January 27, 2008

FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION TO THE

SACRED HEART

SACRED HEART OF JESUS

JESUS

The First Friday of each month was designated by our
Savior Himself as a day to be consecrated to honoring
His Sacred Heart ... As the object of this devotion is to
make our Savior Jesus Christ ardently and perfectly
loved, and to make reparation for the outrages offered
to Him in the past, as well as for those which He daily
receives in the Blessed Eucharist ... Jesus Christ
merits our love at all times, but alas! He is despised
and outraged in the Sacrament of His love at all times,
and so people should at all times make reparation to
Him. Attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is
assuredly the best means of honoring and loving the
adorable Heart of Jesus.

Our First Friday Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart
will be offered at 6:30 PM on February 1, 2008 as
part of St. Patrick's Golden Jubilee celebration. A
covered dish dinner, hosted by the Knights of

Columbus, will follow the Mass
in Msgr. McCall Hall.

This month, a 30-minute DVD
about the founder of the Knights
of Columbus, Father Michael J.
McGivney, will be
shown. Come and
learn about the life of
this incredible priest!

All are invited. Bring
your favorite dish to share!

Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady, Deacon Ralph Bufano

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Winter Months)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Winter)

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Masses .......................................... 8:00 AM

Wednesdays with School in Session..... 9:00 AM

Saturday Vigil ........................................ 4:30 PM
Sunday........7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM and 5:30 PM

Music Director:

Mrs. Paulette King......................................... x 316

Sacristans:

Sr. Lucy Mbuya, CDNK ................................. x 304
Sr. Castissima Masambo, CDNK .................. x 304

Directors of Religious Education:

K-8th grade: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum ......... x 320
Adult: Sr. Kathleen Luger, OSC .................... x 321

Outreach Ministries:

Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK ................. x 321
Ms. Claire Obordo......................................... x 302

Youth Ministry:

H.S.: M/M Pete & Marie O'Shea.................... x 322

Jr. High: M/M Robert & Sue Tassinari.......... x 322

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 27, 2008 A.D.

1507 Trotter Road, Largo, FL 33770

Mailing Address: 2121 - 16th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770

Parish Office: (727) 584-2318; Fax: (727) 586-5413

Website: www.stpatrick-largo.org

Collect:

Collect: All-powerful and ever-living God,

direct your love that is within us,

that our efforts in the name of your Son

may bring mankind to unity and peace.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Page 2 - Sunday, January 27, 2008

3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Fr. Paul Pecchie

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

(727) 584-2318 Tel.

Fr. Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

2121 - 16th Avenue SW, Largo, FL 33770

(727) 586-5413 Fax.

My Dear Friends in Christ,

I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome you gave to

Fr. Kunzman who was here on behalf of Cross International. He
was very impressed with our parish and its generosity. In regards to

your generosity, this weekend is the Annual Pastoral Appeal Weekend. For
2007 we made three-fourths of our goal. This was better than the year before,
so it is my hope that we are able to make 100% of our goal this year. If every
registered household gives something, and we reach our goal, we will not have
to take away from our operating expenses (which comes from our offertory
collection). Obviously, that means we will have more we can do in service to
God and his people right here in Largo.

Today we hear the opening words of Jesus' public ministry: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Perhaps these words sound familiar. Well, they are exactly the same words John preached. (cf. Mt 3:2) It seems
like Jesus is a continuation of John the Baptist. In one sense that is true. Jesus does pick up where John left off.
Still, in two important ways, Jesus gives a whole new meaning to John's words. The most significant difference is
the person of Jesus. John was the last and the greatest prophet. Jesus, on the other hand, is God. He not only
announces the kingdom; he brings it about in his person. With Jesus something new enters human history. This is
major.

There is a second way that John's words have new meaning when Jesus speaks them. Even though it is minor

in comparison to the person of Jesus, it is nonetheless significant: John had been arrested. It was a whole new ball
game. The situation for preachers had suddenly become a lot more dangerous. John's imprisonment looms over
Jesus' public ministry.

We live at a moment in history when we can appreciate this changed situation. We also find ourselves at a

time when things have changed quite drastically. I am not saying that any of us face the possibility at least in the

immediate future of being arrested and imprisoned for our faith. Still, things are different than
they were even a decade or two ago. For example, people used to take it for granted that marriage
means the union between one man and one woman. Today, an aggressive segment of our society
wants to re-define marriage. Part of their strategy involves intimidating Christians by accusing us
of teaching hate. In one case, they brought a lawsuit against a bishop for teaching that homosexual
acts are morally wrong and that they can have a negative affect on our society. Beyond that one
bishop ministers, priests and Christian parents have faced a range of legal actions for defending
traditional teachings on human sexuality. We are in a different world.

As followers of Jesus, we do not stand on the sidelines and wring our hands. Jesus did not allow John's arrest

to intimidate him. He picked up the prophet's message, "Repent." You and I have that same message. Now, I
don't recommend going out on the sidewalk and telling people to repent. The first person we need to address is not
the guy with the gay pride sticker. The first person you and I need to address is the one we see in the mirror each
morning. You and I have absorbed our society's lax views. In St. Paul's words, we have emptied the cross of its
meaning. Let's face it: We admire the strong the rich, the famous, the powerful and we find the weak to be a
nuisance. That attitude is poison. Repent.

The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. In his book Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict

asked what exactly the kingdom is. The pope's answer is beautiful: Jesus is quite
simply "proclaiming God and that he is able to act concretely in the world and in
history and is even now so acting." Jesus is telling us, "`God exists' and `God really
is God,' which means that he holds in his hands the threads of the world."

Do you see what Pope Benedict is saying? If God holds the threads of the world

in his hand, we have nothing to fear. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Early

Christians calmly faced torture and death because they knew that God has the final word. At
this very moment, in atheistic and Islamic countries, Christians are facing persecution. Jesus'
words sustain them. What about us? Opposition to us is growing, but it is still minor by
comparison. The danger we face is not so much to our bodies, but to our souls and the souls
of our children. That danger has increased in recent years. But even though the situation has
changed, the solution is the same, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

First Reading -- You humble of the land,

seek justice and humility, and the L

ORD

will

be your protection (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13).

Psalm -- Blessed the poor in spirit; the

kingdom of heaven is theirs! (Psalm 146).

Second Reading -- God chose the weak of

the world, those who count for nothing, so
that whoever boasts, should boast in the
Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

Gospel -- Jesus taught the crowds from the

mountain: Blessed are the poor in spirit
(Matthew 5:1-12a).

The Beatitudes are the promise of joy on earth,

an anticipation of joy in Heaven, for those

who have lived out what they have learned.

How am I living out the Beatitudes?

Do I see my life being transformed through it?

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ

LIBERATION AND REFORM

While you may have to reach for an

atlas to determine that Isaiah is speaking about
Galilee, today's first reading (part of which
was read at Christmas) is prophetic of Jesus'
future ministry in that province. The light that
brings salvation and rejoicing is, ultimately,
Christ. Liberation is the theme: liberation from

both ignorance ("darkness") and sin (the "yoke").

As Isaiah identifies a place, so Paul describes an attitude: the

attitude that develops, even among good people, of equating their
own will with the common good. This always brings dissension,
and so it has done in Corinth. Paul will not allow this; we are all
members of "Christ's party." The gospel is not to divide us.

Matthew quotes from Isaiah in today's Gospel, presenting

Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies. The theme is
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).
To spread this message, Jesus begins to select disciples, four of
whom we meet today: Peter, Andrew, James, and John.

Readings: February 3, 2008

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

ELEBRATING

YEARS

ARISH

EWS

Golden

Jubilee

Mardi

Gras

Tuesday, February 5th at 6 pm

in the Msgr. McCall Hall. Purchase your tickets (Adults: $5,
Children 13 and under are FREE!) today after all the Masses
for

our

Golden

Jubilee

Year

Mardi

Gras. Experience a real New Orleans style Mardi

Gras with costumes and homestyle Louisiana cooking. There
will also be live entertainment and dancing. Wear a costume
and bring your beads for our Fat Tuesday celebration!

SHARE-A-PRAYER:

you or someone you know
needs special prayers, let
us pray for you and your
loved ones. Phone 584-

6954 and to-
gether we will
lift our hearts
to God!

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES: Sign up for our Lenten Small Christian
Communities after all Masses this weekend and next weekend. We will be
reflecting on Bishop Lynch's Pastoral Letter Living Eucharist: Gathered, Nourished,
Sent. It is the Bishop's goal that this reflection will revive a sense of wonder, awe and
gratitude for the gift that is the Eucharist. The groups meet weekly in parishioner's
homes. There are groups available morning, afternoon and evening. Please sign up
today or take a registration form home with you to pray about it. Registrations should be returned to the
Religious Education Office or dropped in the Collection Basket. For info., contact Sr. Kathleen, ext. 321.

VOCATION VIEW

VOCATION VIEW:::: January 27, 2008

January 27, 2008

January 27, 2008 ---- 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A

If you were Peter or Andrew, James or John, would you be able to follow Jesus with abandon?

What is holding you back? (Matthew 4:12-23)

Please note that this week our SCHOOL MASS will be on Friday, February 1st at 9 AM (not on

Wednesday this week). The School Mass will resume on Wednesday at 9 AM the following week.

Come, pray with me!

Please consider spending even one hour each Wednesday to be with

Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, beginning this week after the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with
Benediction at 6:45 PM. Please sign up at the Church entrance. Wednesdays in our Diocese is
our designated day to pray for holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Page 4 - Faith Formation

The Great Bible Adventure Study
Sr. Kathleen

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Tuesday, January 29th

Join us on this adventure with Jeff Cavins as

we journey through the Bible our story.

Adult Bible Study: Adventures in Matthew
Sr. Kathleen

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Wednesday, January 30th

"Adventures in Matthew - the King and His
Kingdom" with Jeff Cavins. This liturgical year
we are in Cycle A where we focus on the
Gospel of Matthew. Cost: $25. To register,
contact Sr. Kathleen, ext. 321.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA: Are you interested in the
Catholic Faith? If you have never
been baptized, or have been
baptized

another

Christian tradition, we
invite you to journey in
faith with our parish
family in the RCIA

process. For more information contact Sr.
Kathleen at 584-2318 ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

Religious Education (K-8) Sundays, 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Small Faith Sharing Group
Barb Murphy 9 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Friday, February 1st

Join us as we share our faith each Friday.

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

Religious

Ed.

PASTOR'S CLASS with

Fr. Pecchie

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Monday, January 28th

We will continue our Holy Father's
latest encyclical, Spe Salve, On
Christian Hope.

FOUNDATIONS OF PERSONAL PRAYER:

We meet every Monday evening at 7 PM

in the Msgr. McCall Library.

Have you seen our Web page? Check out

what's new and what you missed!

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

Congratulations ...

to the 29 children who received God's forgiving graces in
the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on

Saturday, January 26. Please continue to pray for these
children as they prepare to receive Jesus at their First Holy
Communion in May.

Andrew Aponte

Quentin Bittenbender

Sierra Boetje

Fallan Bonny

Robert Burda

Camille Capdeville

Casey Correa

Hailee Craig-South

Sydney D'Angelo

Hailey Denbow

Angelica Giglio

Katherine Hadden

Gina Huckaby

Elizabeth Kidney

Jamie Klingbeil

Hope Lamoureux

Hope Nelson

Taylor O'Neill

Ronaldo Ortega

John Pacheco

Becky Perez

Jacob Poppleton

Alexis Schlitt

Sabrina Sebastiao

Neolina Siyazari

Douglas Terzigni

Catlyn Valentine

Brooke Welton

Megan Wintermeier

School & Youth - Page 5

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Principal:

Sr. Veronica

Visceglia,

SSND

Jr. High Youth Ministers: Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sue Tassinari, ext. 322

. P

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

CHOOL

ELEBRATING

OVER

YEARS

XCELLENCE

DUCATION

, L

EADERSHIP

& S

ERVICE

St. Patrick Catholic Youth

The Junior Youth Group meets on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:30
PM in the Youth Room. Newcomers are always welcome! If you
have any questions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

ENIOR

OUTH

ROUP

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

H.S. Youth Ministers:

Mr. & Mrs. Pete & Marie O'Shea, ext. 322

The Senior Youth Group meets Sunday nights after the 5:30 PM Mass in Msgr.
McCall Hall. Youth in high school or older are welcome to attend.

NIGHTS

OLUMBUS

: Council # 4892 meets on

the second Thursday of the month at 8 PM in the
Cafeteria. Call Bob Lamelle at 584-1234. Hope to
see you there!

LEGION OF MARY: Meets every Thursday
at 9 AM in the Conference Room. If you

would like to join, contact
Peggy at 585-1597.

NEWSPAPER RECYCLING: Please help support your school by putting your old newspapers in the big
red bin located at the east side of the church. Thank you! Your support is always appreciated!

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Friday, February 1st

Noon Dismissal

"Catholic Schools Light the Way"

Week of January 27, 2008

REGISTRATION

for 2008 - 2009

SCHOOL YEAR

OPEN REGISTRATION will begin in
February for all grades (Pre-K-8). St.
Patrick is a fully accredited, Christ-centered
environment,

known

for

academic

excellence. There will be an Open House
on January 30, 2008 from 8:30 AM -
11:00 AM for all grades. Come and see
what makes St. Patrick so special. Tour
the campus. For more information call the
school office. (727) 581- 4865.

Sunday

Hour Tampa Bay with John Sipos

6:00 AM & 7:00 AM

94.1 Jazz, 98.7 Wild and 104.7 Oldies

Monday

Opening Ceremony

Tuesday

Pep Rally

1:00 PM

Msgr. McCall Hall

Wednesday

Open House: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM

Great Exploration Presentation

WOW Show!

11:00 AM

Middle School

12:30 PM

Grades 3-5

1:30 PM

Grades Pre-K 2

Thursday

Field Day

12:30 PM 2:15

PM

Friday

Grandparents'

Day

Page 6 - Stewardship

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The watchword today is "immediately." Peter and Andrew, James and John

all respond

immediately

to the call of Christ. May I be as open to God's

call and as ready to use my talents in His service as those first disciples were!

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

May God bless you

and your family !

Your generosity helps support our parish operating expenses and our

ministries each week, so that we may serve you, our parishioners, better!

January 20, 2008

$ 10,895.00 (396 Envelopes)

Children's Envelopes

$ 13.00

(3 Envelopes)

Helping Hands

$ 374.00

2007 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS:

If you would like a letter listing the summary of your 2007 parish donations (for tax purposes), please phone
the rectory office to place your name on our list. Contribution statements for 2007 will not be available until
February 1st and will only be given upon request.

GIFT CARD SALE: St. Patrick School PTO is selling gift cards for numerous restaurants and stores such
as Chili's, Panera, Beall's, Albertson's, Chevron and many more. You purchase these cards at full face
value and the school will receive a percentage of the purchase. It costs you nothing extra. To order cards or
get information call Julie Wintermeier @ 743-7043 or Elaine Luker @ 595-3538.

"50 IS THE NUMBER"

The Jubilee Committee requests that if you are turning "50" in 2008 or you are celebrating 50 wonder-

ful years of marriage, please contact Ginny @ 403-3980 to be added to the list. Thank you!

elebrate St. Patrick Church's Golden Jubilee

...

by joining Fr. Pecchie on a special tour of

IRELAND

IRELAND September 15-25, 2008. Journey with us as

we travel in the footsteps of St. Patrick, and see his

impact upon Irish faith and culture. Educational

Opportunities Tours presents an exciting and

educational 11-day experience for approximately

$2698*. Cost includes roundtrip airfare from New

York, first class hotels, traditional Irish

breakfast and Dinner daily, guided

sightseeing via deluxe motor coaches

and entrance fees. Please contact Margie

Feuser, pilgrimage coordinator, for

more information at 1-800-644-4659.

The Charismatic Prayer Group, The
Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer
Community at St. Patrick, invite you to

join us on Wednesday at 7 pm in the Conference
Room. Mass is celebrated on the third Wednesday
of the month. We praise God in song, learn from
the scriptures and pray for each other. For info call
Bobbie 584-0503 or Margie 559-7449.

Don't wait to feel great!
Start the year out right!

Keep that New Year's resolution!

St. Patrick's Weight Watchers has begun a new
session. It's not too late to join! We meet every
Wednesday at 3:00 PM in the Conference Room
of Msgr. McCall Hall. For more information or if
interested, please contact Rosemary Ingersoll at
584-5015 or rose35@tampabay.rr.com for info.

Through healing from post-abortion
trauma, despair gives way to hope,
isolation gives way to connected-
ness, and hatred of others and self
gives way to the capacity and desire for authentic,
self-giving love.

- Forbidden Grief by Theresa Burke, Ph.D.

There is hope! We can help.

Project Rachel offers Abortion AfterCare-Healing

813-631-4370 x 222 eboe@ccdosp.org

Rachel's Corner

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page 7

Mass Intentions

The Week Ahead

January 26, 2008
Michael John Dube

January 27, 2008
Anne Falvella
St. Patrick Parishioners
Mary Maltese
Anthony Caruso

January 28, 2008
Tommy Moffat

January 29, 2008
Cathy Linke

January 30, 2008
Robert Bernard Gorine

January 31, 2008
Kathryn R. Foley

February 1, 2008
Rosa Triana
Vocations

February 2, 2008
Joseph & Louise Zorowski
The Van Megen Family

February 3, 2008
Rachel & Rodney Schmid
Charlie & Sandy Harper
St. Patrick Parishioners
Kitty Cahill

Pray for our Military

Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, New York
Second Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, New York
Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, Virginia
Pvt. Brendan Gaines, USMC, South Carolina
Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Kentucky
Sgt. Jorge Granados, USMC, Florida
Sgt. Joshua Harmon, Kentucky
Specialist Matthew Heaberlin, US Army, Iraq
Sr. Airman Sean Heaberlin, USAF, California
Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, US Army, Missouri
Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force
Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, US Navy, Connecticut
Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, Iraq
CWO2 Robert Kidney, USCG, Florida
Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Japan
Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, Florida
Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany
Ensign Christopher McDowell, US Navy, Iraq
Airman Theresa Newbill, US Air Force, England
Sgt. Scott Platzer, US Army, South America
A. B. Michael Pourteau, USAF, Texas
Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq
Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force
Major Scott Trapman, US Army, Washington
Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, US Air Force, Iraq

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Sun.

8:30 AM

10:30 AM
11:30 AM

6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Mon.

7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Tue.

4:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Wed.

8:30 AM
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM

Thu.

9:00 AM
5:45 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Fri.

9:00 AM
9:00 AM

10:00 AM

12 noon

3:00 PM
6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Sat.

3:30 PM
5:30 PM

01/27/2008
Coffee and Donuts (PC)
ERE: Religious Ed. for Children (School)
RCIA: Breaking Open the Word (CR)
Senior Youth Group Meeting (PC)
Junior Youth Group Meeting (YR)
Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

01/28/2008
Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)
Pastor's Class (CR)
Contemporary Worship Band Rehearsal (CH)

01/29/2008
Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)
GriefShare Meeting (Lib)
Bell Choir Rehearsal (CH)
Great Adventure Bible Study (CR)
Boy Scout Troop 465 Mtg. (Café)

01/30/2008
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)
Adult Bible Study
Weight Watchers Meeting (CR)
Benediction (CH)
Charismatic Prayer Group Meeting (CR)

01/31/2008
Legion of Mary Meeting (CR)
Children's Choir Practice (OLM)
Adult Choir Practice (OLM)
RCIA Class (CR)

02/01/2008
Faith Sharing Group (CR)
School Mass (CH)
Grandparents' Day Reception (PC)
Early Dismissal (School)
Challenge Club Meeting (REL, MC)
First Friday Mass (CH) followed by
K of C First Friday Covered Dish Dinner (PC)
Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CR)

02/02/2008
Confessions (CH)
Confessions (CH)

Sat.

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

Mon.

8:00 AM

Tue.

8:00 AM

Wed.

8:00 AM

Thu.

8:00 AM

Fri.

8:00 AM
9:00 AM

Sat.

8:00 AM
4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

Please pray for the members of our St.

Patrick Parish family and friends who

have died recently and their families and

friends who mourn them, especially:

Julia Cahill and Joseph Giuliano.

Parish Meeting Rooms: Art = Art Room (School Jubilee Building); Cafe =
School Cafeteria; CH = Church, CR = Conference Room in Msgr. McCall Hall;
FLD = Field; MC = Media Center; MR = Music Room (School Jubilee Build-
ing); PE-A/B = PE portables; OLM = Office of Liturgical Music; PC = Msgr.
McCall Hall; PCLib = Msgr. McCall Library; REL = Religion Room (old Span-
ish Room); RE Office = Religious Education Office in PC; YR = Youth Room

Page 8 - `Round the Diocese & Saints Spotlight

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Diocesan Announcements

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Join Fr. Gary Dowsey of
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Dunedin, for a Spiritual
Journey you will not forget: June 10-17, 2008. The price
starts at $2,059. Call Goldmark World Travel at their toll
free number (866) 391-7872 for more info. or to make
reservations, or call Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Office at
733-3606 to receive a packet.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND: Join Fr. Patrick
Rebel of St. Matthew Parish, Largo for a 14-day pilgrim-
age to the Holy Land, Petra & Cairo: November 30,
2008. The price starts at $3,699 from Tampa. Call Blue
Chip Travel at (800) 654-4579 for more info. or to make
reservations, or call St. Matthew Parish Office at 393-
1288 to receive a packet.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Please consider joining us!
We are a local charitable organization providing a wise
range of social services to individuals and families in
need in Pinellas County. We offer Counseling, Preg-
nancy and Parenting Support Services and Adoption,
Immigration, Kinship Care, HIV/AIDS Services, homeless
services (Pinellas Hope) and more. We are searching
for community minded individuals to serve on our Pinel-
las Advisory Board. We welcome your expertise and
offer you the opportunity to work with a wonderful group
of committed volunteers. For further information about
this opportunity or an application, please call Emma Boe,
Director of Life Services, Catholic Charities, at 813-631-
4370, ext. 22. Than you for your consideration.

Born to poor parents in
northern Italy, St. John Bosco
began his ministry by providing
shelter and religious instruction
for neglected boys. His own
education was made possible
by the gift of a generous
benefactor, and St. John Bosco
was not too proud to seek the
support of other wealthy and
powerful patrons to expand his work. With others
drawn to this ministry, he provided religious and
vocational training to hundreds of young men and
formulated a system of education based on "reason,
religion, and kindness." "Let us regard those boys
over whom we have some authority as our own
sons," he wrote. "There must be no hostility in our
minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips.
We must use mercy for the present and have hope
for the future, as is fitting for true fathers who are
eager for real correction and improvement." St. John
Bosco used his personal history, his love for young
people, and his gift for teaching to educate, inspire,
and improve the lives of many. May his example
prompt us to prayerfully re-assess who we are and
what we have - and how we can use those gifts for
others.

St. John Bosco

Patron Saint of boys, editors, laborers, schoolchildren
Feast Day: January 31

This feast has many titles - the
Presentation of the Lord, the
Purification of Mary, and Candlemas. It celebrates
the day when, in accordance with Jewish law, Mary
and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple to
present their first-born son to the Lord and make
the required sacrificial offering. At the temple that
day was Simeon, an old man who had been
promised by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see
God's Anointed One. Rejoicing, the old man took
Jesus in his arms and praised God for fulfilling his
promise, saying, "My eyes have seen your
salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the
peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and
the glory of your people Israel" (Lk 2:30-32). In the
Gospel account of this event, we see two quiet but
powerful spiritual gifts the obedience of Mary and
Joseph, who faithfully fulfilled the law by coming to
the temple to make the customary offering, and the
patient trust of Simeon who heard the word of the
Lord and believed it. Mary, Joseph and Simeon
were grateful receivers of their spiritual gifts, and in
the good stewardship of those gifts they gave us a
gift, too the lived witness of obedience to the will
of God and the joy of expectant trust fulfilled.

The Presentation of our Lord

(Candlemas Day)

Feast Day: February 2

St. John Bosco's

dream of

our Holy Father

steering the ship

(the Church)

through

turbulent waters

by being anchored

between two pillars

~ the Eucharist and

our Blessed Mother.

May we learn

to anchor

our faith

between

the Eucharist and

our Blessed Mother,

so as to survive

the trials

of our own lives.

St. John Bosco, pray for our youth, our school and our Church.