago, Cuba, Pontifical Seminary of St. Thomas of Aquinas in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and was Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral. Father served as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Bradenton, St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, and St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, as well as with the Hispanic Apostolate at St. Agnes and St. Elizabeth Seton Parishes in Naples. He was Administrator at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Mission. Father currently serves as Pastor at St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers.

Father Philip J. Joly

Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral, Father Philip Joseph Joly was educated at Mount St. Mary College and Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. The youngest of three, he was born in 1965 in Norwich, Connecticut, to Lee and Emelianne (St. George) Joly. In the Diocese, Father Joly served as Parochial Vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton, San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, and St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral. Since 2011, Father Joly has served in the Diocese of Palm Beach as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach and assists at St. Patrick Parish in Palm Beach Gardens.

Father Jacek Mazur

Father Jacek Mazur was born in Milomlyn, Poland in 1968 to Francisek and Genowefa (Bonislawska), and is one of three children. Father graduated from the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Gdansk, Poland, and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Michigan. He was Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral, and has served as Parochial Vicar at Epiphany Cathedral, St. Ann Parish in Naples, and as Administrator at San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte. Father was also Pastor at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota and currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish in Bokeelia.

Father David A. Pignato

Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 1969 to David and Carol (DiMarzio) Pignato, Father David A. Pignato is one of two children. Father earned degrees at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Harvard Law School, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy. Ordained to the Priesthood on July 14, 2001, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Father Pignato served at Parishes in North Dartmouth as Parochial Vicar and Pastor, and as Chaplain at a Catholic high school there. Additionally, he served as a Pastor in Raynham and as Secretary to the Bishop and Vicar for Priests in Fall River. Presently in the Diocese of Venice, Father Pignato is Chaplain, Associate Dean of Mission, and Visiting Associate Professor of Law at the Ave Maria School of Law.

Father Philip J. Scheff

Ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 25, 2001, at Epiphany Cathedral, Father Philip J. Scheff served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice, San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish on Longboat Key, St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte. The second of three children, he was born in St. Petersburg in 1956 to Joseph and Joan (Willis) Scheff and earned degrees from Florida State University and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. Father Scheff retired in 2025.

Father David M. Vidal

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1973 to Julio Cesar and Alicia (Proche) Vidal, Father David Mariano Vidal is the fifth of seven children. Of the children, three are priests and three are women religious. Father was Ordained to the Priesthood Aug. 9, 2001, in Buenos Aires, for the Institute of the Incarnate Word. For the religious order, Father served in order’s House of Formation in Chillum, Maryland, and later as Pastor at Parishes in Chillum and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the Diocese of Venice, Father Vidal served as Parochial Vicar at Ave Maria Parish and then as Administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle. Father was welcomed into the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in 2023 and is the current Pastor of Ave Maria Parish. He earned degrees from Maria Madre Del Verbo Encarnado Seminary, Argentina, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Deacon

 25 years

 Deacon Gary C. Ingold

Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 9, 2001, in the Diocese of Buffalo, Deacon Ingold’s Diaconate formation took place at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY, and he first served at a Parish in Williamsville, New York. Deacon Ingold then served as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of the Military Services at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; he is a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Deacon Ingold retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves after 23 years of service. In civilian life, Deacon Ingold held numerous leadership positions in the medical field and was CEO of Community Pregnancy Clinics Inc. in Florida. In the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Ingold served at St. William Parish in Naples and currently serves at Ave Maria Parish; he is also a Deputy Chaplain for the Order of Malta. Deacon Ingold and his wife Ginny have been married for 50 years; they have two children and 10 grandchildren.

News Briefs for the week of March 27, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Appointments

After broad consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:

Father Phillip Schweda, retired as Administrator of St. Bernard Parish, Holmes Beach, effective March 24, 2026, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Administrator of St. Bernard Parish.
Father Gerard Critch, Pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Holmes Beach, effective March 24, 2026, and thus, is to be relieved of his duties as Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples.

Memorial Mass held for deceased Deacons and their spouses

Remembering those who have gone before us, Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the annual Memorial Mass for deceased Deacons and their wives on March 25, 2026, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. The gathering coincided with a Deacon Lenten Retreat. The Memorial Mass brings together those Deacons serving today, and their wives, while honoring the memory of those who have served in the Diocese of Venice since its founding. As part of this annual tradition, during the Prayer Intentions, the names of those who have passed away during the previous year were solemnly read as candles were lit in their honor. Today, there are more than 90 Permanent Deacons, many seasonal, living and serving throughout the Diocese of Venice.

Parish celebrates Feast Day

St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton hosted a Feast Day celebration on March 19, 2026, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Rafal Ligenza celebrated the Mass and led the faithful in a prayer of consecration to St. Joseph. A reception was held in the Parish Center where a St. Joseph Table, which included an image of the Saint and the Child Jesus, was prepared and blessed with traditional offerings of bread, offered in thanksgiving. A reception followed.

Marriage Prep Day draws 50 couples

A Diocese of Venice Marriage Preparation Day of Reflection took place March 21, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. There were 50 couples from Parishes throughout the Diocese.  Attendees included engaged couples and couples who are seeking to have their civil marriage convalidated in the Church. The day covered a variety of topics including communication, moral teaching within marriage, finances, the Rite of Marriage, fertility appreciation and Natural Family Planning, and marriage as a Sacrament. Presenters were Jim and Eva Gontis, Father Greg Cleveland, OVM, Spiritual Director of the retreat center, and Margaret Sadasivan from the St. Gianna Center. Diocesan Marriage Days of Reflection are held multiple times throughout the year in English and Spanish. To learn more, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/sacraments/marriage/marriageprep/.

Jericho Walk – Sarasota 40 Days for Life closing event March 29

The Jericho Walk, Sarasota’s 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign closing event will take place at 5:30 p.m., at the parking lot of Community Pregnancy Clinics, 1419 7th St. Sarasota. A Jericho Walk is as Joshua and the Israelites did to bring down the walls of the Jericho. The walk is seven times in silent prayer around the block which contains the Sarasota Planned Parenthood abortion facility, with participants praying to God to bring down the walls around hearts to end abortion in Sarasota, Florida and the U.S. The total distance is about 2 miles. Participants who do not wish to walk are encouraged to remain and pray in the parking of Community Pregnancy Clinics. The event will also include a prayer service and reflection on the completed 40 Days for Life prayer campaign to end abortion as well as a look forward to continuing the prayer campaign against abortion throughout the year. All are welcome. Bring your own chair to the event.

40 Days for Life closing Fort Myers Vigil March 29

The closing of the 40 Days for Life Spring prayer vigil to end abortion in Fort Myers will take place at 6:30 p.m., March 29, 2026, Palm Sunday, at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers. The prayer vigil will include prayer, song and two guest speakers, and will take place in the public right-of-way in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility. The 40 Days for Life prayer Spring campaign began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Handel’s “Messiah” to be performed on Palm Sunday in Naples

The St. William Parish Music Ministry will present selections from Handel’s “Messiah” at 4 p.m., Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, in the Church at 601 Seagate Drive, Naples. G.F. Handel’s choral masterpiece will highlight the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, featuring professional soloists, orchestra and the St. William adult choir, under the direction of Richard Owen, St. William Music Director. The free performance will be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

Retreat Center Triduum Retreat

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is hosting a Triduum Retreat, Easter Weekend, April 2-5, 2026. This retreat begins with supper on Holy Thursday and ends with breakfast on Easter Sunday.  The liturgies of the Lord’s Supper, Way of the Cross, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Easter Vigil, and Sunrise Easter Liturgy are celebrated. A series of six one-hour conferences on various topics is offered throughout the retreat.  In addition, the opportunity for Confession is available. Total cost is $525 per retreatant for a private room or $360 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). No commuter rate is offered. Register at www.olph-retreat.org.

Foundation grant applications open

The grant cycle is now open for three different community grants from the Catholic Community Foundation. To be considered by the Board of Directors for a grant, the project must clearly be aligned with the intention of the specific fund. Please see below for descriptions of the various funds and note application deadlines. To apply for any Catholic Community Foundation grant, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y9j4u9nz.

  • The Fund for the Care of the Migrant Poor concentrates its efforts on working to improve the health, education, and welfare of the migrants in the Diocese of Venice. Preference will be given to those projects under Catholic auspices. All applications are due by April 3, 2026.
  • The Marilyn Brummer Fund concentrates its efforts on working with entities that are involved in anti-human trafficking assistance, assistance for single mothers, and the Catholic Charities Children’s Center, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in the Dunbar community in Fort Myers. Programs, projects, and entities must be located in, and associated with, the Diocese of Venice in Florida. Applications are due by May 4.
  • The Carey Family Grant provides up to $4,000 in support for critical needs that might go unfunded within the Diocese of Venice in Florida at Catholic Parishes, Catholic Missions, Catholic Schools, or a program or ministry of the Diocese of Venice. Applications are due by May 4.

Monthly Day of Prayer

The Monthly Day of Prayer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is an opportunity to take time out of your busy and hectic life to focus on God. The next Days of Prayer are April 8 and April 12, 2026, with the theme of “Celebrating Divine Mercy.” Father Leland Thorpe, OMV, will explain that celebrating Divine Mercy involves a profound reflection of God’s mercy and the opportunity to receive special graces. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with Continental breakfast and includes two conferences by the OLPH priest, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, lunch, and Mass. Time will be made available for adoration, private prayer, or meditation on the beautiful grounds. The day concludes at 3:15 p.m. The cost is $45. Register at www.olph-retreat.org.

Mass for Victims of Abuse April 10 in Venice

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in conjunction with the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese of Venice will hold a Mass for Victims of Child Abuse for the 18th consecutive year with Bishop Frank J. Dewane as the Celebrant. The Mass will take place at 8:30 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. All are invited to attend as we come together to pray for the victims of abuse.

Catholic Healthcare Ethics Conference April 11 in Fort Myers

Medical professionals, students, and interested laypeople are invited to the third annual Converging Roads healthcare ethics conference 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 11, 2026, at the Church of the Resurrection Parish, 8051 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The conference is themed, “The Dignified Mission of Catholic Health Care.” Join national and local experts either in person or online as they discuss topics such as “The Vocation to Palliative Care,” “The Benefits and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care,” “Christian Anthropology and the Renewal of Medicine,” and more. Converging Roads is an initiative of the St. John Paul II Foundation and is presented collaboratively with the Diocese of Venice and Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. Continuing education credits for health care professionals are available. To register, visit April 11, 2026 | Fort Myers, FL | Converging Roads – St. John Paul II Foundation. For more information, contact Taylor Briggs, Conference Coordinator, at 832-779-1070 or taylor@forlifeandfamily.org.

Sarasota Parish Divine Mercy Celebration

St. Thomas More Parish, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2026. St. Faustina, who experienced visions of Jesus, wrote in her diary: “the soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (on Divine Mercy Sunday) shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” This grace is similar to the grace received at baptism and greater than a plenary indulgence. Mass begins at 3 p.m., and will be preceded by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 2 p.m., Praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy through song at 2:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered beginning at 2 p.m.

Theology on Tap April 16 in University Park

The next gathering of Theology on Tap, a very special night of fellowship, faith, and fun with fellow Catholic young adults from across the Diocese, is 7 – 9 p.m., April 16, 2026, at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. Don’t miss this chance to grow in faith, connect with others, and enjoy an evening out with friends old and new. Theology on Tap is an opportunity for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of every month. There is no cost to attend, and no registration required. Bring a friend. For more information, contact Andres Prias at 941-441-1122 or prias@dioceseofvenice.org.

Faith & Ale of Southwest Florida April 16

Faith & Ale, a Catholic Men’s Apostolate in Southwest Florida, offers monthly gatherings of Catholic men promoting fellowship and growth in faith. The next gathering is April 16, 2026, at St. Cecilia Parish, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. The guest speaker is Dr. Jim Papandrea, who will discuss “The Original Church: Busting the Myths About Early Christianity.” Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6 p.m. Register https://faithandale.com/. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.

Project Rachel retreat in Spanish April 18

For women or men who have been scarred by abortion, the Diocese offers “Project Rachel,” an outreach of the Catholic Church to those who are suffering and in need of healing following an abortion. This program offers help through the sacraments, retreats, and referrals for professional counseling, all confidentially. The next one-day healing retreat will be held April 18, 2026, in Spanish. The next retreat in English is currently in the planning stages. For more information, or to join, please contact Sylvia Jimenez, Project Rachel Coordinator, at 941-412-5860 (English and en Español), or project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org. The Diocese also works with “Support After Abortion,” a national outreach to provide individualized care for those impacted by abortion. For details, visit https://supportafterabortion.com/ or www.esperanzaposabortio.org.

Boots & Bandanas April 24

Round up your friends and join Catholic Charities for a western-inspired evening supporting food security and education programs serving families across DeSoto County at Boot & Bandanas at 6 p.m., April 24, 2026, St. Paul Parish, 1330 E. Oak St., Arcadia. Tickets are $125. To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor please visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/events.

Ignatian Preached Retreat at OLPH May 8-11

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is hosting an Ignatian Preached Retreat May 8-11, 2026. This three-night silent retreat will introduce participants to the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet at least once with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment. Total cost is $525 per person for a private room and $360 per person for a shared room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). To register, please visit www.olph-retreat.org.

Charity Golf Tournament

The annual St. Mary Academy Golf Tournament has an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start May 16, 2026, at Heritage Harbour Golf Club, 8000 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton. The cost is $150 per player. Please call Connie Taft at 941-685-2108 to register or for sponsorship opportunities.

Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026

The Diocese of Venice is now accepting applications for college-aged young adults to serve as Totus Tuus Missionaries for the 2026 Parish evangelization and catechesis Summer Program. This role involves traveling in teams to approximately seven parishes throughout the Diocese, leading catechetical sessions for children and youth. Missionaries will participate in a required training period from May 20 – 30, 2026, followed by weekly parish assignments through July 24, with a scheduled break from June 28 – July 4. During each Parish week, missionaries lead daytime sessions for elementary students (grades 1–6) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and evening sessions for middle and high school youth (grades 7 – 12) from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Responsibilities include teaching the Catholic Faith using the Totus Tuus curriculum, facilitating activities, including skits and songs, working collaboratively as a team, teaching about the Mass, leading in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, leading discussion groups for teenagers and leading Night Prayer. This is a paid position. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a High School graduate and must be available for the complete program schedule. Visit the Diocese of Venice website for more information or to register, or contact Andres Prias, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Prison Ministry volunteers needed throughout Diocese

Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice for pastoral outreach, to distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.

Retreat Center seeks volunteers

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is in need of volunteers. Help provide a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come to OLPH seeking transformation in Christ. Areas of need include reception, gardening, dishwashing, and serving meals. Contact the office to sign up at 941-486-0233 or visit www.olph-retreat.org/new-volunteer.

Free Rosary Repair Service

Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, Free Rosary Repair Service, 7930 Estero Blvd., Unit 502, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old rosaries are also accepted, which will be repaired and sent to missions. Include a note indicating repair or donation. For more details, please call 239-463-3993, 860-595-6370 or holdenbnd@gmail.com.

The Memorial of St. Blaise: Blessing of the throats

Posted on by Bob Reddy

In anticipation of the Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, along with the priests and Deacons of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, blessed the throats of the faithful following Mass on Feb. 1, 2026.

On the Memorial of St. Blaise, Feb. 3, 2026, the Blessing of Throats is common practice. Because the feast fell on a weekday, Bishop Dewane said the blessing was being offered for those with busy schedules who might otherwise be unable to attend Mass on the Feast Day.

The blessing is done by a Bishop, Priest or Deacon, who holds a pair of crossed candles joined by a red ribbon (representing the blood of martyrs), which are placed at the throat and a prayer of healing is said: “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Bishop Dewane noted during the Mass how the saints serve as an important example to us all, with St. Blaise a powerful witness to the Faith, having been martyred for being a Christian and never denying his beliefs under threat of death. The Saint’s connection to curing ailments of the throat has resonated with faithful through the centuries as being an illustration of the power of prayer and healing. On the Feast Day, throat blessings were also offered at Parishes and Diocesan Catholic schools.

St. Blaise, who lived in the fourth century in Turkey and Armenia was martyred in 316. The Saint is believed to have begun as a healer, then eventually became a “physician of souls.” He then retired to a cave, where he remained in prayer where people often turned to the Saint for healing miracles.

For a time, St. Blaise lived in a cave to escape persecution, but in 316, the governor of Cappadocia and of Lesser Armenia, arrested then-bishop Blaise for being a Christian.  On his way to jail, St. Blaise is reported to have saved the life of a boy who was choking on a fish bone by ordering the child to cough it up. The boy’s mother had presented St. Blaise with crossed candles to light his way to jail. Even though St. Blaise cured the child, and the governor of the region was amazed, he could not get St. Blaise to renounce his faith. Therefore, St. Blaise was beaten with a stick and had his flesh torn from his body before beheading.

In a related story, St. Blaise was being led to the prison in Sebastea, and on the way came across a poor old woman whose pig had been stolen by a wolf. Blaise commanded the wolf to return the pig, which it did – alive and uninjured – to the amazement of all.

The Saint said that anyone who lit a candle in his memory would be free of infection, thus candles are used in the traditional throat blessing. St. Blaise is listed among the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints revered as healers. He is often depicted holding two crossed candles in his hand, or in a cave with wild animals and is the patron saint of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers, and wool trading.

Group of 10 to Candidacy for Permanent Diaconate

Posted on by Bob Reddy

A group of 10 men were admitted in the Candidacy to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on Oct. 25, 2025, at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota.

 

The men, who are from across the Diocese, are in the third year of a five-year formation program to the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Venice. The Rite of Admission to Candidacy is an important step that leads to the diaconate. It is a public recognition on the part of the Church that these men are indeed pursuing the path which leads them to the Permanent Diaconate.

 

Bishop Dewane said Admission to Candidacy is also a declaration on the part of the 10 men to publicly commit that they are and will engage in the formational process, in all its dimensions, with ever-greater dedication and vigor and the highest integrity. This is all made possible by the nurturing support of God’s grace and the support of their families, their formation team, and the prayers of the Church.

 

Like the disciples, Bishop Dewane said the diaconate candidates are undergoing a spiritual journey, diving into the vocation in greater depth in knowing, loving, and following Jesus as never before.

 

“Each of you were called by the Lord and you show your response by your presence here,” Bishop Dewane said. “The commitment you make must change you – making you more that man of God. And by striving to live out your vocation, you form yourself ever more deeply to Christ.”

 

As part of the Rite, the men were called by name and together they took a pledge to complete their spiritual journey and resolve to form their mind and heart to faithfully serve Christ the Lord, in His Body, the Church.

 

The candidates for the Permanent Diaconate Class of 2028 are: Aldo Boldi, St. Patrick Parish, Sarasota; William (Oscar) Gamble, St. Raphael Parish, Lehigh Acres; Kyle Goneau, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Sarasota; Ted Harb, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples; Matthew Harkness, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Cape Coral; Matthew Lesak, St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton; Roberto Lewis, St. Agnes Parish, Naples; George Smith, Incarnation Parish, Sarasota; Alex Tsai, Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria; and David Wallace, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Fort Myers.

 

There are currently more than 90 active Permanent Deacons serving in Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice. The most recent Permanent Deacon group of 11 was ordained by Bishop Dewane on May 31, 2025.

 

The mission of the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese is to serve as ministers of the Word, where they proclaim the Gospel, preaching and teaching in the name of the Church; helping the needy; serving the faithful; ministering the Sacrament of Baptism; leading the faithful in prayer; witnessing marriages; and conducting wake and funeral services.

 

Please join in praying for those in the diaconate formation program as they continue their journey to become closer to Christ!

Blessings for all creatures – great and small

Posted on by Bob Reddy

As the sun rose in front of Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota Oct. 3, 2025, the sounds of barking, meowing and the stir of critters small and large echoed throughout the gathering area.

It was the eve of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which has become synonymous with the “Blessing of Animals.” According to history, the 12th century patron saint of animals and the environment spoke to the animals and treated them as members of his family.

Students of the school and parishioners brought their animals of all different sizes. These animals are cherished and loved as part of their family but also part of God’s creation, explained Pastor Father Eric Scanlan.

Father Scanlan led a brief prayer service which recalls the words of the Old Testament Books of Genesis, Exodus, Kings and Jonah.

As Father Scanlan went through the crowd of students, parents and parishioners, each animal was blessed with Holy Water.

The students shrieked with delight when the Holy Water blessed their animals, including the stuffed animals held closely by the youngest students in pre-kindergarten-3. One student, with a toothy grin, said as she hugged her furry dog, “So happy. I love him so much.”

Similar animal blessings took place at parishes throughout the Diocese including at several of the Catholic Schools on Oct. 3, with St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers and St. Ann Catholic School in Naples, opting to host the pet blessing at the end of the school day.

Meanwhile, most Parishes hosted their “Blessing of the Animals” on Oct. 4, the actual Feast Day. At San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, the Knights of Columbus and Lady Columbiettes offered dog treats and bowls for sale.

As the animals were blessed the owners made certain that their precious pets were blessed by the Holy Water.

One proud owner, Nancy Connely, was overjoyed to have her bulldog blessed. “Hank has been part of our family for 12 years. He has trouble getting around, so any extra prayers and blessings are welcomed.”

State executes 11th person of year, extending terrifying record

Posted on by Bob Reddy

At 6 p.m., Aug. 28, 2025, the State of Florida executed Curtis Windom, the 11th person executed in the state in 2025, extending a gruesome record for the state that seems to have no limit.

While Windom was being executed, prayer vigils were taking place across the state seeking an end to the death penalty. One such prayer vigil took place at San Pedro Parish in North Port.

Deacon Rich Frohmiller led the prayer vigil and said that those present were not there to debate the guilt or innocence of Windom, as he was convicted by a jury of killing three people in the Orlando area in 1992. Nor were they there to justify his violent behavior, but rather they were there to pray for the victims of his crime and for the soul of the man to be executed this evening.

“We gather here this evening to represent those who are against the death penalty,” Deacon Frohmiller said. “The Lord calls us to be here protecting His great gift of life. It’s important to continue to gather and pray without ceasing for the elimination of the death penalty. We are taught to respect the dignity of every person, and we pray that we are never silent about the deliberate taking of a life by the State ‘on our behalf.’”

Present for the prayer vigil were more than two dozen, including Bishop Frank J. Dewane. Bishop Dewane’s presence was in unity with those who stand vigil for each execution. At the conclusion of the prayer service, the Bishop offered the closing prayer. Afterwards he personally thanked individuals for attending.

Bishop Dewane has joined the other Florida Bishops in expressing outrage at the spate of executions in Florida which surpassed a record of executions in one year (8), with no sign of stopping. The Florida Bishops call on Gov. Ron DeSantis to stop signing death warrants, and to revert all execution sentencing to life without parole, a fair and reasonable sentencing in a modern world.

While a call from the Florida Bishops might have some sway over the Governor, Bishop Dewane said prayer remains a powerful weapon in this battle.

“Prayer vigils, such as the ones that take place at San Pedro make a difference,” Bishop Dewane said. “We pray to the Lord not only for the person scheduled to be executed, but for the victims of the condemned, and for all of those in the justice system who had a hand in making these executions happen.”

Bishop Dewane said, “At the heart of Catholic teaching on the death penalty is the truth that human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God, and every person’s life has dignity and worth, ‘no matter the harm one has suffered or caused.’”

The prayer service included hymns and a reading from the Gospel of Matthew 5:38-48, when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.” Jesus teaches that we should step beyond what we perceive as our right, and to respond with love. While the Old Testament includes some passages about taking the life of one who kills, the Old Testament and the teaching of Christ in the New Testament call us to protect life, practice mercy, and reject vengeance.

The North Port prayer vigil also included the praying of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and offered intercessions seeking to eliminate capital punishment in Florida and elsewhere. The prayer service poignantly paused at 6 p.m. (the time of the execution) to pray in silence.

Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in Florida in 1976, 117 people have been put to death, including Windom. Death warrants have already been signed for two more. David Joseph Pittman, 63, is set to be the 12th person executed in Florida if his death sentence is carried out as scheduled on Sept. 17. The execution of Victor Tony Jones is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Deacon Frohmiller said he will continue to hold a prayer vigil for each scheduled execution, no matter how often they occur. “It is disturbing that this is happening so frequently, but we are called to pray, and will continue to do so until executions end in Florida.”

The execution prayer vigils are held at San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port, and begin at 5:30 p.m., lasting less than an hour. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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