Vol. 35: No. 11 ~ March 17, 2020
Official Announcement
Office of the Bishop

Below is a link to the letter distributed by Bishop Gregory Parkes on Friday, March 13, 2020, regarding a dispensation for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg from Universal Ecclesiastical Laws. 

Click here to view the letter.  (View  Spanish version here .)

Find the latest updates on the response to the Coronavirus (COVID19), prayer resources and other information by visiting our page at this link.
Office of Catholic Schools and Centers

Schools Closure
After prayerful consideration, Bishop Parkes has directed that all Catholic school and Early Childhood center buildings will be closed to students from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, 2020. More information at this link .
Office of the Chancellor

Event Cancellations
In response to increased concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic, numerous events around the Diocese have been canceled or postponed. We will post the information in the diocesan website as soon as we receive notification. The updates below have also been included under the Bulletin Announcements section:

POSTPONED ~ God’s GIFT* Special Mass
Due to concerns over the COVID-19, the God’s GIFT Mass that was to be held at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on March 22, 2020 at 11:30 AM will be postponed. If you have any questions or require assistance, please call Tracy Capella in the Parish Office, 727-347-9702.
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POSPUESTOS ~ Talleres para el “Desarrollo de la competencia intercultural de los ministros” (BICM, siglas en inglés)
Para salvaguardar el bienestar de nuestros feligreses, estudiantes y empleados y de apoyar a los funcionarios de la salud pública en su labor para reducir la propagación del nuevo coronavirus, los dos talleres de BICM pautados a celebrarse el 24 y 28 de marzo, 2020 en las parroquias de Our Lady Queen of Peace y St. Joseph en Tampa, han sido pospuestos hasta que se determinen nuevas fechas.  Los participantes inscritos recibirán más información por correo electrónico.

POSTPONED ~ Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM) Workshops 
To safeguard the well-being of our parishioners, students and employees and to support public health officials as they work to contain the novel Coronavirus, the two BICM workshops scheduled for March 24 th and March 28 th , 2020 at Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Joseph Tampa parishes have been postponed until new dates are determined. Registered participants will be contacted via email with additional information.

CANCELADA ~ 3a Conferencia Anual Hispana para Hombres
Para salvaguardar el bienestar de nuestros feligreses, estudiantes y empleados y de apoyar a los funcionarios de la salud pública en su labor para reducir la propagación del nuevo coronavirus, el comité planificador y Suncoast Catholic Ministries ha cancelado la Conferencia Hispana para Hombres pautada para el sábado, 18 de abril, 2020 en la parroquia de Nativity en Brandon. Todo boleto comprado será reembolsado y mayor información será enviada a los participantes.

CANCELED ~ 3rd Annual Hispanic Men’s Conference
To safeguard the well-being of our parishioners, students and employees and to support public health officials as they work to contain the novel coronavirus, the Hispanic Men’s Conference scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon has been canceled. Monies collected from ticket sales will be reimbursed in full and more information will be provided to registered participants.

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CANCELED ~ Altar Server Mass
We are cancelling the annual Altar Server Mass scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2020.

We still ask that you submit your information online and we will be issuing the certificates of recognition and the altar server of the year certificates. 

Also, please submit the RSVP form (if you haven’t already) just completing the top portion with the parish information. This will give us up to date contact information for the parishes. The deadline for submission has been extended to Friday, March 20, 2020.

Please see communication from the Vocations Office with instructions on how the certificates will be distributed at this link . If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Varley at hlv@dosp.org or (727) 345-3452.
Office of Communications

United in Christ
As we face challenges and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are leaning more on our faith and trusting in the Lord Jesus to be our protection and guide. While we are separated by quarantines, self-isolation and social distancing, Pope Francis reminds us that, united in Christ, we are never alone. To help all of the faithful remain rooted in faith during this time, we offer the following resources to you:


Also, please join us beginning Friday, March 20th, for a nine-day Novena to pray for all who are affected, for all who are sick and suffering, for all those who work in the medical profession, and for those who have died as well as for their grieving family members.  During this novena we will be asking the intercession of saints who lived during the time of the plague as well as Mary, Undoer of Knots. To access the novena prayer, click here .
For the Faithful Departed
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers:




May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God rest in peace!
Bulletin Announcements
View current information that can be included in parish bulletins here .

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

For updates on Courageously Living the Gospel , click here .
Important Links
Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris
Vicar General
Diocese of St. Petersburg
727-344-1611