Below, please find the 2022 Holy Week Mass times for the Parishes and Missions of the Diocese of Venice, including the address and phone number. The list is in order of the cities where the Parish/Mission is located. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish/Mission directly.
ARCADIA
St. Paul, 1330 E. Oak St.; 863-494-2611; https://www.stpaularcadia.org/
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)
EASTER – 9 a.m., noon (Spanish)
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; www.ologap.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 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 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; www.miraculousmedalch.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 6 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
BONITA SPRINGS
St. Leo the Great; 28290 Beaumont Road; 239-992-0901; www.stleocatholicchurch.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Spanish – new Auditorium)
EASTER – 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (Polish), 5 p.m. (Spanish)
BOWLING GREEN
Holy Child Mission; 4315 Chester Ave.; 863-773-4089; http://michaelwauchula.weconnect.com/
EASTER – 7 p.m. (Spanish)
BRADENTON
Sacred Heart; 1220 15th St. W.; 941-748-2221; www.sacredheartbradenton.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)
EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. (Spanish), 4 p.m. (Creole)
Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles; 2850 75th St. W.; 941-795-1228; www.sspeterandpaul.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.;
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9:30 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; www.standrewrcc.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 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 (Spanish)
St. Katharine Drexel; 1922 S.W. 20th Ave.; 239-283-9501; www.drexelcc.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 7 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
CLEWISTON
Santa Rosa de Lima; 835 N. Mayoral St.; 863-983-8585
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m. (Spanish); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m. (Spanish)
EASTER – 8 a.m. (Spanish)
St. Margaret; 208 N. Deane Duff Ave.; 863-983-8585
HOLY THURSDAY – 8 p.m. (bilingual); GOOD FRIDAY – 2:30 p.m., 5 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; www.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; www.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; www.ourladyoflight.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 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; www.resurrectionch.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 6:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 12:15 p.m. (Latin)
San Jose; 10750 Gladiolous Drive; 239-481-1143; www.jesustheworker.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Spanish); GOOD FRIDAY – 5 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
EASTER – noon (Spanish)
St. Cecilia; 5632 Sunrise Drive; 239-936-3635; www.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; www.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., 9:15 a.m. (Iona Hall), 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier; 2157 Cleveland Ave.; 239-334-2161; www.stfrancisfm.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., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Polish), 4 p.m. (Creole)
St. John XXIII; 13060 Palomino Lane; 239-561-2245; www.johnxxiii.net
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 8 p.m. (Vietnamese); EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (Spanish), 4 p.m. (Vietnamese)
St. Vincent de Paul; 13031 Palm Beach Blvd.; 239-693-0818; www.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;
HOLY THURSDAY – 5:30 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 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; www.sfoachurch.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 6:30 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.
HOLMES BEACH
St. Bernard; 248 S. Harbor Drive; 941-778-4769; www.stbernardcc.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 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 – 4 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m. (Creole), 7 p.m. (English); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (English, Spanish, Creole)
EASTER – 7:30 a.m. (Spanish), 9 a.m. (English), 10:15 a.m. (Creole), 12:15 p.m. (Spanish), 7 p.m. (Spanish)
LA BELLE
Holy Martyrs; 4290 Crescent Ave. S.W.; 863-675-0030; www.olqh.weconnect.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 4 p.m.
Our Lady Queen of Heaven; 355 S. Bridge St.; 863-675-0030; www.olqh.weconnect.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Spanish), noon (Spanish)
LAKE PLACID
St. James; 3380 Placid View Drive; 863-465-3215; www.stjameschurchlp.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
Mision Santiago Apostol; 685 County Road 621 E.; 863-385-0049; www.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; www.olangelscc.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m.
LEHIGH ACRES
St. Raphael; 2514 Lee Blvd.; 239-369-1831; www.saintraphaelcc.net/
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Spanish), 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 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 7:45 p.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
MARCO ISLAND
San Marco; 851 San Marco Road; 239-394-5181; www.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. (The Charter School), 10:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., (The Charter 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 – 5:15 p.m. (Latin); GOOD FRIDAY – 5:15 p.m. (Latin); EASTER VIGIL – 7:30 p.m. (Latin)
EASTER – 7:15 a.m., (Latin), 8:45 a.m. (Latin)
St. Agnes; 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-592-1949; www.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; www.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. (Jubilee Center), 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m. (Jubilee Center)
St. Elizabeth Seton; 5225 Golden Gate Parkway; 239-455-3900; www.stelizabethseton.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (Bilingual); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)
St. Finbarr; 13520 Tamiami Trail E.; 239-417-2084; www.stfinbarr.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6 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; www.saintjohntheevangelist.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
St. Peter the Apostle; 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road; 239-774-3337; www.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), 3:45 p.m. (Creole), 7 p.m. (Spanish)
St. William; 601 Seagate Drive; 239-261-4883; www.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; www.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; www.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; www.olmc-osprey.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon
PALMETTO
Holy Cross; 505 26th St.; 941-729-3891; www.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 – 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)
PARRISH
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; 12001 69th St. E.; 941-776-9097; www.sfxcparrish.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 2 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 8 a.m.,10:15 a.m.
PORT CHARLOTTE
San Antonio; 24445 Rampart Blvd.; 941-624-3799; www.sanantoniorcc.org/
HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 9 a.m., 11 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 – 8:15 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; www.stmaxcatholic.org/
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m. (bilingual); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)
EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
PUNTA GORDA
Sacred Heart; 211 W. Charlotte Ave.; 941-639-3957; www.sacredheartfl.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 7 a.m. (Ponce de Leon Park), 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
SANIBEL
St. Isabel; 3559 Sanibel Captiva Road; 239-472-2763; www.saintisabel.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.
SARASOTA
Christ the King; 1900 Meadowood St.; 941-924-2777; www.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), 12:30 p.m. (Latin)
Incarnation; 2929 Bee Ridge Road; 941-921-6631; www.incarnationchurch.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Polish)
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; www.olqm.net
HOLY THURSDAY – 6 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8 p.m.
EASTER – 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m.
St. Jude; 3930 17th St.; 941-955-3934; www.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., noon (Spanish), 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)
St. Martha; 200 N. Orange Ave.; 941-366-4210; www.stmartha.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 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., 11 p.m.
EASTER – 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. (Spanish), 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, noon (Vietnamese), 5:30 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel; 5394 Midnight Pass Road; 941-349-4174; www.stmichaelssiesta.com
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., 10:30 a.m., noon
St. Patrick; 7900 Bee Ridge Road; 941-378-1703; www.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.
St. Thomas More; 2506 Gulf Gate Drive; 941-923-1691; www.stthomasmoresrq.org
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m.; GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m.; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:15 a.m., noon, 12:10 p.m.
SEBRING
St. Catherine Parish; 882 Bay St.; 863-385-0049; www.stcathe.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 7 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish – Youth Center); GOOD FRIDAY – 3 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish – Youth Center); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Spanish – Youth Center)
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., 9:10 a.m. (Parish Center), 11 a.m., 11:10 a.m. (Parish Center), 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; EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m.
EASTER – 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:15 a.m., noon
WAUCHULA
St. Michael; 408 Heard Bridge Road; 863-773-4089; www.michaelwauchula.weconnect.com
HOLY THURSDAY – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish); GOOD FRIDAY – 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Spanish); EASTER VIGIL – 8:30 p.m. (bilingual)
EASTER – 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. (Spanish), 3 p.m. (Creole)
Celebrated on March 25, 2022, the Solemnity marks the Angel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and his announcement that the Blessed Virgin has been chosen to be the Mother of Our Lord, and Mary’s willing acceptance of God’s Holy Plan.
Following the Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith, an Investiture Ceremony took place wherein Middendorf was bestowed with the Seal of the Office of the President of Ave Maria University by Board of Trustees Chairman Patrick Rainey. Prior to this, Father David Vidal, Pastor of Ave Maria Parish, and others representing the students, faculty, alumni and Board of Trustees, spoke highly of the appointment of Middendorf as the new President of the University.
Participants come to the Diocesan Listening Sessions focused and ready to share where they believe the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church today. The latest Listening Sessions took place in Naples on March 24, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and March 28 at St. John the Evangelist Parish. Discussions were both positive and passionate.
Bishop Dewane has stressed during each Session how important it is to respond to the Synod, and the questions posed, in the context of what the Holy Spirit is asking of us, and can only be accomplished with an open heart, mind and soul. Bishop Dewane encouraged the faithful in attendance to share their dreams for the Church, and when the floor was open for a free discussion, many shared their hopes and dreams for the Universal Church.
Both saints are celebrated in particular ways in mid-March, with the Feast Day of St. Patrick celebrated on March 17 and the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19. During that week, Parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Venice held a variety of celebrations in honor of each saint.
A St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples featured participation from each Catholic School in Collier County. Other schools in the Diocese held Leprechaun Days and other fun events to honor the Irish saint who is credited with converting Ireland to Christianity.
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice hosted a Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph which was celebrated in Italian and included the active involvement of the Italian-American Club of Venice. Following the March 18, 2022 Mass, the statue of St. Joseph was carried to the Parish Hall in a procession led by the Knights of Columbus. There, Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Cathedral Rector, blessed the traditional St. Joseph’s table of bread and sweets, which was later distributed.
St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers got into the spirit of both Feast Days, first with a St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance and then an Italia Festa two days later. While the favored colors representing the two saints differed (green for St. Patrick and red and white for St. Joseph), both gatherings involved lots of tasty food, ethnic music and fun.
Father Murphy most notably served as Pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral for 21 years and later founded St. Andrew Catholic School.
Within the Diocese of Venice, Father Murphy was a longtime member of the school board for Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, a member of the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Treasurer, and then Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Central Deanery (1995-1997) prior to his retirement. In 1984, when St. Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Venice in Florida, Father Murphy was a member of an 11-priest committee which oversaw the various activities related to this important occasion. Events supervised included the elevation of Epiphany Church to a Cathedral, as well as the installation of Bishop John J. Nevins as the first Bishop of the new Diocese.
Members of the St. Michael Parish Council of Catholic Woman and Faith Formation Group from Wauchula traveled March 15, 2022, to Sarasota to pray to end abortion at the Planned Parenthood facility as part of the 40 Days for Life spring prayer campaign. The group was present 
Heinz Wartski, a 93 year old Holocaust survivor and Korean War veteran, shared his story with Bishop Verot Catholic High School students on March 15, 2022, in Fort Myers. Heinz Wartski grew up in Danzig with his parents and two siblings. In 1939, Heinz and his family escaped to Italy and later joined the partisan resistance in the Appenine Mountains. He stated: “We were a minority in every nation in which we lived, and we were therefore easy targets for any government in need of scapegoats.” His family survived until liberation in 1945. Heinz and his family immigrated to the United States in 1949. He married Hella Wartski, a fellow Holocaust survivor, and had two children. He currently resides in Naples, and volunteers with the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida.
Thank you to Katy Wallis, professor at State College of Florida, for leading fifth-grade students from St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton through an interactive lesson on the digestive system on March 18, 2022. Students used plastic bags filled with various items to get a “feel” for how the digestive system, including the stomach, works.
The St. John Neumann Catholic High School Celtic Boys Basketball Team in Naples finished the season with a team GPA of 3.74 which is #1 in the Florida High School Athletic Association 2A classification and the #3 team GPA in the entire state. Well done!
The faithful taking part in the Diocesan Listening Sessions come prepared to answer the fundamental concept of what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today. The latest Listening Sessions took place March 14, 2022, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers and March 16 at Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda. The feedback continues to be both positive and passionate.
Bishop Dewane has stressed during each Session how important it is to respond to the Synod, and the questions posed, in the context of what the Holy Spirit is asking of us, and can only be accomplished with an open heart, mind and soul.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass on March 12, 2022, 15 years to the day the Bishop erected St. Agnes as a Parish, which had been a Mission of St. John the Evangelist Parish from 1999 to 2007.
Bishop Dewane spoke about how it is appropriate to celebrate milestones in the life of a Parish, pausing to look back at what has been accomplished and to look forward to where the Parish is going, particularly, one that continues to grow. The Bishop reflected how the Parish was able to overcome considerable debt in its early years thanks to the generosity of the faithful who had confidence in the vision of Father Kantor and his advisors.
The 156 catechumens (individuals who are not yet baptized) were joined by an additional 247 candidates (already-baptized Christians preparing for confirmation and First Eucharist), who also participated in the formal ceremony and are recognized during the celebration for answering the call to their continuing conversion. The Cathedral was nearly at capacity as many family members were also present to show their support.
The catechumens and candidates, who were recognized by Bishop Dewane, are on a continuing journey that will culminate when they come into full communion with the Catholic Church at the April 16 Easter Vigil Mass in their respective Parishes.
Bishop Dewane said this process should be a conversion of the heart, as each catechumen and candidate must prevent outside influences, such as things, people or objects, standing in their way of developing their relationship with the Lord.
Each catechumen will go through a series of scrutinies during which they examine their readiness to accept Christ and the Catholic Faith in the form of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation). This time culminates at the Easter Vigil when the catechumens are received through Baptism into the Catholic Church. The final period of the RCIA is the time of “Mystagogy” (post-baptismal catechesis). During the weeks following the Easter Vigil, the newly initiated live more profoundly their experience of Baptism and the Eucharist as they begin the journey of discipleship and their growing union with Christ.
For candidates, those who have been correctly baptized with a Trinitarian formula, the Catholic Church does not require re-Baptism. Candidates have already experienced a journey of faith and have an understanding of how Jesus leads us to the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, many have been attending Mass with their families for years but may have never received the Sacrament of Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Host, Father Francis “Rocky” Hoffman, had two special guests, Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis – St. Paul, In addition, a group of more than 60 parishioners were present for the live broadcast which was recorded in the Parish church.
“There is a strong spirituality in both of those countries, and it is particularly painful to see what has happened and developed and wonder where they have put the place for Christ in their lives,” Bishop Dewane stated. “In the northern part of the Diocese there are large numbers of Ukrainians, and they have a strong spirituality.”
When asked for his special prayer intentions during the Family Rosary Across America, Bishop Dewane said: “I think we all need to pray for peace in our world, particularly with Ukraine in mind. To ask Our Lady’s intercession for people who have deep roots in spirituality, in the recognition in Our Lady, that they can come together and that the Holy Spirit will inspire the respective leaders to worry not so much about their egos but to worry about their people who are in such desperate need. Also, here in the Diocese of Venice, for our young people… that the Lord continue to inspire them in a desire for faith and a living of their faith throughout their lives.”
