March 6, 2026
After broad consultation, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the following:
Reverend Antony Lukka, as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples, effective February 27, 2026.
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Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25 - Exactly nine months before the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated. In the Gospel on this day, Mary answered God’s call to bear His only Son without hesitation. To honor Our Blessed Mother, the Earthly Mother of Jesus Christ, and her unquestioning "yes" to God on this day, perhaps pray the Rosary or recite a Hail Mary before the mealtime prayer with your family!
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. All are encouraged to attend in support of our clergy and to participate in this important Holy Week celebration.
- Priests celebrating 50 years: Father Edward Blackwell, Father Vincent Clemente, Father Lawrence Esposito, Father Francis Hanlon, OSFS, Father Thomas Heck, Father Michael Orsi, and Father Timothy Sheedy.
- Priests celebrating 25 years: Father Lorenzo Gonzalez, Father Philip Joly, Father Jacek Mazur, Father David Pignato, Father Philip Scheff, and Father David Vidal.
- Deacon celebrating 25 years: Deacon Gary Ingold.
The Lenten Journey Continues! Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that began on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. During Lent, we are called to a true inner conversion of the heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully and as we prepare to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.
For more information about the Lenten Season please visit Lent 2026 - Diocese of Venice.
Living the Faith: 10 Things to Remember for Lent! Click here for an interesting article prepared especially for the USCCB.
Season of Lent Events in the Diocese of Venice
One Day Lenten Retreat, "Lent Is My Highway to Heaven"- In his ongoing series of talks on Heaven, Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV, Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, will unpack the mystery of the Beatific Vision as the ultimate fulfillment of human longing in this one-day retreat, offered on March 8 or March 11. This talk invites you into the beauty, joy, and transformative love of seeing God “face to face,” where faith and reason give way to eternal happiness in Christ. No prior sessions are required—come as you are and be spiritually filled. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast and includes two conferences, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, lunch, and Mass. Time is available for adoration, private prayer, or meditation on the beautiful and peaceful OLPH grounds. The day concludes at 3:15 p.m. The cost is $45. Register on the OLPH website here.
One-Night Parish Retreat During Lent, "10 Minutes to Change Your Life" - The Examen Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola,” presented by Fr. Leland Thorpe from the OLPH Retreat Center will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2057 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 10 from 6:00pm-8:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend. All are welcome. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors! Call 239-334-2161 for more information.
Lenten Mission with Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio "Dr. Italy" - The Lenten Journey: Tapping into Personal Victory, The Difference the Spirit Makes, and Prayer — A Pathway to Joy, are the themes of a Lenten Mission to be held at St. William Church, 610 Seagate Dr., Naples beginning on March 15 at 6:00 pm and continuing Monday, March 16 at 8:30 am or 6:00 pm, concluding March 17 at 8:30 am or 6:00 pm. The presentations will be approximately 45 minutes each and will be followed by a book sale and reception on Tuesday. No registration required. All are invited to attend!
Diocesan-wide Reconciliation Times - Please note that the precept of confessing grave sins and receiving Holy Communion, at least once during the Lenten Season, merits a reminder. To facilitate this requirement, in addition to regular Parish Confession hours, every Parish in the Diocese of Venice will be open with a confessor present 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 27, and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 28. These opportunities are made available so that the faithful may find ample opportunity to receive God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten Season.
Palm Sunday and Easter TV Mass to air at special times - The Televised Mass for the Homebound on Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026), and Easter Sunday (April 5 and celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane), will air for a full hour on both Sundays. Because of the length, the time of the broadcast on these two Sunday will air at a special time. For viewers in the northern region of the Diocese (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), the Masses will air at noon on Tampa Bay 44. In the southern region of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties), the Masses will air at 8:00 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). Please check your cable provider for channel listings. The televised Mass is also always available online at dioceseofvenice.org or on YouTube. Visit dioceseofvenice.org/tv for more information or contact Rachel Powers at powers@dioceseofvenice.org.
Pope Leo XIV has announced a special 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.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, located at 5265 Placida Road, has been designated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane as a Jubilee site and will be welcoming pilgrims throughout the Jubilee Year. 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, and at other times by arrangement. Visit the Parish’s website here for more information.
The Year of St. Francis 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.
TV Mass time change for southern area - Please note that the time for the Televised Sunday Mass for viewers in the southern counties of the Diocese (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee counties) has been changed to 8:30 a.m. on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). The change was beyond the control of the Diocese. Please check your cable provider for channel listings. The televised Mass is also always available online at dioceseofvenice.org or on YouTube. Visit dioceseofvenice.org/tv for more information or contact Rachel Powers at powers@dioceseofvenice.org.
New Link to Vatican News - In order to create a stable visual and widespread communication/information link between the Holy See and the Catholic Church around the world, ensuring that Dioceses and Parishes are automatically updated on the latest news about the Holy Father, the Vatican and the Church, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications has created a new embeddable widget for Diocesan and Parish websites. The widget is free of charge and once installed, it will update automatically with video pieces, content from Vatican News, and a link to the Vatican website. To see how the widget looks once in place, visit the Diocese of Venice new Vatican webpage, here. To embed the widget on a Parish or Catholic School website, in English or Spanish, simply click here, choose the desired language and copy the code. For more detailed instructions, including how to add the widget to a mobile phone, follow the more technical instructions, here.
Bulletin Editors please see below for the updated Mustard Seed Schedule 2026
Catholic Health Care Ethics Conference - Medical professionals, students, and interested laypeople are invited to the third annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference on Saturday, April 11, at the Church of the Resurrection in Fort Myers. Join national and local experts either in person or online as they discuss topics such as The Vocation to Palliative Care, The Benefits and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, Christian Anthropology and the Renewal of Medicine, and more. Converging Roads is an initiative of the St. John Paul II Foundation and is presented collaboratively with the Diocese of Venice and Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. Continuing education credits for health care professionals are available. For more information and to register, visit convergingroads.com/venice.
40 Days for Life Spring Campaign through March 29 - The 40 days for Life Spring Campaign (from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026) aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. In the Diocese of Venice, 40 Days for Life campaigns are held in Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Myers. Join us on the sidewalk! We need your prayers. For more, contact Tavia Ames, 941-441-1101, or visit the 40 Days for Life website, here.
Novena to St. Joseph: For those on the path of adoption - Join Catholics across the country in praying the St. Joseph Adoption Novena, Tuesday, March 10 - Wednesday, March 18. Invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, we pray for all whose life stories include adoption. Each day includes short Scriptural passages and prayers and focuses on a different group of people who are involved in the adoption process. To participate, download the novena or sign up to receive the daily prayers via email or text message, here.
Nine Months with Christ in the Womb - As we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, all are invited to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation in a unique way. Nine Months with Christ in the Womb draws our attention to Jesus, the God-fetus, during the nine months He lived within Mary. In meditating on the mystery of Christ’s humility in the womb, we foster within a new appreciation for the dignity of our brothers and sisters. Follow nine months of Jesus in the womb week-by-week here!
Project Rachel Healing Retreat - An Abortion Healing Retreat will be held in Spanish on April 18. Stay tuned for an upcoming Abortion Healing Retreat in English!
Retiro de Sanación del Aborto provocado el 18 de abril: ¿Llevas la carga de un aborto provocado en tu pasado o el de otra persona? Tu camino hacia la paz está a solo una llamada. Mantenemos estrictamente la confidencialidad. Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 941-412-5860 o envíanos un correo electrónico.
Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass - An invitation is extended to all couples celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more years) to join Bishop Frank J. Dewane for a Wedding Anniversary Mass in your honor on Saturday, March 14, 11:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Parish, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. A luncheon for the anniversary couples will follow the Mass. Photos with Bishop Dewane will also be provided. To register for the Wedding Anniversary Mass, please contact your local Parish office by Wednesday, March 11. For additional information contact Jim Gontis, 941-484-4754.
Marriage Prep Retreats/Seminars - Marriage Preparation Retreats are required by the Diocese of Venice for those couples preparing for Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. The retreats are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and the $60 registration fee includes all retreat materials and lunch. Registration is required. Couples unable to attend an in-person retreat may contact the Diocesan Marriage Prep office to register for the online version. Please contact Jim Gontis, (941) 486-4754.
- Day of Reflection Marriage Retreat - A specially prepared volunteer team of married couples, and a priest, share their experiences and information, enabling couples to be more aware of the privileges and responsibilities of marriage. The next Marriage Retreats are scheduled for March 21 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice and June 20 at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples. Register now.
- Two Become One Marriage Retreat (55 and older) - Couples 55 and older preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage or convalidation in the Catholic Church. The next Two Become One Marriage Retreat is on May 2 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center. Register now.
Theology on Tap, Thursday, March 19 - Calling all young adults! Join us for an evening of fellowship, faith and fun with other Catholic young people from across the Diocese. Don’t miss this chance to grow in faith, connect with others, and enjoy an evening out with friends old and new. Theology on Tap is an opportunity for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s to explore faith topics in a relaxed social setting. We meet on the third Thursday of every month at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, University Park. This month, we will meet on Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. To learn more, contact Andres Prias, 941-441-1122.
Diocese of Venice Missionary Opportunity for Summer 2026 Now Open - Could the Lord be calling you? The Diocese of Venice is inviting college-age young adults to apply to serve as Totus Tuus Missionaries for the Diocese’s Parish Catechetical Summer Totus Tuus Camps. As a Totus Tuus Missionary, you will be an authentic witness to Christ’s love, teach the Catholic faith to children and youth, and grow in leadership, community, and your personal relationship with Christ. Many missionaries describe Totus Tuus as one of the most meaningful and life-changing experiences of their lives, a summer where faith deepens, friendships grow, and God’s call becomes clearer. Don't miss this unique opportunity! Apply today! Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and available from May 20 through July 31, 2026. For further information, contact Andres Prias, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.
(For Parishes) Youth Adoration Nights – The Diocese of Venice Youth & Young Adult Ministry is offering Youth Adoration Nights for Parishes that would like to host this experience locally. This evening of Adoration is designed especially for young people, providing a space for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, music, silence, and reflection. Parish Youth Adoration Nights are a great opportunity for young people to encounter Christ in the Eucharist. If your Parish is interested in hosting a Youth Adoration Night, please contact Andres Prias, 941-441-1122.
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.
New Safe Environment Posters - Please note that new Safe Environment Posters will be sent to all Parishes, schools and Catholic Charities entities this month. Please replace current posters with the new ones. Posters are available in English and Spanish for all, and also in Creole for Parishes. After you receive your posters, please contact Tracy Brooks, Safe Environment Coordinator, if you have questions or need additional posters, 941-486-4732.
Emerald Ball - The annual Catholic Charities Emerald Ball is 5:30 p.m., March 14, at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. This event benefits the programs and services in Collier County. Tickets are $500 and are available at https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/events. For more information,
call 239-455-2655 or email emeraldball@catholiccharitiesdov.org.
Mental Health Counseling Services - Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice is offering Mental Health Counseling, and Tele-Health Counseling, for adults and children provided by licensed mental health therapists. If you or someone you know is feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, helpless, or overwhelmed, Catholic Charities can help. For more information, please call 239-455-2655 or visit Catholic Charities online
To view all OLPH events, visit www.olph-retreat.org and click on Events, then Schedule of Events. Register online for all events.
Matt Talbot Men's Spiritual Weekend Retreat at OLPH - March 13-15
A Matt Talbot retreat is for people of all faiths and is an opportunity for recovering alcoholics to enhance their spirituality and sober way of life. The people who attend these retreats also attend the 12-step program through AA. The Matt Talbot retreat is private and confidential. Save the date for this upcoming retreat. Choose from a private room, or a shared, double occupancy room, or as a commuter (no room). Total cost is $385.00 per retreatant for a private room, $275.00 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room or $195.00 per commuter.
Triduum Retreat: Easter Weekend at OLPH - April 2-5
This retreat begins with supper on Holy Thursday and ends with breakfast on Easter Sunday. The liturgies of the Lord’s Supper, Way of the Cross, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, Easter Vigil, and Sunrise Easter Liturgy are celebrated. A series of six one-hour conferences on varying topics is offered throughout the retreat. In addition, the opportunity for Confession is available. Total cost is $525.00 per retreatant for a private room or $360.00 per retreatant for a shared, double occupancy room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained). No commuter rate is offered.
Ignatian Preached Retreat at OLPH - May 8-11
This 3 Night silent retreat will introduce you to the great themes of the Spiritual Exercises in a group setting. The schedule includes conferences each day, daily Mass, and an opportunity to meet at least once with the retreat director for Confession and/or spiritual direction. Conference topics center on Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and discernment. Total cost is $525.00 per retreatant for a private room and $360.00 per retreatant for a shared room (retreatant to locate appropriate roommate where silence can be maintained).
Private Retreats at OLPH - Our spring schedule 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 the OLPH website.
Volunteers - Our Lady of Perpetual Help is in need of volunteers. Areas of need include reception, gardening, dishwashing, serving meals. Contact the office to sign up - 941-486-0233 or visit www.olph-retreat.org/new-volunteer
Faith Enrichment Series - Deacon Paul Consbruck will discuss the centrality of the Eucharist in daily life as he presents, "The Eucharist: Food for the Journey" on March 11 at 6:00 pm in the Parish Center at Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. Also join Sister Jennifer Tecla Hyatt from 9:15 am and 6:00 pm on March 18 as she discusses the significance of the Eucharist in mass media Culture. All are welcome!
Annual Life is Beautiful Galas - Church leadership teams and congregations are invited to choose a night at The Ora, 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, for these annual events to benefit Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center. The events will be held Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13. To register, visit sarasotapregnancy.com/LIB. For more information, email events@sarasotapregnancy.com or call 941-702-9974.
Faith & Wine and Faith & Ale joint event March 19 - The annual joint gathering of Faith & Ale and Faith & Wine in Lee County will take place 6 – 8:30 p.m., March 19, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers. The guest speakers are Dan and Stephanie Burke. Dan is past president and COO of EWTN, while Stephanie hosts the Divine Intimacy radio show. The talk is titled “Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits.” Faith & Wine is an outreach for uniting Catholic women of all backgrounds and ages to develop friendships and to support one another as they apply the Gospel to their lives. Faith & Ale is a Catholic Men's Apostolate in Southwest Florida that offers monthly gatherings of Catholic men promoting fellowship and growth in faith. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Program begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and ends at approximately 8:30 p.m. Register https://faithandale.com/. For more information, email faithandalefortmyers@gmail.com.
A Mini-Conference with Dr. Edward Sri - “Into His Likeness—Be Transformed as a Disciple of Christ!” is the theme for the Feast of the Annunciation Presentation March 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at St. William Church, 610 Seagate Dr., Naples. The day includes a reception and noon Mass. No fees required. All are invited to attend.
Heart of Community Gala - Join Community Pregnancy Clinics (CPCI) for an evening of hope and inspiration at the “Heart of the Community Gala,” Saturday, March 28, 5:00 p.m., at the Ritz-Carton Tiburon, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. Enjoy a cocktail reception and fellowship alongside other dedicated advocates, followed by a delicious dinner, paddle-raise fundraiser, and a powerful keynote address from Matt Walsh, a renowned filmmaker, author, and pro-life voice. The cost is $500 per person. Tickets are available at www.supportcpci.com.
Magnificat Breakfast - Be blessed and encouraged at the next Magnificat breakfast for women, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., March 28, at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast. The speaker is Kathy Corona, a woman of deep faith who will share her spiritual journey. Join for breakfast, fellowship, and worship to hear her inspiring testimony of Jesus Christ’s love and healing! Reservations can be made online until noon, March 24 at https://magnificatfortmyers.com/order-tickets/. For more information, contact Margaret Mengle, 239-826-7475.
Charity Golf Tournament - The annual St. Mary Academy Golf Tournament has an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start May 16, 2026, at Heritage Harbour Golf Club, 8000 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton. The cost is $150 per player. Please call Connie Taft at 941-685-2108 to register or for sponsorship opportunities.
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.
"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed...nothing will be impossible for you."