Remembering Bishop Frank J. Dewane: A Special Message to Snowbird Living During America's 250th Anniversary

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, Snowbird Living is honored to share a special message entrusted to us by the late Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. Some moments become more meaningful with time. As we prepared our special USA 250th Anniversary edition of the Snowbird Living Passport, we had the tremendous honor of receiving a personal welcome message from Bishop Frank J. Dewane, shepherd of the Diocese of Venice and a familiar spiritual presence to Catholics throughout Southwest Florida. At the time, we were simply grateful that he had taken the time to contribute to our publication. Following his passing in October 2026, his words have taken on an even deeper significance. What began as a welcome message has become something we will always treasure. A Special Honor for Snowbird Living When we began planning our commemorative edition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, we wanted to recognize more than a historic national milestone. We wanted to celebrate the faith, families, communities, and values that have helped shape our country. And here in Ave Maria, Florida, faith is woven into the very identity of our town. To have Bishop Dewane offer a message for our readers was an extraordinary honor, one for which we remain deeply grateful. His words reflected not only the significance of America's semiquincentennial but also the important role of prayer, unity, and service in the life of our nation. His Message to Our Community Bishop Dewane began by acknowledging something those of us who call Ave Maria home know well. He described Ave Maria as the town with a Catholic heart and recognized Ave Maria Catholic Parish as one of the 61 Catholic parishes within the Diocese of Venice. He then reflected on the historic anniversary of our nation's founding and the opportunity it presents for Catholics to unite in prayer. In his message, Bishop Dewane encouraged the faithful to participate in the nationwide 250 Hours of Adoration or 250 Works of Mercy, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the spiritual life of our country. His invitation was simple but profound: to use this historic anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen our faith, serve others, and pray for unity. He concluded with a blessing for our readers and their families, reminding us of the importance of being united as one nation under God. Those words carry a special meaning today. A Message That Will Remain Part of Our History At Snowbird Living, our mission has always been about bringing people together. We celebrate our community, introduce neighbors to local businesses, share stories, and highlight the wonderful places and people that make Southwest Florida special. But we also recognize that the heart of a community is found in something deeper. It's found in faith, kindness, generosity, and the relationships we build with one another. Bishop Dewane's message reflected those very principles. As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, his invitation to prayer, service, and unity remains as meaningful as ever. We are especially grateful that his words became part of our commemorative Snowbird Living Passport, preserving a message from our bishop during this historic year. With Gratitude and Remembrance We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the late Bishop Frank J. Dewane for the kindness he showed Snowbird Living and for taking the time to share his message with our readers. It was a privilege to include his words in our publication, and it is a privilege to share them again in his memory. We pray for the repose of his soul and offer our condolences to the Diocese of Venice, his brother priests, and all those who knew and loved him. May his message continue to inspire prayer, unity, and works of mercy throughout our communities. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. With gratitude, Snowbird Living Your Passport to Paradise. A Note From Snowbird Living: Bishop Dewane's original welcome message appeared in our commemorative USA 250th Anniversary edition of the Snowbird Living Passport. We are honored to preserve and share his words as part of our community's history.