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

Our first reading is from the first book of Kings. It is a wonderful story of Solomon who succeeded his father David as king of Israel. King David dies about 970 years before Christ. This reading speaks about Solomon’s prayer as he begins his reign. Of all the things that he could have prayed for as he began as king, he chose to pray for an understanding heart that he would reign well. He valued wisdom more than anything else. We have often heard the phrase—the wisdom of Solomon.

Last week, we heard Jesus speak in parables and today Jesus is once again using parables in speaking about the kingdom of heaven, the net thrown into the sea, the parables about the treasure and the pearl of great price.

Jesus is telling us that the kingdom of God and the living in God’s good grace is of the highest value to us. Going to Mass, prayer, keeping the Commandments, loving God and each other is not just a form of insurance that we will be happy in the next life. It is something that we make part of our lives. The kingdom of heaven does not come automatically. We have to invest in it to really possess it OR to have it possess us.

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AUGUST 2, THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS OF THE PORTIUNCULA

We encourage you to make a visit during the day to obtain a Plenary Indulgence.

The conditions to receive the Indulgence are:

Ⴕ Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Ⴕ Attend Mass & receive Holy Communion

Ⴕ A prayer for the intention of the Holy Father, Pope Leo

Ⴕ Say the Creed

Ⴕ Recite the Lord’s Prayer

Nuestra primera lectura es del primer libro de Reyes. La maravillosa historia de Salomón quien fue el sucesor de su padre David el rey de Israel. El rey David muere casi 970 años antes de Cristo. Esta lectura habla de la oración de Salomón al comenzar su reinado. De todas las cosas que pudo haber rezado al comenzar su reinado, el escogió rezar por un corazón comprensivo para poder reinar bien. El valoró la sabiduría más que cualquier otra cosa. A menudo escuchamos la frase- la sabiduría de Salomón. 

La semana pasada, escuchamos a Jesús hablar en parábolas y hoy Jesús nuevamente usa parábolas mientras habla sobre el reino de los cielos, la red arrojada al mar, las parábolas acerca del tesoro y la perla de gran precio.

Jesús nos está diciendo que el reino de Dios y el vivir bajo la buena gracia de Dios es para nosotros el mayor valor. Asistir a Misa, rezar, seguir los Mandamientos, amar a Dios y a cada uno de nosotros no es sólo una forma de asegurar nuestra felicidad en la    próxima vida. Esto es algo que forma parte de nuestra vida. El reino de los cielos no llega automáticamente. Nosotros tenemos que invertir en él para poseerlo de verdad O para que nos posea a nosotros.

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2 DE AGOSTO, LA FIESTA DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS ÁNGELES DE LA PORCIÚNCULA

Los exhortamos a que visiten la Iglesia durante el día para obtener una Indulgencia Plenaria.

Las condiciones para recibir la Indulgencia son:

Ⴕ Celebrar el Sacramento de Reconciliación

Ⴕ Asistir a la Misa y recibir la Sagrada Comunión

Ⴕ Hacer una oración por la intención del Sagrado Padre, el Papa León

Ⴕ Rezar el Credo

Ⴕ Recitar el Padre Nuestro

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: August 11th, 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

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.