Jean Gonzalez – Florida Catholic staff
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. When it rains in Florida, it truly rains in Florida,” said Father Robert Marva O.F.M. Cap., provincial minister of the St. Augustine Province in Pittsburgh.
He said it with a smile to those gathered for solemn vespers July 10, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. The Capuchin Franciscan arrived in Southwest Florida for the ordination of his friend and fellow Capuchin Bishop-Elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., as third bishop of Venice. While the ordination was the afternoon of July 11, vespers were held the night before. An evening shower in July is not unusual. But it would seem Mother Nature wanted to welcome the new bishop with a bit more flair. When a lightning bolt with visible crackling struck overhead, seasoned residents braced themselves for the loud boom that reverberated against the walls inside and outside the church. Then came the downpour.
Father Marva said what would have taken a few moments to arrive to the parish on a sunny day, turned into 45 minutes.
But despite starting a little late, there was much praise and worship offered by laity who sang praises to God in anticipation of their new shepherd. Prelude music was offered by the Haitian and Spanish choirs of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, the Spanish men’s choir of Jesus the Worker in Fort Myers and the Vietnamese choir of the host parish of St. John XXIII.
The rains only reminded the faithful this is the day the Lord has made. “Until May 13, no eye had seen, no ear had heard nor had it dawned on the local church of Venice, the people of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., or the Capuchins of the Province of St. Augustine of what God had in store for Padre Emilio,” Father Marva said. “God’s wisdom and ours is not the same. God’s plans and ours may not begin the same, but become one through the graces of the Holy Spirit.”
Father Marva assured the faithful that his fellow Capuchin would be a faithful and good shepherd to the Church of Southwest Florida. He said the priest knows about leading faith communities and learned to do so “in many cultural settings and in many languages,” which benefit the ethnically diverse diocese. “Although I think Polish will be a new one for him,” Father Marva said with a laugh.
He added the bishop-elect’s service to the Capuchins as vicar provincial “gave wisdom and insight to our council and also kept me on the right path.”
“Bishop Emilio is a thoughtful and reflective leader, and able to listen and to hear what others say with acknowledgment and respect,” Father Marva said. “But he is also not afraid to share his own thoughts or express disagreement. … He will bring honesty and humor, prayerfulness and patience, and will sport a flexible wardrobe of episcopal black and purple, as well as Capuchin brown with sandals and cord.”
The gifts the bishop-elect offers the Church were also instilled by his family, including his parents — Emilio Rodolfo Sr. and Carmen de Maria Agüero — who celebrate 65 years of marriage on July 29 and renewed their wedding vows at Bishop Emilio’s first mass as bishop on July 12. In an interview with the Florida Catholic following vespers his parents said they have many different emotions about their son’s appointment. They feel blessed and honored about the appointment but were also surprised.
“We thank God for his decision and the pope’s decision,” Emilio Sr. said. “He was always a dedicated young man who took the faith seriously.”
His mother Carmen said her son is a “great gift” who is “very friendly, takes care of everyone a lot and listens.” They both described him as a simple and honest person.
“I have learned a lot from him,” Carmen said. “He has great charity.”
“Parents are the ones who teach their children, but in our case it has been the other way around,” Emilio Sr. added. ”He has been the one who has taught us the path and the goodness of God.”
They both know the faithful of the Diocese of Venice will embrace him just as others have in his past. They said he has shown time and time again that he takes “great care of the marginalized, the poor and migrants,” along with all the faithful.
“In him you will find a person who is very dedicated to the faith and to work,” Emilio Sr. said.
“He is willing to meet (the faithful) first. That has always been his desire,” Carmen said. “As soon as they meet him, they will love him.”
Diocesan Catholic school students spent a portion of December in preparation for Christmas with pageants, recitals, concerts, parties, and other fun, such as creating handmade presents for family members or building and decorating gingerbread houses. In the midst of all of this, the students continued to learn language arts, mathematics, religion, art, science and more, while also be educated about the true meaning of Christmas, including bringing the love of Christ that is in their hearts, out to the world.
The day included inspirational talks from nationally renowned speakers Noelle Garcia and Gian Gamboa. Garcia’s talk for the entire group was titled “Encounter the One Who Calls You,” and to the girls “Fully Alive: Women Rooted in Christ.” Gamboa’s talk to the whole group was titled, “Young People, I Say You, Arise,” and to the boys, “No Excuses: Living as Catholic Men Too.” Maggie Craig served as the master of ceremonies.
Father Kantor expressed how he was blessed and honored that Bishop Dewane selected him to celebrate the Catholic Veterans Day Mass at the National Cemetery, having served during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
“St. Martin serves as an example as we are all called to live as missionary disciples and Christian witnesses, walking that extra mile and showing patience for those who do us wrong,” Father Kantor said. “We depend upon divine grace to show us what is the right path. In a world that is so divided and continues to be at war across the globe – we must be peacemakers and look beyond the divides that prevent us from seeing the dignity in all people “
New in 2025 was the performance of selected patriotic music by members of the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Symphonic Band from Sarasota, led by the school’s Music Department Head, Cindi McCarthy.
Father Kantor, priests, Deacons, the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, and all present, then gathered in silent prayer before “Taps” was played on a trumpet by Cardinal Mooney Sophomore Molly Compa.
Celebrated on Dec. 12, the Feast is often linked to the Dec. 9 Feast of St. Juan Diego, the day in 1531 when Our Lady first appeared to the Saint near modern day Mexico City.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe means so much to me and so many others,” said Olivia Gomez of Jesus the Worker Parish in Fort Myers who participated in the Dec. 11, 2022, Mass and an outdoor festival. “My family has a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin. We pray to her each day. This gives us great comfort.”
That gratitude was magnified this year as the Fort Myers community was hard hit on Sept. 28 by Hurricane Ian. Gomez, whose home had roof and water damage, was out of work until just recently because the business where she worked was badly damaged.
Carlos Diaz, of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, also had home damage from river flooding after Ian and had to replace nearly the entire contents of his home.
At Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Feast Day Mass. The Mass there was preceded by a procession around the church. Afterwards, the Bishop blessed a variety of religious articles and then everyone enjoyed a celebration in the Parish Hall.
This apparition led to the conversion of Mexico almost overnight, when up to that time Catholic missionaries from Europe had made very little headway. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City was built on the site of the apparitions and is one of the most visited religious shrines in the world. It is also home of the actual tilma of St. Juan Diego, which can still be seen, with the image clearly visible, nearly 500 years later.
The answer, good music, and a chance to let loose for an evening which ultimately focused on the Blessed Sacrament and an examination of their faith.
“Ups and downs, from darkness to the light of God,” he said, adding that everyone’s spiritual journey has these moments which are comforted by an undeniable reality. “The Lord is the One who always believes in you; who never gives up on you; who loves you no matter what; who will comfort you; who will lift you up; who will help you find your way. He does this because you are His child, precious and beautiful.”
Father Simon Hoang Minh Dao, CRM, came forward to the stage and placed the Blessed Sacrament into a monstrance on a prepared table.
The Men’s Haitian Choir of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples was delightfully received when they participated in the 9 a.m., and later 11 a.m. Mass which was celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane.
The lesson of Advent, making a sacrifice for others, was found in so many different ways at each of the 15 Catholic Schools. Toy, gift and food drives were held with thousands of items given with love and the joy of the Season to those less fortunate in the region.
December was a busy time at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples. The amazing YACHT (Youth And Christ Helping Together) Club gathered weeks ago to make homemade Christmas cards for military men and women serving overseas that will not make it home for the holidays. The YACHT Club also sponsored a Neumann Fun Night and gave some of the hard-working students a chance to take in the Victoria Park Christmas Lights via the “Neumann Express,” driven by one of the teachers. The night also included adoration in the chapel and a visit to the convent for a cookie decorating competition, a festive holiday wear contest, and Christmas Jeopardy with the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco who serve at the school.
