Wearing a custom-tailored U.S. Navy dress uniform, Joe Landry stood by humbly on the altar of St. Therese Parish, North Fort Myers, as he was recognized for his service to his country and to the parish.
Landry was one of several dozen veterans honored by the faithful before the closing prayer. He received special attention, not only because he is an altar server who spent 23 years in the U.S. Navy but also because he, now at 97, has been a fixture at the parish since its founding in 2003.
Landry served in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman for 23 years (1947-1970), then worked in the medical center of a steel mill in Indiana for 20 years before finally retiring. He and his wife, Grace, moved to North Fort Myers in 1993.
They were excited when St. Therese Mission was established and construction began on a church in 2001. “We watched them clear the land and the walls go up,” Landry explained. “Unfortunately, my Grace didn’t see it finished. She was my life.” Grace passed away in 2002. The couple was married for 52 years.
Landry, who is a proud father of six children, 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way, saw the new mission church as a place to focus his life following his wife’s death.
Since the day the church opened, he volunteered to do just about everything he could, but he is best known as a daily Mass attendee and an altar server. Although others marvel at his commitment to serve, Landry is very humble and does not see his service as anything remarkable, but rather simply something he was called to do.
Even at 97, Landry is usually the first person in the church each morning and the last to leave. When he arrives at the parish, he makes the coffee, just the way he likes it – the Navy way, he said.
Father Jan Antonik, pastor of St. Therese, jokingly said he gave Landry a promotion from his highest Navy rank of chief petty officer, by referring to him as the “Admiral,”
“Because everyone knows and loves Joe. He has been with us since the beginning and without him I would be in trouble,” adding that if he set up a cot in the church, Joe would probably sleep there.
Father Antonik said that Landry has always kept his priorities straight, God, family, the Church, and the country, serving each with an unbridled devotion that is an example to those he encounters.
While serving in the Navy, Landry first served in naval hospitals in the U.S and around the world, including in England, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Morocco.
After 10 years in hospitals, primarily as an X-ray technician, he was attached to serve as a field corpsman with the U.S. Marines. This service sent him to Marine training bases in California, South Carolina and Okinawa, Japan.
He served 12 months in Vietnam, explaining how it was a difficult time for him, but coped with the stress and hardships by simply “caring for my Marines.”
“They came to me for answers and to those Marines, I was the boss,” Landry said with a smile. He explained that the closest he came to death was when a mortar round landed very close to him. He was not wounded, but the explosion caused lasting hearing damage.
Born in 1929, the first of 11 children, Landry grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, home of the Boston Red Sox farm team, affectionately known as the PawSox.
Although he is 97, he gets around fine but admits he uses the altar handrails more than he had in the past. When he is not serving on the altar, he can be found in the pews for daily Mass. Through the years he has sponsored several catechumens who entered the church and is active in many of the parish ministries.
“This is the best church,” Landry said of St. Therese. “This is my family.”
On Veterans Day, Landry again wore his uniform during Mass and then hurried to his neighboring community, Pine Lakes Country Club, to lead its Veterans Day celebration.
The desserts at the Brazil tent were a major attraction for young and old alike, with options such as brigadeiro (chocolate truffle), bolo (a cake), and acai (a dish made with frozen and mashed fruit and cream).
On Oct. 21, 2026, the Sarasota Chapter of Legatus officially chartered at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, marking an exciting milestone just nine months after its kickoff. Legatus is an international organization of Catholic lay executives, CEOs, presidents, managing partners, and founders, who study, live and spread the Catholic faith in business, professional and personal lives. Joined by Legatus Founder Tom Monaghan, Chapter President Dan Altmayer and 20 founding members celebrated the beginning of a new chapter in Legatus’ mission to lead, serve, and carry forward its calling to be ambassadors for Christ. Mass for the gathering was celebrated by Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice.
St. John Neumann Catholic High School staff and students in Naples continued a cherished tradition by welcoming the children from neighboring St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School for some fun Oct. 30. The Seton students (kindergarten through second grade) arrived dressed as saints and angels, marching into St. John Neumann to collect candy, share smiles, and spread cheer across campus. This annual event is a beautiful reminder of the special bond between the schools and the joy that comes from celebrating together.
Father Adams also shared that he spoke with Sister Mary Frances Fortin, abbess of the Poor Clare monastery that was abandoned after the storm, and how she, and the other sisters were praying for everyone on Fort Myers Beach.
The principals of the 15 Diocese of Venice Catholic schools had the opportunity to share their vision for the future with Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., on Oct. 29, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Venice. The gathering opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and included presentations from each principal who shared their immediate and long-term needs for success. This gathering comes as diocesan Catholic schools are thriving with record enrollment at nearly every school, but with that growth comes needs to upgrade existing facilities or expand. The meeting was led by Father John Belmonte, SJ, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy.
The Charitable Community Foundation (formerly known as the Cape Coral Community Foundation), honored Christopher M. Root, CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., with its IMPACT 50 award. The honor recognizes the region’s top 50 most influential nonprofit executives, top boards of directors, and governance leaders.
Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., made a formal visit and tour of St. John Neumann Catholic High School, Naples, Oct. 28, 2026. This is the latest stop on the bishop’s tour of the 15 diocesan Catholic schools. The visit opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass before beginning a tour of the campus. The bishop met with some staff, faculty and select student leaders. He also recorded a podcast, called “Celtic, Christ, Chats,” which is a product of the school’s Faith and Reason Apostolate. The day ended with Bishop Emilio watching students from the school’s four different houses participate in a basketball shooting contest. At the end, house leaders presented the bishop with a gift bag of swag and a commitment to regularly pray for him while he serves as bishop of the Diocese of Venice.
The school boards of the 15 Diocese of Venice Catholics schools participated in their annual joint meeting Oct. 22, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, Fort Myers. Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., addressed the group and praised each for their involvement in an important ministry of the Church, Catholic education. The bishop shared some of his background and noted that during his first visits to several Catholic schools he is learning more about the growth in enrollment and incentives to help expand funding for Catholic education, but admitted he still had much to learn. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Episcopal Vicar for Education, also presented information about the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit which has the potential to be transformative in future funding for Catholic education.
The Knights Gala to benefit St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota, was a huge success as hundreds gathered to support Catholic education Oct. 24, 2026, at MOTE science education aquarium, in Sarasota. Principal Mari Jo Hanson said proceeds for the evening would go toward the construction for increased security on the property including a fence. The evening included silent and live auctions as well as live music.
The 40 Days for Life prayer vigil to end abortion concludes Nov. 1, 2026, after bringing together people of faith from all walks of life who shared a commitment to protecting human life through peaceful prayer and public witness. Rallies took place in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Naples. A closing Jericho Walk will take place at 4 p.m., Nov. 1, in Sarasota at 736 Central Ave.; and a closing rally is scheduled for 6 p.m., Nov. 1, in Fort Myers at 6418 Commerce Park Drive. All are welcome.
The annual Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Rosary Congress, Oct. 2-10, 2026, reached thousands across the region with each parish participating. Many parishes participated for a full 24 hours, while some took part for at least a half-day. Each opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the hourly praying of the Rosary. Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, included a Eucharistic Procession. Many also offered Confession times for the faithful. Begun in 2021, the purpose of the Congress is for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Bishop Emilio Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated Mass for and visited St. Catherine Catholic School, Sebring, Oct. 9, 2026, and at St. Joseph Catholic School, Bradenton, Oct. 21, 2026. In Sebring, Bishop Emilio had brunch with members of the school board and supporters of the school. Principal Stephen Cullipher then gave Bishop Emilio a tour of the two main classroom buildings while sharing how the school has grown since opening in 2008 as the only Catholic school in the Eastern Deanery. In Bradenton, Principal Dr. Tom Noonan directed the bishop on a tour of the school offering a history of the only Catholic school in Manatee County. During both visits, Bishop Emilio was greeted enthusiastically by the students who were fascinated by the brown Capuchin habit he wears.
