Tag: mass

Updated Coronavirus Prayers and Resources

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Act of Spiritual Communion

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion means uniting one’s self in prayer with Christ’s sacrifice and worshiping Him in His Body and Blood.

The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass, as is the case during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

For all who will not be able to receive the Holy Eucharist in person, consider this special prayer, an Act of Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Resources online

A special Coronavirus webpage is located on the Diocese of Venice website homepage at www.dioceseofvenice.org.

Resources include links to the Mass, the prayer for Act of the Spiritual Communion, videos of the Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Pray the Rosary by following the links for the Diocese response to Coronavirus included on the Diocese homepage.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website, www.usccb.org, also posts the daily Mass readings.

The Diocese of Venice Mass is streamed at 9:15 a.m. daily from the Catholic Center in Venice. Meanwhile, Mass is being streamed live from many Parishes daily (some on weekends only) throughout the Diocese of Venice (See updated list on Diocese website). Most streams are available with links through the Parish websites or through Facebook (to watch a live stream on Facebook, you do not need an account) or YouTube. Check with your Parish if you are having trouble finding the Mass or for more details.

Additionally, Magnificat is offering the online version of this devotional free at https://us.magnificat.net/free.

The Televised Mass for the Homebound is available throughout the Diocese each Sunday and on the Diocese of Venice website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass.

In northern parts of the Diocese (Manatee, Highlands, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties) the Mass airs on television at 9:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Collier, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Charlotte counties) the Mass airs at 10:30 a.m., on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). This same Mass can be found on the Diocese of Venice website, www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass. Please check local listings for channel information.

Parish donations

During this challenging time in the life and mission of the Diocese of Venice, our Parishes face increased risk of financial shortfalls due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and its effects on everyday life. Parishes depend on weekly financial gifts to continue their ministries, especially in this critical time of crisis.

The Diocese of Venice is providing an online platform and encourages the Faithful to support their Parish. Please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/ways-to-give/parish-donations-online/ to donate to your Parish.

The Faithful may also contribute through their usual channels (e.g., envelopes, and through the Parish online giving option). Together we will navigate through this crisis, provide assistance to those in need, and secure the road ahead for the Parishes within the Diocese of Venice.

Please continue to pray for the repose of those who have died, for the recovery of those who are sick, for the strength of healthcare workers and caregivers, as well as for an end to this health crisis. Thank you for your generosity.

Prayers

 Prayer Against Coronavirus

Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine physician, we ask you to guard and protect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all serious illness. For all that have died from it, have mercy; for those that are ill now, bring healing. For those searching for a remedy, enlighten them; for medical caregivers helping the sick, strengthen and shield them. For those working to contain the spread, grant them success; for the afraid, grant peace. May your precious blood be our defense and salvation. By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into moments of consolation and hope. May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness. We abandon ourselves to you infinite.  Amen

By Pedro de la Cruz

 Oración contra el Coronavirus

Señor Jesucristo, nuestro Médico Divino, te pedimos que nos guardes y protejas del Coronavirus COVID-19 y de toda enfermedad grave. Por todos los que han perdido la vida por causa del virus, ten piedad; por los que están enfermos ahora, sánalos. Por los que buscan su cura, ilumínalos; por el personal médico que cuida de los enfermos, fortalécelos y protéjelos. Por los que trabajan para contener al virus, que sean existosos; por los que temen dáles la paz. Que tu preciosa sangre sea nuestro escudo y salvación. Por tu gracia, convierte a la maldad de esta enfermedad en momentos de consuelo y esperanza. Que siempre temamos más al contagió del pecado que al de cualquier enfermedad. Nos entregamos a tu infinita misericordia. Amén.

By Pedro de la Cruz

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for Protection from the Coronavirus

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Oración a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para la Protección del Coronavirus

Virgen Santísima de Guadalupe,

Reina de los Ángeles y Madre de las Américas.

Acudimos a ti hoy como tus amados hijos.

Te pedimos que intercedas por nosotros con tu Hijo,

como lo hiciste en las bodas de Caná.

Ruega por nosotros, Madre amorosa,

y obtén para nuestra nación, nuestro mundo,

y para todas nuestras familias y seres queridos,

la protección de tus santos ángeles,

para que podamos salvarnos de lo peor de esta enfermedad.

Para aquellos que ya están afectados,

te pedimos que les concedas la gracia de la sanación y

la liberación.

Escucha los gritos de aquellos que son vulnerables y temerosos,

seca sus lágrimas y ayúdalos a confiar.

En este tiempo de dificultad y prueba,

enséñanos a todos en la Iglesia a amarnos los unos a los otros

y a ser pacientes y amables.

Ayúdanos a llevar la paz de Jesús a nuestra tierra y a nuestros

corazones.

Acudimos a ti con confianza, sabiendo que realmente eres

nuestra madre compasiva,

la salud de los enfermos y la causa de nuestra alegría.

Refúgianos bajo el manto de tu protección, mantennos

en el abrazo de tus brazos,

ayúdanos a conocer siempre el amor de tu Hijo, Jesús.

Amén.

Cortesía de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE. UU.

 

Parishes adapt to suspension of Mass: Live streaming now common

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Parishes have had to adapt to a temporary reality that Mass is temporarily suspended, and offices transitioned to reduced staffing.

The initial shock of this new reality may have worn off, but the solution to this problem has been varied and encouraging. What may have been a novelty in the past, such as live streaming daily and Sunday Mass, or having a Sacrament of Reconciliation from a car in a church parking lot, are becoming commonplace.

As common as these efforts to stay connected to the faithful have become, more is still taking place, all in response to a communication from Bishop Frank J. Dewane to the priests of the Diocese. In one letter, Bishop Dewane asked the priests to draw upon the Church’s rich tradition of prayer and devotion to ensure that the spiritual life of parishioners is nourished and remains vibrant through means which are prudently adapted to the current circumstances.

Father Hugh McGuigan, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, is Pastor of Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, was one of the first to live stream Mass and to hear confessions from the car.

“With people cut off from reception of the Sacraments and the Mass we had to make adjustments,” Father McGuigan said. “While these are not the answers to all of the problems, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton has confession times on Saturday mornings and afternoons. Each session is scheduled for one hour but in the first two weekends (March 21 and March 28) the time has been extended by as much as 30 minutes.

Father Shawn Roser, Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, said he was encouraged to have so many people interested in the sacrament.

The drive-thru confession is typically a set time when a priest, or priests are available under the church portico, seated or standing a safe distance away from the vehicle, but close enough to hear the penitent. (See list of Parishes and times below.)

To ensure the Sacrament is properly administered, there is a limit of one penitent in the vehicle. When there are more people in a vehicle, arrangements are made to ensure confession is heard not only at a safe distance for the health of the priest and penitent, but also for the purposes of ensuring absolute privacy. Priests are also available for the Sacrament by appointment through the Parish Office.

The Diocese, as well as Parishes, have used their websites for not only broadcasting a live Mass, but for the prayer intentions for the day, as if the church was open. In addition, numerous intentions have been added for all impacted by the pandemic. Live Masses in the Diocese are being offered, in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and Latin.

Some priests have also been sharing daily and weekly reflections on the readings and/or current pandemic crisis; reciting of prayers such as the rosary, Our Father, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Angelus, and more; as well as having live Adoration, Stations of the Cross and Holy Hours.

Each effort keeps a connection open. Comments reacting to the efforts have been very positive, with some offering suggestions for more content.

Bishop Dewane acknowledged in his March 18 letter to parishioners announcing the suspension of the Mass, the sacrifice for the Catholic Faithful, “who have a great love for the Holy Eucharist and depend on the Most Blessed Sacrament for their spiritual lives. Do recall that Faithful Catholics, throughout the history of the Church, have kept the faith alive through trying times. By prayer and devotion, as well as spiritual solidarity with each other, the life of faith continued to be a source of strength and perseverance during persecutions and other times of public crisis.”

On the Diocesan and Parish websites, a number of additional resources, including links to prayers, devotions and the daily readings have been made available.

Parishes are also continuing to produce their weekly bulletin, updating schedules of cancelled or postponed events and sharing the latest updates on actions people can take to help in the community. In many cases, copies are being mailed to those who do not have access to the internet. This is one reason the Diocese offers the Televised Sunday Mass, airing at 9:30 a.m. on the CW in the northern portions of the Diocese and 10:30 a.m. on FOX-4 in the southern area.

During this time, priests and Parish staff are limiting their exposure to others by first curtailing access to offices and encouraging most, if not all, business to be conducted by phone. Many staff are also working from home to ensure necessary social distancing.

Last rites will be administered only in the case of death. Baptisms are not being denied but temporarily only taking place in cases of emergency. Weddings are encouraged to be postponed. In the event postponement is not a viable option, limitations are required in regard to the number of people present. In addition, funerals are being limited in size to immediate family members only.

Bishop Dewane is aware of the difficulty some of these restrictions are causing but said they are necessary during this extraordinary and historic time.

“In this time of Lent, with challenges, uncertainty, and fear in our lives, let us turn toward prayer,” Bishop Dewane said. “Through prayer and trust be confident in the belief that God does not abandon us in times of peril, in fact, the Lord will draw us close and protect us.

Please pray for everyone impacted by this pandemic – the sick, their caregivers, courageous medical personnel, and those reaching out in charity to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Seeking the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in particular, her spouse, St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for protection and guidance through these troubling times, the Bishop continued,

“Through the Word of the Lord, that is Sacred Scripture, it is possible to overcome fear and courageously face the challenging days ahead,” the Bishop said.

Prayer needed in time of crisis: Diocese of Venice responds to COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on by Bob Reddy

In this time of challenge Bishop Frank J. Dewane calls on every person to turn toward prayer as the Diocese, state, nation and world continue to face an uncertain future which bring unique difficulties during the ongoing pandemic.

“As Catholics, we trust in the power of prayer, God’s Hope and Mercy,” Bishop Dewane said. “Please join me is praying for those that have lost loved ones to this virus and may God console them and grant them peace. We also pray for the sick, caretakers, medical providers and all those impacted by this pandemic in different ways. When we unite for a common good, we can overcome fear and courageously face the challenges in the days ahead.”

Bishop Dewane, working in consultation with clergy and other Diocesan leadership are meeting daily in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

“Rest assured that together with our Priests and Diocesan Staff, I have been closely monitoring developments regarding the threat posed by the Coronavirus, particularly for the most vulnerable among us,” Bishop Dewane said. “

After consultation, on March 14 the Bishop issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass to all the Catholic Faithful until further notice. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist, for now, will continue in our churches with the necessary precautions.

All the Catholic Faithful are asked to observe the Lord’s Day with reverence and in spiritual communion with one another, whether you attend Mass or not during this time. The Diocese of Venice offers a Sunday Televised Mass throughout the Diocese at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass. (Additional information is location below about the Televised Mass and other ways to stay connected to your Faith while home.)

A special Coronavirus webpage has been created for your easy reference. Located on the Diocese of Venice website homepage at www.dioceseofvenice.org. It will be updated throughout this crisis providing the latest communications from the Diocese to the Faithful including letters or notices from Bishop Dewane, as well as resources to assist in your prayer and spiritual life.

The following additional precautions are effective immediately throughout the Diocese of Venice:

  • Classes are suspended in all Catholic Schools within the Diocese of Venice until at least March 30.
  • All Parish Religious Education and Youth activities are suspended until at least March 30.
  • Parish events are postponed or canceled through at least March 30.
  • Parish and Diocesan offices will remain open during this time.

The Diocese continues to closely monitor the situation and will issue updates as appropriate on the Diocesan website.

Additional precautions have been taken or will be implemented by the weekend of March 21-22. They include:

  • All missals and other printed material that may be handled by parishioners is to be removed.
  • Collection baskets are being retrofitted to include a handle for the ushers to use and will eliminate the need to pass the basket from person to person. Where this is not possible, central collection points are being designated.
  • The doors to Churches are being propped or held open by greeters before and after Mass so as to diminish the number of people touching the handles.
  • Extensive handwashing and parish cleaning guidelines have been shared with all parishes.

Previous guidelines implemented in February include:

  • Communion from the Chalice has been temporarily suspended in Parishes of the Diocese of Venice until further notice.
  • The Faithful should avoid the shaking of hands or making physical contact during the time designated for the Sign of Peace. A verbal indication of peace or a bow of the head to one another is sufficient. Further, please recall that the Sign of Peace is an OPTIONAL PRACTICE in the Liturgy which may be omitted.
  • There should be no holding of hands during the recitation of the Our Father.
  • Holy Water fonts are emptied. However, a dispenser with a spigot will be provided to allow the Faith to take Holy Water home, therefore allowing continued access to this important Sacramental. In the absence of Holy Water fonts, the Faithful may be encouraged simply to make the Sign of the Cross as they enter the Church.
  • The Faithful are encouraged to receive communion in the hand during this period. Please remember that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal indicates, “The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (160).

Please note that because of the specific risk facing clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion, separate guidelines have gone out to all parishes regarding procedures for distribution of Holy Communion in the Church as well as making visits to those at home or in hospitals.

Resources online

As mentioned earlier, a special Coronavirus webpage is located on the Diocese of Venice website homepage.

Resources include the prayer for Act of the Spiritual Communion, videos of the Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Pray the Rosary by following the links for the Diocese response to Coronavirus included on the Diocese homepage.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website, www.usccb.org, also posts the daily Mass readings.

Additionally, Magnificat is offering the online version of this devotional at https://us.magnificat.net/free.

As noted, during this time when many are unable to attend Mass, the Televised Mass for the Homebound is available throughout the Diocese each Sunday and on the Diocese of Venice website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass.

In northern parts of the Diocese (Manatee, Highlands, Charlotte, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties) the Mass airs at 9:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Collier, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Charlotte counties) the Mass airs at 10:30 a.m., on WFTX-TV (FOX-4).

Please check local listings for channel info. Leaflet missals are available upon request by writing to TV Mass, Diocese of Venice, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. Or contact Gail Ardy at 941-486-4714, ardy@dioceseofvenice.org.

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony a Sacred Bond

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Two people make up a married couple, but it is so much more than that – the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a sacred bond between a man and a woman which reflects the honor, commitment and fidelity each demonstrates for the other.

To celebrate significant wedding anniversaries, Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50+ years to a Mass in their honor. Two Masses are celebrated each year in the Diocese of Venice so as to accommodate those wanting to attend. The first in 2020 was Feb. 1 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and a second will be 11 a.m., Feb. 29 at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. (Registration is through your Parish.)

There were 317 couples present – married a combined 16,591 years – with eight celebrating 70 or more years of marriage. The longest married couple was Donald and Nonna Rassier of Epiphany Cathedral. On Oct. 2, 2020, they will celebrate their 72 years together.

Bishop Dewane said this celebration is of their commitment to each other, as well as to God. The celebration acknowledges the accomplishment they experienced in their lives which is honored and recognized by the Church.

“Your commitment to each other brings hope to the world,” Bishop Dewane said. “You represent something so great. A vocation to marriage. You were the ministers of the Sacrament, with a priest as a witness, and lived it each day during the years that followed… What a beautiful moment of grace and your being here – no matter how many years you are celebrating – is no small accomplishment.”

During the Mass, the married couples renewed their wedding vows. In addition, each couple was presented with commemorative certificates, signed by the Bishop, for their enduring commitment to marriage.

In speaking to one of four couples celebrating their anniversary on the very day (Feb. 1) of the Mass in Venice was Donald and Marilyn Dumas of Epiphany Cathedral.

“What a wonderful treat to have our anniversary on the day of this beautiful Mass,” Marilyn said of their 62nd Anniversary. The couple fell in love the moment they met, when he was on leave from the military and visiting a neighbor of Marilyn’s in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Now, 62 years later, with three children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with another on the way, they wouldn’t change a thing. “We joined with each other through Christ,” Donald said. “That bond carried us through all the good times and the bad. The key to our success is that you have to have a sense of humor and have to be able to say I’m sorry.”

A reception followed the Mass with lunch and the opportunity to have complimentary pictures taken with the Bishop.

Present for the Mass were eight couples who were celebrating 70 or more years of marriage:

72 years

Donald and Nonna Rassier, Epiphany Cathedral;

71 years

John Theresa Kromish, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Port Charlotte;

James and Maria Nixon, Epiphany Cathedral;

Leon and Ann Reser, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Grove City;

Paul and Stefie Zielinski, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Venice;

70 years

George and Marcia Equizi, St. Martha Parish, Sarasota;

Eugene and Jeanne Jakos, Our Lady of Lourdes;

and Robert and Elena Ranieri, Epiphany Cathedral.

Veterans Day Mass honors military service and sacrifice

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

It was in 1919 when the first celebration of Veterans Day took place. It was then known as Remembrance Day as Nov. 11, 1919 marked the anniversary of the end to World War I, the “war to end all wars.”

On the 100th Anniversary of Veterans Day, and for the 10th year in a row, the Diocese of Venice celebrated a Catholic Mass at Sarasota National Cemetery with more than 1,300 people in attendance.

“What a wonderful day,” said Charles Thatcher of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sarasota who served with the U.S. Marines from 1958-1967. He was wounded in combat while serving in Vietnam and was medically discharged. Wearing a pin with the Marine Corps emblem, Thatcher said he is happy that the Diocese pays tribute to the veterans with the annual Mass at the National Cemetery.

“This Mass is an important reminder,” Thatcher added. “Once we served and took off the uniform and entered civilian life many people tend to forget about what we sacrificed. My sacrifice was the loss of a few fingers and part of my sight. I have friends who lost everything. They are who we really honor, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we all enjoy.”

Father Edward Martin, who served 20 years as a U.S. Army Chaplain and is Temporary Administrator of St. Isabel Parish in Sanibel, celebrated the Mass for Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who was unable to attend due to a commitment at the annual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. More than a dozen Priests and several Deacons joined Father Martin.

Father Martin thanked the veterans for their service in defense of liberty, something enjoyed to this day thanks to those who served and sacrificed for this nation dating back to George Washington.

“Our freedom and liberty are ultimately our greatest responsibility,” Father Martin said. “We are free because we have men and women heroes who are champions of courage and choose to put their very lives on the line to protect that freedom.”

Adding to the dignity and ceremony of the day were active and retired veterans – some of whom attended in uniform, as well as the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who formed a Color Corps, and many other Knights who were there to support the veterans.

The Sarasota National Cemetery celebration concluded with a procession, escorted by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, to the nearby graves as those in attendance sang “God Bless America.” Priests, Deacons, and the Knights of Columbus Color Corps and all present, gathered in silent prayer before “Taps” was played on a bugle.

There are 20,900 veterans and eligible family members currently interred in the National Cemetery and more than 19 million military veterans in the United States.

The Diocese of Venice coordinates the Catholic Mass at the National Cemetery with the support of the Knights of Columbus. One of the graves is that of Father Robert G. Tierney, a former assistant at St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, who served in the U.S. Navy. Father Tierney died in 2006 and was one of the first people buried in the cemetery.

Prison outreach volunteers recognized for compassion

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

The men and women who enter the jails and prisons scattered throughout the Diocese of Venice serve a crucial role to a segment of society that is too commonly dismissed and forgotten.

The nearly 150 prison outreach volunteers were recognized for their work by Bishop Frank J. Dewane during a Mass of Appreciation on Nov. 8 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte. The outreach provides a variety of services, including Bible study, religious education and assistance with receiving the sacraments such as Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

“Thank you for what you do,” Bishop Dewane said to the gathered volunteers. “Your service comes from the heart. You have the insight and the desire to see the need and to serve those who are on the margins – our brothers and sisters in Christ who are incarcerated.”

The volunteers in prison outreach have the foresight to help those they serve to focus on the future and not the past, the Bishop added. “You do not judge. You look into their eyes and see the humanity and share in the goodness that comes from within the person.”

Bishop Dewane, who himself celebrates Mass at jails and prisons within the Diocese of Venice more than a dozen times each year, said the volunteers who participate in prison outreach touch the heart of the incarcerated because they talk to them about the Lord. The Bishop, who admitted that his first prison visits, while working in Rome, caused so much nervousness, said his visits have impacted him in different ways.

When celebrating the Mass for the incarcerated, the Bishop said he knows he is bringing the forgiveness, mercy, compassion, peace, love and joy of the Lord to others. Since his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese in 2006, Bishop Dewane has conferred the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Communion and Baptism for numerous inmates.

Bob Hiniker, who helps to coordinate the prison outreach throughout the Diocese, stressed the importance to continue to expand the number of people who volunteer in the five state prisons, 10 county jails and one civil commitment program. There are approximately 15,000 incarcerated within the Diocese; meaning the need is great.

A program for the volunteers followed the Mass and encompassed a number of presentations, including updates on the process of implementing a new bereavement program into the facilities; the plan to expand a job readiness program; and a new restorative justice effort called “Bridges to Life.”

The group was also blessed to have two special guests, Florida Department of Corrections State Chaplaincy Administrator Johnny Frambo and Chaplain Father Severyn Kovalyshin of State Region 3 (which includes the entire Diocese).

Frambo said his sole job to ensure the continued access of volunteers to enter the state prisons and minister to the incarcerated and vowed that if they face any obstacle that they need only contact him directly. There are 95,000 inmates in the state prison system which are divided into four regions. Of the 95,000, nearly 10 percent are Catholic.

“Catholic volunteers do a wonderful job throughout the state,” Frambo said. “You are among them and when you are there you recognize Christ’s image in those who you visit… What we all do is to answer God’s call, who uses us to changes lives.”

Bishop Dewane was joined at the Mass by several concelebrating priests, many of who also serve in area jails and prisons. In all, 25 priests and 12 deacons serve in prison outreach.

For those interested in becoming a prison outreach volunteer, please contact Robert Hiniker at 863-558-0407 or hinbob5@hotmail.com.

Diocese celebrates 35th with Mass at Holy Eucharistic Memorial

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

On a breezy day on the shore of the Manatee River in Bradenton, the faithful gathered for a Mass that not only commemorated the 35th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Venice in Florida but also celebrated each Catholic who came before and all who go forward serving as a Disciple of Christ.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane noted the Mass was celebrated at the historic location, in front of a Holy Eucharistic Memorial, which was built in the 1960s to commemorate the 1539 Spanish Expedition of Hernando de Soto. The group purportedly landed nearby and included 12 priests and two brothers. Appropriately, there were 12 concelebrating priests and two deacons present for the Mass.

Just as the Lord guided those priests to the shores of Florida nearly 500 years ago, today each of us is called to be more a man or women of God, Bishop Dewane explained. One way to accomplish this is to be a Disciple of Christ, something which is going to be a recurring theme of the Anniversary Celebration in the coming months. This call to a be a Disciple is an answer to Jesus asking, “Who do you say that I am?”

“You must publicly respond and live the answer as a Disciple,” the Bishop continued. “Do this by setting an example to those around you so that others – through your invitation, through your example, through your words, and through your deeds – can understand your answer.”

Being a Disciple of Christ is a response to the living God, who is in our midst, Bishop Dewane added. “We must respond in our soul and live out our answer to the question of who Jesus is in our lives. Our ancestors who came before answered, and this is why we gather here. We have been passed along the gift of Faith. We have been given the example and heard the call in our lives and continue to hear that call. It must be carried forward from this day.”

More than 200 people, including fifth- to eighth-grade students from St. Joseph Catholic School, participated in the Mass. A steady breeze helped off-set the heat. The response from those gathered was overwhelmingly positive.

“Everything was so wonderful and beautiful,” said Carolyn Reilly of Holy Cross Parish in Palmetto. “I felt a strong connection to the past. It was not just to those first priests who landed here, but to all of the priests who serve in this area.”

The beautiful setting on the river was on Diocesan property within Riverview Pointe Park, which is adjacent to DeSoto National Memorial Park.

The Holy Eucharistic Memorial was commissioned in 1960 by the Diocese of St. Augustine, which was the only Catholic Diocese in Florida at the time. The memorial was first exhibited at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain, and was at the 1965 World’s Fair in New York. It was later placed at its current location on the shores of the Manatee River.

The memorial includes two carved relief’s depicting a Mass and a Baptism, and a 20-foot obelisk which is figured with carved symbols of the Holy Trinity. A statue of Hernando de Soto was removed after being damaged. Replicas of the statue stand at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota and the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The nearby 60-foot Memorial Cross was dedicated by then-Bishop John J. Nevins in 1996.

George Parker of St. Joseph Parish said he was inspired by the Mass and the history it represented. “I feel connected to those first priests, and I feel connected to those who were here when the Diocese was founded. We are blessed to still have the opportunity to celebrate the Mass. It is poignant that this Mass was here on this beach, just as they may have done so long ago.”

According to records, several Masses have taken place at the site. Most recently in 2009 when Bishop Dewane celebrated the Mass to coincide with both the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese and the “Year for Priests.”

 

A Walk in the Woods (and into the 16th Century)

After participating.in the 35th Anniversary Mass, teachers, staff and students from St. Joseph Catholic School took a short hike through the Florida wilderness to follow in the footsteps of the man in which the park is named – DeSoto National Memorial Park.

Members of the National Park Service welcomed their St. Joseph guests with a guided tour of the park’s museum, monument and life size reproductions. The students learned about of the 700-man Spanish expedition which was led by Hernando de Soto. His quest for gold and glory would transform into a four-year, 4,000-mile odyssey of warfare, disease and discovery that would shape the future of trade, religion and politics throughout North America.

The interactive tour included a video documentary about De Soto’s expedition as well as an introduction of the indigenous tribes who resided in Florida in the early 16th century.

Students also had the opportunity to don heavy helmets, armor and chainmail worn by conquistadors and they then stepped inside replicas of the native American living quarters.

John Carkeet contributed to this report.

2019 Holy Week Mass times

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Staff Report

4/9/19

The following is a listing of Holy Week Mass times (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter) for the Parishes and Missions of the Diocese of Venice in alphabetical order by city. For any other information please contact the Parish/Mission directly.

ARCADIA

■ St. Paul, 1208 E. Oak St.; 863-494-2611

HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 10 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. (Spanish), 1:15 p.m. (Spansih)

AVE MARIA

■ Ave Maria, 5068 Annunciation Circle, Suite 101; 239-261-5555; www.avemariaparish.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY -3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Latin)

AVON PARK

■ Our Lady of Grace, 595 E. Main St.; 863-453-4757; ologap.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Spanish), 7 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)

BOCA GRANDE

■ Our Lady of Mercy, 240 Park Ave.; 941-964-2254

HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m.

BOKEELIA

■ Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 12175 Stringfellow Road; 239-283-0456; miraculousmedalch.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 5 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

BONITA SPRINGS

■ St. Leo the Great, 28290 Beaumont Road; 239-992-0901; stleocatholicchurch.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

BOWLING GREEN

■ Holy Child, 4315 Chester Ave.; 863-773-4089; michaelwauchula.weconnect.com

EASTER – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

BRADENTON

■ Sacred Heart, 1220 15th St. W.; 941-748-2221;  mysacredheart.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m. (bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 3:30 p.m. (Creole)

■ Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles, 2850 75th St. W.; 941-795-1228; sspeterandpaul.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

■ St. Joseph Parish, 2704 33rd Ave. W.; 941-756-3732; www.sjcfl.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

BUCKHEAD RIDGE

■ St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1027 Chobee Loop; 863-946-0696

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 6:30 p.m.

EASTER – 10 a.m.

CAPE CORAL

■ St. Andrew, 2628 Del Prado Blvd. S.; 239-574-4545; standrewrcc.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)

■ St. Katharine Drexel, 1922 S.W. 20th Ave.; 239-283-9501; drexelcc.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 7:30 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

CLEWISTON

■ Santa Rosa de Lima, 835 N. Mayoral St.; 863-983-8585

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – noon (Spanish)

EASTER – 8 a.m. (Spanish)

■ St. Margaret, 208 N. Deane Duff Ave.; 863-983-8585

HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 4 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)

ENGLEWOOD

■ St. Raphael, 770 Kilbourne Ave.; 941-474-9595; strapheng.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

EVERGLADES CITY

■ Holy Family, 200 Datura Ave.; 239-394-5181; sanmarcochurch.com

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER – 10:30 a.m.

FORT MYERS

■ Jesus the Worker, 881 Nuna Ave.; 239-693-5333; jesustheworker.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER – 9 a.m. (Spanish), noon (Spanish)

■ Our Lady of Light, 19680 Cypress View Drive; 239-267-7088; ourladyoflight.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

■ Resurrection, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive; 239-481-7171; resurrectionch.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 4 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:35 a.m., noon, 2:15 p.m. (Latin)

■ San Jose, 10750 Gladiolous Drive; 239-481-1143; jesustheworker.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER – noon (Spanish)

■ St. Cecilia, 5632 Sunrise Drive; 239-936-3635; saintcecilias.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 2 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.

■ St. Columbkille, 12171 Iona Road; 239-489-3973; stcolumbkille.com/

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

■ St. Francis Xavier, 2157 Cleveland Ave.; 239-334-2161; stfrancisfm.org/

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m. (Polish), 4 p.m. (Creole)

■ St. John XXIII, 13060 Palomino Lane; 239-561-2245; johnxxiii.net

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 8 p.m. (Vietnamese)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m. (Vietnamese)

■ St. Vincent de Paul, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd.; 239-693-0818; stvincentftmyers.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

FORT MYERS BEACH

■ Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd.; 239-463-6754; https://discovermass.com/church/church-of-the-ascension-fort-myers-beach-fl/

HOLY THURSDAY – 5:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:45 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m.,  11 a.m..

GROVE CITY

■ St. Francis of Assisi, 5265 Placida Road; 941-697-4899; sfoachurch.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon

HOLMES BEACH

■ St. Bernard, 248 S. Harbor Drive; 941-778-4769; stbernardcc.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

IMMOKALEE

■ Our Lady of Guadalupe, 207 S. 9th St.; 239-657-2666

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)

GOOD FRIDAY – 6 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Bilingual), 10:30 p.m. (Creole)

EASTER – 7:30 a.m. (Spanish), 9 a.m. (English), 10:15 a.m. (Creole), 12:15 p.m. (Spanish), 2 p.m. (Spanish), 7 p.m. (Spanish)

LA BELLE

■ Holy Martyrs, 4290 Crescent Ave. S.W.; 863-675-0030; olqh.weconnect.com

GOOD FRIDAY – noon (Spanish)

■ Our Lady Queen of Heaven

355 S. Bridge St.; 863-675-0030; olqh.weconnect.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER – 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish), 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)

LAKE PLACID

■ St. James, 3380 Placid View Drive; 863-465-3215; stjameschurchlp.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 6 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:15 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m.

■ Mision Santiago Apostol, 685 County Road 621 E.; 863-385-0049; stjameschurchlp.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER – 10 a.m. (Spanish)

LAKEWOOD RANCH

■ Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 State Road 70 E.; 941-752-6770; olangelscc.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

LEHIGH ACRES

■ St. Raphael, 2514 Lee Blvd.; 239-369-1831

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. (Spanish)

LONGBOAT KEY

■ St. Mary, Star of the Sea, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive; 941-383-8758; www.stmarylbk.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 5:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

MARCO ISLAND

■ San Marco, 851 San Marco Road; 239-394-5181; sanmarcochurch.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (Tommie Barfield School), 10:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m. (Tommie Barfield School), 12:30 p.m.

MOORE HAVEN

■ St. Joseph the Worker, 24065 U.S. Highway 27; 863-946-0696

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 6:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 8 a.m. (bilingual)

NAPLES

■ Corpus Christi, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-592-1949; www.corpuschristifssp.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 5:30 p.m. (Latin)

GOOD FRIDAY – 5 p.m. (Latin)

EASTER VIGIL – 10 p.m. (Latin)

EASTER – 8:45 a.m. (Latin),

■ St. Agnes, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-592-1949; stagnesnaples.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m. (Palmetto Ridge High School), 11 a.m., 11:15 p.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m.

■ St. Ann, 475 9th Ave. S.; 239-262-4256; naplesstann.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

■ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway; 239-455-3900; www.stelizabethseton.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Bilingual), 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Bilingual)

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 4 p.m. (Spanish)

■ St. Finbarr, 13520 Tamiami Trail E.; 239-417-2084; stfinbarr.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., (Spanish), 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m.

■ St. John the Evangelist, 625 111th Ave. N.; 239-566-8740; saintjohntheevangelist.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:45 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 5 p.m.

■ St. Peter the Apostle, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road; 239-774-3337; stpeternaples.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Creole), 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)

EASTER – 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. (Spanish), 3:30 p.m. (Creole)

■ St. William, 601 Seagate Drive; 239-261-4883; saintwilliam.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

NOCATEE

■ Capilla Católica de San Juan Diego, 5247 S.W. Highway 17; 863-494-2611

EASTER – 1 p.m. (Spanish)

NORTH FORT MYERS

■ St. Therese, 20115 N. Tamiami Trail; 239-567-2315; sainttheresechurch.net

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

NORTH PORT

■ San Pedro, 14380 Tamiami Trail; 941-426-2500; sanpedrocc.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 7 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m.

OSPREY

■ Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 425 S. Tamiami Trail; 941-966-0807; olmc-osprey.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., noon

PALMETTO

■ Holy Cross, 505 26th St.; 941-729-3891; holycrossdov.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish)

PARRISH

■ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 12001 69th St. E.; 941-776-9097; sfxcparrish.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – Noon

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

PORT CHARLOTTE

■ San Antonio, 24445 Rampart Blvd.; 941-624-3799; sanantoniorcc.org/

HOLY THURSDAY – 6:30 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

■ St. Charles Borromeo, 21505 Augusta Ave.; 941-625-4754; www.stcharlespc.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Creole)

■ St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1441 Spear St.; 941-743-6877; stmaxcatholic.org/

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL -8:30 p.m.

EASTER -7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

PUNTA GORDA

■ Sacred Heart, 211 W. Charlotte Ave.; 941-639-3957; sacredheartfl.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

SANIBEL

■ St. Isabel, 3559 Sanibel Captiva Road; 239-472-2763; saintisabel.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

SARASOTA

■ Christ the King

1900 Meadowood St.; 941-924-2777; christthekingsarasota.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Latin)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Latin)

EASTER VIGIL – 10 p.m. (Latin)

EASTER – 8:30 a.m. (Latin), 10:30 a.m. (Latin)

■ Incarnation, 2929 Bee Ridge Road; 941-921-6631; incarnationchurch.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (Polish)

■ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 833 Magellan Drive; 941-755-1826; olqm.net/

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

■ St. Jude, 3930 17th St.; 941-955-3934; stjudesarasota.com/

HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Bilingual)

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. (Spanish), 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., noon (Spanish), 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)

■ St. Martha, 200 N. Orange Ave.; 941-366-4210; stmartha.org

HOLY THURSDAY – noon (Low Mass), 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Vietnamese)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Vietnamese)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Vietnamese), 11 p.m. (Low Mass)

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. (Spanish), 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, noon (Vietnamese/Hall), 5:30 p.m.

■ St. Michael the Archangel, 5394 Midnight Pass Road; 941-349-4174; stmichaelssiesta.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.

■ St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge Road; 941-378-1703; churchofstpatrick.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m.

■ St. Thomas More, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive; 941-923-1691; stthomasmoresrq.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

SEBRING

■ St. Catherine Parish, 882 Bay St.; 863-385-0049; www.stcathe.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)

VENICE

■ Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota St.; 941-484-3505; www.epiphanycathedral.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Polish)

■ Our Lady of Lourdes, 1301 Center Road; 941-497-2931; www.ollvenice.org

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY – noon, 3 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.

EASTER – 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon

WAUCHULA

■ St. Michael, 408 Heard Bridge Road; 863-773-4089; michaelwauchula.weconnect.com

HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (bilingual), 7 p.m. (Spanish)

EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)

EASTER – 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)

ZOLFO SPRINGS

■ San Alfonso, 3027 Schoolhouse Road; 863-773-4089; michaelwauchula.weconnect.com

EASTER – 10 a.m. (Spanish)

Pastors installed at Fort Myers and Port Charlotte parishes

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

4/9/19

There are moments in the life of each Parish that are well remembered: the dedication of a new building, significant anniversaries, and of course, the installation of a new pastor.

For the faithful of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Myers and San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, such a day occurred in March. It was on March 24 that Father Murchadh O’Madagain was installed at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, and on March 30 that Father Leo Riley was installed at San Antonio Parish.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over the installations which he said marks a key time in the life of the respective parishes.

Bishop Dewane noted that the pastor of a parish and the various priests who serve put a great deal of life into a parish. “A pastor must be supported by the faithful because he will be called to make difficult decisions that not everyone will appreciate.”

The Bishop added that the Holy Spirit will speak through a pastor and the faithful must be open to listen and learn. “A pastor has eyes that see with faith. Take advantage of the richness that all pastors bring. The Spirit will also speak through the People of God, and the Pastor must all listen and learn.”

During the installation, the priest begins with selected words leading to the start of the Creed when he is then joined by the faithful. At the end of the Creed, the new pastor has extra lines which are exclusive for him. In addition, the pastor makes an Oath of Fidelity to the Bishop and his successors; formalized by his placing his hand upon the Book of Gospels.

Following the installation, two members of the parish, representing the entire congregation, served as witnesses and signed the formal documents. Bishop then introduced the new pastors to rousing applause.

Both new pastors thanked Bishop Dewane for their respective appointments and they commented on how hospitable their own parish community was from the day they were first assigned.

After the installations, receptions were held in the parish halls. The installation of Father Riley coincided with his birthday, so it was a double celebration, cake and all.

Bishop Dewane Extends Appreciation to all volunteers

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Susan Laielli – Special to the Florida Catholic

For the nearly 400 people who joined Bishop Frank J. Dewane at February 23 Mass in Appreciation of Volunteers at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, it was a day to celebrate their work in the Diocese of Venice Parishes, Missions and other entities.

For one St. Ann Parish volunteer, retired nurse Denise Delaney, who now serves as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister at a hospital in Naples, she admits it took some prompting from both the Holy Spirit and her husband to return to the hospital setting, but she is very grateful for the nudge.

“I wasn’t sure if I could transition from the nursing side of the hospital to being in ministry, but my husband said, ‘How long are you going to wait before you do this?’ – then I saw a St. Ann bulletin ad with heartfelt encouragement expressing the need for Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers at the hospital,” Delaney said.

Delaney said bringing the Eucharist to the hospital is ‘humbling’, , who admits to finding the work very rewarding to be included with families during very sensitive times.

Bishop Dewane was the Principal Celebrant of the Mass, and he was joined by priests from across the region who were there to support the volunteers.

During the Mass Bishop Dewane acknowledged all the various roles making up a Church family and encouraged each to continue working as a Missionary Disciple, saying the work is symbolic of a deeper meaning and message. Those roles can vary dramatically from helping at a soup kitchen to teaching a young person learn how to read. Each volunteer’s contribution is valued for their presence; not only by the Universal Church, but by those who they assist.

“The Holy Father reminds us that Volunteers are like John the Baptist – by reaching out, going out to those in need, you prepare the way of the Lord for them,” Bishop Dewane said. “As volunteers, you act without personal interest being prompted by the Holy Spirit, and it is truly humbling to stand before you.”

Members of the Our Lady of Light Parish Choir sang beautifully during the Mass. By the way, they are all volunteers themselves. One chorister was Colleen Miley, who started singing in the Parish in 1993 when her husband passed away.

“It’s important for people to be engaged in something that’s not only good for you, but good for others as well,” Miley said.

Before the afternoon luncheon in the Parish Hall where a slideshow played featuring volunteers from across the Diocese, Bishop Dewane took photographs with each of the Parish groups in attendance.

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