DIOCESAN OFFICES

Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse
Bishop Parkes will celebrate a Mass of Healing for those who seek spiritual healing from abuse in all forms, including sexual, physical or emotional, and those who wish to pray for victims/survivors of abuse, their family and friends. The Mass will be held on Saturday, April 23, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg.  The community is invited to participate.

During the Mass, those harmed by abuse are invited to call upon Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for comfort, peace and healing. Also, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, where greater awareness of the prevention of all forms of child abuse is promoted through various educational and spiritual activities

Opportunities for prayer with a priest or conversation with our Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mr. John Lambert, will be available following the Mass.

The Mass of Healing for Survivors of Abuse will be livestreamed at https://www.dosp.org/livestream/, https://www.facebook.com/DioStPete/ and https://www.youtube.com/user/dioceseofstpete.

Did You Know?  Teach Kids to Protect Themselves at Home
We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips to teach kids that will help keep them safe when you are not with them at home: Never answer the door if alone. Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter. Don’t tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can’t come to the phone, and take a message. For more tips, please visit www.kidsafe.com.

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

Source: “Know the Rules . . . After-School Safety Tips for Children Who Are Home Alone,” www.kidsafe.com.

Synod Survey for Persons with Disabilities and Family Members:
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has developed an online survey to learn more about the needs, desires, and concerns of persons with disabilities and their families.  The poll is part of a global campaign, the Synod on Synodality, led by Pope Francis to encourage people to listen to one another and to the Holy Spirit.
Survey available at www.ncpd.org or (https://ncpd.org/es/synodal-church-communion-participation-and-mission-synod-2021-2023).

Encuesta del Sínodo
La Alianza Nacional Católica sobre Discapacidad lo invita a participar en el proceso de escucha del Sínodo 2021-2023.
Para obtener más información sobre el proceso del Sínodo, visite la página del Sínodo de NCPD  (https://ncpd.org/form/encuesta-del-sinodo)

How Not to Argue: Connect with Friends and Family with Whom You Disagree
March 23, 2022; 7:00-8:30 PM
Don’t just give up chocolate this Lent! Make a change that will have a lasting impact. Join therapist, Paige Cargioli, for a free Webinar to learn some techniques that will help you to better connect with others and stay emotionally healthy.  Register at: https://www.dosp.org/life.

Spirit FM’s 7^th Annual Catholic Women’s Conference – Re-scheduled
Due to a number of factors, and to be good stewards of God’s gifts, we have moved the date of the Catholic Women’s Conference from April 2^nd to September 17^th.  This change will hopefully allow more people to attend, more exhibitors, vendors and shopping for you, and even more opportunities to bring your friends.  For those that have already purchased tickets, your tickets will be honored.  If this change doesn’t allow you to attend, you can transfer your ticket to a friend, which will be a blessing to them, or contact Spirit FM for a refund.  Tickets are on sale at www.myspiritfm.com/WomensConference or call Marci at 813.289.8040, ext. 231.

Promotional graphic at this link.

Follow the Real Bishop Gregory Parkes
Please be sure you are following the official social media accounts for Bishop Gregory Parkes and not an imposter account. We have been informed of fake social media accounts that appear to be Bishop Gregory Parkes, but they are not. The official accounts are listed below. Report all other imposter accounts to the social media platform and to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Communications, communicate@dosp.org.

Real Social Media Accounts for Bishop Gregory Parkes
Instagram: www.instagram.com/BishopParkes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BishopParkes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BishopParkes

Peace in Troubled Times
There are many people experiencing distress. The pandemic, civil unrest, natural disasters, war and tumult have led to chronic fear, anger and sometimes traumatic stress. How do we find the interior “peace that surpasses all understanding” that Christ has promised? Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor, on behalf of all parishes of the Central Deanery of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, is offering a workshop, “Peace in Troubled Times” to help us cope with these unprecedented times. The workshop will include prayer, a presentation on managing chronic stress mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. There will be time for discussion and questions. This event is being held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, 715 East Orange Street, Tarpon Springs. All are welcome!

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Parish Mission at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Dunedin
All are invited to a 3-night Parish Mission, “Let Beauty Speak: The Art of Evangelizing Post-Christian Culture with Your Life” featuring international speaker and musician Jimmy Mitchell. Join us March 21-23 at 7:00 pm at 750 San Salvador Dr, Dunedin.

Saint Raphael Catholic Church Divorced and Blended Family Ministry
Divorce, Annulments, Remarriage
Monday, April 4, 6:30-8 PM in Room A.
Fr. Curtis Carro, Pastor, St. Raphael Parish, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd NE, St. Petersburg, will explain these topics, answer questions, and discuss paperwork involved. If you are divorced and/or remarried, come find out how the church wants to minister to you.

Available in person or via Zoom.
To RSVP for the session and/or access the Zoom link, visit our ministry website https://st-raphaels.com/divorced-blended-families.

40 Hours of Exposition at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Dunedin
Join us for 40 Hours of Exposition beginning with 1:30 pm Mass on Thursday, March 24, followed by the Exposition. The concluding liturgies begin at 9:00 am on Saturday, March 26 and include readings, procession, and Benediction.  Memorial candles will be offered for purchase and will be lit in honor of loved ones.  Names will be included on the 40 Hours banner. Contact Savannah at (727) 733-3606 or savannah@ourladydunedin.org to sign up.

Pax Christi Retreat
A weekend retreat on Pope Francis’ book, “Let Us Dream” will be held at Chinsegut Hill Retreat Center in Brooksville, Fl, March 18-20, 2022.  Dr. Mary Carter Warren will lead sessions and discussions on what a more just and peaceful world would look like and how to find a beloved community to journey with you. Come join us to be inspired, challenged and dream.

For more information and registration on this special retreat that is sponsored by Pax Christi-Florida, please go to:  http://paxchristiflorida.org/2021/12/13/chinsegut/.