DIOCESAN OFFICES

What Happens When Abuse Is Reported?
All people who hold positions of trust in Catholic institutions are mandated by law to report child abuse. Teachers, teacher’s aides, and counselors in our schools; clergy, directors of faith formation and youth ministers in our parishes; therapists and social workers in our counseling agencies; nurses and doctors in hospitals all have the obligation to report the reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the local police (911) or to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) (800-962-2873).

This is true for those ministering in facilities owned and operated by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, as well as Catholic schools and other entities owned and operated privately by religious communities.

For additional information, please contact Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Manager at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377.

Save the Date for the Second Annual Marian Congress
The Second Annual Marian Congress will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. More information will be posted on the website www.dosp.org/heartofmary soon.

Save the Date Flyer: PDF | JPEG. // Save the Date Social Media Graphic

Spring 2020 Stewardship Workshop Series – 1 of 3 Announced!
The Office of Stewardship and Development is hosting three FREE ½ day workshops this spring open to anyone looking to make stewardship a way of life in their parish or school. Our focus is “hospitality”, one of the key elements of our diocesan mission, Courageously Living the Gospel, and one of the seven pillars of stewardship.

Workshop 1, titled E-Giving and Hospitality, will dive into E-giving use among all ages and demographic groups, explore how it is growing, and how we can utilize e-giving tools to build hospitality. This event is open to pastors, parish priests, staff, school staff and lay leaders looking to continue their stewardship journey.  This event is being sponsored by Give Central, and lunch will be provided following the interactive presentations.

E-Giving and Hospitality will take place on February 4^th at the Pastoral Center, located at 6363 9^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida. For more information and to register online click here or call the Office of Stewardship and Development at 727-344-1611.

Join us on February 4th to explore hospitality brings us closer to living our lives as everyday stewards!

Bulletin Announcement for Promotional Purposes (click here for logo)

10th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference: Get Inspired, Informed, and Energized
Join a thousand other Catholic men from parishes around West Central Florida for a day of prayer, reconciliation, learning and fellowship! This conference will feature two dynamic, nationally-known speakers: DR. TIM GRAY: President of the Augustine Institute, plus, PETER HERBECK: TV/radio host, author and vice president of Renewal Ministries.

10^th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference: “Who Do You Say That I Am”
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Higgins Hall at St Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N Himes Avenue, Tampa
Tickets are $40 per person with Father/Son combo tickets at two for $40 (includes lunch and free parking)
For more information and to register visit SuncoastCatholicMinistries.com

Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry

Annual Courage/Encourage Day of Recollection
Saturday, February 15, 2020. 9:15 am—3:30 pm   
Sponsored by the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the Diocese of Orlando.

A day of spiritual renewal for those who experience same-sex attraction. Parents and family members are welcome to attend. Take some time for yourself to deepen your relationship with Christ through prayer, fellowship and formation. Cost is $25. No one will be turned away for ability to pay. For more information and If interested in attending, contact us at Encourage.tampabay@gmail.com.   Flyer at this link:  https://bit.ly/2tCxptm.

Restorative Justice Workshop
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting a Restorative Justice Workshop on Saturday, February 8^th at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 10895 Hamlin Boulevard, Largo. Mass and Morning Hospitality at 9 am. Workshop from 10 am to 12:30 pm in the church. Presenters are Deacon Andy and Kate Grosmaire, author of “Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer,” Caitlin Morneau from the Catholic Mobilizing Network, and others. Learn more about this an approach to achieving justice that seeks to address harm and promote healing.  More information at this link:  https://tinyurl.com/vyho2lm.

“In the Wildflowers” Retreat
“In the Wildflowers” Retreat for women who have suffered childhood sexual abuse. This 11-week private, Christian retreat will be held in Tampa on Saturdays beginning on January 25, 2020. If interested in participating in this Retreat  please contact Cathy at 813-843-8969  or Email us at wildflowersretreats@gmail.com or visit: www.wildflowersretreat.org
*A Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Office of Marriage and Family Life
(Please put the following in your parish bulletin and pulpit announcements as many times as possible prior to the deadline.)

The Marriage Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Gregory Parkes will take place at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00 pm.
This event honors couples throughout the diocese who will celebrate 25, 50 or more years of marriage during the 2020 calendar year.
Please RSVP to the parish office by Tuesday, February 4th.

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Emmaus Women’s Retreat
February 28 – March 1, 2020
Sponsored by Espiritu Santo & St. Catherine of Siena
Are you ready for a walk of Spiritual Renewal?  Then Emmaus is for you.  A weekend retreat program for women seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ, regardless of their present level of faith and practice. The purpose of the weekend is to give women an opportunity to reflect upon themselves and their relationship with God and their community away from everyday stressors. Held at Franscian Center in Tampa.  $195 single, $240 double occupancy. Hurry space is limited!

For registration and/or information, please Shirl Mederlet (727) 831-1451 or smederlet@gmail.com.

Promotional graphic at this link: https://bit.ly/2tuPkCv.

Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop
All parishes in our diocese are invited to attend this half-day workshop to learn about Stephen Ministry on Saturday, February 1st, 9 am – 1 pm at Christ the King Parish, 821 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33609.  Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers (Stephen Ministers) to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Cost is $15/person or $50/parish (4 people or more). To register or learn more, visit www.stephenministry.org/workshop or call Stephen Ministries at 314-428-2600.

Night of Praise and Adoration
All are invited on March 7th at 7 pm to a Night of Praise and Adoration, presented by the Freedom to Worship Ministry at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tampa.  At a Night of Praise and Adoration you can expect live praise and worship, a faith-building teaching or witness, Eucharist Adoration, and prayer ministry. Follow this ministry on Instagram @freedomtoworship, Facebook at Night of Praise and Adoration, or online at www.freedom2worship.net. For more information please contact Monica at (813) 368-3866.  Promotional graphic at this link: https://bit.ly/2RBuHwd.

God’s GIFT (Gathering In Faith Together) Mass
The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, is offering the God’s GIFT (Gathering In Faith Together) Mass for those with disabilities/special needs on March 22, 2020 at 11:30 AM.  This Mass is open to anyone, but is especially intended for those with disabilities/special needs.

For more information, please contact Tracy Capella at 727-347-9702.

VALENTINE FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON
Thursday, February 13, 2020
0pen to the Public
St. Brendan Council of Catholic Women will host a Fashion Show & Luncheon on Thursday, February 13, 2020.  Doors open at 11:00 am at Belleair Country Club, One Country Club Lane, Belleair, Fl.   Fashions by Patchington, Silent Auction, Heart Tree, “Wheel of Fortune”, Basket & 50-50 raffles.  Choose chicken, salmon or vegetarian.   $35 per person.  Contact Debbie Noble at (716) 553-3685 or debbnoble@aol.com  to purchase tickets.   HURRY.  Deadline is 2/5 and this event sells out fast.   All proceeds benefit local charities.

Saint Mary, Our Lady of Grace Winter Concert Series 2020 and 100^th anniversary
Silent Movie:  ANGORA LOVE accompanied by the VISCOUNT organ!
Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 3:00 pm
The 10^th annual Winter Concert Series at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Grace Parish continues with an old-fashioned silent movie showing of ANGORA LOVE, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and accompanied on the mighty VISCOUNT organ by master organist Dwight Thomas.

This one-hour concert is family-friendly, and a great way to enjoy some old-fashioned entertainment!  All concerts at Saint Mary’s are free and open to all.   A free-will offering will be taken to defray costs.  The church is located at 515 4^th Street South in St. Pete, FL 33701.

For more information, please call 727-896-2191 ext. 208 or go to www.stmaryolg.org.

PILGRIMAGES AROUND THE DIOCESE
The pilgrimages are posted in the Diocesan website under the Pastoral Bulletin page at this link.