During the month of November, the Church remembers in a particular way all those who have died, as She celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints and that of All Souls’ Day.
All Saints’ Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 1, a day on which we honor all the Saints in heaven, both those known and unknown. All Saints’ Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all Catholics are required to attend Mass on that day. This is followed by the Feast of All Souls on Nov. 2. The month of November is also known as the Month of All Souls in the Universal Church.
All Saints’ Day and the Feast of All Souls were the topic of the Oct. 25, 2024, “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” show on Relevant Radio, when Bishop Frank J. Dewane was joined by special guests, Father John Belmonte, SJ, who is the Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, and Jim Gontis, Diocesan Director of Evangelization. The monthly program is available at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts/.
Bishop Dewane shared that All Saints’ Day, together with All Souls’ Day, stems from the belief that the living are linked to those in Heaven. It is vital in Christianity to remember the deceased, especially those who were faithful during their lifetimes.
“During this special remembrance in the Church, we harken back to those men and women who lived particularly good lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Dewane said. “The saints are an important part of Salvation history. This is a time to remember the role the saints play in giving a particular witness to the Lord during their lifetime, particularly as part of their family and society. Christianity has always held up saints in how we should live our lives. Importantly, we need to follow those footsteps and strive to do the same.”
Responding to the oft-heard criticism that Catholics worship the saints, Bishop Dewane said that is not true, but that we ask the saints to intercede on our behalf due to the good lives they led and due to the recognition of their spiritual strength to intercede with the Lord.
The Bishop said he personally prays to his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, as well as to St. Mother Teresa, St. John Paul II, and St. Gregory the Great.
Father Belmonte added that is through the Most Holy Eucharist that we are connected to the saints.
“We remember our beloved dead and the saints at that sacred moment,” Father explained. “We pray for them. They pray for us. So, we are united in that most Sacred moment. We worship God but venerate saints in their own holiness while also asking for the intercession for our own needs. It comes together at the Mass in beautiful ways.”
It is during the Mass, that the Church recognizes all the Apostles, and the great saints of the Church, which is the Church truly praying together united with heaven, Father Belmonte added. “That emphasizes the importance of worship and prayer but is veneration, not worshiping the saints.”
Gontis said that in official Church documents the saints are defined as intercessors and models. “They are models to show us how to live and they are powerful prayers for us – God’s Hall of Famers,” Gontis said. “We worship God alone.”
Speaking on the Commemoration of All Souls, Gontis said on this day, the Church remembers and prays for the souls of the faithful departed, especially for those still undergoing purification in purgatory as they await their heavenly rewards.
Purgatory, which is a concept with strong Biblical backing, is mistakenly believed to be a middle ground between heaven and hell, Gontis said.
“It is a vestibule to heaven – the front porch to the mansion,” Gontis continued. “Their salvation is guaranteed. They died sanctified, in a state of holiness, but they still need to be cleansed to be perfectly purified. They wouldn’t even feel right going into heaven until that is taken care of. It is a teaching and reality of both God’s justice and mercy. Our prayers can help them to get to heaven sooner. They can pray for us but they can’t pray for themselves.”
Bishop Dewane said we pray for the souls of those who have died before us – those who have fallen asleep in the Lord – at every Mass.
“Mass is an important time when we celebrate and honor the Communion of Saints,” the Bishop said. “Saints serve the Lord by praying for people. We can pray for people in purgatory so they can advance to a life with the Lord. Some don’t like that because we have to think about dying, but it is addressed in every Mass. Death is part of life.”
Joining in the conversation, Father Belmonte spoke about a devotion of St. Gertrude the Great, a medieval saint and Benedictine abbess. It is said that if anyone learned and recited her simple prayer, a thousand souls would be saved from purgatory.
The “Prayer of St. Gertrude: Releasing Souls from Purgatory” is presented below:
Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.
Father shared that he once had a student who recited the prayer more than a thousand times, keeping tracked each time he said the prayer in a notebook. “It was through this young man that a million souls were saved.”
During November, it is encouraged to have a Mass offered for the intention of the soul of someone who has died. In addition, an indulgence is granted to the faithful who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the dead. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls in purgatory. This indulgence is a plenary one from Nov. 1 through Nov. 8 and can be gained on each one of these days.
In addition to focusing on promoting a Catholic Culture in each classroom, Father Belmonte asked the educators to focus on the Gift of Christ: Courage. This is the strength given to each educator by the Lord to live out the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Venice, that is to introduce the Lord and Savior to the world.
After 43 years as a priest, Father Heuberger is retiring effective June 30, 2024, shortly after reaching his 70th birthday. In that time, Father served at 11 Parishes ranging from Fort Myers and Cape Coral to St. Petersburg, on the faculty at three Catholic high schools, two terms on the faculty of the regional seminary, and appointments on numerous seminary and Diocesan advisory boards.
The poignant and emotional rite places Father Dougherty in a new role as he is raised to the Order of the Presbyterate where he will now celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, confer the Sacraments and teach the Gospel. The ordination fell on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, chosen by Father Dougherty because has a strong devotion to Our Lady. The location was changed to Our Lady of Lourdes due to the ongoing reconstruction of Epiphany Cathedral.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane congratulated each jubilarian for their years of service to Christ and Holy Mother Church. A reception was held in the Parish Hall following the Mass.
Father Richard Bondi graduated from Boston College in 1970 with a degree in philosophy and theology, then from Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a degree is sacred scripture. On May 11, 1974, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Springfield (Massachusetts) where he served as both Parochial Vicar and Pastor in various Parishes. Further assignments, in addition to Parish ministry, members of the Diocesan Priest Senate, head of the Renew Program, as well as assisting at six different university and colleges within the Diocese. Father Bondi served as Chair of the Diocesan Building Commission and further advanced his studies, receiving a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Psychology and Clinical Studies from Weston Jesuit School of Theology. In 2009, Father purchased a home in Ave Maria and since 2022 he retired to the Diocese of Venice, assisting at Ave Maria Parish and Ave Maria University. Born the second of twin sons, Father Bondi was born in 1948 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Father Brian Manning was Ordained to the Priesthood in Boston, Massechusetts, on May 18, 1974. Father Manning obtained degrees from St. John Seminary College in Boston. Upon his ordination, Father served as Parochial Vicar at several Parishes in the Boston area. As Pastor, Father Manning served at Parishes in Somerville, Scituate, and Franklin, before retiring in 2023 to Naples. Father currently assists at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples. Father Manning was born in 1948, the fourth of six children.
Prior to ordination, Msgr. Mark Svarczkopf studied at the Latin School of Indianapolis High School Seminary, St. Meinard Seminary College and then at Pontifical North American College in Rome. Ordained to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on June 8, 1974, Msgr. began his priestly ministry in various capacities including Associate Pastor, Administrator, Pastor, Chaplain of Scouts, Dean of the Indianapolis Northern Deanery, and Priest Moderator. He was also named Prelate of Honor, Director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education, U.S. Bishop’s Seminary, North American College in Rome, and Vice-Rector for Administration of the North American College. Msgr. Svarczkopf retired in 2019 and for the Diocese of Venice currently assists in the Eastern Deanery, including at St. Michael in Wauchula, St. Catherine in Sebring, St. James in Lake Placid, and Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park. Born in 1948, Msgr. has two brothers.
Father Victor Caviedes, a native of Lima, Peru, earned degrees from the University of Martin de Porres in Peru, and Autonomous University in Madrid, Spain. While in Madrid, he met Father Celestino Gutierrez who arranged for him to come to the United States in 1997. He studied as St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. Bishop John J. Nevins ordained Father Victor as a Diocesan priest at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on Oct. 22, 1999. For the Diocese of Venice, Father has served at numerous Parishes as a Parochial Vicar, including Our Lady Queen of Heaven in LaBelle, Jesus the Worker in Fort Myers, and St. James in Lake Placid, dedicating himself to pastoral work with poor families and immigrants. Father’s current assignment is as Parochial Vicar at St. Jude Parish in Sarasota. He was born in Peru in 1953.
Father Anthony Hewitt was Ordained to the Priesthood at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on Oct. 22, 1999. He studied at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and at St. Vincent de Paul Regional seminary in Boynton Beach, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C., prior to his ordination. For the Diocese of Venice, Father Hewitt has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, St. Jude Parish in Sarasota, and Pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. Father currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Boca Grande. In addition to his Parish duties, Father also serves as a Defender of the Bond in the Diocesan Tribunal Office. Father was born in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1971 and has three younger sisters.
Upon completing his studies at Cap-Haitien College Notre-Dame and the Grand Seminary Notre Dame of the Holy Cross in Haiti, Father Anthonio Jean was Ordained to the Priesthood on Oct. 22, 1999, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. Father has served as Parochial Vicar at numerous Parishes within the Diocese of Venice, including St. Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte, St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers, San Pedro in North Port, Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles in Bradenton, and St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral. Father Jean also served as Administrator of St. James Parish in Lake Placid. His most recent assignment is as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Bradenton. He also served on the Presbyteral Council as a representative of the Eastern Deanery. Father Jean was born in Carice, Haiti in 1966, and has eight siblings.
Having received degrees from Arul Anandar College, and St. Paul’s Seminary, all in India, Father Jayabalan (Jay) Raju was Ordained to the Priesthood on Aprill 11, 1999. His assignments as a priest included Parishes in India as well as Director of Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society (Diocesan Catholic Charities), and Deputy Director of the Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (Regional Catholic Charities), also in India. For the Diocese of Venice, Father Raju has served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City, St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers, and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. Father’s current assignment is as Administrator of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. Father Raju was born in 1971 and is the middle of three children.
Deacon Michael Leahy obtained his education at the University of Dayton in Ohio, the University of Toledo in Ohio and Sacred Heart Seminary, Shelby, Ohio. On June 1, 1974, Deacon Michael was Ordained as a Permanent Deacon at Rosary Cathedral in Toledo. Since his Ordination, Deacon Leahy has served in nine different Dioceses in seven different states. Highlights from his career includes serving in jails, as well as state and federal prisons; being a Fire Department Chaplain in Ohio and Florida; leading a Deacon Training Course in New Hampshire and the Diocese of Charlotte; and serving in rest homes and hospitals in several different Dioceses. Deacon Leahy was born in 1939 in Tiffin, Ohio. He has been married to his wife, Judy, for 62 years. Together they have eight children, 31 grandchildren and 17 great-children.
Deacon Edward Gwiazda was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 8, 1999, in Trenton, New Jersey. He completed his studies at Monmouth University, West Longbranch, New Jersey. Deacon Edward served at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, New Jersey, and currently serves at St. Raphael Parish, Lehigh Acres. For his career, Deacon Gwiazda was a software engineer. Deacon Edward was born in 1948 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He is married to Kathleen, and they have one child and two grandchildren.
On June 6, 1999, Deacon William Hickey was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His post graduate education was completed at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Deacon Hickey served in Philadelphia as Assistant to the Associate Vicar for Clergy – Permanent Deacons, and as Associate to the Director in the Archdiocese for Permanent Deacons as well as at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in West Chester. For the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Hickey serves at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch. He was born in Philadelphia in 1962, and is married to Melissa (Carragher) Hickey. They have six children and eight grandchildren. His current profession is as an Instructional design consultant.
Following his Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on June 5, 1999, in Philadelphia, Penn. Deacon Alfred Mauriello served at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish and continues to serve at Ss. Simon and Jude Parish, both in Philadelphia. Since 2022, he assists in the winter months at St. Finbarr Parish in Naples for the Diocese of Venice. Deacon Alfred was born in Philadelphia in 1943, and attended St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. On June 1, 2023, Deacon Mauriello retired as a head and neck surgeon. Since his retirement, he still volunteers his time. Deacon Alfred is married to Susan (Patterson) and they have three children.
