January 20-24, 2025

Office of the Bishop Jubilee 2025 Diocesan Communications Ministries Out & About in the Diocese
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for January 2025 – Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Appointments – After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:

  • Reverend Victor Caviedes, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, effective December 17, 2024.

JUBILEE YEAR 2025

Jubilee Year 2025 – The 2025 Jubilee Year, as established by Pope Francis, has begun. Five locations in the Diocese of Venice have been designated as Jubilee pilgrimage sites by Bishop Frank J. Dewane. These pilgrimage sites are Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, and Our Lady of Perpetual Health Retreat & Spirituality Center in Venice. These five locations, located in each of the geographical regions (Deaneries) of the Diocese, were selected for the convenience of the faithful, so that they may take advantage of the grace of the Jubilee Year.  The public schedule for each of the Diocese of Venice pilgrimage sites will be announced in the coming weeks and shared on the Diocese’s website and on social media, with more events and activities to be announced.
A series of Jubilee Adoration Nights at various Parishes will be the first in a series of opportunities within the Diocese of Venice to participate in the Jubilee Year. Each Jubilee Adoration Night will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations: Thursday, Jan. 16, St. Agnes Parish, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples; Friday, January 31, St. Andrew Parish, 2628 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; Saturday, March 22, St. Patrick Parish, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; and Friday, May 2, St. Paul Parish, 1330 E. Oak. St., Arcadia.



DIOCESEAN COMMUNICATIONS

1/31 “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” – Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly radio program on Relevant Radio on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples. “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” can be heard at 8:30 a.m. on January 31. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available here.


WARNING – Text/Email SCAM Alert – It has once again been brought to the attention of the Diocese of Venice that parishioners have received text/email messages from people pretending to be clergy – including Bishop Frank J. Dewane – or Parish/school staff, requesting donations in the form of gift cards and/or wire transfers. These messages, which are more frequent during the Christmas Season, often come from text/emails that look similar to official Diocesan/Parish/school numbers or accounts and often greet the recipient by name and have the priest’s, Bishop’s, or staff member’s name in the “From” line and/or closing signature of the message. The SPAM often claims that the priest/Bishop/staff member is in need of gift cards or money to aid a sick child, relative, or parishioner. The message then asks the person to purchase gift cards/money and then to text/email the redemption code and PIN number. It is Diocesan policy that neither the Bishop, nor priests or staff request donations in the form of gift cards, PayPal, MoneyGram, etc. Without this awareness, some have responded to the spoofed messages, with consequences, including loss of funds. There is an established process in place on how parishioners can make donations and participate in the life of the Diocese, Parish, or school. If you receive such a SCAM text or email, please immediately contact the Diocesan/Parish/school directly!



EDUCATION

1/26-2/1 Catholic Schools Week, January 26 – February 1, 2025 – Please pray for our Catholic School students and staff during Catholic Schools Week, January 26 – February 1!  Each day the Diocese’s Catholic School recognize and celebrate a different theme, including parish, community, students, nation, vocations, faculty, and family. The Diocese of Venice has 15 Catholic schools with 6,524 students currently enrolled.

Evangelization Department:

National Eucharistic Revival Enters Year of Mission – The National Eucharistic Revival now enters its third and final year, The Year of Mission (through June 2025). This is an exciting new season of the Revival movement. The Holy Spirit has enkindled a missionary fire in the heart of our nation, and now is sending out every member of the Church to spread the Good News – sharing the gift of our Eucharistic Lord!  This is your chance to be part of it all!  Visit the National Eucharistic Revival website to download a Year of Mission Playbook to help you to discern and embark on your personal Eucharistic mission. Join the movement! Become a Eucharistic Missionary!


2/8 “Invite One Back” Training – Learn how to invite others back to Mass in a non-confrontational way Saturday, February 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul Parish Hall, 1330 E. Oak St, Arcadia. This one-day workshop will teach participants person-to-person evangelization and is co-sponsored by the Diocese of Venice and St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE). The cost is $20 per person and includes all materials as well as breakfast and lunch. This training will be in English. Online registration is required at stpaulse.com/venice.


2/15 Eucharistic Pilgrimage – On Saturday, February 15, Catholic faithful from the parishes of the Eastern Deanery are invited to join the Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which will visit the parishes of St. James, St. Catherine, Our Lady of Grace, St. Michael, and St. Paul. This is a unique opportunity to respond to the call of the Eucharistic Revival Mission and celebrate the Jubilee declared by Pope Francis. For more information, please contact Mother Maria Nikopoia, SSVM, at m.nikopia@servidoras.org or call 863-232-9284.


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.

Marriage and Family Life Department:

12/4-12/5
“There is Hope” Bereavement Outreach – The Office of Family Life is hosting a Bereavement training focusing on training parish bereavement volunteers and those who speak with the bereaved. Deacon Henry deMena will lead the training. Deacon deMena holds a master’s degree in counseling and has extensive training and experience in Bereavement. The session will be held December 4th and 5th at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Port Charlotte.  Please se below for a flyer and promote to your parishioners. For more information, contact Jim Gontis at gontis@dioceseofvenice.org

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Retreat Center:

11/10 or 11/13
Monthly Day of Prayer: “How (Not) to Lead Your Family and Friends Back to the Faith”- Chose either Sunday, November 10 or Wednesday November 13 to treat yourself to a day of faith and understanding at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Drive, Venice. Fr. Mark Yavorone will lead the retreat that begins at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast and includes two conferences, lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, private mediation, and prayers. The day concludes with 2:30 p.m. Mass. The cost is $45.00 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Click here to register on the OLPH website or call 941-486-0233. For a complete list of group and individual retreats, please visit olph-retreat.org.

Vocations Department:

11/8-11/10
Vocation Awareness Weekend – St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami is hosting a Vocation Awareness Weekend from Friday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, November 10 at 12:00 p.m. This seminary visit is open to young men, ages 17 and up and is an engaging time of prayer, talks, sports, and other fun activities with the seminarians and priests. There is no cost and transportation is provided. To register, please contact Lina Johnson at johnson@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-486-4720.
Event:   Vocation Awareness Weekend
Time: 7:00 p.m. Friday – 12:00 p.m. Sunday
Date: Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10
Place: St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami
Cost: free
Contact: Lina Johnson at johnson@dioceseofvenice.org or call 941-486-4720