DIOCESAN OFFICES

Did You Know? April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better season than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. For information on how you can become more informed and involved in keeping our children safe, please call: Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Manager at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377.
Source: www.childwelfare.gov/.

Youth Minister-Meet Up
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry invites all those acting as youth ministers to a Youth Minister Meet-Up on April 23^rd at 2:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Youth Room,  1955 S Belcher Rd., Clearwater.   This event will consist of a short reflection on planning for effective youth ministry at any group size, followed by time for youth ministers to network, brainstorm, and find areas of collaboration for their upcoming ministerial year.  This event is free of charge.

For more information/registration please contact Melissa Mulson: MMulson@dosp.org.

Resonate: Youth Minister Retreat
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry invites all those acting as youth ministers to register for our two day, one-night, youth minister retreat.  Our retreat will be held Monday, May 20^th– Tuesday, May 21^st  at Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp, 8888 E Gobbler Dr, Floral City.  Our retreat will focus on listening to the voice of God.  Cost is $100 per participant and includes lodging and meals.

For more information/registration please contact Melissa Mulson: MMulson@dosp.org.

PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
St. Raphael Catholic Church and School, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd NE in St. Petersburg, will be offering the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level One Formation Course this summer beginning June 18^th, 2024.  This course is designed to be a spiritual formation experience and instruction.  The catechists will participate in nearly 100 hours of formation and will prepare a special environment called the Atrium. Please join us in praying for those who are called to this ministry.

To learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level One Training, please contact Jesse Broadus at cgsemail@st-raphaels.com or by phone at (727) 821-7989 or you may also find information on the CGS USA website at https://www.cgsusa.org/learn/courses-for-adults/.

Brochure with registration at this link:  https://rb.gy/pwyk1s.

Enroll Today at Camp Mary Help 
Camp Mary Help located on the campus of Mary Help of Christians Center, in Tampa helps young people to discover faith and fun! Campers enjoy new and challenging activities throughout our 140-acre campus which includes: a barn, a lake for water activities, an Olympic sized pool, and athletic fields for various adventures. Our campers learn to play fair, pray more, and make new friends.

Mary Help of Christians Center is located at 6400 East Chelsea Street, Tampa. Learn more and register at www.mhctampa.org/summer-camp.

Promotional flyer at this link: https://shorturl.at/bSWZ7.

Saint Leo University to Host Eucharistic Encounter: Lessons from The Theology of the Body
Saint Leo University will host Eucharistic Encounter: Lessons from The Theology of the Body on Thursday, April 11^th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Upper Chapel of the Saint Leo Abbey Church. Following exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Dr. Thomas Humphries, Professor of Theology, will present a reflection on St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” as the foundation for a deeper Eucharistic spirituality. Parking is available on campus at 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo. Participants are asked to arrive a few minutes early to settle into prayer. All are welcome!

For more information, email thomas.humphries@saintleo.edu.

Promotional flyer at this link.

New Questions, New Findings from the Recently Opened Archives of Pope Pius XII
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
7 – 8:30 p.m. I Online Event
Dr. Robert Ventresca will discuss the Vatican’s newly opened Holocaust-era archives, examining the role of Catholic institutions, individuals, and the Vatican, in various forms of rescue during the Holocaust. New findings show that history is complex, and we must consider the social, geographical, and institutional factors that influenced the moral choices of Catholic leaders and laypersons at this time.  A question and answer session will follow.  This event is open and free to the public.

Promotional flyer at this link.

13^th Annual Ave Maria University Marian Eucharistic Conference
May 10-12, 2024
All are invited to the 13th Annual Ave Maria University Marian Eucharistic Conference, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of Our Lord” from May 10 through May 12, 2024.  The event includes guest speakers and live music.  The cost is $190 per person, which includes lodging, meals, and a conference fee for the weekend on the beautiful campus of Ave Maria University.  For more information about our speakers or to register for this event visit:  www.aveconferences.com or call 239- 348-4725, or by email:  aveconferences@gmail.com.

Promotional graphics here.

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.