Vol. 33: No. 35 ~ October 15, 2018
Official Announcements
Office of the Bishop

Special Collection for Disaster Relief Funds
Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking all parishes and missions of the Diocese of St. Petersburg to hold a special collection on the weekend of October 20-21 or October 27-28 for the needs of people affected by natural disasters. Please be assured that 100% of these disaster relief funds will benefit people affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Michael.
Family Faith Fest

Parish Group Volunteers Needed
The Family Faith Fest Committee is searching for parishes willing to volunteer as an organized group in these key areas:
 
  • Eucharistic Exposition and Rosary – groups of 5-8 dedicated parishioners needed every ½ hour to participate in Exposition and the Rosary in the appointed areas in Faith Village.
  • Midway Carnival Games – groups of 12 parishioners to work in pairs and “Man the Midway” in Kids Kingdom by offering tips, rules, setup and just general fun.
 
If your parish is interested in committing to one or more of these group volunteer options, please contact Meegan Wright at mlw@dosp.org on or before Monday, October 22 nd
Ministry Updates
Multicultural Office

First Diocesan African Mass
We are pleased to announce the celebration of the first Diocesan African Mass on November 4, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Come and experience the celebration of the Catholic liturgy in African ethnic languages and cultures. For more information, please contact Celina Okpaleke at 941-730-9765.

For a flyer for the event, please click the following link .
Open House - Secular Discalced Carmelites Community
Our Lady of Victory Community in Tampa is one of three canonically established secular communities of the Discalced Carmelite Order in our Diocese. We are hosting an open house at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Tampa, on Saturday, October 20, 2018. following the 8:30 a.m. Mass for those wishing to learn more the vocation to the secular order and about contemplative Carmelite spirituality.

For more information, please contact Amedeo Colucci, formation director, at 954-778-2101 or amedeocoj@gmail.com .
News
Congratulations to Father Arthur J. Proulx
Congratulations to Father Proulx, pastor of the Cathedral Parish of St. Jude the Apostle, w ho received the St. Vincent de Paul Award on October 12 at the Seminary in Boynton Beach! He was recognized for his exemplary ministry as a priest, and his dedication to Seminary formation. The Saint Vincent de Paul Award is presented to a member of the clergy in recognition for the witness of his life as a pastor and spiritual director; a living testimony to the priesthood and to St. Vincent de Paul. 
Encounter a Saint on Nov. 2
Venerate the Relics of Padre Pio
Bishop Parkes Will Celebrate Mass
For the first time ever, six relics of St. Pio are being displayed in dioceses across the U.S. The relics of this modern-day saint, who is beloved around the world, will be at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg, for one day only, Friday, November 2, All Souls’ Day. Read more.
Saints Risk All for Love of Jesus, Pope Says at Canonization Mass
Pope Francis celebrated the canonization Mass for seven new saints in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 14. Carrying Pope Paul VI's pastoral staff and wearing the blood-stained belt of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, Pope Francis formally recognized them, and five others, as saints of the Catholic Church. Read more .
Do you know where the candidates stand? Be Informed
Casting your vote responsibly requires you to be informed. That’s why each election cycle, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) conducts the Candidate Questionnaire Project in an effort to assist Catholics and the broader community with the obligation to become informed voters. Click here for parish bulletin announcements and candidate responses .
National Study on Catholic Campus Ministry Calls for Innovative Growth, Cooperation and On-Going Formation
The USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education has 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 rejuvenate the vision of Catholic campus ministry nationally. Read more.
The video below highlights that we are all one family of God's children and invites each of you to be part of the Family Faith Fest on Saturday, October 27, at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Click below or here to watch the video.

For updates on Courageously Living the Gospe l, click here .
For the Faithful Departed
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers:

-- Mr. Arthur W. Gibbons, brother of Monsignor Robert Gibbons , Pastor of St. Paul
Parish, St. Petersburg.

Click here for more information.
Bulletin Announcements
View current information that can be included in parish bulletins here .
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Important Links
Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris
Vicar General
Diocese of St. Petersburg
727-344-1611