The retreat center was founded by the Redemptorists and administered by the Carmelites before us, but it belongs to the Diocese of Venice. It is a rather recent diocese; I'm not certain, but I believe it was founded c. 1990 or later. We were able to meet the bishop while we were there. He came to the house and had lunch with us and is very interested in increasing the Oblate presence and ministry in his diocese.
Although we had a few day trips, it was not exactly a vacation. Our novitiate routine was more intense than it has been since retreat in February and we did a lot of work on the house while we were there, but it was really nice to get out of the big city and have a quieter community for a couple of weeks.
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| A model of the retreat facility- 50 acres on a peninsula of the Myakka River. There are several different structures including a conference center, dining hall, and retreatant rooms in villas. The Oblate community is in a house owned by the diocese in the city of Venice, several miles away. |
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| The other end of I-75 |
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| The screened porch and pool area- the best room in the house. |
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| Making lunch for the bishop |
One of the things I found most enjoyable was all the exotic wildlife that I got to see, including a deep sea fishing expedition in the Gulf.
Brown anoles were everywhere
White ibis showed up to feed on the lawns every morning
Wildlife at night: an armadillo and baby alligator
Big alligator!
Out fishing the Gulf
Puffer fish: not the biggest catch of the day, but maybe the most interesting.
Swimming 20 miles off shore!
An Osprey carried a fish right over my head
Even the ditch by the house was exciting: a common gallinule and glossy ibises.
