WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG April 10-16, 2020
FLORIDA Catholic
VENICE DIOCESE
C
hristians today around the world proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection, a time of transformation from darkness to light. The face of the Risen Christ is that light, in my life, your life and the lives of those we love and know. This Easter we are not in our Churches for Mass and that saddens me as I'm sure it saddens you as well. These are difficult times, no doubt, however, I ask you please do not allow fear to overshadow the joy of this day. Jesus Christ is alive and remains with us. The Risen Christ is the assurance that God will not abandon us as we deal with the challenges of our time. Christ's Resurrection and victory over sin and death provides the encouragement most desperately needed for all who are experiencing hardship, pain and deep sorrow. May this Easter Season, beginning with the Resurrection, bring you the comfort, peace and knowledge that we are so greatly loved by God Our Father that He sent His only Son as our salvation. God bless you and your families! Please know that you remain in my prayers! Have a Happy and Blessed Easter! + Bishop Frank J. Dewane
Act of Spiritual Communion
It has long been a Catholic un- derstanding that when circum- stances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Com- munion which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion means unit- ing one's self in prayer with Christ's sacrifice and worshiping Him in His Body and Blood. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Commu- nion is when a person cannot attend Mass, as is the case during the on- going coronavirus pandemic. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily. For all who will not be able to re- ceive the Holy Eucharist in person, consider this special prayer, an Act of Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were al- ready there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Resources online
A special coronavirus webpage is located on the Diocese of Venice website homepage at www.dioce- seofvenice.org. Resources include links to the daily and Sunday Mass, the prayer for Act of the Spiritual Communion, videos of the Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Pray the Rosary by following the links for the Diocese response to Coronavirus included on the Diocese homep- age. The U.S. Conference of Catho- lic Bishops website, www.usccb.org, also posts the daily Mass readings. Additionally, Magnificat is offer- ing the online version of this devo- tional free at https://us.magnificat. net/free. The Televised Mass for the Homebound is available through- out the Diocese each Sunday and on the Diocese of Venice website at www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass. In northern parts of the Diocese (Manatee, Highlands, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties) the Mass airs at 9:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Collier, Lee, Glades, Hendry and Charlotte counties) the Mass airs at 10:30 a.m., on WFTX-TV (FOX- 4). This same Mass can be found on the Diocese of Venice website, www.dioceseofvenice.org/tv- mass. Check local listings for chan- nel information.
Prayers and Resources
See Bishop Dewane's Easter message at: vimeo.com/403813884/8ec008dbcd
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