Latest News and Events
What the Liturgical season is and why we celebrate it
40 Days of Lent Begin! Lent is one of the most important seasons of the year. Lent prepares the faithful for Holy Week, for those sacred days in the Church calendar when we celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Religious Freedom Under Attack
As many are aware, a recent Health and Human Services mandate will require Catholic organizations and business owners to provide abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraception services through their health insurance plans. The newest version of the mandate would require health insurance companies, even those paid by religious organizations, to provide these “services” for “free.” Have you ever heard of free services from an insurance company? Neither had the Catholic Bishops’ Conference; and so we reject the President’s proposal as an accounting gimmick and continue to identify the real issue—an assault on religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
The Gift and Mystery of Ash Wednesday
This opportunity is taken to address the upcoming Lenten Season, and particularly to recognize the preparation needed for our entering into the season. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday, February 22, and it marks the beginning of the Lenten journey. I want to share with you thoughts about the significance of this day for the Church, as well as reflect on the beautiful meaning behind the signing with ashes.
Conferences to fill spiritual needs of Catholic women, men
To help serve and support the unique spiritual needs of women and men the Diocese of Venice is sponsoring two dynamic conferences in the coming weeks. The Fourth Annual Diocese of Venice Women’s Conference and Men’s Conference will both have exciting speakers who will address relevant spiritual topics that effect today’s Catholic women and men.
“Light is On” for You
This Lent the Diocese of Venice will be launching a major campaign called "The Light is On." The purpose of this campaign is to encourage Catholics to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance. Each week of Lent, every parish in the Diocese will be hearing Confessions from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays and 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Bishop Frank Dewane’s Letter Regarding the HHS Healthcare Mandate
The following letter is scheduled to be read at Mass in the Diocese of Venice during the weekend of February 4-5.
A Young at Heart Volunteer
If you saw Bill Schlee working out at your gym, you would never guess his age. Bill turned 100 on Jan. 25, 2012. Since retiring to Naples, Schlee has volunteered with Collier Harvest and now with St. Vincent de Paul Society Naples District Council for the past four years, collecting baked goods from the local Publix for the Meals on Wheels program. When asked why he volunteers, his response is: “I am charity oriented. I feel like I should do some good for someone who doesn’t have as much as I do.”
Fort Myers Parish celebrates 10 years
Built on the idea that the faith community at Blessed Pope John XXIII Parish would be a beacon of light in the community, much has happened in 10 short years. As the parish community marks a milestone with its 10th Anniversary, the planning for the future has already begun.
Catholic Schools Week filled with exciting activities
The week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4 will be an exciting time for the 15 Catholic schools within Diocese of Venice. That time is designated as Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Education Association and is a time for the outside world to get a closer look at the shining example Catholic schools are throughout the Diocese.
Politics and the Laity’s responsibility
The Republican Primary race as well as the opening of the 2012 Florida legislative session has reawakened this country and state’s thirst for politics. It’s hard to find a news broadcast that isn’t talking about who is ahead in the polls, who is slipping farther from a nomination, what bills are to be voted on, and so on.
Diocese celebrates founding Bishop’s 80th Birthday
The best and most appropriate way to express the thanks and gratitude of the faithful for Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins on his 80th birthday – Mass was celebrated by the Diocese of Venice in his honor.
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