DIOCESAN OFFICES

A View From the Top
In this week’s A View From the Top, Bishop Gregory Parkes shares the joy from the ordination of Bishop David Toups, the opening of Catholic Schools in our diocese, the day of fast and prayer to end racism, and how to pray.  To listen to the podcast please click here.

How Is West Central Florida Courageously Living the Gospel?
In a newly released video, Bishop Gregory Parkes shares a two-year update on Courageously Living the Gospel, the mutually-shared vision of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He highlights what we have been able to accomplish with God’s grace and guidance and what has been delayed due to COVID-19. To view this video, visit youtube.com/dioceseofstpete.

(Note to Editors: To include a letter from Bishop Parkes providing a Two-Year Update on Courageously Living the Gospel, click below.)
https://www.dosp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-08-25-Bishop-Parkes-CLG-Two-Year-Update-English-REV-.pdf
https://www.dosp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-08-25-Bishop-Parkes-CLG-Two-Year-Update-Spanish-REV.pdf

Bishop Gregory Parkes Invites You To Worship
Sign up to receive a Scripture reflection from Bishop Gregory Parkes each week that helps us prepare for Sunday worship. The Bishop’s reflections are relevant to our struggles and hopes. He teaches us about the heroes of faith introduced to us in the Scriptures, lessons from the inspired Word of God and insights on how we are called to live as Catholics. To learn more and subscribe, visit www.InvitationToWorship.org.

Music That Brings You Hope
Listen to 90.5 FM for contemporary Christian music as well as interviews, updates and news about the Catholic community in West Central Florida. Tune in today or visit MySpiritFM.com.

Bishop Gregory Parkes is on YouTube
COVID-19 Update
On March 13, 2020, Bishop Gregory Parkes issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass because of COVID-19 safety concerns. Now he shares his thoughts on when this dispensation might be lifted. Click here to view video.

The Way to Pray
Is there a right way to pray? Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks about the Church’s tradition of prayer and he reminds us that God’s love helps us to pray without fear, sharing what’s in our hearts. Click here to view video.

Catholic Church News and Views
Stay informed about the Church, plus receive prayers and reflections straight to your inbox. The Office of Bishop Gregory Parkes sends out regular email communications to help you on your faith journey as well as information about upcoming events. Learn more and subscribe at www.dosp.org/bishop/stay-connected.

Ensuring Your Child’s School Is Safe
Every teacher, coach, and volunteer who works with children in the parishes and schools of the Diocese of St. Petersburg must have a background check before he or she is permitted to work in any school- or parish-related job or activity that involves contact with children. But what about the children who attend non-Catholic private or public schools?

Talk with school administrators and find out what steps they take to protect children from harm.  Suggest that they review other abuse prevention programs to ensure that their policies and practices are up to date. And demand that all employees and volunteers who work in the school be properly screened, including background checks, before they are allowed to be near your children.

For particular help you may call: Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Manager at (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377.

Office of Life, Justice & Advocacy
Mass of the Angels
The annual Diocesan Mass of the Angels for children (born or unborn) who have gone to be with the Lord will be celebrated on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at 11:00am. Our location this year will be St. Timothy Parish, 17512 Lakeshore Rd, Lutz. Please wear a face mask. For more information or to have a child’s name added to the program, please contact Diane at 727-344-1611 *5308; dcs@dosp.org.

34^th Annual Culture of Life Conference, Conception to Natural Death
The annual Florida Culture of Life Conference, formerly known as the state Respect Life Conference, will be hosted by the Diocese of Palm Beach on Saturday October 24, 2020. The virtual conference promises to be an informative and uplifting event with speakers on a variety of life topics, including the unborn, theology of the body, end of life, and the death penalty. 
More information along with registration can be found at: www.ccdpb.org/respectlife2020  $25.00 donation suggested.

Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate
With another election cycle in full swing, we are faced with the difficult question of what it means to love our neighbors in the midst of such a divisive climate. The Diocese of St. Petersburg is challenging Catholics to model love for neighbor through respect, and compassion during the 2020 election cycle and beyond. Put your faith into action and make room in your heart for those with whom you disagree. Watch our Diocesan video and pledge dignity beyond the debate today: https://www.dosp.org/pledging-dignity-beyond-the-debate/

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.

Office of the Propagation of the Faith
Vatican Confirms World Mission Sunday 2020 will be observed on October 18, 2020
“Several worldwide observances of the Catholic Church have been postponed and rescheduled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. … In response to some requests about the celebration of World Mission Day 2020, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples confirms that it will be celebrated this year at the universal level on Sunday, October 18, with no change in the calendar.” Read more at this Vatican News Story

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Morning Visitation
Magnificat of St. Petersburg, a Ministry to Women, invites you to a Morning Visitation on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 9:30 AM to Noon at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5^th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, we are changing our format for this date.  We are unable to hold our usual breakfast. No food will be served. In order to allow for social distancing, we will be holding a Morning visitation.  The event will be both in person and on livestream from the Cathedral parish web site:  https://stjudesp.org/.  

Social distancing will be followed; a mask is required. In order to have sufficient materials available, please let us know you will be joining us, prior to September 10th, by emailing us at: magnificatofstpetersburg@gmail.com, or text Linda (727) 415-2693, or Jane (727) 452-7404, before September 10th.
Flyer available at this link.

Capital Campaign Morning Star Catholic School, Pinellas Park
Morning Star Catholic School of Pinellas Park, a K-12 school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, serves students with special educational needs in the Tampa Bay Area. Morning Star recently launched the Creating Our Future Capital Campaign to expand its programs and facilities to meet the growing need and demand in our community for a nurturing, Catholic faith-based Transition Program that will help students with varying abilities successfully navigate young adulthood by providing them the opportunity to continue their education until the age of 22. We invite you to invest in the lives of these young people. To give or for more information, visit www.morningstarschool.org or contact Principal Sue Conza, sue.conza@morningstarschool.org or (727) 544-6036

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary
Join us for our first virtual Friends of the Seminary!
This special virtual event will include several elements. Beginning with a live link to Mass from St. Vincent Chapel, with our homilist this year being former Rector, Bishop David L. Toups of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, then followed by an online auction.

You will hear from our Acting Rector/President Fr. Alfredo I. Hernández and hopeful messages from some of our seminarians. We hope that these different elements will combine to let us experience some of the spirit of our FOS dinners, even if in a very different way.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Development at development@svdp.edu or at (561)732-4424.   Visit our website at www.svdp.edu/FRIENDS2020.