Holy Week is days away, but it is not too late to ponder how well prepared we are for the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church is found a number of precepts for living the faith in preparation for the Easter Season. The first precept (Catechism 2042) requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers throughout the Easter Season. “The second precept is “You shall confess your sins at least once a year.” While the third precept states, “You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter Season.”
To help facilitate this requirement, the Diocese of Venice will have the Sacrament of Reconciliation available at the same time at ALL Parishes to allow the faithful ample opportunity to receive God’s Mercy. To make this opportunity as convenient as possible, and following consultation with the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, Bishop Frank J. Dewane has designated the following days and times for Confession at each Parish: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, April 11, 2025, and from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12.
Bishop Dewane recently spoke during Mass at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota and told the students that the Gospel message about the prodigal son, who returns home and asks his father for forgiveness, is an example to follow.
“Let us be aware of the fact that we too, at times, fail,” Bishop Dewane said. “Our Father in Heaven knows this and wants us to seek His forgiveness. In this Lenten Season, no matter how long it has been, we need make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is what the Lord asks of us. We must do this.”
Throughout the Lenten Season, Parishes have offered extended hours for the Sacrament, in addition to offering Penance Services, where multiple priests from the region were made available to hear confessions.
Pope Francis often speaks about the healing benefits of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, explaining that he goes about once every two weeks.
“In Confession, let’s give God first place,” the Holy Father said. “Once He is in charge, everything becomes beautiful and confession becomes the Sacrament of joy, not of fear and judgement, but of joy.”
Pope Francis noted how “the Lord comes to us when we step back from our presumptuous ego… He can bridge the distance whenever, with honesty and sincerity, we bring our weaknesses before him,” Pope Francis said. “He holds out his hand and lifts us up whenever we realize we are ‘hitting rock bottom’ and we turn back to him with a sincere heart. That is how God is. He is waiting for us, deep down, for in Jesus he chose to ‘descend to the depths.’”
The Pope also emphasized that God waits for us, especially in the Sacrament of Penance, where he said the Lord touches our wounds, heals our hearts, and leaves us with inner peace.
As the Catechism teaches, the priest is acting in Persona Christi, that is in the person of Christ, within the confessional. So, like presenting oneself at the altar to be nourished by Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, a person going to confession is not ultimately confessing to a priest, but confessing to and receiving forgiveness from Jesus Christ.
The televised Mass for the Homebound on Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025), and Easter Sunday (April 20 and celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane), will air for a full hour on both Sundays. Because of the length, the time of the broadcast on these two Sunday will air at a special time. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Masses will air at 12 p.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Masses will air at 10:30 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings.
The 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign (from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025) aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. In the Diocese of Venice, 40 Days for Life campaigns are held in three locations: Sarasota – Daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., 736 Central Ave., or visit 
Totus Tuus is an exciting Catholic Parish Catechetical Camp for students in grades 1 – 12. The weeklong day camp held at Parishes in the Diocese of Venice is led by trained, paid missionaries. Missionary applications for the summer 2025 camp are now being accepted from anyone, age 18 or older, with an authentic, dynamic Catholic faith who is actively living the teachings of the Catholic Church. One year of college/work is preferred, but mature recent high school graduates will be considered. This is a great summer experience for anyone who wants to work in ministry, education, or with children in other settings. Visit 
As each catechumen and candidate progresses in their spiritual journey – hearing readings or homilies and participating in religious instruction – they are exposed to what the Lord is saying from a new perspective, something that Bishop Dewane said is a key to growing as men and women of God.
The Catholic Charities Venetian Charity Ball is 6 p.m., March 22, 2025, at St. Leo the Great Parish Hall, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. This event supports the programs in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties, and the communities still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Tickets are $250. Register online at 
The Catholic Charities Emerald Ball is 5:30 p.m., March 26, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” inspired by Pope Francis in honor of the Jubilee Year, reflects Catholic Charities’ commitment to providing help and hope to all individuals, regardless of race, nationality, or religion. Tickets are $400. Register online at 
The third Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Conference will take place Saturday, March 29, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The theme for the day-long event is inspired by the Jubilee Year 2025 while also building upon the three-year National Eucharistic Revival. The theme for the Conference is “Becoming Eucharistic Missionaries,” and it offers an opportunity to celebrate the Catholic faith with others. The Diocesan Eucharistic Conference will feature Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane. There will also be dynamic presentations by nationally renowned Catholic speakers, with the keynote given by Dr. Scott Hahn, a theologian and Catholic apologist, who has written numerous books. There will be breakout sessions in Spanish. In addition, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the opportunity for Confession, as well as Catholic vendors and exhibitors. The cost to attend is $35. per person and includes lunch. To learn more and register, visit 
