Mass to pay homage to pioneer priests

HERALD STAFF REPORT

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BRADENTON -- Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice in Florida will celebrate a special outdoor Mass at the DeSoto National Memorial in Bradenton 10 a.m. Thursday to honor all priests serving in Florida, beginning with the 12 priests and friars who accompanied the 1539 Hernando DeSoto expedition.

Mass will be celebrated at the Memorial Cross and Holy Eucharist Monument dedicated by the Diocese of Venice in 1996 on the banks of the Manatee River, where it is thought DeSoto�s expedition landed.

In addition to clergy and laity, schoolchildren from St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton will attend the celebration and receive a lesson on the history of their faith.

The outdoor Mass is being held in conjunction with the Manatee County Natural Resources Department and the National Park Service.

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