Tag: priests

Diocese commemorates 25 years since 9/11 terror attacks

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Although it has been 25 years since the United States was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, raw emotions still come to the surface for those who remember that dark day.

Johnny Schroeder, a retired New York firefighter who was on Engine 10, the first company to arrive at the World Trade Center after a jet airliner struck the north tower, spoke during a Sarasota Ministerial Association 9/11 commemoration at Sarasota National Cemetery.

Schroeder said he shouldn’t be alive, recounting moments of that terrible day in which he barely escaped the collapse of both towers, the horrific loss of countless friends, and how he suffers the lingering health struggles from inhaling toxic dust while working at Ground Zero. “I’m here to say thank you all for showing up and being here,” Schroeder said. “To all who survived that day, 25 years later we’re still rocking it.”

The commemoration included talks by various first responders and 9/11 survivors about the necessity to continue to mark Sept. 11, so that people can remember that day and its impact on America, to honor the fallen and to thank the first responders, and members of the military and veterans. The event was made possible in partnership with the Diocese of Venice and Sarasota County Emergency Services.

Father Jacob Gwynn, U.S. Navy Reserve, of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples, offered the opening invocation. Father Jiobani Batista and Deacon Humberto Alvia, of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, offered the prayer of condolences in English and Spanish. Other priests and deacons from St. Martha and Incarnation parishes in Sarasota also participated. Students from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Sarasota, volunteered and handed out programs and water.

The commemoration included the colors presented by a combined fire, police and sheriff’s office honor guard, a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, patriotic music, and a flyover by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. The remembrance concluded with a 21-gun salute by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and the playing of “Taps.”

Several Diocesan parishes celebrated commemorative Masses, including at St. Thomas More, Sarasota, St. John XXIII, Fort Myers, as well as at St. Peter the Apostles, St. Agnes, and St. John the Evangelist, each in Naples.

A Blue Mass to honor first responders took place Sept. 13, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Rector of Epiphany Cathedral. Msgr. Dubois acknowledged and was in awe of the selfless acts of bravery by all first responders, from those who entered the Twin Towers on 9/11 to those who work in the local community each day.

The Mass included the Sarasota County Fire Department Honor Guard, uniformed firefighters, Venice police officers, North Port police officers, Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies, K-9 search and rescue teams, among others. In addition, the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, the Knights on Bikes and many members of the Knights Council 9924 took part in the opening procession. The service concluded with the reading of the names of several retired first responders who died in the past year.

Diocesan Catholic schools also commemorated the 9/11 attacks, where the lessons were about remembering and educating a new generation about the impacts of 9/11 on the nation and the world, particularly because none of the students were born when the attacks occurred.

Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers gathered to remember those lives, to hear the personal stories of those who experienced that day, and to pray together as one school. In addition, 2,977 American flags were placed across the front of the campus – one for each life lost on September 11, 2001. Prior to the evening home football game, there was a tribute to first responders, the military and veterans.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement, which said in part: “As conflicts intensify around the world, let us renew our commitment to be Christ’s instruments of peace in an increasingly fractured and divided world.” To read the full statement, please visit Marking September 11 Anniversary, Archbishop Coakley Offers Prayers and Encourages Continued Commitment to be Instruments of Peace | USCCB.

All other schools held prayer services to mark the day.

News Briefs for September 18, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Young adult retreat held in Venice

A group of 40 young adults gathered for a DISCERN retreat Sept. 13, 2026, at Our lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice. Guided by Mother Maria Nikopoia, Servant Sister of the Virgin of Matara, participants reflected on practical aspects of discernment, not only for those considering religious life, but as an essential practice for every Catholic. Mother Nikopoia spoke about the importance of aligning one’s will with God’s will and she shared practical steps, inspired by Ignatian spirituality, to help the young adults make prayerful and faith-filled decisions.

 

Grandparents celebrated in Bradenton

St. Joseph Catholic School, Bradenton, hosted a special Grandparents Day Event, Sept. 9, 2026. There was a wonderful turnout, and the Parent Teachers Organization (PTO), volunteers, teachers, and support staff did a fantastic job coordinating activities. Paul Mahoney led a group of middle school students as they performed songs for attendees, and Robin Harris coordinated the beautiful artwork. Natalia George, of My Golden Years Help, sponsored the event. The special day was made possible thanks to many people, including volunteer grandparents from the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Council, and the Women of St. Joseph.

A beautiful morning for moms!

The annual St. John Neumann Catholic High School Mother’s Brunch was Sept. 12, 2026, in Naples. The brunch was a wonderful morning of faith, friendship, and fellowship! Guest speaker Lori Crawford, of Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, shared an inspiring message on “Listen Through Love. Serve with Purpose,” the theme for the school year. Also present were alumni Madison Waligora ’22 and Reese Klaas ’21, who hosted a special Kendra Scott pop-up shop. Delicious food, wonderful company, and a beautiful celebration of Neumann moms!

Couples prepare for marriage

A Diocese of Venice Marriage Preparation Day of Reflection took place Sept. 12, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples. The day was a formational, enjoyable retreat for 52 couples who will soon be entering into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony from around the diocese. The retreat leaders were Jim and Eva Gontis. Other presenters included Nick Vicinanzo, of the Couple to Couple League, Margaret Sadasivan, of the St. Gianna Center in St. Petersburg, and Wayne and Sue Hamilton of St. John the Evangelist. The day included interactive discussions, presentations on Natural Family Planning, a review of the basic theology of sacramental marriage, as well as the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The next retreat is Nov. 7 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice. For a complete list of marriage preparation retreats, please visit. https://dioceseofvenice.org/sacraments/marriage/marriageprep/.

Faith & Ale Naples meets Sept. 23

Faith & Ale Naples, a Catholic men’s apostolate returns to Naples, with its first gathering of the season, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 23, 2026, St. Agnes Parish Center Hall, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road. The featured speaker will be Father Casey Jones, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Naples. A $10 requested donation can be paid online or at the door by visiting https://faithandale.come/events/welcome.

St. Jude 20th anniversary

At 6 p.m., Sept. 26, 2026, all are invited to an evening of gratitude at St. Jude Catholic Church, Sarasota, to commemorate 20 years of faith, community and service. The evening will take place at Palm Aire Country Club, 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota. There will be dinner, live music and dancing. Contact Peg at fortep@msn.com.

Mass of Remembrance for Hurricane Ian, Sept. 28

Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., will be celebrating a Mass of Remembrance at 9 a.m., Sept. 28, 2026, on the grounds of the Church of the Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. The Mass will be celebrated on the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ian, which devastated the island community. All are welcome.

Formation Program in Spanish

The next session of the Hispanic Apostolate’s Formation Program celebrates St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, and the topic of study will be “Introduction to the Devout Life.” There will be seven classes held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays (Thursdays during Lent) through Feb. 18, 2027. The cost for all classes is $35 and includes the book. Students who register and attend a minimum of six classes at one of the participating parishes or online using our APP (www.pastoralhispanavenice.com) will qualify to receive a diocesan certification. Visit https://pastoralhispanavenice.com/.

Programa de Formación en español

La próxima sesión del Programa de Formación a cargo del Apostolado Hispano comenzará el 25 de setiembre del 2026. Estamos celebrando el Año del Jubilar de San Francisco de Assisi, fundador de la Orden Franciscana. Nuestro tema de estudio será “Introducción a la vida devota.” Habrá un total de siete clases que se darán los viernes por la noche de 7:00 pm a 9:00 pm. (jueves durante la Cuaresma) concluyendo el 18 de febrero del 2027. El costo por todas las clases es de $35 que incluye el libro. Los estudiantes que se inscriban y atiendan un mínimo de 6 clases ya sea en una de las parroquias participantes o vía online usando nuestro APP (www.pastoralhispanavenice.com) calificarán para recibir una Certificación Diocesana. Para obtener el Poster con más información así como un calendario de las clases https://pastoralhispanavenice.com/.

Thank our priests

Priesthood Sunday (Sept. 27, 2026) is set aside to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church. The Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women offer an opportunity to all to honor priests and support future priests. Simply send a donation of any amount, along with the name of your priest, and the VDCCW will send a note to your priest letting him know he has been honored by you, and that a donation (undisclosed amount) has been made to the Diocesan Seminarian Fund to support future priests, in his name. Send your donation today to Cornelia Zanetti, Seminarian Fund Guardian, 5808 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, FL 34217. Make checks payable to the VDCCW Seminarian Fund.

13th annual St. Agnes 5K Walk/Run for Life Oct. 3

St. Agnes Parish, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, is hosting the 13th annual St. Agnes 5K Walk/Run for Life, Oct. 23, 2026. The event is aimed at promoting a respect life message and raising funds for pro-life causes while encouraging healthy living. Early bird registration is $25 for adults, or $30 the day of the race, and $10 for children under 12. Register at www.stagnesnaples.org and use the Run for Life link. Only those registered by midnight Sept. 23, will be guaranteed a race shirt. Registration opens at 6 a.m., the day of the race, with the race beginning at 7:15 a.m. Contact the parish office at 239-592-1949 or email jeff@stagnesnaples.org.

Rosary Congress coming in October

The Diocese of Venice annual Eucharistic Rosary Congress will take place in area parishes Oct. 3-9, 2026. This year’s theme is “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The Eucharistic Rosary Congress will unfold differently at each local parish but usually will begin with the celebration of daily Mass and end with Mass at the same time the next day. During the 24 hours between the two Masses, perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is usually offered, with the five decades of the Rosary being prayed every hour. Many parishes will also have the Sacrament of Penance available at some point during the 24 hours. The abundance of prayer offered through this diocesan-wide effort will undoubtedly draw from the Lord many graces upon our families, the Diocese, the Universal Church, the nation, and the world. Check with area parishes for specific details and schedules. Contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Life Chain Oct. 4 in Bonita Springs

All are invited to join an upcoming Life Chain event, a peaceful demonstration that aims to raise awareness and unite the community in a powerful stand for life. The Life Chain will take place 2:30-3:30 p.m., Oct. 4, 2026. Participants will stand along U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail), from Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Beach, south to Pine Ridge Road in Naples. The goal is to have 4,000 participants to span the distance (about 10 feet apart). Life Chain is a solemn dignified gathering where participants stand together along the street holding signs with pro-life messages. Signs will be provided on the day of the event. This event is a unique and powerful opportunity for citizens of Florida to come together in support of life at all stages. Your presence will help to promote a culture of life and respect for all human beings; encourage a sense of community and solidarity among participants; provide a visible and impactful witness to the values we hold dear; and engage in a peaceful and non-confrontational demonstration of support for life. Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow church and community members to participate in this important event. Please contact Rick Evens at rme132013@duck.com, or 239-776-9848.

Verso l’alto: A Men’s Priestly Discernment Day

Are you considering a vocation to the priesthood or know someone who is? Join the Diocese of Venice Vocations Office for “Verso l’alto: A Men’s Priestly Discernment Day,” Oct. 10, 2026, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples. For young men ages 16-35 who would like to learn more about the priestly vocation. Inspiring talks, discussions with seminarians, priests and peers, Mass, Adoration, food and fun! To register, visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/mens-priestly-discernment-day, or contact Father Alex Pince, Diocese of Venice Vocations Director, by email, or phone, 941-486-4703.

Celebrate Feast of St. Carlo Acutis in Cape Coral Oct. 12

Venerate first-class relics of St. Carlo Acutis and his friends and mentors (St. Maria Goretti, St. Dominic Savio, St. Therese Lisieux of the Little Flower and St. Ignatius of Loyola), on his feast day, Oct. 12, 2026, 9 a.m.-6:45 p.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 1922 S.W. 20th Ave., Cape Coral. St. Carlo Acutis was an Italian teenager who became the first millennial saint best known for his devotion to the Holy Eucharist and his use of digital media to promote Catholic devotion including documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. Day includes 9 a.m. Mass with the Rite of Anointing, 9:45 exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a blessing of the new St. Carlo Acutis statue, Litany of the Saints and Veneration of the Relics, Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., each holy hour will be introduced with a brief story about the life of St. Carlo Acutis.

Ignatian Preached Retreat

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice, is hosting an Ignatian Preached Retreat, Oct. 23-26, 2026. This three-night silent retreat will introduce the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet at least once with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment. The cost is $525 per retreatant for a private room and $360 per retreatant for a shared room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). Visit https://olph-retreat.org/schedule-of-events for information or to sign up.

Sarasota Catholic school gala Oct. 24

Join the St. Martha Catholic School Annual Knights Gala at the beautiful Mote SEA, Sarasota, Oct. 24, 2026. Surrounded by the wonder of the underwater world, guests will enjoy an inspiring evening filled with faith, community, celebration, and purpose, featuring a lively cocktail reception, a gourmet dinner, and exciting live and silent auctions showcasing unique items, experiences, and opportunities to support our school. Sponsorships and tickets available now at https://onecau.se/_fmxtc1.

Marriage conference Oct. 24, register now

Catholic married and engaged couples are invited to the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. Spend quality time with your spouse, hear from dynamic national and local speakers, and enhance your marriage through the Sacraments. Registration: $64/couple and $5/child for on-site childcare. Scholarships upon request. This conference is presented by the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, visit www.forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-vnfl/ Contact Jim Gontis at Gontis@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4754.

Pray and take action to protect women and babies from abortion pills

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee on pro-life activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action to stop the spread of abortion pills. The initiative is taking place now through Oct. 31, 2026 (October is Respect Life Month, observed each year by the Catholic Church in the United States). Participants are encouraged to share information about the dangers of abortion pills, and sign up to send messages to pharmacies, distributors and pharmaceutical companies. Join the efforts of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment and tell major companies that sell or distribute abortion pills to change course. Send messages via https://www.votervoice.net/NCHLA/Campaigns/139193/Respond. More information is also available at https://www.respectlife.org/abortion-pills.

Weekend retreat for bereaved parents

A “Retreat for Grieving Parents: Walking with Jesus,” is coming to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026. This Catholic faith-based retreat offers grieving parents a space of peace, comfort, and hope, where they can also find support within a community that shares their journey. Cost for a shared room is $150 per person, $250 for a private room. To register, visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/2026-bereaved-parents-weekend-retreat. For more information, please contact Lisa Dahn at 239-961-1161 or lgdahn@gmail.com, or Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Parish Mission in Cape Coral Nov 1-2

St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 1922 SW 20th Ave., Cape Coral, is hosting a Parish Mission with Jon Leonetti Nov. 1 and 2, 2026. The schedule for both nights begins at 6 p.m., with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration, the mission talk (with confessions available throughout), and a closing Benediction, solemn blessing and dismissal. There is an additional talk on Nov. 2, following the 9 a.m. Mass. All are welcome for this opportunity for prayer, reflection and renewal.

Holiday Bereavement Outreach Retreats

Those grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to “There Is Hope: Coping with the Death of a Loved One During the Holidays,” a Catholic bereavement retreat led by Deacon Henry de Mena and offered at four locations throughout the Diocese of Venice on Nov. 3-6, 2026. All retreats are from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the following parishes: Nov. 3, Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice; Nov. 4, Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; Nov. 5, St. Paul, Arcadia; Nov. 6, St. Agnes, Naples. Contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org

Kristallnacht commemoration of Holocaust Nov. 8

The Catholic Jewish-Dialogue of Collier County invites the community to its commemoration of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, 2:30 p.m., Nov. 8, 2026, St. William Parish, 601 Seagate Drive, Naples. The annual interreligious event commemorates, Kristallnacht, Night of Broken Glass, a systematic attack on the Jewish people and businesses in Germany that marked what is considered the start of the Holocaust. Explore the roots of the Holocaust and reflect on how its lessons resonate today. The event is sponsored by the Diocese of Venice, the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. & Harvey D. Cohen Education Center, GenShoah of SWFL, Jewish Federation of Great Naples. All are welcome. The event is free of charge. Register at https://jfgn.regfox.com/kristallnacht-2026.

Something New is Coming to OLPH this Christmas!

This December, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice, will become Bethlehem Village – a special Christmas celebration inviting families, friends, and parish communities to step into the story of Christmas. On Dec. 13, 2026, come for a day filled with Christmas music, family activities, a festive Bethlehem Marketplace, Bishop St. Nicholas, and a Live Nativity — all centered on the joy and meaning of Christ’s birth. OLPH is looking for a select group of local artisans and small businesses to become part of our Bethlehem Village Marketplace! The retreat center is intentionally creating a small, curated marketplace featuring unique products such as honey, olive oil, handmade soaps, handmade candles, and baked goods. Interested in being part of Bethlehem Village? Vendor applications are now being accepted! Apply at: https://www.olph-retreat.org/vendors-wanted. For more information, call 941-486-0233.

Pray for safety this hurricane season

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season continues through Nov. 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, please pray for safety. To view or download a Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season in English or Spanish, visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/hurricane-season-2026

Volunteers needed for prison outreach

Join the team of diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach, distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407.

Support after abortion help available

Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, call or text 941-412-5860, or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, in English or Spanish. All contacts are confidential.

OLPH seeks volunteers

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is seeking volunteers. Aid the Diocesan retreat center in providing a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come seeking transformation in Christ. Areas of need include gardening, dishwashing, dining room, answering the phones and more. For more information, or to sign-up, call 941-486-0233, or email info@olph-retreat.org

Free rosary repair service

Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, Free Rosary Repair Service, 7930 Estero Blvd., Unit 502, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old rosaries are also accepted, which will be repaired and sent to missions. Include a note indicating repair or donation. Call 239-463-3993, 860-595-6370 or holdenbnd@gmail.com.

Bishop 50-day tour of parishes complete

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy, Florida Catholic

A stroll across the parking lot of St. Agnes Parish in Naples marked the conclusion of a marathon tour of 61 parishes (plus eight missions and two retreat centers) in the Diocese of Venice by Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap.

Starting July 12 and concluding Aug. 30, 2026, the visits to the parishes was of tremendous value to Bishop Emilio who admits he knew virtually nothing about the diocese before his appointment by Pope Leo XIV was announced on May 13.

Realizing he needed to learn a great deal of information in a short time, Bishop Emilio told the staff at St. Agnes Parish, his final stop of the tour on Aug. 30, that his decision to go turned out to be a great idea.

“It gave me a chance, especially for someone from the outside, to be able to go out and see the parishes and see the priests really where they are. And to see you all,” the bishop said. “It was much more valuable than I expected.”

The bishop had a sense of urgency to his tour of parishes, realizing that if he delayed the visits, he would be competing with the influx of snowbirds which would have made travel more difficult. This meant it could have been into 2027 before he would have made it to some parishes, something he said was unthinkable.

Bishop Emilio said the idea of the tour came from his experiences in the missions, going and learning about the region, the people, and the customs before diving into his missionary work. This practice paid off in Papua New Guinea, Cuba and again at his parish in Washington, D.C.

To help him to clarify what needed to be prioritized, the bishop went to each parish with three questions in mind, what is needed in the first three months, six months and a year.

When he visited the diocese in June, a few weeks before his episcopal ordination, Bishop Emilio asked the priests, religious and deacons these questions.

More than 60 comments were submitted in writing, while others made observations in person. As the parish visits progressed, the bishop said many of the issues brought forward began to make more sense.

“Some problems are complicated, and while they are important, you can’t solve them in one day or two; not even in a month,” Bishop Emilio said. “That is why you gather some people together to arrive at some solution. It may take six months to a year, but it can get done.”

This was one of the reasons why Bishop Emilio appointed a new Vicar General, Judicial Vicar, and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, relying on clergy who understand the diocese to help him make some of the more important decisions.

Due to the timing of each visit, either a weekday, weekend, morning or afternoon, each parish visit was unique, with more than 30 including the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, while others have been less formal with a parish gathering or smaller meetings with priests, religious, deacons and parish staff.

The bishop fielded questions at many locations with many focused on theological and liturgical concepts, while others sought his vision for the future of the Diocese of Venice. In lighter moments, some of the questions inquired about his likes and dislikes (food, drink, sports and more).

Bishop Emilio has stressed that more formal visits will take place later, with more advanced notice to offer more people the opportunity to participate.

As Bishop Emilio walked across the parking lot of St. Agnes Parish on Aug. 30, shortly before leaving for a journey to Rome for a gathering of new bishops, he said he was going confident that he now knows the Diocese of Venice, its priests, religious, deacons, faithful and parishes.

New Vicar General introduced to Diocesan Curia

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy, Staff Report

Bishop Emilio Biosca O.F.M. Cap. has appointed a new Vicar General who will assist the new Shepherd of the Diocese of Venice.

The bishop announced the appointment of Father David Vidal, pastor of Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria, as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia to the Diocese on Thursday, August 20, 2026.  Father Vidal was formally introduced to the Diocesan Curia (Venice Catholic Center staff) after a Mass at the Catholic Center on Aug. 25, 2026.

Bishop Emilio was joined at Mass by Father Vidal, Father Robert Dziadziak, the newly appointed Judicial Vicar, Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, and Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Vicar Forane for the Northern Deanery.

The Mass was celebrated in the main conference room in Venice, held there because the Catholic Center’s Chapel is too small to accommodate the entire staff. During the Mass, the bishop explained the process he took to select a new Vicar General, as well as other key positions.

“I knew nothing about the Diocese of Venice when I was appointed and started doing research and reached out to the priests of the Diocese, giving them a survey of where they see the Diocese in three months, six months and a year,” Bishop Emilio said. “I was also seeking their input, whether in writing or through conversations, on who they thought would best fit in key positions.”

As Vicar General, Father Vidal is bestowed with all the duties and rights of a bishop; a Catholic vicar general is the highest administrative deputy appointed by a diocesan bishop to assist in the governance of the entire diocese. Father Vidal will work closely with Bishop Emilio and, as Moderator of the Curia, will manage the various offices and ministries of the Catholic Center. The role of Vicar General had been held by Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, Pastor of Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, Fort Myers, since 2010.

“Father Vidal will work closely with me and the chancellor in running the Diocese,” Bishop Emilio said. “He is very intelligent and well organized. He comes to us with great experience.”

That experience will be needed as the Diocese continues to grow, with some parishes needing new churches, while Catholic schools are at, or near, capacity. Father Vidal will also work closely with the Office of Vocations in support of the Diocesan seminarians, a job for which he is well suited. Father was an adjunct professor at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, College and Graduate programs, where he taught philosophy, and where many young seminarians begin their studies.

Father Vidal said he was very grateful to Bishop Emilio for the appointment to such an important role in the Diocese adding that he will take on the task of Vicar General with his “whole heart.”

“I am humbled by that and am asking for your prayers and your help,” Father Vidal said to the Curia staff, adding that he was the beneficiary of the work of the Diocesan staff while serving at a rural parish (Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Labelle), and at a larger parish (Ave Maria). “I know many of you have been of assistance to me and I am very grateful for it.”

Father Vidal also shared some of his background, including that he was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is one of seven children. Father Vidal’s two brothers are missionary priests and three of his sisters are nuns. A fourth sister, who inspired her siblings to religious life, Father Vidal shared, was a lay Carmelite, and Father Vidal noted that as such he had a special place in his heart for that religious order.

Father Vidal was ordained to the priesthood Aug. 9, 2001, in Buenos Aires, for another religious order, the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE). He holds degrees from Maria Madre del Verbo Encarnado Seminary, Argentina, and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a doctorate in philosophy. For IVE, Father served in the order’s House of Formation in Chillum, Maryland, and later as pastor at parishes in Chillum and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In the Diocese of Venice, Father Vidal first served as parochial vicar at Ave Maria Parish and then as administrator of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle. Father was welcomed into the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in 2023 and has been pastor of Ave Maria since 2021.

Welcome to the Catholic Center, Father Vidal!

Priest appointments announced Aug. 20, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

After consultation, Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., announces the following appointments and confirmations:

Father David M. Vidal, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, and Moderator of the Curia, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, for a time.

Father Robert Dziedziak, as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in Longboat Key.

Father Robert Kantor, as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, and therefore, relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples, for a time.

Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Rector of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

Father José González, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Catherine Parish in Sebring.

Father Tomasz Zalewski, as Vicar Forane for the Southern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples.

Father Jayabalan Raju, as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.

Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk, J.C.D., J.D., as Chancellor of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026.

Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, is relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane of the Central Deanery, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Monsignor McNamara for his years of service as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice since 2003 and as Vicar General since 2010.

Father Joseph Waters, J.C.L., is relieved of his duties as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice while retaining other duties as Judge at the Tribunal. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Father Waters for his 11 years of service as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice. Father Waters has assumed responsibilities as Vicar General in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Judicial Vicar, and Pastor of St. John Vianney in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Attorney Joseph DiVito, as General Counsel of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026.

Father John Fitch, as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026.

Father Robert Kantor, as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council of the Diocese of Venice, effective Aug. 20, 2026.

The following members have been appointed as members of the College of Consultors for the Diocese of Venice: Father David M. Vidal, V.G.; Father Robert Kantor; Father José Gonzáles, V.F.; Father Jiobani Batista; Father John Costello; Father Robert Dziedziak, J.V.; Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F.; Father Jayabalan Raju, V.F.; Father George Ratzmann;  and Father Tomasz Zalewski, V.F.

News briefs for the week of August 28, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Lighting the Lantern with Bishop Emilio
Tune in for the first episode of “Lighting the Lantern with Bishop Emilio,” the bishop’s new monthly radio show. The show will air on Relevant Radio on the last Friday of every month at 8:30 AM on 1410 AM and 106.7 FM in Fort Myers, and 1660 AM and 93.3 FM in Naples, and will also be available any time at dioceseofvenice.org/ourbishop. The first episode airs Aug. 28, 2026, during which Bishop Emilio will discuss the Diocese’s upcoming Young Adult pilgrimage to St. Augustine’s Our Lady of La Leche Shrine, his first with the Diocese of Venice. The location is the site of the first Catholic parish Mass in the United States. For this episode, guests Andres Prias, the Diocese of Venice’s Youth and Young Adult Director, and Lynn Mangan, Vice Postulator for the Cause for La Florida Martyrs, will join the discussion.

SURRENDER! Young Adult Conference Sept. 5 in Naples

The priests of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Father David Portorreal, Administrator, and Father Wilian Montalvo Tello, Parochial Vicar, on behalf of the St. John Paul II Young Adult Group, warmly invite all young adults 18–35 years of age to participate in the third annual bilingual Young Adult Conference on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples. Join a day of faith, fellowship, and spiritual growth featuring inspiring talks, interactive activities, games, and much more. The day will conclude with the celebration of Holy Mass at 6 p.m. For more information or to register, please email Alejandra Alvarado or call the parish office at 239-774-3337.

Sarasota parish to host celebration of Cuban patroness Sept. 6

A Mass in honor of Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba, will take place at 1:30 p.m., Sept. 6, 2026, at St. Jude Parish, 3930 17th St., Sarasota. For more information, please call 941-955-3934. All are welcome.

Weekly Meditative Rosary for Human Dignity

Start your weekend in prayer with our Lord, our Lady, and our community. A weekly meditative rosary for human dignity will begin at 11 a.m., Sept.11, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Church chapel, 2057 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Ten Rosary decades will be prayed for particular needs, including for: the Sidewalk Advocates at abortion facilities; the Souls in Purgatory; unity throughout the human family; and for the personal intentions of those who are present. All are invited to remain in church for the weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which begins at noon. Call the parish office at 239-334-2161 if you have questions. The rosary is sponsored by The Respect Life Ministry at St. Francis Xavier.

She Shall Be Called Woman Weekly Series in Naples begins Sept. 15

The first of the series titled “Masterpiece of Creation,” will be held at St. John the Evangelist, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples, in the Nazareth Room, Sept. 15, 2026. A morning session is from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and the evening session is 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This series is open to all women at no charge and includes fellowship, a video presentation, and meaningful small-group discussion. Through engaging conversations, authentic speakers, and enriching prayer experiences, participants gain deeper insight into Sacred Scripture, theological truths, and practical wisdom for daily life. Registration is now open.

Monthly Days of Prayer at Venice retreat center

The Monthly Day of Prayer at our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 39889 S. Moon Drive, Venice, is an opportunity to take time out of your busy and hectic life to focus on God. Join us Wednesday Sept. 9 or Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, for “Heroic Service in the Church: The Life and Legacy of Venerable Bruno Lanteri” Father Leland Thorpe, OMV, will share about the heroic holiness and service of Venerable Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Father Lanteri lived through times of great upheaval and was instrumental in rebuilding the Church in his day and raising up a wave of holiness among God’s people. His teaching and witness continue to be a blessing to the Church today, especially through the ministry of his spiritual sons, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with Continental breakfast and includes two conferences by our OLPH priest, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, lunch, and Mass. Time for adoration, private prayer, or meditation will also be available. The day concludes at 3:15 p.m. The cost is $45. Register here.

Young Adult Retreat Sept. 13, 2026

The Diocese of Venice is hosting a young adult retreat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sept. 13, 2026, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Drive, Venice. DISCERN: “Hearing God’s Voice in Everyday Life” will be led by Mother Nikopoia, SSVM. Learn how to recognize God’s voice in the middle of everyday life. Come for a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and learning how to discover God’s will. Registration fee of $35 per person includes morning coffee and pastries, lunch and retreat materials. For more information, contact Andres Prias, 941-441-1122.

Theology on Tap, Thursday in Sarasota Sept. 17

Calling all young adults! Join Catholic young people from across the Diocese for an evening of fellowship, faith and fun! Theology on Tap is an opportunity for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting. Sessions take place on the third Thursday of every month at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. No need to register in advance. Next month, the group will meet on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. The featured speaker is T. Adam Van Wart, PH.D., Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University. Join us! No need to register in advance. To learn more, contact Andres Prias, 941-441-1122.

40 Days for Life begins September 23

Join the 40 Days for Life campaign this fall from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1, 2026. This campaign, scheduled at locations in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples, aims to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and peaceful vigils in front of abortion facilities. Join a Kick-Off Event in Fort Myers, at 6 p.m., Sept. 20, at 6418 Commerce Park Drive, Fort Myers (sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood). Bring a lawn chair, water and umbrella (just in case!). Bring a friend! All are welcome and needed! For more information, please contact Tavia Ames at ames@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-441-1101, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/.

Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated in Fort Myers Beach Sept. 28
Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., will celebrate a Catholic Mass of Remembrance on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 9 a.m. on the grounds of The Church of the Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. All are welcome. The date marks the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ian’s devastating impact on Southwest Florida, and Fort Myers Beach, including the destruction of the Church of the Ascension. Celebrated by Bishop Emilio, the Mass of Remembrance will be concelebrated by priests from the surrounding area, including Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara, Church of the Resurrection, Fort Myers, Father Lorenzo Gonzalez, St. Columbkille, Fort Myers, Father Jarek Sniosek, St. Leo the Great, Bonita Springs, and Father Bill Adams, former pastor of Ascension Parish.

Wauchula parish seeks help for growing religious education program

The Servant Sisters of the Virgin of Matara, who serve at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, and Holy Child Mission in Bowling Green, are seeking help for their religious education catechism program as they prepare to enter a new facility. The new building in Bowling Green includes 12 classrooms and will eventually become the new home for Holy Child Mission when all of the renovations of the building are completed. The new location is a necessary expansion to accommodate the religious education needs of this rural community. The current facilities in Wauchula are overflowing with students, with classes taking place in seven classrooms, the religious convent, the parish offices, parish hall, and even the priest’s office. While necessary, the move to the new location requires more equipment and is an opportunity to upgrade the teaching tools necessary for this technological generation. The religious sisters have created an Amazon Wish List (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2JD66ZOTUV683/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex), to help fill the empty classrooms. Items needed include the following: White Boards, computers, TVs, tables, chairs, pencils, paper, plus many other items. The new religious education building is expected to be open by mid-September.

St. Jude Catholic Church 20th Anniversary

At 6 p.m., Sept. 26, 2026, all are invited to an unforgettable evening of gratitude as St. Jude Catholic Church, 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota commemorates twenty years of faith, community and service. There will be dinner, live music and dancing. Register Here. For more information, please contact Peg at fortep@msn.com.

Thank and honor our priests!

What is “Priesthood Sunday”? Priesthood Sunday is a special day (Sept. 27, 2026) set aside to honor the priesthood. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church. In the Diocese of Venice, the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women offer a unique opportunity to all to honor your priest, and to support our future priests, on this special day. Simply send a donation of any amount, along with the name of your priest, and the VDCCW will send a note to your priest letting him know he has been honored by you, and that a donation (undisclosed amount) has been made to the Diocesan Seminarian Fund to support future priests, in his name. Send your donation today to Cornelia Zanetti, Seminarian Fund Guardian, 5808 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, FL 34217. Please make checks payable to the VDCCW Seminarian Fund. Thank you!

Rosary Congress coming in October

The Diocese of Venice annual Eucharistic Rosary Congress will take place in area parishes October 3-9, 2026. This year’s theme is “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The Eucharistic Rosary Congress will unfold slightly differently at each local parish but usually will begin with the celebration of daily Mass and end with Mass at the same time the next day. During the 24 hours between the two Masses, perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is usually offered, with the five decades of the Rosary being prayed every hour. Many parishes will also have the Sacrament of Penance available at some point during the 24 hours. The abundance of prayer offered through this diocesan-wide effort will undoubtedly draw from the Lord many graces upon our families, the Diocese, the Church Universal, the nation, and the world. Check with your area parishes for specific details and schedules; a list of participating parishes will be available soon. For more information, contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754.

Bishop Emilio to lead first pilgrimage with the Diocese of Venice in October

In response to a gracious invitation from the Most Reverend Erik Thomas Pohlmeier, Bishop of St. Augustine, and the Most Reverend Felipe de Jesús Estévez, S.T.D., Bishop Emeritus of St. Augustine, Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., will lead his first pilgrimage for the Diocese of Venice in October. Bishop Emilio invites the young adults of the Diocese of Venice to join him on a special two-day, weekend pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine on Oct.10-11, 2026. It was at the National Shrine that the first Catholic Parish Mass in the United States was celebrated, and the nation’s first Catholic parish community established. Register online at: St. Augustine Pilgrimage. For additional information contact Andres Prias, Youth & Young Adult Outreach Director, 941-441-1122.

Verso l’alto: A Men’s Priestly Discernment Day Oct. 10

Are you considering a vocation to the priesthood? Join the Diocese of Venice Vocations Office for “Verso l’alto: A Men’s Priestly Discernment Day,” Oct. 10, 2026, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples. For young men ages 16-29 who would like to learn more about the priestly vocation. Inspiring talks, discussions with seminarians, priests and peers, Mass, Adoration, food and fun! Stay tuned for registration information, or contact Father Alex Pince, Diocese of Venice Vocations Director, by email, or phone, 941-486-4703.

Celebrate Feast of St. Carlo Acutis in Cape Coral Oct. 12

Venerate first-class relics of St. Carlo Acutis and his friends and mentors (St. Maria Goretti, St. Dominic Savio, St. Therese of Lisieux – The Little Flower, and St. Ignatius of Loyola), on his feast day, Oct. 12, 2026, 9 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 1922 SW 20th Ave., Cape Coral. St. Carlo Acutis was an Italian teenager who became the first millennial saint. He is best known for his devotion to the Holy Eucharist and his use of digital media to promote Catholic devotion including documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. The schedule of the day includes an opening 9 a.m., Mass with the Rite of Anointing, 9:45 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a blessing of the new St. Carlo Acutis statue, Litany of the Saints and Veneration of the Relics, Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., each Holy Hour will be introduced with a brief story about the life of St. Carlo Acutis. The day concludes with a 6 p.m. Family Holy Hour with Benediction.  All are welcome!  No need to register. Join us!

Ignatian Preached Retreat

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice, is hosting an Ignatian Preached Retreat, Oct. 23-26, 2026. This three-night silent retreat will introduce you to the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet at least once with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment. The cost is $525 per retreatant for a private room and $360 per retreatant for a shared room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). Please visit olph-retreat.org/sched for more information or to sign up.

Grow together in holiness

Catholic married and engaged couples are invited to the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. Spend quality time with your spouse, hear from dynamic national and local speakers, and enhance your marriage through the Sacraments. Registration: $64/couple and $5/child for on-site childcare. An Early Bird discount is available through Sept. 14 as well as scholarships upon request. This conference is presented by the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, visit www.forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-vnfl/. Contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754.

Pray and take action to protect women and babies from abortion pills
With easier access to abortion pills, the abortion rate is tragically climbing, along with increased health risks. Please get involved in helping to stop the distribution of these dangerous pills!  Here’s what you can do: The U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action to stop the spread of abortion pills. The initiative is taking place now through Oct. 31, 2026 (October is Respect Life Month, observed each year by the Catholic Church in the United States). Participants of the initiative are encouraged to share information about the dangers of abortion pills, and sign up to send messages to pharmacies, distributors, and pharmaceutical companies.  Join the efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment and tell major companies that sell or distribute abortion pills to change course. Send your message via this link Action Center. More information is also available here.

Holiday Bereavement Outreach Retreats

Those grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to “There Is Hope: Coping with the Death of a Loved One During the Holidays”, a Catholic bereavement retreat led by Deacon Henry deMena and offered at four locations throughout the Diocese of Venice on Nov. 3-6, 2026. All retreats are from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the following parishes: Nov. 3, Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice; Nov. 4, Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; Nov. 5, St. Paul, Arcadia; Nov. 6, St. Agnes, Naples. For more information, contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754.

Catholic Charities summer appeal continues

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, serves the most vulnerable population in the Diocese’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal needs your support. The giving is easy! To donate, visit Summertime Giving, or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. If you have any questions, please call 941-488-5581. The appeal continues through August.

Pray for Safety! Hurricane Season

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, please pray for safety. To view or download a Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season in English or Spanish, visit the Diocese of Venice website.

Volunteers needed for Prison Outreach

Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach, distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.

Support After Abortion help available

Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, simply call or text 941-412-5860, or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, in English or Spanish. All contacts are confidential.

OLPH seeks volunteers

Many hands make light work. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is seeking volunteers. Aid the Diocesan retreat center in providing a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come seeking transformation in Christ. Areas of need include gardening, dishwashing, dining room, answering the phones and more. For more information, or to sign-up, please call 941-486-0233, or email info@olph-retreat.org

Bishop parish tour heading toward conclusion – for now

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bob Reddy, Staff Report

The sweltering heat of August has not slowed Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap. as he tirelessly continues his tour of Diocese of Venice parishes.

Through Aug. 19, 2026, Bishop Emilio has visited 48 of 61 parishes in the Diocese. Due to the timing of each visit, either a weekday or weekend morning or afternoon, each parish visit has been unique, some including the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and parish celebrations, while others have been less formal visits with priests and parish staff.

Bishop Emilio has stressed that more formal visits will take place at a later time, with more advanced notice so more people can participate.

“It has been wonderful to see the priests and the parishes and to come to know and love the Diocese more each day,” Bishop Emilio said. “First thing that has struck me is almost every parish has told me that their parish is the best one. Many people have told me that they have searched all different kinds of Catholic churches in the area, and the one they found is definitely the best.”

The other common theme has been a plea from parishioners not to remove their priests. “That tells me a lot. The people of this Diocese really love their priests. That is important.”

Between Aug. 14 and Aug. 19, Bishop Emilio visited 11 parishes.

Among recent highlights, Bishop Emilio presided over his first baptism as a bishop on Aug. 16, at the Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, during the regular 9:30 a.m. Mass. Coming from a parish in Washington, D.C. with lots of families, and having many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews of his own, the bishop was very comfortable performing the Sacrament of Baptism. Baby Cecilia was quiet throughout the entire ceremony until Bishop Emilio leaned too close to his microphone and said “Cecilia” a little too loud and startled the child. But no tears were shed and the proud parents and godparents were overjoyed by the moment.

Later that same day, Bishop Emilio was presented to the Holy Cross Parish community in Palmetto with a particular flourish. There, dancers dressed in Mayan and Aztec garb performed traditional songs welcoming the new shepherd. Each dance concluded with the performers kneeling in honor of the bishop.

Visits to St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, on Aug. 14, and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Parrish, included learning about ongoing efforts to raise money for the construction of new churches for the growing communities in those areas.

On the morning of Aug. 15, Bishop Emilio celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Thomas More, Sarasota. He also returned to the location of his July 11 episcopal ordination, celebrating Mass on Aug. 17 at St. John XXIII, Fort Myers.

In addition, Bishop Emilio celebrated his first Catholic school Mass on Aug. 18, for the students and faculty at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Fort Myers. (See SCHOOL story on Page X for more details.)

The new bishop’s intention for this tour of the diocese is to visit the priests, deacons, religious and faithful at their parishes to get to know them in their own place, before traveling to Rome for a new bishops’ formation course and retreat in early September.

Bishop Emilio said he will take the prayers and hopes of the people of the Diocese to the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul at that time.

The tour is a quick way for the bishop to get a “lay of the land,” and a first missionary orientation to the Diocese.  A visit to each school will follow in late September and October.

Upcoming parish visits include the following: (Aug. 21) St. Therese, North Fort Myers, and St. Isabel, Sanibel; (Aug. 22) St. Francis of Assisi, Grove City; (Aug. 23) Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; (Aug. 25) Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles, Bradenton; (Aug. 26) St. Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral, and St. Maximilian Kobe, Port Charlotte; (Aug. 27) Our Lady of Mercy, Boca Grande, and Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, Bokeelia; (Aug. 28) St. Leo the Great, Bonita Springs, and St. Cecilia, Fort Myers; and (Aug. 30) St. Finbarr and St. Agnes, Naples.

Please check with the local parish for a schedule of public events.

News briefs for the week of Aug. 14, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Music from Episcopal Ordination

Relive or hear for the first time the beautiful music of the Episcopal Ordination Mass! The New Shepherd: Lighting the Lantern is a music playlist from the Mass and includes a recording of the Mass Homily by His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Please share!

Assumption – Aug. 15

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 15, 2026, is not a holy day of obligation this year because it falls on a Saturday. On this day the Church acknowledges and celebrates the fact that Mary, the Mother of God, was assumed into Heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body” (CCC 974).

Death penalty prayer vigil Aug. 18

Please join us at San Pedro Parish, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port, in the Chapel at 5:15 p.m., Aug. 18, 2026, for a Prayer Vigil to pray for the end of the death penalty in Florida. We pray for everyone involved in the execution process; the doctor administering the execution, all of the witnesses, a conversion of the condemned, the victims and their families. The vigil will coincide with the scheduled execution of William Silvia, who is set to become the 13th person executed in Florida this year. The vigil lasts less than an hour and includes hymns, a Gospel reading, reflections, intercessions, and a praying of the Rosary. A pause will take place at 6 p.m., the time Florida executions take place. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Parish Marriage Retreat Aug. 22

Ave Maria Parish invites all married couples to the Annual Marriage Retreat, Aug. 22, 2026, at Ave Maria Catholic Academy, 4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, for a special day dedicated to strengthening marriages through faith, prayer, and fellowship. The retreat is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and will be led by Father Leandro Fernandez. The cost is $125 per couple, which includes breakfast and lunch. Childcare is available for $15 per child. Register HERE.

Young Adult Retreat Sept. 13, 2026

The Diocese of Venice is hosting a young adult retreat 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 13, 2026, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Drive, Venice. DISCERN: “Hearing God’s Voice in Everyday Life” will be led by Mother Nikopoia, SSVM. Learn how to recognize God’s voice in the middle of everyday life. Come for a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and learning how to discover God’s will. Registration fee of $35 per person includes morning coffee and pastries, lunch and retreat materials. Contact Andres Prias, prias@dioceseofvenice.org, or 941-441-1122. for more information.

Thank and honor our priests

Priesthood Sunday is September 27, 2026. What is “Priesthood Sunday?” Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor the priesthood. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church. In the Diocese of Venice, the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women offer a unique opportunity to all to honor your priest, and to support our future priests, on this special day. Simply send a donation of any amount, along with the name of your priest, and the VDCCW will send a note to your priest letting him know he has been honored by you, and that a donation (undisclosed amount) has been made to the Diocesan Seminarian Fund to support future priests, in his name. Send your donation today to Cornelia Zanetti, Seminarian Fund Guardian, 5808 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, FL 34217. Please make checks payable to the VDCCW Seminarian Fund. Thank you!

Pennies for Babies!

The Pennies for Babies Fund is a Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice initiative that supports pregnant mothers and their newborn babies in need. It is part of the Diocese’s widespread Walking with Moms in Need program. The fund raises money to provide critical assistance to expectant mothers and newborns. If you wish to help mothers and babies in need, please consider giving to the Pennies for Babies Fund. Send checks (not cash) to Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. With questions, please contact Tavia Ames, ames@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-441-1101.

Save the Date!

Preparations have begun for the annual Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Rosary Congress, October 3-9, 2026. This year’s theme is My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. At Parishes throughout the Diocese, the Eucharistic Rosary Congress will unfold slightly differently but usually will begin with the celebration of daily Mass and end with Mass at the same time the next day; in the 24 hours between the two Masses, there is perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with the five decades of the Rosary being prayed every hour. Many parishes will also have the Sacrament of Penance available at different points throughout the schedule. The goal is that each parish participates according to their particular circumstances and that the Holy Eucharist is being adored and the Rosary prayed every hour of every day, somewhere in the Diocese of Venice, from October 3-9. This abundance of prayer will undoubtedly draw down from the Lord many graces upon our families, the Diocese, the Church Universal, the nation, and the world. More information will be available soon, including a list of participating parishes. 

Save the Date!

Married and engaged couples are invited to the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. Spend quality time with your spouse, hear from dynamic national and local speakers, and enhance your marriage through the Sacraments. Registration: $64/couple and $5/child for on-site childcare. An Early Bird discount is available through September 14 as well as scholarships upon request. This conference is presented by the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, visit www.forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-vnfl/ With questions, contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Holiday Bereavement Outreach Retreats

Those grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to “There Is Hope: Coping with the Death of a Loved One During the Holidays”, a Catholic bereavement retreat led by Deacon Henry deMena and offered at four locations throughout the Diocese of Venice on Nov. 3-6, 2026. All retreats are from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the following parishes: Nov. 3, Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice; Nov. 4, Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda; Nov. 5, St. Paul, Arcadia; Nov. 6, St. Agnes, Naples. For more information, please contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754.

Catholic Charities summer appeal continues

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, serves the most vulnerable population in the Diocese’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal needs your support. The giving is easy! To donate, visit Summertime Giving, or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. If you have any questions, please call 941-488-5581. The appeal continues through August.

Pray for Safety! Hurricane Season

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, please pray for safety. To view or download a Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season in English or Spanish languages, visit the Diocese of Venice website.

Volunteers needed for Prison Outreach

Join the team of Diocesan volunteers who enter county jails and state prisons within the 10-county Diocese of Venice to do pastoral outreach, distribute the Eucharist and facilitate programs. Priests, Deacons, and lay volunteers are encouraged to assist in this ministry. Volunteers will first participate in an orientation program before entering the facility and will shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable. Times and days vary by facility. Please contact Joe Mallof at 224-217-7139 or Bob Hiniker 863-558-0407 to learn where you can fit into this joyful opportunity.

Support After Abortion help available

Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, simply call or text 941-412-5860, or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, in English or Spanish. All contacts are confidential.

OLPH seeks volunteers

Many hands make light work. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice is seeking volunteers. Aid the Diocesan retreat center in providing a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who come seeking transformation in Christ. Areas of need include: gardening, dishwashing, dining room, answering the phones and more. For more information, or to sign-up, please call 941-486-0233, or email info@olph-retreat.org.

News briefs for the week of July 31, 2026

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Appointments

After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announced the following appointments:
Father Robert G. Mulligan, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Cory A. Mayer is appointed as administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City.
Father Krzysztof Piotrowski is appointed as administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grove City, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Father Paul Dechant, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Michal Szyszka is appointed as administrator of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres.
Father Christian Chami is appointed as administrator of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of St. Jude Parish in Sarasota.

Father Russell Wright is appointed as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, effective July 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Church of St. Patrick Parish in Sarasota.

Father Francis Hanlon, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2026, and thus will return to his religious community.
Father Reji Joseph, OSFS, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.

Father Joseph Doherty, as parochial vicar of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, effective July 8, 2026, as he has returned from his Licentiate Studies in Dogmatic and Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Father Nicholas Eichman, FSSP, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Christ the King in Sarasota, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.
Father Andrew Daniels, FSSP, is appointed as parochial vicar of Christ the King Parish in Sarasota, effective July 6, 2026.
Father Joseph Duffy, FSSP, is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel in Naples, effective July 1, 2026, and thus has returned to his religious community.
Father Peter O’Connor, FSSP, is appointed as parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Chapel in Naples, effective July 8, 2026.

Welcome to our new shepherd, Bishop Emilio!

Thank you to all who joined and prayed with the Diocese of Venice during the Bishop Emilio’s Ordination weekend, either in person or via livestream. Recordings of the livestreams from both Solemn Vespers and the Ordination and Installation Mass can be accessed here. Bishop Emilio’s remarks after Mass are also available at the same link. More information about our new bishop can be found on the Diocese’s website.

 

Pennies for Babies!

The Pennies for Babies Fund is a Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice initiative that supports pregnant mothers and their newborn babies in need. It is part of the Diocese’s broader Walking with Moms in Need program. The fund raises money to provide material needs for expectant mothers and newborns, such as maternity and baby clothes, diapers and other essentials. If you wish to help pregnant women in need, please consider giving to the Pennies for Babies Fund. Send checks (not cash) to Catholic Charities Pennies for Babies Fund, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. With questions, please contact Tavia Ames, ames@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-441-1101.

Natural Family Planning Awareness

As Catholics, we are called to responsibility in our parenthood, considering first what God asks of us, what is good for us as a couple, our family and society in general. The only viable alternative to artificial birth control, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a safe, natural means to conform a couple’s fertility in accordance with God’s plan. Learn more about Natural Family Planning! Several upcoming Natural Family Planning Educational Opportunities are coming up. St. Gianna’s Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care offers excellent introductory educational sessions online for free. Upcoming sessions begin as early as Aug. 8, 2026. Register for the Zoom sessions here. With questions, call 813-421-4625, or email the St. Gianna Center or, at the Diocese of Venice, Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org 941-486-4754.

Save the Date!

Married and engaged couples are invited to the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. Spend quality time with your spouse, hear from dynamic national and local speakers, and rejuvenate your marriage through the Sacraments. Registration: $64/couple and $5/child for on-site childcare. An Early Bird discount is available through September 14 as well as scholarships upon request. This conference is presented by the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation. To register, visit www.forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-vnfl/ With questions, contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Theology on Tap in Sarasota Aug. 13

Calling all young adults! Join Catholic young people from across the Diocese for an evening of fellowship, faith and fun! Theology on Tap is an opportunity for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting. Theology on Tap meets on the third Thursday of every month at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. No need to register in advance. Next month, the group will meet on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, 7 p.m. Featured speaker is Father John Belmonte, SJ, Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Venice. To learn more, contact Andres Prias, prias@dioceseofvenice.org 941-441-1122.

Catholic Charities summer appeal continues

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, serves the most vulnerable population in the Diocese’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal needs your support. The giving is easy! To donate to “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” visit Summertime Giving, or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. If you have any questions, please call 941-488-5581. The appeal continues through August.

Pray for Safety!  Hurricane Season

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, Bishop Frank J. Dewane reminds us that we must pray for safety: “Let us all ask God for protection and safety and also pray for the people who continue to recover from previous disasters.” To view or download a Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season in English or Spanish languages, visit the Diocese of Venice website.

Hunger is focus of Pope’s May prayer intention – Diocese is on the frontline to feed those in need

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Catholic Social Teaching tells us that food is a fundamental human right, not a commodity, emphasizing that every person requires access to adequate nutrition to live with dignity.

Pope Leo XIV, with his May 2026 prayer intention as a platform, prays “That everyone might have food. Let us pray that everyone from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.”

Pope Leo demands a moral response to hunger to ensure that everyone has access to quality food while also avoiding waste, calling on the faithful to confront the problem of food insecurity with both prayer and concrete action.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane said that since all human life is sacred, access to food is a basic right necessary to life. “Hunger is not someone else’s problem; it is a shared moral responsibility for all to act.”

Within the Diocese of Venice there are more than a dozen food pantries of varying sizes which combine to help hundreds of families each day and tens of thousands each month.

Among the 15 largest food pantries in the Diocese, including those run by Catholic Charities, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and individual Parishes, tens of thousands of people are spared from going hungry each month.

Food pantries were initially established at Parishes and in communities to help families in a crisis. However, because of rapidly rising costs of not just food, but also gasoline, medicines, and other necessities, combined with season layoffs and a tight local job market, pantry staff and volunteers are now seeing people entering their doors who have previously never needed food before.

To maximize donations, nearly all of the larger food pantries in the Diocese have transitioned from the drive-thru model, which created tremendous waste, to a “Choice Pantry.”

A “Choice Pantry” is when someone comes to a pantry needing food and they have a “mini shopping experience” (similar to shopping at a chosen retail grocery store) where they choose the foods their family will eat.  Volunteers explain the “points system” – how everything on the shelves has a point value and where each household is assigned points for shopping based on the number of people needing food. There is no cash, only points, for food.  Remarkably, most families don’t use all their points as they select only the food their family will eat, meaning food waste is virtually nonexistent.

“The need is growing, and we are doing everything we can to keep up because no one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from,” said Jenny Muñoz, Catholic Charities Desoto County Regional Director. The DeSoto County office in Arcadia hosts a “Choice Pantry” which serves about 2,600 individuals and families each month, up from only 800 a month just six months ago.

Muñoz said the massive increase in demand can be attributed to multiple factors, such as the conversion from a drive-thru to a Choice Pantry distribution, and an expansion of operating hours, including two evenings each week.

“It is really about meeting the needs of the community,” Muñoz said. “Parents, grandparents and neighbors come through our food pantry and shop with dignity for only the items they need and leave with full carts and full hearts. But behind every cart is a growing need. With the generosity of our many benefactors helping to keep our shelves stocked and our doors open, we are providing hope for every family who walks through.”

In the most recent fiscal year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc. provided food to 95,588 at six locations and is projected to reach 119,500 by the end of the current fiscal year. This is in addition to disaster relief operations after Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024, which distributed food to 8,100 families in a two week period. Following Hurricane Ian in 2022 Catholic Charities distributed 2,504 tons of supplies, and provided food to 115,747 people, plus an additional 22,492 hot meals, in the first month after the storm. In addition to those impressive numbers, Catholic Charities also provides after school food for 75 children each week, a number that jumps to 150 each week for children participating in summer camps.

Sadly, most of the increase in demand at Catholic Charities and other pantries is from fixed-income senior citizens, said Catholic Charities CEO Christopher M. Root. “The seniors must make hard choices when it comes to expenses. Catholic Charities is there to provide the food they need to survive.”

Dan Freidrich, Director of the St. Joseph Food Pantry in Bradenton, noted that 31 percent of the population of Manatee County does not earn enough to sustain their standard of living. “People must make choices everyday between paying for childcare, paying for medicines, rent or groceries. At St. Joseph Food Pantry we believe nobody should go hungry.”

On a smaller scale, the more than 200 families every month who receive food at the St. Michael Parish Choice Pantry in Wauchula rely on donations from regional food banks, as well as other Parishes and individual benefactors, said Pantry Director Sister Maria de Talpa, a Servant Sister of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.

“We have Knights of Columbus who bring trailers of food, and we have good relationships with other providers,” Sister Maria said.  “Sometimes I worry if we will have enough to meet the demand, but it all comes down to Divine Providence.”

One of the newest food pantries in the region is the Twelve Baskets Food Pantry at St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota. Open every Wednesday, the pantry was opened in 2025 to meet a demand in the community to help people with food insecurity.

Another new food pantry is Table of Plenty at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral. The pantry operates out of the Parish Hall and had only four visitors when it debuted in 2022. Kathy Anderson, who helped found the food pantry, said the pantry “now serves 40 to 60 families on the third Friday of each month. We distributed more than 30,000 pounds of food in 2025.”

The St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference in Punta Gorda has Choice Pantry hours three days a week and provides five days of food to 17,437 individuals each year.

Tony Rivera, Vice President of the Sacred Heart Conference said the switch to a Choice Pantry made a huge difference in lowering the waste and helped streamline the food distribution process. “We help our friends and neighbors in a dignified way,” Rivera said. “It is not easy for someone to come asking for food. We understand that.”

The food pantries in the Diocese of Venice receive food from donations, Parish food drives and regional food banks, such as Midwest Food Bank of Florida based in Fort Myers, All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota, Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers and Naples, and Feeding Tampa Bay.

If you need food, or would like to support a food pantry in your area, please contact individual food pantries, or Parishes to learn of an affiliated food pantry, as well as to learn details on future food collections or how to volunteer.

Helping Catholic Charities food pantries

You can support each food pantry by donating food directly to each location, or by specifying your financial donation by visiting https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/donate.

Food Pantries within the Diocese of Venice

  • Arcadia – DeSoto County Catholic Charities – 863-494-1068 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. – 11a.m. Friday,
  • Bokeelia – Pine Island Food Pantry – Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish – 760-529-7238 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Monday and Thursday,
  • Bonita Springs – Juan Diego Outreach Center, Catholic Charities – 239-390-2928 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fridays,
  • Bradenton – St. Joseph Food Pantry – 941-756-3732 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Monday – Friday. For details visit https://www.stjoepantry.com/,
  • Cape Coral – St. Katharine Drexel Food Pantry – 239-283-9501 – 9 a.m. – noon, third Friday of each month,
  • Clewiston – St. Margaret Parish, Catholic Charities – 239-334-4007, ext. 2103 – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday,
  • Fort Myers – Elizabeth K. Galeana Food Pantry, Catholic Charities – 239-334-4007, ext. 2103 – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursdays,
  • Fort Myers – Jesus the Worker Food Pantry – 239-693-5333 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Tuesday and Saturday,
  • Grove City – St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry – 941-697-4899 – 9:15 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
  • Immokalee – Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities 239-657-6242, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday – Friday,
  • Naples – Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center, of Catholic Charities – 239-793-0059 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday,
  • Naples – St. Vincent de Paul Family Assistance Center – 239-775-2907: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. For details visit https://www.svdpnaples.org/,
  • Punta Gorda – St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart Conference – 25200 Airport Road – 941-575-0767: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. For details, visit https://www.svdppg.org/,
  • Sarasota – St. Jude Food Pantry – 941-955-3934 – 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,
  • Sarasota – St. Thomas More Food Pantry – 941-923-1691 – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday,
  • Wauchula – St. Michael Food Pantry – 863-773-4089 – 7 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., Saturday.
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