Diocese of Venice, Fla., implements emergency plans before Ian hits region

An image composite from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Ian moving toward Florida’s west coast after passing Cuba on September 27, 2022.
(Reuters Handout via CNS photo/NOAA)

Florida’s Venice (CNS) —
As Hurricane Ian approached Florida’s west coast, Venice Bishop Frank J. Dewane urged locals to pray, and the Diocese of Venice set measures into motion to assure safety and recovery following the storm.

According to Bishop Dewane, “as persons of faith, we are called to pray to Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of crisis.”
“May Hurricane Ian bring us comfort in the Lord, and may our suffering brothers and sisters find safety and comfort in the Lord fast.”

On September 28, during the evening and early the next morning, the storm was predicted to pass over central Florida.

Around noon on September 28, AccuWeather said that Hurricane Ian had intensified and was moving toward Florida, “where it’s expected to cause catastrophic damage from Tampa to Naples,” packing sustained winds of 155 mph, “just shy of Category 5 force.”

According to some accounts, the Orlando Diocese was also anticipated to be severely impacted.

Bishop Dewane met with the Diocesan Emergency Response Team on September 23 and 26 in the Venice Diocese.
The purpose of the first meeting was to examine and put emergency plans in place for all of the diocese’s parishes, schools, and other organizations.

To make sure that everyone and everything in the diocese is safe and secure before a storm hits, the emergency plans include checklists and general instructions.
They also direct the responses that must be taken to a storm’s effects.

With the use of these plans, diocesan parishes and schools can close offices, secure and restrict access to buildings, and take other required measures. To implement these plans, they must first adhere to local emergency management instructions.

Following the closure of the public schools on September 27 or 28, all diocesan Catholic schools in Venice will reopen as soon as possible.

Diocesan superintendent of Catholic education and Jesuit Father John Belmonte stated that “any decision to reopen will be taken when the diocese is sure that each school has power and that all facilities are safe for our kids and faculty.”

The diocese’s parishes abide with municipal directives regarding evacuation orders, many canceled daily Masses, and other events, with the assumption that they would reopen after a safety assessment is finished, if necessary.
Parishes in areas with little effects (such no power outages or little structural damage) should be able to reopen in a few days.

Additionally, Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice was ready to react and establish distribution hubs in needy communities.

The distribution of water, ice, and food will take place at these locations, which were set up in collaboration with county and state disaster management officials.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help, donating extra disaster supplies, or contributing money to the recovery work after Hurricane Ian has passed may visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for information on how to do so.

The Diocese of Venice will also post information on social media platforms and update its website, www.dioceseofvenice.org, about where there is the greatest need and how people may contribute.

Bishop Gregory L. Parkes urged everyone in the Tampa Bay-encompassing Diocese of St. Petersburg to pray to God “for the protection of life and property as we face this dire threat.”

I encourage you to pray alongside me as Hurricane Ian approaches our region, as we finish off our preparations, and as we start to feel the affects of the storm,” he said in a video message made available on Sept. 27.

“Loving God, you created the heavens and the world; keep us safe in your kindness and love.
Send the Holy Spirit to dwell among us, to calm our worries and to give us courage.
Bishop Parkes prayed, “In the choppy waves, Jesus comforted his disciples by his presence, calmed the storm, and increased their faith.

“Protect us from harm during the storm, and reaffirm our commitment to serving you obediently. Give us the courage to face all difficulties and the wisdom to see the ways your Spirit binds us together in mutual assistance,” he continued. “With confidence, we make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

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