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

By Catholic News Service

VENICE, Fla. (CNS) -- Venice Bishop Frank J. Dewane urged local residents to pray as Hurricane Ian approached Florida's west coast and the Diocese of Venice put into action plans to ensure safety and recovery after the storm passes.

"As people of faith, we are called to pray to Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of peril," Bishop Dewane said. "May we find comfort in the Lord as Hurricane Ian threatens, and that our suffering brothers and sisters quickly find safety and comfort in the Lord."

The storm was expected to move over central Florida during the night Sept. 28 and into the next morning.

Close to midday Sept. 28, AccuWeather reported that Hurricane Ian had strengthened and was packing sustained winds of 155 mph -- "just shy of Category 5 force" -- as it inched closer to Florida, "where it's expected to bring catastrophic impacts from Tampa to Naples."

Other reports said the Orlando Diocese also was expected to be hit hard.

In the Venice Diocese, Bishop Dewane met with members of the Diocesan Emergency Response Team Sept. 23 and 26. The initial meeting was to review and implement emergency plans for all parishes, schools and other entities within the diocese.

The emergency plans include checklists and basic guidance to ensure that the people and the buildings within the diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. They also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.

By implementing these plans, diocesan parishes and schools first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.

All diocesan Catholic schools in Venice were closed either Sept. 27, or Sept. 28, following public schools, and each will reopen as soon as possible.

Jesuit Father John Belmonte, diocesan superintendent of Catholic education, said "any decision to reopen will be made when the diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for our students and faculty."

Parishes in the diocese follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several canceled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed as needed. Parishes in areas which have limited impacts (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen within a few days.

In addition, Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice also was prepared to respond and set up distribution points in areas of greatest need. These locations, established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food.

After Hurricane Ian passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort need to visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.

The Diocese of Venice also will update its website -- www.dioceseofvenice.org -- and post on social media information on where the greatest need is and how people can help.

In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, which includes Tampa Bay, Bishop Gregory L. Parkes invited all in the diocese to pray to God "for the protection of life and property as we face this serious threat."

"As Hurricane Ian approaches our area, as we make our final preparations, and as we begin to feel the effects of the storm, I invite you to pray with me," he said in a video message released Sept. 27.

"Loving God, maker of heaven and earth, protect us in your love and mercy. Send the spirit of Jesus to be with us to still our fears and to give us confidence. In the stormy waters, Jesus reassured his disciples by his presence, calmed the storm and strengthened their faith," Bishop Parkes prayed.

"Guard us from harm during the storm and renew our faith to serve you faithfully. 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."