CHURCH OPEN FOR MASS
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Please see below for information on Mass and restrictions during Covid-19
Masks covering nose and mouth are required.
Please bring and use hand sanitizer.
Social distancing is required. Seating is marked accordingly
Enter and exit thru the main church doors only.
DISPENSATION FROM THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS HAS BEEN EXTENDED INTO THE NEW YEAR (see below).
November 20, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King and Advent approaches, please accept my pastoral greetings and concern for you, the good Faithful in the Diocese of Venice. My prayer is that the preparation for the Lord’s coming in the Advent Season will enliven our hope in the promises of Christ.
Allow me to update you regarding Masses as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to impact the Diocese and all of us. In my October 9, 2020 letter, it was said that the General Dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass would remain in effect until November 28, 2020, and perhaps longer. Considering the present circumstances of the virus spread, the General Dispensation is extended into the New Year and I will advise regarding its conclusion at a future date.
There are some optimistic signs and there are increasing numbers of the Faithful returning to Church for Sunday Mass. Also, there is greater weekday attendance. Please continue to make every reasonable effort to return to in-person worship if you are able. With gratitude, I acknowledge all who have returned and commend those who continue to join the live streaming of Mass due to vulnerabilities and those who care for them. Further, let us all keep in prayer our brothers and sisters who have had the virus and their families.
As Christmas and the New Year approach, it is crucial to maintain vigilance regarding safety precautions in Parishes. This will necessitate scaling back special Feast Day celebrations and holiday related events. Unfortunately, it cannot be as it was in the past. Particularly, I underscore the need for the wearing of masks, maintaining appropriate distances, as well as cleaning and sanitizing measures. Parishes have been encouraged to schedule more Masses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day than is customary. Having additional Masses, perhaps at different times or in different locations (Parish hall or gymnasium), will safely accommodate the potential numbers of Faithful who may attend Mass for Christmas.
At this challenging time, let us be united in prayer as we journey through the Advent Season in preparation for the Birth of Our Lord and Savior. Be assured of my prayers for you and your family!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
A letter from Bishop Dewane to all the faithful:
Statewide Prosecutor's Report
November 6, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, my prayer is that
the strength of the Holy Spirit will renew and deepen our Faith in Jesus Christ.
Particularly, as together we face the difficult challenges that the Coronavirus
has brought, I call upon the intercession of Our Blessed Mother for the safety
and health of you and your family.
It may be recalled that in October of 2018, 1 shared with you
that the then-Attorney General of Florida, Ram Bondi, ordered an investigation
of how the seven Dioceses in Florida have handled allegations of misconduct
involving minors by clergy. With the full cooperation of the Diocese of Venice,
the investigation was thoroughly conducted through the Office of the Statewide
Prosecutor, who requested specific clergy files. As a result, a list of priests
who had been accused of a substantiated allegation of a sexual offense against
minors has been issued by the Statewide Prosecutor. This listing of priests
accused of misconduct in Florida is the final action to be taken and the State
investigation has been concluded.
Included on the State's list are nine priests who were
incardinated in the Diocese of Venice against whom substantiated allegations
have been identified in the investigation. None of the priests listed presently
have faculties (allowed to minister) in the Diocese. Some have died, some have
been laicized or dismissed from clerical state, and others have had their
priestly faculties permanently removed. When the investigation was announced in
2018, it was not precipitated by any new allegation of abuse. The investigation
involved historic cases.
As your Bishop, I wish to express compassion and my continual
prayer for all victims of child sexual abuse and that each receive God's healing
and peace. The harm done is grave. On behalf of the Church, I ask forgiveness of
those who have been harmed by Clergy or others involved with the Church. The
Diocese remains committed to the Policy for the Protection of Children and I am
pleased that the Statewide Prosecutor's report recognizes that the Diocese has
followed its policies.
The Statewide Prosecutor's Report is a sad reminder of the
harm done in the past to minors by those who had been ordained to serve the
Church and care for the Faithful. Be reassured that the investigation did not
uncover previously unknown cases in the Diocese of Venice. The commitment the
Diocese made in accord with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People has proven effective and helpful in protecting our children, young
people and vulnerable adults.
This moment also allows for me to once again encourage all
who have been abused to report it to Department of Children and Families and if
it involves clergy of the Diocese of Venice, to contact also the Diocesan
Victim's Assistance Coordinator. The Diocese takes every report of abuse
seriously and responds promptly.
Humbly, I invite all to continue to pray for the victims of
child sexual abuse. Pray also for the Church's efforts to protect our children
and foster a safe environment for all.
May Almighty God bless you and your family, through Christ
our Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida