Tag: mass

New bishop continues diocesan tour

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., continues his travels as he strives to visit each parish in Diocese of Venice by the end of August.

The visits between July 17 and 30, 2026, included the following parishes: Christ the King, Sarasota; Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; St. Andrew, Cape Coral; St. Vincent de Paul, Resurrection of Our Lord, and Jesus the Worker, Fort Myers; St. Elizabeth Seton, Naples; San Marco, Marco Island; Ave Maria, Ave Maria; and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immokalee.

Whether the visit includes hundreds of parishioners gathering for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or smaller chats with the staff, Bishop Emilio is learning much about the Diocese of Venice, its parishes and its people.

The timing of the visits has some urgency as Bishop Emilio will travel to Rome to visit the Vatican for a gathering of new bishops in September. A second more formal pastoral visit to parishes will follow next year.

Bishop Emilio celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda on July 25, the feast of St. James the Apostle, and said he was amazed to see a half-full church on an early Saturday morning. Including sharing some of his personal history, Bishop Emilio said he had a special connection to the parish as he is coming from the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. He encouraged the parishioners to learn and grown in their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As part of the feast celebration for St. James, Bishop Emilio blessed shells, the symbol of the saint, which were later distributed to each family following Mass. A breakfast in the parish hall included an informal question and answer session.

At Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers on July 28, Bishop Emilio prayed the Liturgy of the Hours with the parish staff, which included Franciscan Sisters of the Mary Immaculate. A reception and dinner followed in the parish hall and included leadership in the various ministries from the parish and San Jose Mission, which serves the Hispanic community in south Fort Myers.

During the parish visits, Bishop Emilio is taking time to also get to know the individual priests better, often spending the night in the rectory. He is also learning how the parishes work, as well as what each needs from him, and the diocese, in the coming months so that each he can help them to succeed in their mission in to spreading the Good News of the Lord in southwest Florida!

The Rite of Ordination of a Bishop

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Promising to “guard the deposit of faith pure and entire” and to “encourage the holy people of God and to guide them in the way of salvation,” Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., was ordained to the Order of Bishops July 11, 2026, as the third bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

More than 1,700 witnessed the 2 ½ hour bilingual liturgy at St. John XXIII parish in Fort Myers included family and friends of the new bishop, the faithful from throughout the diocese, members of men’s and women’s religious orders, the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus, and many more.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami was the principal consecrator of the new bishop. Co-consecrators were Cardinal Sean O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop Emeritus of Boston, as well Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice.

The Rite of Episcopal Ordination during the Mass followed the proclamation of the Gospel according to John (21:1-19) where Jesus appears to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He cooks them breakfast, leads a miraculous catch of fish, and commissions Peter to lead His Church, foreshadowing Peter’s eventual martyrdom.

Present for the ordination were two cardinals, two archbishops, 17 bishops and more than 150 priests participating in the Mass, including Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, and Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The rite included the Presentation of the Elect, during which Bishop-Elect Emilio was led to the presence of Archbishop Wenski while Father Joseph Doherty, an assisting priest, addressed Archbishop Wenski, requesting the ordination.

Next was the reading of the Apostolic Letter by Archbishop Caccia, who said it was a great joy for him to be in the Diocese of Venice and assured the faithful of the spiritual closeness, affection and blessing of the Pope Leo XIV.

“This young and growing local church now receives the new shepherd whom the Lord, through the minister, the successor of Peter, entrusts to its care,” said Archbishop Caccia, also thanking Bishop Dewane for his 20 years of service in the diocese. The archbishop then described the path Bishop Emilio, as a Capuchin Franciscan, had taken to this point, serving in Papua New Guinea, Cuba, and Washington, D.C. “Through this varied path the Lord has formed in you a heart ready to go where he asks, close to the poor and marginalized and eager to draw people to Christ.”

Archbishop Caccia then read an English translation of the papal mandate in which Pope Leo appointed Bishop Emilio, which is inscribed in Latin.

The new bishop then processed through the church, showing the papal mandate to the Diocesan College of Consultors, the presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice, to the concelebrating bishops, the faithful and to his family.

Next, Bishop-elect Emilio stood before Archbishop Wenski, who questioned the bishop-elect concerning his resolve to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Office of Bishop, known as the Promise of the Elect. The answers to the first eight questions were “I do” and to the last, “I do, with the help of God.” (See the Promise of the Elect below.)

The episcopal ordination of the new bishop included prayers, chanting of the Litany of Supplication, the laying on of hands and anointing with Sacred Chrism. The Litany of Supplication, during which Bishop-elect Emilio lay prostrate on the floor before the altar, included the addition of several saints which have inspired Bishop Emilio, including St. Anthony of Padua, St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. John Neumann, St. Peter To Rot, St. Clare of Assisi and others.

As part of the episcopal ordination, Bishop Emilio received the symbols of his office – the Book of the Gospels, which represents his responsibility to preach “with all patience and sound teaching;” a ring, signifying his fidelity to the Church; a miter that represents the “unfading crown of glory” he will seek by serving Christ; and crozier (pastoral staff) representing his role as a spiritual shepherd.

After Communion, the new bishop walked through the church, holding his new shepherd’s staff and blessing his family, friends and the faithful of the Diocese of Venice who came to witness and celebrate the ordination and installation of their new bishop.

The Mass continued as usual with Bishop Emilio addressing the faithful at the conclusion.

A recording of the livestream of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Emilio, as well as the Solemn Vespers, can be viewed online at https://dioceseofvenice.org/livestream.

The Promise of the Elect of Bishops

  1. Dear brother, do you resolve to carry out until death with the grace of the Holy Spirit the office entrusted to us by the Apostles and to be passed on to you through the laying on of our hands?
  2. Do you resolve to proclaim the Gospel of Christ faithfully and unfailingly?
  3. Do you resolve to guard the deposit of faith pure and entire according to the tradition preserved always and everywhere in the Church from the time of the Apostles?
  4. Do you resolve to build up the Body of Christ, his Church, and to remain in her unity, with the Order of Bishops, under the authority of the successor of the blessed Apostle Peter?
  5. Do you resolve to render obedience faithfully to the successor of the blessed Apostle Peter?
  6. Do you resolve, as a devoted father, to encourage the holy People of God and to guide them in the way of salvation together with the Priests and Deacons, your fellow ministers?
  7. Do you resolve, for the sake of the Lord’s name, to reach out in kindness and mercy to the poor, to strangers, and to all those in need?
  8. Do you resolve, as a good shepherd, to seek out the sheep who stray and to gather them into the Lord’s fold?
  9. Do you resolve to pray without ceasing to almighty God for his holy people and to carry out the office of High Priest without reproach?

The answers to the first 8 questions were “I do” and to the last, “I do, with the help of God.”

Bishop encourages faithful to renew their commitment to the Lord

Posted on by Bob Reddy

In less than two weeks since his episcopal ordination, Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., has strived to learn as much about the workings of the diocese as possible while also bringing a message of renewal directly to the faithful.

Bishop Emilio said he is taking this approach, which has served him well in the past to understand what is currently being done, include to best assess the needs of each parish.

In an amazing display of determination and endurance, Bishop Emilio is scheduled to visit all 61 parishes by the end of August.

Naturally, the first visit was to Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on July 12 where the new bishop celebrated his first public Mass and met with the faithful at a reception and later with priests, deacons, staff, volunteers and parishioners, all to learn about the parish and its people.

Since that time, between July 16 and July 22, parish visits have taken place at St. Columbkille in Fort Myers, St. James and Santiago Mission in Lake Placid, Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Osprey, St. Michael the Archangel in Sarasota, St. Joseph in Bradenton, St. Raphael in Englewood, St. William in Naples, Sacred Heart in Bradenton, St. Bernard in Holmes Beach and St. Mary, Star of the Sea in Longboat Key.

“I’m getting to know a little bit of the geography, the roads, the highways the churches, the people as the beginning of coming to know and love our diocese,” Bishop Emilio said.

During his visits to the parishes, Bishop Emilio has stressed that in addition to meeting those who were unable to attend his episcopal ordination on July 11, he prays the faithful of the diocese take this opportunity to renew their own commitment to the Lord. Visits have included Mass, receptions or talks by the bishop.

“At my ordination I was asked to respond to a series of questions and make promises to serve as bishop of the diocese, they were a commitment by me to serve as its shepherd,” Bishop Emilio said. “This is also an opportunity for everyone in the diocese to recommit themselves to their faith, their family, their parish and their diocese.”

Bishop Emilio explained how God works in so many different ways in our lives and that sometimes when we go to Mass on Sunday or for an event such as a baptism, wedding or funeral, “we think it means one thing, and it certainly does, but it means so much more.”

Using the example of attending the baptism of small child, Bishop Emilio said that the very act of participating, those who attend are following God’s will in their lives and when that happens so many unexpected things can occur.

“That is how the grace of God is working in our lives,” the bishop said. “Oftentimes when we go to a baptism of a child, we are just going accompanying the baptism, because they are family, or friends. In a similar way, attending or participating in the ordination to the episcopate (on July 11) is a very profound and simple opportunity to renew our commitment to the Lord.”

Bishop Emilio said that during the Promise of the Elect, the moment in the ordination when he answered a series of nine questions about faith, his commitment to preach the Gospel and his desire to follow Christ more closely through His passion, death and resurrection – were promises he made, but in a spiritual way those questions were also directed toward the entire diocese. (Note: this moment can be found at the 2:18:18 mark of the recorded video of the ordination at https://dioceseofvenice.org/livestream.)

“Each one of you, individually, and as a family, have the opportunity – the invitation – to consecrate yourselves again to the Lord,” Bishop Emilio said. “It’s a new time, a time to begin again, as if we are participating at the baptism of a child, sometimes the holy water splashes on us. Take the blessing of these first days of this new period to return to the church in a deeper way; to make a good confession and to take opportunity to consecrate yourself again to the Lord.”

Bishop celebrates first Masses

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated his first Masses as a newly ordained bishop first for his family and then for the cathedral.

On July 12, about 16 hours following the conclusion of his episcopal ordination, Bishop Emilio was celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in his new role for the first time.

The new bishop chose this first Mass to take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice where many family members stayed while participating in the celebratory event surrounding the ordination.

With about 30 family members present, Bishop Emilio came forward as a bishop, but for those present he was also a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, an uncle, or a friend. The support he was given was profound.

During the Mass, his parents renewed their wedding vows in celebration of their upcoming 65th wedding anniversary which will take place July 29.

“They were married at 7 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Camaguey (Cuba), and it was a small wedding with the reception at a neighboring house, in a garden. There are pictures. It was so simple and beautiful. I am so blessed that much of the family is here to celebrate together,” Bishop Emilio said.

A day earlier, after bringing forward the gifts during the ordination, Bishop Emilio’s parents, Emilio Rodolfo Biosca Sr. and Maria del Carmen Agüero, laid their hands upon their son’s forehead in prayer. After renewing their vows, their son returned the gesture and prayed over them, now as a bishop.

Both parents expressed joy in seeing their son ordained as a bishop but admitted they were still in a bit of shock. Emilo Sr. said he felt the renewal of the wedding vows was a perfect way to coimplete the celebrations. “He is our son and we are very proud of him and are a bit sad we won’t see him as much, but he is where God wants him.”

First public Mass

Following a brief breakfast with his family, Bishop Emilio then went to Epiphany Cathedral to celebrate his first public Mass. The cathedral is a traditional location for the first Mass of a newly ordained bishop, and also where he would normally have been ordained the day before.

However, Bishop Emilio was ordained at St. John XXIII church in Fort Myers due to the ongoing reconstruction of the cathedral.

Bishop Emilio said that fact did not detract from the reality that the cathedral is his new home. He said he was impressed that the Mass was celebrated in the former parish hall, and that it, had originally been the church for many years.

“It may have been a hall for a long time, but it has been made into a beautiful place to worship God,” he said. “I feel blessed to be here and will make frequent visits, for Mass, adoration and anything else you have taking place. I live just a short walk away.”

Following the Mass, the bishop greeted the parishioners who were eager to meet and have their photo taken with him. Bishop Emilio often stayed to meet with cathedral priests, deacons, staff and ministry volunteers to learn more about how the parish operates.

Cathedral joins consecration to Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice embraced the opportunity to participate in the national consecration to Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Novena of prayer, Mass and consecration on July 11, 2026.

The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus comes from a call from the U.S. Bishops to join the festivities surrounding the United States’ commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.

The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus signals to God that His goodness is not forgotten and that our country relies on God’s providence for continued flourishing, bringing blessing and hope to a country suffering from wounds of division.

The U.S. Bishops consecrated the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus during the Bishops’ biannual meeting in Orlando on June 11.

That same evening, Epiphany Cathedral celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and consecration. Prior to the Mass, the Cathedral offered Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and many took the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Msgr. Patrick Dubois, who offered the homily, said the consecration is something that might be viewed as just a simple act, but is not that.

“We bring the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Msgr. Dubois said. “We cannot say our country is perfect, that there are no wounds or divisions, or we have all the answers, because we do not. But because Jesus tells us, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, remain in my love (John 15:9).’ Our nation needs that love. We need that love.”

While many are oppressed by burdens, families struggles and the young are searching for meaning, these are wounds that politics, money and success cannot heal.

“Tonight, the Church does not bring our nation to a program or ideology, She brings our nation to a heart – the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Msgr. Dubios said.

The Monsignor asked the faithful to truly look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus and realize what is seen: his love in a wounded, but still burning heart; a heart pierced, but still open; and a heart crowned with thorns, but still offering mercy.

“Jesus reveals to us the deepest desire of His Heart, that is to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ The Sacred Heart is not simply a symbol of Christ’s love for us, but an invitation for us to love as He loves,” Msgr. Dubois continued. “The renewal of our nation will not begin in government buildings or public debates. It will begin in hearts, transformed by the love of Christ, and it is graced through simple acts of charity, patience and sacrifice. We all need to learn that.

The Mass also included a Litany of the Sacred heart of Jesus, special prayer intentions and a reading of the prayer to the Sacred Heart by all. This was the same prayer with which the U.S. Bishops consecrated the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus earlier the same day in Orlando.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the Friday immediately following the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), which the Church incorporated in the Liturgical Calendar in response to the mystical visions experienced by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in Paray-le-Monial, France, between 1673 and 1675. However, the foundational devotion of meditating on the wounded Heart of Christ was born at the foot of the Cross through the divinely inspired love which the saints bore from then on to the Sacred Passion of the Crucified and Pierced Christ. Later, the early Church Fathers and countless saints, such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Bonaventure and St. John Eudes, all encouraged devotion to the Pierced Heart of Jesus. This is why many Popes have also lauded such devotion and encouraged the practice of consecrating themselves, their homes, and even whole nations to the Sacred Heart.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

On the occasion of the U.S. Bishops Consecrating the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.

From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst.

Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.

We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed

all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.

May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken

relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.

May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.

O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.

Who live and reign with God the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Ave Maria Parish school celebrates 2025 high school graduation

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The Ave Maria Catholic Academy celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass and 19th Commencement Exercises for its 31 graduating seniors in Ave Maria on May 29, 2026.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the main celebrant for the Mass which was attended by all the students, faculty and staff of the school. The opening procession for the Mass included each graduate carrying a white rose which was then placed in a vase before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Dewane praised the graduates for their academic achievements and remarked that his prayers were for their continued spiritual growth as they leave high school.

“The way to accomplish true spiritual growth is only by opening your hearts to the Holy Spirit for this will allow your faith to grow continually,” Bishop Dewane said. “Become more aware of what Christ gave us in His victory over death. Let that victory continue to shape your lives.”

Following Mass, Bishop Dewane stood for a photo with the graduates on the steps of the Parish. After some time for photos with the families, the festivities moved to the nearby school, with the commencement exercises taking place in the school gymnasium.

Principal Dr. Marc Snyder reflected upon how the school offers an authentic classical education where students encounter Christ each day and pursue excellence in all things from academics through sports.

Paul Jahnke, a National Merit Scholarship winner, was the class Valedictorian while the Salutatorian was Camila Pineros. In addition, one graduate, Connor Cameron, will be going on to study as a Diocese of Venice Seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

Dr. Joseph Guernsey, class of 2011, was the keynote speaker. Father David Vidal, Ave Maria Parish Pastor, offered the opening prayer while Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, offered closing remarks and Benediction.

The 31 graduates earned an impressive $5.7 million in scholarship offers. In addition, many are going on to attend Catholic colleges in the fall.

Pentecost – commemoration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon Apostles

Posted on by Bob Reddy

205 from 33 Parishes confirmed by Bishop

The journey of the Easter Season is concluded, and the Holy Spirit has descended to provide the faithful with the tremendous gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord.

Celebrated May 24, 2026, the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday marks an important transition in the lives of the Apostles and clarifies their mission in creating the Lord’s Church on earth. It is traditionally viewed as the Church’s founding. Pentecost, which literally means 50, falls 50 days after Easter and is 10 days after the Ascension of the Lord. As a symbol of the “tounges of fire” of the Holy Spirit rained down on the Apostles, the clergy wear red vestments on this day.

“This is one of the greatest Feast Days of the Church in the context of Salvation History,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane. “It is when Jesus establishes His Church on earth … the descent of the Holy Spirit, by the Father and the Son, signals the commencement and founding of the Church and all its works.”

This celebration commemorates when the Apostles, though still afraid, accepted the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their role in carrying the message of the Lord into the world, the Bishop said.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed in the faithful through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, Pentecost is the time when those who have been baptized and are seeking to be more fully united to Christ within the Church are confirmed around the world.

At Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, Bishop Dewane bestowed the Sacrament of Confirmation upon 205 candidates representing 33 Parishes across the Diocese. These candidates were unable, for whatever reason, to be confirmed at their own Parishes during the past several months.

Bishop Dewane thanked the candidates for coming forward to be confirmed and said that the Sacrament of Confirmation must change them as they have been given a new beginning in their lives; they are making a permanent commitment that comes with corresponding responsibilities as an indelible mark is left upon their soul.

“We celebrate your presence here, that each one of you has come forward to be confirmed; to receive the Holy Spirit,” the Bishop said. “Every time we receive a Sacrament, we have an encounter with Jesus Christ. We must be changed as a result of that encounter. Today, you confirmandi are changed to be more that man or woman of God you are called to be.”

That change comes because living the faith must not flatline; which leads to spiritual death. Faith is always a continuing journey to grow closer to the Lord, Bishop Dewane continued.

“The Holy Spirit calls each of us; and we must respond in a very profound way to that call,” the Bishop said. “It’s not just what you are doing today, it is what you going to do when you leave here today, becoming ever more knowledgeable and acquainted with Jesus Christ in your lives.”

Bishop Dewane said it was no accident that brought the candidates forward. “It is a blessing. Take that strength and go forward, anointed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

During the Sacrament, the confirmandi renewed their baptismal promises, which Bishop Dewane said is done to publicly proclaim who they are as Catholics and to have the courage, hope, faith and perseverance to be true followers of Christ.

As the Rite continued, the Bishop said an introductory prayer and asked all present to join him in praying for the candidates. He then recites an additional prayer pertaining to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Finally, the candidates were asked to come forward, with their sponsor placing their right hand on the candidate’s right shoulder. Bishop Dewane and Father Eric Scanlan, Pastor of Our Lady of Light Parish, who was delegated by the Bishop to assist in the Confirmation due to the large number of candidates, then administered the Rite. As two lines of confirmandi came forward, the Bishop and Father made the sign of the cross on each candidate’s forehead with the Holy Chrism Oil with their right thumb and said “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The confirmed replied, “Amen.” At this point, the Bishop/Father said, “Peace be with you,” and the newly confirmed respond, “And with your spirit.”

One woman from St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs expressed her joy at being confirmed by Bishop Dewane. “What a beautiful day.”

A man from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers explained how he drifted from his faith when his parents were divorced when he was a teen. It was through the encouragement of his grandmother, a steady presence in his life, that he sought the Sacrament of Confirmation. “This is an important moment for me. I feel complete as a Catholic. A closer relationship to the Lord is what I need in my life.”

2026 Totus Tuus summer program to be offered at 20 Parishes

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The successful Totus Tuus Parish summer catechetical camps will soon be taking place near you.

The final week of May saw 16 missionaries undergo intensive training and preparation as the first two Parish camps start May 31, 2026. Ultimately, there will be seven separate weeks of camp with a total of 20 Parishes serving as weekly hosts through July 24. More than 1,000 children and teens will be impacted by this special outreach.

 Totus Tuus – which means “totally yours” – is a one-week Parish Catechetical summer day camp program, for students entering grades 1-12, and aims to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane encouraged the pilot program be brought to the Diocese in 2022 to great success, with expansions in 2023 to 11 host Parishes, 12 for 2024, 18 for 2025 and now 20 for 2026. During past visits to Totus Tuus camps, Bishop Dewane has been impressed by the response each child had to the uplifting program. “In each classroom everyone was so excited and alive about their love of the Lord!”

Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass for the Totus Tuus missionaries on May 27, while they were training at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. The Bishop thanked the missionaries for their service in the Diocese and encouraged them to call upon the Holy Spirit to guide them through the summer and reminded them of the important role they will have for the boys and girls they encounter this summer.

This training focused on the spiritual aspect of the Totus Tuus program, including daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Mass. Other components of the training covered the fundamentals of teaching young children and youth, as well as the fun aspects of the camp including the songs and dances that the campers will learn.

The week-long camps are divided into two segments, with the day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, and an evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12.

The younger children participate in several classes each day, attend daily Mass, learn the parts and liturgical music of Mass, and participate in games, skits, songs, recess and prayer. The older students participate in instruction, small group discussions, quiet meditations, prayer and fellowship.

Most importantly, Totus Tuus works to complement what parents teach their children in matters of their faith. This is something Bishop Dewane has stressed since the program had its trial run in the Diocese in 2022.

The 2026 Totus Tuus Summer Program schedule is as follows:

May 31 – June 5 – St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Parrish and St. Finbarr Parish, Naples;
June 7-12 – Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, St. Paul Parish, Arcadia, and Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria;
June 14-19 – St. Agnes Parish, Naples, San Pedro Parish, North Port, St. Michael Parish, Wauchula, and St. Leo the Great Parish, Bonita Springs;
June 21-26 – St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Cape Coral, and Sacred Heart Parish, Bradenton;

July 5-10 – St. James Parish, Lake Placid, St. Catherine Parish, Sebring, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Avon Park, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle;
July 12-17 – St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton, and Our Lady of Light Parish (Day Session)/ St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers (Evening Session);
July 19-24 – Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch, and St. Jude Parish, Sarasota. 

Please pray for the success of the Totus Tuus summer program, the campers, and the missionaries.

Camp registration information

Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/find-a-parish/.

For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseovenice.org, or 941-441-1122.

2026 Mooney seniors graduate

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School held its commencement exercises for 174 graduating seniors on May 22, 2026, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center on the Sarasota bayfront.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating class on May 20, 2025, at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota. Bishop Dewane thanked the parents for entrusting Cardinal Mooney with the education of their children. He also praised the graduates for their academic achievement, adding that his prayers were for their continued spiritual growth as they leave the Cardinal Mooney community to points beyond.

The Cardinal Mooney graduating seniors performed approximately 22,000 community service hours, and 94 percent are going directly to college. They earned nearly $13 million in scholarship offers, a number that does not yet include Florida Bright Future Scholarships. Several dozen will be attending Catholic universities, and one will attend the U.S. Military Academy. Other graduates will serve in the military, work or have a gap year.

During graduation the Cardinal Mooney Outstanding Senior Award was presented by Principal Ben Hopper to both Lucia Maria del Valle and Mason Dean Jordan. These two students were selected because they demonstrate the school’s ideals of religious and moral responsibility, personal and social responsibility, intellectual achievement, and a sense of purpose and direction, among other desirable traits and qualities. Their pictures and distinct honor will be placed in the school lobby.

Duke Bergstrom was the class Valedictorian and Gabriel Mehlum was Salutatorian. Father Alex Pince, Cardinal Mooney Chaplain, offered the invocation, while Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, offered the Final Blessing.

 

 

Schools’ Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotional Project concludes – Catholic students grow closer to Christ

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The more than 6,700 Diocese of Venice Catholic school students have spent the past six months taking part in a special devotional project wherein they learned more about the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, all in a continued effort to help each student grow closer to Jesus Christ.

The theme for the 2025-2026 Diocesan Catholic School Devotional Project was for the focus on building up a devotion to Sacred Heart of Jesus, the symbol of Divine Love.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane supported this devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and has encouraged the devotional project concept since its inception in the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Devotional Project has two parts, a Junior Catechist program where eighth grade students from each of the Diocese’s 12 elementary schools receive specialized training and bring their knowledge about the fundamentals of the devotion, and how to grow closer to the Lord into their respective schools. In addition, an art contest encourages students from kindergarten through high school to submit their vision of this year’s devotion.

The Devotional Project closing ceremony took place May 11, 2026, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, celebrated Mass for the Junior Catechists and the art contest winners. Also participating were teachers and parents.

During the Mass, Father Belmonte stressed how through the Sacred Heart of Jesus we “call to mind our desire to be as Christ’s heart in the world; that we might be on fire with His love, and that we may share that love with everyone we meet.”

Father Belmonte said that we live in a world where there is little faith in God’s power and there is a presumption that God does not care. But he reminded the students that the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the answer to a love-starved world.

“The Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the practice of giving ourselves to persons that do not necessarily want to give themselves to us,” Father continued. “Jesus’s heart is the powerhouse for peace in our times. His heart is what helps us avoid sin. Our love for the most loving and tender Heart of Jesus helps as a guide to ourselves and to love and serve our neighbor, especially those who are suffering. The Sacred Heart of Jesus convinces us not to judge or attack others, but to help and love them. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus is with us, even, and especially, at the most difficult times in our life.”

Each Junior Catechist received a gift bag for their hard work, while the art contest winners received a gift, ribbon, a framed 20×30 print and prayer cards with their artwork. On the reverse of the card was a Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for Catholic Schools.

This is the fifth year the Diocesan Catholic schools have had a devotional project, with 2024-2025 focused on the Holy Angels, 2022-2023 focused on the Most Holy Eucharist (which coincided with the Diocesan Year of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival); 2021-2022 on the Saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Saints; and 2020-2021 on St. Joseph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art contest

For the art contest winners, there were more than 250 entries. Honorees were, Blake Lavenia, grade 12, Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers; Madeline Macaluso, grade 12, Bishop Verot; Sydney O’Connell, grade 9, Bishop Verot; Lucia del Valle, grade 12, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota; Madison Weiss, grade 2, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice; Sofie DiSano, grade 5, St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral.

At a reception following the Mass, all the participants joined in light snacks and a presentation of the gift bags which included religious articles associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Belmonte blessed the items with holy water.

 

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