As the Tampa Bay area on Florida's west coast prepared for what was expected to be a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of St. Petersburg invited all in the diocese to pray to God "for the protection of life and property as we face this serious threat."

"As Hurricane Ian approaches our area, as we make our final preparations, and as we begin to feel the effects of the storm, I invite you to pray with me," he said in a video message released Sept. 27 to the diocese, which includes Tampa.