DIOCESAN OFFICES

Divine Renovation Unlocked:   St. Petersburg
Priests and active parishioners across the Diocese of St. Petersburg want to see their parishes come alive. The problem is that changing the way we “do church” can be intimidating. We get it-prioritizing mission over maintenance can feel scary. This is why you’re invited to DR Unlocked: St. Petersburg on March 14, 2024 at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz, where you will:

• Learn about the 3 keys to unlocking your parish
• Be equipped for mission through practical workshops and resources
• Connect with a growing community of learning in the space of parish renewal

The day will include Mass, talks, lunch, networking and workshop time for your team.  Pastors, parish staff and key leaders are encouraged to attend.  The goal of ‘Unlocked’ is for priests and parish leaders to be encouraged and renewed with missionary zeal for what is possible, as well as building a community of mission-minded leaders on the journey.  There is a small fee of $10/person to cover lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Armando Chavarria at achavarria@dosp.org. 

You can register at https://brushfire.com/divinerenovation/drunlockedstpetersburg/562724.

New Documentary to Premiere: For the Sake of the Gospel
More than twenty years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, a group of Franciscan missionaries left their homes in Spain to evangelize and minister to the indigenous people of the south Georgia coast.  Between September 14 and September 17, 1597, all but one were murdered.  The Diocese of Savannah has produced a documentary about these missionaries called, “For the Sake of the Gospel,” that will premiere on EWTN (https://www.ewtn.com/tv/watch-live) on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 5:30 PM EST.  To learn more, click here (https://thegeorgiamartyrs.org/en/).

Please note:
The Franciscans that are part of the Georgia Martyrs are a separate cause than the Florida Martyrs (https://martyrsoflafloridamissions.org/) which was just submitted to Rome in the Fall.  lease continue to pray for the beatification of the Servants of God Antonio Inija  and Companions (aka the Martyrs of La Florida).

Floridians are Asked to Pray a Novena to Defeat a Pro-Abortion Amendment
On February 7, 2024 the Florida Supreme Court will review the language of a proposed constitutional amendment (http://tinyurl.com/4sztrydp) that would legalize full-term abortion for any age without parental consent in Florida. The Bishops of Florida are rallying people around the state to pray each day from January 30th through February 7th.   All are asked to pray that both women and preborn babies will be protected, and that this misleading and dangerous amendment will not be permitted on the November ballot.  You can sign up to receive reminders to pray each day of the novena via this link (http://tinyurl.com/yw37aspp).

Promotional graphics at the following links:  one and two.

Pinellas County Jail – Ministry Request
Pinellas County Jail will soon be offering a training for volunteers (clergy and lay) assisting with religious services. Currently Catholic Communion services are held every Friday morning in one section of the Jail. We are hoping to add enough ministers to add services for other parts of the Jail (Women, Spanish, and East wing). 

If you have an interest in learning more about prison ministry or helping out at Pinellas County Jail, please contact the Office of Prison Ministry (727-344-1611) or via email at (prisonmn@dosp.org) for an application.

PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS

La Escuela de Evangelización San Andrés te invita a prepararte para la Cuaresma con el retiro: “Tetélestai: Todo Está Cumplido“
Most Holy Redeemer Parish, 10110 N. Central  Ave., Tampa
24 y 25 de febrero, 2024 de 8:00 AM a 6:30 PM
En este curso, la Palabra de Dios te llevará a contemplar los personajes y escenarios de la última cena, pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesús que manifiestan su gloria para poder renovar tu experiencia personal del Kerygma y poder seguir anunciándolo con frescura, como testigos y no como una lección aprendida de memoria o desgastada por el tiempo.

Para más información, por favor comunicarse con:
Elvira Hernández: (813) 965-5829
Rebeca Avellaneda: (813) 577-2407
Most Holy Redeemer: (813) 933-2859

Gráfica promocional en este enlace:  http://tinyurl.com/4fdw7an6.

St. Andrew School of Evangelization will have a Spanish Lenten Retreat at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Tampa Florida. The retreat is called “Tetélestai: Todo Está Cumplido“.   It will take place on February 24 & 25, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday). From 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.

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.