About Epiphany · Venice, Florida
Epiphany Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida, located in downtown Venice, Florida. Originally founded in 1935 as a mission of St. Martha's Parish in Sarasota, it was established as an independent parish in 1955 and chosen as the seat of the newly created Diocese of Venice in 1984. The current cathedral — a modern-style church dedicated in 1980 by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin and now undergoing a major two-year renovation to convert the original parish church into a true diocesan cathedral — serves a thriving multicultural community offering Masses in English, Spanish, and Polish along with 80 active ministries, a parish school (PreK3–Grade 8), an Adoration Chapel, and extensive faith formation programs.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F. (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
Epiphany Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Venice and one of the most active parish communities on Florida's southwest coast, offering Mass celebrated daily in English, Spanish, and Polish and a perpetual Adoration Chapel (open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily) just minutes from the Gulf beaches. With 80 active ministries — from RCIA and Catholic school (PreK3–Grade 8) to Knights of Columbus Council 7052, Emmaus retreats, Grandparents & St. Monica Ministry, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Music Ministry, and the South County Food Pantry — newcomers of any age or background can find a place to serve, pray, and grow. The parish is currently undergoing a historic renovation to become a true Diocesan Cathedral, giving parishioners a concrete way to participate in shaping its future for generations to come.
Mass times at Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
- Thursday before First Friday, after the 8:30 am Mass
- First Friday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel — open daily 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (after-hours access available by key fob from the Parish Office)
Welcome to Epiphany Cathedral
Epiphany Cathedral Parish is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Venice, known as the Mother Church of Southwest Florida and home to 80 active ministries. Bishop Frank J. Dewane's installation, ordinations, the annual Chrism Mass, the Rite of Election, and many other diocesan-wide celebrations are hosted at the Cathedral. The parish invites all the faithful — including longtime residents and seasonal visitors — to participate in daily Mass, perpetual Adoration, and the many ministries rooted in faith, fellowship, and service.
- Phone: (941) 484-3505
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestream Masses on Facebook and YouTube
Campus and History
What began in 1935 as a missionary Mass said for about 20 Catholics in the old Gulf Theatre in downtown Venice has grown into the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Venice. The current cathedral was built in 1979–1980, dedicated by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin on June 29, 1980, and selected as the cathedral in 1984 when Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Venice. The parish campus now includes the Cathedral, the Parish Center (formerly the 1960 church), Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, Marian Hall, the Adoration Chapel nestled between school and parish offices, and the Bishop's Mausoleum.
- Address: 310 Sarasota Street, Venice, FL 34285
- Diocese: Venice in Florida (founded June 16, 1984)
- Architectural style: Modern, completed 1980
Cathedral Renovation: Building a True Diocesan Cathedral
Construction is now underway on a once-in-a-generation project that will convert the original 1980 parish church into a true Diocesan Cathedral. Plans for the renovation began in 2021; Hurricane Ian in 2022 delayed groundbreaking until May 30, 2024. The roughly two-year project, already nearly halfway done, has withstood Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Diocese of Venice is funding 50% of the cost with the remainder covered by Epiphany Cathedral parishioners and contributing funds from other Diocesan Parishes (25%).
- New barrel-vaulted front narthex with proper Baptismal area
- Soaring wooden cathedral-height ceiling and raised roof for additional natural light
- New semi-circular altar with the tabernacle at its center and a custom glass mosaic behind
- Hurricane-protected stained-glass windows (preserving all original donor memorials)
- New pews and gleaming marble flooring throughout
- 75-foot double-bell tower with real church bells (replacing the current electronic system)
- 300 additional seats and expanded parking
- Upgraded HVAC and infrastructure
- Bishop's Chair to mark the Cathedral as the Seat of the Bishop
Sacramental Preparation
Epiphany Cathedral prepares parishioners of all ages for the seven sacraments through Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, the RCIA process, Marriage Preparation, and special sacramental catechesis. The Diocese of Venice requires six months' notice for marriage. Adult Confirmation is received from the Bishop on Pentecost Sunday.
- Baptism — infants on the third Sunday of the month; older children via Faith Formation; adults via RCIA
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — students in Grade 2
- Confirmation — two-year process beginning in 9th grade, or Adult Confirmation program
- Marriage — six-month notice; Marriage Preparation Course; priest interview
- Anointing of the Sick — first Saturday at the 8:30 am Mass or by appointment
- Holy Orders / Vocations support
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Epiphany Cathedral offers Faith Formation for children, youth, and adults through the parish's Director of Religious Education, Dr. David Tomasic, OFS. Programs include ongoing religious education, catechist formation, RCIA, Adult Faith Formation Committee, Religious Education for Special Needs Individuals (RESI), Vacation Bible School, and EWTN Media Missionaries. Two-year youth Confirmation preparation begins in Grade 9 and includes classes, retreats, teen conferences, and service hours.
- Director of Religious Education: Dr. David Tomasic, OFS ([email protected])
- Children and youth religious education
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Adult Faith Formation Committee and ongoing formation
- Confirmation prep for youth (9th–10th grade)
- Religious Education for Special Needs (RESI)
- Vacation Bible School
Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School
Located at 316 Sarasota Street directly across from the Cathedral, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School serves approximately 250 students in PreK3 through Grade 8 (Home of the Tigers). Opened in 1959 during Fr. George Cummings's tenure, the school expanded with a second floor in 1966 and now offers specialist teachers in Music, Spanish, Technology, Library, Art, and Physical Education, plus athletic, artistic, and educational competitive teams. Current Principal Roberto Pugliares brings 22+ years of educational experience and was elevated from assistant principal.
- Grades: PreK3 – Grade 8
- Principal: Mr. Roberto Pugliares
- Assistant Principal: Mrs. Christina Tylka
- Phone: (941) 488-2215
- Website: http://www.ecstigers.com/
- Home & School Association connects parents and parish
Liturgy and Music
Liturgical ministry at Epiphany is rooted in the baptismal call to serve one another. The Music Director leads congregational singing, choirs, and special music for the Solemn Sunday Mass and Holy Days. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Sound & Screen Projectionists, and the Church Art & Environment team support every liturgy.
- Music Director: Mr. Shawn Marren
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Church Art & Environment
- Sound & Screen Projectionists
Prayer Groups and Devotions
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish cultivates a rich devotional life through daily and weekly prayer gatherings. The Rosary is prayed before weekday Masses and on Sunday mornings; a Spanish-language Rosary group meets Saturday evenings. The Rosary for Life gathers every Friday in the Cathedral Chapel after the 3:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet. A Sorrowful Mother Novena is prayed on First Fridays.
- Rosary Prayer Groups (English: 7:30 am weekdays, 7:00 am Sundays; Spanish: 5:30 pm Saturdays)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet — Fridays at 3:00 pm
- Rosary for Life — Fridays at 3:15 pm (Al & Margaret Cantanno, 941-488-9603)
- First Friday Adoration 6:00–7:00 pm in the Church
- First Friday Sorrowful Mother Novena — 9:00 am (through June)
- Divine Mercy Prayer Group
- Grandparents & St. Monica Ministry
Parish Ministries and Outreach
With 80 active ministries, Epiphany offers something for everyone — from liturgical service and spiritual growth to parish life, outreach, and parish-affiliate groups. Service ministries take to heart the model of servant leadership (Matthew 20:28) and reach into the surrounding Venice community through food distribution, pregnancy care, and support for the chronically ill.
- South County Food Pantry
- Venice Area Pregnancy Care
- Living & Thriving with Cancer
- Emmaus Men & Women retreats
- Knights of Columbus Council #7052
- New Parishioner Meet & Greet
- Home & School Association
- Parish Pastoral Council; Finance Council
Parish Staff and Cathedral Clergy
Cathedral Clergy include the Rector, two Parochial Vicars, and four Deacons. A large parish office and school staff support daily operations, music, faith formation, communications, advancement, finance, and maintenance.
- Rector: Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F.
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Alexander Pince, Rev. Krzysztof Piotrowski, Rev. Michael Young
- Deacons: James Hanks, Epimaco (Jun) G. Roca Jr., Scott Little, Paul Consbruck
- Operations Director: Wendy Barroso
- Music Director: Shawn Marren
- Director of Religious Education: Dr. David Tomasic, OFS
- Advancement Director: Bill Slayton
- Office Manager: Linda Zorn
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Lindie Ross
- Communications and Event Coordinator: Kaya Meadows
- School Principal: Roberto Pugliares
Media and Livestream
The Media page on the parish website offers livestreamed Masses, event photos and videos, and diocesan mentions. Sunday 9:00 am Mass and the Polish 12:30 pm Mass are livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube; the 8:30 am daily Mass is livestreamed on Facebook during most of the year. An upcoming monthly blog is also planned.
- Livestream via Facebook
- Livestream via YouTube
- Channel 9 televised 9:00 am Sunday Mass for the homebound
- Media page: epiphanycathedral.org/media
The Diocese of Venice
Epiphany Cathedral serves as the Mother Church of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, established by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 1984. Bishop John J. Nevins was its first bishop (1984–2007), succeeded by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, ordained at Epiphany Cathedral on July 25, 2006. The diocese covers Catholic parishes and schools across Southwest Florida, and the Cathedral hosts diocesan-wide liturgies including the annual Chrism Mass, ordinations, and the Rite of Election.
- Diocese: Diocese of Venice in Florida
- Founded: June 16, 1984
- First Bishop: Most Rev. John J. Nevins
- Current Bishop: Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane
- Diocesan website: https://dioceseofvenice.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Charles Elslander1935–1955
Founded the mission of the Epiphany from St. Martha's Parish, Sarasota; said first Mass in the old Gulf Theatre in downtown Venice
- Fr. Michael M. ReynoldsMarch 1955 – late 1955
First pastor when Epiphany was established as a separate parish by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley
- Fr. Noah E. Brunnerlate 1955 – early 1956
Interim administrator during Fr. Reynolds's illness
- Fr. George W. CummingsSeptember 1956 – 1976
Second pastor; opened the parish school (1959), broke ground for the 1960 church, and started mission work in Englewood (becoming St. Raphael's) and Warm Mineral Springs (becoming San Pedro)
- Fr. Esteban G. Soy1976 – c.1999
Third pastor; oversaw construction of Marian Hall and the 1979–1980 building campaign for the present cathedral
- Rev. Robert R. CannonOctober 1999 – April 2003
Rector after cathedral designation; renovated interior and replaced pews; called to active Air Force chaplain duty in March 2003
- Rev. George Ratzmann (later Monsignor)April 23, 2003 – present
Previously a transitional deacon and parochial vicar at Epiphany; led the Renew…Refresh…Restore capital campaign (2005–2008) for school, roof, and parish hall
- Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Dubois, V.F.present
Current Rector; leading the major cathedral renovation begun in 2024
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