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On behalf of
the clergy and staff of
St. John
the Evangelist Catholic Church, I would like to wish everyone a
Happy New Year. 2008
was a year of many changes and many great accomplishments!
2009 looks to be even better.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane has announced that 2009 will be a
“Year of Celebration,” marking the 25th anniversary of the
Diocese of Venice.
The start of 2009 brings with it a fresh beginning for many
things and also a chance for the Diocese of Venice to celebrate
the 25 years since it was created in 1984.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the “Year of Celebration” is
an opportunity to celebrate the history of the Diocese and to
share in the joy of the Catholic Faith.
“I hope the events we have planned will inspire Catholics
of Southwest Florida during the coming year to find joy in their
faith and join in the celebration as we mark this special time
together in fellowship,” Bishop Dewane said.
The call is going out to those who may have strayed and
the invitation will be made for them to “come home to the
Church,” he added.
The kick-off to the Year of Celebration will be an opening Mass
4 p.m. Jan. 6 at Epiphany Cathedral in
Venice.
Priests from around the Diocese will concelebrate and a
reception will follow.
The Diocese will hold separate Masses in each Deanery throughout
the year in an attempt to include all of the faithful in the
celebration. The first of
those Masses will take place Jan. 21 at St. Agnes Parish in
Naples.
Other events
include celebrating Catholic Schools Week in the last week of
January, a Catholic Men’s Conference Feb. 28 at Bishop Verot
High School; the Leaven XV Conference March 7 at Our Lady of
Light Parish in Estero; Women of Faith Women of Action Conference March 14 at St. John the
Evangelist Parish in Naples; Bioethics Conference March 21
at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers.
A variety of other events are planned throughout the year,
including Red (for attorneys), White (for medical
practitioners), and Blue (for law enforcement) Masses; a Youth
Rally and walk-a-thon for World Mission Sunday; a Diocesan music
event, an event at DeSoto National Memorial in Bradenton; a
pilgrimage to Italy is also planned for October; and a
celebration marking the 50th Anniversary of Bishop Emeritus John
J. Nevins’ ordination into priesthood in June
Bishop Dewane, the second Bishop of the Diocese, is also
encouraging each parish to hold anniversary events to
commemorate this milestone. Parishes are encouraged to have the
anniversary event on their feast day. Events can include
Eucharistic Adoration; special Masses; dinners; youth events;
recitation of the rosary; faith formation classes; Bible study;
honor volunteers; to name a few of the options parishes have.
The events will be determined at the parish level and will be
announced throughout the year.
On July 17, 1984,
Pope John Paul II announced the creation of the Diocese of
Venice in
Florida
to include a 10-county area carved out of the existing
Archdiocese of Miami, the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the
Diocese of Orlando.
Oct. 25 marks the day Bishop Nevins was installed as the first
bishop of the diocese and the day the diocese officially came
into existence. The
closing Mass will take place Dec. 8 at the cathedral.
Thank you to everyone that gave so generously this Christmas
season. Whether it
was a gift to the CFA, a donation to
Jamaica,
a gift to Habitat for Humanity or a contribution to the regular
offertory, you defined the essence of Christmas.
I am continually amazed every year at this time by the
outpouring of generosity shown by our parishioners.
It is truly remarkable what you do for others while
ensuring that
St. John
is provided for. I
am not a “cradle catholic” like many of you however I have
visited my share of catholic churches, especially during the
design stages of St. Agnes.
As I have said many times before, there are countless
parishes out there that could learn a thing or two by visiting
St.
John
the Evangelist and simply observing.
There just seems to be a spirit that exists here at
St.
John
that does not exist at any other parish I have visited.
Obviously the Holy Spirit is present at Mass; however
there is something more that exists within the friendly confines
of
St. John.
Thank you so much for supporting
St. John
the Evangelist.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager
Scott's Corner • 12/14/08
Scott's Corner • 12/07/08
Scott's Corner • 11/30/08
Scott's Corner • 11/23/08
Scott's Corner • 11/16/08
Scott's Corner • 11/09/08
Scott's Corner • 11/02/08
Scott's Corner • 10/26/08
Scott's Corner • 10/19/08
Scott's
Corner • 10/12/08
Scott's
Corner • 10/05/08
Scott's
Corner • 09/28/09
Scott's
Corner • 09/21/09
Scott's
Corner • 09/14/08
Scott's
Corner • 09/07/08
Scott's
Corner • 08/31/08
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