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Florida Catholic May 29-June 4, 2020
YOUR VENICE COMMUNITY
FLORIDA
Catholic
1000 Pinebrook Road Venice, FL 34285 941-484-9543 Fax 941-483-1121 PUBLISHER Bishop Frank Dewane DIOCESAN EDITOR Bob Reddy reddy@dioceseofvenice.org 941-484-9543
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DIOCESE OF VENICE Vol. 81, No. 14
The Florida Catholic (ISSN 0746-4584) publishes semi-monthly for the Dioceses of Or- lando, Palm Beach and Venice for $26 per year in Florida, $32 per year in the U.S., and $95 per year foreign, by The Florida Catholic Inc., 50 E. Robinson St., Suite G, Orlando, FL 32801-1619. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertisements contrary to pa- per's policy and standards in Catholic Press Association. The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement of businesses, services and products. Com- plaints regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or to your local Better Business Bureau. Readers must exercise prudence in responding to advertising in all media. Political advertising not accepted. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL 32862 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Florida Catholic, P.O. Box 4993, Orlando, FL 32802-4993. Member, Catholic Press As- sociation; subscriber to Catholic News Service (CNS).
Bishop Frank J. Dewane announces the new members to the Presbyteral Council, as a result of recent elections, are the following:
Members at Large: Father George Ratzmann and Father Tomasz Zalewski Representative of Central Deanery: Father Jaroslaw Sniosek Representative of Northern Deanery: Father Joseph Gates Religious Representative: Father Hugh McGuigan, O.S.F.S. Appointed: Father Jean Marie Ligonde, Father John Nghia Hoang, Father Shawn Roser and Father Jayabalen Raju
Congratulations to the new elected members. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to those who served on the Presbyteral Council in their respective categories.
Members at Large: Father Steve Clemente and Father Joseph Gates Representative of Central Deanery: Father Gordon Zanetti Representative of Northern Deanery: Father Eric Scanlan Religious Representative: Father Michael Vannicola, O.S.F.S. Appointed: Father Sean Morris, O.M.V., Father Jean Woady Louis and Father Duong Nguyen
APPOINTMENTS
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is risen! Alleluia! These joyful words may seem oddly placed for many as the world seems to be held by the pandemic in a more lenten period of sacrifice, trial and dif- ficulty. People throughout the Diocese, the country, and the entire world are going through tremendous hardships. Families strug- gle with finances. Others are challenged with health concerns from the ongoing pandemic. And the spiri- tual needs of the faithful, through the Sacraments, has only recently been made avail- able. Amidst all this adversity, we do not forget that Christ has risen! He has overcome the world! He is victorious! Christ sends us the promise of Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, during the upcom- ing Pentecost Sunday. Allow yourself to be placed in the upper room with the Disciples of Je- sus Christ and the Mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Imagine the uncertainty and even fear that they may have had. In this time of uncertainty in your life, how might you live as "A Disciple of Christ?" We recall a similar feeling in the Upper Room before the Resurrec- tion of Jesus. In the middle of the night, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, filled with a great sorrow and the feelings of missing Jesus dearly. Many of us can relate to this now, not being able to see our Lord and receive Him in the Eucharist. IIt is precisely here, in this desire of Mary to be with our Lord, that He appears to her. "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you look- ing for?" (Jn 20:15), Jesus asks Mary, who does not recognize Him."Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbouni'" (Jn 20:16). For many of us, Jesus is reveal- ing Himself in a new way during this time of COVID-19. We might not recognize Him, just as Mary did not outside the tomb, possibly due to fear and anxiety. It is when Jesus calls her by name that she knows who He is. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine," (Is 43:1) the Lord says to you and to me. How are you listen- ing for Jesus' Words today? Are you listening to Him calling you by name, call- ing you to be, in a new and deeper way this Pentecost, "A Disciple of Christ?" Like St. Mary Magdalene, Jesus hears your prayers and sees the desire of your heart to know Him. It is truly a joy that the public cel- ebration of the Mass has resumed, and many are able to return to the Sacraments. The Lord is waiting to encounter you. Although businesses are slowly opening again and the Churches of the Diocese of Venice are open, there remains a level of uncertainty and caution. Even after the Resur- rection, the Disciples had to endure great difficulties. When Jesus has ascended to heaven, the Disciples remained in the Upper Room for 10 days in fear for their lives. In this time, the words of Jesus remained in their hearts. "For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you" (Jn 16:7). As the Church will move from Pentecost into Ordinary Time, we wait to see how the Lord will contin- ue to get us through the Pandemic. Let us do so like the Disciples, "de- voted [-] with one accord to prayer (Acts 1:14). Trusting that the Lord will "work all things to good" (cf. Rom 8:28). Do not forget that on Pentecost the Lord has sent us the Holy Spirit who is our Advocate, Comforter, Sanctifier, and Counselor. Ask the Spirit daily for help to live as "A Dis- ciple of Christ," for He will "teach you everything and remind you of all that (Christ) told you" (Jn 14:17) and "helps us in our weakness" (Rom 8:26). Pentecost leads the Church into Ordinary Time. This is precisely because "God declares that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:17) and all are given the call to "preach the Gospel to the whole creation" (Mk 16:15). Pentecost is followed by Ordinary Time because the normal life of the Church is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and we are to live as "A Disciple of Christ." This still may take some ingenu- ity and effort due to the ongoing Pandemic, but do not give up hope! Christ sees your efforts to know Him and love Him and He will bless you for them. Present restrictions in our society provide help to many people but create a need for oth- ers, and with this there are many opportunities for you to love your neighbor. Strive to come to know the Lord in a new way at this time! Pick up your phone to be present to those you have not spoken with in a while. Take these opportunities to pray with one another and build each other up in the faith. Go to the Church, keeping with social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, so as to allow your taking advantage of Mass and Confessions being offered. Use this extra time for spiritual reading and even pick up your Bible that maybe has not been open in a long time. Through these and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, you can be ever more "A Dis- ciple of Christ." "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (Jn 14:27). This is a time of great trial and difficulty, but do not give up hope! The Lord will calm the storm (cf. Mk 4:39). "The Lord will fight for you; you have only to keep still" (Ex 14:14). Allow the Lord into your heart in a new way, a way that you
Jesus revealed to us in a new way
might not recognize just yet, but al- low yourself to hear Him when He calls you by name, as He calls you to greater be "A Disciple of Christ." May God bless you and your family on this Pentecost! Know of my continual prayers for you, espe- cially as the Mass is offered daily for your good. Please keep me in your prayers as well. Sincerely yours in Christ, + Bishop Frank J. Dewane Diocese of Venice in Florida
FROM THE BISHOP
Frank J. Dewane
AN ACT OF KINDNESS
Representatives from Children First Inc., a childcare provider, recently visited Our Mother's House, a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc., with a chicken dinner for each mother from Paradise Grill. The mothers were so grateful for their generosity. Our Mother's House in Venice provides housing and support for mothers and their children who would otherwise be homeless. (COURTESY)
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