The flowers displayed in our sanctuary for the Easter Season have been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names are listed on the following pages. Click here for a complete list of names and tributes.
Category Archives: Parish News
Being a Parish
The weekly bulletin and this column are a good thing. I enjoy writing; I enjoy the process of thinking about what I want to write, starting to write, and then sometimes watching the column take on a new direction of thought. Now and again by inspiration or necessity, I might write a whole month of columns or more at a go. Late in the month of February, I had produced pastor columns for the first weekend in March (First Sunday in Lent) all the way through and including Easter Sunday. Check that off the “to-do list.” Then life changed as the world declared a pandemic, the churches closed, and the world found out it was a lot safer to be at home. Some columns did not need to be redone: Unmasking (March 15) and the two columns on “Habits of the Heart” (March 22 and 29). When I made the decision to stay with them and not rewrite them in the light of these pandemic days, I thought that they were still appropriate to the moment at hand. In looking at the columns again this morning, it was a good decision. Continue reading Being a Parish
Being Community & Ministry in the Time of a Pandemic
It is so wonderful to see our ministries working to continue to be prayerful and be there for each other during this time of being Safer At Home. See how some of our ministries are coming together and staying connected.
Our Rosary Devotional Group is a group of parishioners who enjoy opening themselves up to God by praying the Rosary. Each month, they meditate on one of the mysteries – Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, or Glorious, and members have the opportunity to make prayer requests on behalf of those in need. Last Saturday was their usual meeting date and they did not allow the Safer At Home rules to keep them from meeting. They all met on Zoom and those who didn’t have a computer, called in.
Our Knights of Columbus participate in many projects within our community and within our parish. Their latest project was to assist in collecting food for Hillsborough Hope. Last week, we shared with our parishioners how we are working with Catholic Charities to help feed those residing at Hillsborough Hope, a small city of tents for some of the homeless in our community. We asked for your help and as always, you went above and beyond our expectations in helping those less fortunate. You donated enough food for many weeks. Every Sunday, we will bring 110 bagged breakfasts for those living at Hillsborough Hope. This past Sunday our Knights of Columbus handled the collection and distribution to Hillsborough Hope but some of our other ministries will also be assisting in future weeks. For more information about Hillsborough Hope and some great photos, go here.
Our Open Doors ministry welcomes LGBTQ people of faith to explore their spirituality and share their experience, strength, and hope with one another. In addition to service projects, they gather once a month for prayer and reflection. Next Monday, April 13th, they will be having a virtual “zoom” meeting. Email opendoors.sacredheartfla@gmail.com for information on how to join the meeting.
Sacred Heart Supports Hillsborough Hope
In a previous post we announced that Sacred Heart and the parish Knights of Columbus had answered the call from Catholic Charities to support the Hillsborough Hope initiative. Palm Sunday morning, Grand Knight Walt Pjetraj delivered 110 breakfast meals to the people of the encampment. How did this all come together?
Late in the week, Fr. George was contacted by Catholic Charities to see if we would be willing to commit to providing one breakfast a week to the residents of Hillsborough Hope. Fr George responded “absolutely — how many, when and where”…. and then immediately reached out to several ministries to garner support. The Knights, 90 members strong, agreed to take on the task to supply the Palm Sunday breakfast. Friday, they acquired enough for the first week and delivered it to the parish office. Later on Friday we put out the call to the parish: Palm Sunday, Hillsborough Hope and You. Saturday afternoon a small team of Knights came to the parish hall to assemble the 110 breakfast meals. Continue reading Sacred Heart Supports Hillsborough Hope
Mass: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
With the announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded Mass celebrating Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Watch now and celebrate with us.
Palm Sunday, Hillsborough Hope and You
In preparation to celebrate Palm Sunday, you are invited to stop by Sacred Heart and pick up blessed palms, the day before Palm Sunday, Saturday, April 4th. Also, during this pandemic, we can’t forget about those less fortunate than ourselves. We are working with Catholic Charities to help feed the homeless in our community (read below for more details) and hope you can help us.
How can you help? Simply bring one of the needed items listed below when you pick up your palms on
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- Saturday, April 4th, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, at the Parish Hall (corner of E. Twiggs St. and N. Marion St.).
- Receive blessed palm fronds from one of the friars (as you stay in your vehicle) and they will collect your donations.
- And don’t forget to join us on Sunday for our Online Mass!
Sacred Heart has agreed to provide breakfast for one morning a week for the immediate future. Items most in need to offer this breakfast include:
- Box of individual drink products (fruit juice, Capri Sun)
- Box of individual breakfast bars
- Box of individual granola bars
- Box of individual fruit cups
- Box of individual fruit packs
- Box of individual snack crackers
- Box of individual packs of Pop Tarts
- Box of Ensure
- Container of Lysol wipes
*To note: Please do not bring fresh fruit, perishable items, or items that require refrigeration.
Mass: 5th Sunday of Lent
With the announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded Mass celebrating the 5th Sunday of Lent. Watch now and celebrate with us.
Mass: 4th Sunday of Lent
With the recent announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded our very first online Mass celebrating the 4th Sunday of Lent. Watch now and celebrate with us.
Quick Links:
Celebration of Mass at Sacred Heart Suspended Until Further Notice
Effective immediately, and out of an abundance of caution for the spread of the COVID-19 virus, per the direction of Bishop Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings have been suspended until further notice.
Sacred Heart Church will remain open for private prayer so that the faithful may be present to Our Lord who is fully present in the Tabernacle, however, protocol for social distancing must be observed.
The church will be open weekdays, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, will be closed on Saturdays, and open on Sundays, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Additional Considerations:
– The suspension of Masses and parish activity includes the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Baptism (except in emergency situations).
– In regards to weddings and funerals, pastoral discretion to celebrate is permitted, but participation must be limited. Please consult with one of the Friar priests for details and direction.
– Confession will not be regularly offered as per normal during weekdays and on Saturdays. Individual confessions may be heard at the discretion of the friar priests and with the proper care taken to prevent the spread of this virus.
Coronavirus News & Updates for Our Parish
In an effort to provide our parishioners with the most up-to-date information regarding how coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting our parish, we’ve assembled all of the latest news and information we have in one centralized location on our website. Please visit the link below frequently for additional updates.
