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.

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!

Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Just a reminder:  The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from January 18 through the 25, 2020.  This year the theme is “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness”.   Each year Churches gather to pray together for the full unity which is Christ’s will “that all may be one,” as he and the Father are one during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. As we gather once again and pray in the hope of Christian Unity may our actions and prayers embody the true peace, reconciliation, and unity which is to be found where God dwells.   Follow this link to find more information, liturgical suggestions and resources.

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.

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