June 20, 2025
After consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:
As of July 1, 2025, Reverend Joseph Than Van Liem, CRM, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar and Chaplain for the Vietnamese Community at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers and thus will be returning to his Religious Community.
Reverend Jimmy Pham, CRM, as Parochial Vicar and Chaplain for the Vietnamese Community at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, effective July 1, 2025.
As of July 10, 2025, Reverend Christopher Hathaway, FSSP, is relieved of his duties as Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Sarasota and thus will be returning to his Religious Community.
Reverend Vincent Huber, FSSP, as Administrator of Christ the King Parish in Sarasota, effective July 10, 2025, and thus, is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish.
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Ordination to the Priesthood - Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, invites the faithful to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Transitional Deacons Joseph Doherty, Jacob Gwynn and Pat Long. The Ordination will take place at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event in the lives of Deacons Joseph, Jacob and Pat as well as the Diocese of Venice. If you are unable to attend in person, you can join us via the livestream. The Ordination will be viewable at the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/5203123
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Witness to Hope: Religious Freedom Week 2025 - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commemorates Religious Freedom Week June 22 –29. This year’s theme, “Witnesses to Hope,” builds on the annual report released earlier this year by the Conference’s Committee for Religious Liberty that highlights the impact of political polarization on religious freedom.
Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the faithful can promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and those of all faiths. For the latest information from the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, please visit the USCCB's Religious Liberty webpage and sign up for the First Freedom News monthly newsletter.
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Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope - Bishop Frank J. Dewane has designated five locations in the Diocese of Venice as Jubilee pilgrimage sites. The sites are located throughout the Diocese for the convenience of the faithful, so that the grace of the Jubilee Year 2025 may be experienced by all. Information about how to participate in the Jubilee Holy Year can be found throughout the year at the Diocese of Venice website: www. dioceseofvenice.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/
PLEASE NOTE
The next issue of the Mustard Seed will be July 18 due to the July 4th holiday.
Catholic Relief Services Urgent Request (For Parish Staff) - Please include this urgent request from Catholic Relief Services in upcoming Parish Bulletins: Children Throughout the World Need Our Help! The Trump Administration is terminating all but two of Catholic Relief Services’ school feeding programs, eliminating a daily school meal for close to 800,000 children in 11 countries beginning in July. For many, this was their only meal of the day. These terminations aren’t just broken agreements with CRS, they are broken promises to children, to farmers and to entire communities. Please ask your members of Congress to urge the Administration to reverse these terminations. Visit https://support.crs.org/act/mcgovern-dole to be heard.
Pray for Safety! Hurricane Season is upon us - The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30. With a history of these storms producing destruction in the region, Bishop Frank J. Dewane reminds us that we must pray for safety: “As the new Atlantic Hurricane Season arrives, let us all ask God for protection and safety and also pray for the people who continue to recover from previous disasters." ~ Bishop Frank J. Dewane
TV Mass (For Parish Staff) - Please share the updated station list graphic for the TV Mass, above. Rachel Powers, Communications Coordinator, is now responsible for the TV Mass program in the Communications Department. Please contact Rachel with any questions regarding TV Mass, or to inquire about hosting a television Mass taping at your Parish! Rachel Powers, 941-486-4716, powers@dioceseofvenice.org
Florida Catholic: Be in the know! - Receive the free, weekly e-edition of the Florida Catholic delivered directly to your inbox every Friday! Sign up here: https://dioceseofvenice.org/news/
Relevant Radio: "Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane" - Join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for his monthly half-hour 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 the last Friday of every month, or anytime at dioceseofvenice.org/ourbishop. The next episode will air on Friday, May 30, 2025.
Mustard Seed (For Parish Staff) - Is everyone in your Parish office signed up to receive the Mustard Seed directly to their inbox every other Friday? If not, sign them up here: https://dioceseofvenice.org/news/
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.
Together in Holiness Marriage Enrichment Conference – Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites all Catholic married couples to join him at the Diocese’s fifth annual Marriage Enrichment Conference on October 18 at St. John XXIII in Fort Myers. Engaged couples are also welcome! The Marriage Conference, “Family, A School of Love,” presents a unique opportunity to share a day dedicated to prayer, conversation, and reflection on the sacred vocation of marriage together with your spouse. Grow together in holiness and receive guidance and tips for how to strengthen your marriage and form your children in the Catholic faith! Registration opens on June 23, and this event will sell out, so register early. To learn more, and to register, visit www.togetherinholiness.org/venice. Questions? Contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-486-4754.
Natural Family Planning Introductory Session – Learn about Natural Family Planning with a free introductory session. The Diocese of Venice supports the Creighton Model Fertility Care System, and free online training sessions are being offered by the St. Gianna Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care on Tuesday, July 22, Thursday, August 14, Saturday, September 20, and Tuesday, October 21. Choose one that fits your schedule! The sessions are free, but registration is required. Register at bit.ly/SGIntroSession. For more information, visit stgiannacenter.com, or with questions, contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-486-4754.
Become a Natural Family Planning Practitioner! St. Gianna Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care offers a Nationally Accredited Education Program for those wanting to become a Creighton Model Fertility Care Practitioner (FCP). The 13-month course is an empowering approach to women’s reproductive healthcare that is safe from side effects, is life-affirming, cost-effective, and clinically proven. Next class is Nov. 15, 2025, at Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport, FL. Scholarships are available. Contact Becky at 813-421-4625 or visit https://stgiannacenter.com/become-a-practitioner/ Questions? Contact Jim Gontis, gontis@dioceseofvenice.org, 941-486-4754.
Reflecting on the Third Anniversary of Roe v. Wade – This month (June 24) marks the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and ended nearly fifty years of virtually unlimited, nationwide abortion. But the battle for life is far from over. Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urges all Catholics to engage their elected officials on all issues that threaten the gift of human life, in particular the threat of abortion.
“As we confront the challenges of our time, let us find hope anew in this Jubilee Year and be strengthened in our resolve to serve the cause of life. May our Catholic parishes continue to welcome, embrace, and accompany women facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies through initiatives like Walking with Moms in Need. And may we never tire of sharing Christ’s message of mercy with all who are suffering in the aftermath of an abortion through ministries like Project Rachel,” Bishop Thomas said. Read Bishop Thomas’s full statement here.
9 Months in the Womb with Jesus - Follow Jesus in the womb week by week at the Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office webpage, here: www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife
Support After Abortion - Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone! Know that healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. To learn more, call or text 941-412-5860 or email project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, in either English or Spanish. All contacts are confidential.
Apoyo después del Aborto -- ¿Usted o alguien que conoce está luchando debido a un aborto anterior? ¡NO estás solo! Sepa que los retiros de sanación y el apoyo están disponibles para cualquier persona que haya experimentado un aborto, incluidas las madres, los padres y otros miembros de la familia que hayan sido lastimados. Para obtener más información, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 941-412-5860 o envíe un correo electrónico a project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org, en inglés o español. Todos los contactos son confidenciales.
Respect Life Volunteers Needed! - Do you have a passion for life? The Diocese of Venice needs you! We are looking for volunteers and leaders interested in becoming involved in local respect life activities with their Parish. Many new families are moving to Southwest Florida, and we need your help! It's very rewarding work!
If you live in the Palmetto or Parrish area, we could especially use your help- ASAP!
To get involved, please contact Tavia Ames, ames@dioceseofvenice.org,
941-441-1101.
Safe Environment Training - As part of the Safe Environment Program, the Diocese of Venice requires that all employees and those volunteers who work with children and/or vulnerable adults be fingerprinted and complete online training in Safe Environment prior to beginning employment or volunteering. To report any abuse against minors to the Florida Department of Children and Families please call 800-962-2873. Further, if Diocesan personnel or volunteers are involved, also notify the Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator, Susan Benton, at 941-416-6114. Please visit the Diocese of Venice website for further information.
For all OLPH events, register online (www.olph-retreat.org) and click on “Schedule of Events.”
OLPH Available for Private Retreats - The Spring schedule is posted and has openings for 3, 5, and 7-night individual (directed) retreats. Group retreats are also available: To learn more or to register for a group or private retreat, please visit olph-retreat.org or call (941) 486-0233.
Jubilee Prayer Site - Visitors are welcome at OLPH Mondays - Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. throughout the year. The grounds provide a peaceful place to reconnect with the Lord, reflect in solitude and offer up your intentions. Refer to our website for more information: www.olph-retreat.org/jubilee-of-hope-2025
Independence Day Parade at Ave Maria Parish - Blessing and parade of bikes, trikes, golf carts, skateboards and strollers at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4 in the Piazza of Ave Maria Parish, 5088 Ave Maria Blvd, Ave Maria. The route is approximately 2 miles. Reflections by an Ave Maria veteran on, "The Blessing of Freedom." All are welcome.
Ave Maria Youth Conference - The 2025 Ave Maria University “Proclaim” Youth Conference is July 11-13. The theme for the Conference is “But as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). The Conference will include talks from Sister Maria Jose Socias, SCTJM, Michael Gormley, Mari Pablo, and Father Joseph Lugalambi. Registration is $195 per person which includes Mass, Adoration, praise and worship, lodging, meals, t-shirts, a pizza night, and more. Music will be by Epic Music Ministries. For more information or to register, please visit www.aveconferences.com/
Free Rosary Repair Service - Send your broken rosaries in a padded envelope to Betty and Dick Holden, Free Rosary Repair Service, 7930 Estero Blvd., Unit 502, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old rosaries are also accepted which will be repaired and sent to missions. Include a note indicating repair or donation. For more details, please call 239-463-3993, 860-595-6370 or email the Holdens.