Christ is risen! Alleluia, alleluia! A Blessed Easter to all!
Amidst the many celebrations of the day – do take time to reflect upon the true meaning of this joyous feast.
Our celebration today is the heart of our Christian faith. Our Faith flows from our belief in the Resurrection. Christ’s victory over sin and death means new life for us all. Easter is the proof of God’s love for humanity.
Easter is the passage from old to new, from darkness to light, from suffering to joy. It is a hope-filled and life-giving Feast that the Church celebrates for not one day, but for an entire 50-day Season.
Let Jesus’s Resurrection and His continued Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist strengthen you – embolden you – to share your Catholic faith with others. Share the good news that Jesus lives, that He is among us! Let the world know: His Presence is REAL!
Today we add our joyous voices to the message proclaimed two thousand years ago from Jerusalem: “Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, has been raised!”
Happy Easter to all, and may God abundantly bless you and your family.
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of
Venice in Florida
MENSAJE DE PASCUA 2024
¡Cristo ha resucitado! ¡Aleluya, aleluya! ¡Bendita Pascua para todos!
En medio de las muchas celebraciones del día, tómese el tiempo para reflexionar sobre el verdadero significado de esta alegre fiesta.
Nuestra celebración de hoy es el corazón de nuestra fe cristiana. Nuestra Fe fluye de nuestra creencia en la Resurrección. La victoria de Cristo sobre el pecado y la muerte significa una nueva vida para todos nosotros. La Pascua es la prueba del amor de Dios por la humanidad.
La Pascua es el paso de lo viejo a lo nuevo, de las tinieblas a la luz, del sufrimiento a la alegría. Es una fiesta llena de esperanza y vivificante que la Iglesia celebra no por un día, sino por toda una temporada de 50 días.
Permita que la Resurrección de Jesús y Su continua Presencia Real en la Sagrada Eucaristía lo fortalezcan, lo animen, a compartir su fe católica con los demás. ¡Comparte la buena noticia de que Jesús vive, que está entre nosotros! Que el mundo sepa: ¡Su Presencia es REAL!
Hoy sumamos nuestras voces de alegría al mensaje proclamado hace dos mil años desde Jerusalén: “¡Jesús de Nazaret, que fue crucificado, ha resucitado!”
Feliz Pascua a todos, y que Dios los bendiga abundantemente a ustedes y a su familia.
+ Frank J. Dewane
Obispo de la Diócesis de
Venice en Florida
MESAJ Pak 2024
Kris la leve byen vivan! Alelouya, alelouya! Yon Pak beni pou tout moun!
Nan mitan tout selebrasyon yo nan jounen an – pran tan pou w reflechi sou vre siyifikasyon fèt lajwa sa a.
Selebrasyon jodi a se nanm lafwa kretyen nou. Lafwa nou soti nan kwayans nou nan Rezirèksyon an. Viktwa Kris la sou peche ak lanmò vle di yon nouvo lavi pou nou tout. Pak se prèv lanmou Bondye pou limanite.
Pak se pasaj soti nan ansyen vinn nan nouvo, soti nan fènwa vinn nan limyè, soti nan soufrans vinn nan lajwa. Se yon fèt ki ranpli ak espwa e ki bay lavi ke Legliz la selebre pa pou yon sèl jou, men pou tout 50 jou sezon An.
Se pou w kite Rezirèksyon Jezi-a ak prezans reyèl li nan l’Ekaristi a fòtifye- w, ankouraje w – pou w pataje lafwa Katolik ou ak lòt moun. Pataje bón nouvèl la ke Jezi vivan, ke li nan mitan nou! Fè mond lan konnen: Prezans li REYÈL!
Jodi-a ak anpil lajwa, nou ajoute vwa nou nan mesaj ki te pwoklame 2 mil ane pase depi Jerizalèm: “Jezi de Nazarèt, ki te kloure sou kwa a, leve soti vivan pami mò yo!”
Jwaye Pak pou tout moun, e se pou Bondye beni nou anpil ak tout fanmi nou.
+ Frank J. Dewane
Monseigneur Evèque du Diocèse de
Venice, Florida
The meal took place outside of the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities, as more than 100 were served a hot meal which included chicken, potatoes, salad and cake for dessert. The Parish also hosted a similar dinner just after Christmas.
One of these candidates was Shawn Marren, who first received the Sacrament of Confirmation and then the Sacrament of First Holy Communion from Bishop Dewane at Epiphany Cathedral.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Avon Park included the commemoration when Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion prior to His arrest and crucifixion. It also observes His institution of the priesthood. This Liturgy included the presentation of the oils blessed and consecrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane during the March 26 Chrism Mass, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, which will be used for the Sacraments in the Parish throughout the year. Later was the traditional washing of the feet, reenacting Jesus washing the feet of the Disciples. Following the Prayer after Communion, the Mass concluded with a procession to transfer the Holy Eucharist to a place of repose in the Parish Hall. This action left the tabernacle vacant until the Easter Vigil.
On Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, the faithful at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples participated in the Liturgy which included the reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John. Next was the presentation of the cross, brought forth by the priest and unveiled as the priest sang: “This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world,” and the congregation responded: “Come let us adore.” The faithful were then encouraged to come forward to venerate the cross. This was done by either touching, bowing, or genuflecting.
For the first time, a public Stations of the Cross took place in downtown Venice, starting at Epiphany Cathedral and proceeding into nearby Centennial Park and then down Venice Avenue. Approximately 800 took part, including members of the youth group, as streets were temporarily blocked.
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Congratulations to Diocese of Venice Seminarian Joseph Bao Quoc Nguyen was one of five men installed to the ministry of Acolyte on March 15, 2024, at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, presided over the Mass of Institution which plays a significant role in the formation of these men as they journey towards their ordination to the priesthood. As an Acolyte, the primary responsibility will be assisting the Deacon and priest during Mass, with a focus on ensuring the altar is prepared. They may also serve as Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass and bringing the Holy Eucharist to the sick.
Following the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Frank J. Dewane continued to celebrate Mass for students at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools during the Lenten Season. The most recent Masses were March 14, 2024, at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota, St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton on March 19 (the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria, on March 20. Bishop continued to encourage the students to finish the Lenten Season strong in preparation for Holy Week.
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice hosted a Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated in Italian on March 19, 2024, and included the active involvement of the Italian American Club of Venice. Following the Mass, the statue of St. Joseph was carried to the Parish Hall in a procession led by the Knights of Columbus. There, Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Cathedral Rector, blessed the traditional St. Joseph’s table of bread and sweets, which were later distributed.
The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School Roaring 20’s Gala & Auction took place on March 16, 2024, at the Vineyards Golf and Country Club in Naples. A vintage Duesenberg was on display as guests arrived, many of the woman in sequined flapper-style dresses with feather headbands, while the men dressed in 20’s style tuxedoes, complete with fedoras. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the guest of honor and thanked the parents for entrusting their children’s education to St. Elizabeth Seton. In addition, Bishop Dewane praised the faculty and staff for consistently delivering a quality education centered on faith, while also managing rapid growth and improvement of the school facilities.
Earlier on Good Friday, representatives from several Parishes in Sarasota County took part in the Sarasota Ministerial Association’s annual Good Friday Pilgrimage of the Stations of the Cross in downtown Sarasota. Representatives from 28 different congregations from 14 different denominations were present for the procession, which included approximately 900.
