Alleluia! He is Risen Philippe Parkway Safety Harbor, FL (727) Fax: (727)

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1 Alleluia! He is Risen 2405 Philippe Parkway Safety Harbor, FL (727) Fax: (727)

2 Celebra ons of the Holy Eucharist Masses Monday Friday 8:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m.( includes Anoin ng of the Sick), Saturday Vigils: 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday: 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m.-family Mass, 10:15 a.m., 12:00p.m. & 5 p.m.-lifeteen/young Adult Bap sms Please contact the church office at least 6 weeks in advance. Sacrament of Reconcilia on Saturday 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Communal Celebra ons during Advent and Lent. (Special Schedule During Holidays) Church Office (727) Clergy and Consecrated Religious Pastor - Reverend Father Len Piotrowski Parochial Vicars - Reverend Father Frank Lubowa Reverend Father Brad Reed Pastoral Ministries - Deacon John Alvarez Assis ng - Deacon Vincent Alterio Deacon Dominic Friscia Deacon Steven Girardi Deacon Greg Nash Funeral Liaison - Sister Paulamarie Lacy, SND Bereavement Sister Donna Daniels, SND Espiritu Santo Catholic School (727) Principal - Margaret A Penn Clearwater Central Catholic High School (727) Principal - James W. Deputy (Parish Supported High School) Parish Informa on Weddings Please contact the church office at least 6 months in advance. Parish Staff Our Mission and Our Vision Sacrament of Anoin ng of the Sick Every Saturday morning during the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 2nd Thursday at 11:00 a.m. during our Sick & Homebound Mass, or you may ask the priest a er any Mass, or call the office for an appointment. Devo ons First Friday Adora on of the Blessed Sacrament 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. with Benedic on of the Blessed Sacrament Marian Prayers: In honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Mondays a er the 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Masses Rosaries Monday Saturday, 8:00 a.m. Thursday, 10:15 a.m. and following the 6:30 p.m. Mass. Pastoral Staff Office (727) Bulle n Editor - Jean Hart Director of Accoun ng & Finance - Jus ne Mullaney Director of Business Services - Terry Ness Evangelization & Adult Faith Formation - Deacon Steven Girardi Liturgy & Music - Jeff FitzCharles Office Manager - Michelle Ishman Outreach Ministries/Pastoral Council - Deacon Vincent Alterio RCIA - Deacon Steven Girardi Sacristan - Paule e Purvis Sick & Homebound Visita ons - Deacon Dom Friscia Stewardship & Family Life Ministries - Tim Bergevin Superintendent of Facili es & Grounds - Rich Waddick Website - Sonia Romero Religious Educa on (727) Director of Religious Educa on Ellen Jones RE Administra ve Assistant Pat Roane Mission Statement -Who We Are The welcoming community of Espiritu Santo, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is commi ed to encountering Christ by spreading the joy of the Gospel, celebra ng the sacraments, serving with compassion, and embracing all on our journey of faith together. (In a Nutshell: To proclaim and live Jesus Christ to all in love.) Vision Statement-Who We Strive To Be Espiritu Santo Catholic Church and School is a warm and welcoming Eucharist centered parish community reaching out to all people in their treasured diversity. We support and encourage all people, especially our youth, to grow and par cipate more fully in their journey of faith. We ac vely engage in parish and community ministries that transform our words of faith into works of compassion, mercy and a commitment to social jus ce in the one global family. We envision a stronger commitment to be er understand, appreciate and celebrate the joy of the gospel, the grace of the sacraments and the transforma ve power of prayer and God s infinite love. View this bulletin online at

3 We are a Sacramental People Mass Inten ons Bap sm: Parents of infants and children six years of age and younger contact the church office preferably six weeks in advance at bap sm@espiritusanto.cc Children seven years and older, teens & adults contact: Deacon Steven Girardi for more informa on at deaconsteven@espiritusanto.cc First Holy Communion & Confirma on: School aged, contact Ellen Jones, Ellen@espiritusanto.cc Older teens and adults, contact Deacon Steven Girardi, deaconsteven@espiritusanto.cc Marriage: Contact Tim Bergevin at least six months in advance at Tim@espiritusanto.cc Holy Orders: Contact Father Carl Melchior (727) ; or spvoca on@dosp.org Prayer List Please pray for those who are suffering from illness in our parish. Prayer list names remain on the prayer list for eight weeks, a call is needed to renew. Elsie Archer Patricia Arias Assunta Badamo Donald Bishop Marie Bishop Shannon Campion Debra Carella Victoria Cavaliere Dora Ciardullo A lio Corbo Richard Corrigan Barbara Cowne Anthony Crisci Tony DeGenaro Irene Drulzd Joni Geardino-Lopez Michael Geraci Rose Marie Harvey Sanctuary Candle For this Week In Honor of: Ann Tommaro From: forever friend Mary Radcliffe Anne Hode Grace Ierardo Tim Keyes Rosemarie Kirkpatrick Jim Larkins Ray Mar nez Margaret Peck Anthony Polimeni Sonia Reyes Kathryn Ricke s Ismael Rodriguez Adeline Ross Hester Thuerk Maria Wassmer Monday, April 2 8:30 a.m. Michele Zirpoji/Gowey **Office Closed No 12:15 or 6:30 p.m. Masses** Tuesday, April 3 **Office Closed ** 8:30 a.m. Sister Gemma Breslin 12:15 p.m. Violet Mar n 6:30 p.m. Myles Hasty Wednesday, April 4 8:30 a.m. Lynn Fernans 12:15 p.m. Charles Rose 6:30 p.m. Porrello Family INT Thursday, April 5 8:30 a.m. Lynn Plaster INT 12:15 p.m. Lawrence Crowley 6:30 p.m. Kathy Radeloff Dong Friday, April 6 8:30 a.m. Joseph Calise 12:15 p.m. Joseph V. Pernice 6:30 p.m. Glenn & Linda Roth INT Saturday, April 7 8:30 a.m. For the People INT Vigil Masses 4:00 p.m. For the People INT 6:00 p.m. Frank Baumer Sunday, April 8 7:00 a.m. Pauline & Norman Brunette 8:30 a.m. Anthony P. Grande 10:15 a.m. Rose Yakunich 12:00 p.m. Bill Athansulis 5:00 p.m. Angelo & Stella Scarfo Due to Holiday prin ng deadlines we will not be able to publish our Weekly Offertory Giving for the next few weeks. View this bulletin online at

4 An Introduc on to Joy of the Gospel Ministries, Inc. Did you know that a number of your fellow parishioners are ac vely involved with Joy of the Gospel Ministries? We are an organiza on of volunteers who have been feeding and clothing the poor and distressed in the downtown Clearwater community for nearly twenty years (formerly T.H.O.R.N.). Volunteers and donors include members of Espiritu Santo as well as many other Catholic parishes in northern Pinellas. This ministry allows us to deepen our faith by providing the opportunity to encounter and serve the marginalized, as urged by Pope Francis; to live out the Gospel (Ma hew 25:31-46) right here in the Clearwater area. Our guests are the poor, homeless, drug addicts, alcoholics, mentally ill, repeat criminals and others that other community service organiza ons are not able to help. We welcome new volunteers, monetary dona ons and dona ons of new and gently used adult clothing (especially for men), including jeans, boxers, underwear, shoes, socks and shirts; backpacks; blankets; and toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, condi oner, soap, deodorant and lo on. We have been truly blessed by this ministry please keep us in your prayers, remember us when you re doing your spring cleaning, and know that you are always welcome to join us. Contact: Carol Purcell (parishioner) , John Sieh (parishioner) or joyo hegospelministries@gmail.com Reflec ons Reflec ons on the Scriptures by Jack Conroy, Ph. D - Second Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday I. Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35 The Second "Summary." Reflec on: In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke has created a number of "Summaries," wri en generally at "seams" in the ac on of the story, which provide a snapshot of the state of affairs in the earliest Chris an community. They generally have their roots in events described earlier in Acts (See 4:23-31 in this case) and look forward to events later in the story. (See 4:36-5:11 in this case.) On the other hand, Luke uses such "Summaries" as expressions of the highest level of social achievement in Greek society. To quote Dr. Greg Sterling of Notre Dame, St. Luke presents the Chris an community as embodying the most perfect a ributes: a) common possessions, (the hallmark of "friendship" in the ancient world, b) being commi ed to the resurrec on of Christ (no one was "lukewarm," and c) dedica on to the needs of others (embodying the message of Love that Christ brought.) Hence, this community consisted of "Athletes of Virtue," those individuals who were well-prac ced in the virtues affirmed by the Son of God, and who exhibited such virtues to the highest level. No one, (including us) could be but impressed by such a descrip on. II. I John 5:1-6 The Root of Faith. Reflec on: This sec on of the First le er of John follows that cri cal passage where the character of God is best defined in the New Testament: "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." (1 John 4:16) Hence, within this context, we see a consequence which is consistent with the perspec ves of the Hebrew Scriptures: that we love God when we follow His Law; and (further consistent with the wri ngs of the later Rabbis,) following God's commands is a source of joy, not a burden. Indeed, the conquest of the world (or conver ng the world to Chris anity) is the faith that we have not in "Torah," but in the person of Jesus Christ. The reference to "water and blood" implies that the love that was Jesus' love was expressed not only in bap sm (which we share) but in his death on the cross, (which we must also share.) Hence, our faith is rooted not in Law, but in a Person; but that faith in the Person leads to the joy of fulfilling what St. Paul called the "Law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2). III. John 20:19-31 The Original Ending of the Gospel. Reflec on: I suspect that all four Gospels were wri en to help believers answer the ques on, "Who was Jesus Christ." In this reading, which you will see provides an "ending" to the Gospel, we have four cri cal points that the Evangelist made: One, the Resurrec on was real, not merely the figment of someone's imagina on, or not merely the appearance of a "ghost." Two, a commissioning of the disciples to go forth. (We see another commissioning in Chapter 21, probably wri en later by an editor.) Three, the ul mate answer to the "Who?" ques on in verse 28, when the most skep cal of the disciples affirms Jesus' divinity in an unequivocal manner: "My Lord and my God!" St. John's Gospel has the "highest" Christology, affirming that Jesus was God. Not an emissary, not a prophet, but God! Finally, (four) the reason for wri ng: that through that book those who have never "seen" Jesus in the flesh might believe, and that through such belief, we might have Life in His Name. That is the core of St. John's Gospel, all wrapped up in 13 verses! View this bulletin online at

5 Celebra ng Easter: Deepening Our Prayer Life Jesuit Father Nathan O Halloran S.J. is coming to Espiritu Santo to lead a six-day Easter Season Parish Mission & Retreat on deepening our prayer life and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. He will help us grow closer to Christ, to crea on and to each other. Father Nathan, who is studying for a doctorate degree in theology at the University of Notre Dame, will talk about the spirituality of Jesuit founder St. Igna us Loyola and adding an Igna an dimension to our contempla ve spirit. That includes Jesuit principals of pu ng prayer into ac on by promo ng social jus ce, peace, the protec on of the environment and the dignity of each person, especially the poor and marginalized. The mission begins with the 4 p.m. April 7 Vigil Mass and concludes a er the 8:30 a.m. Mass on April 12. Father Nathan will concelebrate and preach at the weekend Masses, Divine Mercy Sunday, and at daily Masses. Sunday s celebra ons will include Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament at 1 p.m., a Taize Prayer Service at 1:30 p.m., the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 2:30 p.m. and Benedic on at 3 p.m. Father Nathan will give reflec ons and mission talks in the Main Church following the 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Masses Monday through Wednesday, and a er the 8:30 a.m. Mass Thursday. Father Nathan, 36, was ordained to the priesthood in June 2014 at St. Francis Xavier College Church at St. Louis Jesuit University. He has been ac ve in preaching and wri ng about the social and economic issues he experienced since childhood. He was raised on The Lord s Ranch, a Catholic lay community in the border town of Vado, New Mexico, with seven brothers and sisters. His Catholic missionary parents met and were married at the ranch. The children helped with the ranch work and, as they grew older, frequently crossed the border into Mexico to do prison ministry and to distribute food to the poor. Jesuit Father Richard Thomas, founder of The Lord s Ranch, was a major influence on Father Nathan as a youth. They both expressed special concern for immigrants, refugees and migrant workers. Father Nathan le for college, earning a bachelor s degree in philosophy and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. He entered the Jesuits in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, then earned a master s degree in philosophy from Fordham University in New York and a master of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in California while serving as chaplain in an AIDS hospice. He is in his third year of a five-year doctorate program at Notre Dame University. Please welcome Father Nathan to our parish community and join us during this inspiring mission and retreat. Celebrate the Risen Christ in Joy! Espiritu Santo Parish Mission & Retreat Schedule With Father Nathan O Halloran, S.J. - All are invited Saturday, April 7 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. Vigil Masses concelebrated by Father Nathan O Halloran, S.J., to introduce the Parish Mission & Retreat Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8 All Masses - Father Nathan O Halloran will concelebrate and introduce the Parish Mission & Retreat 1:00 p.m. Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament, Main Church 1:30 p.m. Taize Prayer Service, Main Church 2:30 p.m. Divine Mercy chaplet and devo ons, Main Church 3:00 p.m. Benedic on of the Blessed Sacrament, Main Church Monday, April 9 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk, Main Church 1:00 p.m. Sta ons of the Resurrec on, Chapel 6:30 p.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk, Main Church Tuesday, April 10 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk, Main Church 6:30 p.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk. Confirmandi and teens a end and includes ques ons and answers, Main Church Wednesday, April 11 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass with school children, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk, Main Church 6:30 p.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by mission talk, Main Church Thursday, April 12 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass, Father O Halloran homily, followed by final mission talk, Main Church View this bulletin online at

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10 Should I Be a Catholic? RCIA It is not uncommon for some people of faith to go from church to church looking for the right home. They might be Protestants, Catholics or of no par cular domina on at all. But each is seeking faith and somehow feeling called to God. It is for those people, and others like them, that Espiritu Santo is hos ng a series of inquiry sessions called, Me a Catholic? Father Len Piotrowski is leading these conversa ons about our Catholic tradi ons and our individual calls to faith as part of our con nuing program for adult faith forma on. Our next two sessions will be 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, April 24 and May 22, in the Parish Center. We have been talking with people who are looking for a faith tradi on for the first me or for something new. Others are simply curious about the Catholic Church, or have dri ed away for some reason. It is a chance to discuss issues with the Church and to learn what our Catholic Chris anity has to offer, the depth of our faith, and how it reaches out to all people as a universal Church, as Jesus did and con nues to do. Maybe you know someone who is looking for a faith community or who wonders about returning to our Church and is simply wai ng to be asked. As always, there is no pressure on anyone to do anything only an opportunity to ask ques ons, to meet others and to learn about the Catholic faith. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the faith we love. So please consider invi ng someone and joining us at any of these sessions. For informa on, or if you or someone you know have ques ons, please contact Deacon Steven Girardi in the parish office at (727) , ext. 310, or by at deaconsteven@espiritusanto.cc On this holiest of weekends, Espiritu Santo Parish joyfully welcomes 12 women and men into full communion with Roman Catholic Church during the great Easter Vigil Mass. Father Len will bap ze seven of these people during the vigil, and later administer confirma on to them and eight others who already are bap zed as Catholics or in other Chris an faith tradi ons. So it is with great happiness that we welcome: Ashley Ferreris, Chris na Finocchi, Megan Finnemore, William Gibson, Anson Hurt, Angela Maskara, Rob Milner, Whitney Milner, Sarah Palazzolo, Vincent Palazzolo, Robert Ruggiero and Reilly Wolf. They are among about 1,000 men, women and children coming into the Church in the five-county Diocese of St. Petersburg. It is a special me of year as they join others around the world who are received into full communion with the Catholic Church each Easter. The three-hour Easter Vigil, which begins at sundown, caps a faith journey that began in September for many of our Catechumens (unbap zed) and Candidates through the Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults. Others joined us along the way, many who have been a ending Catholic churches for some me and have asked to be confirmed. Previously, Father Len, with dispensa on from Bishop Gregory Parkes, has welcomed 13 adults into the Church during confirma ons in October, December and February. At least four other adults are scheduled to make their confirma ons, along with our students, when Bishop Parkes visits our parish on May 26. If you, or anyone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, returning to the Church, or has ques ons, please contact Deacon Steven Girardi at (727) , ext. 310, or at deaconsteven@espiritusanto.cc Happy Easter! Deacon Steven Girardi RCIA deaconsteven@espiritusanto.cc View this bulletin online at

11 Religious Educa1on Youth Ministry Catechist Magazine Honors 2018 Middle School Youth Mee1ng Congratula ons to Brian Jones who is one of the top 10 finalists in the 2018 Honors Program through Catechist Magazine. This award is given to some of the most inspira onal finalists in the area of catechist, DRE/CRE, youth ministers, and religion teachers in Catholic schools. The finalists stories illustrate our important role of passing on the faith to others. Brian inspires others by making Jesus the center of his life. He encourages men in the Knights of Columbus to teach faith to youth. His faith witness starts with, Being a catechist is by far the most fulfilling thing I do in the parish. If you want to learn more about your own faith, you need to teach it to others. To see more of his story and stories of other exemplary catechists see the January issue of Catechist Magazine. The last middle school mee ng was on March 23 and we had gym night in Padua Hall. We played dodgeball and kickball and other fun ac ve games. We went outside and played flashlight tag. Not into gym ac vi es? We also had trivia in the dining room. At our March 9 middle school youth mee ng, the students made their own pizzas and pretzels by grinding their own wheat to make the flour. A big THANK YOU goes out to Michele and Jerry Niedzwiecki and Brian Jones and the Knights of Columbus for all their help during the preparing and cooking! Come and join us and see how much fun middle school youth can be! No Class There will be no Religious Educa on classes from March 25 to April 7 for spring break and Easter. Classes will resume the week of April 8. First Holy Communion/Jesus Day The First Communion retreat (Jesus Day) will be on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. All students are asked to be at the church for check-in at least 10 minutes before. We are looking for adult help, so if you are interested, contact Ellen in the RE office. First Holy Communion Rehearsals Rehearsals for First Communion will be on either April 25 or 26 or May 2 between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. based on your assigned First Communion Mass. Contact the RE office if you need assistance on which rehearsal to a#end. Confirma1on Retreat The Confirma on retreat will be on Tuesday, April 10 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Please keep an eye on your inbox for more informa on. Ellen Jones Director of Religious Educa1on ellen@espiritusanto.cc Good Samaritan Project Good Samaritan Project will be the week of June The Good Samaritan Project is an annual summer service program, run by the Office of Youth Ministry at the Diocese of St. Petersburg, designed to provide young people the opportunity to joyfully serve the needs of the community and the Church. If you are interested in your child a#ending, contact Ellen in the RE office for more informa on. Challenge The Challenge group spent March 4 baking to help others. They donated their baked goods, cookies, muffins, bread, to bring smiles to others. There will be no Challenge group on April 1. View this bulletin online at

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13 Around the Parish Bap sm Class Saturday, April 7th in John Bosco Center 9:30 a.m. Bap sm is the first sacrament of the Catholic Church that your child will receive. Expectant parents or parents of infants and children six and under are invited to our next bap sm orienta on class. To register or for addi onal informa on, please call ext. 324 or the bap sm ministry at bap The Women of Espiritu Santo invite you to a Baby Shower honoring the Kimberly Home Thursday, April 5th at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Center. Please join us as we celebrate new life. Most needed gi sugges ons: Diapers (sizes 4-5-6), baby wipes, baby shampoo, soap, cream (no powders please), wash cloths, towels, baby clothes (onesies), infant socks, baby laundry detergent (like Dre ), newborn laye es, toys, strollers. Congratula ons to our Girl Scouts who were recognized for the following awards at the annual DOSP Catholic Award Ceremony with Bishop Parkes at St. Jude's Cathedral on March 11th. The Mother Mary Award is a Diocesan Award presented to Brownie Girl Scouts in the 2nd or 3rd Grade. The Program is designed to teach girls a greater understanding and knowledge of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and encourages a deeper understanding and awareness of her Catholic Faith through explora on of her Catholic heritage. ESCS recipients of this award were: Carys Adams, Kristen Brock, Madison Brock, Bella Cortes, Bella Mendizabal, Ava Nesci, Scarle Odmark, Bree Rotenberg, Gabriella Suarez-Vargas, Hayden Tolliver, and Leia Williams. The Ave Maria Award is presented to Junior Girl Scouts, Grades 4, 5, & 6. This program is designed to enrich each girl with greater understanding and knowledge of the tles and appari ons of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, especially, as Queen of the Holy Rosary. ESCS recipients of this award were: Ka e Kleinsorge and Sarah Williams. Join Bishop Parkes and Bishop Emeritus Lynch at Catholic Chari es Breakfast of Mercy on April 13 Catholic Chari es is hos ng its 4th Annual Breakfast of Mercy on Friday, April 13th from 7:30-10:00 a.m. at Feather Sound Country Club (2201 Feather Sound Dr., Clearwater). Join us to learn how we ve ministered to the underserved on the margins of society. Hear from our clients, our Angel Award winners, and Bishop Parkes and Bishop Emeritus Lynch regarding the importance of Catholic Chari es to the mission of the Church. Sponsorships are available. To purchase ckets ($35 ea.), call x104. PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE: May 9-19, 2019 Normandy [75th Anniversary of D-Day] & Paris & in-between: Rouen [Joan of Arc], Caen & Omaha Beach, the Abbey of Mt. St. Michel, Cathedral of Chartres, Paris. Mark the date for Abbey of Mt. St. Michel Brochure & Info: Fr. Michael Cooper, SJ or michael.cooperinfl@gmail.com and Sister Caroline Cerveny, SSJ-TOSF or c.cerveny@verizon.net Emmaus Retreat for the Women of Pinellas Co. June 1 3, 2018, Franciscan Center, Tampa Catholic women of Pinellas County: once again you have the opportunity to a end an Emmaus Retreat held just for you! This is a weekend of spiritual awakening that every woman should experience. Join us to deepen your rela onship with Jesus in a relaxed and tranquil se ng, free from the distrac ons of your normal rou ne. Private accommoda ons are $240; rooms for two are $195 per person. Please contact Deb Reedy ( ) for more informa on. View this bulletin online at

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