All posts by Lynda Marsh

Save the Date – Diocesan Family Faith Fest

Parish News

Have you seen our recent bulletin announcements about the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Family Faith Fest? On Saturday, October 27th at Al Lopez Park, it’s the first event of its kind sponsored by the Diocese and will have live music, food, exhibits, activities for children and teens, the celebration of Mass, shopping, health displays, and much more.

This Family Faith Fest will bring together thousands of people from across Tampa Bay and West Central Florida, both families and adults of all ages. Mark your calendars and join us from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. By joining together as one Body of Christ, we can all grow in faith and grow in unity!

TICKET INFORMATION:  The event is free, but registration is recommended to accommodate for parking and other amenities. Register for your tickets here.

OUTREACH: Fest-goers are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the hungry and homeless of our community.

For more information, visit www.FamilyFaithFest.org.

Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life

JPIC, Parish News,

Beginning Friday, August 3rd and continuing each Friday through September 28th,  Bishop Parkes and all U.S. bishops urge participation from all the faithful in a nationwide novena, with prayer and fasting, in the hope of legislative change resulting in the protection of all human life.  Certainly the confirmation hearings for the new Supreme Court Justice will bring the dialogue to a national level.

Will you be part of a powerful prayer movement? Individuals are urged to sign up for the Novena as part of the USCCB Call to Prayer. Those who sign up will receive weekly email or text message reminders to pray and fast along with a fact about Roe v Wade to share with others. In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants are encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intention of the novena.

Stop Family Separation

JPIC, Parish News

A Statement from Bishop Gregory L. Parkes
The ongoing practice of separating children from their parents has already, as of May, left nearly 2000 children separated from their parents.  As Bishop Parkes reminds us, as a nation and people of faith, we can and must do better.

FIVE WAYS TO HELP STOP FAMILY SEPARATION
  1. Pray: You can find a prayer for migrant children here. On Wednesday, June 20th, 2018, at 8:00 p.m., we will show our solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters by praying together during a special Mass followed by a prayer service at San Jose Mission in Dover. We invite all to attend. If you cannot join us in person, please join us spiritually in prayer. Remember, we are called to live courageously by standing up for ALL vulnerable populations – the unborn, the disabled, the elderly, the imprisoned, the immigrant, and the refugee.
  2. Speak Up: Sign our Action Alert and share with your networks. Also consider contacting your senators and representative directly by phone to voice your concern. You can find the number for your representative here and your senators here.
  3. Take Action: Contact your local Catholic Charities affiliate to learn about their material/volunteer needs, consider fostering an unaccompanied child, or join the Share the Journey global solidarity campaign with migrants and refugees.
  4. Give: Support agencies that are helping families and children impacted by the crisis. (100% of your donation will go to the 21 Catholic Charities agencies assisting unaccompanied children.)
  5. Learn More: To learn more about Family Separation, visit the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) ”Family Separation Webpage” to review backgrounders, educational material, and a webinar.

Info adapted from Catholic Charities USA’s website.