San Marco Catholic Church

05/25/2026

Happy and Blessed Memorial Day! Please see below for a message from Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

Today we especially honor the men and women who have died in service to this country. As Catholics, a powerful remembrance is to pray for the repose of the souls of the fallen soldiers, both known and unknown, and for the consolation of their families.

The Holy Father has consistently drawn the Faithful to the theme of peace in his first year as Pope, making it one of the early hallmarks of his papacy. Peace was the centerpiece of Pope Leo XIV’s first Easter message, issuing a powerful appeal to world leaders and nations engaged in war and violence, proclaiming: “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have power to unleash wars choose peace!”

Beyond diplomatic initiatives and appeals to world leaders, Pope Leo XIV has consistently reminded Catholics that the responsibility for peace belongs to every person.

“We wish to the tell to the whole world that it is possible to build peace, a new peace; that it is possible to live together with all people of every religion and every race; that we wish to be disciples of Jesus Christ, united as brothers and sisters, all united in a world of peace.”

In following the example of Our Holy Father, pray that all people be united in a world of peace and work together to put an end to war. Pray today for those who have died because of, or are currently suffering amidst, the atrocities of war.

May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in eternal peace.

Have a Blessed Memorial Day!

God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida

05/16/2026

Here is the May 15, 2026, e-edition of the Florida Catholic:

https://www.thefloridacatholic.org/eedition/venice/

Read about the retirement of Bishop Frank Dewane and appointment of Bishop–elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap., as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

05/14/2026

The Solemnity of the Ascension of The Lord will be celebrated in the Diocese of Venice on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Please see below for a message from Bishop Emeritus Frank J. Dewane.

Forty days after Jesus’ Glorious Resurrection, Our Lord ascended into Heaven. With His Ascension, the presence of the “Historical Christ” comes to an end, and the presence of the Body of Christ, the Church, is inaugurated.

The Ascension amplifies the great joy of the Resurrection. Because Jesus died, rose, and now ascended to the gates of Heaven – the gates of eternal life have opened! We know now that the same destiny awaits all.

Jesus’s promise to his disciples shortly before the ascension: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age,” brings further good news. Even if one falters in faithfulness, God’s faithfulness never fails. Through the Holy Spirit, we have assurance that God is in control and that He is with us always, to the end of time.

As the end of the Easter Liturgical Season approaches, let us give thanks to Jesus for His constant accompaniment, and the great gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Church. May we be His witness in daily living, telling of the joy of His great love and mercy.

May God bless you and your family abundantly.

+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Venice in Florida

Ascension Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You who in your ascension
filled the Eleven with joy,
make us worthy of that same joy
through your prayer and your mercy.

Lord Jesus,
You who in your ascension
bore our fragile humanity into heaven
and opened for us the way that leads to Heaven,
fill us with the joy of serenity and peace.

Lord Jesus,
You who by ascending into heaven
clothed us with the gift of the Holy Spirit,
make us your witnesses in our daily lives
telling of the joy of your Mercy.

Amen.

05/14/2026

The Diocese of Venice announced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who has retired after 20 years of service as the Bishop of the Diocese, and that the Holy Father has appointed Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap., as the next shepherd of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

Bishop Dewane is now officially the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and has been appointed its Apostolic Administrator until the day of Bishop-elect Agüero’s ordination which will take place on July 11, 2026.

Learn more at www.dioceseofvenice.org/bishop-elect/

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Sunday, will be celebrated in the Diocese of Venice on May 17, 2026 (moved from May 14). The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops voted in the year 2000 to transfer the Solemnity of the Ascension from the Thursday, 40 days after Easter, to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, in accord with an indult granted to the US. Conference of Catholic Bishops by the Holy See. Therefore, for the Catholic Churches in the State of Florida, the Seventh Sunday of Easter is replaced by the Solemnity of the Ascension.

Prayer for the Ascension

Lord Jesus,
You who in your ascension
filled the Eleven with joy,
make us worthy of that same joy
through your prayer and your mercy.
Lord Jesus,
You who in your ascension
bore our fragile humanity into heaven
and opened for us the way that leads to Heaven,
fill us with the joy of serenity and peace.
Lord Jesus,
You who by ascending into heaven
clothed us with the gift of the Holy Spirit,
make us your witnesses in our daily lives
telling of the joy of your Mercy.
Amen.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day! Please see below for a Mother’s Day Message from Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

A Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day! It is appropriate that Mother’s Day be celebrated in the Month of Our Lady, the Mother of us all. May all mothers be protected and encouraged by her loving embrace.

In his first year as the successor of Peter, Pope Leo XIV has offered the Catholic Church a renewed reflection on the importance of motherhood. Through his pastoral tone and public messages, he has emphasized that motherhood is a sacred gift, and must be protected and supported, echoed by the message of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Walking with Moms in Need initiative, now in its sixth year.

In the Catholic Church, mothers are celebrated not only for giving life but for forming hearts, shaping faith, and offering unconditional love to their children. The Church views every mother as a bearer of light and life in her family—the first school of love and truth, with the tremendous responsibility of not only sustaining life but also building harmony, stability, and grace in the home.

May every mother feel the Church’s embrace, and may their sacrifices be recognized as the seeds of holiness that they are, a true representation of God’s love present in the world. Let us stand with every mother as she walks her sacred path of love, grace, and faith.

As we honor our earthly mothers this month, let us honor our Heavenly Mother as well. Chosen by God above all other women, Mary’s deep faith and overriding obedience paved the way for the Incarnation, and our Salvation. Let us learn from our Blessed Mother Mary and strive to be more like her. Happy Mother’s Day!

+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida

05/02/2026

The May 1, 2026, Florida Catholic e-edition is HERE:

https://www.thefloridacatholic.org/eedition/venice/

05/02/2026

Please join us in praying for our priests! The Diocese of Venice is blessed to have 128 priests serving in Southwest Florida. Our Pray for Priests Calendar honors a priest each day with a designated day for prayer and gratitude; all priests in the Diocese are listed on at least one day during the year. If you do not see your priest listed this month, please check again next month! (Priests are honored daily throughout the year via alphabetical order.) Print your very own Pray for Priests Calendar for May at
https://dioceseofvenice.org/wp-content/uploads/Pray-for-Priest-Calendar-MAY-2026.pdf

04/25/2026

The April 24, 2026, FREE Florida Catholic e-edition is HERE:

https://www.thefloridacatholic.org/eedition/venice/