News Briefs for the week of November 8, 2024

Announcements

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

Father Sebastian Szczawinski, Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, is welcomed to the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice and is incardinated into said Diocese, effective Nov. 1, 2024.

Father Timothy Deutsch, as Parochial Vicar of St. John the Evangelist in Naples, effective Oct. 21, 2024.

Father Rodolfo French Naar, as Parochial Vicar of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, effective Oct. 23, 2024.

Catholic Mass on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, the Diocese of Venice will hold a Catholic Mass in honor of the men and women who have served our country and continue to serve and protect us today. This is the 15th year the Diocese has held a Mass on Veterans Day. The opening ceremonies begin at 2:45 p.m., with the Mass at 3:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72/Clark Road, approximately five miles east of I-75. The priests, deacons and Knights of Columbus in the Diocese will join in the celebration of the Mass. All are invited to attend, and active military personnel are asked to wear their uniform. Attendees are also encouraged to wear sunscreen and bring a hat. There is ample seating and parking at the cemetery. For further information please contact Gail Ardy at ardy@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4714.

Two Diocesan seminarians admitted to Candidacy

Seminarians Alexander J. Baugh and Terry P. Gastauer, in formation for the Diocese of Venice, were among nine to be admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders during a Mass on Oct. 30, 2024, at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. Each seminarian has been approved by his Bishop and will continue studies and formation to become a Catholic priest. In addition, they have demonstrated their intention and dedication to complete their preparation for Holy Orders. The Mass for Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders was presided over by Most Reverend David Leon Toups, Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas.

Bishop celebrates Mass for three schools

On Oct. 31, 2024, Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass at the Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria on Oct. 31, 2024. In addition, Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass at St. Catherine Catholic School in Sebring on Nov. 4, and Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School on Nov. 5. These are the latest in a series of Masses celebrated at Diocesan Catholic schools at the beginning of the academic year. Additional Masses are scheduled through December.

Special collection for hurricane relief Nov. 16-17

A special Hurricane Relief Collection will take place during all Masses in the Diocese of Venice on the weekend of Nov. 16-17, 2024. Bishop Frank J. Dewane called for this collection to aid in the recovery following the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Coastal areas were flooded and many other areas had significant wind damage. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., has been working to provide assistance at designated sites, distributing water, food, tarps, cleaning supplies, and other basic necessities. The collection will help provide for the continuing needs, as well as the effort of Catholic Charities in providing both immediate and long-term assistance to those impacted.

Knights golf tournament benefits Catholic Charities’ Our Mother’s House

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., and Our Mother’s House were among the beneficiaries of the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Lourdes Council 9924 Circle of Life Charity Golf Event in October 2024. A check presentation ceremony took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice on Nov. 5.

All Saints Day celebrated at Parishes and schools

Young children dressed as their favorite saints were a common sight during All Saints Day celebrations at Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools and Parishes. Several schools hosted pageants with students often sharing information about their chosen saint.

Civics lessons learned on Election Day

While the nation voted on Nov. 4, 2024, Diocese of Venice Catholic School students went to the polls to participate in their own “election.” Students learned about voting rights, the importance of participating in elections and even cast ballots for their favorite ice cream or superhero. This civics lesson helps keep students informed about this important process.

School diaper drive supports Community Pregnancy Clinics

During the month of October, Respect Life Month, the students at the Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria collected diapers and wipes for Community Pregnancy Clinics in Naples. The diapers were picked up by Clinics CEO Scott Baier on Oct. 31, 2024. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was present to bless the donations which will go to support women and their newborn children throughout Southwest Florida.

Many continue to struggle in wake of Milton – Parishes mostly spared, much work needs to be done

The winds, rain and storm surge have long passed since Hurricane Milton struck the Diocese of Venice on Oct. 9, 2024, but the recovery process is only just beginning.

Most Diocesan Parishes and Catholic schools were spared severe impacts but there are clear exceptions, most notably Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Boca Grande; St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach; St. Joseph Parish and Catholic School in Bradenton; and Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane has been at the forefront in ensuring the response to Hurricane Milton continues to be effective throughout the Diocese.

Once access to Boca Grande was possible, the true extent of the damage done to Our Lady of Mercy Parish was evident. More than five feet of storm surge swept through the property, inundating the church, Boca Grande Preschool and the rectory. The new Parish Hall was spared damage having been built in 2022 to a higher elevation.

The Parish was still recovering from storm surge damage during Hurricane Helene in late September and the mitigation of that water was completed before Milton’s arrival. Unfortunately, Milton’s water was several feet higher. In the church, the water reached the top of the pews and spread into the sanctuary. The preschool, where drywall had been cut following Helene, now has all walls cut to the bare studs.

In addition, Milton’s water reached the rectory. While the water did not reach the flooring, it did damage the garage and crawlspace where various utilities were located.

Father Anthony Hewitt, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, said the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass returned on Oct. 13, with daily Mass taking place at noon instead of 8 a.m., as access to the island community is restricted. It is deemed too hazardous to stay in the community as there is no running water. Early each morning there are long lines of traffic going through checkpoints. This is occurring even though access is restricted to residents, business owners, recovery workers, and contractors.

Working under the direction of staff from the Diocese of Venice Buildings and Construction Office, contractors have removed all the debris from the church, preschool and rectory as part of the mitigation work. How best to proceed with the reconstruction of each building will be determined in the coming days and weeks.

Huge piles of debris, or dumpsters, stand in front of each residence and business in the community, a testament to the force of the water.

“The parishioners, as well as the community, are all turning to God in this difficult time and the comfort and strength from the Holy Eucharist has been a tremendous blessing,” Father Hewitt said.

The same can be said in many other area island communities.

St. Bernard Parish in Holmes Beach had additional damage to the rectory and Parish Hall during Milton, as the area was also still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The latest storm damage set back the progress of mitigation and reconstruction efforts by several weeks, if not longer, as resources for the cleaning and rebuilding are being stretched to the limit by the widespread destruction caused by back-to-back hurricanes.

Diocesan Building and Construction Director Joe Rego said the Diocese was well prepared to cope with the impacts of the hurricanes, but the recovery process takes time.

At Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, the mitigation work to remove storm surge water from the Parish Center and rectory is progressing well. The same is true at St. Joseph Parish and Catholic school in Bradenton where the damage was limited to roofs and some water leaks. Each of the roofs has been temporarily sealed while repairs await plans and contractors.

While some of the focus has been on the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is focusing on the human impact of the storm, the thousands who have lost homes or jobs because of the flooding. These include service workers at restaurants, businesses, hotels, resorts, and more.

Catholic Charities very quickly set up several different points of distribution in Palmetto, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. These sites allowed people to drive through and receive food, water and other disaster supplies.

The Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team also includes case management services which are being offered for survivors of the disaster with the goal to meet an individual’s or family’s immediate need. Many are in need of permanent housing, rental assistance or utility payments. This effort also assists those in need to cope with changes while home repairs are being made and helps them access available resources.

In the first 10 days following Hurricane Milton, Catholic Charities assisted more than 7,000 people. This help included water and food, as well as emergency financial assistance.

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the Diocese of Venice has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to aid in the necessary repairs to churches and schools. To support this fund, you can visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/disasterrelief.

To learn how you can help support the disaster relief efforts of Catholic Charities, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.

 

Diocese responds to Milton – Prayers called for as damage assessment commences

Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray and care for our fellow neighbors as the Diocese of Venice begins its recovery from the impacts of the fury of Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024.

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and reached Category 5 strength (winds in excess of 155 mph) before weakening to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph just before slamming into the 10 counties of the Diocese of Venice. Areas closest to the eye of the storm (Siesta Key in Sarasota County) experienced the fiercest winds and coastal communities to the south of that point had devastating storm surge.

As soon as it was safe to do so, teams from the Diocese of Venice Office of Buildings and Construction, along with officials from each Parish and Diocesan Catholic school, were out making initial assessments of the damage. Bishop Dewane was in contact with priests, religious and Diocesan staff to ensure all were accounted for, and safe.

“The area suffered a great deal because of Milton, and a lot of people are much worse off than others, but still, we gather in prayer to ask God’s blessing; that He place His healing hand upon all who suffer as a result of Hurricane Milton,” Bishop Dewane said.

Due to the extent of the damage, plus power outages and blocked roads from debris, access to many of the Parishes was not immediately possible. When access is made, the safety of all structures is reviewed and then a plan is put in place if cleanup or repairs are necessary. All Parishes which had power were able to resume the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the time of publication, no immediate reports were available, particularly on the hard-hit barrier islands which were still recovering from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28.

As Milton approached, the Diocesan Emergency Response Team gathered on Oct. 7, at the Catholic Center. The meeting included a review and implementing of emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese.

These emergency plans were established to ensure an ease of preparation when tropical weather threatens. Policies, checklists and basic guidance have been established to ensure that the people and the buildings within the Diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. In addition, the emergency plans also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.

By implementing these plans, Parishes, Schools and other entities first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.

All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Oct. 7-11, and each will reopen as soon as possible, according to Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education. A decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for students and faculty.

Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impacts (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is prepared to respond and set Points of Distribution (POD) in areas of greatest need. These POD locations, preplanned and established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food. Catholic Charities had to pause its response to help the victims of Hurricane Helene so as to prepare for the arrival of Milton.

After Hurricane Helene passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort can visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.

The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website at www.dioceseofvenice.org, and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.

Please continue to pray for the safety in the Diocese of Venice and beyond who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton.

HOW TO HELP

Diocesan Response to Milton

www.dioceseofvenice.org/disasterrelief

If you need help, want to help

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org