About Sarasota, Florida:
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast south of Tampa. Sarasota was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. The circus was outdoors “under the big top” and so did not normally travel during winter months. An interesting note: Ringling closed in the face of falling attendance and a years-long legal battle with animal rights groups. That was settled when the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the US collectively paid more than $25 million to Ringling for their unproven allegations of animal mistreatment.
As of 2023, the Ringling Brothers Circus is back, but with an emphasis on human performances: there are no more elephants, big cats, or other animal acts.
Today, Sarasota hosts a number of cultural institutes; notably the Ringling Museum of Art, with a collection of both old masters and modern art.
With its miles of beaches and warm water, Sarasota is a popular tourist destination. Those looking for a Catholic Mass in Sarasota have several options, here are two of them:
Catholic places of interest in Sarasota, Florida:
Christ the King Catholic Church: Traditional Latin Mass Parish
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church: First class relic of Saint Padre Pio