What started as a Lenten devotional opportunity has become a daily practice at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The Cathedral now offers Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and it has brought new blessings and graces upon the parish community. The bold leap of faith to introduce …
Continue reading “Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle Taps into the Power of Prayer”
This reflection was written by Kathleen Billings for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Click here to download a PDF of this article. As a family, one of our favorite summer activities is swimming in our pool. Having an inground pool within a few steps of our backdoor has been a sweet blessing. We splash, …
Continue reading “Creating and Maintaining Balance in Your Marriage”
The Congregation for Catholic Education has published “Male and Female He Created Them: Towards a path of dialogue on the question of gender theory in education.” The new document is intended as an instrument to help guide Catholic contributions to the ongoing debate about human sexuality and to address the challenges that emerge from gender …
Continue reading “New Papal Document Highlights Educational Crisis on “Gender Theory””
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a new website to share information on prevention, protection and accountability relating to the clergy sex abuse crisis. “The purpose of this website is to serve as a source of information and provide resources regarding the safety of children and vulnerable persons, victim assistance, and frequently …
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Public sessions of the general assembly discussions and votes will be available via live stream at http://www.usccb.org/live During the Spring General Assembly, the bishops will discuss and vote on bishop accountability measures to respond to the abuse crisis and will also hear reports from the National Advisory Council and an annual progress report by the National …
Continue reading “U.S. Bishops to Meet June 11-14 in Baltimore”
Over 19,000 donors from all 80 parishes and missions have committed to more than $6,726,953 to the 2019 Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA). Together we have achieved 57% of the shared diocesan goal of $11.8 million to date, which supports the vitality, strength and growth of our parishes, missions, schools and local Church. This generosity displays …
Continue reading “We are Courageously Living the Gospel through the Annual Pastoral Appeal!”
Religious Freedom Week takes place from June 22 – 29 each year. It begins with the feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. This year, the week also includes the Solemnity of the Most Holy …
Continue reading “Strength in Hope – Protect our Religious Freedoms Week is June 22-29”
Pope Francis has issued a document known as a Motu Proprio called Vos estis lux mundi (You are the Light of the World) that establishes new procedures for reporting abuse and violence and ensures that Bishops and Religious Superiors are held accountable for their actions. (Related article from the Vatican) This is an opportunity to build …
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding the release of Pope Francis’s Motu Proprio earlier today. The Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), is a worldwide order to the Church from the Pope, in …
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement on the deadly shooting that has taken place at Chabad of Poway Synagogue near San Diego. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “I, along with my brother bishops, am greatly saddened and deeply concerned over …
Continue reading “President of U.S. Bishops’ Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Poway, California”
Many around the world watched in sadness as a fire tore through historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris causing severe damage to the centuries old-structure. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. has set up a fund to help the Cathedral resurrect and rebuild. The Shrine, whose board members …
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On Saturday, April 6, USF graduates from the last 50 years gathered at Bellarmine Hall, the faith-based housing complex on the campus of the Catholic Student Center. The alumni social was an introduction to the newly formed Catholic Bulls Alumni Society, an organization that seeks to strengthen the future of the USF Catholic community by …
Continue reading “USF Catholic Alumni Society Launches to Connect the Community”
Our mutually-shared vision of Courageously Living the Gospel calls us to think outside the walls of our churches in pursuit of ministering to families and young people and serving those in need. That’s why Bishop Gregory Parkes has asked parishes to address local community issues and mobilize cross-parish creativity to make a difference! These projects …
Continue reading “Parishes Share New Plans for Catholic Impact Initiatives”
Saint Leo University is helping youth and young adults to courageously live the Gospel. They have produced a video called “Day-to-Day Tips for Living Your Faith.” Sarah Bermudez, a graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School and an Education Major at Saint Leo is featured in the video. This is the first time she has …
One out of every six adults in the U.S. experiences some form of mental illness each year and Florida ranks 44th in the nation for access to mental health treatment, according to the Florida Behavioral Health Association. In light of these and other sobering statistics, ten parishes in Pinellas County are joining forces to increase …
Raoul G. Cantero, III, former Florida Supreme Court Justice, was honored on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The award was presented at the annual Catholic Days at the Capitol luncheon attended by the Catholic bishops of Florida, current Florida Supreme Court Justices, state lawmakers, and nearly …
Essentials for Social Media Success Marie Thornsberry & Mary McCoy of Saint Leo University discuss the history and demographics of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and how that impacts usage, how to develop a content strategy and voice for each platform, content engagement ideas and cool tools. Teresa Peterson discusses the new Social Communications Policy for …
Gathering of all Priests, Blessing and Consecration of Holy Oils At this year’s Chrism Mass, Most Reverend Gregory Parkes will be joined by Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch, Bishop Joseph Potocnak, S.C.J. (retired), Abbot Isaac Comacho, O.S.B, approximately 170 priests and 50 deacons, as well as religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, and other representatives from …
Continue reading “Bishop Gregory Parkes to Celebrate Annual Chrism Mass on April 16”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and is a reminder to all Catholics that the ultimate responsibility of an adult is to ensure that abuse does not occur. Therefore, we should always be vigilant and aware. In an effort to promote education and to assist parishes and families in making child safety and abuse prevention …
In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the Safe Environment Office oversees a comprehensive program of child abuse prevention that is focused on background checks and training of all adults entrusted with the care, responsibility and/or supervision of minors or vulnerable adults. “Our obligation to protect minors and all vulnerable persons and to prevent sexual abuse …
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Rebecca Lorenzen said she was Catholic for 20 years before she became a missionary disciple. “I sort of lived my faith by checking the boxes but Christ was pulling me deeper,” she said. In 2011, she consecrated herself to Jesus through Mary. Soon after that, she attended a workshop presentation by Sherry Weddell on the …
Continue reading “St. John Vianney Parish is Blessed with Missionary Disciples”
Catholic communicators are invited to attend the Catholic Media Conference at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel June 18-21, 2019. The theme is Navigating Communications and the sessions are designed to provide a roadmap for our rapidly changing media culture. “How people communicate is changing and in order to fulfill the mission of the Church, we …
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“The historic Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church enabled the global leadership of the Catholic Church to clearly hear the voices of victims of sexual abuse. Those voices will forever influence our decisions so that no one will again feel the pain of being abused and the additional wounds of being abandoned or …
On February 13, 2019, volunteers from St. Anne Parish in Ruskin packed up their refrigerated trailer and headed to nearby Hillsborough Community College (HCC) to offer free food for the first time, serving a population that is sometimes overlooked. There is a need among students and staff who are “barely getting by,” according to Paul …
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A Press Conference at the Holy See Press Office presents the “Protection of Minors in the Church” Meeting, which will take place in the Vatican, between 21 and 24 February 2019. By Barbara Castelli Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna is Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a member of the …
Parish leaders are meeting throughout the month of February to review the results of a survey that provides insight into how they are fulfilling the mission of the Church that Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 28:19, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Last Fall, 30 parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg participated in …
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Over 280 couples from 57 parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg celebrated milestone anniversaries by renewing their vows and receiving a special blessing on Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Paul and Janet Friederich of St. Patrick Parish in Largo have attended the Marriage Jubilee Mass 11 …
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The Holy Season of Lent will be observed starting March 6, Ash Wednesday and continues until the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer, service and charity, and sacrifice through fasting. For ideas on celebrating Lent …
Seeks to Educate Community About the Harmful Effects of Pornography On Sunday, March 3, parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will set aside time to address the pervasive problem of pornography and its devastating effects on marriages and families. The goal is to make each home a safe haven from pornography. “Pornography is …
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More than 100 representatives from parishes across the Diocese of St. Petersburg gathered for training workshops on January 15 & 16 to gain more insight into developing Parish Action Plans that align to Courageously Living the Gospel. “The workshop was a helpful experience – especially hearing about other parish’s challenges and how they are brainstorming …
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The Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy in the Diocese of St. Petersburg has heard from concerned parishioners regarding the extreme abortion law in New York which will end the lives of more unborn children and scar women and families. The faithful are shocked and heartbroken. “We have received emails and phone calls and people are wondering what we …
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Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services USA and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, have issued the following statement in response to the January 27 bombings in and around the Cathedral of …
Continue reading “U.S. Bishops Condemn Philippine Cathedral Bombings as “Act of Terrorism” “
by Ana Rodriguez-Soto Journalism seemed a lot easier back when newspapers came out only in print. You went out, covered the story, got back to the office, wrote it, and handed it to an editor. Perhaps those of us in the Catholic press also shot the photos; and once desktop publishing came into being, we helped …
Continue reading “Master Camps will Offer Lessons for Adapting to Digital World, Coping with Crisis”
After nine months of construction, the expanded Christ the King Catholic Church reopened its doors the weekend of January 19 & 20. The parish of over 3,500 families had been using a parish hall as their place of worship since construction began last spring, the day after Easter. (Photo above courtesy of Christ the King …
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The bishops of Florida recently released a statement in advance of this year’s Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, Tuesday, January 22nd. Click for English PDF or Spanish PDF. “So great is the value of a human life, and so inalienable the right to life of an innocent child growing in …
If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential, non-judgmental help is available from Project Rachel, a ministry that fosters forgiveness, hope and healing through a loving relationship with God. For more information, contact Catholic Charities at 813-924-4173 or via email to projectrachel@ccdosp.org. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of St. Petersburg oversees the …
Continue reading “Help is Available for Women & Men Wounded by Abortion”
You’ve heard about Courageously Living the Gospel, a challenge to more boldly live our faith. This mutually shared vision calls us to proclaim the Good News, welcome and accompany others as Jesus did and grow in relationship with Jesus and others. This requires effective communication! That’s why we’re introducing Courageous Communications – a resource to …
Now in its ninth season, the 2019 WINTER CONCERT SERIES at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Saint Petersburg will begin on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 3:00 pm. The opening concert will feature the Lumina Voce Youth Choirs, a Tampa-based ensemble with an offering of music for the post-Christmas and winter …
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In an effort to align with the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Vision of Courageously Living the Gospel, a re-structured Office of Marriage and Family Life has been established to help parishes provide more effective evangelization and family ministry strategies, one of the goals set forth by the vision’s action plan. This new emphasis on marriage …
It has been nearly six months since Bishop Gregory Parkes announced the mutually-shared vision of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Courageously Living the Gospel. Parish, schools and diocesan leaders have been learning about the priorities and goals of the vision and prayerfully discerning how they can contribute to the vision, renew their faith and boldly …
Continue reading “New Year, New Training Opportunities for Parish Leaders”
On December 7, 2018, the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) released a list of names of Jesuits with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. They announced that no Jesuit with a credible accusation currently serves in public ministry. Of those Jesuits listed in the report from the …
Espiritu Santo Parish in Safety Harbor has started offering Family Counseling as part of their effort to align with the diocesan vision of Courageously Living the Gospel. This counseling is intended to provide spiritual and emotional healing for families experiencing difficulties within family and marital relationships, including the trauma of divorce. The parish is also …
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The sacred purpose of the mission of the Diocese of St. Petersburg calls us to proclaim the Good News and invite all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. One way the Diocese of St. Petersburg is living out that call is through a :30 second Christmas commercial that has been produced …
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Guiding Star Tampa is a leader in transforming women’s healthcare. Their holistic and compassionate approach to medicine is also in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the center has recently received a letter of support from Bishop Gregory Parkes. The non-profit ministry, located in Tampa, was founded nearly ten years ago by …
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Prior to the Scheduled Execution of Jose Antonio Jimenez Jose Antonio Jimenez is scheduled to be executed by the State of Florida on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for the murder of Phyllis Minas. Prior to Jimenez’s scheduled execution, Catholic faithful and members of the community plan to gather to pray for the …
Continue reading “Prayer Vigil to End the Death Penalty to be held on December 12 & 13”
The Diocese of St. Petersburg announced on November 28th that Meegan Wright has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation. These new responsibilities will be in addition to Meegan’s current role as Executive Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, which oversees the Annual Pastoral Appeal and various campaigns and …
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On Monday, December 10 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, you are invited to take a break from your hectic schedule and rest in the Lord during an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with Bishop Gregory Parkes. This special Advent ADORE event at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle will feature contemporary and traditional Advent …
In anticipation that she was to bear the Son of God, Mary was preserved from the time of her conception from Original Sin. We call this the Immaculate Conception. No sin would touch her, so that she would be a fitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God. The Immaculate Conception does not refer …
Nativity scenes have been a popular Advent and Christmas tradition for centuries and are cherished by people of all ages. Now, there is an opportunity to see 500 nativity scenes on display in one room. Saint Clement Catholic Church, in Plant City, is presenting “Nativities Around the World.” These artistic and unique Nativities are from …
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MonsignorJohn Kennedy will be the 2019 CMC keynote speaker. Monsignor Kennedy is an Irish priest who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2017 to lead the disciplinary section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has served on the CDF since 2003. His presentation will provide updates on events relevant to the clergy …
Master Camps are a four-hour, intensive learning opportunity offered at the Catholic Media Conference. These camps will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Pete, FL. The camps provide participants with the opportunity to dig deeper on a relevant topic and obtain new skills, concepts and perspectives. Here is the …
These are the best of times and the worst of times. The media landscape is constantly changing but new opportunities await. Social media, the Internet and technology have revolutionized how people interact, communicate, shop and even date. As journalists, producers, communicators, we are challenged to navigate these turbulent waters and keep our media entities relevant, …
Continue reading “Conference in St. Pete to Focus on Navigating Communications”
Advent Message 2018 from Diocese of St. Petersburg on Vimeo. Starting the Church’s liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also …
More than 400 priests, deacons, religious sisters and ministry leaders attended five training sessions facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute during September and October. They learned about Courageously Living the Gospel and how each person is needed to make the Vision a reality. They also learned about PIE, the acronym for the Vision’s three priorities: Proclaiming – knowing and sharing …
Continue reading “Parishes Start Aligning with Vision and PIE”
Parishes in the southeast part of Hillsborough County are seeking to expand food distribution to families who are in great need. This is one example of how they are Courageously Living the Gospel. “This is the dream for our deanery-wide Catholic Impact Initiative, that we can make a difference in the lives of people in …
Continue reading “Parishes Explore Building a Food Bank in Southeast Hillsborough”
