Current Announcements

 Do you have questions about homeschooling? Sacred Heart of Jesus Private Homeschool Group would like to invite you to our parents meeting, August 7th , 10am at Olga Park in Fort Myers. Here you will learn about the support SHJ can offer your family, upcoming activities we have planned, meet other homeschool parents in the area, and learn what is required to homeschool in our state. If you have any questions, you may also call Lisa Stalnaker 239-634-3684.

Dear Corpus Christi Chapel parishioners, 

As many have already asked us for our thoughts this morning of July 16^th, on which a new Motu Propio has been issued by Pope Francis restricting more ample permissions for the use of the Latin Mass which were given by his predecessor Pope Benedict, in the Motu Propio Summorum Pontificum, and how it might affect our community, I make the following observations:

Obviously, those of us who were gladdened by the more ample rights for all priests of the Roman Rite to celebrate according to the 1962 missal are saddened to see that more possible restrictions may be established. Nonetheless, though more restrictive, it still remains possible for Bishops to delegate diocesan priests to offer the Latin Mass. Furthermore, it does not directly affect our FSSP communities as we have the Latin Mass by particular law as the mass that we were founded to celebrate according to our Constitutions which have been definitively approved by the Holy See.

Whether new foundations of our community in a diocese will be established with the canonical status of a parish, remains to be seen with the practical implementation of this document. Here in the diocese of Venice, Florida, Corpus Christi is already canonically established as a Chapel, and Mission of Christ the King Parish, a Latin Mass parish entrusted to the Fraternity of St. Peter in the diocese of Venice, which is to say we are already part of a permanently established Latin Mass FSSP parish in the diocese. If our future church were not canonically erected as a separate new parish, it would simply remain canonically as a mission of our already established FSSP parish in Sarasota and practically function in the same way.

Over the past 33 years we have more often begun and worked in a diocese without the canonical status of a parish, though many have been established as such over time. All of our apostolates in the US have established contracts which define their traditional nature and establish them in a stable way in the diocese, which unfortunately cannot be said about many of our apostolates in Europe, where Bishops, particularly in France, sometimes give us only a verbal permission to work in the diocese. Yet, if I am correct, in only one recent case was even such a verbal permission withdrawn. Latin Mass communities can be structured as a Chapel, Mission, etc. while practically functioning like a a parish in most respects, and we have done this with great fruit and success amidst even difficult circumstances and labors for over 30 years. So, although these new norms appear to be more restrictive and unfavorable for the spread of the Latin Mass at large, our service to the Church continues the same both in the diocese and throughout the world where we are established.

My pastoral advice for you in this moment is to simply stay focused on your spiritual life as the unwavering commitment of our ministry to you and your obligations to more faithfully love and serve the Lord by denying yourself and taking up your cross daily remain the same. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Mt. 6:34)

From our commitment to holiness comes all blessings and favors from the Lord. Love the Mass and appreciate it always, as it is, according to the Church, “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 10), and attending and praying the mass devoutly is the most powerful arm that we have so that His kingdom come and His will be done.

“In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

Our newly appointed Provincial Superior Fr. William Lawrence FSSP (who noted in his circular to our priests that many bishops where we serve have already made overtures to assure us that our apostolates will continue the same) makes the following announcement: 

Dear Faithful in Christ, 

With the publication of Pope Francis’ latest motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes, which has placed new restrictions on the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, many of us are disheartened and anxious. At this point, it is too early to tell what all the implications will be for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and for our apostolates, but we assure you that we remain committed to serving the faithful in accordance with our Constitutions and charism as we have done since our founding.  

 We must strive to see this Cross as a means of our sanctification, and to remember that God will never abandon His Church. Our Lord Himself promises us the necessary graces to bear our Crosses with strength and courage. We must not, however, neglect to do our part as faithful Catholics; let us pray and offer sacrifices in our daily lives, and trust in the intercession of Our Lady, St. Joseph, and our patron, St. Peter. Please continue to pray for the Pope and for the Bishops, and especially for your priests." 

    The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, will be blessed and imposed after the 5:15om Mass in Her honor this Friday, July 16th, for all those who have never before received the imposition (once received, the enrollment lasts for life).

    We have some scapulars that have been donated and others for sale, but in limited supply, feel free to also bring your own. 

    For those who cannot receive it on Friday, please let the priests know on Sunday after Mass. 

    Learn more about this heavenly gift from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at www.CorpusChristiFSSP.com/brown-scapular

While we hope to organize a party in the Naples and possibly Fort Myers area later this month, for those who live in Ave or would like to attend, the usual third Sunday potluck after the 1230pm mass at Ave Maria Parish, which Father Dorsa will offer, will be to thank Father for his service to our community and bid him farewell and blessings upon his next assignment which begins in August. 

When: approximately 2 pm, and ending around 5 pm.

What: Please bring a dish and/or a dessert to share 

Where: The McQuades' residence, 5355 Chandler Way (Maple Ridge Reserve)
Please spread the word! 
If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Yarbrough: 239-503-1303, or email [email protected].   

This year in addition to the five new priests ordained, we also reached a milestone in our growth in North America as a Priestly Fraternity, moving up administratively from the level of a District to a Province. Accordingly there are priest transfers every year to fulfill these new apostolic needs. 

Fr. Anthony Dorsa, who was assigned as assitant to our Corpus Christi apostolate since last year, will be transferred to our headquarters where he amongst other tasks will help with administrative tasks including overseeing the media and missions development of our Fraternity throughout the Province. 

Although the news is sad for us who have been the beneficiaries of his great priestly dedication to the sanctification of our souls, ever friendly companionship, and talented service, over the last year, and although we wish we could have him longer, we should rejoice to see the work of our Fraternity expand to a new level and our dear vicar promoted to such a level of responsibility at the service of the whole province. Such is the nature of our apostolic work, in imitation of Our Lord and the apostles who after serving a community, continued on to found yet more. 

It is a time for us to remember that behind every priest is Christ the High Priest, who remains with us always, giving us what he knows we need, even if at times it is not what we prefer; and that here we have no lasting home, but sojourn as pilgrims towards our eternal, heavenly home. That which most gladdens the heart of a priest, is to see the his flock put it into practice that which he has taught them, to show that they have understood that their greatest desire was to lead and attach them to Christ and not their own particular personality. Such is the spirituality of the priest who acts in persona Christi.

We should also consider it a compliment to our community which has been so supportive of him in prayer and faithful in following his good teachings in word and example, which in spiritually good condition is ready to receive another young priest to serve in his stead as assistant. 

The transfers are effective as of August 1st. Stay tuned for more details regarding any farewell parties. Our new assistant will be announced as soon as the diocese confirms it. 

In the meantime please thank our good Father Dorsa for his wonderful year of dedicated service to our community, and promise him your prayers for the success of the new endeavor Our Lord asks him to undertake.  

As the offices of St. Agnes will be closed on Monday, there will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament that day. It will resume in the chapel from 9am - 5pm starting Tuesday. 

A further reduction in seasonal masses at the Church of the Resurrection, Fort Myers, will move our Latin Mass to 12pm beginning Sunday, July 4.  

Beginning this Monday, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume at St. Agnes in their main church (just for this week), from 9am - 5pm. Benediction will be imparted at 5pm. 

There will be no adoration this Tuesday. 

This Tuesday and Friday feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul, and the Visitation, respectively, there will be a low mass at 4pm and a Sung Mass at 515pm.

There will also be a Sung Mass on Thursday for the Feast of the Precious Blood at 515pm

Given the continued fruitful growth of the North American District of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, now numbering over 100 priests in Canada and the Unites States, it will be elevated to the higher administrative level of a Province on July 1st. A meeting of elected delegates follows until July 10th to discuss and decide policies and organization for this next stage of our development. 

We ask for your prayers during this time of important deliberations. 

Fr. Romanoski was elected to the provincial chapter and will be away for these dates. Please direct any ordinary pastoral questions to Fr. Dorsa, though Fr. Romanoski can be reached by phone or email as needed. 

Fr. Heinricy FSSP, a classmate of Fr. Dorsa's and currently assigned to our apostolate in Kansas City, will be substituting for Fr. Romanoski while away.