----New Mass Schedule ----
Effective November 1, 2021-May 31 2022
Saturday: Vigil Mass 4:00PM
Sunday: 7:30AM; 9:00AM & 11:00AM
Daily Masses will remain unchanged
Monday- Saturday AM at 8:30AM
***********************************************************************************************
Please see below for updated information on Mass and Covid-19
May 14, 2021
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the Risen Lord! As Holy Mother Church approaches the Solemnity of Pentecost, it is my prayer that you, the Faithful of the Diocese of Venice, may be filled with the graces of the Holy Spirit.
With this letter, I wish to address the face covering and distancing policy at Mass and Parish gatherings in the Diocese of Venice. As you are aware, on May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided updated guidance for vaccinated individuals with regards to face masks and distancing. Under the new guidance, those who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks or physically distance except where required by law.
In accordance with the new CDC guidance and effective immediately, masks and distancing will no longer be required at Mass in the Diocese of Venice. Masks remain encouraged and certainly permitted, particularly for those who are not yet vaccinated. Masks will no longer be required for Parish group activities or other Parish gatherings.
For those who have children in a Catholic School or Parish religious education program, and due to only recent age eligibility for vaccines for some of these age groups, the CDC has said that masking is a key strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools. Thus, for the remainder of this academic year, masks will continue to be required. This will be reviewed with the close of the school year.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to live in the context of the Pandemic and to be evermore mindful of our brothers and sisters around us who may be vulnerable, for whatever reason.
This opportunity is taken to extend to you the assurances of my continued consideration, as well as my prayers for you and your family.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
April 9, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the Apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the
bread and to the prayers (Acts 2: 42).
This Scripture passage reminds us
that the Easter Season is an apt time to renew our fidelity to those essential
actions that define us as the Body of Christ. Preeminent among these activities
is gathering with the Church to celebrate the Most Holy Eucharist on Sundays and
Holy Days.
In March of last year, because of the
many unknowns that came with the Covid-19 Pandemic, and to protect the most
vulnerable among us. after consultation I decided to take the unprecedented step
of suspending public Masses and granting a general dispensation to the Catholic
Faithful of the Diocese of Venice from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays
and Holy Days of Obligation. Together with our fellow citizens, I urged
Catholics to exercise caution to protect the health of all. I thank everyone for
their patience and understanding during this difficult time.
As the Faithful returned to in-person
worship when restrictions were loosened, the Diocese’s Clergy and
Faithful performed exceptional service in maintaining safety protocols. In
recent weeks as vaccines have become available, the news in Florida is
encouraging. even more members of the Faithful have returned to our Parishes for
Sunday Mass. Our Holy Week and Easter Liturgies were particularly edifying
examples of commitment to Christ and the Eucharist. Furthermore, life in
Southwest Florida has returned to some level of normalcy; restaurants, stores,
and entertainment venues are open, and people of all ages seem willing to return
to ordinary activities.
It is apparent that circumstances now
allow almost all Catholics to attend Mass safely.
Therefore, beginning May 1,2021
the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy
Days of Obligation will be lifted in the Diocese of Venice.
At the same time, the Faithful should
note this obligation does not apply to those who are ill, or others as
outlined in the revised guidelines accompanying this letter. The revised
guidelines adjust safety protocols to
acknowledge that most Catholics can return to in-person worship at their Parish
churches.
During this year dedicated to St.
Joseph, the Faithful are encouraged to turn to his intercession for protection
and courage. Let us he mindful in prayer of those who are no longer with us and
those who continue in their recovery. May God bless you and your family.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
Please note the updated guidelines:
The following persons are not obligated to attend Mass:
• Those who are ill, confined to their home, hospital, or nursing facility as
well as those who care for them,
• Those who have reason to believe they were recently exposed to Covid-19,
• Those who have underlying health conditions or are in a high-risk category,
• and those who have a reasonable fear or anxiety of becoming ill if they attend
Mass.