Saint John will hold a special Memorial Mass on Monday, September 1st, at 10 AM, for the loss of Bishop Nevins, who passed away August 26th, 2014.
From the Diocese of Venice Press Release:
With heartfelt sorrow the Diocese of Venice in Florida announces that the Most Reverend John J. Nevins, the beloved Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice, died yesterday evening, August 26, 2014 at his residence in Venice, Florida. Bishop Nevins served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Venice from 1984 to 2007.
Bishop John J. Nevins was born Jan. 19, 1932 in New Rochelle, N.Y. to John and Anne (McGuire) Nevins. He attended Blessed Sacrament grammar and high schools and continued on to Iona College. After graduating from the School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he also pursued his theological studies, he earned a Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He holds several honorary doctorates.
Ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1959 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, then-Father Nevins served the Archdiocese of Miami in many capacities for almost 25 years, including vicar general, rector of St. John Vianney Minor Seminary, and director of vocations.
On March 24, 1979, following his appointment by then-Pope John Paul II, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami. Five years later, on July 17, 1984, Bishop Nevins was appointed by Pope John Paul II as the first Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Venice in Florida and was installed by Archbishop Pio Laghi, Apostolic Pro Nuncio to the United States, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on October 25, 1984.
The Catholic population in the 10-county Diocese expanded from approximately 115,000 to more than 200,000 parishioners under his care. In an effort to meet better the spiritual needs of the burgeoning Catholic population, Bishop Nevins added 15 parishes to the original 39, and increased the number of chapels and missions to 13. He also oversaw the ordinations of 50 men to the priesthood. Bishop Nevins established a new elementary school, a school for adult formation, and two retreat centers.
Under his episcopal motto: “To Serve with Mercy,” he responded to changing societal needs by instituting many Diocesan ministries, including those to migrant farm workers, unwed mothers, refugees, and people with HIV/AIDS.
Bishop Nevins served as Vice-President of the Florida Catholic Conference; and was a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; a board member of St. John Vianney Seminary, Saint Leo University, the Florida Catholic newspaper, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, and the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land; and a member of the USCCB National Council of Synagogues/BCEIA Dialogue Committee. He retired as Bishop of the Diocese of Venice on his 75th birthday, Jan. 19, 2007.
The remains of Bishop Nevins will be received at Epiphany Cathedral on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 3pm. His body will lie in state until 12:00 midnight that evening, with a Memorial Mass celebrated at Epiphany Cathedral at 7:00 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Epiphany Cathedral on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop John J. Nevins Scholarship Fund at 1000 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, FL 34285. This fund provides scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need who are already attending or wish to attend Epiphany Cathedral School.
May the soul of our beloved Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins rest in peace.