DIOCESAN OFFICES

Catholic Days at the Capitol:
Make the Trip and Make a Difference! March 26-27 (returning March 28).
This two-day event provides the opportunity to put into action our faith’s call to political responsibility and allows us to strengthen the presence of our Catholic values in the public square. We will also be joined by Bishop Parkes! Legislative briefing, office visits with elected officials, Red Mass and more. Visit https://www.dosp.org/life/upcoming-events/
or contact Sabrina at sab@dosp.org; 727-344-1611. Deadline is March 12, 2019.  

2018/19 Rice Bowl Mini Grants Recipients
The Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy is pleased to announce the following recipients of the fall 2018/19 Rice Bowl Mini Grants, made possible by 25% of local Rice Bowl contributions retained for local use.  Congratulations to the following parishes and organizations: Catholic Charities-Parish Ministries for Hernando, Pasco & Citrus Counties, Foundation of Life Pregnancy Centers in Tampa, Hernando, Pinellas, and Pasco County, Mission Santa Maria, Our Lady of Fatima Respect Life Ministry, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish- St. Vincent de Paul, Pinellas Hope -SPCHS Class of 2019, Resurrection Parish – St. Anthony Food Pantry, St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Hudson) – St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish-St. Vincent de Paul, St. Jude Parish-St. Vincent de Paul.

Click here for more information.

Annual Vocation Promotion Workshop (Rescheduled for February 23, 2019)
Please join us on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 9am-2pm for our annual vocation promotion workshop.  Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Parochial Vicar at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa will be our keynote speaker.  Our theme this year is Courageous Vocations: Awakening Greatness in Others.  Registration is open to everyone who is interested in promoting vocations and vocation awareness in your parish or school.

For more information and to register please follow this link:  https://conta.cc/2shmaCh.

There is no cost to attend, a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Questions? Contact Heidi Varley at (727) 345-3452 or hlv@dosp.org

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

St. Justin Martyr Parish Mission
Our parish mission begins Monday, February 4th through Wednesday, February  6^th. The Mission leader is Mary Esther Stewart. Three day theme is SEE, CHOOSE and BE. The event is a journey under the guidance of St. Bonaventure. The Mission will have two sessions a day: the morning session from 9:00 to 10:15 am and the evening group from 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Come to this interactive Mission and bring your friends. Mary Esther is a Secular Franciscan from Flagstaff AZ.

Flyer at this link:  https://bit.ly/2HALuh7

Ecumenical Prayer Service
Christ the King Catholic Church and St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church invite everyone to their Ecumenical Prayer Service, to pray together for the healing of our nation through unity and compassion. This year’s service will take place on Tuesday, February 19 at 6:30 pm at Christ the King, 821 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa. A combined choir from both churches will join together to sing.  A reception will follow. All are welcome!

Faith & Ale
This month, men AND women are invited to join others across the diocese for food, drink and fellowship at Faith & Ale! Tom Peterson (founder of Catholics Come Home) will speak, “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes.”  Join us Thursday, February 21 from 6 to 8 pm at Christ the King’s Mary Martha Center (717 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa). Cost is $15/person in advance at www.faithandaletb.org or $20 at the door. Contact Mike Callahan with questions, 813.404.5073.

FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON
St. Brendan Council of Catholic Women, a nonprofit organization, will host a Fashion Show & Luncheon on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 beginning at 11:30 am at Belleair Country Club, One Country Club Lane, Belleair, FL.   Enjoy fashions by Patchington, Silent Auction, Heart Tree, “Wheel of Fortune”, Basket & 50-50 raffles.  Choose chicken, salmon or vegetarian.   $35 per person.  Contact Dawn Barrett at (603) 568-4894 or clwdawn@aol.com to purchase tickets.  HURRY.  This event sells out fast.   All proceeds benefit local charities.

CENTERING PRAYER
Fr. James Morman, T.O.R.
Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
Mondays, March 18 and 25, 2019
7 – 8:30 PM – Parish Hall

Have you ever wanted to deepen your experience of prayer? Join us this Lent for a special two-session presentation on Centering Prayer. Fr. Jim will explain this method of prayer, and participants will have an opportunity to practice centering prayer.

To register, call 727-896-2191, extension 207. You can register online at: http://bit.ly/StMaryCentering

Men: Time and tickets are quickly running out!
This conference is a “don’t miss” opportunity to deepen your faith!
Fathers, encourage your sons to go. Sons, encourage your dads to go and take you with them. The Conference promises to be challenging, soul-searching, and uplifting – a day that will help you find the peace, order and direction so often missing in life.

The 9^th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference
“Courageously Living the Gospel”
Featuring Jesse Romero, Gus Lloyd, Justin Fatica and Bishop Gregory Parkes
Saturday, March 2nd
Higgins Hall at St Lawrence Catholic Church, Tampa
Tickets include lunch and free parking
Cost is $40 per person with Father/Son combo tickets at two for $40

For tickets or more information visit SuncoastCatholicMinistries.com

Traditions in Dialogue: The Next Steps in Catholic-Jewish Relations
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
The Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invites you to an 11:30 am luncheon, and 12:30 pm scholarly panel discussion entitled, Traditions in Dialogue: The Next Steps in Catholic-Jewish Relations, at Saint Leo University.

If you’d like to register for this event, which is free and open to the public, please click this link:  http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qwnmkz7ab&oeidk=a07eg0f1srh65a291a3 If possible, please also share news of this event with your faith community.

This gathering should be an excellent time to catch-up, and build friendship across traditions.

Summer Adventure- Good Counsel Camp
Our Diocesan youth camp located in Floral City,Florida, is looking for counselors for this summer’s sessions. Do you enjoy working with children?  Do you enjoy adventure and challenges? If so, working as a camp counselor may be for you. We are looking for young men and women who will be at least 17 years old by this summer.

For an application,contact:
Father James Johnson
4301 W. Homosassa Trail
Lecanto, FL 34461
Or email frjohnson@goodcounselcamp.org

PILGRIMAGES AROUND THE DIOCESE
The pilgrimages are posted in the Diocesan website under Pilgrimages–bottom of the homepage under FAQ or by following this link: https://www.dosp.org/pastoralbulletin/pilgrimages/.