"you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God"
Ephesians 2:19
Today in the Diocese of St. Petersburg we join together to honor diocesan patron saint: Jude, the Apostle. The Mass readings St. Paul reminds us that “we are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” The Responsorial Psalm has us echoing the sentiment of the theme of our diocese: “Their message goes out through all the earth.” And, Luke in the Gospel relates the occasion when Jude was among the Twelve whom Jesus “chose and named Apostles.”
For more interesting facts than I can cram into our short reflection, I refer you to our diocesan website (www.dosp.org) There you can find information about how St. Jude came to be our patron saint, a synopsis of St. Jude’s ministry and some statistics about our diocese.
To whet your curiosity, I will tell you ours is a diocese that spreads over more than 3,100 square miles in 5 Florida counties. Our church ministers to nearly half a million Catholics, speaking 12 identified languages in 74 parishes. We are blessed to have more Catholic schools that many other areas as well as two universities. St. Jude is well-known for being the patron of Impossible Causes. He is the perfect saint to intercede for all those involved in church ministry who are striving to meet the needs of our people and reaching beyond our borders to respond to a variety of emerging needs of God’s people.
May God bless Bishop Parkes and all who partner with him in Courageously Living the Gospel.
Today ask yourself “What have I done lately to take up the challenge of our diocese to Courageously Live the Gospel?”
Today's Reflection is by:
Sister Roberta Bailey
Did you know...
Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, is currently the prioress (president) of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo. Sister serves on the diocesan Commission for Religious. She is the former principal of St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, Florida, and Saint John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, Florida. Sister Roberta is celebrating her 61st year in religious life.
