There is an appointed time for everything ,and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.”. Ecc:3:1-5

My sisters and brothers in Christ. As our time together draws to a close and our journeying together brings us to a moment of completion, I reflect back on the past six years of our season together. We took time to listen and learn from each other and to embrace a vision of welcome, inclusion and transformation. Together we looked beyond the challenges and we forged ahead to be an agent for change and betterment not only for our parish, our neighborhood but for Saint Petersburg and Pinellas County. We focused on Courageously Living the Gospel by forging a new mission statement where you placed the unwanted and unloved as a priority in your outreach. St Joseph took on the new name as “The Church that Cares”. We partnered with civic leaders and community organizations to stand with those on the peripheries, the youth, the homeless, the hungry and underserved and together we transformed this community. Gone are those days of fear and skepticism as we boldly walked the streets, knocked on doors, listened to the needs of our neighbors and created together an environment of inclusion, love and respect. From the food pantry, the Covid Clinic, the Givens Youth Center, the Garth Albury school drive and meals for the hungry we sought to meet and address the needs of this community.

You now enter a new season as a parish walking into your next 100 years. I trust that you will build upon your rich past and find in your history to guiding light to lead you on into the future. May you always find in St. Joseph not only your home, but that place where you create a spirit of inclusion, welcome and love for all who enter your doors. “The Cathedral in the Hood” is now officially a part of St. Jude Cathedral and your bishop, The Most Reverend Gregory Parkes with wisdom, grace and strength is providing you with guidance, pastoral care and parish oversight to help you forge ahead. Fr. Thomas Morgan as your Parish Administrator and Fr. Alexander Padilla as your parish priest have a great love for our beloved church and the people of God. You are being placed in good hands. These men of faith join your journeying as we all ultimately seek to reach that goal of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.