We Are Changing Lives Through Christ

All parishioners should have received a brochure introducing our “Call to Serve and Share: We Are Changing Lives Through Christ” stewardship initiative.  This effort is very important as we move forward with the mission and vision of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.  We, as a parish family, have changed so many lives in our community! You are invited to participate in this important program and help us respond to God’s great gift of love.  Please review the brochure and prayerfully consider how you and your family can help Our Lady of Lourdes Church by financially supporting our ministries, furthering our mission, and reinforcing our future!

CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!

Know Him

Here, united in God’s love, we are a visible sign of the body of Christ and together we do great things. Nourished by prayer and the sacraments, the members of our parish family are journeying on the path of discipleship and growing in relationship with Jesus Christ daily. We value discipleship and evangelization.

  • Cornerstone Scripture Study Bible study for men and women
  • EDGE | Life Teen Leading teens and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus and his Church
  • Faith Formation Children age 2 through grade 5 learn to live out our faith daily
  • Parish School Building a strong educational foundation, rooted in the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, for children age 3 through grade 8
  • RCIA Full initiation into the Catholic faith
  • That Man Is You! Men transform their lives to be true leaders for family and friends
  • Vacation Bible School Summer program for children
  • Walking With Purpose Bringing women to a more personal relationship with Christ

Love Him

As we strive to love one another better, good stewardship plays a key role. Stewardship isn’t a code word for financial support. Stewardship is about doing the work of Christ and engaging our many resources to further the ministry and mission of Our Lord. Remembering that everything we have is a gift from Our Creator.

  • Circle of Joy Praying through intercessory prayer for our parish family
  • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  Adoring and honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ
  • Hispanic Ministry Spanish speaking prayer community
  • Liturgical Ministries Altar Servers, AV Ministry, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Gift Bearers, Greeters, Readers, and Ushers all serve and assist during the celebration of the Mass
  • Music Ministry Serving God and others in His name through music

Serve Him

We know the importance of bringing the love of God to our neighbors. Through our many ministries, and our social and service-oriented outreach programs, we put into action the truth stated so eloquently by St. John the Apostle: “If God so loved us, we also must love one another” (1 Jn 4:11).

  • Giving Tree More than 2,000 gifts delivered to the migrant farm workers’ children
  • Grief Recovery Helping with the loss of a loved one
  • House of Mercy and Encouragement  Counseling service for children & families
  • Kimberly Home/Respect Life Fostering the sacredness of life during and after pregnancy
  • Ministry of Consolation Assisting families preparing for the Funeral Mass
  • Ministry to the Sick Taking the Eucharist and providing comfort to the homebound
  • Pinellas Hope Homeless Shelter  $47,305 in donations received 185 residents received meals twice monthly
  • St. Vincent de Paul  $49,210 in donations received; 614 families received food assistance; 280 families received $50,000 in utilities assistance
  • Twin Parish & School, Haiti  $60,000 in donations sent to Sacred Heart of Jesus

CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!

Dear Parish Family,

In Matthew’s Gospel Chapter Six, verse thirty-four, Jesus says: “So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” These words came to my mind as we went into lockdown due to the pandemic. However, despite these reassuring words from Jesus, I was very concerned about tomorrow. I was concerned as to how we were going to continue Christ’s mission if we were shutting our doors, and cancelling all our services and ministries which keep us together as a family of faith, giving purpose and direction to our daily lives. How would we continue to educate our children in our School and through our Faith Formation programs? How would we look after the poor and most vulnerable on our own doorstep? Would we be able to employ a skeleton staff to keep our parish operating? Would we be able to continue to support our twin parish and school in Haiti? However, I quickly realized I was not only lacking faith in God’s providence, but also in the people of this parish I am privileged to serve.

Within a couple of days of lockdown, we opened our St. Vincent de Paul Society five days a week to provide basic needs to those in our wider community who were struggling to put food on the table. Food and monetary gifts appeared each day. We received enough funds to pay the salaries of the teachers in our twin parish and school in Acul des Pins, Haiti, providing education to over four hundred children, giving hope to the poorest of the poor. Whenever there is a world crisis, the poor always suffer the most. Our own teachers and faculty continued to provide a first-class education, and our Faith Formation programs went online. We extended our ‘live stream’ services, providing daily and Sunday Mass through our YouTube Channel. We produced programs on the Mass, Lent and other relevant topics. We opened the church each day for private prayer, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation. In other words, we did not allow the lockdown, or the continuing pandemic, to stop us from continuing the essential mission of Christ’s Church. I had no reason to worry about tomorrow, because the faith, love and generosity of the people of this parish can weather any storm, and carry us over the highest mountain! Thank you for increasing my faith and trust in Christ.

There are still challenges ahead. We have to relight the flame of faith in the hearts of those who have distanced themselves from the life and mission of the Church. It can take time to dispel fear from people’s hearts. This year’s stewardship initiative gives us the opportunity to renew our investment in the present and future mission of our parish. Thank you for your open, loving and generous hearts. Thank you for Changing Lives Through Christ. Thank you for living your baptismal vocation. Thank you!

Your fellow pilgrim,

Father Gary (Dowsey), Pastor
CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!

Call to Serve and Share

During his homily on Sunday, October 24th, Father Gary introduced our 2021 ‘Call to Serve and Share: We Are Changing Lives’ stewardship initiative. This initiative gives us the opportunity to renew our investment and commitment in the present and future mission of our parish. Click below to watch a video of Father Gary’s homily, and pray with your family about how you are able to renew your commitment.
CLICK HERE to read and/or download Father Gary’s homily.
 
CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!

Financial Snapshot: 2020 Fiscal Year

Operating Income

Operating Expenses
CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!

Through the challenging times of the past 18 months, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish family has continued its mission of Changing Lives by focusing on our priorities. We thank you for your generosity. We thank you for Changing Lives Through Christ!

Click the link below to find out how you have helped us keep Christ’s mission alive.

Video produced courtesy of:  John Elisco  |   Elisco’s Creative Cafe  |   https://elisco.com/
 
CLICK HERE to renew your commitment to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish!