Vol. 41: No. 27 ~ August 17, 2026

Office of the Bishop

Clergy changes

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following

APPOINTMENT

Upon presentation by Very Reverend Augustine (Gus) Wall, S.V.D., Provincial Superior, Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province of St. Augustine, Reverend Michael Long Vu, S.V.D., to Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, effective September 1, 2026.



RELIEVING

Reverend Pedro Zapata, from Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, effective July 26, 2026. Father Zapata has been granted a leave of absence in order to return to his family in Colombia.

Office of Diocesan Communications and Information

The Pastoral Bulletin Is Getting a New Look!

Starting August 31, 2026, the Pastoral Bulletin will move from Constant Contact to Flocknote. You’ll still receive the weekly updates, resources and information you need to stay connected with the Diocese, just in a new format.

What do you need to do? Nothing! Just keep an eye on your inbox for the new Pastoral Bulletin beginning August 31.

Office of Missionary Discipleship

Your voice matters!



As the Church marks the 10th anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Leo XIV is inviting bishops from around the world to gather at the Vatican to reflect on the joys and challenges facing families today. Before that meeting, the U.S. bishops want to hear from you. Your experiences and insights will help inform the conversations our bishops bring to the Vatican.

Join one of our diocesan Listening Sessions and share your perspective on:

• Families in all stages
• Young adults, dating, and marriage
• Married life
• Difficulties of life
• Families and the Church's mission

Event flyer linked here.

Choose the session that works best for you:

• August 22 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin (English) | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
• August 22 – St. Patrick, Tampa (Spanish) | 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Lunch: $10)
• August 26 – Virtual (English & Spanish) | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
• August 29 – Christ the King, Tampa (English) | 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Childcare available while space lasts. Must pre-register.)

Register and learn more at www.dosp.org/listening-sessions.

Help Us Spread the Word



Parish staff, please help us invite parishioners to participate in these important listening sessions. A communications toolkit with ready-to-use graphics and text for parish bulletins, announcements, Mass slides, websites, social media, and ministry communications is available at the link below.

Thank you for helping us share this opportunity with your parish community!

Pastoral Center Staff Feature

This week, we are excited to spotlight Emeline McKeown, our Director of Annual Appeals. Emeline joined the Diocese staff earlier this year. She oversees programs such as the Catholic Ministry Appeal and Mater Dei Giving Society. To help everyone get to know her a little better, we asked Emeline to share some insights about her work and life.

View her bio.

And check out the article about her we recently shared on GulfCoastCatholic.org. 

Office of the Safe Environment Program

 

Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse

The sixth annual Mass of Healing will be held for those who seek spiritual healing from abuse in all forms, including sexual, physical, or emotional, and for those who wish to pray for victims/survivors of abuse, their family, and friends. The Mass will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg. Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, will be the main celebrant. The community is invited to participate.

During the Mass, those harmed by abuse are invited to call upon Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for comfort, peace, and healing. Opportunities for prayer with a priest or conversation with our Victim Assistance Coordinator, John Lambert, L.C.S.W., will be available following the Mass.

The Mass of Healing for Survivors of Abuse will be livestreamed at these links: dosp.org/livestream, Youtube.com/DioceseofStPete, and Facebook.com/DioStPete

Marriage and Family Life Office

St Gianna Center Education Program in Natural Family Planning, Creighton Model

St Gianna Center is looking for new FertilityCare Practitioners to teach the Creighton Model System (CrMS), a Natural Family Planning & Fertility Appreciation system. A 13-month program, the next class begins Saturday, November 7th at Most Holy Name of Jesus, Gulfport. Become an FertilityCare Practitioner and help women learn an approach to women’s reproductive healthcare that is safe from side effects, life-affirming, cost-effective, and clinically proven. Assist couples struggling with infertility and women with challenging cycles. Scholarships available.

Contact Becky at 813-421-4625.

Development Office

2027 Catholic Ministry Appeal Key Dates

The diocesan Development Office has included a list of key dates in preparation for the 2027 Catholic Ministry Appeal, which you may have already received directly from them. You can find an additional copy at this link . Please share with your parish’s business manager, if you have not already received this information.

If you have questions, please contact Emeline McKeown, Director of Annual Appeals: (727) 344-1611, ext. 5338 or emckeown@dosp.org. 

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers:

• Mrs. Felicitas Gutierrez, mother of Reverend Cristobal Padilla, M. Afr., a priest in residence with the Missionaries of Africa in St. Petersburg



• Mrs. Henri Plourde, mother of Peter and John (deceased 2020) Plourde, former priests of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, and of Joy Stephen, wife of Deacon Bill Stephen, St. Paul Parish, Tampa.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed

by the mercy of God, rest in peace!

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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• Employment Opportunities