When Deacon Drew Woodke was a third-grader at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Decatur, Georgia, one of the nuns asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Deacon Drew recalls answering, “I want to be a priest when I grow up because girls are gross!” Well, fourth grade arrived and girls …
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Becoming a priest might have been the last thing on Deacon Joshua Bertrand’s mind if you had asked him about it in middle or high school. The only son of Robert and Marguerite Bertrand, Deacon Bertrand attended Catholic school at an early age but most of his education took place in public schools. He was …
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You are invited to join Deacon Joshua Bertrand and the Serra Club in praying for an abundance of vocations in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. On Wednesday, July 22nd, at 7:00 pm, you can attend via live stream or in person. If you wish to join us in praying for vocations at the Cathedral of …
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You are invited to join Deacon Izzie Hernandez, Father Chuck and the Serra Club in praying for an abundance of vocations in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. On June 24th you can attend via live stream or in person. If you wish to join us in praying for vocations at the Cathedral of St. Jude, …
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“Just give it a year.” These are the words that Israel “Izzie” Hernandez clearly heard the Lord speak to him during Eucharistic Adoration the summer after he graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. “Before I started thinking about priesthood, all I wanted was to find a good …
Our seminarian Israel “Izzie” Hernandez will be ordained a deacon on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 11:00 am. The ordination will be live streamed. Izzie has been a seminarian for our diocese since 2014 when he entered St. John Vianney College Seminary. He graduated from the college seminary in 2016 and is now in 3rd …
The Lord works by means of Abundance. He promises life in abundance to His followers and provides work in Abundance for them. Please join Fr. Chuck Dornquast, the Director of Vocations, on Wednesday April 22 at 7pm via live stream as he celebrates a Holy Hour for Vocations from the Cathedral of St. Jude the …
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During the Covid-19 crisis, many of us are asked to stay home, avoiding large gatherings and crowds, in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Having this time provides an opportunity for you to dive deeper into discernment. Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, would like to invite you to a unique, weekly …
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, and after consulting with Deacons Joshua Bertrand, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke, Bishop Parkes has decided to reschedule the date of their Ordination to the Priesthood, which was scheduled to take place on May 16, 2020. The new date will be Saturday, August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption …
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The Holy Hour for Vocations scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020 has been cancelled. Our next ABUNDANCE Holy Hour is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2020. We hope to resume then, but please check the Vocations website for updates. A copy of the ABUNDANCE flyer can be found here. Please continue to pray for our …
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We celebrate Catholic Sisters Week, Communities of Spirit, Hearts for Ministry, from March 8-14, 2020. We are blessed to have religious sisters in our diocese from several different religious orders. Let us all take a moment to pray for these women, their missions, their ministry, their dedication and their love for the Lord and all …
The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace …
On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 11:00 am Bishop Parkes will ordain three men to the Priesthood for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This event is open to the public and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Deacon Joshua Bertrand (home parish: Corpus Christi/USF); Deacon Connor Penn (home parish: Corpus Christi) and Deacon Drew …
Is the Lord inviting you to take a step toward him? The Office of Vocations is offering you the opportunity to visit the minor seminary to experience the life of our seminarians. The weekend will take place March 13-15, 2020. Transportation is provided and there is no cost to you. To register to attend please …
Our Annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle at 3:00 pm. A light reception will follow in the Parish Center. All parishes throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg are invited to attend. All information will be submitted online for your Altar …
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We have restructured and revamped the monthly Holy Hour for Vocations! Please join us for ABUNDANCE on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at the Cathedral of Jude the Apostle (5815 5th Avenue North) at 7:00 pm. There will be Adoration and Chanted Evening Prayer. All are welcome and invited to attend. Please see the flyer below.
Registration is now open for Religious Orders to sign up to attend our annual Focus 11 which will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 and Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Please click on the following link to register. Our Keynote speaker this year is Sr. Andrew Marie Tyler, FSP who is with the Daughters of …
Our next Holy Hour for Vocations will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, will preside. The January Holy Hour is on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Thank you to the Serra Club for continuing to host our monthly Holy …
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How does one become a Father? Unmarried men of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, between the ages of 15-35, are invited to a one day retreat hosted by the Office of Vocations. The Advent Discernment Retreat is for any man seeking to grow in his identity before the Father and discernment of God’s call. The …
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Is the Lord inviting you to take a step toward him? The Office of Vocations is offering you the opportunity to visit the minor seminary to experience the life of our seminarians. The weekend will take place November 8-10, 2019. Transportation is provided and there is no cost to you. For more information please contact …
The Office of Vocations invites you to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life during National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-8, 2019. The theme for this year is Family: The Foundation for Vocations. Vocation Awareness Week is an opportunity to promote a culture of vocations across the Diocese. We would like to designate …
Our next Holy Hour for Vocations will be on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, will preside. The December Holy Hour is on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Thank you to the Serra Club for continuing to host our monthly Holy Hours …
The Office of Vocations will host Chosen by Him – A Day of Reflection & Discernment for Women on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10am until 2pm at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Hear the stories of the women religious who have courageously served in the Diocese of St. Petersburg! …
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For four years, Father Chuck Dornquast has served as “team priest” for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That means he often has a front-row seat to the nail-biting plays, passes and field goals that make up the game of football. Father Chuck now has a front-row seat to how God is working in the lives of …
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July 1, 2019 – Today we welcome Fr. Chuck Dornquast as our new Director of Vocations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Fr. Chuck has been serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa since his ordination on May 16, 2015. Fr. Chuck’s was born and raised in Zephyrhills, Florida and his home parish …
Brother Lucius Amarillas, O.S.B., a junior Benedictine monk of Saint Leo Abbey, will profess solemn vows during Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Saint Leo Abbey. Professing solemn vows will bind Brother Lucius to the monastery and the Benedictine order for the remainder of his life. All are invited to attend …
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Congratulations to Fr. Anthony Astrab, Fr. Ralph D’Elia and Fr. Joshua Hare who were ordained priests by Bishop Gregory Parkes on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Fr. Astrab’s first priestly assignment will be at Nativity Parish in Brandon as Parochial Vicar. Fr. Hare’s first priestly assignment will be …
Please consider joining Bishop Parkes and the seminarians for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the Bethany Center for the Annual Bishop’s BBQ. Are you interested in learning more about a vocation to the priesthood? You are invited to join us for food, fun, fellowship and faith. …
After many years of preparation through prayer, study and discernment, Anthony Astrab, Ralph D’Elia and Joshua Hare were ordained to the Catholic priesthood on May 18, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in front of nearly 1,000 friends, family and supporters. All three were born in the Tampa Bay area. (Click here …
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Bishop Parkes will ordain Deacon Anthony Astrab, Deacon Ralph D’Elia and Deacon Joshua Hare to the priesthood on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend this joyous occasion! Scroll to the bottom of this page to see videos of the three deacons …
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World Day of Prayer for Vocations is recognized on Sunday, May 12, 2019. The message for the 2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations is entitled “The Courage to Take a Risk for God’s Promise” To read Pope Francis’ message, in its entirety, in English, please click here and in Spanish please click here The purpose of the …
Please join us on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle as Bishop Gregory Parkes ordains Anthony Astrab, Ralph D’Elia and Joshua Hare to the Sacred Order of Priesthood. All are welcome and invited to attend. If you cannot attend in person, the ordination will be live …
On Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 am, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke will be ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The ordination will take place at 11:00 am in Boca Raton! All are invited to participate by watching the live video stream here. Please keep Connor and Drew in your prayers!
The Women’s Discernment Day that was scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2019 has been postponed. We hope to reschedule the date this fall in October or November. More information will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Varley in the Office of Vocations at (727) 345-3452 or email.
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8 through March 14. Created to honor women religious, it is a week to bring greater focus and attention to the lives of these incredible women and to recognize all they have done for their communities, the world, and the Church. …
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Over 900 sixth graders from Catholic schools across the five counties of the Diocese of St. Petersburg participated in the annual Focus 11 program February 12 -13 at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa. A major part of this vocations awareness retreat is hearing from men and women who have said yes to God’s call to …
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Our Annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle at 3:00 pm. A light reception will follow in the Parish Center. All are invited to attend. Below is the memo and RSVP form that has been sent to all parishes, as well as the …
Focus 11 2019 will be held on Tuesday, February 12 and Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at St. Lawrence Parish in Higgins Hall. We invite all religious orders in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to register to attend this event. Please click here to register. We are happy to announce that our keynote speaker for this year …
We have postponed the Vocations Workshop that was scheduled for Saturday, January 19, 2019. The new date is Saturday, February 23, 2019! The workshop will be at the Bethany Center in Lutz. The day will begin with mass at 9:00 am in the St. James Chapel, followed by check-in. The day will conclude at 2:00 pm. Our theme this …
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On Monday, December 10 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, you are invited to take a break from your hectic schedule and rest in the Lord during an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with Bishop Gregory Parks This special Advent ADORE event at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle will feature contemporary and traditional Advent …
Vocatus is a group of men who feel that the Lord might be calling them to the incredible vocation of the Priesthood! All young men, juniors in high school and above, are invited to join us at the Pastoral Center (6363 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg) on Thursday, December 20th from 6:30 pm-7:30pm. You will …
National Vocation Awareness Week is November 4-10, 2018. The theme for this year is Building a Vocation Culture in Today’s Church. Here are some resources for parishes to use, more are available online (see link below). Prayers of the Faithful: For young people in our community that they may respond generously with open hearts and willing …
The next meeting of the John 21 Discernment group is Saturday, November 24, 2018 beginning with mass at 8:30 am. This group meets at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa (5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614). John 21 is a discernment group for young men who are reflecting on God’s call in their lives and are considering the …
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The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10. This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Pope Francis, in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, emphasized that it …
Mark your calendar! Join Bishop Parkes to celebrate our 50th Anniversary at the Family Faith Fest at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on October 27, 2018! This FREE event will have live music, fun activities for kids and adults alike, opportunities for worship (Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass) and fellowship! Visit http://www.familyfaithfest.org to plan your day and …
Our seminarian Ralph D’Elia was ordained a deacon on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He is called a transitional deacon, meaning that he will be ordained a priest, God-willing, in May of 2019. Deacon Ralph is from St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. He is a fourth generation Tampa native. After experiencing …
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Congratulations to our seminarian, Ralph D’Elia, who was ordained a transitional deacon on Thursday, September 27, 2018 in Rome. Bishop Gregory Parkes, Fr. Carl Melchior, Director of Vocations, Fr. Ken Malley, Pastor, St. Timothy Parish (Ralph’s home parish) were present for the ordination, as well as Ralph’s family and several priests from the Diocese of St. …
Sister Helen Lange, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo, Florida, celebrates her 105th Birthday on Friday, September 28, 2018. She came to our community from Rowena, Texas in 1930 with cousins who would also join us – Sister Pauline and Sister Irma in 1930. Throughout her life here, Sister Helen …
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Pope Francis has ratified the members elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to represent the United States at the upcoming XV Ordinary General Assembly: Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. The Synod will take place October 3-28. The delegates are: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, President of the United …
This summer, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is introducing the Nazareth House, a new summer residence for seminarians to grow in faith and community while serving others. The house is named after the town where Jesus lived during his youth and young adult years. “Nazareth is where our Lord grew and was formed for public …
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Check out the latest edition of the Cast Your Nets newsletter here! Please remember to email Heidi Varley at hlv@dosp.org in the Office of Vocations if you would like to be added to the email list for the newsletter, as it will not be mailed out in the future. It will continue to be posted on …
VOCATION AWARENESS WORKSHOP The Office of Vocations would like to invite all who are interested in promoting vocation awareness to a special workshop, Creating a Culture of Vocations By Living a Life of Joy and Fulfillment. Location: Bethany Center, 18150 Bethany Center Dr., Lutz, FL 33558 Date: Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 8:00a.m. ? 1:30 …
Advent is a time of preparation. Are you preparing for the mission in life that God has already entrusted to you? Are you even aware what that mission might be? Maybe God is calling you to serve him as a priest? The 11th Annual Advent Discernment Retreat will be held at St. Timothy Parish in …