Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Diocese of Venice celebrate annual Chrism Mass in Venice

Bishop Dewane, Venice diocese celebrates annual Chrism Mass

The Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, was joined by 132 priests and 66 deacons from across the diocese on April 4 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice for the annual Chrism Mass, one of the most important liturgies in the Catholic calendar.

At the Chrism Mass, priests renewed their promises of ordination and Bishop Dewane consecrated the Chrism Oil that is used in the administration of sacraments at each parish throughout the year. Priests and deacons celebrating anniversary years were also recognized, including:

· 60 years: Rev. Jerome Carosella, Rev. John Rourke.

· 50 years: Rev. Richard York, Deacon Eugene Egendoerfer.

· 25 years: Very Rev. Robert Kantor, Rev. Murchadh O’Madagain, Rev. Jaroslaw Sniosek, Rev. Remigious Ssekiranda, Deacon Humberto Alvia, Deacon Riordan Ripperton, Deacon John Ruh.

Diocesan seminarians, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the Knights of Columbus, and the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women also were in attendance. For more information, visit dioceseofvenice.org.

Safe Children Coalition holds inaugural Giving Breakfast

The Safe Children Coalition recently presented its inaugural Giving Breakfast and honored four “Champions for Children” for contributions in the community: Michele Grimes of Williams Parker Attorneys at Law; Rick Oswald of CMSA Architects; and Bobbie and Floyd Price of Guardian Angels of SW Florida.

SCC also announced plans for a new Youth Shelter to provide a safe place for homeless or unaccompanied teens. The capital campaign has been seeded with a $1 million leadership gift from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

The event, emceed by Joe Girvan of Alpert Enterprises, raised roughly $118,000 through sponsorships and a paddle raise. Sponsors included Sunset Automotive Group, Tandem Construction, M.E. Wilson, Barancik Foundation, CMSA Architects, Williams Parker Attorneys at Law, and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. For information on SCC’s efforts to protect at-risk children and strengthen families, contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-225-6166.

Fostering services for dogs needed by Manatee County

The Manatee County Animal Welfare Division is seeking volunteers to provide short- or long-term fostering services for dogs at the adoption center in Palmetto, where workers are currently providing care to 100-plus dogs.

"Reducing our kennel population through temporary fostering allows us to give dogs who are experiencing anxiety and kennel stress a break from the shelter and helps alleviate the workload of our team," volunteer coordinator Kerra Almy said. "We need help from as many members of our community as possible. Our population consists of large breed dogs. We do not have any small breed dogs available for foster currently."

All food and supplies will be provided. For a list of dogs that are available for fostering and adoption, visit mymanatee.org/departments/public_safety/animal_services/adopt_a_pet. Volunteers to foster cats and kittens will also be needed. Contact Almy at 941-742-5933, ext. 8316, or Kerra.Almy@mymanatee.org for more information.

Conservation Foundation receives $59,000 FWC grant

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast recently received a $59,000 grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help create a buffer of managed lands on the Conservation Foundation’s Upper Myakka Preserve, which borders Myakka River State Park.

The foundation manages Upper Myakka Preserve collaboratively with the FWC, MRSP, and the Wild and Scenic River Protection Program to improve wetland habitats throughout the Myakka River corridor. Funds from the FWC grant will support the foundation’s initiative to eradicate invasive plant species.

The Conservation Foundation also is working to restore the river shoreline and floodplain forests by planting thousands of native trees and wildflowers. To learn more about volunteer planting opportunities, visit conservationfoundation.com/myakkarestoration.

Around and about ...

"Writers on the Air," a community open-mic radio show on Tuesdays on WKDW 97.5 FM in North Port, is seeking volunteer techs. No experience necessary; training will be provided by the radio station, WKDW marketing volunteer Linda Schell said. The volunteer will be needed once every three weeks from 5-7:20 p.m. For information, contact Schell at Lschell2@verizon.net or 941-223-1262.

· The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is hosting USF Week Carnival on April 14, capping a week of events celebrating the university’s history and ties to the community. The carnival runs from 4-9 p.m. and will feature rides, games and food in the south parking lot at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For details about USF Week events, visit usf.edu/usfweek.

Submissions by Karen Barry Schwarz, Sharon Kunkel, Letitia Latek, Sam Valentin, Linda Schell, Marc Masferrer.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Safe Children Coalition raises $118,000 at inaugural Giving Breakfast