‘Year Of Celebration’ Closing Mass Lauds 25 Years Of Accomplishments

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Posted: 1.18.10

NAPLES | St. Ann Parish hosted a closing Mass Dec. 13 for the “Year of Celebration” marking the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese of Venice and invited the entire Southern Deanery along for the occasion on “Gaudete” or “Rejoice” Sunday of Advent.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass along with 15 priests from across Collier County, the boundaries of the Southern Deanery, in a Mass which recognized the accomplishments of the growing Diocese.

“We celebrate 25 years of accomplishments, but we also must look to the future at the next 25 years and continue the good work we have started,” Bishop Dewane said. “Being here is a testimony to your faith and we must remember that is much more than being here each Sunday; it is living life like Christ.”

A Diocesewide closing Mass was celebrated Dec. 5 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, but many people from the Naples area were unable to attend and St. Ann Parish, the oldest parish in the Deanery, was chosen as the host for the occasion.

St. Ann Administrator Father Michael Vannicola, Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, served as host for the Mass which served to end the year of special events throughout the Diocese including Masses, celebrations and a variety of conferences.

Bishop Dewane recognized the hard work of the priests who were gathered, representing the eight parishes, a quasi-parish, a mission, and several chapels and apostolates of the Southern Deanery.

The “Year of Celebration” commemorates the anniversary of Pope John Paul II creating the Diocese of Venice in Florida in July 1984 from portions of three other existing dioceses. The Southern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice came from the Archdiocese of Miami.

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