DIOCESAN OFFICES

A View from the Top
On this edition of A View from the Top, Bishop Parkes talks about the recent Rite of Candidacy for the Diaconate, upcoming Vocations Awareness Week events and explains how we can live the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.

To listen to the podcast, follow this link: https://bit.ly/2J2wVnH.

Remembering Our Departed Loved Ones
November is the Month of All Souls, when we remember and pray for our loved ones who have died. The Diocese of St. Petersburg will be creating a special online photo album to remember those who have passed away, especially those in the past year. Email a photo with their name and a remembrance of six words or less to socialmedia@dosp.org. The album will be posted on November 2, All Souls’ Day. Photos will be added to the album as they are received throughout November.

Diocesan Audit Results
Did you know that an independent audit conducted in September 2020 determined that the Diocese of St. Petersburg is once again in full compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Among the information revealed during the audit, it was found that the diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him to another ministerial assignment.  A copy of the compliance letter can be found on the diocesan website at this link: https://bit.ly/3lTPSau.

For particular questions or assistance, please contact Michael Craig, Safe Environment Program Director: (727) 344-1611, ext. 5377.

Office of Vocations

UPDATE: FLYER
National Vocation Awareness Week, November 1-7, 2020
In recognition of National Vocation Awareness week, the Office of Vocations will host Encounter, A Night of Prayer for Vocations, on Wednesday, November 4, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz.  The evening will include Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Praise & Worship.
Please see updated flyer at the following link:  https://bit.ly/3jgHgca.

For Vocation Awareness Week resources, please go to the Office of Vocations: https://www.dosp.org/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week/.

The Serra Club of St. Petersburg
The Serra Club of St. Petersburg, in observance of Vocations Awareness Week, November  1 – 7, 2020,  invites all Catholics to join them in a perpetual pilgrimage of prayer to promote, encourage and affirm vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

Zoom Chat With Seminarians, November 9, 2020
Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, would like to invite you to our virtual discernment group, Zoom Chat with Seminarians. This discernment opportunity is open to all young men high school age and above.

The next session is on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm. Fr. Chuck will be the host and each month will include vocation stories from different seminarians followed by Q&A .

Please see the flyer for more information and future dates:  https://bit.ly/31iARHi.
Be sure to RSVP to Fr. Chuck Dornquast at spvocation@dosp.org to receive the link to attend.

Office of Life, Justice & Advocacy

Meals on Wheels
#1: For Parishes in the Tampa Area
Do you have challenges getting out of your home to buy groceries and prepare meals?  Meals On Wheels of Tampa may be able to help.  Serving the Tampa area for 45 years, a caring volunteer will deliver freshly cooked meals to your doorstep.  The cost of the meals depends on your situation. They will work with you to find a price that fits your budget. If this might help you or someone you know, please call their office at 813-238-MEAL to learn more about this important mission.

If your parish is outside of Tampa, please share the second announcement and print the resources included in this Email to keep on-hand in your office.

#2: For Parishes Outside the Tampa Area
Do you have challenges getting out of your home to buy groceries and prepare meals?  A local Meals On Wheels agency may be able to help.  By delivering meals to your doorstep, this mission is designed to allow individuals to live with independence, nourishment and dignity, in their own homes. Please contact the Parish office for the phone number of the local Meals On Wheels agency. Meals On Wheels is here to “nourish, enrich and strengthen” the lives of our area’s homebound community.

Food Resources
Hillsborough County
In addition to Meals on Wheels–

1. Hillsborough County Aging Services (Federally Funded),  (813) 272-5250
2. Brandon Meals On Wheels, (Brandon, Suncity, Valrico, Seffner, Mango) Elena LaRussa (813) 657-4755 and Pete Green (813) 689-8769
3. Plant City Meals On Wheels, (813)754-9932

Pinellas County
Neighborly Care Network (federally Funded), (727) 573-9444
Meals On Wheels of Pinellas County, (813) 344-5837

Pasco County
Land O’Lakes, (352) 521-5151
New Port Richey, (727) 834-3340
Zephyrhills, (813) 782-7859 and (813) 782-2793

Hernando County
Brooksville, (352) 796-1425

Citrus County
(352) 527-5975