Bishop Emeritus John Nevins: 50 years as a priest

More than 1,000 priests, religious, friends and family gathered for the the bishop’s golden jubilee celebration, including five bishops from Florida.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 06.19.09

Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins, escorted by Bishop Frank J. Dewane and flanked by members of the Knights of Columbus, departs a Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination June 7 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

BOB REDDY | FC
Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins, escorted by Bishop Frank J. Dewane and flanked by members of the Knights of Columbus, departs a Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination June 7 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

VENICE | “To Serve With Mercy.”

Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins of the Diocese of Venice in Florida used those four words as his episcopal motto and lived by them throughout his life.

Bishop Nevins was honored during a commemorative Mass at Epiphany Cathedral on June 7, marking the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Bishop Nevins celebrated the Mass and was joined by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Archbishop John C. Favalora of the Archdiocese of Miami, Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Diocese of Orlando, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Augustin Roman of the Archdiocese of Miami and Auxiliary Bishops Felipe J. Estevez and John Noonan of the Archdiocese of Miami.

BOB REDDY | FC
Bishop Nevins was ordained June 6, 1959, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Before he became a priest, he once received 10,000 votes from a TV variety show for his Irish step dancing and accordion playing long before “American Idol” hit the airwaves. “I never got the hook,” he quipped.

More than 1,000 people, including priests, deacons, sisters and many friends, relatives and the faithful from throughout the area gathered to honor the man who led the Diocese of Venice for 22 years.

As Bishop Nevins took his place at the altar of the cathedral, where he was installed as the diocese’s first bishop in October 1984, he smiled warmly as the gathered faithful gave him a standing ovation.

Although he said he wasn’t certain he would make it to 50 years, the retired bishop credits a life of prayer and clean living to reaching the milestone.

“I can say for myself that the rewards have been never-ending,” Bishop Nevins said while thanking the many people who supported his work as a priest and bishop throughout the years.

“To Serve With Mercy” is the episcopal motto chosen by Bishop Nevins when he took charge of his new diocese after serving as auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Miami for five years and a priest for 20 years before that.

Bishop Dewane, who delivered the homily for the Mass, said those four words are appropriate in honoring both the priestly ministry in general and also to help understand Bishop Nevins’ own priestly ministry.

Bishop Nevins was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., to John and Anne Nevins. He later heard the call to join the seminary and become a priest.

Before he became a priest, he once received 10,000 votes from a TV variety show for his Irish step dancing and accordion playing long before “American Idol” hit the airwaves. “I never got the hook,” he quipped.

The talented young man decided to forgo fame and fortune to fulfill his dream of becoming a priest.

Bishop Nevins was ordained June 6, 1959, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Bishop Dewane said when Bishop Nevins made the choice to become a priest, he chose to follow his vocation “to serve as Christ did: with love and with special care for the poorest among us.”

In an effort to better meet the spiritual needs of the new diocese, Bishop Nevins added more than a dozen 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.

He also responded to changing societal needs by instituting many diocesan ministries, including those to migrant farmworkers, unwed mothers, refugees and people with HIV/AIDS.

In one of his many pastoral letters, he wrote about the “Dignity of the Priesthood,” saying “many turn to the priest and those who work with him in the parish. The priest must be concerned to do all he can to alleviate the conditions that rob people of their basic dignity.”

In one of his last pastoral letters, Bishop Nevins wrote:

“We cannot be truly Catholic or Christian unless we hear and heed Christ’s calling to serve those in need, and work for peace and justice. All of us, our diocese and nation will be judged by how much we have concerned ourselves with matters of social justice and charity.”

Bishop Dewane reminded everyone that Bishop Nevins heard the call many years ago and he laid down his life to serve, with mercy, God’s people.

“A priest for 50 years, a shepherd, we thank you, Bishop, for your priesthood, for your service and compassion to those most in need,” Bishop Dewane concluded.

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