After broad consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:
Reverend Juan Carlos Sack, as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in LaBelle, effective January 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs.
Reverend Grzegorz Klich, as Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte, effective January 1, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral.
Reverend Michael Young, as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, effective January 26, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Reverend Robert Mulligan, O.S.F.S., as Administrator of St. Ann Parish in Naples, effective January 27, 2026, and thus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Ann Parish.
Reverend Manoj Francis, as Parochial Vicar at St. Andrew Parish and St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral, effective January 30, 2026.
Reverend Gilbert Nortilus is relieved of his duties as Parochial Vicar of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, effective February 6, 2026.
Reverend Roderick Mitial, as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, effective February 6, 2026.
The Lenten Journey Begins - Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and ends prior to the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Lenten Season is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of our Faith. The precept of confessing grave sins and receiving Holy Communion at least once during the Easter Season is advised. To facilitate this, every Parish in the Diocese of Venice will be open and have a confessor available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Additional times for Confession will also be provided at local Parishes during the Lenten season so that all may find ample opportunity to receive God’s mercy in the Sacrament. Check with your Parish for times!
2026 is An Extraordinary Jubilee Year - Pope Leo XIV has announced as a continuation of last year’s Ordinary Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope, a new, extraordinary Jubilee Year for 2026, The Year of St. Francis, a celebration of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. This is a year is which all are called to become saints in the contemporary world following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who was himself a model of holiness in life. This Jubilee Year invites us not only to honor this holy man, but to walk in his footsteps, rebuilding the Church through lives transformed by the Gospel. Pope Leo, in his Jubilee Decree, points out that Saint Francis, the son of a rich merchant, became poor and humble, providing the world with tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection. “This Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ," Pope Leo said, adding that it is now time to transform the hope generated and shared in the last Jubilee Year of Hope into active charity.
The Year of St. Francis will be realized in the Diocese of Venice in a particular way, as the Diocese is blessed to have a Parish named for this saint. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, located at 5265 Placida Road, has been designated as a Jubilee site, and will be welcoming pilgrims throughout the Jubilee Year for Mass, visits, and special events and activities. The Church Sanctuary and Poor Clare Adoration Chapel will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays to welcome pilgrims. Visit the Parish’s website here for more information. The Year of St. Francis continues at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and around the world, through January 10, 2027, and grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father), which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory.
Chrism Mass - The Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, will be held Tuesday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Parish, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. Usually held at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, this year the Cathedral is under renovation and the Mass will take place in a new location. During this Mass, Bishop Frank J. Dewane will bless the Holy Oils which are used in the administration of the Sacraments at each parish throughout the year. Priests and Deacons celebrating 25 and 50 years of Ordination are also recognized at this Mass.