ST. THERESA CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Bishop Parkes Invites You to Join Him for the Consecration to St. Joseph
You are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes as he consecrates the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle at 12 noon during a 30-minute prayer service. This special event is part of the Holy Father’s invitation to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph.

Consecration means to make holy with God’s help and it’s an opportunity to respond faithfully to God’s grace at work in our lives.
 
Join us at the Cathedral (5815 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg) or via Livestream at dosp.org/livestream, Facebook, YouTube or via radio broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5.

St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the Catholic Church and the patron saint of fathers.

 

Español 

Monseñor Parkes consagrará la Diócesis de St. Petersburg a san José el 1° de mayo
Monseñor Gregory Parkes consagrará parroquias, escuelas, ministerios y el pueblo de la Diócesis de St. Petersburg a san José el sábado 1° de mayo, la memoria litúrgica de SAN JOSÉ OBRERO, en la Catedral de St. Jude the Apostle a las 12 del mediodía. Se anima a todos los católicos a participar en persona o virtualmente.  “Cuando te consagras a san José, te confías a su cuidado paternal, y le pides que te ayude a vivir las santas virtudes que fortalecen a las familias, las iglesias y las comunidades”, dijo monseñor Parkes. Para obtener más información, visita https://www.dosp.org/jose

The Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA) is a direct appeal to all parishioners of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, asking them to directly fund over 50 ministries, services and programs across the diocese. This includes outreach to the poor and marginalized, Catholic education and faith formation, Christian discipleship and faithful support to the life and ministry of our clergy, religious, and all who serve the Church.

Our theme this year is Hope in the Lord, which is very relevant considering all we have been through over the past year. This theme comes from Isaiah 40:31: …but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

La Apelación Pastoral Anual (APA) es una apelación directa a todos los feligreses de la Diócesis de  St. Petersburg, para que ayuden a financiar más de 50 ministerios, servicios y programas diocesanos. Esto incluye la asistencia a los pobres y marginados, la educación católica y programas de formación de fe, el discipulado cristiano y el apoyo fiel a nuestro clero y su ministerio, religiosos y religiosas, y todos los que sirven a la Iglesia.

Este año nuestro lema es Esperanza en el Señor, el cuál es muy relevante al considerar todo lo que hemos vivido en este pasado año. Este lema se basa en Isaías 40, 31: Pero aquellos que ponen su esperanza en el SEÑOR, renuevan sus fuerzas; les nacen alas como de águila, corren y no se cansan, caminan y no se fatigan.

from 52 Sundays "A Guide to Reclaim The Lord’s Day for Faith and Family" 
By Anita Houghton and Tara Stenger 

The saints are members of the Church who are with Christ in heaven praying for those in the Church who are still on their pilgrimage of faith. The saints in this year’s edition of 52 Sundays all share one thing in common: they are martyrs of the Church.  Saints help us see how our ordinary lives can be lived out in extraordinary ways.

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (Feast Day April 24) Jan. 5, 1577 - April 24, 1622

Mark Rey was born in 1577 in Sigmaringen, Germany. As a practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. Nicknamed "œthe poor man's lawyer," Rey upheld the causes of the poor and oppressed people. If a poor man needed some clothing, Rey would often give the man the clothes right off his back. His life was characterized by complete generosity to others. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. Before entering the order, he divided his wealth between needy seminarians and the poor.

During a severe epidemic in a city where he was guardian of a friary, Fidelis cared for and cured many sick soldiers. When he was sent to Switzerland as a missionary to preach against the Calvinists and Zwinglians (Christians who belonged to congregations that broke away from the Catholic Church), he was accused of opposing the peasants’ national aspirations for independence from Austria. Fidelis was stabbed to death in a church in Seewis. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746. Fifteen years later, he was recognized as a martyr. The ministry of Fidelis exemplifies Jesus’ command in today’s Gospel to preach in his name and to witness to his life. 

‍FAMILY FUN:  Playground Fun

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were “incredulous for joy.” Playgrounds bring great joy to children. Celebrate the joy of the season at a playground in your favorite park or a new park that you’ve always wanted to visit.

 
RECIPE OF THE WEEK:   Easy Artisan Bread
Remember Jesus’ triumph on the cross by making this bread.

3 cups all-purpose flour (one may be whole wheat white)
1/2 tsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt 
1.5 cups warm water 

In a bowl, stir all ingredients until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and form a ball by pulling the dough from the sides to the top. Rest for 30 minutes as you preheat oven to 450 F. Place baking dish with high sides into the oven while preheating. Slash a cross on top of the bread and carefully place into baking dish. Cover and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until golden brown. Cool before slicing.

FAMILY PRAYER

God of infinite Mercy,
you sent your Risen Son
to encounter the disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Grant us today a missionary spirit and send us forth
to encounter our sisters and brothers:
to walk with them in friendship,
to listen to their hopes and dreams with compassion,
and to proclaim your Word with courage,
so that they might come to know you once again
in the breaking of the Bread.
Make us all missionary disciples, and stay with us always,
as we seek to share the joy of the Gospel
with people of all generations,
from every race, language, culture, and nation.
We ask you this with burning hearts,
filled with the Holy Spirit,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and through the loving intercession of our
Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Star of the New Evangelization in the Americas.
Amen.

From the Prayer for the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry: https://vencuentro.org/prayer-for-the-v-encuentro/ 

ONLINE GIVING

We are grateful for your support of our church. Online Giving allows you to make contributions to our church without writing checks or worrying about cash donations. This site lets you set up automatic contributions and change the timing or the amount of your gift at any time. You may make pledges and manage your contributions to the pledge amount, and you may make one-time donations to special causes. Please click on "Parish Giving" button  above and complete your initial account registration or to make your parish offering. Thank you!

An Act of
Spiritual Communion 

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

(Saint Alphonsus Liguori)

Join Bishop Gregory Parkes for his podcasts, Proclaim, Invite and Encounter and An Invitation to Worship, which offer reflection and commentary on Courageously Living the Gospel in our homes, parishes, communities and wherever God may lead us. Bishop Parkes brings clarity to the issues of our time, while highlighting the beauty of our Catholic faith.