DOSP Young Church

09/18/2025

09/13/2025

Today the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry made butter, and here’s why:

We advocate for the practice of visioning in our ministry programs, seeking clarity, and assessing existing programming. We also aid those we serve in professional development and identifying areas for growth. But our office doesn’t just advocate the practice for others, we model it in our ministry.

As ministries return to ‘full swing’ in September we met to strengthen our team identity, remember our pastoral priorities, commit to self-development, and assess our current programs.
For one day, we took no other appointments in order to discuss, refine, and commit to serving you, (our ministry leaders).

Our Office exists to support Bishop Parkes in leading the youth and young adults of Tampa Bay in their call to be missionary disciples. We accomplish this primarily through providing our ministry leaders with: one-on-one consulting, formation courses, gathered human/spiritual growth opportunities, select youth and young adults events, prayerful support, and accompaniment at their request.

Our team is passionate about using our gifts and experience to support your ministry. Together we can share the light of Christ with all the youth and young adults of Tampa Bay by working alongside you to courageously live the Gospel and call our young church to deeper conversion.

But why make butter? Being present to our leaders is our bread and butter. We seek to offer exceptional pastoral care- and we were reminded of the work that exceptional requires as we made butter together . While the butter was good, I think I speak for the whole team when I say we’re excited to keep going the extra mile for you and leave butter making to the butter making professionals. 🧈 (A very special thank you to St Matthew’s parish family for hosting us - and especially for Lisa’s kindness and Fr Jonathan’s powerful homily)

09/11/2025

Youth ministers, new and veteran, are encouraged to come together at the Pastoral Center to review Diocesan policies, learn about new liability forms, and share about the needs of their community.

09/09/2025

Hey Youth and Young Adult Ministers! Get to know our staff, who exists to support you! Give us a call/shoot us an email to learn more about what support our office offers. We can’t wait to get to know your community, your ministry, and your walk with Christ!

09/08/2025

This past Saturday nearly 70 youth ministry volunteers and youth ministry leaders gathered for a time of formation and prayer in the Life Teen Empower training at St. Raphael’s.

These dedicated men and women “gave up” a whole Saturday to become better stewards of their gifts and learn strategies to better accompany young people in courageously living the Gospel and calling them toward deeper conversion! We are so grateful for their service, and the service of all the amazing men and women who give of their time, talent, and treasure so the young church of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg can come to know Christ better each day.

Swipe to the end to see a group of youth ministers (new and veteran) gathered from across our Diocese!

09/07/2025

Today youth ministers (new and veteran) from across the Diocese gathered with their Core Teams at St. Raphael’s for the Life Teen Empower training. They shared experience, stories, and prayer.

09/04/2025

The building committee met again today to continue to envision how to best prepare Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp’s facilities to continue serving young people in the Diocese for years and years to come.

08/31/2025

We hear a lot about back to school season - but it’s back to ministry season too! While summers are packed with activities in our parishes, many parishes and campus ministry programs will begin their weekly programming again next week. To celebrate, a group of youth and campus ministers gathered for fellowship, food, and sunshine. Don’t forget to say a prayer for our young church this week and the courageous men and women who proclaim the gospel to them! ☀️

08/07/2025

Hey Youth Ministers!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for your own professional development and cultivating your community with other leaders!

All youth minister certification courses (contact Jeff for details) and Youth Minister Meetups (contact Melissa for details) are open to all designated youth ministers of the DOSP (paid or volunteer.) we heard your feedback and have some great meetups planned for the fall! Watch your email for more specifics as each date approaches- we’re excited to journey alongside you as we serve Christ’s young people in our beautiful Diocese.

***note on paddle trip. If you’d like to attend please book through the State Park for the 10:30 am slot. ($35/each for single kayaks, $8/each to lunch a personal vessel) it is not uncommon for time slots to sell out in advance so we recommend booking early- bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance if something comes up. ***

07/16/2025

Had a great time with parishes from the North Tampa Deanery who got together for a night of volleyball, scripture, and praise. Thanks go out to St. Timothy for hosting and congrats to Our Lady of the Rosary for being crowned volleyball champs! Their next deanery event will be VR Competitions hosted at St. Paul (Tampa) on August 7th.

04/22/2025

Did you know that over a dozen of our Diocesan Youth Ministers are currently meeting in cohorts for training to receive a certificate in youth ministry? - as an Easter treat, our Tuesday Cohort took a brief break from their studies for a time of fellowship today both in prayer and a walk around a community garden. Pray for those that work every day to serve our young Church.

02/03/2025

Over the weekend, 1000 hearts came together in joy, peace, and unity to witness to the sanctity of life at the DOSP first annual March for Life Tampa.