Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg

Padre Carlos Flores, Diocese of St. Petersburg

Father Higinio Rosolen, Diocese of St. Petersburg

Father Joseph Carola S.J., theology professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, spoke to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Synod Planning Team on October 28, 2021. This presentation is a recording of his talk.  Father Carola presents a meditation based on Luke 1:26-38 .  He invites us to meditate upon the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and revealed God’s plan for he...

Father Joseph Carola S.J., theology professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, spoke to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Synod Planning Team on October 28, 2021. This presentation is a recording of his talk.  Father Carola offers a teaching and reflection on the Vatican Synod on Synodality called for by Pope Francis. Father Carola reflects on the historical context and how this process...

We are a hyperconnected Church, especially since COVID-19. However, where are these connections leading us? According to the wisdom and teaching of the Catholic Church, all communications should help us to encounter God and one another. While we often focus on measuring clicks, likes and open rates, there are other metrics that matter more in communications.  Teresa Peterson will provide a roadmap...

On May 13th, 2021 Father Mike Muhr spoke before a group of parish administrative assistants and other parish representatives to discuss the foundational virtue of hospitality. Through storytelling, Scripture references and personal experiences, Fr. Mike shares the foundational virtue of hospitality that all Catholics can seek to practice in parish life so that all we encounter will know they are l...

A Welcoming Church When you arrive at church, and walk to the entrance, what do you notice?  Are there people to greet you and welcome you?  Do they have a friendly smile, offer a nod or handshake acknowledging you?  Hopefully, the answer is “yes.”  You’ve noticed that restaurants have people there to welcome you at the door, take you to your seat and assist you.  But Church is really like a home...

Candles: The Light of Christ  Catholic worship at Mass brings the senses to life.  We experience sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch.  When we’re in the right frame of mind for worship, our senses help the liturgy come to life.  Did you ever wonder why we have candles on the altar and in other areas of the church?  In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8...

Dress for Worship Fashion styles come and go, and many people use clothing to make a statement.  Some workplaces require jackets and ties, while others wear uniforms based on their job.  When you go to the beach, you wear fashionable beach attire.  For a ball game, it would be appropriate to dress in your favorite team jersey.  But what about when you go to church?  At Mass, how we dress hopefully...

Entering God’s Presence When we enter the church for Mass, we are there to worship the Lord.   Since you are entering into the presence of God, it is appropriate to kneel as you enter into prayer, asking the Lord to open your heart and mind to the words you will hear so that you might truly experience the presence of Christ in the Holy Scriptures and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We gather as...

Families Are Welcome Saturday evenings and Sundays are traditionally the times for worship for Catholic Christians around the world.  We read in Exodus chapter 20: “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”.  For some of us, especially those with families, we might find it difficult to get the kids dressed and fed, get ourselves ready and get out the door to make it to church on time.  But most often...