DIOCESAN OFFICES

Did You Know? 
Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse 
Child sexual abuse is a great deal more prevalent than many imagine. In fact, studies tell us that one in ten adult men and one in five adult women say that they were molested before the age of 18. That means that, directly or indirectly, child sexual abuse will touch most of us during our lifetime. And although we would like to believe that most accusations are false, the facts tell us that children rarely lie about being molested. In fact, they rarely tell anyone at all. An adult study about the prevalence of sexual abuse found that 42% of the men and 33% of the women who were victimized as children had never told anyone. 

For particular help you may call: Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Manager at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377. 
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Source: Sharon Womack Doty, “Refresher from the Protecting God’s Children® Program,” featured January 7, 2008, at www.virtusonline.org/virtus. 

Sophia Institute for Teachers
Catechetical Workshop
Saturday, March 16, 2024 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm) at the Bethany Center

Created in His Image: Exploring the Theology of the Body
Catholic School Teachers, Catechetical Leaders, and Catechists from the Diocese of St. Petersburg are invited to join us for a FREE one-day program on the Theology of the Body. Explore St. John Paul II’s teachings on the Theology of the Body and how you can lead your students to understand what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, male and female. You’ll also explore ways to appropriately teach about purity, human sexuality, biological sex, and other topics related to Theology of the Body in age appropriate ways.

Registration Link:  http://tinyurl.com/3c4sbe8c.
Flyer available at this link:  http://tinyurl.com/yc2j74cy.

Divine Renovation Unlocked:   St. Petersburg
Priests and active parishioners across the Diocese of St. Petersburg want to see their parishes come alive. The problem is that changing the way we “do church” can be intimidating. We get it-prioritizing mission over maintenance can feel scary. This is why you’re invited to DR Unlocked: St. Petersburg on March 14, 2024 at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz, where you will:

• Learn about the 3 keys to unlocking your parish
• Be equipped for mission through practical workshops and resources
• Connect with a growing community of learning in the space of parish renewal

The day will include Mass, talks, lunch, networking and workshop time for your team.  Pastors, parish staff and key leaders are encouraged to attend.  The goal of ‘Unlocked’ is for priests and parish leaders to be encouraged and renewed with missionary zeal for what is possible, as well as building a community of mission-minded leaders on the journey.  There is a small fee of $10/person to cover lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Armando Chavarria at achavarria@dosp.org. 

You can register at https://brushfire.com/divinerenovation/drunlockedstpetersburg/562724.

PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS

St. Jude the Apostle’s Relic to Visit Tampa and St. Petersburg for the First Time
The arm of St. Jude the Apostle, also known as the Apostle of the Impossible will be available for veneration in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The relic will be on display at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy. in Tampa on Wednesday, February 28th and at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave N. in St. Petersburg on Thursday, February 29th.  At each location, veneration of the Relic begins at 2:00 p.m. and Mass begins at 7:00 p.m.

To learn more, visit apostleoftheimpossible.com.

Promotional graphics at this link.

Lenten Mission
As we embark on the solemn journey of Lent, we are delighted to invite you to mark your calendars for a spiritually enriching experience.  This Lenten Mission will take place on Monday, February 19th, and Tuesday, February 20th, starting at 7:00 pm each evening at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin. 

Our speaker for this mission is Fr. Nate Wills, CSC.  Fr. Nate brings a wealth of experience and spiritual insight. Currently serving as a chaplain to the University of Notre Dame football team and as a professor with the renowned Remick Leadership Program, Fr. Nate is uniquely positioned to guide us through the complexities of life and faith.

The central theme, “Calm Amidst the Chaos,” invites us to explore ways to find tranquility and strength in our relationship with Christ, even in the midst of life’s challenges. Lent is a season of introspection and renewal, and Fr. Nate will guide us in embracing this period as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with our faith.  Please contact the parish office for any questions, 727-733-3606.

Promotional graphics at this link.

La Escuela de Evangelización San Andrés te invita a prepararte para la Cuaresma con el retiro: “Tetélestai: Todo Está Cumplido“
Most Holy Redeemer Parish, 10110 N. Central  Ave., Tampa
24 y 25 de febrero, 2024 de 8:00 AM a 6:30 PM
En este curso, la Palabra de Dios te llevará a contemplar los personajes y escenarios de la última cena, pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesús que manifiestan su gloria para poder renovar tu experiencia personal del Kerygma y poder seguir anunciándolo con frescura, como testigos y no como una lección aprendida de memoria o desgastada por el tiempo.

Para más información, por favor comunicarse con:
Elvira Hernández: (813) 965-5829
Rebeca Avellaneda: (813) 577-2407
Most Holy Redeemer: (813) 933-2859

Gráfica promocional en este enlace:  http://tinyurl.com/4fdw7an6.

St. Andrew School of Evangelization will have a Spanish Lenten Retreat at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Tampa Florida. The retreat is called “Tetélestai: Todo Está Cumplido“.   It will take place on February 24 & 25, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday). From 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.

PILGRIMAGES AROUND THE DIOCESE

If your parish is offering a pilgrimage within the coming months, we invite you to share this information with the Pastoral Bulletin: pastoralbulletin@dosp.org.  This allows readers to view opportunities to participate in an upcoming pilgrimage.  The pilgrimages are posted in the Diocesan website under the Pastoral Bulletin page at this link.