Diocese of Venice Seminarian Joseph Doherty took a major step toward his dream of becoming a priest when he was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate during a Mass celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, in Rome, on Oct. 3, 2024.
Celebrated by Most Reverend Alexander Sample, Archbishop of Portland, Oregon, the ordination of 15 men from the Pontifical North American College is one of the final steps toward priesthood.
Present for the ordination were Deacon Doherty’s family as well as Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Director of Vocations.
Following the ordination, Deacon Doherty expressed his joy at reaching this moment in his spiritual journey, hardly believing the experience of being ordained as a servant of the Universal Church in St. Peter’s Basilica.
During the ordination, the Deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their Diocesan Bishops. As part of the ordination Rite, the Bishop placed the Book of Gospels in the hands of each candidate being ordained and said: “Receive the Gospels of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” An additional year of theological study and spiritual formation will follow before the Deacons are ordained to the priesthood in their home Dioceses.
At the ordination Mass, Archbishop Sample encouraged the Deacon Candidates in his homily to remember that everything that a deacon does, everything a priest does, and everything a bishop does, flows from their identity with Jesus Christ who identifies himself as a servant, the suffering servant to whom they as deacons are called to configure themselves.
“The Son of Man does not come to be served but to serve,” said Archbishop Sample. “You are taking on the identity of Christ who laid his life down to serve, to be a slave.” He then went on to say, “I am here to remind you, it is not about you, it is about Jesus Christ who has called you. He has called you to this moment on this day to lay down your lives to himself and his bride, the Church.”
Deacon Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, growing up in a small town outside of Philadelphia. His family lived close to the nearest Catholic church, where he spent increasing amounts of time visiting to pray before the Most Blessed Sacrament, then as a sacristan and a volunteer cleaner. Upon graduating high school, Deacon Doherty studied mathematics, pollical economy and government at Ave Maria University in Florida. Upon graduation, he worked for Hertz Corporation for several years while earning an advanced degree in systems engineering from Penn State University.
Though engineering was a career goal, Deacon Doherty felt continually moved to discern the priesthood, crediting his time in adoration as being formative in encouraging his vocation. This call also grew while teaching youth catechesis and sacramental preparation. Once accepted as a Diocese of Venice seminarian, he completed his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach before continuing his studies in Rome. He recently earned an advanced theology degree from Pontifical Gregorian University there.
While a seminarian, Deacon Doherty served pastoral assignments at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, St. William Parish in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. While in Rome, he did weekly apostolate work with the Missionaries of Charity and Notre Dame students. He is a Third-Degree Knight of Columbus and an Eagle Scout, and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in 2025.
Please pray for Deacon Doherty and each of the Diocese of Venice Seminarians who continue to discern their vocation and develop in formation for the priesthood.
Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocation through prayer and financial assistance. Donations can be made by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/ways-to-give/ or sent to: Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4720, or visit www.venicevocations.com.
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota has earned the certification as an Apple Distinguished school. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and are recognized as some of the most innovative schools in the world.
Second graders at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples were treated to a fascinating presentation on Sept. 10, 2024, by Faith Kruis, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kruis shared her expertise on one of Florida’s most notorious invasive species—the Burmese python. The students learned all about where these reptiles are found, how they’re caught, how to identify them, and many other interesting facts.
Calling all Catholic engaged and married couples! Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for the fourth annual Diocesan “Together in Holiness” marriage conference, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Oct. 19, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The Conference, a collaboration between the Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation, is a great opportunity for all Catholic engaged and married couples in the Diocese to gather for a day dedicated to prayer, conversation, fellowship, and reflection on the beautiful vocation of marriage. Registration is now open for the day-long event which includes a Mass and Marriage Blessing celebrated by Bishop Dewane, and inspirational talks by Catholic speakers Renzo & Monica Ortega, Rev. Alex Pince and Mallory Smyth. Childcare, as well as full and partial scholarships, are available. To register or for further information, please visit 
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.
Father Joseph Gates, Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Parrish, was honored with the Florida State Blessed Michael McGivney Award by the Knights of Columbus during the Florida State Convention in Orlando on May 26, 2024. Father Gates was nominated by Grand Knight John Kreger IV, of Council 12155. Noted in the nomination was that Father Gates is a teacher of the faith; apostle of Christian family life; devoted Parish priest; exemplar of charity; builder of Catholic fraternity; and a role model to the faithful of the Parish. “He leads by example and is at the forefront of many Parish activities,” the nomination stated. “Father Joseph is the face of St. Frances Cabrini. From preaching the Gospel from the altar to his many posts on social media, he leads his flock in the goal of spending eternity with God.” The award was presented by Knight Richard P. Hughes, State Deputy and Father Bob Kantor, Florida Knights of Columbus Chaplain and Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples.
The graduates of the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples were told by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to go forward and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire them in their life, during a Baccalaureate Mass at St. Agnes Parish in Naples on May 10, 2024. Bishop Dewane also told them to follow the path of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the school, who accepted in faith what the Lord asked. “Faith is a virtue – a welcoming and cherishing bond with Jesus Christ,” the Bishop said. “That is what makes us men and women of faith. Let it grow in your heart as you launch into a new life after having been given this tremendous opportunity and experience here at Ave Maria School of Law.” The commencement was April 12, Ascension Sunday and Mother’s Day, at Artis-Naples.
