Vol. 38: No. 30 ~ September 11, 2023

Office of the Bishop

Bishop Gregory Parkes Provides $100,000 to Catholic Charities for Hurricane Relief

On September 6, 2023, Bishop Gregory Parkes presented Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg with a donation of $100,000 to help with local needs for those impacted by Hurricane Idalia. This was made possible by donations to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund. “There are those in our Diocese who have been affected greatly, especially in Citrus County. As a result, there are many of the faithful, as well as those who are not Catholic, that live up there who are in need,” said Bishop Parkes during the check presentation ceremony at the Pastoral Center.

Office of the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs

Eucharistic Healing Retreat

In June, Elisheba House sponsored a Eucharistic Healing Retreat for adults, which sold out quickly. Due to the event’s popularity, a second retreat is being offered from October 20-21, 2023, at the Hampton Inn, in Trinity. A flyer advertising the event may be found at this link, and those interested may register by going to this page.



If you have questions, please contact Ivonne Hernandez, at (813) 335-2163 or email. 

Office of Human Resources

New Appointments in Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Mulson as the new Director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Melissa has been part of the Missionary Discipleship team, where she served as Regional Associate Director and then transitioned to interim Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Previous to her work at the Pastoral Center, Melissa served in Youth Ministry for ten years in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. 



The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has also expanded to include an Associate Director of Pastoral Juvenil. Mr. Alfredo Columbie Martinez joins our diocesan staff with years of experience in Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Alfredo will help build up our Hispanic youth and young adult communities. He is fully bilingual and is available as a resource to your parish. Melissa and Alfredo are joined by Mr. Brendan de Padua, who continues to serve the Diocese as Associate Director for Young Adult Ministry. For more information on this office, please go to https://www.dosp.org/young-church/. 

Office of Communications

Help Us Reach 1,000

Gulf Coast Catholic is now on Instagram! Will you help us reach our goal of 1,000 followers? You will have access to more videos and bonus content, such as this Friday’s Instagram Takeover by Caleb Malec, a seminarian from St. Stephen Parish in Riverview. Get to know Caleb and see what he will be sharing on Friday, September 15th.

Follow us today @GulfCoastCatholic on Instagram.

Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry

Save Lives through the Power of Prayer

The 40 Days for Life campaign aims to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day prayer vigil in front of abortion clinics. Will you sign up to pray for one day or multiple days? The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold prayer vigils at three different locations in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Our goal is to save lives and to have a large, peaceful, and prayerful presence outside of these three abortion facilities. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.dosp.org/life/40-days-for-life or contact Jill Ricardo, our diocesan 40 Days for Life Coordinator at jricardo@dosp.org.

Office of Marriage and Family Life Ministry 

Together in Holiness Conference

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is partnering with the St. John Paul II Foundation to sponsor a special event for married couples. “Together in Holiness,” a marriage conference that inspires spouses and empowers parents, will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg. This conference includes dynamic presentations, childcare, Mass, Adoration, Confession, and more! Couples are encouraged to save the date now to participate!

To learn more, contact cameron@forlifeandfamily.org.

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

• Mark Waggoner, twin brother of Mary Jo Waggoner, Director of Faith Formation at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Spring Hill

• Rev. Salim Joseph, OFM, former Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa



May their souls 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.