Reflection by: Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, T.O.R.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I was reading a reflection by Desmond Knowles about Peter. He said that Peter is one of the most interesting characters in the Gospel. He said it is amazing that Christ selected Peter as the leader of the church. By human standards, he was a disastrous choice and should never have been appointed. He further said that you could hardly describe him as a stable person because at times he was brave while on other occasions he displayed complete cowardice. When we think of the times that Peter did not display qualities of a good leader, we have to acknowledge that the Lord knew what He was going to do.  His call to lead was a most important step in the development of the church. Christ had confidence in him and entrusted him with a mission which was crucial for the continuation of his work.

Peter’s choice is a wonderful example of the power of God at work-using the weak things of this world to confound the strong. With the Lord, all things are possible. The Lord continues to use us, even in our weakness and sinfulness. God bless you.

Queridas hermanas y hermanos en Cristo,

Estuve leyendo una reflexión de Desmond Knowles sobre Pedro. El dijo que Pedro es uno de los personajes más interesantes del Evangelio. Para él es increíble que Cristo escogió a Pedro como el líder de la iglesia. Según los estándares humanos, fue una elección desastrosa y nunca debió haber sido nombrado. Añadió que difícilmente se le podría describir como una persona estable porque a veces era valiente y en otras mostraba una cobardía total. Cuando pensamos en las veces que Pedro no mostró cualidades como buen líder, tenemos que reconocer que el Señor sabía lo que iba a hacer. Su llamado al liderazgo fue un paso muy importante en el desarrollo de la iglesia. Cristo confiaba en él y le confió una misión que fue crucial para la continuidad de su trabajo.

El haber escogido a Pedro es un ejemplo maravilloso del poder de Dios en acción: usar las cosas débiles de este mundo para confundir a los fuertes. Con el Señor, todo es posible. El Señor sigue usándonos, incluso en nuestra debilidad y pecaminosidad. Dios te bendiga.

On the Occasion of the Celebration of the 800^th Celebration of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi 1226-2026

Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this year we are celebrating the 800^th anniversary of the death, or transitus, of Saint Francis. The ministers General of the whole Franciscan family have called all Franciscans to celebrate what they have called the Easter of Francis of Assisi. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has invoked a Jubilee Year, often referred to as a holy year, for all believers to share in this commemoration of Saint Francis entering into heaven. What a wonderful gift for the whole Church!

In contemporary society, we rarely think about death, not only because it reminds us that we are limited creatures, but also because it exposes the false security we get from believing that we are masters over time and life. Saint Francis, on the other hand, welcomed Sister Death with song in his Canticle of the Creatures, the Canticle of Brother Sun, because he understood that death is not the termination of everything but the end that allows us to enter into full communion with God. Indeed, life is a gift that must be given back: “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!” (Francis of Assisi, Letter to the Entire Order #29)

At the end of his days, Saint Francis contemplated his life and discovered the presence and action of the Lord everywhere. Thus, in his Testament he repeats, like a refrain: “The Lord gave me, Brother Francis… The Lord gave me such faith in churches… The Lord gave me, and gives me still, such faith… And after the Lord gave me some brothers, no one showed me what to do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel” (Testament 1-14).

The celebration of the 800^th anniversary of the Easter of Saint Francis invites us to contemplate our lives, both personally and as Catholics, with the eyes of faith, and by doing so, perceive the divine presence and action in everything, even in the difficult and dramatic situations we have experienced or are experiencing now.

It is an opportunity to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed on us, particularly (on this occasion) for the gift of Saint Francis of Assisi and his evangelical life, which has become a light to the world reflecting the greater Light who is Christ for the world, and which today still has the strength to call out to women and men of all cultures, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.

And finally, celebrating the passing of the Poverello (the little poor one) is an occasion to remember that we are all called to holiness, and that like Saint Francis, we are invited to reflect the beauty of the gospel, because “holiness is the most attractive face of the Church” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate 9).

So, in this spirit we welcome all those who come to Saint Patrick in South Tampa to share in the light of the faith of Saint Francis, to experience the rich blessings of this Jubilee and Eighth Centenary of his transitus from this life to life with God. May you be inspired to, as Francis told his brothers at the end of his life: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done little or nothing.”

Yours in Christ and Saint Francis,

Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, TOR                                                                                                                             Fr. Alberto F. Bueno, TOR

Pope Leo XIV Declares Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi | Gulf Coast Catholic

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/letters/2026/documents/20260107-lettera-morte-sf.html

https://www.centenarifrancescani.org/index.php/en

BINGO & DINNER

Tuesday

2026 Dates: September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, December 1st

2027 Dates: January 12th, February th, March 9th, April 13th, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, October 12th, November 9th, December 14th

St. Patrick Catholic Church

Social Hall

Dinner served between 5:30pm- 6:30pm. 

Bingo will start at 6:30pm.

Cost: $25.00

Includes 9 pack of 13 sheets (26 games)

and 4 specials. MUST BE 18 TO PLAY.

TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR ONLY.

*Meals subject to Change

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 1

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 2

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 3

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 4

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 5

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 6

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 7

Summer Prayer & Meditation Series – 8

In the wake of last Wednesday’s earthquakes in Venezuela, Bishop Parkes has approved a donation from our diocesan Disaster Relief Fund to the Diocese of La Guaira, where the epicenter of the earthquake was located and where the greatest damage took place. As needed, additional monies from the fund may be sent, as the damage continues to be assessed. If you wish to make donations toward relief efforts for the people of Venezuela, you are welcome to donate through one of the following methods:

Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund: https://www.dosp.org/disaster-relief-fund/ (The link includes instructions for both mail-in and online donations)

Catholic Relief Services: https://www.crs.org/ (Funds are securely transmitted from Catholic Relief Services to Caritas Venezuela, the international version of Catholic Relief Services)

To read Pope Leo’s remarks concerning the recent disaster, please go to  https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xiv-calls-for-solidarity-prayers-after-deadly-venezuela-quakes/.

Let us unite our prayers for our sisters and brothers in Venezuela.