Celebrate Mary in May

     May is a wonderful month of celebrations.  Traditionally, in the Catholic Church, May is set aside as a time for prayer, reflection and devotion honoring Mary, the Mother of God.  Catholics worldwide participate in May processions with Crowning and Maypole festivals each year affirming our Faith in the Mother of God.
 
     On a personal note, May is also the time to celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring your very own Mother.  For most families this is a day to come together and offer Mom a day of rest, a day to sit back and enjoy!  This is the best way to thank Mom for being the Special person in our lives.
 
     May has been designated National Physical fitness and sports month by the President’s Council on fitness, sports and nutrition.  As our weather is always conducive to outdoor activities, strive to achieve a new goal with your favorite method of fitness.  Make a concerted effort to improve your nutrition and eating habits.
                – Good Nutrition is the Path to Good Health

God bless,

Lynn Meehan RN, FCN
Parish Ministry
lynnmeehan14@yahoo.com.
727-797-2375 church office

     A justice ministry organization, F.A.S.T. is made up of more than 35 varied faith communities in Pinellas County.  The mission of F.A.S.T. is to bring together people of all faiths to engage in a process of listening, educating and acting in order to address community issues in a powerful way.  The goal is to serve as agents of change, calling for a renewed community by holding public systems accountable to improve the quality of life for all in Pinellas County and to foster and promote community wide interest and concern for the problems of individuals and families, particularly low to moderate income, so that such issues as poverty, crime, sickness, housing, education, and environmental degradation may be brought to the attention of our civic leaders.  Our parish is actively involved in FAST and we invite you to help our seniors, the poor, and disabled of our county.  To participate in this group or learn more, please contact the church office at (727) 797-2375.

FAST Website

     This Society ministers to the poor, needy, and homeless in our community by offering food, bus passes, and rent & utilities when needed.  Monetary donations are collected outside the church doors once a month.  Meetings are held twice monthly on the first Tuesdays and third Thursdays in St Vincent de Paul Room #10.  To participate in this group or learn more, please contact the St. Vincent de Paul office at (727) 797-2375, Ext 217, and ask for Katy.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Central Council St Petersburg Diocese Website

     For the Church, there is no distinction between defending human life and promoting the dignity of the human person. As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights that leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace. (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/index.cfm)

     The Respect Life organization at St. Michael the Archangel has as its main objective to reinforce the Respect for all Human Life. Volunteers discuss events within the community to promote the Pro Life mission of the Church and our Parish Community. Please contact  Donna Selkey at (727) 786-6322. 

• USCCB Issues & Actions Website
• USCCB Conscience Protection Video
• DOSP.ORG Refugee Hope Kit

      Pinellas Hope is located in Clearwater on the over 20 acres of land provided by Bishop Robert Lynch and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Pinellas Hope was established to serve street homeless adults by providing temporary emergency shelter. Intake is facilitated by three Community Outreach teams. Residents are assisted with food, transportation, employment assistance and social services.

      Our parish contributes to Pinellas Hope a few times a year with serving a dinner meal. If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, please contact the church office
at (727) 797-2375.

Pinellas Hope Website

     Casa Miguel is a rental community with 82 units designed to provide housing for very low income elderly.  It is owned and operated by St. Michael’s Housing, Inc., a non-profit corporation operating under the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information, call (727) 797-8551.