Vol. 36: No. 07 ~ February 16, 2021
Official Announcement
Office of the Bishop

A Time of Conversion – A Lenten Message from Bishop Gregory Parkes
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical season of Lent, a time of preparation for the holiest day of the Church calendar, Easter Sunday. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes to be reminded of our mortality, and that our time in this world is passing. During Lent, we Catholics are reminded to turn away from faithless ways and to be renewed in our faith. Many Catholics attend church on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross as an external sign of this inner reality. This may look a little different during the pandemic. In this video, Bishop Gregory Parkes explains what Catholics can expect at church this Ash Wednesday.

Click on the following links for the text of the message in English and in Spanish.
Ministries Updates
Office of Communications

Pinellas Hope Check Presentation Ceremony
On Friday, February 12, 2021, Bishop Gregory Parkes and Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch presented a $25,000 check to Pinellas Hope of Catholic Charities to benefit the homeless community there. This check was made possible by generous gifts made in honor of the silver anniversary of Bishop Emeritus Lynch’s episcopal ordination. The ceremony was covered by Bay News 9 and Fox 13. Thank you to all who contributed to this special gift to Pinellas Hope! To view the video, click here. To view photos, click here.
Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy

CRS Rice Bowl 2021
This year’s Lenten Stories of Hope invite us to journey with communities in Madagascar, El Salvador, and Timor-Leste. Resources (https://www.crsricebowl.org/resources) are available in both English and Spanish for parish ministries, classrooms for grades 1-8, and high school youth. Tools for virtual engagement include online events. Our diocese retains 25% of CRS Rice Bowl funds collected to fund local mini-grants for poverty and hunger alleviation projects. Please contact Megan Buckler if you need Rice Bowls or have any questions.
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