Keeping one’s heart open to the “Call of the Lord” was the message delivered to youth who participated in a Vocations Retreat on May 11, 2024, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral.
Priesthood, religious life, sacramental marriage, and consecrated single life are the four vocational options for young people today. Supported by the Diocese of Venice Vocations Office, the retreat included talks by priests, religious men and women, Diocesan seminarians, and a married couple, with the goal of encouraging the young men and women to start thinking about a vocation, regardless of which one, but in all cases, in service to the Lord.
Each guest speaker shared their personal faith journey and how they are living their response to the call of the Lord in their lives. There was a stress on the universal call to holiness that the Lord wants from His children. As one speaker said, we are all brought into this world to become saints and get to heaven.
Diocesan Vocations Director Father Alex Pince opened the retreat by speaking about the need to attend Mass regularly and to receive the Blessed Sacrament at Communion, using this time to be close to the Lord, in His Church. They must also go to confession regularly to receive the Lord’s loving mercy, and to be in a state of grace, the vessel that can clearly hear the Lord’s voice. Finally, the youth must trust God — this comes from His unwavering love, which, when accepted, will lead them to ultimate happiness.
“If we want to know Jesus, we have to live in Christ,” Father Pince said. “If we do that, our desires will be united with God’s desires. It is when we are in prayer and feel a tug on our heart that brings us peace and joy that the Lord reveals the endless possibility of His love and mercy.”
The response from the teens was overwhelmingly positive, and throughout the day the youth asked insightful questions. Several wondered how they will know they are hearing a call from the Lord, or something else.
Sister Maria de Talpa Vargas, Servant Sister of the Virgin of Matara (SSVM), who is serving at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula, said that when she accepted her vocation to become a religious sister, “This joy, an exploding of my heart, came over me. I was so happy. I felt that I could fly… It was the missing part of my heart. I felt a click; I didn’t need anything else.”
Carmelite Father Anthony Trung Nguyen, who is from Vietnam and serves as the Carmelite Order Vocations Director, said that growing up in a country that was dominated by Communism made being Catholic difficult. In fact, the priest only visited and celebrated Mass twice a year.
“This didn’t bother me, because I grew up knowing God called to me to live in His honor,” Father Nguyen said. “I wanted that relationship with God, I wanted to get other people to know the joy I found. God knows who I am, and he knows who you all are. He made you and He works in you to do His work in the world. Hear the Lord in your life, in your heart, in your soul. Listen and respond.”
Diocesan Seminarian and Transitional Deacon Jacob Gwynn shared his vocation story by explaining how he heard the call at an early age, admiring the priests in his Parish, but it wasn’t until he actively prayed in silence in front of the Most Holy Eucharist about becoming a priest that he really heard the Lord.
“God calls you, no matter where you are in your life,” Deacon Gwynn said. “Ask yourself what the Lord is calling you to do. Pause to listen for an answer. Wait for a response and be comforted that whatever you are called to do, God will be accompanying you on that journey.”
Throughout the day, priests were available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the entire group took part in the Saturday Vigil Mass, for Ascension Sunday. They also took part in a Holy Hour for Vocations which included Eucharistic Adoration.
Additional speakers included Diocesan Seminarian Lamb Vo; Sister Regina Zambrano, SSVM, of St. Michael Parish in Wauchula; Jacob Lyons and Stephanie Lovetere who are getting married in July; Father Ricky Varner, Pastor at Katharine Drexel, and George de Los Reyes, who provided his own reflection and musical accompaniment during the Holy Hour and Adoration.
Sister Talpa allayed some of the concerns the youth expressed when she explained that when choosing a vocation to religious life, she initially feared losing her identity and her relationship with her family. “When you find your vocation, no matter whether it is as a priest, religious or married, you are not losing yourself. You are gaining yourself, you are actually fulfilling a call and you are filled with joy. Keep your hearts open to priesthood or religious life, because the Church needs you to help others grow closer to God, and to make Jesus known to everyone.”
If you are interested in a vocation to the priesthood, or religious life (men or women), please contact Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Director of Vocations, at 941-484-9543 or pince@dioceseofvenice.org, or visit www.venicevocation.org.
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.
The staff of the Diocese of Venice Catholic Center took part in a prayer service, led by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 8, 2024. Bishop Dewane noted how the month of May is dedicated to Our Lady and it is appropriate to honor her seeking the Blessed Virgin’s intercession on our behalf. During the prayer service, the Catholic Center staff prayed Litany of Our Lady of Loretto, the Hail Mary, and sang the Salve Regina.
Bishop Dewane praised the VDCCW for coming together and giving witness to the Faith by how they are believers and followers of Jesus Christ who are called forth to reach out to others.
The Remake Learning Days Family Fun Day for residents of Casa San Juan Bosco, a farmworker housing community in Arcadia run by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., took place April 20, 2024. There were games, food and information booths. There was also the surprise arrival of a Florida Department of Forestry helicopter landing in the soccer field. The two pilots answered many questions and allowed the children to climb up and into the helicopter.
Deacon Gwynn is studying at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, having graduated from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami in 2020. Born and raised in Palmetto, Deacon Jake is the third of four children. Deacon Jake recalls that becoming a priest was one of his earliest aspirations. One of his mentors from a young age was Msgr. Joseph Ferraro, a retired priest who also served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, who inspired him to pursue a path to not only the priesthood but also in the Navy Chaplaincy. Following that inspiration, he was sworn in as an officer of the U.S. Navy in 2021 and is currently a Lt. (j.g), in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
Deacon Long has been studying at St. John XXIII National Seminary in Massachusetts which specializes in formation for later vocations. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, but raised in Sarasota, the second of six children, Deacon Pat is a graduate of St. Martha Catholic School and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota. He graduated with a degree from Florida State. While pursuing a marketing career in the health care industry, he kept ties to the faith as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, religious education teacher, youth group leader and in Pro-Life work. Feeling God was calling him to the priesthood, with the help of a spiritual director he opted to enter seminary. As a seminarian for the Diocese of Venice, Deacon Long served at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota, St. Martha Parish in Sarasota, attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Nebraska, and participated in the Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Guatemala. During his ordination, Deacon Long was vested by Deacon Stephen Beck of Incarnation Parish.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass for students at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers on March 19, 2024. During the Mass, Bishop Dewane encouraged the students to finish Lent and the school year strong, while focusing on placing Christ before all else. The Bishop also complimented the faculty and students for their support of the wildly successful Diocesan Eucharistic Conference which was hosted by the school and included many student volunteers on March 16. Bishop Dewane said the actions of the faculty and students reflected well on the school and let others in the Diocese know what he already knew – Bishop Verot is a place where students are educated and formed to be leaders in the community.
Congratulations to Diocese of Venice Seminarian Joseph Bao Quoc Nguyen was one of five men installed to the ministry of Acolyte on March 15, 2024, at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, presided over the Mass of Institution which plays a significant role in the formation of these men as they journey towards their ordination to the priesthood. As an Acolyte, the primary responsibility will be assisting the Deacon and priest during Mass, with a focus on ensuring the altar is prepared. They may also serve as Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass and bringing the Holy Eucharist to the sick.
Following the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Frank J. Dewane continued to celebrate Mass for students at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools during the Lenten Season. The most recent Masses were March 14, 2024, at Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota, St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton on March 19 (the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria, on March 20. Bishop continued to encourage the students to finish the Lenten Season strong in preparation for Holy Week.
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice hosted a Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated in Italian on March 19, 2024, and included the active involvement of the Italian American Club of Venice. Following the Mass, the statue of St. Joseph was carried to the Parish Hall in a procession led by the Knights of Columbus. There, Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Cathedral Rector, blessed the traditional St. Joseph’s table of bread and sweets, which were later distributed.
The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School Roaring 20’s Gala & Auction took place on March 16, 2024, at the Vineyards Golf and Country Club in Naples. A vintage Duesenberg was on display as guests arrived, many of the woman in sequined flapper-style dresses with feather headbands, while the men dressed in 20’s style tuxedoes, complete with fedoras. Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the guest of honor and thanked the parents for entrusting their children’s education to St. Elizabeth Seton. In addition, Bishop Dewane praised the faculty and staff for consistently delivering a quality education centered on faith, while also managing rapid growth and improvement of the school facilities.
