Current Announcements

While we pray Mass virtually, and await the forthcoming permission for public masses in our diocese, let us review what the saints have taught us on how to most efficaciously pray the most divine prayer of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Fr. Romanoski explains what tradition teaches us on the topic 

The following are the total amounts donated in the first quarter of 2020 to support our chapel today, and build our permanent home for tomorrow. (Previously published numbers did not include a number of online transactions. This update includes all giving - in offertory baskets, by mail, and online.)

Average Sunday & Holy Day Mass attendance for the first quarter of 2020: 

St. Agnes, Naples: 282
Resurrection of our Lord, Ft. Myers: 109

17 new household registrations: More than 1 new household every week through this quarter!

Dear Corpus Christi Chapel faithful,

The Pastor at Ave Maria, Fr. Mayer, has asked us to announce that the transmitted Sunday Latin Mass at the Donahue Academy of Ave Maria, which we have been invited to offer privately, every Sunday during this hiatus of public masses, will be celebrated at 9am, and Holy Communion will be distributed afterward from 10:00am- 1030am. This will be a more convenient schedule for all involved especially the staff that is working extra hours every day to coordinate the masses and distribution afterward. We will not be able to hear confessions at Donahue Academy before the Sunday Mass, so please contact us personally for any appointment or look for announcements of publicly scheduled confessions. 

Likewise one may not enter and park in the parking lot of the school during the mass, but can approach in car as early as 945am. This is likewise to assure that all flows in an orderly manner without drawing attention as if it were a public gathering. One may park anywhere else in Ave Maria and approach immediately after Mass has ended. The new time and directives take effect this Sunday April 19^th and will continue until further notice.  

And we repeat that we are also available by appointment for any sacramental needs you may have. 

Fr. Romanoski will make his annual canonical retreat this week. Please direct any requests for pastoral assistance directly to Fr. Passo. 

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
During Easter Season, as the Church rejoices in Our Lord's Resurrection, my prayer is that you and your family are safe and strengthened by God's grace in these uncertain times. You will recall that I promised to give an update regarding the Coronavirus and our efforts in the Diocese of Venice to ensure the health, safety, and the spiritual wellbeing of all our Catholic Faithful.

The decision to suspend public celebrations of the Liturgy was among the most difficult I have had to make as your Bishop. The decision required the Diocese to weigh the needs of public health in a time of pandemic against the great sacrifices that a suspension would require of the Christian Faithful and our Priests. Knowing it would be difficult for you not to fully participate in the Holy Mass or gather with your fellow Parishioners for other activities, was something I sincerely understood. It was also on my mind that your Priests would need to labor strenuously and find innovative ways to compassionately care for Parishioners.

It has been edifying to see how the Catholic Faithful, led by their Priests, have embraced these challenges and found creative ways to give witness to our spiritual communion in Christ. Throughout these days, I have been privileged to hear many stories from Parishioners about how they have, in their homes, remained Faithful to their life of prayer and worship of God. The efforts of parents, caregivers, Catholic School teachers, catechists, Parish staff and so many of our people, have made the difficulties being experienced an opportunity for heroic acts of Christian Charity and love. Priests are to be acknowledged for the pastoral ways in which the Holy Mass and the Sacraments have been offered to the Faithful; at the same time, placing themselves at risk to attend the sick and dying. Likewise, I am grateful to the Parishioners who have continued their generous stewardship towards the Parishes and Schools of the Diocese which face financial challenges in these present circumstances.

In a particular way, let me express my appreciation to the many families who, from home, united in their Parish Holy Week and Easter Liturgies. All the Faithful can be proud of the efforts made during these difficult days to maintain spiritual communion and practice their Catholic Faith. Trusting in Our Lord who abides with us, we have found hope and strength to weather the hardships. 

No matter how difficult this time has been for many of us, I ask you to prayerfully intercede for those who have died from the Coronavirus and for their family and loved ones who grieve. Likewise, please lift-up in prayer healthcare workers and others, who, with dedication, are combating this disease and compassionately caring for the sick and dying. Pray also for wisdom for our public officials that they may guide us with competence and concern.

Please know that the Diocese appreciates the sacrifices you have made and is looking forward to the time when public celebrations of Holy Mass can resume. With me, Diocesan Officials are monitoring public health data as a process of planning begins. It is necessary to determine how and when your Parish can resume normal operations safely, while maintaining careful vigilance to protect those at greater risk of serious illness. The upcoming weeks will indeed require patience. Only after necessary steps are taken, can there be certainty regarding when to begin a phased return to normal Parish activities and public gatherings.

Likely, the present circumstances regarding public Masses will last for the near future. Celebrations of Confirmation, First Communion, and reception into the Church for Catechumens and Candidates will continue to be postponed until it is feasible to reschedule them with some certainty. Parishes will keep the Faithful updated as greater clarity regarding Diocesan plans is possible.

Let us remember that with Faith, our sufferings and sacrifices can be a source of redeeming grace. If we offer our sufferings to God and unite them with the Passion of Our Lord, we will be made stronger in Faith and greater witnesses to the hope that is ours in the Risen Christ.

As we commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday, let each one of us put aside our doubts and united as a believing people, express with new resolve: "Jesus, I trust in You!"

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
 + Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
April 17, 2020

For the rest of the month of April, Fr. Romanoski and Fr. Passo have been invited to celebrate and sing the Latin Mass privately at 12:30pm on Sundays at the Donahue Academy chapel of Ave Maria Parish. Though this Mass is private you are invited to follow along live from their parish transmission here or here. Though one may not attend these masses in person, parking is available just outside and we will follow the current policy of Ave Maria Parish while under their parish ministry there (unless changed) in distributing Holy Communion afterwards in the parking lot of the same Donahue Academy at around 1:30pm.  You can likewise check the sermons page at our website for any recorded sermons from these masses. 

We will be available for confessions outside the same Donahue Academy in Ave Maria at 11:30am on the same Sundays. 

Please recall that no one in our diocese is obliged to attend Holy Mass on Sundays at present, neither is the reception of Holy Communion in any way obligatory nor does the  reception of Holy Communion require having heard mass via transmission prior to it. Please use the same prudence and caution in discerning whether you should go to such an "event." Though social distance rules are observed in their parish set up, it would still be unadvisable given the  relative proximity to others if one were sick with a virus for example. 

And we likewise repeat that we are always available by appointment for any sacramental attention you may need. Just give us a call (239) 360-9977 or send us an email at [email protected]

We pray that you each have responded well to the challenge that God has given us during this time of seeking Him by extra effort in prayer and penance. Seek and ye shall find, as the Kingdom of Heaven is within you! 

And let us keep out minds and hearts on the prize, the only one we hope to obtain by means of the test of this passing temporal life- recalling the words of the apostle 

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise again incorruptible. And we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable: always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15.50-58)

Yours in the Risen Lord,
Frs. Romanoski & Passo

In addition to the many FSSP masses which are transmitted live from our parish church in Sarasota, and throughout the world at http://www.livemass.net/, Fr. Passo and Fr. Romanoski will celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at the Donahue Academy school chapel in Ave Maria at 3:00pm, and on Easter Sunday at 12:30pm which will each be transmitted live from their parish transmission here. Though one may not attend these masses in person, we will distribute Holy Communion afterwards in the parking lot of the same Donahue Academy (at around 4pm and 1:30pm respectively). Anyone unable to attend and who would like to receive Holy Communion in this holy season is to contact the priests directly. 
Please recall that no one is obliged to attend Holy Mass on Sundays at present, and the reception of Holy Communion after these masses is likewise in no way obligatory.

In addition to any sacramental needs you may have and which we will gladly attend whether at your home or in a convenient place, we also ask that you contact us if you have any pressing material needs at this time. There are some members of our parish family who have asked if there are any members in need right now, and we will gladly help facilitating such charitable help.  

2020-04-03 UPDATE:

Dear Corpus Christi Chapel faithful,

This update is just to confirm that we will be available for confessions this evening at St. Agnes, outside from 4:30pm-6:00pm (or later, until all have finished).

• All must remain in their cars until it is their time to approach for confession. This will ensure prudent physical distancing proper to the health precautions being taken at this time and the protection of the seal of confession. KIDS may NOT play outside, nor adults congregate to chat.
• Instructions will be given there as to how to proceed. Please stay in "line/order" in your cars until it is your turn to come out.
• Both Father Passo and Fr. Romanoski will be available for confession.
• As there may be those who feel a greater need for confession at this time, please be mindful of the precedence that needs to be given to such souls. Likewise, be mindful to keep your confession focused on the matter proper to the sacrament- sins one has voluntarily committed, and if mortal in species and number. Remember that the obligation to attend mass on Sundays was lifted mid-March and no other specific substitute, like hearing Mass on Sunday online is binding under pain of sin.
• (N.B.- obviously when there is a practical impossibility/inconvenience, one can fulfill one's First Friday or First Saturday devotion at the next convenient time).
• Any need for advice, counsel, time to talk can easily be done at another time with us by phone or private appointment.
• We are glad that the civil order respects "religious services" as essential to peoples' needs, and will try to plan what we can given our limited possibilities while not having our own place. Please stay tuned to the websit for any forthcoming announcements.
• But as it is deemed prudent to avoid social gatherings anyway, we have been very happy to receive and will continue to receive you by appointment as a family or as individuals for any sacramental needs you fell you may have. Just call either one of us and we will arrange the details as is most convenient for you.

At your service,
In the Sorrowful Heart of Mary, to whom we unite our Lenten sacrifices,
Fr. Romanoski FSSP & Fr. Passo FSSP
AMDG+

~ ~ ~

Dear Corpus Christi Chapel faithful, 

I pray that you are all well in soul and body, growing in God's never failing grace by much prayer and penance in this holy season of Lent. Indeed the best penances are those we do not to choose and which challenge us more deeply, as we now contemplate in the life of the dearly beloved Son of God during Passiontide.

As there have been changing guidelines in the past two weeks, it has been difficult to schedule anything publicly, especially since we don't have our own church to work out of. But, barring any proximate changes beyond our control, this Friday, April 3rd, we will make the sacrament of confession available at St. Agnes from 4:30pm-6:00pm, for those who would like.

The current guidelines for any public confessions are that they are to take place outside while maintaining appropriate distancing to avoid any possible spreading of germs. Please follow the instructions that we give when you arrive so as to avoid forming lines, remaining in your cars when you arrive until it is your turn to approach for confession. At present we have no practical way of distributing Holy Communion publicly, without having our own church to use for it. We just hope and pray that these prudential, temporary sacrifices of avoiding public gatherings, will ensure that things return more speedily to normal operations in our spiritual and civil family.

"Let nothing disturb thee,

Nothing affright thee

All things are passing;

God never changeth;

Patient endurance

Attaineth to all things;

Who God possesseth

In nothing is wanting;

God alone sufficeth." 

St. Theresa of Avila

We likewise have been and remain available by personal appointment. We are always available for any sacramental needs you may have. Please note that many hospitals are not allowing priests into visit the sick, so if you have such an emergency please try to call us first before you are taken to the hospital, if you sense that there is a grave sacramental need. It is always important to know the saving value of and how to make a perfect act of contrition, for which I highly recommend the following "The Golden Key to Paradise- Perfect Contrition" read here;, also on audio here. 

We likewise hope and pray that you are responding generously to God amidst the challenge he has given us to live an even more spiritual life at this time to be united with Him in the mansion of our soul where He truly dwells in those who love Him and keep His commandments. Although you are physically absent at our masses you are still spiritually united to all of them, which we offer twice daily for you. Pope Pius XII explains this mystical union (Mediator Dei #103) of the Mass as the sacrifice of the whole Christ- that is the whole Mystical Body, whose members we form by baptism, which is offered together with Christ, its head, upon every altar. Thus you, your family, your petitions, your sorrows, your hearts are present with us every time we elevate the Sacred Host in sacrifice- per ipsum et cum ipso et in ipso (through Him, with Him and in Him). We pray that you continue to spiritually unite yourself with all the Masses offered throughout the world through their daily transmission on livemass.net, and that you continue to grow in grace through these Lenten sacrifices our Lord requests of us, ever mindful that...

"in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37).