Florida-bound!
I have an exciting announcement to make: I have taken a job as the Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Venice, Florida! My family will be moving down to Florida in early August to begin the job.
As regular readers of my blog will know, over 17 years ago I began the Master’s in Theology program at Franciscan University of Steubenville. My original plan was to find full-time work in the Church or an apostolate. Of course, life intervened and I had to put my studies on hold. So for the past 15 years I have worked in software development and raised my family. However, I never lost my desire to serve the Church full-time. For the past few years I have been doing much “part-time” apostolate: writing books and articles, hosting this blog, running the evangelization efforts at my parish, etc. I also have been finishing my Master’s degree, which I just received a few weeks ago. So I thought now was a good time to make the move to full-time apostolate.
Why this particular position? Simply put, I was very impressed with the bishop of Venice, Bishop Frank Dewane. He has a deep love for the Church and a passion for spreading the Catholic Faith. In talking to him, I realized that here was a successor to the apostles who has an apostolic zeal. And I hear the weather there isn’t too shabby.
I still plan on writing books and articles even after moving into this position. Most likely, I will also continue blogging, but probably for the Venice Diocese instead of here. But I’ll keep everyone up-to-date as things progress.
Also, if any of my readers live in the Venice/Sarasota area, I’d love to hear from you! You can email me at eric@ericsammons.com.
Please pray for me and my family as we make this big move!
Congratulations and God bless you! Bishop Dewane must be a good shepherd. The FSSP is well represented in Venice.
Great news! We live just north of Orlando–about 2.5 hours away from Venice. We’ve got to meet up after you get settled!
Congrats Eric! Too bad the Reds don’t train in Sarasota anymore. That would have been another bonus to moving there. Hope you can still make our wedding on August 6, but understand if it’s too much with the move. Good luck in your new position!
David – I was very impressed with Bishop Dewane, and when I was down there recently I visited the FSSP chapel that he helped set up.
Tom – I am totally bummed that the Reds aren’t there anymore! Regarding your wedding, we are going to try to make it work, but unfortunately it is right when I am supposed to start!
Are you sure you want to do this, Eric? I’d find Florida way too hot. And what about the alligators, scorpions, lizards, snakes, etc.??? And the sun? You’d be always fighting sunburn. And on the beach, the sharks and the jellyfish that sting.
How wonderful for you, Eric. It’s like a dream come true. PLEASE, continue to blog. Yes, I’ll pray for you.
Maryland’s loss is Florida’s gain. I am sure we will maintain contact virtually but as you have commented there is nothing like the real presence.
May God continue to find favor with you, Suzzanne and the kids as you continue to do his work. God Bless