Mass of Remembrance celebrated at site of destroyed church
A cool breeze blowing through the parking lot of the Church of the Ascension in the early morning of Sept. 28, 2026, was in sharp contrast to four years earlier when the devastating winds and water of Hurricane Ian reshaped the lives of the people of Fort Myers Beach and many.
On this day, the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ian, Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated a Mass of Remembrance on the grounds of the destroyed church before a crowd of hundreds, including parishioners, local officials and those who in the community felt a lasting connection to the parish. Bishop Emilio offered prayers for those who lost their lives in Ian, as well as for those whose lost their way of life (homes and businesses) on that terrible September day.
“Ascension has an integral bond with the Fort Myers Beach community, and we want to rebuild the church,” Bishop Emilio. “May we follow the will of God and how God is leading this church at this time… We pray for the courage and intelligence to be able to make good decisions as we rebuild the church and our community.”
The public commitment from Bishop Emilio to rebuilding the parish was met with great joy and enthusiasm from the parishioners of Ascension and the community at large.
Bishop Emilio cited the example of St. Francis of Assisi as one inspiration to follow during the rebuilding process. The bishop noted that St. Francis is being celebrated in 2026, marking the 800th anniversary of his death in 1226, and also noted that the day’s Mass of Remembrance fell within the novena of the feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4).
The bishop said that St. Francis prayed and heard the voice of the Lord say, “Go and rebuild my church as you see it has fallen into ruins.” The saint rebuilt the San Damiano church, stone by stone, but Bishop Emilio said the message of the Lord meant more than rebuilding a physical church, it was about rebuilding the whole church community, as is currently needed on Fort Myers Beach.
With the faithful of Ascension currently scattered to neighboring parishes, such as St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, as well as Resurrection of Our Lord and St. Columbkille in Fort Myers, the former community of the Church of the Ascension is fractured, and the people feel the vacancy in their souls, something Bishop Emilio said pains him.
While the process moves forward with designing and eventually building a new parish church, Bishop Emilio said an announcement will come in the near future of a plan to have a regular Sunday Mass on the parish grounds. There are several options under consideration, and various logistical considerations that will factor into the decision, but the bishop said he wants the Mass celebrated on the property as soon as is practical. This is a temporary solution to meet the pastoral needs of the community as the process of rebuilding continues.
Father Bill Adams, who was pastor of Ascension at the time of Ian, and was there throughout the hurricane, shared his gratitude to Bishop Emilio for celebrating the Mass of Remembrance on the anniversary.
“You are our St. Francis, because you have reached out to us,” Father Adams said. “The community is here and this whole celebration is thanks to you.”
Father Adams recalled being stranded on the island for four days before being rescued by a Knight of Columbus from Fort Lauderdale. He knew many of those who died in the hurricane and tried to comfort those who lost everything.
“I’m so grateful to all of you for being here,” Father Adams said of the large crowd. “I am so happy to see so many familiar faces.”
Ray Murphy, who was mayor of Fort Myers Beach during Ian, said the Mass of Remembrance and celebration “is the first day of our rebirth. There has been a massive hole – we’ve missed our church – the spirituality and community. When you don’t have that, a big part of life is missing.”
Scott Safford, current Vice Mayor of Fort Myers Beach said Sept. 28, 2022, was Fort Myers Beach’s darkest day, but on Sept. 29, grace was found. “We measure our world before Ian and after Ian. You helped one another get back to that life after that darkness. We will continue to rebuild together. Faith is here. Grace is here. We just need a church.”
Father Jaroslaw “Jarek” Sniosek, pastor of St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, where many from Ascension currently go to Mass and from where some of the support for the Mass was provided, said the bonds will remain between their adopted parish and Ascension. “Whatever is built, they (the parishioners from Ascension) are welcomed and loved and never forgotten. Thank you for the hope you have brought today. Looking around (at the crowd), we can already see what matters.”
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ather Bob Kantor, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Naples (which provided additional logistical support for the Mass), and State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, praised the Knights for their contribution to the Mass and support for the Poor Clare sisters who were displaced by Ian.
“Know that we all pray with you and for you as you move forward in rebuilding this beautiful parish community,” Father Kantor said.
Bishop Emilio concluded the Mass and celebration by promising that a solution that best fits the needs of the parish community will be at the forefront of all work within the diocese going forward.
The bishop offered no timeline for when a regular Sunday Mass would resume, or when construction of the new parish church would begin. Bishop Emilio did promise that, going forward, the parish community would be kept informed throughout the process.
Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus from the area, and to Knights of Columbus State Secretary Deacon Richard Dahn, for the support and effort provided to make this Mass happen.
