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Vol. 39: No. 38 ~ November 12, 2024

Official Announcements

Office of the Chancellor for Administration


Pastoral Plan Launch Underway! 

Thanks to those who have published the bulletin insert and introduced the Bishop’s video on the new diocesan Pastoral Plan within your parishes. So far, we have received wonderful feedback from your parishioners. If you have not yet done so, please consider publishing the insert in your parish bulletin, as well as showing the Bishop’s Video on Courageously Living the Gospel: A Call to Conversion to your parishioners, prior to the start of the new year. Both the bulletin insert and video are available at CallToConversion.org under the “Resources” section.

Office of Worship


Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 9, 2024 – A Holy Day of Obligation

Last month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops received a response to an inquiry about whether the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be observed as a holy day of obligation, even though it will be moved to Monday, December 9th this year, since December 8th falls on a Sunday and will be observed as the Second Sunday of Advent.


In response to the inquiry, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Legislative Texts clarified that even though the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is being transferred to Monday, December 9th, it must still be observed as a day of obligation, and the Catholic faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on that day, unless excused for a serious reason. To read the full text of the response, please click here.



OCIA Updates, Upcoming Workshop, and Helpful Information

The new text for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) has been published and is available for purchase by pastors and parish staff. The text may be used as early as the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024, and its mandatory use begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.


To assist parish teams in their implementation of the new OCIA text, an OCIA Presentation and Workshop Day will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. The main presenter will be Rita Thiron, Executive Director of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. More details will be forthcoming.


Also, Liturgy Training Publications has made available a series of Frequently Asked Questions, along with links to register for upcoming “Digital Institutes” for OCIA Coordinators and others who wish to learn more about the new text. To access these resources, click here.

Ministries Updates

Office of the Vicar for Religious


Retirement Fund for Religious Collection, December 7-8, 2024

Donations to this collection, will provide for the essential care, medicine, and daily needs of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who have served for decades—usually for little to no pay. Show your appreciation by supporting those who have given a lifetime. Donate to help the more than 24,000 senior religious who have dedicated their lives to service retire with dignity. Thanks to your generosity, the Diocese of St. Petersburg raised over $203,675.00 during its 2023 collection, and we look forward to your kind support again this year!


Bulletin announcement samples in English and Spanish are included in the Bulletin Announcements section below.

Office of Intercultural Ministries


First National Marian Society Unity Conference

You are invited to the 1st National Marian Society Convention and 4th Annual One Mother, One Family Retreat beginning on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 4:00 pm at Mary Help of Christians Center (Gym), 6400 E. Chelsea St., Tampa. The theme this year is the repeated message the Blessed Mother has given, that, in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph. We aim to unite Our Blessed Mother’s children in prayer and purpose under her mighty hope and protection. Most Reverend William Avenya, Bishop of Gboko, Nigeria, will preside at the opening Mass followed by an international Marian Rosary procession, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Bishop Gregory Parkes will preside at the closing Mass on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at noon. 


For more information, please visit our site at https://mariansociety.org/, or email: ICMSRosaries@gmail.com or call Tina VerPault at 813-417-9720.

Bulletin Announcements

View current information that can be included in parish bulletins here.



Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

GulfCoastCatholic.org is a news website to help Catholics know, live and share the faith. You’ll find articles that inform and, hopefully, inspire
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Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris
Vicar General
Diocese of St. Petersburg
727-344-1611 
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