Tag: tv mass
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 15, 2023
2022 Christmas Mass times for the Diocese of Venice
The 2022 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times for Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice are listed below. The listings are in alphabetical order by the city the Parish is located.
For details on youth choirs or musical accompaniment, please contact the Parish via the phone number or website listed for further information.
As a reminder, the televised Christmas Day Mass for the Homebound with Celebrant Bishop Frank J. Dewane will air for a full hour on Christmas Day. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Mass will air at 9 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Mass will air at 10 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings.
The Mass will also be available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass.
Leaflet missals are available upon request by calling Gail Ardy at 941-486-4714 or by writing: TV Mass, Diocese of Venice, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. For more information email ardy@dioceseofvenice.org.
ARCADIA
■ St. Paul, 1208 E. Oak St., www.stpaularcadia.org, 863-494-2611
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., noon (Spanish)
AVE MARIA
■ Ave Maria, 5078 Pope John Paul II Blvd., www.avemariaparish.org, 239-261-5555
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Latin), 5 p.m. (Spanish)
AVON PARK
■ Our Lady of Grace, 595 E. Main St., www.ologap.org, 863-453-4757
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
BOCA GRANDE
■ Our Lady of Mercy. 240 Park Ave., 941-964-2254
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
BOKEELIA
■ Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 12175 Stringfellow Road, www.miraculousmedalch.org, 239-283-0456
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
BONITA SPRINGS
■ St. Leo the Great, 28290 Beaumont Road, www.stleocatholicchurch.org, 239-992-0901
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)
BOWLING GREEN
■ Holy Child; 4315 Chester Ave.; 863-773-4089; michaelwauchula.weconnect.com
CHRISTMAS DAY 2 p.m. (Spanish)
BRADENTON
■ Sacred Heart, 1220 15th St. W., www.sacredheartbradenton.org, 941-748-2221
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m. (Spanish), 9 p.m. (bilingual)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon (Spanish), 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)
■ Ss. Peter and Paul, 2850 75th St. W., www.sspeterandpaul.org, 941-795-1228
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
■ St. Joseph, 3100 26th St. W., www.sjcfl.org, 941-756-3732
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
BUCKHEAD RIDGE
■ St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1027 Chobee Loop, 863-946-0696
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m.
CAPE CORAL
■ St. Andrew, 2628 Del Prado Blvd. S., www.standrewrcc.org, 239-574-4545
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish), 10:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)
■ St. Katharine Drexel, 1922 S.W. 20th Ave., saintkatharinedrexelparish.org, 239-283-9501
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
CLEWISTON
■ Santa Rosa de Lima, 835 N. Mayoral St., Montura Ranch Estates, 863-983-8585
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m. (Spanish)
■ St. Margaret, 208 N. Deane Duff Ave., www.saintmargaretparish.org , 863-983-8585
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
ENGLEWOOD
■ St. Raphael, 770 Kilbourne Ave., www.StRaphEng.org, 941-474-9595
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
EVERGLADES CITY
■ Holy Family, 200 Datura Ave., www.sanmarcochurch.org, 239-394-5181
CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 a.m.
FORT MYERS
■ Jesus the Worker, 881 Nuna Ave., www.jesustheworker.org, 239-693-5333 (All Masses in Spanish)
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., noon
■ Our Lady of Light, 19680 Cypress View Drive, www.ourladyoflight.com, 239-267-7088
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
■ Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, www.ResurrectionCh.org, 239-481-7172
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. (Latin)
■ Sagrada Familia, 4235 Michigan Ave. Link, 239-657-2666
CHRISTMAS DAY 6 p.m. (Portuguese)
■ St. Cecilia, 5632 Sunrise Drive, www.saintcecilias.org, 239-936-3635
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Columbkille, 12171 Iona Road, www.stcolumbkille.com, 239-489-3973
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m.
■ St. Francis Xavier, 2157 Cleveland Ave., www.stfrancisfm.org, 239-334-2161
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Polish), 4 p.m. (Creole)
■ St. John XXIII, 13060 Palomino Lane, www.johnxxiii.net, 239-561-2245
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. (Vietnamese)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)
■ St. Vincent de Paul, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd., www.stvincentfortmyers.org, 239-693-0818
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
FORT MYERS BEACH
■ Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd., 239-463-6754
No Masses due to Hurricane Ian
GROVE CITY
■ St. Francis of Assisi, 5265 Placida Road, www.sfoachurch.com, 941-697-4899
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
HOLMES BEACH
■ St. Bernard, 248 S. Harbor Drive, www.stbernardcc.org, 941-778-4769
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
IMMOKALEE
■ Our Lady of Guadalupe, 219 S. 9th St., 239-657-2666
CHRISTMAS EVE 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 10 a.m. (Creole), noon (Spanish)
LABELLE
■ Holy Martyrs, 4290 Crescent Ave. S.W., www.olqhhmm.org, 863-675-0030
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m. (Spanish)
■ Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 355 S. Bridge St., 863-675-0030
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
LAKE PLACID
■ St. James, 3380 Placid View Drive, www.stjameschurchlp.com, 863-465-3215
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ Santiago Apostol, 685 County Road 621 E., 863-385-0049
CHRISTMAS EVE 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m. (Spanish)
LAKEWOOD RANCH
■ Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 State Road 70 E., www.olangelscc.org, 941-752-6770
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
LEHIGH ACRES
■ St. Raphael, 2514 Lee Blvd., www.saintraphaelcc.net, 239-369-1831
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish), 10 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (Spanish), noon
LONGBOAT KEY
■ St. Mary, Star of the Sea, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, www.stmarylbk.org, 941-383-1255
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
MARCO ISLAND
■ San Marco, 851 San Marco Road, www. sanmarcochurch.org, 239-394-5181
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
MOORE HAVEN
■ St. Joseph the Worker, 1800 N. U.S. Highway 27, 863-946-0696
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m.
NAPLES
■ Corpus Christi, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, www.corpuschristifssp.com/, 402-659-5531, (All Masses in Latin)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m.
■ St. Agnes, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, www.stagnesnaples.org, 239-592-1949
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m. (Palmetto Ridge High School), 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)
■ St. Ann, 985 Third St. S., www. naplesstann.org, 239-262-4256
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Elizabeth Seton, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway, www.stelizabethseton.org, 239-455-3900
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish), midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Finbarr, 13520 Tamiami Trail E., www.stfinbarr.org, 239-417-2084
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m.
■ St. John the Evangelist, 625 111th Ave. N., www.saintjohntheevangelist.com, 239-566-8740
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
■ St. Peter the Apostle, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, www.stpeternaples.org, 239-774-3337
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m. (Spanish), 10 p.m. (Creole)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. (Spanish), 3:45 p.m. (Creole)
■ St. William, 750 Seagate Drive, www.stwilliam.org, 239-261-4883
CHRISTMAS EVE 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 10 p.m., midnight (Latin)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
NORTH FORT MYERS
■ St. Therese, 20155 N. Tamiami Trail, www.sainttheresechurch.net, 239-567-2315
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
NORTH PORT
■ San Pedro, 14380 Tamiami Trail, www.sanpedrocc.org, 941-426-2500
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
OSPREY
■ Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 425 S. Tamiami Trail, www.olmc-osprey.org, 941-966-0807
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
PALMETTO
■ Holy Cross, 505 26th St. W., www.holycrossdov.org, 941-729-3891
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 9 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)
PARRISH
■ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 12001 69th St. E., www.sfxcabrini.com, 941-776-9097
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 a.m.
PORT CHARLOTTE
■ San Antonio, 24445 Rampart Blvd., www.sanantoniorcc.org, 941-624-3799
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Charles Borromeo, 2500 Easy St., www.stcharlespc.org, 941-625-4754
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Creole)
■ St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1441 Spear St., Stmaxcatholic.org, 941-743-6877
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
PUNTA GORDA
■ Sacred Heart, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., www.sacredheartfl.org, 941-639-3957
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
SANIBEL
■ St. Isabel, 3559 Sanibel Captiva Road, www.saintisabel.org, 239-472-2763
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m.
SARASOTA
■ Christ the King, 1900 Meadowood St., www.Christthekingsarasota.org, 941-924-2777, (All Masses in Latin)
CHRISTMAS EVE midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
■ Incarnation, 2901 Bee Ridge Road, www.incarnationchurch.org, 941-921-6631
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m., 10 p.m. (Polish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 6600 Pennsylvania Ave., www.olqm.net, 941-755-1826
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Jude, 3930 17th St., www.stjudechurchsarasota.com, 941-955-3934
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 11 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. (Spanish), 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)
■ St. Martha, 200 N. Orange Ave., www.stmartha.org, 941-366-4210
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. (Vietnamese), midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, noon (Vietnamese), 6:30 p.m.
■ St. Michael the Archangel, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, www.stmichaelssiesta.com, 941-349-4174
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, www.churchofstpatrick.org, 941-378-1703
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
■ St. Thomas More, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, www.stthomasmoresrq.org, 941-923-1691
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon
SEBRING
■ St. Catherine, 820 Hickory St., www.stcathe.org, 863-385-0049
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., (Spanish), 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
VENICE
■ Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., www.epiphanycathedral.org, 941-484-3505
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m. (Polish), midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)
■ Our Lady of Lourdes, 1301 Center Road, www.ollvenice.org, 941-497-2931
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
WAUCHULA
■ St. Michael, 408 Heard Bridge Road, www.stmichaelwauchula.org, 863-773-4089
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 9 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. (Spanish, noon, 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)
News Briefs for the week of April 8, 2022
Parish hosts 40-hour Devotion
St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral hosted a 40-hour Devotion April 2, to April 4, 2022. This devotion included Adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, praying the Holy Hour and concluded with a Mass. Father Ricky Varner, Pastor at St. Katharine Drexel, stressed the importance of focusing on the Lord through Eucharistic Adoration. The 40-hour Devotion was spilt into blocks of time throughout the three days to allow for more people to participate and benefit from spending prayerful time in the presence of the Lord.
Candlelight Vigil to close 40 Days for Life in Sarasota
Everyone is invited to participate in the closing Candlelight Vigil of the 40 Days for Life spring campaign in Sarasota on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The Vigil will begin at 7:45 p.m. in front of the regional Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 736 Central Ave. in Sarasota. The 40 Days for Life spring campaign began on Ash Wednesday in thousands of communities, including Sarasota and Fort Myers. During 40 Days, at all of these sites, the faithful stood as peaceful witnesses for life. While the 40 Days for Life campaign is concluding, there are year-round opportunities to pray at abortion facilities in the Diocese. For more information, please contact Jeanne Berdeaux at 941-484-9543 or Berdeaux#dioceseofvenice.org.
Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Televised Mass
The Diocese of Venice in Florida will air the televised Palm Sunday (April 10) and Easter Sunday (April 17) Masses, each for a full hour. The Masses can be viewed at 9 a.m. on the CW Network in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Charlotte, Hardee and Highland counties, and at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-4 in Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Desoto counties. The Mass is also available on the Diocese of Venice website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass.
Chrism Mass April 12
The Diocese of Venice Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 12 at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., in Venice. During this Mass, the faithful of the Diocese join the Priests, Deacons and Bishop Frank J. Dewane for the blessing of the Holy Oils which are used in the administration of the Sacraments at each parish throughout the year. Priests and Deacons celebrating 25 and 50 years of Ordination are recognized at this Mass. All are encouraged to attend in support of our clergy and to participate in this important Holy Week celebration.
The 2022 Priest and Deacon Jubilarians are:
- 50 years – Msgr. Joseph Stearns, Father Adrian Wilde, O. Carm., Father David Foley, and Deacon Ray Barrett.
- 25 years – Father Hugh McGuigan, OSFS, Father Patrick O’Connor, OSFS, Father Leszek Sikorski, Deacon Henry de Mena, and Deacon Mark Miravalle.
Holy Week Mass times online
To learn about the times for the Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass and service times at Parishes and Missions throughout the Diocese of Venice, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/diocese-of-venice-2022-holy-week-mass-times/.
Students visit biomed business
Bishop Verot Catholic High School students in “Medical Interventions,” a third-year course in the Biomedical Sciences program in Fort Myers, visited Neogenomics on April 1, 2022, to better understand the application of the research they are doing in class and learn about potential career paths.
Young students study DNA
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Venice pride themselves on offering programs in all areas of study including science. Seventh graders at St. Catherine Catholic School in Sebring were studying DNA and genetics on March 30, 2022. As part of the lesson, they extracted their own DNA, using dried skin, and observed it in the school’s STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) lab. Classes like this enable students to learn more about not only the world around them, but also about themselves: students identify themselves as unique through their DNA and, in particular, as children of God.
Field trip teaches about Florida wildlife
A March 31, 2022, field trip to Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero by fifth graders from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers helped the young students learn about wildlife that is native to Florida. The program, called the “Panther Posse,” brings in wildlife experts to share images and research that is ongoing about the Florida panther as well as other wildlife, including black bears. The presentation is a mix of fun and hands-on science. Students learned to identify trail markings of different wildlife as well as what dangers the wildlife face from pollution and interaction with people. The students left the program as newly launched naturalists and scientists.
Cyber safety education
Students at the different schools in Lee County heard from a specialist the week of March 29, 2022, about how to navigate technology and social media in today’s world. Robert Hackenson Jr. of Dynamic Influence spoke with students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers as well as at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. These lessons provided basic tips on the pitfalls of providing too much information about yourself online. The safety aspects could not be overstated as online predators try to manipulate people of all ages to endanger the users in different ways. Hackenson used age-appropriate examples to ensure the students understood these dangers. One of the focuses was on Social Media Land Mines, which included never revealing your location, details about your home or private life and much more.
Sneak preview wows young students
Student groups from St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral and St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers were given a sneak peek of the musical “Cinderella” at Bishop Verot Catholic High School on April 1, 2022. Two special previews were offered for the younger students who saw the elaborate production by the Verot Theater Department. Afterwards, the students were able to meet some of the cast and people who worked behind-the-scenes to make the show happen. Full performances were offered throughout the subsequent weekend.
News Briefs for the Week of April 1, 2022
Two to be ordained Transitional Deacon April 2
Diocese of Venice Seminarians Michael Young and Alan Baldarelli Jr. will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, along with nine others, at 11 a.m. April 2, 2022, at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boynton Beach. Young is studying at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, while Baldarelli is studying at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. Presiding over the ordination is Bishop David Toups of the Diocese of Beaumont. The liturgy will be livestreamed at www.svdp.edu/live. As newly ordained Transitional Deacons, these men will be assigned to Parishes where they will exercise their ministry in preparation to become priests. Among many duties, they will preach, perform baptisms, witness marriages, as well as preside over wakes and funerals. Please join in praying for Michael and Alan as they take this important step in their vocational journey.
40th Anniversary celebration a success
St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Gala & Auction was a great success in Naples on March 26, 2022. Parents, priests, parishioners, and other supporters attended the event at the Spirit Center of St. Peter the Apostle Parish. It was a fun night of fellowship, dinner, music and dancing with silent and live auctions, and a Call to the Heart to fund a second Kindergarten classroom in the fall. Demand for enrollment at Seton is at an all-time high creating a great need for additional classroom and administrative space. The event raised approximately $200,000 benefiting the school’s ongoing Campus Expansion Program to meet the needs of the many families desiring quality Catholic education for their children. For more information about the school’s expansion plans, visit www.Saintelizabethseton.com/Giving.
Genocide survivor shares story of loss and forgiveness
Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor and author, was the guest speaker at the annual Faith & Ale – Faith & Wine Joint Event in Lee County at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers on March 24, 2022. Approximately 650 heard Immaculée’s presentation as she shared her amazing story of being a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. In addition to sharing the details of having lost her parents and brothers, her message centered around the topic of faith, hope and forgiveness. Faith & Wine Lee County is a Catholic faith lay-group which unites women of all backgrounds. A related program, Faith & Ale, is a Catholic men’s group and will host its final gathering of the season on April 21 at St. John XXIII Parish, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, for a presentation by Dan Hesse on the topic, “Can Catholic Values Save Capitalism?” Hesse is a retired CEO of AT&T Wireless Services and Sprint. The program begins at 6 p.m., with pizza and refreshments for a $10 donation. Reservations are required – please register online at www.faithandale.com.
History project develops special skills
Second grade students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton completed a biography research project on March 25, 2022, which included making a presentation and dressing up as the historical figure they researched. The students also created posters, a wax museum and essays about the person. Among the historical figures chosen were Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Gala supports Cardinal Mooney
Race for the Roses Gala, benefiting Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, was held March 25, 2022, at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch. Supporters dressed in their favorite outfits fit for a day at the Kentucky Derby. Proceeds were targeting the creation of a new science and physics labs. Ginger Judge was this year’s recipient of the School Sister’s of Notre Dame Award for her continuous support of Cardinal Mooney.
Ave Maria students run for gold
The girls track team of Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish came home from the Immokalee Meet on March 23, 2022, with seven gold medals, two silvers, five bronzes and winning the meet overall! The boy’s team did well, too, earning multiple medals and an overall third place team finish. Special recognition goes to Freshman Izzy Meyer who brought home three gold medals. The results are impressive taking into account this is only the second year the school has had a track team.
Care packages for needy
On March 28, 2022, students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to create “care packages” for the needy of Southwest Florida. The students had been collecting the items for weeks leading up to a packing session. Items included various products that promote personal hygiene.
Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Televised Mass
The Diocese of Venice in Florida will air the televised Palm Sunday (April 10) and Easter Sunday (April 17) Masses, each for a full hour. The Masses can be viewed at 9 a.m. on the CW Network in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Charlotte, Hardee and Highland counties, and at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-4 in Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Desoto counties. The Mass is also available on the Diocese of Venice website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass.
Diocesan-wide Opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation
As the Lenten Season progresses, the precept of confessing grave sins and receiving Holy Communion at least once during the Lenten Season merits a reminder to all. To facilitate this requirement, every Parish in the Diocese of Venice will be open with a confessor present from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Friday, April 8, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 9. Check with your local Parish for additional confession times or the availability of a Penance Service. These opportunities are made available so that the faithful may find ample opportunity to receive God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten Season.
Chrism Mass April 12
The Diocese of Venice Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 12 at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., in Venice. During this Mass, the faithful of the Diocese join the Priests, Deacons and Bishop for the blessing of the Holy Oils which are used in the administration of the Sacraments at each parish throughout the year. Priests and Deacons celebrating 25 and 50 years of Ordination are recognized at this Mass. All are encouraged to attend in support of our clergy and to participate in this important Holy Week celebration.
The 2022 Priest and Deacon Jubilarians are:
- 50 years – Msgr. Joseph Stearns, Father Adrian Wilde, O. Carm., Father David Foley, and Deacon Ray Barrett.
- 25 years – Father Hugh McGuigan, OSFS, Father Patrick O’Connor, OSFS, Father Leszek Sikorski, Deacon Henry de Mena, and Deacon Mark Miravalle.
Mass for Victims of Child Abuse
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in conjunction with the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese of Venice will hold a Mass for Victims of Child Abuse for the 15th consecutive year. The Mass will take place at 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. The Mass will be live-streamed, and all are welcome to attend as we come together to pray for the victims of abuse.
Christmas brings Light of Christ into Diocese
The Christmas Season is a time to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ and an opportunity to let the Light of the Lord shine forth from within ourselves.
Celebrations abounded throughout the Diocese of Venice with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses bringing the faithful together in celebration of the Birth of the Christ Child – Our Savior Incarnate, the Word Made Flesh.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Masses on Christmas Eve and Day at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He also recorded a Christmas Day Mass from St. Patrick Parish in Sarasota for broadcast on TV and online for the homebound.
The message of Bishop Dewane was that we must strive to be aware that Christ is in our lives. “He is the Word made Flesh and our Incarnate Savior. Let us fall in love again with the Christ Child this Christmas Season and be sent forward with the Light of Christ, magnifying it to the world.”
Aside from the decorated altars, behind the scenes it was the Faithful who magnified the Light of Christ through their generosity in supporting those in the community who are less fortunate.
Catholic Charities and Parish-based programs distributed thousands of toys and gifts to needy children throughout the region. Additionally, food was also collected in distributed to families who are struggling to make end meet.
One way this is made possible is through the support of the Parish religious education programs throughout the Diocese. These acts of kindness, great and small, made huge impacts on children and families who struggle to make ends meet.
New this year, Diocese of Venice Director of Religious Education Anne Chrzan had a special task for the Directors of Religious Education from each Parish. They were asked to participate in individual service opportunities outside of the one’s they were already coordinating at their Parish. The day of Dec. 16, 2021, was chosen because of the Gospel reading for the day stated: “Behold, I am sending a messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” (Luke 7:24-30).
Chrzan explained that this task was not intended to be an added burden, but rather an opportunity to focus on how “they” were preparing as individuals, not “what are they” preparing? This served to rediscover the joy of service on a personal level and not as just another task or part of their work.
Among the tasks, were stopping by a nursing home and bringing flowers, unused cards, and stamps; paying for someone’s groceries; helping a neighbor with setting up their Christmas lights and more. The DREs exchanged ideas and smiles as they came up with each small and significant act. Several DREs reported back to Chrzan sharing how much fun they had by coming up with something that they could do alone and not with 30 children.
The Filipino Catholic community at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte continued with the custom, in preparation for Christmas, of participating in a novena of Masses at Dawn, known as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, from Dec. 15, 2021, to Christmas Eve. This is an important and growing Catholic tradition as the faithful prepare their hearts waiting for that dawn when the sun rises. The sun rise is associated with Jesus Christ, bringing with it a new hope, new life. It is believed that participating in the novena of Masses brings many blessings, mostly for the family. Some also believe that if you attended the Simbang Gabi you would find your future spouse, which naturally increased the popularity of the tradition.
Of course, Christmas could not be celebrated without Nativity plays. One of the region’s largest takes place annually at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula. On Dec. 18, 2021, using live animals and including more than 100 children, the story of the Nativity is retold in both English and Spanish. The story includes a recreation of the town of Bethlehem and concludes with the arrival of the three kings on the Feast of the Epiphany. With the end of the program, the was a gift distribution for the children.
The celebration of the Epiphany was celebrated at Epiphany Cathedral with a Mass on Jan. 2, 2022, with Bishop Dewane as the celebrant. The trilingual Mass included the three primary language communities which the Cathedral serve – English, Spanish and Polish. Bishop Dewane explained how the three kings who sought out to pay homage to the Christ Child should serve as examples for all. We are all called, not just by the star the Magi followed, but by our heart, to hear the Message of Christ, but to understand who Jesus Christ truly was.
These are but a few examples of the spirit of Christmas which spread across the Diocese of Venice this Holiday Season.
News Briefs for the Week of December 24, 2021
2021 Christmas Mass times
The 2021 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times for Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice can be found on the Diocese of Venice homepage at https://dioceseofvenice.org/2021-diocesan-parish-christmas-mass-times/. The listings are in alphabetical order by the city the Parish is located. For details on youth choirs or musical accompaniment, please contact the Parish via the phone number or website listed for further information.
As a reminder, the televised Christmas Day Mass for the Homebound with Celebrant Bishop Frank J. Dewane will air for a full hour on Christmas Day. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Mass will air at 10 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Mass will air at 6 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings.
The Mass will also be available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/televisedmass. Leaflet missals are available upon request by calling Gail Ardy at 941-486-4714 or by writing: TV Mass, Diocese of Venice, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. For more information email ardy@dioceseofvenice.org.
Mass Celebrating Haitian Independence
Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites everyone to participate in the Annual Mass celebrating the 218th Anniversary of Haitian Independence on Saturday, January 1, 2022, at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. The 10:30 a.m. Mass, which takes place on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, brings together the various Haitian communities within the Diocese of Venice for one celebration. Bishop Frank J. Dewane and priests serving the Haitian Catholic community of the Diocese welcome Most Rev. Pierre-Andre Dumas, Bishop of the Diocese of d’Anse-a-Veaux and Miragoane, who will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist. There is a reception after the Mass in the Parish Hall.
Naples school helps tornado victims
St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples is known for its generosity to local charities through the years. Having been the recipient of outside help following Hurricane Irma in 2017, the students and faculty are cognizant of the need to give back when other communities are ravaged by storms. This is why the students chose to split a collection with a local charity and to Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky, for disaster relief in one of the worst areas impacted by recent tornadoes.
Science experiments equal fun
The students at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers are blessed to have many opportunities to test their science and engineering skills in unique and fun ways through a comprehensive STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. On Dec. 14, 2021, the fourth-grade science students used the skills they have been learning about potential and kinetic energy to the test by making a roller coaster using pool noodles and marbles. This is engineering excitement mixed with teamwork at its best. Meanwhile, the sixth-grade students wrapped up their Space Unit in their curriculum on Dec. 17. The went outside onto the soccer field and put their unique designs to the test, by launching homemade water bottle rockets. The added benefit was that the “exhaust” from the “engines” was nice cool water on the hot and muggy day which is why the students didn’t mind getting wet.
School “news crew” preparing to go livestream in 2022
The Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School Tiger Talk News Crew is in final preparations to go live starting in early 2022. The Venice-based crew performed a test run the week of Dec. 13, 2021, for the newly formed Tiger Talk. The goal is to have the morning school announcements made available via a livestream to the school and parents from the Tiger Talk newsroom. As part of the test, the students prepared their equipment and lighting and made sure the sound was working and that the image going out was in focus and clear. The news crew is learning valuable lessons on the use of technology, public speaking skills, as well as the proper use of social media.
Boosterthon fun day in Port Charlotte
The students at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte took part in a Boosterthon on Dec. 13, 2021. The Boosterthon included a variety of fun games and competitions. One of the highlights of the entire event was when students had the opportunity to put pies in the face of Principal Tonya Peters and Vice Principal Chris Mullins. As pies were being put in their faces, some of the older students would release colored powder making for an exciting mix of colors on the two school leaders and on many of the students.
Pets help students relax for exams
Taking exams at a prestigious school such as Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers can be very stressful for students. Staff members know this, so to help alleviate some of the stress, they brought their pet dogs to the school to help the students cope on Dec. 15, 2021. Judging by the reaction of the students, and the dogs, the mission was accomplished. Smiles abounded as the students appreciated a few minutes or furry stress relief and the canines enjoyed the attention of petting and belly rubs.
2021 Diocesan Parish Christmas Mass times
Below, please find the 2021 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times for Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice. The listings are in alphabetical order by the city the Parish is located.
For details on youth choirs or musical accompaniment, please contact the Parish via the phone number or website listed for further information.
As a reminder, the televised Christmas Day Mass for the Homebound with Celebrant Bishop Frank J. Dewane will air for a full hour on Christmas Day. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Mass will air at 10 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Mass will air at 6 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings.
The Mass will also be available on the Diocesan website at dioceseofvenice.org/televisedmass.
Leaflet missals are available upon request by calling Gail Ardy at 941-486-4714 or by writing: TV Mass, Diocese of Venice, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. For more information email ardy@dioceseofvenice.org.
ARCADIA
■ St. Paul, 1208 E. Oak St., www.stpaularcadia.org, 863-494-2611
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m. (Spanish)
AVE MARIA
■ Ave Maria, 5078 Pope John Paul II Blvd., www.avemariaparish.org, 239-261-5555
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Latin)
AVON PARK
■ Our Lady of Grace, 595 E. Main St., www.ologap.org, 863-453-4757
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish), 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)
BOCA GRANDE
■ Our Lady of Mercy. 240 Park Ave., 941-964-2254
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
BOKEELIA
■ Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 12175 Stringfellow Road, www.miraculousmedalch.org, 239-283-0456
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
BONITA SPRINGS
■ St. Leo the Great, 28290 Beaumont Road, www.stleocatholicchurch.org, 239-992-0901
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)
BOWLING GREEN
■ Holy Child; 4315 Chester Ave.; 863-773-4089; michaelwauchula.weconnect.com
CHRISTMAS DAY 2 p.m. (Spanish)
BRADENTON
■ Sacred Heart, 1220 15th St. W., www.sacredheartbradenton.org, 941-748-2221
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 9:30 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m. (Spanish)
■ Ss. Peter and Paul, 2850 75th St. W., www.sspeterandpaul.org, 941-795-1228
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
■ St. Joseph, 3100 26th St. W., www.sjcfl.org, 941-756-3732
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
BUCKHEAD RIDGE
■ St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1027 Chobee Loop, 863-946-0696
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m.
CAPE CORAL
■ St. Andrew, 2628 Del Prado Blvd. S., www.standrewrcc.org, 239-574-4545
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish), 11 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)
■ St. Katharine Drexel, 1922 S.W. 20th Ave., saintkatharinedrexelparish.org, 239-283-9501
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
CLEWISTON
■ Santa Rosa de Lima, 835 N. Mayoral St., Montura Ranch Estates, www.saintmargaretparish.org, 863-983-8585
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY noon (Spanish)
■ St. Margaret, 208 N. Deane Duff Ave., www.saintmargaretparish.org, 863-983-8585
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m.
ENGLEWOOD
■ St. Raphael, 770 Kilbourne Ave., www.StRaphEng.org, 941-474-9595
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
EVERGLADES CITY
■ Holy Family, 200 Datura Ave., www.sanmarcochurch.org
239-394-5181
CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 a.m.
FORT MYERS
■ Jesus the Worker, 881 Nuna Ave., www.jesustheworker.org, 239-693-5333 (All MASSES IN SPANISH)
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY noon
■ Our Lady of Light, 19680 Cypress View Drive, www.ourladyoflight.com, 239-267-7088
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
■ Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, www.ResurrectionCh.org, 239-481-7172
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Latin)
■ Sagrada Familia, 4235 Michigan Ave. Link, 239-657-2666
CHRISTMAS DAY 6 p.m. (Portuguese)
■ San Jose, 10750 Gladiolus Drive, 239-639-5333, (All MASSES IN SPANISH)
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY noon
■ St. Cecilia, 5632 Sunrise Drive, www.saintcecilias.org, 239-936-3635
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Columbkille, 12171 Iona Road, www.stcolumbkille.com, 239-489-3973
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Francis Xavier, 2157 Cleveland Ave., www.stfrancisfm.org, 239-334-2161
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., (Creole), 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Polish)
■ St. John XXIII, 13060 Palomino Lane, www.johnxxiii.net, 239-561-2245
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. (Vietnamese)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (Spanish)
■ St. Vincent de Paul, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd., www.stvincentfortmyers.org, 239-693-0818
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
FORT MYERS BEACH
■ Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd., 239-463-6754
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
GROVE CITY
■ St. Francis of Assisi, 5265 Placida Road, www.sfoachurch.com, 941-697-4899
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
HOLMES BEACH
■ St. Bernard, 248 S. Harbor Drive, www.stbernardcc.org, 941-778-4769
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
IMMOKALEE
■ Our Lady of Guadalupe, 219 S. 9th St., 239-657-2666
CHRISTMAS EVE 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
LABELLE
■ Holy Martyrs, 4290 Crescent Ave. S.W., www.olqhhmm.org, 863-675-0030
CHRISTMAS EVE 7 p.m. (Spanish)
■ Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 355 S. Bridge St., 863-675-0030
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Spanish), noon (Spanish)
LAKE PLACID
■ St. James, 3380 Placid View Drive, www.stjameschurchlp.com, 863-465-3215
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ Santiago Apostol, 685 County Road 621 E., 863-385-0049
CHRISTMAS EVE 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m. (Spanish)
LAKEWOOD RANCH
■ Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 State Road 70 E., www.olangelscc.org, 941-752-6770
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
LEHIGH ACRES
■ St. Raphael, 2514 Lee Blvd., www.saintraphaelcc.net, 239-369-1831
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish), 10 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (Spanish), noon
LONGBOAT KEY
■ St. Mary, Star of the Sea, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, www.stmarylbk.org, 941-383-1255
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
MARCO ISLAND
■ San Marco, 851 San Marco Road, www. sanmarcochurch.org, 239-394-5181
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
MOORE HAVEN
■ St. Joseph the Worker, 1800 N. U.S. Highway 27, 863-946-0696
CHRISTMAS EVE 7:30 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m.
NAPLES
■ Corpus Christi, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, www.corpuschristifssp.com/, 402-659-5531, (All Masses in Latin)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Agnes, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, www.stagnesnaples.org, 239-592-1949
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 5 p.m. (Palmetto Ridge High School), 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)
■ St. Ann, 985 Third St. S., www. naplesstann.org, 239-262-4256
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ St. Elizabeth Seton, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway, www.stelizabethseton.org, 239-455-3900
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish), midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Finbarr, 13520 Tamiami Trail E., www.stfinbarr.org, 239-417-2084
CHRISTMAS EVE 4:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m.
■ St. John the Evangelist, 625 111th Ave. N., www.saintjohntheevangelist.com, 239-566-8740
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
■ St. Peter the Apostle, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, www.stpeternaples.org, 239-774-3337
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m. (Creole), midnight (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. (Spanish), 3:45 p.m. (Creole)
■ St. William, 750 Seagate Drive, www.stwilliam.org, 239-261-4883
CHRISTMAS EVE 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 10 p.m., midnight (Latin)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
NOCATEE
■ Capilla Católica de San Juan Diego, 5247 S.W. Highway 17, 863-494-2611
CHRISTMAS EVE 6 p.m. (Spanish)
NORTH FORT MYERS
■ St. Therese, 20155 N. Tamiami Trail, www.sainttheresechurch.net, 239-567-2315
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
NORTH PORT
■ San Pedro, 14380 Tamiami Trail, www.sanpedrocc.org, 941-426-2500
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
OSPREY
■ Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 425 S. Tamiami Trail, www.olmc-osprey.org, 941-966-0807
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
PALMETTO
■ Holy Cross, 505 26th St. W., www.holycrossdov.org, 941-729-3891
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)
PARRISH
■ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 12001 69th St. E., www.sfxcabrini.com, 941-776-9097
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 a.m.
PORT CHARLOTTE
■ San Antonio, 24445 Rampart Blvd., www.sanantoniorcc.org, 941-624-3799
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 9 a.m.
■ St. Charles Borromeo, 2500 Easy St., www.stcharlespc.org, 941-625-4754
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 6 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Creole)
■ St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1441 Spear St., Stmaxcatholic.org, 941-743-6877
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
PUNTA GORDA
■ Sacred Heart, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., www.sacredheartfl.org, 941-639-3957
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
SANIBEL
■ St. Isabel, 3559 Sanibel Captiva Road, www.saintisabel.org, 239-472-2763
CHRISTMAS EVE 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 a.m.
SARASOTA
■ Christ the King, 1900 Meadowood St., www.Christthekingsarasota.org, 941-924-2777, (All MASSES IN LATIN)
CHRISTMAS EVE midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
■ Incarnation, 2901 Bee Ridge Road, www.incarnationchurch.org, 941-921-6631
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 6600 Pennsylvania Ave., www.olqm.net, 941-755-1826
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Jude, 3930 17th St., www.stjudechurchsarasota.com, 941-955-3934
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 11 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. (Spanish), 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish)
■ St. Martha, 200 N. Orange Ave., www.stmartha.org, 941-366-4210
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. (Vietnamese), 10 p.m., midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, noon (Vietnamese), 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
■ St. Michael the Archangel, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, www.stmichaelssiesta.com, 941-349-4174
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
■ St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, www.churchofstpatrick.org, 941-378-1703
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon
■ St. Thomas More, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, www.stthomasmoresrq.org, 941-923-1691
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 10 a.m., noon
SEBRING
■ St. Catherine, 820 Hickory St., www.stcathe.com, 863-385-0049
CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m., 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon (Spanish)
VENICE
■ Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., www.epiphanycathedral.org, 941-484-3505
CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m. (Polish), midnight
CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
■ Our Lady of Lourdes, 1301 Center Road, www.ollvenice.org, 941-497-2931
CHRISTMAS EVE 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
WAUCHULA
■ St. Michael, 408 Heard Bridge Road, www. michaelwauchula.weconnect.com, 863-773-4089
CHRISTMAS EVE 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Spanish)
CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 p.m., noon (Spanish)
News Briefs for the week of November 26, 2021
Bishop helps distribute food
Bishop Frank J. Dewane assisted in loading turkeys into cars at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naples on Nov. 22, 2021. The drive-thru Thanksgiving food distribution was coordinated by St. Matthews House with more than 700 families being feed and donations coming from across the region including nearby Parishes and Catholic schools.
Christmas Day Televised Mass for the Homebound
The televised Christmas Day Mass for the Homebound with Celebrant Bishop Frank J. Dewane will air for a full hour on Christmas Day. For viewers in the northern portions of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Mass will air at 9:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Mass will air at 6 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings. The Mass will also be available on the Diocesan website at dioceseofvenice.org/televisedmass. Leaflet missals are available upon request by calling Gail Ardy at 941-486-4714 or by writing: TV Mass, Diocese of Venice, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285. For more information email ardy@dioceseofvenice.org. Also, please check the Dec. 17 e-Edition of the Florida Catholic for a complete listing of Diocese of Venice Christmas Mass times. The times will also be posted on the Diocesan website by Dec. 13, 2021.
Essay about priest earns state recognition
A Sarasota student was recently recognized for his writing skills in the First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest. Giacomo Mutti, a Booker High School senior, wrote his essay about Father Celestino Gutiérrez, Pastor of St. Jude Parish, who supports the Sarasota County community through his volunteerism. Giacomo was recognized by Gov. Ron DeSantis during a ceremony held on Nov. 12, 2021. The theme for the 500-word essay was limited to “celebrating Hispanic-American Community Leaders and Champions.” A ceremony honoring Giacomo was held Nov. 21, at St. Jude Parish where he was able to show off his prize and directly thank Father Gutiérrez for being an inspiration to him and others in the community. For winning the contest, Giacomo earned a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Well done!
Students continue service project
During November, fourth graders at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers lead the school wide/year-long “Breath of Life – Help Our Heroes,” service project. The students created colorful Thanksgiving canvas art for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Respiratory Team at Golisano Children’s Hospital. They also provided these dedicated caregivers with sandwiches, chips and beverages to enjoy when they take a well-deserved break!
Naples students learn science of parade balloons
Second graders at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples leaned all about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade the week of Nov. 15-19, 2021. The students read “Balloons Over Broadway”, completed literacy activities and conducted a science experiment showing how combining a liquid and solid created a chemical reaction causing the gas to inflate the balloons. The students designed and created their own balloons for our very own “Balloons Over Broadway” parade.
Thanksgiving Feast for parents and students
St. Mary Catholic Academy in Sarasota hosted its annual Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 18, 2021. School board members, Home and School Association assisted in making this tradition a success for the students and their families.
School endowment campaign unveiled in Naples
On Nov. 16, 2021, the Saint Ann School Foundation held a launch party to publicly announce their plans for a $10 Million Campaign to provide students scholarships for the students of Saint Ann Catholic School in Naples.
“We are grateful to all who joined us for a spectacular evening in celebration of our formal launch of the Faith Family Future Endowment Campaign for the Saint Ann School Foundation,” said Pamela Marcia, Foundation Executive Director. “It was a beautiful and joyful evening for Catholic Education.” The big news of the night was the thrilling reveal of the “Faith Family Future Endowment Campaign.”
In six months, 16 generous donors have committed $7.7 Million of the $10 Million campaign goal. We are extremely grateful and humbled by the generosity of our faithful friends of the Foundation for their trust and belief in our mission. To learn more about the Saint Ann School Foundation, please visit www.foundationstann.org.
Happy Mother’s Day: Mary and all mothers serve as faith-filled examples
During her lifetime the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary raised a son, but not just any young man – Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, sent by God. Through all that Mary had witnessed over Jesus’ time spent on earth, she found ways to nurture and love him, she taught and guided him.
There are many disputes as to how and when the first-ever Mother’s Day was celebrated, but it couldn’t be more fitting for it to be in the Marian month of May.
On Mother’s Day, we remember with gratitude and affection our mothers, not only through material gifts, flowers, or cards, but also, and more importantly, by our prayers for them. We thank God for the gift of our mothers who conceived and gave birth to us, who cared for us, protected us, taught us, and loved us. Many passed on the precious gift of faith to us. We remember all our mothers, living and deceased, and thank them for their generosity and selfless love.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, in his homily for the TV Mass for the Homebound airing on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021, said the Lord calls us to love one another, with the first example each has in life, is through the love of our mother. (To watch the Mass, please visit, https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/communications/tvmass/.)
“It is what we see around us daily,” Bishop Dewane said. “Mothers making a sacrifice for their children, being totally selfless – that model, that witness to follow.”
Similar to Mary, mothers today face unique difficult challenges, serving a vital role in creating a healthy balance for their child while ensuring that they grow and develop to their greatest potential.
Pope Francis said that to be a mother is a great treasure, as she “helps her children grow up and wants them to grow strong and does not want them to pursue a frivolous life or to become lazy, sinking into a comfortable lifestyle in which they content themselves with possessions.”
A mother thus takes care that her children grow “capable of accepting responsibilities, of engaging in life, of striving for great ideals,” Pope Francis said.
Sue Macedonio, of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, strives to raise her three teenage children, Dominic, Bobby, and McKayla Cantrell, conscientiously in the faith with grace and compassion.
Macedonio confirms each child has a solid foundation built on love and faith. “To do that, you have to live and practice your faith at home,” she said, acknowledging it’s the little things we do, respecting each other, being courteous and kind, and always prepared. “This has motivated them into becoming the active teens they are today and sets them up to face the future.”
Each currently attends Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota and all previously went to Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School and are active in the faith, Macedonio said, but that does not make it easier as a mother.
“They are great, but it is a struggle like in any family,” she said. “Having a strong foundation as a family helps us grow in our faith together.”
For Guadalupe Oliva of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, the love she has for her three children is unconditional and inspired by the Blessed Virgin.
Oliva occupies much of her time ensuring that Maria, Jose and Marta (all younger than 10) are safe and healthy, while at the same time worrying about their future. She frequently prays to Our Lady that they will grow up to be strong and successful.
She frequently worries about outside influences causing her children to stray from the faith, so she works hard to instill a love for Jesus and Mary.
“We pray together every day,” Oliva said about the family pre-meal ritual of praying the Hail Mary and Our Father. “I also pray to the Virgin that I remain worthy of being a mother and that through her support I can help my children grow to find peace and love.”
While Macedonio and Oliva face daily challenges to raising their children, they are both confident that their faith will continue to be the foundation of a bright future for their respective family.”
Pope Francis said we need to learn from mothers that heroism is shown in self-giving, strength in compassion, wisdom in meekness.
“God himself needed a Mother: how much more so do we! Jesus himself gave her to us, from the cross: ‘Behold your mother!’ (Jn 19:27),” the Holy Father continued. “He said this to the beloved disciple and to every disciple. Our Lady is not an optional accessory: she has to be welcomed into our life. She is the Queen of Peace, who triumphs over evil and leads us along paths of goodness, who restores unity to her children, who teaches us compassion.”
The Blessed Virgin is the example for us all.
