Pope Benedict XVI names Msgr. Frank J. Dewane to succeed Bishop John J. Nevins as Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida; Msgr. Dewane ordained as Co-Adjunct Bishop of Venice in July; St. Jude in Sarasota founded as a Parish and Church dedicated; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church/Parish center dedicated; St. Padre Pio Shrine dedicated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Sarasota.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane takes over all duties as second Bishop of the Diocese of Venice; Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins retires on his 75th birthday; Our Lady of Light Parish Church dedicated; Holy Martyrs Mission in LaBelle and St. Agnes in Naples established as a Parish; enhanced building and construction guidelines for Diocese, including greening efforts, established; enhanced Safe Environment program to protect children and vulnerable adults; Bishop Dewane celebrates Masses in area prisons for the first time; first Walk for Life in Fort Myers.
St. Charles Borromeo Parish Church in Port Charlotte rededicated, St. Isabel Parish on Sanibel reopens, new Sacred Heart Parish Church dedicated in Punta Gorda, each received heavy damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004; St. Catherine School in Sebring opens and is the 15 school in the Diocese; Quasi-Parish of Ave Maria Oratory founded; first Red Mass at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota; first Bioethics Conference in Fort Myers for priests and medical professionals; first Novena of Masses for Life held throughout Diocese; first Environmental Justice Forum on Water.
“Year of Celebration,” Diocese celebrates 25 years; 250,000 registered parishioners, eight elementary schools, three high schools, two special needs schools and one adult formation school. Mass held in honor of Bishop Nevin’s 50th anniversary as a priest; first Men’s and Women’s Conferences held; first Diocesan-wide Youth Rally; inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Mass in Venice, Mass held at Eucharistic Memorial in Bradenton; walk-a-thon for World Missions.
First Veterans Day Mass held at Sarasota National Cemetery; five priests bestowed with Papal Honors; first Walk for Life in Naples; Christ the King Chapel founded in Sarasota.
“Catholics Come Home” campaign media blitz a success; St. Therese in North Fort Myers named 58th Parish in Diocese; new Jesus the Worker Parish Church dedicated in Fort Myers; nearly 100 pilgrims attend World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain; group of 25 youth go on mission trip to St. Lucia; Diocese celebrates Month of the Rosary; Diocese hosts 25th Annual Respect Life Conference; first project in Neighborhood Stabilization program dedicated in Sarasota; Ave Maria University recognized as Catholic University.
“The Light is On” campaign was introduced during Lent to encourage the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation with great success; Year of Faith began with a variety of events themed to encourage Catholics to become more energized in their Faith; The “Catholics Come Home” campaign returned in a modified format; four men ordained priests by Bishop Dewane during two separate ordination Masses; a new Women Religious community welcomed at St. Michael Parish in Wauchula when sisters from the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara arrived in September; a key theme throughout the year was the defense of Religious Freedom with thousands of people attending several rallies and participating in campaigns to encourage reversal of the HHS mandate; St. Monica Residence, a Catholic Charities apartment building for low-income families in Sarasota was opened; a new redesigned Diocesan website was unveiled; the year ended with the blessing and dedication of the new church for St. William Parish in Naples.
