DIOCESAN OFFICES

Did You Know?
Internet Filter Software Is No Substitute for Parental Monitoring
There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate for children. Parents can use filtering software to protect children from that material, but filters do not guarantee that children will not be exposed; a filter will never be a substitute for parents’ presence.

Monitor your child’s online behavior. Keep your family computer in a highly visible, common area, like the family room or the kitchen. Ask your children to show you what sites they go to, and be open and willing to discuss the inappropriate material they might come across.

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

Source: www.netsmartz.org. 

From the Office of Vocations

Buccaneers Watch Party
Men ages 16 and older, are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes, Fr. Chuck Dornquast , seminarians and other priests as they watch the Buccaneers game on Sunday, December 17th at the Pastoral Center, 6363 9th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. There will be dinner, fellowship, and games.  Follow this link to register:  https://dospvocations.org/events/buccaneers-watch-party/.

Advent Adventure Day for Discerners 
On December 20^th, men ages 16 and older are invited to join Fr. Chuck Dornquast and the Diocese of St. Petersburg seminarians for a day of prayer, adventure, and fellowship at Fort De Soto Park.   We will end with the Abundance Holy Hour and dinner with Bishop Gregory Parkes at the Nazareth House.  If you are not available for the full day you may attend just the Holy Hour and Dinner.  Visit the following link to register and for more information on the event:  https://dospvocations.org/events/advent-adventure-day/.

“Unwrap the Spirit” with Bishop Parkes
Bishop Parkes invites all to participate in “Unwrap the Spirit” in preparation for the greatest gift of all time: the birth of Christ. “Unwrap the Spirit” involves a commitment of prayer, penance and sacrifice, and can be done individually, with a group of friends, with the whole family or with entire parish communities. Parishes are invited to promote “Unwrap the Spirit” on their website, blogs and social media.

Visit this link: dosp.org/unwrap-the-spirit/ to access the resource page with downloadable graphics and content. Parishes are asked to view the Advent penance service information listed on the link to make sure it is correct. For those parishes that are not already listed but still wish to participate, please email Advent penance service dates/times to bdehaan@dosp.org.

The season of Advent began this past weekend. Visit the previously linked webpage to learn more and to decide how you will “Unwrap the Spirit” of Advent this year!

A New Way to Pray This Advent!

Prepare for the birth of Jesus by reflecting on your faith journey with short inspirational messages sent to you each day via email or text! These messages are written by local Catholics who are eager to share their faith with you!  

To sign up, visit BeCourageousEachDay.org or text REFLECTION to 84576.

Promotional graphic at this link.

Office of Young Adult Ministry

Wonder, 6th Annual Tampa Bay Young Adult Retreat
Join us on February 10, 2024 as we seek a deeper sense of Wonder in the infinite and everlasting God.

The retreat will be hosted at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd N.E. in St. Pete. It will include morning hospitality, lunch and dinner. We will have captivating speakers, worship, Sacramental opportunities and plenty of time for fellowship. Join young adults from around Florida for a day of faith.

Tampa Bay Young Adult Retreat
St. Raphael’s Catholic Church
$50 / $40 (for registrations before 12/22)
For more details and to register,  please visit:  cyastpete.com.

Promotional graphics here:  https://tinyurl.com/52txtwzf.

Registration Now Open for Diocesan Marriage Conference to be Held on March 16, 2024
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is partnering with the St. John Paul II Foundation to sponsor a special event for married couples titled, Together in Holiness. This conference is designed to strengthen marriages and includes dynamic presentations, childcare, Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, and more.  Couples will learn the Seven Habits of a Healthy Marriage. This event will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. To register, visit forlifeandfamily.org/events/th24-spfl.

Promotional graphics at these links:  bulletin- https://tinyurl.com/22spx8mx  and social media- https://tinyurl.com/5ehmsbzz.

Housekeeper Position for Diocesan Properties
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has an open position for a housekeeper to be in service at the Bishop’s residence as well as other diocesan properties.  Among other responsibilities, the housekeeper is responsible for household shopping and must be able to perform heavy household cleaning and lifting. This position is a 6-hour daily position, Monday through Friday.

For more details on this position, please visit this link:  https://tinyurl.com/bdhu4nf4.

PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS

Take a step back in time this Christmas at Sacred Heart Parish
Join the Docents of Sacred Heart Parish, 509 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, on Tuesday, December 26th at 3:00 p.m. for an historic Christmas tour of our church.  Decorated splendidly for the Christmas season, including the historic “creche”, the tour of the church will include multiple stations featuring our docents, in period dress, and special guests explaining extraordinary features of the church including:

 — the motivation behind the significant donation of the altar and altar rail;
— unique architecture and design elements;
— original relics that were obtained for the dedication of the church in 1905;
— memorial stained-glass windows; and
— renovations to improve and sustain our church.

 Learn about these and so many more interesting aspects of this ecclesiastical jewel of downtown Tampa.  As always, docent-led lecture and tours are free, and open to the public.  A reception with light refreshments will follow the tour in St. Francis Hall.

Donations are gratefully accepted and used to continue the renovation and restoration of the church.  For updates or additional information, visit shfla.org/christmas.

Catholics Can Receive a Plenary Indulgence by Praying before a Nativity Scene
This year, Catholics will be able to receive a plenary indulgence from December 8th, 2023, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to February 2, 2024, the feast of the Presentation in the Temple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by praying before a Nativity scene in a church entrusted to the care of Franciscan priests and brothers.  Three parishes administered by Franciscan Friars within our Diocese, are Sacred Heart, Tampa; St. Patrick, Tampa; and St. Mary Our Lady of Grace, St. Petersburg.  More details on plenary indulgences and a schedule of dates and times for visitors may be found in the November 30, 2023 Gulf Coast Catholic story at this link:  https://tinyurl.com/49uhdzk7.

Information on additional events offered by Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa may be found on this document:  https://tinyurl.com/ymr3bh4c.

Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild’s Annual Red Mass
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, (509 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa)
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

A reception* at the Tampa Club (101 E. Kennedy Blvd.) will follow the Mass for Guild members and all in attendance with the opportunity to renew your membership or become a new member of The Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild. Please RSVP for the reception to: clgtampabay@gmail.com

Fr. Tim Corcoran will be our guest speaker.

*Sponsored by Anthony and Partners.

Flyer at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p8w8hh8.

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.