Below is the 2023 archive of Take Five, Conversations on Faith and Life. This program, hosted by Bishop Gregory Parkes, features interesting guests from around Florida and around the country. The segments, no longer in production, are about five minutes in length and are designed to easily fit into people’s busy schedules.

Click here to view Episode #27, Bishop Parkes speaks with Arleen Spenceley, national speaker and author. They discuss the virtue of chastity and why it is important to live that virtue in our lives.

Click here to view Episode #26, Bishop Parkes spent time with Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch recently to discuss Catholic Relief Services and the variety of ways that the Catholic Church is ministering to people around the world who are facing tragedies such as weather-related disasters, extreme poverty and hunger.

Click here to view Episode #24, Bishop Parkes had a great five-minute conversation with Deacon Christian Galvan who will soon be ordained a priest in our Diocese. They talk about how God called him to his vocation and what he is looking forward to most once he is ordained.

Click here to view Episode #23, Bishop Parkes speaks with Father Ralph D’Elia about his unique role as Priest Secretary and Master of Ceremonies. What does that actually mean? The conversation sheds light on the nature of his job and provides insight on what goes on behind the scenes.

Click here to view Episode #22, Bishop Parkes recently spoke with one of our priests who is a refugee from Vietnam. He has an inspiring story of overcoming persecution and imprisonment before entering the seminary. Here is the conversation with Father Viet Nguyen of Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Parish in St. Petersburg. #courageouslyliving

Click here to view Episode #21, Bishop Parkes speaks with John Lambert, Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, about his ministry to help victims of abuse find healing and peace. To learn more about our efforts to create a safe environment for all, review our website’s Safe Environment section at www.dosp.org/safe-environment.

Click here to view Episode #20, Bishop Parkes speaks with Alicia Goodwin, Director of the House of Prayer in Clearwater and the Marian Servants of Our Lady of Divine Providence, a ministry that helps people find healing and purpose in Jesus Christ.

Click here to view Episode #19, Bishop Parkes spoke with Ross Bubolz recently. He is is a devoted husband and father of nine children as well as principal of St. Petersburg Catholic High. They discussed how Catholic schools are meeting the needs of students today and how his school is growing enrollment and emphasizing faith!

Click here to view Episode #18, Bishop Parkes is joined by Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch who speaks about his health, how he continues to minister to the people of God and how he is spending his time as a retired bishop.

Click here to view Episode #17, Bishop Parkes and Nermine Rubin from Water 4 Mercy discuss our joint efforts with our Jewish brothers and sisters to bring clean water to areas in Africa that are in great need.

Click here to view Episode #16, Marissa Guarino with Practice Management of America speaks with Bishop Parkes about the services that are provided to our elderly priests who need extra care as they age.

Click here to view Episode #15, Local Ukrainian priest, Father Bohdan Barytskyy, speaks to Bishop Parkes about his family back home facing the war, the faith of the Ukrainian people, and relief assistance for local refugees.

Click here to view Episode #14, Curtis Martin, founder and CEO of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), speaks with Bishop Parkes about how he is helping to bring college students back to the faith.

Click here to view Episode #13, Father Ralph D’Elia speaks with Bishop Parkes about the difficult topic of suffering and end of life issues, and how Catholics can care for their loved ones in a way that honors the dignity of the person and the teachings of our faith

Click here to view Episode #12, Deacon Scott and Carol Paine speak with Bishop Parkes about the diaconate, marriage and adopting children.

Click here to view Episode #11, Dale Brown, with Diocesan Black Catholic Ministry, speaks with Bishop Parkes about Black History Month.

Click here to view Episode #10, Chris Pastura, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, speaks with Bishop Parkes about Catholic Schools Week.

Click here to view Episode #9, Meegan Wright, Executive Director of Stewardship and Development and the Catholic Foundation speaks with Bishop Parkes about the Catholic Ministry Appeal.

Click here to view Episode #8, Shevin McCullough, of Studio 3:16 speaks with Bishop Parkes about his educational videos that help young people to discover Christ through music and storytelling.

Click here to view Episode #6, Author, TV Host and Speaker, Chris Stefanik, speaks with Bishop Parkes about living with joy.

Click here to view Episode #5, Local Youth Minister, Mike Guarino, speaks with Bishop Parkes about helping youth stay connected to Christ.

Click here to view Episode #4, Pre-k and kindergarten students from St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg speak with Bishop Parkes about how they are learning the true meaning of Christmas.

Click here to view Episode #3, Bishop Parkes speaks with Father Chuck Dornquast the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg and priest chaplain of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Click here to view Episode #2, Bishop Parkes speaks with Katie Holland, a local mother of five, about how her busy family celebrates Advent and he recalls his own family’s Advent/Christmas traditions.

Click here to view Episode #1, Bishop Parkes speaks with Father Connor Penn, a recently ordained priest, about his experiences of Advent.