Each year, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is blessed with gifts of time, talent and treasure from our faith family across the five counties that make up our diocese. As Bishop Parkes explains in his introductory note, “The generosity that you have shown through your support of our ministry and services here in the Diocese …
Encounter is a prayer event put on by the Offices of Vocations & Youth and Young Adult Ministries. We gather to pray for vocations in front of the Blessed Sacrament and with praise and worship. All are invited to this night of prayer. We hope to see you there. We begin at 7:00pm. For future …
In spite of many obstacles caused by COVID-19, there are hundreds of individuals in the Diocese of St Petersburg who have been moved by the Holy Spirit to say “Yes” to becoming Catholic this year. Everyone has a unique faith story, including Adam Finley. The 21-year-old was baptized, confirmed and received first Holy Communion on …
Continue reading “Young Adult Becomes Catholic Before Leaving for Military Service”
Sharvil Verma was born in India to a Hindu family and as a child he started to have doubts about his faith and about the existence of God. From the age of 10 until he was 22, Verma said he became aggressive towards God and sought to prove He was not there. “I didn’t feel …
Continue reading “Becoming Catholic: A USF Student’s Conversion Story”
Fr. Chuck will host the next session of the Tools of Discernment Micro-Retreat on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 10am-2pm at the Bethany Center in Lutz. This retreat is for single men, ages 15-35. The theme for this session is The Virtuous Life. Please click here to register to attend. If you have any questions, …
Continue reading “Tools of Discernment Micro-Retreat – February 27, 2021”
The theme for the 2021 Annual Pastoral Appeal is “Hope in the Lord”, inspired by Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Through hope, we find strength, …
ST. LEO, FL – This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Leo University is welcoming students to its campus over several days in order to protect the health and safety of everyone. The process began with a “move-in day” on Tuesday, August 18. New and transfer students will move to campus, 33701 State Road …
Continue reading “Saint Leo University Begins Welcoming New Students for Fall Semester”
The Catholic Student Union at the University of South Florida invites you to join them for their annual Welcome Home Weekend events. On Saturday, the 22nd of August, following the 5:00 p.m. vigil mass there will be a socially distant meet and greet for all students, parents, and alumni along with complimentary refreshments, lawn games, music, …
Continue reading “Welcome Weekend with the Catholic Student Union at USF – August 22 and 23, 2020”
Is the Lord inviting you to take a step toward him? The Office of Vocations is offering you the opportunity to visit the minor seminary to experience the life of our seminarians. The weekend will take place March 13-15, 2020. Transportation is provided and there is no cost to you. To register to attend please …
A new group in St. Petersburg is providing opportunities for local young adults to stay connected to the Church and each other. In the past few months, they have hosted an All Saint’s Day bonfire, an Advent Young Adult Mission, Meals After Mass, and other monthly events where young people gather in fellowship and prayer. …
Continue reading “New Young Adult Ministry in St. Petersburg Mixes Faith and Friendship”
College Freshman Eric Bright has only been Catholic about a month but he’s already showing others what it means to have courageous faith. He is currently serving as president of the newly established Catholic Bulls Club at USF’s St. Pete Campus. USF in Tampa has had a Catholic Campus Ministry for over 50 years and …
How does one become a Father? Unmarried men of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, between the ages of 15-35, are invited to a one day retreat hosted by the Office of Vocations. The Advent Discernment Retreat is for any man seeking to grow in his identity before the Father and discernment of God’s call. The …
Continue reading “Advent Discernment Retreat – December 21, 2019”
Is the Lord inviting you to take a step toward him? The Office of Vocations is offering you the opportunity to visit the minor seminary to experience the life of our seminarians. The weekend will take place November 8-10, 2019. Transportation is provided and there is no cost to you. For more information please contact …
The Office of Vocations will host Chosen by Him – A Day of Reflection & Discernment for Women on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10am until 2pm at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Hear the stories of the women religious who have courageously served in the Diocese of St. Petersburg! …
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The Catholic Student Union at the University of South Florida is having a Welcome Home Weekend for students, parents, alumni, and friends of the CSU. The fun and faith-filled celebration will kick-off the start of a new school. See the list of activities below: Saturday, August 24, 5:00 p.m. – Vigil Mass followed by a relaxing …
Continue reading “Catholic Bulls Are Invited to Welcome Home Weekend!”
Would you like to meet new friends and grow in your faith at the same time? Then this is the retreat for YOU! This retreat is hosted by Apostles of the Eucharist young adult group. This will be the fourth annual retreat offered to young adults all over the diocese. The basic details are below …
Each year, the Pastoral Juvenile Ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg celebrates the Atrevete Retreat in Spanish for young adults. This year’s retreat will be held at the Bethany Center, July 26-28, 2019. Young adults will have the opportunity to encounter Jesus and to experience the happiness that only He can offer during this …
Youth and young adults from the Tampa Bay area are about to experience a life-changing event: World Youth Day in Panama, January 22-27. This encounter with the pope, Jesus and thousands of other Catholics is a time of deep and spiritual renewal. More than 200,000 participants from 155 countries are expected at this year’s World …
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More than 300 students and chaperones are heading to Washington D.C. for the 46th national March for Life that will take place Friday, January 18. Speakers include Abby Johnson, a pro-life activist who formerly worked for Planned Parenthood and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. The March for …
A major focus of our mutually-shared vision is to accompany youth and young adults to help them be courageous in their faith. Ryan Phelan, the Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is tasked with helping parishes understand this process of accompaniment that is highlighted in the Vision. Pope Francis has often spoken about …
Father Justin Paskert is often seen on the campus of USF sitting on a bench waiting to hear confessions and offer God’s healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. When “business” is slow, he passes the time by praying for the students who are strolling the campus. This idea of praying for random students led him to spearhead …
Continue reading ““Pray for USF Students” Campaign Garners Thousands of Prayers”
The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10. This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Pope Francis, in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, emphasized that it …
On October 8, the Feast Day of Blessed John Henry Newman, patron of Catholic Campus Ministry in the United States, the USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education issued a report highlighting the key findings from the National Study on Catholic Campus Ministry. The Secretariat commissioned the study seeking to advance Catholic identity in higher education and to …
August 23, 2018 WASHINGTON—To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first and only World Youth Day (WYD) in the United States (in Denver, Colorado, in August 1993), the official World Youth Day Cross and Marian Icon will make a five-city tour across the United States in August 2018. From August 19 to 27, the WYD …
Continue reading “World Youth Day Cross Now on Historic Tour of U.S.”
Volunteers, including new president, help make the move-in process easy ST, LEO, FL – Home sweet home: More than 700 new students moved to Saint Leo University’s main campus on Thursday, August 16. They were welcomed by orientation leaders, faculty, staff, administration, student-athletes, and coaches. As a car loaded with back-to-school gear would pull …
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Pope Francis has ratified the members elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to represent the United States at the upcoming XV Ordinary General Assembly: Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. The Synod will take place October 3-28. The delegates are: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, President of the United …
Apostles of the Eucharist Young Adult group is hosting our 3rd annual retreat from July 20 – July 21 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa. Young adults ages 18 – 25 are invited to an amazing weekend to grow in their faith, foster new friendships and take time away from hectic schedules to relax …
Continue reading ““Mounting the Summit” Young Adult Retreat will be held July 20-21″
Have you ever considered participating in a pilgrimage with other young adults and Pope Francis to a World Youth Day? World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from around the world to celebrate the love of Christ for humanity. WYD is a powerful opportunity to gather with over 1 million young people from around …
Theology on Tap is a gathering of young adults where they come together to socialize, collaborate, pray, and grow in their spiritual understanding. We offer Theology on Tap in three locations: St Petersburg, Tampa, and Spring Hill. Dates and Locations East Hillsborough (Tampa area) Theology on Tap meets the 4th Thursday at 7 pm at …