Our Lady of Lourdes

Parish History

Our Lady of Lourdes was founded July 1, 1986, as one of the earliest parishes of the newly created Diocese of Venice (erected 1984) and the first new church built in that diocese. About 700 families came over from Epiphany Cathedral, the mother church of Venice, to form the founding community on Center Road. Father Vincent J. Sheehy, first incardinated as Parochial Vicar at St. Michael the Archangel in Sarasota, was appointed founding pastor. Over his 21 years he built the present church complex — church, education building, parish hall, rectory — and grew the parish past 2,000 registered families. Father Sheehy retired in 2007, continued assisting the parish, and died on June 13, 2024, at age 89.

• Founded: July 1, 1986
• Founding pastor: Father Vincent J. Sheehy (1986–2007)
• Mother parish: Epiphany Cathedral, Venice
• First new church in the Diocese of Venice

Mission and Identity

The parish states its mission plainly: to be a warm, open, welcoming community united in the Catholic faith and devoted to giving witness to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It seeks to provide ministries, guidance and support to celebrate the Eucharist and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live the Word of the Lord.

Clergy and Staff

The parish is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, a weekend-assisting priest, and four deacons. Lay staff oversee religious education, music, parish business, the office, and maintenance.

• Rev. Janusz "Jay" Jancarz – Pastor ([email protected])
• Rev. Saji Ellickal Joseph, M.C.B.S. – Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
• Fr. J. J. McCarthy – Weekend Assistance
• Rev. Dcn. Dennis McDonald
• Rev. Dcn. Joseph (Josh) Smith
• Rev. Dcn. Peter M. Casamento
• Rev. Dcn. Bill Bauer
• Elisa Dacey – Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Director of Music Ministry
• Steve Beck – Business Manager ([email protected])
• Renee "Renata" Owens – Office Coordinator
• Denise Durski – Administrative Assistant
• John Nastasi – Funeral Coordinator / Webmaster

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Under Director of Religious Education Elisa Dacey, the parish provides lifelong faith formation for children and adults. The Religious Education program runs mid-September through April on Sundays from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM, supported by a mission statement rooted in Matthew 22:34-40. Sacramental preparation is structured around two-year tracks: Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade, and Confirmation beginning in 9th grade and celebrated at the end of 10th grade. Following Bishop Dewane's directive, the Diocese of Venice has discontinued the "Restored Order" practice, restoring the traditional order of the Sacraments of Initiation.

• Religious Education for children and youth
• First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2-year, typically 2nd grade)
• Confirmation (2-year, grades 9–10)
• Ongoing Adult Education offerings

Becoming Catholic – OCIA (formerly RCIA)

Adults who are thinking about entering the Catholic Church — or baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation — are welcomed into OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM in classrooms 7/8 of the Education Building (far-left building on campus), beginning each year in late September and running through about two weeks after Easter. Those interested can contact John Raymond at [email protected] or call the parish office; an OCIA application form is available online, and a study guide plus recommended YouTube resources are offered for those waiting for the next class cycle.

• Wednesday evenings, 6:00 PM
• Education Building, classrooms 7/8
• Contact: John Raymond – [email protected]

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

The parish's Youth Ministry introduces teenagers and young adults to a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ through friendship, faith, and formation, preparing them to go into the world as His disciples. The Young Adult Ministry follows a Life Teen-style model of praise and worship music, weekly catechesis, fellowship, and outreach services to the community. Diocesan programs such as Theology on Tap, intramural sports, and parish-organized social events supplement parish life for adults aged 18–39.

• Youth Ministry / Youth Group
• Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39)
• Diocesan Theology on Tap and sports leagues
• Contact: [email protected]

Outreach and Charity

Our Lady of Lourdes carries out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy through several organized outreach efforts. The parish partners with Epiphany Cathedral in a joint St. Vincent de Paul Conference that serves individuals and families struggling with shelter, food, clothing, electricity, and other basics in Venice and Nokomis. The Respect Life Ministry works to build a culture of life from conception to natural death through prayer, education, pastoral care, and legislative advocacy. The Arimatheans attend Funeral Masses to support grieving families, and a Cancer Support ministry reaches out to those facing serious illness.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society – Epiphany / Our Lady of Lourdes Conference (Larry Smith, 941-493-2027)
• Respect Life Ministry (John & Kathy Yaglenski, 941-408-7558)
• Arimatheans funeral ministry (Rose Chupka Cookman)
• Cancer Support Ministry

Prayer, Devotion, and Support Groups

The parish nurtures ongoing spiritual formation beyond the Sunday liturgy. The Divine Mercy Cenacle Group studies the Diary of St. Faustina, Sacred Scripture, and the Catechism using the Marian Congregation's Cenacle Formation manuals, gathering most Wednesdays at 9:00 AM for prayer intentions and beginning guided study at 9:30 AM, closing with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 10:30 AM. Members may be inducted as Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy after about 18 months of weekly study. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and blesses shawls distributed to the ill, the grieving, and those in need of comfort, with recipients mentioned in the Prayer of the Faithful at every Mass. Surviving Divorce offers a video-based peer support program for separated and divorced Catholics seeking healing and hope.

• Divine Mercy Cenacle – Wednesdays 9:00–10:30 AM (Mary Nowe, [email protected])
• Prayer Shawl Ministry (Deb Casey, [email protected])
• Surviving Divorce program (Bob & Chris Smialek, 815-275-5305)
• Annulments information – Fr. Saji

Welcoming, Hospitality, and Liturgical Service

The Welcoming Ministry telephones new parishioners to personally welcome them to the parish and offers scheduled weekly tours of the campus (one to eight people at a time). Homebound newcomers receive a welcoming packet and a visit, along with help connecting to a Eucharistic Minister or scheduling a home blessing. The Hospitality Ministry enlists volunteers for set-up, clean-up, kitchen, and baking help at parish events. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned (after Virtus Safe Environment training, fingerprinting, and parish training) to distribute Communion at Mass and to bring it to the homebound. The Music Ministry, under a Director of Music Ministry, supports the parish liturgies.

• Welcome Ministry tours (Mary & Betty-Ann, [email protected])
• Hospitality Ministry (Jim Palermo, 941-493-3424)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Music Ministry

Sacraments and Pastoral Care

Preparation for the Sacraments is treated primarily as the privilege and responsibility of parents, with parish catechists and the Faith Formation team assisting families along the way. Sacramental preparation for children requires prior catechesis, regular Sunday Mass attendance, and a two-year course of formation. Adults seeking Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation are served through OCIA. Those considering marriage, the Anointing of the Sick, or a funeral liturgy are invited to contact the parish office.

• Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation (children and adults)
• Marriage preparation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Funeral Liturgy / Arimatheans support

Knights of Columbus Council 9924

Parishioners support Knights of Columbus Council 9924, which was founded at the parish on November 15, 1998, with Father Vincent Sheehy as its first Chaplain and 51 charter members. The council continues to serve as a vehicle for Catholic men's service and fraternity at the parish.

• Chartered November 15, 1998
• First Chaplain: Father Vincent Sheehy
• 51 charter members

Visit, Contact, and Parish Office

Parishioners and visitors may reach the parish by phone at (941) 497-2931 (the same number serves as an emergency after-hours line) or by fax at (941) 497-5849. General email goes to [email protected], while clergy and staff use their own addresses. The parish campus is at 1301 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292. The Diocese of Venice lists the parish in its Northern Deanery.

• Address: 1301 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292
• Phone: 941-497-2931 (after-hours emergency line too)
• Fax: 941-497-5849
• Email: [email protected]
• Deanery: Northern (Diocese of Venice)