DIOCESAN OFFICES

A View From the Top
In this episode of A View From the Top, we present “the best of” Bishop Gregory Parkes podcasts and you will hear how Bishop Parkes discusses the role of the Church in the upcoming elections, Encuentro, Focus 11 and his personal call to the priesthood. Click here to listen.

Ordination Announcement for Pastoral Bulletin
The Diocese of St. Petersburg joyfully announces the upcoming Ordination to the Priesthood of:
Reverend Mr. Joshua Anthony Bertrand
Reverend Mr. Connor David Penn
Reverend Mr. Mark Andrew Woodke
The candidates will be ordained by Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, August 15, 2020, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to spacing limitations resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Ordination Mass will be a ticketed event.  Only priests and guests of the ordinandi will attend the Ordination Mass in person.  However, all are invited to view the Mass via livestream on our diocesan website: https://www.dosp.org/livestream/.

If you are available to attend the Vespers Service, on Friday, August 14, 2020, 7:00 p.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, all are welcome, as social distancing permits.  Tickets for the Vespers Service are not required, however we ask that you use a face covering if you plan on attending in person.  The Vesper Service will also be livestreamed on Christ the King’s website: https://ctk-tampa.org/live-mass/.

For more promotional resources please click on the following link https://www.dosp.org/ordinations-to-the-priesthood-august-15-2020.
Please keep Deacons Bertrand, Penn and Woodke in prayer, as they await the day of their ordination to the Sacred Priesthood on the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption!

Facebook Live: Final Countdown with the Future Fathers
Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm on facebook.com/diostpete
Deacon Joshua Bertrand, Deacon Connor Penn and Deacon Drew Woodke will share their journey to the priesthood during this Facebook Live.  Listen to their vocation stories and participate in a live Q&A.  Flyer at this link.
This event will be moderated by Father Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations.

LPMI Year of Discernment 2020-2021
An Invitation from the Office of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute (LPMI)
The LPMI is a four-year program designed to enhance personal faith and develop intellectual aptitude to enrich personal ministry. For anyone interested in attending the LPMI Year of Discernment, the registration brochure and program information can be found on the LPMI web site at: https://www.dosp.org/lpmi/  or call the LPMI office at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5458.
The LPMI Year of Discernment, consists of eight Saturday sessions from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm beginning September 12, 2020.  Registrations are due in the LPMI office no later than September 9, 2020.

Candidate Questionnaire Poll
Each election cycle, the FCCB conducts the Candidate Questionnaire Project to assist Catholics with the obligation to become active citizens and informed voters. Candidates are asked to identify whether they support or oppose a range of issues that are important to our faith community. Materials prepared as part of the Candidate Questionnaire Project are approved by the bishops of Florida. Visit https://www.flaccb.org/cqp.  Candidate positions on issues are gathered for informational purposes only and are not used for endorsement of any candidate or political party.

Healing Those Harmed by Clergy Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has committed significant resources to help those who were harmed by clergy sexual abuse to recover from their unfortunate experiences. We hope our efforts will help, but we realize that only the grace of God can provide the complete healing that victims need.

In the midst of this sorrowful story, lessons have been learned and taken deeply to heart. Ineffective policies of the past have been changed and are regularly reviewed and updated. New insights and policies can now offer protection to all our people.

For particular help or to discuss questions you might have, please contact  Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Manager at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377.

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

St. Peter Claver Catholic School Makes the Black History Walking Tour of Tampa
A recently released “Black Walking Tour” of the city of Tampa was recorded by Charles Fred Hearns, of Fred Hearns Tours, LLC. Our own St. Peter Claver Catholic School was also featured in the 36-minute video. To join the “video tour,” please follow this link:  https://bit.ly/3fm5bFj.